Olivia had expected it; she did. But despite the expectations, she couldn’t stop thinking, Is that building structurally sound? How can someone live here?

From a distance, the single house bordering the rice paddies had an appearance that she had seen while perusing history books for classes that wouldn’t be out of place in medieval China.

As Chester came closer, it became easier to see that the house was more a shack with a fenced yard than a house. Wood was gray from sun exposure, and the steps had broken some time ago. Weeds swarmed the yard, and no door hung on the building, only a tattered cloth keeping the elements out.

Yet, with all that, it was a home. Olivia could see clothes hanging in the back, the scent of something cooking now mixing with the smoke, and a young boy was busy drawing water next to the small well in the yard.

The boy lifted his head at Chester’s hoofbeats; he slowly approached the fence line, no doubt wanting to get a look at the mysterious rider and horse. Olivia couldn’t see, but she was sure the boy’s eyes widened when she guided Chester to the fence.

I can’t really blame him, Olivia thought, pulling Chester to a stop in front of the boy. A woman riding a horse with a parrot on her shoulder? The three of us make quite the odd sight.

Giving what she hoped was a friendly smile, Olivia turned to the boy. “Sorry for disturbing you, but I’m a stranger here. Could you tell me how far the nearest town – Ah, wait!”

The boy didn’t wait, darting back to the house and disappearing behind the cloth door.

Olivia pinched her nose. “Oh, good going, Olivia. You’ve gone and scared a kid.”

“Scare?” Gipp chirped. “Why?”

“Could be a lot of things, Gipp. My clothing, my accent, the fact he might not understand me because we don’t speak the same language. The list goes on.”

And was it just my imagination, or was that boy’s hair blue?

It might have been from the stress of being in another world, even if had barely been a day, but Oliva was sure the boy’s hair had been blue in the fading sunlight. Another world, probably not unheard of.

“Umm, excuse me.”

“Yes?” Olivia looked up. Wait, I understood that!

“Can I help you?” The woman glanced around as if expecting someone else to be outside. The boy stood behind her, hair not blue but black with one hand gripping her skirt while a younger girl stood next to him. All three were staring as if they weren’t believing what they were seeing.

 Olivia smiled. “I sure hope you can. I’m a little lost. Could you tell me where the nearest town is?”

The woman blinked, clearly surprised by Olivia’s question. “Umm, well, the nearest town is Li-An Village, but that’s an hour away.”

“And hour!” Olivia glanced at the sun, wincing at how low it was. There was no way she’d make it before sundown, especially with Chester exhausted from a full day of riding.

Pinching her nose, Olivia sighed. “This isn’t really my day.”

Guess I’m spending the night in a tree. Hope it doesn’t get too chilly here.

“You can stay with us!” Olivia jumped at the new voice and looked at the small girl, who had now moved to stand next to her mother.

“Min!” The woman admonished the young girl. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Why not, Mama?” Min asked with the curiosity of a child. “We have the room.”

“You still shouldn’t go inviting strangers into the house,” her mother said, gaze jumping from her daughter to Olivia and back.

“But we shouldn’t turn people in need away, right?” Min asked.

Olivia had to choke back a laugh. Oh gosh, she reminds me of when I was her age. Full of spunk and doing things no matter what others said.

“That’s nice of you. Min right?” At the girl’s nod, Olivia added, “You should listen to your mother, Min. She has quite a few more years than you do, so she has the final say.” If Mom caught me repeating what she told me all those years ago, I’ll never hear the end of it.

Strange, why did Min’s mother choke when Olivia referred to her as Min’s mother? Olivia decided to not bring attention to it. Wasn’t really her business anyway.

Now that I think about it, Min’s mother looks really tired. Has she not gotten enough sleep?

“But it’s dangerous at night,” Min exclaimed before turning back to her mother. “Please Mama? The roads and forest are full of dangers right now.”

“How do you know that, Min?” Her mother asked, surprised by Min’s statement.

“I overheard Mr. Yuan when he was walking back home.”

Min’s mother pinched her nose. “That man, I wish he’d be careful about what he says out loud.” She turned to Olivia. “I apologize for this, but Min does have a point. If you’re fine, we can hold you up for the night.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I really don’t have any way I can pay you back for it. Besides helping around your house.” Not unless they want to have money that is worthless in this world.

“It’s alright,” Min’s mother said. “As Min said, we shouldn’t turn away those in need.”

“Can't argue from the mouths of babes,” Olivia shook her head. “So, any place I can put Chester up for the night? He’s pretty tired from all the walking he’s done today.”

Chester snorted in agreement, shaking his head as if trying to stay awake. Olivia gave the tired horse a few pets. I think there's some carrots in one of the pockets. I'll give Chester some as a reward for a hard day's work.

“He can stay with Yu,” Min said excitedly. “There’s a stall next to her’s. I bet she’d like the company.”

“Min,” her mother sighed.

Olivia chuckled as she dismounted. “Name’s Olivia Adams. Olivia’s my first name, so call me that.”

“Heng Ju,” Ju returned. “This is my son, Ping.” She put a hand on the older boy’s shoulder. “And you’ve met Min.”

Min sprinted down the steps. “Your name’s funny.”

“Min!”

Olivia laughed. “I’m sure it is.”

“What’s that on your shoulder?”

“Min, it’s rude to point.”

Lifting a hand for Gipp to step on, Olivia held out the parrot for Min to see better. “Min, meet Gipp. Gipp, meet Min. Say hello Gipp.”

Gipp bobbed his head. “Hello. Hello. Hello.”

“It talks! Mama, the bird talks!”

“He can say a lot more too,” Olivia winked. “If it’s alright with your mom, why don’t you show me where I’m putting Chester? I can tell you more about what Gipp can do.”

“It’s alright. Go with Min, Ping.”

Ping nodded before following after his sister.

“I’m glad Mama agreed that you can stay with us,” Min said as she led the party behind the building.

“I’m glad too.” Oliva smiled. “I didn’t feel very comfortable about sleeping outside anyway.”

Min nodded. “It’s like that for everyone, with the hungry ghosts running around the forest at night.”

Olivia stumbled.

“I’m sorry, what?”