She woke hours later with the distinct feeling that she was forgetting something, but it eluded her as she tried to pin it down. Finally, she gave up on the chase and turned to one of the big windows flanking the fireplace. The curtains were open, and the blinds were up, providing a clear view of trees, grass, and a gravel path, all lit by golden, late afternoon light. A smile bloomed on Kat’s face and then withered away.

“Where are we?” she said aloud.

“My cabin outside of town,” Darius said from the second floor.

 Kat stretched over the side of the couch, craning her neck to try and see him.

“You own a cabin?” Kat asked in surprise. Darius must be doing exceptionally well in his voice-acting career. She was in the wrong line of work.

“It’s technically my family’s. Or, well, it used to be a long time ago. One of these rooms was my sister’s,” he sneered the word, “My room used to be up here, but I’m the only one who’s used this place in years, so I moved into the master.” He started descending the stairs, carrying something.

Kat frowned and wracked her uncooperative memory. Darius had mentioned spending summers at the lake, she recalled. She began puzzling out just where they could be, taking clues from the mixed-deciduous trees outside.

“Epuri Forest?” She guessed. A cold twinge of unease went through her stomach. Epuri was hours away from Davenport. That was not what she’d expected. She had erroneously assumed that she was in his apartment. He’d written a Davenport address on the shelter volunteer form. Why bring her here, so far from the city?

She looked up and caught a flicker of surprise on Darius’s face before he smoothed it over. He held a brightly colored, six-inch-long lizard in his hand.

“Yeah, near one of the lakes. Pretty up here, right? Nice and private, with no city noise or sirens, so you can rest properly. You want to hold Persephone?” He proffered the black and yellow gecko to her.

Kat’s questioning threads of worry faded as she focused on the lizard.

 “She’s so cute.” She looked the little, chunky-tailed creature over with unfeigned delight. “I don’t want to drop her,” she said, feeling inadequately equipped without two good hands

“Just sit back and don’t make sudden moves that might make her slip. She’s a good climber, she’ll be fine.” Darius suggested. “Be warned. She’s careful, but she does have sharp toes.”

Kat held still as Darius extended his arm with the gecko. She gently petted the animal with her index finger, going along the grain of scales. Persephone wasn’t warm or cold against her skin, merely dry. Some tiny crumbly pieces of sand or something from the terrarium were clinging to her, evidence of burrowing. With some coaxing, Persephone transferred from Darius’s arm to Kat’s, and she slowly brought her arm close to her body and gave the lizard a thorough once-over.

“Look at those gorgeous spots,” she remarked admiringly. “I’m guessing they eat things like crickets, spiders, and worms?”

“Yeah, they do. I feed them crickets and mealworms with supplement powder.” Darius explained eagerly, emboldened by her interest.

“Geckos... most of them can’t blink, right?” Kat said, searching her uncooperative mind for information she knew she’d read about geckos. “They use their tongues to keep their eyes wet. But Persephone has eyelids.”

“That’s right! Leopard geckos are unique like that. They’re also different from most geckoes because their toes aren’t sticky. It makes it easier to keep them in the tank since they don’t climb the glass walls.” Darius sat on the couch beside her, watching her interact with the lizard, and his lips curved into a faint smile. “I’m glad you like her.”

“Why wouldn’t I? She’s great. Very calm and clearly well cared for.” She caught Darius’s eye and smiled, nose crinkling as Persephone’s claws tickled her skin.

“What got you interested in zoology?” Darius asked, inclining his head. “I know you mentioned watching documentaries as a kid.”

Kat went quiet as she considered how to answer.

“It’s hard to put into words. I’ve always been fascinated by them. Something about animals is so different from people, so...soothing.”

“...Like a peace, you can’t feel other places. A stillness inside that makes the world shut up.” Darius whispered.

Slightly taken aback, Kat looked at him closely and nodded. He hadn’t put it precisely how she would’ve, but he’d hit the nail on the head. “Exactly. I’m going into zoology because I hate seeing them in pain or scared and hungry. I want to be able to reach out and help, to make a difference.”

“I feel the same way,” Darius commented softly, his eyes becoming lidded.

Kat squirmed as Persephone tried to burrow into her shirt. “Ack, nope. Sorry, little one, I don’t think so.”

“I’ve got her,” Darius chuckled and took hold of Persephone’s body, lifting her free. “She likes the body heat,” he explained. “And high vantage points. Shall I return her to her tank?”

“Sure. It was very nice to meet you, Persephone!” She beamed up at him. “Thanks for letting me hold her.”

“Anytime. Just say the word if you want to hang out with them.” Darius told her. “I like seeing my girls happy.”