The smell of grilled fish and herbs slowly filled the house, wrapping around every corner like a warm embrace.
The aroma was rich and inviting, carrying hints of rosemary, thyme, and the subtle smokiness of perfectly cooked fish.
It mingled with the earthy scent of the vegetables simmering in the stew, creating a symphony of fragrances that made my stomach rumble in anticipation.
The warmth of the kitchen enveloped me, the fire crackling softly in the hearth as the last rays of evening sunlight streamed through the window.
I stirred the stew one last time before placing the lid over the pot.
The metal was warm beneath my fingers, the contents bubbling gently.
The fish had been grilled to perfection, the skin crisp and golden, the flesh flaky and tender.
The vegetables had softened beautifully, releasing their natural sweetness into the broth.
It was a meal worthy of any table, simple yet satisfying.
“There.” Garrett was still standing beside the counter with that same expression on his face.
His arms were folded, his head tilted slightly, and even without sight, I could feel the weight of his disbelief radiating from him.
His lips were pressed together in a thin line, his brow furrowed.
He genuinely thought I was insane.
“What?” I asked, turning to face him fully.
I placed my hands on my hips, waiting for his response.
“…Nothing.” “No, say it.” “I’ve decided not to question whatever goes on inside your head.” I scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive.
“Good decision.” He let out a quiet sigh, the sound carrying a mixture of resignation and amusement.
His shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension easing from his frame.
“I still think this plan won’t work.” “It will.” “And if it doesn’t?” “Then I’ll think of another plan.” “You seem very confident.” “I’ve lived with Theo long enough.” I folded my arms proudly, a self-satisfied smile spreading across my face.
“I know exactly how his little brain works.” Garrett looked unconvinced, his brow furrowing slightly.
He shook his head, a small, almost imperceptible movement.
“I suppose we’ll find out.” A few minutes later, the food was finally ready.
The fish was perfectly grilled, the skin crisp and golden, the flesh flaky and tender.
The stew was thick and hearty, filled with vegetables and herbs that complemented the fish beautifully.
The bread was warm from the oven, its crust crackling as I sliced it.
I quickly served everything onto three plates before any evidence of the fish preparation remained.
The cleaned scales had already been buried outside, the knives washed and returned to their places, and the cutting board scrubbed until it looked untouched.
The kitchen was spotless, as though we’d never even been there.
Not a single trace of the morning’s fishing expedition remained.
Perfect.
Now there was absolutely no proof.
“Theo!” I called, my voice carrying through the house.
“Dinner is ready!” “Coming!” his cheerful voice echoed from upstairs.
I could hear the thumping of his feet as he scrambled to finish whatever he was doing.
Garrett and I took our seats at the small table.
The plates were steaming in front of us.
I smoothed my tunic, trying to appear calm and composed.
My heart was beating a little faster than usual, a nervous energy thrumming through my veins.
A moment later, Theo hurried downstairs, his damp brown hair sticking out in every direction after his bath.
He’d clearly rushed through his washing, eager to join us.
His cheeks were flushed, his eyes bright.
“It smells really yummy in here!” He climbed onto his chair excitedly, practically bouncing in his seat.
His small hands gripped the edge of the table, his legs swinging beneath him.
“Right?” I said with a smile, my voice carefully light.
Across from me, Garrett gave me a look.
The kind that silently asked, Are you seriously doing this?
I ignored him completely.
“So,” I said, placing a piece of bread onto Theo’s plate, “how was playing with your friends today?” Theo immediately brightened.
His eyes sparkled as he launched into his story.
“Oh!
We played hide-and-seek first!” “Really?
Who won?” “Bebe did!
He found everyone because he’s really good at hiding.
He knows all the best spots in the forest.” “And then Skusku fell into the stream!” He giggled at the memory, his small shoulders shaking with laughter.
“He did?” I gasped dramatically, widening my eyes.
“Mm-hmm!
He was trying to hide behind a rock, and then he slipped, and Gracu laughed at him!
She laughed so hard she fell over too!” “That sounds like quite the adventure.” “It was!” Theo continued talking excitedly between mouthfuls while happily eating his vegetables.
His fork moved quickly, scooping up carrots and potatoes with enthusiasm.
The bread disappeared in large bites, leaving crumbs scattered across his plate.
Good.
Very good.
Keep talking.
Don’t look too closely at the food.
Garrett quietly ate, occasionally glancing between Theo and me.
His movements were slow, as though he were waiting for the moment the plan would unravel.
His fork moved methodically, bringing food to his mouth without hesitation.
I could almost hear him thinking, This is never going to work.
Theo hadn’t always been like this.
He adored eating meat.
Fish was one of his favorite foods, something he’d request whenever we had the chance.
He’d beg for it, his eyes wide and pleading, his voice sweet as honey.
The problem wasn’t eating it.
The problem was knowing how it became food.
He could devour an entire plate of grilled fish without a second thought before, but after that one incident he couldn’t anymore.
If he saw it being prepared, if he saw the scales and the bones and the evidence of its former life, he’d dissolve into tears.
The sight of a raw fish was enough to send him into a spiral of grief.
The first time I had sent him to the butcher’s market, he’d returned home sobbing so hard I thought someone had hurt him.
His small face had been blotchy, his eyes red and swollen, his voice hoarse from crying.
I’d dropped everything, rushing to him, convinced he’d been attacked or threatened.
Instead, he’d cried because he’d seen the animals.
The hanging carcasses, the blood on the floor, the butcher’s cleaver coming down again and again.
“Humans are so mean,” he’d wailed.
“They killed them!” After that day, I never asked him to visit the butcher again.
Theo suddenly stopped chewing.
His fork hovered in mid-air, his brow furrowing in confusion.
His small face scrunched up, his nose wrinkling.
“…Syly?” My heart skipped.
“Yes?” “…There’s something weird in my food.” Garrett slowly lowered his spoon, his head turning toward the sound of Theo’s voice.
His expression was unreadable, but I could feel the tension radiating from him.
Here we go.
“What do you mean?” Theo poked at the stew with his fork, pushing aside the vegetables to reveal a small piece of fish.
His face scrunched up in suspicion, his eyes narrowing.
“I think…” His lower lip trembled.
“…I think there’s fish in here.”