"Well how did ya'll sleep last night?" Menolly was washing up a few dishes as the group shuffled into the kitchen. Ray and Brandon had already been up and eating breakfast. Lucy and Janet had stumbled out of their room at about the same time and were yawning as they made their way into the kitchen. Jason was nowhere to be seen.

Probably still crashed out. Janet thought. Lazy... should go in there and kick him awake just to make sure he gets up.

"You look a lil' tried."

"Huh?" Janet glanced to where Menolly was watching her with a smile. That girl's always smiling, Janet tried to remember a time when she hadn't seen a smile plastered onto her face. Like it's the only thing she can do or something.

"Get a good night's sleep?" Menolly asked Janet again as she picked up a towel and began drying off a plate she had been cleaning. Janet shrugged.

"Horses kept waking me up last night."

"Horses?" Menolly paused and turned to the windian, giving her a curious look. "What are you talkin' about?"

"You didn't hear the horses?" Janet raised an eyebrow at the girl and then glanced to her traveling companions. "None of you?"

Everyone just shook their heads. Menolly let out a hearty chuckle.

"Ya musta been dreamin' it. Travelers don't come by here, there wouldn' be horses." She went back to drying her dishes.

Janet rolled her eyes. "Well I know what I heard. Lucy," she turned to her friend. "Didn't you mention hearing horses a few nights ago?"

Lucy thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, out on the road... but I didn't hear anything last night. All I remember was waking up and finding you walking back to your bed. Why were you up anyway?"

Janet shrugged. "Heard something at the door."

Menolly let out another chuckle. "Prolly just the house settlin'. You shouldn't worry too much 'bout it."

Janet watched the girl busy herself at the sink out of the corner of her eye. I don't like that girl... always smiling and laughing... something about it just doesn't seem right...

"I think I'll go wake up Jason." Brandon made a move to stand up but Janet cut him off quickly.

"I'll get him." She grumbled. Anything to get away from that girl. The windian made her way out of the kitchen and down the hall to where the guestrooms were located.

The door to the room the guys had been sleeping in was cracked just slightly, and Janet could hear Jason snoring quietly as she entered. Standing in the doorway, she spotted the red haired windian sprawled out on his bed, crossbow and quiver leaned up against the wall next to him.

Guy sleeps like a rock. Janet tsked to herself and made her way over to his bed. "Hey, Jason, wake up." She reached out and shook his arm lightly. The windian groaned and rolled over onto his side. Janet rolled her eyes. "Fine, be difficult." With a sigh, she glanced around the room and then stepped over to one of the other beds, grabbing a pillow before making her way back to the sleeping windian.

Fwhump!

"SHIT!" Jason jumped out of bed, turning and staring wide-eyed at Janet as he rubbed his nose. "What the hell? What did you hit me with?"

Janet held up the pillow with flowers embroidered into it. "I would have used something harder, but this just happened to be handy."

Jason muttered to himself and glared at Janet. "What the hell are you doing in here anyway?"

Janet shrugged as she tossed the pillow back onto the bed she had snatched it from. "Came to wake you up so we could eat and go. The sooner we get out of here the better."

"What have you got against this place?" Jason walked over to where his weapon and ammo were laying, snatching them both up and slinging them across his back. Janet shrugged.

"The people. Why?"

"There's nothing wrong with the people here." Jason rolled his eyes. "Unless you count yourself."

Janet gave Jason a sharp look. "I'm not kidding, Jason. The people here are weird. Even that girl out there in the kitchen." Janet motioned to the hallway with a wave of her hand.

"Menolly?" Jason raised his eyebrow at her. "There is nothing wrong with Menolly."

"Oh yea," Janet rolled her eyes. "Menolly could sprout two heads and you'd still say there's nothing wrong with her."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jason snapped in reply.

"Oh please, Jason." Janet placed her hands on her hips and gave the windian a look. "Like I can't tell you've been drooling over the girl since you first met her?"

"I have not!" Jason could feel heat rising up in his face and he turned his back on Janet, hoping she wouldn't notice his blushing.

"Have too! Geez, if you like her so much why don't you just stay here with her? Group would probably be better off anyway."

Jason turned to face her again, a look of annoyance on his face. "Don't think the offer hasn't come up!"

"So why didn't you take it?"

"Because... because I don't know!" Jason shook his head. "Look, just shut up and leave me alone about it alright!"

"Fine." Janet shrugged and turned, making her way towards the door. "Just get out here and have breakfast so we can go." Jason's reply barely made it to her ears as he muttered behind her. Janet headed out the door and into the hallway, turning to go towards the kitchen. She let out a startled yelp and stopped just short of running into Menolly.

"Hi there." Menolly smiled up at her. "Sorry to be in yer way, just goin' round the rooms and cleaning them up." She slipped past Janet and continued down the hall. Janet turned and watched her walk off.

There's just something not right about that girl... Janet thought suspiciously. I wonder how long she was standing out here. The thought left an unsettling feeling in Janet as she once again made her way towards the kitchen. Oh well, the sooner we leave the sooner she's nothing but a memory.