As it got dark, Ned's mom walked in with a bowl in her hands.

"Drink up, child. You haven't had anything these past few days," she said, handing me a bowl of soup.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked as I took the bowl in my hands.

"Three days. I was very scared when Ned got you home; we thought we'd lose you," she said with a sad expression.

"I can never thank you and Ned enough," I said with utter honesty.

"You should not thank us, dear. We did what we had to do," she smiled.

"I must soon get back to my house," I said as I stared at the steam from the hot soup.

"Do you have anyone with whom you can stay?" she asked, and I shook my head, indicating I didn't have anyone.

After a minute of silence, she said, "You can live with us. Call this place your home and its people your family."