"
"
Zelak narrowed his eyes. Concern grew in him as he glanced behind the cart while they rode under the trees. With a sigh, he tossed a handkerchief to Charla and turned his attention back to the road. "
Charla nodded shyly, taking the cloth and cleaning her face before gazing back with a breaking heart.
********
Rakon stared up, grimacing in the cold at an impossible sight. "
He examined the sight of white snow closely and glared back at Mae and his men. All of them jump, tensing under an icy gaze. He threw his hands forward. "
His men saluted and fled down the mountainous path.
"
Mae straightened. "
"
"
His hands and wrists, now black, bulged with even darker veins. Suddenly, a surge of pain rushed through. And Black veins reappeared across his body. Slowly, the black that consumed his hands traveled up, inching little by little before stopping completely.
Relief returned. "
********
Under the tree of the forest, Kalika trotted, half-avoiding the snow as she wandered. She stared on, her eyes puffy and her cheeks reddened.
Eventually, she tripped over a root, and she fell to her side.
She laid there, never considering standing. Instead, she curled into a ball against the cold. Her breath, still shaky from the chill around her.
She felt a void in her heart, bigger than she ever thought possible.
Memories of companionship flashed through her mind, vivid and relentless. The same moments replayed, refusing to fade. She pressed her hands to her head, bracing herself, writhing in pain on the snowy earth.
Suddenly, a familiar red dagger fell before her. She squirmed, trying to keep her eyes off it. Her face contorted. A mix of sorrow, rage, and indifference
She clawed at the hard dirt, barely managing to drag herself to her feet.
She moved on, wobbling, deeper into the forest.
Eventually, a large, bear-like creature blocked her.
She bit her lips. Frustrated.
She tried to ignore the beast, but it kept coming closer, then suddenly charged at her, ready to attack.
All at once, she fell to her knees, expecting another painful death.
A sharp whistle rang out. Blood sprayed across the snow. The beast toppled at her feet, motionless.
Not glancing one bit, Kalika stared on. The crunch of snow came louder along with deep breathing.
"
Defeated, Kalika's head fell, and before she knew it, a Karnal woman arrived and helped her companion, dragging Kalika through the forest.
Some time of traveling later, Kalika found herself in a quaint settlement. Wide open space, a large house made by hand, and a shed with rising smoke, with the scent of meat in the air.
Two Karnal boys, one red and one blue, ran from behind the house. They clashed, parried, and whacked at each other with sticks, as if dueling.
Hearing their arrival, they turned and approached with pure curiosity. "
"
Without hesitation, the two boys ran up the steps of their home and opened the door in coordination.
Kalika was quickly brought into the home and sat on a crudely made chair. It creaked loudly, but relief came nonetheless to the family of Karnal.
The boys, curious, poked and stared at Kalika, all as their father and the Birge woman contemplated the creature he'd killed.
She glanced, sensing no one else in the home.
This was it. A small family of four Karnals is trying to go about life.
Eventually, the women shooed the boys away to play some other games, and the karn hunter ventured back into the cold in search of his kill.
"
Kalika's eyes fell as she remained silent. Uncertain what to do, Birge turned and quietly prepared meals and set the table.
Time flew with the hunters' return and the boys' joyful reunion. All culminating in a meal set before them and Kalika.
The boys ate happily.
The man ate slow, keeping a pensive expression on Kalika, along with Birge.
All Kalika could manage was a simple stare at the meal. It was a fire-charred meat, painted and roasted with a honey-like glaze.
She stared at the plate, the scent of roasted meat barely reaching her. Her hand hovered over the food, but her stomach gave no response. She clenched her fork, then set it down, unable to force herself to take a single bite.
Soon, the family of Karnal finished. Questions washed over Kalika, dull and slow. She turned her head down, unwilling to speak.
Unsure what to do, they brought her into a private room fitted with a bed and a chest. They sat her down, placed her meal, and left her in the slightly cozy, small room.
The light faded slowly. Before she realized it, night had fallen.
Her mind was uncomfortably clear as she gazed at her blue hands. With a deep breath, she glanced at the cold plate. Downcast, she turned to laid in bed, turning from the door and food.
Silently, her tail curled along her right leg, squeezing tight as the void in her heart grew even bigger.
Suddenly, the jangle of the door erupted.
"
"
"
A gentle push was heard from outside the door, followed by a short stumble of one of the boys. Kalika could practically imagine the boy walking away, meekly.
"
"" Kafin, sighed exhaustedly. "
"
"
"
Kafin spoke more softly. " Kalika grimaced. She tucked herself further into bed, practically hugging herself.
" Her fingers dug into her arms. Her tail wrapped so tightly it ached. A hot sting threatened behind her eyes and she whispered into the darkness, 'Why?'
********
Kalika sat at her window, watching snow pile higher each hour. The world outside shrank away, leaving her and the others sealed inside. Her eyes were swollen from tears, her lips trembling with unspoken words.
Slowly, the door creaked open, with Birge checking on her. To Birge's surprise, Kalika's arms were riddled with bloodied scratches.
The two boys, behind her, watched as she fled, gathering wraps and entered hurriedly, bandaging Kalika's arm.
Unconcerned by the intrusion, Kalika continued to stare at the window, grimly, as the Karnal woman finished patching her arms.
As Kalika expected, both Kafin and Birge talk about her condition. Half of the day. The other half, the boys played around the home, creating an insignificant ruckus before helping with chores.
As usual, Kalika was brought to the table for a meal. She only stared at her plate and ate nothing.
Days passed slowly, cold days earmarked by quiet curiosity and solemn hopes. One night, she twisted and turned. Tired, she gazed at a plate of meat, frosted over with a crisp brown crust. Behind it, that same ornate dagger that's been haunting her returned, stabbed into her chest. She promptly turned from the blade and shook. Words quietly echoed in her mind, as the quiet reminder stood tall and silent on the chest.
No escape.
She looked at her overly bandaged arm, then her roughly scratched-up hands. From inside pulled her crimson knife and stared at the sharp, dull blade.
********
Another morning arrived, and always, so Birge peeked in, finding Kalika staring out the window as Kafin, along with his sons, worked to clear the snow outside. She prepared a new wrap of bandages and unwrapped them.
Birge's eyes widened in surprise when she saw that Kalika's wounds were already healed.
" Kalika, like always, ignored the women.
With a solemn smile, she stood and turned to pick the cold meal out of the room, but she stopped.
Food partially eaten with two blood blades stabbed into the chest. She pursed her lips, curious. But not wanting to pry, she simply took the meal and left.
Now alone, Kalika reached out her hands. A sting of envy rose inside, watching as the demons went about their lives, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
She watched the boys finish their chores and burst into wild play, sticks swinging as they shouted and tumbled. Their laughter filled the house as Kafin kept a close eye on them.
Slowly, memories of Lillian bubbled up, memories of how Lillian had always dragged her into adventures, tugging her into the garden to admire flowers she claimed were the prettiest in the world. Looking back now, even sad days were brightened by Lillian's laughter. Back when everything was so simple.
But as fun as those days were. They only stood as a stark, painful reminder of what she was.
With an aching heart, she retracted her hand. Returning to her doll-like state. Before she knew it, she sat at the table again. Staring at the same dish of meat, severed ten times over.
The only thing that changed were the clothes on her back. Far more loose and easily removable at a moment's notice.
She listened as the boys fought. And felt the father's stare.
Suddenly, his calm voice sliced through the chaos. " The boys glanced at their father, then at Kalika.
Like many times before, she sat unfazed and silent.
Kafin sighed. " The room became silent among the five. Birge, along with the boy, stared in anticipation, as if Kalika would unveil a newfound revelation.
" The two boys immediately spoke in curious chatter. Both confused and excited.
Kafin, however, silently groaned, disappointed. "Birge. Help her to her room."
Birge nodded and assisted Kalika from the dining room.
Excited, the boys scarfed down their food and followed to help Birge, bringing along Kalika's food.
Birge sat Kalika on her bed and forced a smile. " The boys followed a slight gleam shined in their eyes, drawing their attention to the gem-encrusted dagger implanted atop the chest. It's a sleek black handle. Its purple and green gems, along with the crimson steel, hypnotized the two boys, awestruck by its unique and elegant design. The red-skinned boys reached. He touched the dagger, but a shock surged, forcing their hand.
" Acting fast, Birge stepped in between the boys and the weapons. " The blue child, still holding the plate, glanced around Burge, taking note of the second red knife stabbed into the chest. " " The red boy circled to Kalika, " " From her bed, Kalika could hear Birge reprimand the two boys as she continued to drag them away.
She scoffed to herself, half-amused by the boys' innocence. Turning from the door, she gazed out at the afternoon snowfall, the dimming light painting soft shadows on the walls.
Yet again, Birge spoke about her. The same conversation. Hopes and doubts. And another decree of giving her more time to open up.
"Open up?"
It was like a joke that played in Kalika's mind. A cruel joke.
"What's the point? What's the point of even living?"
Her eyes slowly turned to her two knives. With clenched fists, a resentment slowly built up, feeling walls squeeze all around her.
"What's the point?"