Louisa was panting heavily when she finally finished walking up a rather large hill. Apollo looked around curious and gasped as he caught sight of their final destination. They had reached a small meadow that overlooked the entire town. Apollo had only seen what a meadow, grass, flowers and other plants were from the picture books that Louisa had read him.
From the hoodie Apollo surveyed the seemingly quiet town surrounded. A giant metal wall with four massive watch towers and double door gate surrounded the town. "It's not fair." Louisa whimpered as she scrunched up her face. "What's not fair?" Apollo asked as his gaze was torn from the scenery and brought to her face.
"I don't look like my mom." Louisa replied as tears started to roll down her face. "I don't look like my mom either." Apollo said as he tilted his head so he could see Louisa's face better. "It's different." Louisa mumbled in between her silent sobs. "How?" Apollo asked. "People here are living in their own areas. Latins with Latins, whites with whites and people with power and status." Louisa answered with disdain. "Why?" Apollo asked.
"Because it makes people comfortable." Louisa said after she let out a shaky sigh. "That doesn't sound so bad." Apollo said as he watched Louisa's reactions. "My daddy isn't Latin. So it makes everyone uncomfortable." Louisa said before she started to look around for a place to sit. "So are you not allowed to mix?" Apollo asked.
"We are... but if you don't want to be looked at some sort of zoo animal they you need to live in the right neighborhood. To live in the right neighborhood you need to have money and power but my daddy is a researcher and mommy is a hunter. We don't make enough money and we have no power in this town. Daddy doesn't mind living like that but I'm not that strong." Louisa explained. "It sounds complicated." Apollo meowed softly.
"It gets worse. Mixed kids are hated. We are looked at like monsters." Louisa grumbled as she brought her gaze to the skyline. The sun was starting to set. Apollo wanted to ask but something deep down inside was stopping him from letting his voice out.
"To be liked by everyone I need to act how they expect me to be... but do I need to be different with every person? Do I have to smile no matter what? Pretend to not hear their hurtful jokes or words?" Louisa started. "So everyday I need to pretend that part of me doesn't exist. Forget that my daddy's blood flows inside me? Then I have to act more Latin then everyone else, people expect me to be more authentic then them so I can be forgiven for being mixed. That's not fair, if I don't people will talk badly about my family and then the bullying starts. Especially from the older ladies." Louisa explained.
"Like that lady?" Apollo asked. "She's the worst. She has beaten her education into me. Mommy found out and has kept me close so I don't get picked on anymore but everyone in our part of the community hates me. Actually they hate me more now that my daddy hasn't come back and those old ladies keep trying to get close to me so they can educate me properly." Louisa explained. "Don't go near them." Apollo meowed as he scrunched up his small face and flashed his fangs.
"That's why I try to be invisible. I never want them to see my face but... but... that happens and we can't say nothing about it because they run our part of the neighborhood." Louisa said as fresh tears started to roll down her cheeks. "You don't have to be invisible with me. I don't care what you are." Apollo meowed softly. "Thank you Apollo." Louisa said with a sad smile. She then gently unzipped her hoodie and scooped up Apollo out. She then placed him on top of the grass next to her.
Apollo's fur stood on end the moment his soft paws touched the grass. Louisa giggled because of his reaction. Apollo looked up and stared in wonder. She still had tears in her eyes and her cheeks flushed a deep pink. Her golden brown hair shined brighter under the light of the settings sun. "Have you never felt grass before?" Louisa asked. Apollo looked down and stretched out his toes, he opened and closed and opened them again, getting a better feel of the green blade like plants under his paws. "No." Apollo replied.
"Do you like it?" Louisa asked. "Yes." Apollo answered immediately as his eyes started to sparkle with amazement. "Then we should come here lots and practice muscle training. I bet in no time we can get you moving around and playing." Louisa said with a wide grin. Apollo nodded his head before laying his body on top of the grass. He really liked the feeling. The two sat in silence as they watched the sun slowly set into the horizon.
When the sun finally set Xiomara came climbing up the hill that lead to the meadow. "It's time to go home." Xiomara called out as she walked up to the two. "Mommy..." Louisa started but Xiomara just reached out and scooped up Apollo. She then placed him into Louisa's arms then scooped up Louisa. "It's okay baby... I know, I know." She said as she placed a kiss on top of Louisa's forehead.
"Louisa I need you to listen carefully. Apollo has been given a chance to live with us here but it will be at a great cost." Xiomara started to explain as she carried Louisa down the hill. "What do they want?" Louisa asked as she steeled her heart. "We will be watched even more closely then we are now. Any mistake, it doesn't matter how small as long as it's a mistake.... Gerald will openly watch us. He will kill Apollo and throw us out so please, both of you please be very careful from now on." Xiomara said with a sad tone.
Louisa nodded her head. "Yes mommy. I swear." Louisa said with conviction.
And in a blink of an eye nine years passed by.