I turned my back against them and left, no one else dared to come at me, nor they spoke another word. They are probably mind-linking, unable to decide on what to do. The Churis have already cleared the crest, nonetheless, I don't want to leave empty handed.
The snow knife is still intact and I picked it up as my trophy. The kids nudged A-nac's injured body, trying to wake him up. Maybe this incident will humble him or will turn him berserk. Whichever he chooses, I have to prepare myself.
I hurried home, because I recall that one of the A-nac's minions said that my parents' were fighting. I tried picking sounds from outside the house, but wasn't able to pick any. Perhaps the sound proof is placed to avoid the gossiping neighbors' ears.
There they are, in the kitchen, hugging each other. No words spoken, no lunch cooked and the dining table empty. They must've sensed me already, when both of them looked at me. My mom wanted to break free from my father's embrace, but it only made him hug her tighter. My father has always been showy and expressive, my mom, on the other hand is the opposite. I pray to the Creator to bless me a future relationship like that.
It appears that they have reconciled already, my ecstatic father volunteered in the kitchen today. My mom handed me a new leather bag she crafted. I thought it was for me, but it was quite big. She asked me to hand it to our neighbor, Merimma, Shiavur's mom. I gave my mom a quizzical look, and she explained that Merimma and her family are the only ones who were civil towards us. She added that maybe because her son is special, that they are more sympathizing compared with the others. When I disappeared, they were the only ones who helped without judgement or stirring rumors.
Then, I don't have any qualms handing my mom's gift to them. Both of my parents look so happy right now, I'll just bring up with what has transpired between me and A-nac later.
Since our house is just across theirs, the walk towards Shiavur's house was very quick. He was perched on a chair, staring aimlessly towards the icy wilderness. Something dropped on the floor, it was a cube of meat. A bowl of soup is seated on the rail, the spoon still inside it. Someone must've been feeding him, but left for something urgent. I tried calling for anyone inside the house, but no one responded.
Shiavur lets out some gurgling sounds. I looked around, but still no one came for him. I placed the bag by the stool cap of the window and cleaned Shiavur's face with his bib. He was staring at me and I stared back, half expecting he'll be saying a coherent word. But he didn't, I took the soup and tried feeding it to him bit by bit. And he ate it with gusto and he was smiling the whole time. Come to think of it, Shiavur is not that bad to look at. With his brown locks and handsome profile, he is a sign to behold. It's such a shame he's confined to a chair.
"Prune face is in love… Prune face is in love…" The kids in the neighborhood chanted. The girls were giggling and holding their stomachs, wiping tears from their eyes.
"Looks like you found your mate, Prune face." Jezebel, she's the same age as me or just a few months younger, and her tongue is as mean as a snake. I hate being in the presence of boys, like A-nac and his gang, but girls. Girls are of a different level of maliciousness. That's why I prefer leaving the village every so often. They would pick on your face, your breath, your clothes, speech, everything! It's more distressing because of the fact that Jezebel is pretty and talented at hunting. I can't compete with that.
"We're not even 15 yet, are you senile?" I retorted.
The laughed even more, "Why wait till 15, when it's obvious that you're the perfect match for each other?" Jezebel quipped, but they all turned mute when Merimma and some of the other villagers arrived.
"I'll gladly accept Karah as my daughter-in-law than some wicked girl such as yourself, Jezebel." Merimma said. She approached me and took Shiavur's bowl. "You have my thanks, Karah. You are such a kind and beautiful child." She held my hand and kissed my forehead. I was taken aback by her gesture, I'm ashamed that my warts are starting to proliferate again.
"What's this?" Merimma asked, inspecting the bag my mom gave her.
"That's my mom's present for you." I said out aloud, so the others can go green with envy. My mom creates beautiful bags and accessories, without enrolling herself in any apprenticeship. She learns by reading books a lot.
"Wow, I'll cherish this bag very much!" She hugged me and signaled the other villagers to go home. "Karah, someone died in the woods."
My heart raced, I felt bile rising to my throat. "Someone died?" A-nac didn't die. It's impossible! He was very much alive when I left him. His injuries aren't that fatal, he just collapsed. Then Merimma mentioned a name, it was one of A-nac's minions. "We believe he got murdered with a snow knife."
The whole thing doesn't make sense. They probably went hunting after our fight, but getting killed by a snow knife doesn't make sense. But injuries made by animals differ greatly against blade wounds, the adults would surely be able to distinguish them. Another person killed him that's for sure. This is terrible!
Then someone grabs me by the hair and slammed my body on the decking. "You! You killed our son!" It's the dead child's father. His mother wailing, pulling me up and slapping my face multiple times.
A-nac, and his friends arrived. His fingers aggressively pointing at me. "It's her! Karah, Karah's the one who killed him! She took my knife and killed him!"
Merimma defended me from the boy's parents and kicking them out of her porch. "You are causing disruption here. A-nac, are you sure with what you have said?" It's obvious she's doubting him. I touched my swollen face and glared at A-nac. His face filled with malicious smile, his underlings bowed their heads, refusing to make eye contact.
"It's her. I'm sure of it." Licking his lips…