Mella lowered her head, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scribbled on the worn paper with a half-broken pencil. One by one, her classmates stepped to the front to share what was important to them—some spoke of treasured toys, others of the old blinky light that flickered in their homes, a few even mentioned a timeworn vase that had been passed down through generations, while others brought forth a simple branch. So absorbed was Mella in her task that the applause and laughter around her faded into the background.
"Mel, it's your turn!" the teacher announced, breaking through her reverie.
Startled, Mella looked up to find all eyes upon her. Her heart raced as she stood up, her legs trembling slightly, and made her way to the front of the classroom. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she glanced at the paper filled with her carefully thought-out words. But in a sudden moment of defiance, she tore the paper in half, prompting gasps of disbelief from her classmates. "I love Mama, Daddy, Sinny, and Rufian. I also love my friends, teachers, neighbors, and all the shops. Everyone is important to me!" With a broad, warm smile, she spread her arms wide, as if to encompass the whole world. "The village is my family, and it means everything to me."
"Mel, why would you tear up your paper? You know we're supposed to hand that in to the teacher," one classmate protested, bemused.
Heat rushed to Mella's cheeks, turning her face as red as a ripe tomato, as laughter erupted around her. She blinked away the embarrassment, feeling as though she had been stripped bare in front of her peers.
Later, with the brilliant moon hanging low in the velvet sky, Mella lay on the cold ground, tears streaming down her cheeks. Rufian, her loyal dog, barked insistently at her, trying to coax her from her sorrow, but she turned away, confronted by a cruel reality. There, on the spot where her home once stood, she watched the remnants of her village fade into the night, her heart aching with loss. She curled into a fetal position, hugging herself as the chilling air swept over her. Memories of her family and friends swirled through her mind, intertwined with thoughts of her eagerly awaited twin siblings. Yet, beneath the surface of her excitement, she felt only worry, fear, and overwhelming sadness.
Seeing that his barks were failing to rouse her, Rufian laid down beside her in a protective embrace, hoping to provide warmth against the piercing cold. He nudged her gently, trying to urge her away from the desolate spot, but she flailed in frustration.
"Leave me alone, Rufian! I hate you!" she shouted, her voice thick with emotion.
She painfully crawled back to the desolate ground where her home had once stood, clutching her fading memories like delicate, shattered treasures. Echoes of her family's laughter floated around her, a bittersweet symphony that intertwined with the relentless growl of her empty stomach. Each whispering breeze seemed to amplify her sorrow, wrapping around her like a cold shroud, as the heavy burden of loss threatened to engulf her entirely. The landscape, once vibrant with life, now lay barren, a stark reminder of what had been, deepening the ache in her heart.
Rufian's ears perked up, alert and attentive, as he spotted a darting squirrel amidst the dappled shadows of the deep woods. With a sudden burst of energy, he sprinted towards it, the forest floor a blur beneath his swift paws. Memories of Mella's soft stomach growling echoed in his mind, hinting at her hunger, and he felt a surge of determination. This hunt was not just a playful chase; it was a chance to bring back something special for her. He could almost envision the delight in her eyes as he presented his prize, imagining how her smile would brighten as she savored the treat. Rufian hoped that this small act would coax her back to her usual bubbly self, banishing the cloud of gloom that hung over her.
Mella opened her sorrowful eyes, her heart heavy with a sorrow that clung to her like the biting cold of the winter morning. Usually, she was stirred from her dreams by the familiar, comforting bark of Rufian, but today, an unsettling silence enveloped her. It was as though her world had crumbled, leaving only shadows of what once was. "Rufian, did you abandon me too?" she whispered, her voice breaking as she wandered through the snow-laden woods, calling out for her only companion.
With each bare-footed step, the crisp snow crunched beneath her, echoing her loneliness. "Rufian, where are you?" she cried, desperation tinged with fear. Suddenly, a faint bark pierced the quiet, igniting a flicker of hope within her. Mella dashed through the trees, her heart racing as she stumbled upon a scene that sent chills down her spine: three wolves surrounded Rufian, their eyes glinting with predatory hunger. Rufian stood protectively, a slight injury marring his fur, while a squirrel dangled limply from his mouth.
"Were you searching for food for me?" she murmured, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and a shadow of dread. In that moment, she seized a sturdy branch, her hands trembling with a potent blend of determination and fear coursing through her veins. With a fierce scream that shattered the stillness of the forest, she charged toward the wolves, fully aware of how hopeless her stand might be. The vision of her family, gathered around the warmth of their modest rug with laughter ringing through the air, flashed vividly in her mind. Rufian was all she had left, and she would protect him at any cost.
Rufian, sensing the courageous fire within her, noticed how the wolves momentarily paused, caught off guard by her daring display. Despite the sharp pain lancing through his limbs, he released the squirrel he had been clutching and, with a swift motion, nudged gently at the fabric of her shirt. His message was clear—he urged her to retreat from the peril looming close by. Together, they navigated their escape, bound by a deep, unwavering love and loyalty that propelled them through the encroaching twilight. He guided her to a familiar spot in the village, a safe haven where she wouldn't move from, and barked as if to signal their arrival.
"I'm sorry, Rufian," Mella said, rubbing the side of her head with an awkward laugh that danced with uncertainty. In response, he licked her face, a warm gesture filled with reassurance.
Rufian barked joyfully, delighted to see a smile break through her worried expressions, even if it was tinged with artifice. He pounced around her, his energy contagious and pure. Mella smiled and laughed at his antics; he brought her an abundance of joy, grounding her in the moment. With his exuberance surrounding them, he barked happily in response, their bond unbreakable.
Exhausted after hours of playful frolic, they finally lay on the cool, soft earth, side by side. However, Rufian's alert bark reminded them that they couldn't stay here forever, not in these dangerously shifting temperatures. Mella took a deep breath, feeling a quiet resolve settle within her as she prepared to face whatever challenges awaited them..
She closed her eyes, allowing the echoes of happier times to engulf her, each memory unfurling like a bittersweet balm against her aching heart. In the vivid theater of her mind, she could see her mother bustling joyfully around the sunlit kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked bread mingling with the warmth of laughter. Her father's booming voice resonated in her ears, regaling tales filled with whimsy and wonder, while the melodic giggles little brother Sinny floated through the air like music, wrapping around her like a cherished embrace. The warmth of those fleeting moments enveloped her, a fragile comfort in the midst of an unforgiving reality.
Rufian, ever attuned to her shifting emotions, laid his heavy head gently on her lap, a silent promise of unwavering loyalty and companionship. Slowly, almost instinctively, Mella's hand found its way to the silky softness of his fur, seeking solace in the connection they shared. As her fingers glided over his coat, she recognized the truth that she wasn't truly alone—Rufian was her steadfast anchor, her guardian in this vast, lonely expanse of existence.
"Thank you, Rufian," she whispered, her voice barely rising above the gentle sigh of the night breeze that carried with it a hint of nostalgia. The dog responded with a soft whine, an understanding that transcended words—silent reassurance that he would remain by her side.
With a deep, quivering sigh, Mella wiped away the tears that cascaded down her cheeks, using her sleeve to catch the stream of sorrow that ran unchecked from her nose. "I know we can't stay here forever, Rufian," she continued, her voice steadier now, infused with fragile determination. "I can feel the love surrounding me, even if the village has disappeared. But together, you and I can bring our family back somehow....hopefully."
She understood that while she couldn't rewrite the past, there was a glimmer of possibility ahead. T—perhaps she could carve out new memories, vibrant and rich with love and laughter, even in a world that felt so barren and desolate.
Determined to honor the spirit of the village and the family she held dear, Mella rose to her feet, her resolve crystallizing with each passing moment. She would carry their essence with her, a luminous beacon cutting through the shadows of despair. With Rufian faithfully by her side, she was ready to embark on a new journey—one where the bonds of her heart could never be severed.