Living in Fear

Chp 15

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, dancing, and ale.

Nathaniel settled himself down in a cozy corner, keeping to himself and sipping on his ale. He watched the giants and humans alike singing and dancing together.

Rew noticed him and took a seat down next to him, "Enjoying yourself?"

Nathaniel hummed in response as he took another sip of ale, "Just weird, that's all."

"What's weird?"

"Never seen humans and giants so close before. Most humans run when they see me."

"That's because you frown too much."

Nathaniel couldn't argue with that. "I'll work on it then."

"Seems Petunia has taken a liking to you," Rew commented.

"No clue why."

"Maybe she sees something in you. The lass has been through hell in her few years of living."

Nathaniel looked at Rew with concern, "What do you mean?"

Rew leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "The girl was born at a breeder's farm. Treated like absolute shit. I don't know all the details, but I know it's taken her quite a bit to adjust to our kind. She still has her bad days."

Nathaniel spotted the little girl who was dancing in circles with all the other humans. "What was done about the breeder?"

"Bastard got away, but we were able to save all of the humans there. Give them the options of living here or return them back to their families if they had any. Petunia was one of the ones who had no one to turn to, so she stayed with us."

"So that bastard is still out there?" Nathaniel said with a clenched jaw. He felt this odd, bubbling anger surging through his veins. Who could hurt such an innocent child? 

Even though they were made illegal, he knew that human breeders still existed. They were cruel twisted bastards that made a living by selling humans to slave traders or entertainers.

It was sickening to think that Petunia could've been through all of those horrors.

"You're going to break that mug if you hold it any tighter," Rew teased.

"There are some cruel fuckers in this world."

Rew hummed in agreement, "Aye. But if they didn't exist, then neither would this place."

Nathaniel took another swig of his ale, having nothing to say. 

Rew stood up, "Enjoy your night," she said as she walked away.

He was brought out of his thoughts when something tapped his leg.

"Mr. Nate! Mr. Nate!" Petunia called up, "Can you pick me up?"

Nathaniel smiled softly and lowered his hand down.

Petunia clambered into his palm and held onto his thumb. "I'm ready!" 

Nathaniel slowly lifted the little human up so they were at eye level. "Are you having fun?"

Petunia nodded with a bright smile, "I love dancing, but now my feet hurt. Can I stay with you for a bit?"

"Of course, dear."

Petunia looked down at Nathaniel's hand then frowned.

Nathaniel raised his eyebrow, "What's wrong?"

"You have white lines on your hands."

"White lines? Do you mean my scars?"

Petunia nodded, "They're like mine. Do they hurt?"

Nathaniel gave her a small smile, "No, they're just there on my skin. Do yours hurt?"

Petunia shrugged, "Only when I have nightmares." She stayed silent for a while, "Mr. Nate?"

"Yes?"

"Can you protect me? From the nightmares?"

Nathaniel's features softened and he brought the small girl to his chest, "You can rest little one. I will protect you from those nightmares."

Petunia buried herself into Nathaniel's shirt, smiling at the comfort he gave her. "Thank you, Mr. Nate, for being a nice giant and not mean one."

Nathaniel's heart swelled with a feeling he's only felt once before. 

A paternal instinct.

He wanted to protect this little girl like his own flesh and blood.

And destroy whoever hurt her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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