Alternate Dream Part 2

14. The Past Explained

"How could he do this to her!" Nina was yelling at Fulton.

"Nina, stop." Pea said quietly.

"No, Pea. I won't let him get away with this." She turned back to her partner. "Fulton, what is wrong with him? How dare he lure my sister in like that and then reject her! Look at what he's done!" Nina moved and embraced her sister, both of them crying. Nina not minding at all that her sister had interrupted their quiet morning alone.

"I don't agree with his actions, Nina, but he is still my brother." Fulton responded in a firm tone. "He has been battling within himself for a long time. He shouldn't have come back from the badlands station so soon, he was supposed to stay there until the ceremony. He still needed time to mend himself." Fulton ran his hand through his hair.

"Wha-what are you talking about?" Pea asked timidly. "What happened to him?"

Fulton looked over at her through sad eyes. "He's been battling with guilt for mistakes he made two years ago, but the personal details are really his story to tell." Fulton sighed.

"No, about him coming back from the station too soon. You didn't request his return?"

Fulton looked at her questioningly. "No, I didn't. He was supposed to stay there another 4 to 6 weeks."

"But he said... " Pea paused. "Then why did he come back?"

Fulton's face dawned in understanding and then changed to sadness. "He told you he was summoned to return, that's why he was the one escorting you back?"  Pea nodded and Fulton sighed again, running fingers through his hair.

"Fulton, I think the time of keeping your brother's secrets is over. He's obviously not handling things well." Fulton eyed Nina sternly, as if giving her a warning to tread lightly. But eventually his face softened and he nodded.

"Protocol would have been for two of the check in group to escort you back while the remaining three finished their route. Hezron should have stayed at the station."

"Then why...?" Pea whispered, her brows furrowing.

"I asked him that question when he returned with you. He and I both knew he hadn't been gone long enough, he wasn't ready to return. " He looked over at Nina, guilt and sadness covering his face. Both women sat staring at him, waiting on his response.

"He said one of the men was showing signs of inappropriate intentions with you, Pea. He couldn't risk a repeat of what happened to Nina...to happen with you. He decided to escort you back himself, to make sure you were safe."

Pea began sobbing yet again, and Nina's brows furrowed in confusion. "He... he did that for her?" Nina whispered. Fulton nodded.

"Why is he like this, please tell me, what happened two years ago?" Pea cried, begging Fulton for an explanation.

"I shouldn't-"

"Fulton." Nina cut him off, giving him a firm glare.

"Right." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Two years ago a family showed up on our northern borders. A man and woman in their 60s, a son in his 30s, and a daughter in her early 20s. They said they lived on a farm 4 days travel north of that station, that they had been in years of drought and they had no choice but to pack up and travel to find a new home. They came asking for help.  Protocol has always been for the Capitol Commander to interview any outsiders to check their stories and assess any threats. Our lands haven't seen war or conflict in decades, we had no reason to suspect anyone would come to us with ill intentions." Fulton took a seat as he continued.