The Birth of a Wishing Heart

18. Abandoned

Grizelda's back felt sore from being curled up beside her sister. The morning had come and gone, slowly clearing the middle streets. The rainy season had granted them some luck with the downpour that came during the night. That should have eased the flames. She pressed her chest against her knees; no position could warm her enough. Every time she moved, she felt her skirt cling to the wet ground, seemingly becoming colder every time she went back into position. She should have stayed still and conserved heat with her sister, but it was well past the afternoon, and their mother still hadn't arrived.

She would come back, right?

She blinked hard. There was no room for doubt. Their mother had always been with them. She would come back. Her sister needed her to come back. She loved being with Adiscordia, but her sister looked exhausted in all senses of the word. She had hardly spoken during the morning, only responding when asked. Her eyes were purple and puffy, and she kept avoiding her gaze, likely to hide her crying.

Grizelda closed her eyes tightly to avoid looking back at the basket. She knew they were supposed to ration it, but last night's run made them nearly finish the water pitcher. Even after refilling it with rain water, it did nothing to soothe the ache intruding at her again. She shifted positions and leaned her head against her sister's shoulder for the hundredth time today.

Her heavy eyes shot open as she felt her sister's face move to look at something. She shifted to follow her gaze and grinned. "Do you see mamma?"

"No. I don't see her, Gri." Her voice was cold enough to discourage her from looking further. She lowered her head. Her sister seemed to know some harsh truth, although she hadn't said it.

"Oh." Grizelda sniffled and wiped her nose. She was sure being in a damp alley in the shadows didn't help her unease either. "I hope mamma has a good excuse for being late." The harsh tone in her voice came out of her mouth quicker than she could think. She quickly covered her lips with her hands. Of course, her mother had an excuse! Her eyes heated slightly; she couldn't start doubting her family. She needed hope; her father had taught her how crucial hope was.

She caught her sister turn and stare at her.

Grizelda's eyes widened. "I'm sorry!" Her muffled voice grew a pitch before her hands scrambled high to examine her twisted white curls. Being rude and impatient was too easy. She shouldn't have been demanding excuses from her elders. She whined, pulling her hair closer into view. The curse could take her too easily; her father had proven that. She looked around the alley; the shadows around her seemed to move. Her heart skipped a beat, and She quickly crawled a few steps away into the light, closer to her sister.

Her sister calmly followed her gaze and wrapped an arm around her. "Gri, it's okay. Look." She gestured to a nearby rack that had been left abandoned with clothes out to dry. The fabrics flew every time a breeze came through, making its shadow shift. Her free hand combed through her hair soothingly. "You have no marks. It's okay to say what you need. I miss mamma, too."

She shook her head. "But mamma has a reason. I know she does." She needed to have a reason. Their mother had said she wouldn't leave them and couldn't lie. "It isn't her fault." She hated how her lips stretched and her eyes pooled with water. Her mother was amazing. Her papa was amazing, and she was sure he would never have abandoned them. He was just busy, really busy. They would be back soon. She tried to slow down her breathing as she wiped her tears.

"I know it isn't Mamma's fault," Adiscordia replied gently, helping her clean her face. "When we go to the marketplace alone, it's because mamma is busy cooking or finding something to trade. Papa is –" Her sister trailed off.