The Desolation

Chapter 2

There were those in Ollinatsa who were grateful for the security the walls surrounding the village offered. To me, it felt more like a cage. That was alright, though, because when I needed to get away, there was always a place I could disappear. It's a tree near the walls of the village, with branches just close and strong enough to climb. You have to be sneaky, though.

There's no leaves to hide behind, so you have to make sure no one is around. You don't want to get caught. The branch that extends out over the wall is strong enough to hold you, but that's no reason to not be careful. It gets weaker as you get to the end, so you want to drop down as soon as you've cleared the wall. When you drop down, make sure to do so slowly.

If you do everything right, you're free.

I was climbing the tree one afternoon when I noticed movement from behind one of the neighboring trees. Someone was watching. I froze, hoping whoever was following me would reveal themselves.

A small head poked out, sending a messy braid of red hair tumbling forward.

Cara.

She caught me watching her and, with a squeak, ducked back around her tree.

Well, that changed everything. I climbed back down the tree with a sigh. It wasn't the first time the young one had tried to follow me out of the village and I doubted it would be the last. It was my responsibility to make sure she made it back safely. The area outside the village was dangerous, even if the mountains weren't as deadly as the wastes.

"That better be Buach's hunting dog I see behind that tree, and not a little girl named Cara," I called out as I reached the base of the tree, hands on my hips.

It took a moment, but finally the young one made her way out, sulking.

I crossed my arms over my chest as I looked down at her, an eyebrow raised. "What have I told you about trying to follow me out of the village?"

"Not to..." she whined. "But Aine-"

"No 'buts', Cara. You can't come with me. We've talked about this."

She crossed her arms, pouting. "It's not fair. I want to see the mountains, too! You're always talking about them, Can't you take me with you?"

"I'm a lot older than you. It's dangerous outside the village." She looked at me with big brown eyes and I felt my resolve melt. "I'll tell you what. I promise to take you with me one day. When you're old enough."

Cara's face lit up immediately. "Really?" she asked as she bounced on the spot.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, really. But not today," I told her as I walked over to place a hand on her shoulder, steering her back into the village proper. "Today I am taking you back home."

"Aw. Come on, Aine," she begged, grabbing my arm and pulling hard enough that I teetered in her direction. "Can we at least go back and listen to Elder Diarmuid's stories together? I don't want to go home yet."

I always loved Elder Diarmuid's stories. Cara knew it, too. She looked up at me with pleading eyes.

Damn, she knew just how to play me.

"Fine."

She smirked triumphantly.

Cara was easily my favorite of all the young ones, though I never understood why she idolized me so much. Lorcan called her my shadow. I didn't really mind. I loved spending time with her. She was so strong-willed and stubborn. She was more fun to be around than most of the people in this village. I loved my little shadow.

She swung my arm as we walked back to where the young ones gathered during the day while the adults worked. Eventually I lifted her up onto my back and carried her the rest of the way on piggyback. We chatted the entire way, her arms hung loosely around my neck.