Years ago, we took in three little girls. One 11, one 7, and one 4 1/2. While neither of us knew where they came from, we knew that we love them very much but I wish we knew more about them. The oldest one, Satsuki, mostly spoke for them, while the younger girls quickly took to Mako. I wondered about who these girls were and where'd they came from. I did ask about their parents, to which Satsuki said, quickly, "They died." and when I asked "How?", the middle girl wanted to say something but the older one quickly said, "A fire. They died in a fire." However, I noted that Satsuki had scars—burns—but her sisters didn't. What is this girl hiding?
Other than that, the Satsuki was so quiet, withdrawn, and scared, while her sisters were somewhat open, with Ryuuko telling a story to Mako. The story she told was in pieces but it did mention a fire. "There was a loud popping, like them firecrackers, quiet, and then Sis told us to get our stuff. She had blood on her. " she'd say. Thinking about it, the clothes Satsuki came in did have bloodstains and she didn't have an explanation for that. As Ryuuko started to tell that story more and more, Satsuki became more apprehensive and withdrawn, constantly watching the windows.
Interestingly, aside from staring at people, Nui seemed to be rather typical. She did have something to say about their old lives in that their "old mother" was "scary" and that Satsuki tended to be "purple" the most. Of course, she'd change the subject and talk about how much food they eat now. Strangely, she was very hushed when she said, "Satsuki don't want to talk about that, though."
It seemed like their actions were tied to their sister. They didn't do too much without her go-ahead and they didn't talk about whatever happened in their past when she was in the same room or close by. If they had to do anything, they'd defer to Satsuki first and foremost and, if I had to, I'd consult with Satsuki. For little girls, Ryuuko and Nui were quite the most behaved, though, Ryuuko tended to be the most mischievous when Satsuki wasn't there at the moment. However, if Satsuki caught her or Nui getting up to any mischief within any range of her, it was like a switch had been flipped and those girls would be quiet and subdued. Satsuki did, eventually, ease up but, otherwise, she'd be so quick to lecture them on "proper" behavior. At times, we had to reassure the three of them that, no how much they misbehaved, we wouldn't send them away but Satsuki seemed to be absolutely terrified of the idea.
We only knew their first names and how old they were, not much more than that.
Since we took them in, they seemed to be thriving, but Satsuki remained distant.
In the house, she's "Satsuki", her scars present, and she dressed normally, but, outside of the house, she had a different persona, wearing makeup and long clothing, even when it was hot outside, going by the affectionate "Sissie". "Satsuki" had only her sisters, Mako, and us but "Sissie" had at least one friend, a girl around her age that she has tea with.
She had constant nightmares and, if she so much as even caught any wind of the police, she'd usher her sisters to wherever she intended to hide with them. Actually, she hated the idea of the police then, when she first came here, and she especially hated the idea of them now.
"Satsuki, you know you can tell me anything, right?"
"Yes, Miss."
I wanted so much to help her, to know why she seemed to be on edge so much, but she stayed mum. Even gaining a friend didn't bring her out of her shell.
