By The Moon's Blade

2. Grasshaven, Six Months Ago

I feel close to a breakthrough, I can just feel it. I've poured so much of myself into this work and understanding the Vestiges is just the tip of an enormous iceberg. If I stop now, I'll lose so much of the momentum that I've gained over the past couple of weeks.

the Demonclaws can't stop me from doing this. They won't stop me. I know they're trying to isolate me and keep me in the dark. But I won't let the darkness win. The shadow may consume me, but I'll do everything I can do to solve the puzzle. If not for the sake of the Lunari, for the sake of my own being. I need to know who I am, who my mother was, what it all means.

Because if I can't figure out what this was all for, then what's the point of living?

I bounce slightly in my chair as the door to the shack opens and my father comes in, letting a large burst of sun coat the walls in burnished light. I hiss and he sighs as he shuts the door, taking off his boots and throwing them in the corner next to his bed. Their bed. I play with the tooth dangling from my neck as I keep my attention buried within the book.

"Mornin' Rozi, how are you feeling this morning?" he asks hesitantly. The feeling of doubt within his words breaks my heart in two, but doesn't stop me from responding with venom.

"Fine."

I don't look up.

He sighs again, this time deeper, as if summoning peace from his gut. He sits on his bed and I feel his eyes watching me. I pretend not to notice and continue jotting notes in my book. My head empties with the added pressure.

"Not a lot of fish biting this morning, unfortunately."

"Oh yeah?"

The disappointment is almost too much to bear and the silence is notable.

"Yeah, haven't got a lot from the hunt lately."

I remain hunched over the wooden table with the lantern's light flickering on my face. If I had a mirror above this table, I'm sure I'd see a sallow, rotten face staring back at me. My desire to eat has been stifled. The shadows starve me and bones protrude from my skin in ways they never have before. I hardly recognize myself, both mind and body. But, I eat enough to get by.

Not like a meal would bring me any sort of comfort anymore.

"Do you think you'll try and go out on the next hunt? Some folks were asking about you."

The rest of the village has made it known how they feel about me, unfortunately in a very indirect way. The number of judgmental glances I receive is only matched by the pitiful looks. I only come out to grab a bit of bread or an apple, then make my way back inside to wallow and learn in darkness.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Exactly what it sounds like, I don't know."

Although I don't see him, I can tell that his nostrils flared from the sharp exhale released upon my response. Radiating like a toxic cloud, I feel his anger seeping into my skin.

Yes, please, go over the edge. I dare you.

"Rozi, you need to get out of this house. It's not good for you."

He gets up and begins lighting the candles around the room. The crackle of flame from a match lights up my senses. I sink a little deeper into that pool of obsidian.

I whip my head around to face him and see his eyes ablaze, "What would you know? You don't know me anymore."

He lit the matches, I'm just adding fuel to the fire now.