Love, Against All Odds

III - Prologue

Under the canopy of autumn leaves, Becca followed the trail from the village to the river where she liked to fish. Across her shoulder, she carried a pole that had a rudimentary hook on it, and a basket of bait was in her left hand. She also had a heavy satchel on her back that was filled with things for her afternoon.

Five minutes later the sound of the river's rushing water stirred Becca's excitement, and she increased her pace. The days were getting shorter with winter approaching, which left less time for fishing or anything else. Whenever Becca finished her chores for her human foster parents, she would collect her things and rush off to find solitude and see her secret friend.

Becca neared the riverbank and watched the racing water, knowing there had to be fish. As the temperatures dropped in the Kardos province, food would become scarce, including the river fish that Becca brought home. She set all her items down by the large boulder, then went in search of wood and kindling. Once she had made a small fire, she prepared the fishing line with bait, sat on the boulder, and started to cast her line while waiting for her company.

An entire hour passed before Becca spotted her friend on the other side of the river. She perked up and waved at the older girl. Dorlon is so cute, Becca thought. Dorlon was an Omega from Melitt, the neighboring Kalmar village. The river separated their two villages and provided an intentional buffer between their cultures. But ever since the day Dorlon and Becca met at the river, their friendship flowed stronger than the water's current.

Climbing off the boulder, Becca propped her fishing pole against it, then hurried to the fallen tree that joined their worlds. She hopped onto the tree and watched Dorlon do the same, both meeting halfway across, suspended over the river. After the fateful day they first crossed paths, Becca had taught Dorlon how to swim, but despite Dorlon's new skill, Becca didn't like Dorlon crossing the tree alone.

Dorlon followed Becca the rest of the way and eyed the rushing waters under them. 'The ice is coming,' she said, pointing at the tiny crystals clinging to the rocks in the river.

Seconding Dorlon's thoughts, Becca didn't look forward to the deep winters in Kardos. At the end of the tree, she hopped off, then helped Dorlon down. Becca scooped up her friend in a firm hug, laughing at Dorlon's playful snarl.

Dorlon returned the hug. 'How are you?' For over a year, Dorlon had devoted their time together to teaching Becca how to speak, read, and write Kalmarese. In return, she was learning bits and pieces of English, which had proven difficult for her. Becca seemed to have a natural ability to learn new languages, and Dorlon admitted aloud she envied her friend's skill.

'Great now.' Becca beamed and walked her friend over to the side of the boulder where the fire was burning. 'How have you been?' She hadn't been sure if Dorlon would show up, and she couldn't stop smiling now.

Dorlon shrugged and leaned against the boulder next to the fire. She wore a long fur coat, which kept away the early winter chill.

Becca frowned and tucked her hands into the leather jacket that her mother had given her. It was still too large for her, but it made it easier to layer underneath it. 'What's wrong? Did something happen at home?' Over time, she had learned about Dorlon's upbringing and her different relationships with each of her family members. Dorlon and her father were too much alike, and it caused minor explosions that ended with Dorlon hurt.