The monster

Prequel - Chapter 1 - A new beginning

...

Hina, come to our aid

Our sacred lands are in danger
Men invade our lands
They kill our husbands and sons.

Hina, protect my daughters

And all the inhabitants of Raivavae
Grant us the strength to drive away our enemies
We long to find peace again.

Hina, save us.

...

- '๑' -

Chapter 1

August 2011
Marshall House
Heimana - 12 years old

Growing up, afraid of strangers. Learning to always look over her shoulder. Making sure never to be followed. Noticing the slightest changes in her daily life. These small, vigilant habits made up Heimana's way of life, as well as that of her twin sister, Katalina. For being a Hauata, it was said, was bad luck. A family taboo, yet a way of life that had grown stranger over the years.

The adults had always told them they were too young to understand the situation. So, the twins followed orders without question. As they grew, the rules became stricter. But no one explained anything. The secrecy was unbearable; their father had a natural talent for shutting himself off and sharing no information. "The less they knew, the safer they were"—the family's favorite saying. All the girls knew was that they were in danger and had to be careful, all while maintaining as normal a childhood as possible. Which, by now, had become impossible.

They knew the monster was coming for them.

Heimana was sweltering, but she knew that if she left her hiding place, there would be no going back. It was just a blanket, but to her, it was as if she were shielded from the outside world. Maybe, if she stayed here a little longer, he would forget her. Maybe she could go back to school in the fall, like every year. Go to Aunt Susannah's to watch movies and stuff herself with candy until her stomach hurt. It was a slim hope, but it was all she could hold onto.

"Heimana?"

The girl sighed in relief upon recognizing her twin sister's voice as she finally entered their room. Without a word, Katalina joined her on the bed, sliding under the blanket beside her. Katalina pressed close, and for once, Heimana didn't feel like telling her to sleep in her own bed.

"I don't think hiding here will stop you from being found," Kate whispered.

"This is my last chance. I tried everything to get him to change his mind."

Kate mumbled something under her breath, probably a grumbling rant against everyone in the house.

"I don't want you to go," she finally admitted.

"I don't want to go either."

"It's only a matter of weeks, right? Everything will work out, and you'll come home. I'll come get you myself if I have to."

Though they were in the dark, Heimana could hear her sister gulp at the end of her sentences and imagined she was holding back tears. Kate took her hand as if it were an anchor. Tears stung her eyes once again, for what felt like the millionth time. Lately, she hadn't been able to stop crying. How could a body hold so many tears? Someone called the twins from downstairs, and they clung to each other.

"Stay with me," Katalina whispered.

Heimana nodded, pressing herself closer to her sister. She didn't want to leave. But her wishes didn't matter; her opinion wasn't taken into account. A heavy silence filled the room, neither of them daring to speak for fear of breaking this fragile moment.