The Open Book

Chapter 3, Scene 2

2.

Aphiwe's eyes opened when Chuma's rubbing became slapping. There were three women standing over her. The big Cold Stepper gripping Chuma's tail, before lifting both girls. One of them shut her mouth before Aphiwe had the chance to scream.

It was dawn, light's first rays starting to fill the room they were quickly exiting.

"You know, you don't have to be frightened." Came Liyema's voice.

They were at the dining table. Chuma lay on Liyema, but her tail wasn't having it, trying all it could to fight its way to Aphiwe who'd been placed on a chair she knew nothing about. It was remarkably comfortable, therefore her mothers, but didn't answer the original question. What chair was she sitting on? Chuma was laid on Aphiwe, the tail locking them together.

"We just wanted you to know something before we left. We wanted you to know, that yes you are a hero." The Prime said.

Aphiwe gaped.

"Despite being hurt, no. It's because you were hurt. You could have left your friend to die. You didn't. You could have blamed her, said it was her fault, she shouldn't have pushed you. She should have woken. But you helped her, staying behind for her sake. It's something every parent teaches but few children take in, because it's born in you. Everyone else will ask themselves if they had the courage and never have an answer. Heroism is not something you do. It's something you are. This pain you feel right now? That's the cost. We pay something when we do good, it's why people like me and your mom train to get strong. So we can carry that pain."

The Prime suddenly got up and sat on the table, looking down on her, she pulled her night gown up to reveal silver streaks on her thigh and stomach, they glittered.

"My perfect body, sacrificed, in the name of making babies who'll grow up to hate me because I made them. Not as a miracle of love, but as future workers. That's my pain. Liyema?"

Liyema unbuttoned her armour, taking off her top. She was as big as her mother, the only disappointment lay in her skin, which were covered with lashes.

"You know how Abesanté grow their voices? Not by speaking, but by being quiet. Keep your mind quiet and you'll be able to extend your voice. You have to learn to clear the noise through the pain. I don't have Ufele skin but, I get to help thousands, making sure those who are with my matriarch are honest. We accept pain generously to have something we're good at. I'm curious... before this."

She touched Aphiwe's lips and cheek.

"Was there something you became amazing at?"

They stared at each other unblinking.

As though she were Chuma's tail, Liyema stood and stopped by a wall panel and pushed. It split in half and inside were graphite sticks. Aphiwe shut her eyes, the matriarch looked up and saw Liyema writing and even drawing. She stared in stunned silence as a full diagram of a Yetsimbi hand, with dozens of labels, formed. Liyema wasn't stopping. It wasn't just the Chui Yetsimbi, it was their cousins, the Sterena, the Khetse and the imosi. She started drawing what looked to be the beginning of an Abesante skull when Liyema jumped up, grabbing her head, screaming.

"Stop!"

It wasn't isolated, or soft. It was a thunderous crack. The matriarch jumped, snapping her fingers. All parties dispersed, leaving Liyema, who pulled a chair next to Aphiwe. The matriarch sprinted, diving into the master bedroom, leaving Liyema drawing. First Aphiwe's name, then her mother's, her father's.