Untamed

Cabin

"How was school?" My mother excitedly asked the second I walked through the door.

She stood anxiously in the kitchen with a plate of cold salad in her hands.

I shrugged, walking up to her to carefully exchanging the baby for the plate of greens, "I don't know," my voice was quiet as I took a seat at our thin, clear table, "I learned about the Underground R," I told her.

She paused, taking a small step towards me, "Hunny," Her eyes connected with mine and I frowned at the worried look on her face, "You aren't supposed to talk about that place outside of the classroom."

I nodded in defeat, bringing a fork full of salad to my lips, "Sorry."

I felt her soft hand on my shoulder and I sighed, allowing myself to relax, "Mother?" I questioned, debating on whether or not to ask her what I was wondering.

"Yes?"

I turned around to face her, taking a deep breath and rubbing my hands against my baby blue skirt, "What does love mean?"

She raised a blonde eyebrow at the word, then looked blankly out the window into the dark night sky. She stared for more then a second before crossing her arms and looking back at me, "I have no idea," She whispered, shaking her head, "I've never heard that word before in my life."

I looked away from her and sighed, "Don't worry about it, Mom," I smiled, "I was just curious."

I pushed my plate away from me before standing up and pulling the small piece of wet ice out of my pocket. I stared at it, absolutely mesmerized by how it made it this long without melting. I turned around to face my mother and smiled politely, "I have to go."

She took a step back, shaking her head, her blonde curls to swaying along with it, "But you just got home?" She looked at me, then the hand I was holding the piece of ice in, "Where are you going?"

My hands stretched out in front of me as I grabbed my daughter out of her arms, pulling her close to my chest.

"This little thing needs a name," I said with a smile, kissing my child's small, round nose, "I'll be home in a bit," I assured her, nodding before walking towards the door and grabbing a thick silvery blue scarf from the coat rack, bundling myself up in it.

My mother stood in place, watching me carefully as I placed my small, marked hand on the door knob.

"O-okay," she finally agreed, forcing her lips to curve into a smile, "I'll be waiting."

I grinned before opening the door and stepping out into the cold, darkness of the night.

"Don't be long!" She shouted as I shut the door behind me.

My free hand grasped tightly around the sheet of ice Educator Snoe gave to me and I read its directions slowly.

********

When I made it to the Amadahy line, I shoved the small icy map into my soft blue pocket. The line was blocked off by a tall glass wall and I stood staring at it, following it with my eyes as it stretched as far as I could see before disappearing into the shadows.

"Okay, " I whispered under my breath, "How are we going to get over this thing?"

I glanced down at my daughter as if asking for help.

The thought of her mark appeared in my mind and I curiously pulled down her soft, dark blue sleeve. I squinted my eyes to see it through the dark atmosphere surrounding us.

My heart dropped when I saw the flame still attached to her original Amadahy mark.

"Why is yours different?" I asked in a hushed voice, shaking my head.