The Captive

Chapter 12: Not So Good Morning

Vasilisa's POV

We reached the town of Dentrow exactly when Scar said we would; at dusk.

The skyline of the huts was stoic.

Where buildings back home were squared off and symmetrical, the cottages here were round with thick thatch roofs. There was nothing symmetrical or orthodox about the way these houses were laid out either. They were like random polka-dots on a lady bug.

Cobblestone streets wound in and out of every house, and we only knew we were getting closer to the more important buildings because they had a greater amount of rounded rooms protruding from the center.

I'd had a bad feeling in my stomach since we'd arrived and I couldn't put my finger on it until now "Everything is so quiet." I said softly.

Scar was frowning "You're right. They might all be stationed in the town hall for safety."

That made sense. I gave a little nod and we kept heading towards the biggest building.

Bright, flickering light became more apparent, the closer we got, and so did voices.

Children were running about, screaming and playing while nearly everyone was coupled up watching them and eating. If they weren't off on their own, they were joined in small groups, conversing. 

The older, wiser ones looked calm, but the younger ones were not experienced enough to learn how to hide the panic and fear that the dark sets in you.

I knew who the Alpha of this pack was immediately because he stepped away from the group to greet us. By greet us, I mean ignore me completely as if I didn't exist and speak in hushed tones to Scar.

I stood off to the side awkwardly, not exactly in their conversation, but definitely not apart of the festivities either. Sighing, I sat on a tree stump.

A young girl and boy went running by before the boy caught up to her and grasped one of her pigtail braids, yanking harshly. I cringed but not nearly as hard as the girl did because she started crying after she fell.

The boy stuck his tongue out and skipped off. The little bugger.

I cautiously stepped up to the girl and sat beside her "Hey, kiddo, are you okay?"

She rubbed her face, trying to wipe the tears away "Lucas always picks on me. Mom says it's because he likes me, but if he liked me he wouldn't hurt me."

I gave a small smile and she actually looked at me with her wide, blue eyes.

I leaned in, whispering conspiratorially "I'll let you in on a little secret. Boys are stupid."

She gave a little giggle before putting her chubby little hand over her mouth. I continued with a growing grin "When boys get around pretty little girls they don't know how to act so they do what's natural. They treat the girls they like, like the boys they're friends with because that's all they know to do. Am I making sense?"

She nodded eagerly "The boys are always out playing and...and...roughhousing? Mom says that word a lot. They like to wrestle and hit each other, but they're still friends the next day."

I nodded, laughing "That's exactly it. You see, when boys get older, they start to pick up that girls don't like to hit each other. They like to pick daisies and eat cake. He'll grow out of it."

She smiled "Really?"

I nodded "Oh yes. So, you really like Lucas, even though he pulls your hair?"

She looked away, obviously blushing even in the fire light. "The next time he starts chasing you, you should kiss his cheek." I said.

Her mouth dropped open and then her nose scrunched "Really? Even if it has mud on it?"