Fallen [Wattys 2016]

Chapter two

       
          Chapter two: Raphi is blind
     

    “Raphi is blind…” Thaddeus explained. When the words left his mouth, Raphi shot daggers at him, and Thaddeus didn't say much else on the subject.

Nova, however was shocked. Her  immediately response was embarrassment at her lack of manners.“I’m sorry…” she began. He cut her off again. 

“Don't apologize.” he said irritated.

She was confused, but she pushed for answers. “May I ask...How did it happen?” She didn't know what this curiosity was that was burning inside of her growing with every new fact.
 
   Raphi slid off the edge of the trailer. His shorts got caught and they revealed even more tattoos on his thigh underneath them.

  “No...you may not.” he said sternly pushing his shorts down to cover his thigh.  “In fact you don't have to talk to me at all, I don't want your pity why don't you go waste it on someone else.”

    Thaddeus stood up as well and took Raphi’s hand with a forlorn look on his face they began walking away.

   “Wait!” Nova called out. “I helped you, I set you free! And this is how you treat me? At least a Thank you is in order.”

    Thaddeus turned to look at her but they both stopped walking. It was a moment before Raphi finally spoke his back facing her.  “Why would I thank you for ruining our lives?” he asked with venom. “Why would I thank you for taking away our home, our food, the only place either of us ever knew!”

      Nova’s face flushed red with anger, she worked hard doing what she does. Nobody in her family would approve! But she did what she believed was right, even if it wasn't in the eyes of the law. Nobody ever told her that the people she gave freedom to would feel like this.

   “You wanted to be slaves? You wanted to live everyday knowing someone owned you? Knowing that the money they made off of you didn't go to you at all?”

   Raphi let go of Thaddeus and clenched his fists. “Now we have to live on the streets because of you… we all do. Fearing the day when someone else might come along and snatch us up.  Someone worse.” 

Thaddeus looked down at his feet and kicked a pebble.

   “I-i… you can stay with me…” she suggested half-heartedly on a dying whim. “We have plenty of rooms.”

    Thaddeus looked at her hopeful, his eyes sparkled but they dropped when Raphi scoffed. “Would you have room for every single one of us?” he asked.

   “No...but you guys can-”

“Sit back and watch my brother's and sister's, my family, live on the streets while I have a warm bed and food?” He accused. 

   “Fine.” Nova countered. “Stay here on the streets, I'm sorry for giving you your freedom.” she walked away, picking up her battle axe and slinging it over her shoulder as she walked.

    “Me too.” Raphi whispered as Thaddeus took his hand and led him away from the trailer.

    *                         *                         *  

  
    She hid her clothes in a bush, and in her dress and boots she  snuck inside. As she walked through the halls she acted as nonchalantly as possible until she got to his room, once there she slipped inside. She watched peeking out the door with her back to the room while a voice behind her spoke. “What are you up too?” it asked. She jumped.