Savages

12: Parents

Sannah had been ravenous by the time Judit got back, so when Judit made some porridge she wolfed it down.

"Sorry it's not much," Judit said through a mouthful of oats.

"It's okay. I saw Brock earlier, and we're having chicken tonight," Sannah replied.

Judit just said hmm, kept eating.

"Gaen had a girlfriend." Judit put down her bowl and wiped her lips. "Before he came here. How weird is that?"

"I dunno." Sannah thought about it as she chewed on a mouthful of porridge. "How old is he? Eighteen? It's not that weird."

"Yeah, but Gaen." Judit pulled a face. "I wonder what she was like."

Sannah carried on eating. "He's not so bad," she said, swallowing her porridge. "Like you said. When you get to know him, he's pretty nice actually." 

Sannah thought of how sad he'd seemed in the greenhouse that time, after she told him about Saint. That was probably something to do with this girlfriend, she realised.

"I bet she was some total warrior-princess." Judit threw back her shoulders dramatically, raised her spoon like a sword. "Never takes any dag from anyone. Knows how to navigate by the moon. That sort of skit."

"It's the sun that people navigate by." Sannah took Judit's bowl.

"Whatever." Judit shrugged. "She could probably navigate by the moon anyways."

They were interrupted by a loud rapping at the door, and Sannah's heart dropped painfully to the floor. She was still feeling off-spec after her dag interaction with Merle earlier, and really didn't want to see anyone.

"That's Merle." Judit's eyes flicked to the byre. "I can tell by the way she knocks."

A giant boot ground its heel into Sannah's floored heart. Skitting spec. Merle was licit the last person she wanted here.

"I'm gonna get in bed," she said hurriedly. "I'm tired... I have a headache. Just don't tell her I'm here, okay?"

"Okay, whatever," Judit said sceptically, furrowing her brow at Sannah.

Sannah tumbled into the box bed and barely had the curtain closed before she heard Judit re-enter the room with Merle. She laid as still as possible, trying not to breathe.

"So did Gaen talk to you?" Merle sounded sheepish. "I swear I never meant to tell him. It was just–"

"It's alright," Judit interrupted Merle hastily. "I don't mind. Let's not talk about it now, okay?" She sounded embarrassed, though Sannah couldn't work out why.

"I'm honestly sorry. He was so upset last night, and I–"

"Seriously, Merle, I said not now. You're forgiven. Just drop it," Judit barked, then added suspiciously, "You didn't tell anyone else, did you?"

"No. I swear. And Gaen wouldn't either."

"Good. Let's just leave it then."

Tell them what? Sannah frowned, pulled the blankets up to her face.

"Do you want a drink? How's the beans doing?" Judit was clearly trying to change the subject.

"Fine. Well, not fine, but the same. And yes to the drink." Merle sounded licit awkward.

Sannah wondered what Merle shouldn't have told Gaen. She was paranoid for a moment it was something about her, then realised that was ridiculous. Nothing about her was of interest to them. She could hear the familiar clatter of Judit heating up water in the kettle.