Once Upon a Midnight: Wanted

Chapter Two

It was no use. No matter how many times Aeryn tried not to think about it, the Wall and what was beyond always stayed in the back of her mind. And despite what Mama said, she knew she didn't belong here with the other humans. There was something too weird about her, something that scared everyone. Something that scared herself.

As far as she or anyone else knew, she was human. She was born human. She looked like a human, save for her yellow eyes.

But...nobody she'd ever met had eyes like hers.

She was sure that's why everyone hated her. Her foster siblings, the villagers. One look at her eyes and people changed. They walked on the other side of the road or spoke in hushed whispers around her. As time moved on, the humans disdain and fear of Aeryn grew more and more blatant. Nobody tried to hide it anymore.

Especially within the last three years, the animosity and hatred directed towards Aeryn only grew. People were less discreet while around her when it came to showing their dislike of her, and it'd gotten to the point where Aeryn could no longer enter certain places without Mama for fear of being hurt.

Mama told her not to worry about it, and she tried not to, she really did. But it was hard when everyone openly hated her.

Aeryn curled into a ball. She'd climbed into the window, it being just wide enough for her to be able to curl comfortably in it. She looked out toward the village, a small frown on her lips as she watched the people interact with each other, smiles on their faces that she never saw directed towards her.

A small sigh escaped from the young girl, her fingers twisting a strand of her hair. It had grown even longer, sweeping against her back now in unruly curls.

Another reminder that she was different. It had been less than a week since Mama cut her hair so it hung just below her ears, and now it was already this long.

Aeryn didn't belong here. That much was clear. She belonged there, inside city. Beyond the Wall. She didn't know why, but Aeryn could feel it.

But she couldn't do anything now.

Aeryn jumped from her spot in the window back into her room, landing with ease.

She was too little to do anything just yet. Even for a nine year old, Aeryn was smaller than most of the kids her age. Mama said it had something to do with her not getting enough nutrients before she was found, but Aeryn figured she was just small.

So even if she were to leave now, she had no way of protecting herself, and she could only hide for so long until someone inevitably found her.

But just because she couldn't go behind the Wall didn't mean she couldn't go near it, right? As long as she stayed out of sight she would be fine.

Aeryn brushed her hair out of her face, opening her door just enough for her to slip her tiny body through without making a lot of noise. It was dark out, and most of the house was asleep, including Mama. She didn't want to risk waking her up.

She quickly and quietly maneuvered through the hut, opening the front door the same way she did her room, letting her eyes adjust to the dark before closing the door behind her.

Once she was outside, Aeryn was at a loss. She wasn't sure what to do now, except head towards the Wall. Perhaps she should have thought through this more before leaving but it was too late now. It wouldn't be long, she'd be there and back home before Mama woke up in the morning.

With a nod Aeryn began walking the familiar path toward the Wall. It was the path her and Mama walked several times a week to gather food for everyone. Aeryn walked it so often, she could travel through it with her eyes closed.