Once Upon a Midnight: Wanted

Chapter Five

It didn't take Aeryn long to return home. The town was strangely quiet considering all the noise she'd heard just a minute ago.  Everything seemed normal, why had everyone been in such a panic?

She slowly made her way into the house, looking around. Despite the quiet, it was uncharacteristically empty, especially for this time of night. Where was everybody?

"Maira?" She called, poking her head into the front room. Nobody there either.

"Aeryn." Maira came into the room behind Aeryn, crossing her arms.

Aeryn frowned. What did she do to warrant Maira being angry with her, aside from her existence of course. "What happened? Where is everybody?"

"They're at the infirmary."

"What? Why? What happened?"

"Mama is sick. They said she isn't going to last much longer." Maira sighed, her face falling. "She's been calling for you."

"For me? Why me?"

"Who knows. You were always her favorite." Maira rolled her eyes, spinning on her heel. "Well? Come on. We don't have all night."

Aeryn sighed but followed Maira anyway. They walked in silence for a while, Maira walking just a few steps ahead of Aeryn. She suspected the older girl didn't really want to be seen walking with her.

"So where were you?"

Aeryn looked up, her eyes had been glued on the ground as they walked. "What?"

"You didn't think we wouldn't notice you're gone nearly every night? And you're wearing a new dress. Who do you meet up with every night? Is it a man from the city? Did you sleep with him to get that?"

"What? No what is wrong with you?"

Maira stopped walking abruptly, spinning around and walking up to Aeryn. "There ain't nothin' wrong with me. It's you who's the freak. Mama may not see it, but everyone else does. And when Mama is gone, there ain't gone be no-one left to protect you." With that said Maira turned back, opening the door to the infirmary and walking in.

It took Aeryn a moment to gather herself. She let out a small breath before going to open the door herself.

"Mama..."

"Oh Aeryn, my sweet girl." Aeryn walked fully into the room, dropping to her knees next to Mama's cot. She took Mama's hand, tears forming in her eyes. Mama reached out, cupping Aeryn's cheek gently, brushing away a tear.

"Mama you can't die."

"I'm old Aeryn, you know this."

"Yeah but," Aeryn sniffled, brushing at the tears with the back of her hand. "I can't stay here without you Mama."

"Aeryn the people need you." Mama said, but Aeryn was shaking her head. "They aren't going to suddenly turn on you just because I'm gone. You still have to gather food for them, and protect them."

What if I'm the one who needs protecting? Despite what Mama said, Aeryn knew as soon as she was gone, it would no longer be safe for her to be here. Mama was the only thing standing between the people and getting rid of her.

"Promise me, Aeryn. Promise you won't abandon these people."

"I promise Mama."

"Good." Mama paused, coughs wracking her frail body. There were tears in her eyes by the time they were over. "I need you to promise me something else."

"Anything."

"Protect yourself, at any cost."

Aeryn's brow furrowed in confusion. Mama believed the humans were good. Why would she tell her to protect herself if she didn't think she'd be hurt? "But you just--"