Dangerous Words for Dangerous Times

One

She ran to the globe door, trying to get in before it closed for the week. She wouldn't be let in until next Sunday, at noon. Exactly at noon. Who knows what might happen to Fiyonah before then... No! She will NOT think about what might happen!
Just keep running, you can make it. You WILL make it!

And she did, squeezing through just before the village door closed. Taking a second for a breath of fresh oxygen, she stripped off her thermal snow suit. She would have frozen to death for sure if she hadn't made it in. But she had made it in, this time, so she can push those thoughts out of her mind. At least, until next Sunday when she'll be expected- no, required - to go out again. True, the court judges expect Fiyonah to go hunting for her family, but she doesn't really have to; by their laws, anyways. But required really is the best word, because she's the only one in her family old enough and strong enough to take care of her family. It used to be her father, but after the accident... let's just you and me say he was "unable to".

Walking slowly towards her street, Fiyonah became lost in thought. She was thinking of the best way to cook the land beast she had caught so that her family could make it last until next Sunday. So lost in thought was she that she didn't notice Zachariah running up behind her with his catch draped casually over one of his broad shoulders.

"Hey, I waited for you, Fiyonah. You had a good hunt? Are you tired? I bet you are. I know I am. You got in late, again. How far do you think we will have to go next week? Did it take you a while to find something out there? I know it's getting really barren. Here, let me take that for you. " Zachariah shifted the wild creature gently off her shoulders to his free one, giving her a spare smile. He had plenty to go around as far as she was concerned.

With a sigh and roll of her shoulders, Fiyonah acknowledged the typical Zachariah behaviours; always talking, helping others- especially her- and being too sugary nice. She welcomed the freedom from the weight on her shoulders, and the company of the young talkative tribal boy. He always came to her at the same place, same time, and same way each week. Caring and full of words. Don't think she expects help- she doesn't. But it's always nice- sometimes.

"Fiy, hurry up! We're starving here!"

"Fiyonah, get your lazy butt in here right now! It's getting dark, and there isn't any food for us! If you were a better hunter, maybe this wouldn't happen every week!"

"Fiyanese, hurry up! Twila, maybe she likes being outside alone!"

"Do we even know if she goes most of the time?"

Her family continued to hassle her as she turned blushing towards Zachariah. In his defence, he was slightly embarrassed, but more than that, he was angry that they would treat her, their provider, like that.

"Hey, Fiyonah, don't you dare let them get to you, okay? Look at me now. Are you going to be alright?" He knew she worked so hard to provide food, equipment, and money. She had a week job, as well, bringing in money to help pay the medical bills for her dad and youngest brother. He gently pulled her face up to look at him, forcing her to ignore the hassling from her family.

She blinked, looking straight into his coppery eyes, trying to erase the unease of being responsible for so much all on her own. He was so strong - but more than physically built strong. He had to support his own family, now, too. He had three little sisters and a brother, his mom had died in child birth, and his father was killed just months ago. Yet, the fact that he was always trying to help her always came back to how they would always be friends.

   "Alright?" He was concerned. Fiyonah didn't always understand why he would be. She was too old now to have more feelings for this world than a sense of duty and the odd annoyance. But unfortunately, it wasn't uncommon for our kind to start growing hopeless and desperate when they become overwhelmed or are out on the moors too long.

  "Alright. I'm all right. Best not to keep me." Fiyonah did her best to put on a brave smile that she knew he liked to see before she took her load and half-heartedly jogged to her family's hut.