The Festival

Chapter 4

 "This is bullshit!" Ari screams, standing outside of The Righteous.

Mirina stands behind her, trying to cover up as much skin as she can.

After the failed attempt of seducing the two Neale officials, all Mirina wanted to do was go back to the hotel, change into long sleeves and jeans before sleeping away her embarrassment.

"That place is basically a strip club! And we, us, get kicked out! Unbelievable. I want to speak to their manager."

"Ari, please, let's just go back. I just want to go back home. Maybe we can get in next year?" Mirina pleads.

"You're going to be nineteen next year! You won't be able to go. And I don't want to go without you. We're going this year."

Mirina grabs Ari's arm and pulls her away from The Righteous.

"Ari, we're going home."

During the walk back to the hotel, a little girl runs into Mirina, dropping her doll in the process.

"Sorry," Mirina says instinctively. "Here."

She picks up the doll and hands it to the girl. The girl smiles and takes the doll.

"Thank you!" She beams. When she looks up to Mirina, her smile falls and she slowly backs up before running off to her mother.

Mirina looks all around her. What had spooked the child into running away?

"What was that all about?" Ari asks.

Mirina shakes her head, taking a look back towards the girl. "I have no idea."

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The next day, Ari and Mirina had made it back to Dunfall without getting caught.

Hena hadn't asked Mirina anything about the party and Mirina was thankful. She had never been good at coming up with lies on the spot. Sure, if she had rehearsed it, she could lie well but being put on the spot, she would clam up and become a stuttering mess.

"My Miri, are you with me?" Hena asks.

They were currently sitting at the breakfast table eating before Mirina had to go to school.

"Sorry mother, I'm just tired," Mirina says. "Did you get the mail yesterday? I'll get it now."

As she stands, Hena sighs. She could tell something was happening with Mirina, but she couldn't tell what.

Ever since Fan died, Hena became guarded. She never spoke much to anyone or even tried to listen to people. She barely even spoke to Mirina.

"Mother, there's a letter for you. It's from the government." Mirina says, returning with a few letters and the daily newspaper.

Hena gracefully takes the letter and opens it swiftly.

As her eyes skim the page, Mirina sits back down, attempting to read the letter. She could make out a few words but not enough that would make a full sentence.

"What is it, mother?"

"Go to school, Mirina. This letter is just talking about nonsense. You don't want to be late."

Hena was no better at lying than Mirina.

"Mother?"

"Just...go to school, Mirina."

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When Mirina got to school, Ari was standing at her locker, waiting.

"You're like a dog," Mirina says, throwing her bag into the locker. "Can I help you?"