He Became The Bad Boy

Moon Festival

Kane came to see me before lunch and wordlessly took in my buzzed head. He handed me an orange juice cup and a thick shortcake.

I accepted his offer and patted the bed next to me.

"Place looks better than yesterday," he said as he sat next to me.

"Thanks," I replied, hesitating.

I had something pressing to ask. It'd been on my mind. But I was afraid to know.

"He's fine, just so you know," he said with a kind smile.

I felt a little relieved, not caring to ask how he knew without me having to ask.

Harry had been taken away crying hysterically when he witnessed the first attacks against me. No one could calm him down.

My grandmother's sister had been preparing to go back to her home in the hills. They decided it was best to have him go with her, at least until they could beat some sense into me.

My heart had broken at the sight of him being carried away. But I also thought it was better he didn't get to see what they did to me.

I was silent for a while, thinking about my little brother and missing him with everything I had. Suddenly my appetite was gone. I set the cup and cake down.

"Your dad asked me to keep an eye on you," Kane broke the silence.

I shrugged and said nothing.

"And your mother wanted to talk to you," he added.

My fingers dug painfully into my palm.

I'd been the most surprised with my mom. She took their side and actually encouraged me to "think" about giving Simigo a chance. I'd gotten uncharacteristically angry and told her where to shove her encouragement.

"That's not going to happen any time soon," I said angrily.

"That's up to you," Kane said. "I'm just the messenger."

He stood up and stretched, indicating he was about to leave.

"And what's your stand with all this?" I asked. I was curious.

He paused. "You want the long answer or the short one?"

I weighed his words in my head. "You don't seem like the kind of guy who uses long words."

He smiled and stared at me for a while. His expression revealed nothing.

"I think your hair looks good short," he said finally. "See you."

I went out with him, walking around the SQ to the back yard. The rainy season had just ended and the place was overgrown with wild grass as tall as my knees.

I looked beyond the little field and noticed a big mansionette had been built while I'd been away. It was impressive and had a long stone wall surrounding it's perimeter. It started a few feet from the back yard. It had balconies in what looked like every room.

I stared out at it for a while and noticed movement in one of its windows.

Someone was watching me.

I shivered and quickly walked back to the SQ.

Ofi was in there, she excitedly rushed over to me.

"I was looking for you," she said.

"What's going on?" I asked apprehensively.

"I have something to show you," she tugged on my arm pulling me towards the main house.