A Year with Each Nation

Chapter Two

I sat up quickly, breathing heavily. I rubbed at my eyes making the tears stop.  I saw a glass of water and I drank it in one gulp, cooling my burning throat. I stood and noticed Ivan.

He placed a finger against his mouth. Yao was sleeping peacefully on his lap. I walked over to the window and looked at the moon. Guessing by how high the moon was, it was around Eleven. I turned to see Yao getting up.

He leaned against Ivan as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He stood as his eyes landed on me. “How are you feeling?” Ivan stood towering over Yao. “Fine, thanks to you.” He nodded. “it barely missed your bone but it will scar.”

The door’s opened and Len appeared. He pushed up his mask and walked over to me, embracing me in his arms. My eyes widened, “Th-The rules.” He held me tighter. “screw those stupid rules. I was worried sick. Besides I like you so I am going to hug you no matter what. Rules are just words to separate people. I don't care what happens. I will break them for you. I couldn’t help you one hundred years ago but I can now.”

I rose my hands, they were shaking, and I hugged him back. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there. Elder appeared and her face was relieved when she saw me. I walked up to her, "how is it?" Yao was stifling a yawn, so I decided to speak. "Thanks to Yao it is fine but will leave a scar." She nodded before she looked down.

"I'm sorry but it was not my decision but you are to leave the village." My eyes widened. "The high elders decided that you are the cause of the orcs attacking and that you must go." Len seemed as shocked as me. After a minute of silence I had control over my emotions.

"Fine I've never cared for the village that hated me. I will visit my parents one more time." She nodded in understanding. "Len lets go." He hesitated before turning to leave.

"Come visit and I will surely be here for you." He ran after elder. I stood still as a rock. Ivan appeared and looked at me. "They are gone now. You can let it all now, da?" He held open his arms.

My lip trembled before I buried my self into his arms. Yao joined in and I let them comfort me. "Will you come with me to say goodbye to my parents?" They nodded. "When we get back we will explain to the others." I nodded. "Were here for you. Were going to help you."  

I walked out of the building not even caring if they were actually following me. I stopped at the forest line and stared up into the trees. Yao Placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me the strength to go on.  I smiled at him before entering the forest. 

I walked past the village and down a overgrown path. A large tree stood in the middle of the path and I hugged it.  Memories flashing through my head of when it was just a sapling.

I passed the tree and walked into the large field covered in wildflowers. Rocks were place every once in awhile to represent graves. As I approached two rocks, larger than the rest, tears began streaming down my face.

I dropped to the ground and hugged my knees. “Hello mother and father." I said as I tried to stop crying. "I was finally kicked out of the village. I knew it was going to happen but it still hurts. I'm going to have a scar on my shoulder from a arrow." I smiled

"I made some new friends who can live as long as we can, maybe longer. I'm glad I found them. I'm glad I decided to break the rules for once. You know, I'm being blamed for the orcs attacking the village." The tears stopped going down my face as I thought of yesterday.

"It seems like a long time ago but it was only yesterday. it all happened so fast but It came as no surprise." I laughed. "Father ,before I go, I want to apologize for breaking your mask. It was shot and I've no clue where the remains are."