Lost Child

Having More Questions Than Answers

            Mr. Ainsworth kept me in his arms for a while, just holding me. It was strange, but it was also nice. I felt safe in his arms, and there was a warmth I had never known before when I was living at the College. As he held me, Mr. Ainsworth carried me past the garden and into the beautiful home. The door gave a jingle as it opened. The jingling was sweet and high pitched like small tinkling bells.

Mr. Ainsworth turned to shut the door behind him, allowing me a chance to glance up at my surrounds. As I did, I saw a woman, she was wearing a soft pink dress with a lovely, flowery bonnet. She looked very pretty. I had never seen someone like her before. She merely stared back at me. It wasn't an intense stare, but it was a little off-putting.

Once the door was closed, Mr. Ainsworth turned to face the woman and spoke. "Silky, we have a guest." His words were dispassionate and calm as he spoke; however, after a moment or two, he adjusted and moved his arms to pull me a bit away from him. Afterwards he looked at me, those hazel eyes giving off a sense of kindness and care. "Is there a tea you prefer, Briar?"

I shook my head no as I went back to taking in this lovely home. It was neat, organized, and clean. Everything seemed to have a place and be well kept for a house that looked so old. Mr. Ainsworth moved towards a side room that turned out to be a sort of living room. He set me carefully on the couch and took a seat in the armchair nearby. Once we were both seated, the pretty woman, I think he called her Silky, came over with two cups of tea and placed them in front of us. She bowed her head as Mr. Ainsworth smiled. "Thank you Silky." Then his attention went to me.

I had scooted forward on the couch to be closer to my teacup. I looked down into the murky color of the tea, looking anywhere but at Mr. Ainsworth. By all accounts, he had kidnapped me, but I didn't feel like I was in any real danger. I actually felt the opposite. I had this feeling that even though he was really scary in his presence and his voice gave off a cold and dispassionate tone, he wasn't a bad person. And he wouldn't hurt me.

We sat in silence before he spoke coolly, "Still quiet. You likely need time to process everything that is happening." I tilted my head up to stare at this strange blonde man, but he didn't seem to notice as he continued to speak. "As I said before, I'll be taking you into my care, and Silkie and I will provide for you."

I looked around to see where Silky was, but I couldn't catch sight of her anywhere. She seemed to be hiding away. I guess she was his wife? I focused back on him and spoke with disinterest in my voice. "Is Silky your wife?"

There was a jolt before a sad smile seemed to come across his face. "No. Silky is the caretaker of this house. My...my wife is gone."

Dead. So, his wife died. Best not to push talking about that then. Besides, I had other questions. "What was your relationship with my mother?"

Mr. Ainsworth jolted again before reaching down and picking his teacup up in his hands and taking a sip of his tea. He looked to be thinking before he gave me an answer. "I used to teach your mother magic. She was a good student and would have been an excellent Mage."

He used to teach my mother magic. My mother was going to be a Mage. At least that explained why I was skilled with magic and other mystical crafts. It may not explain my scary appearance, but it gave me some sort of background. I simply nodded my head. There wasn't much to say. I did have lots of questions, but he just took me from the College and told me he was my family. There was so much to process.

Wait...that was a question. "How are you my family?" The tone I was using become somewhat monotone as I spoke.

Mr. Ainsworth didn't seem to hesitate with that question. He set down his teacup and placed his hands on either arm of the chair he was in, crossing his legs as he did so, all his attention focused on me. "Well, your mother was my student, so...she was close to my heart you could say. That means that you, being her child, are also close to my heart. One would say I see you as my own child."

I felt a bit embarrassed by his statement. It was so forward. So blunt. He was a very honest man, and I kind of liked that he was so upfront with me. Unlike the professors at the College, he seemed real. I wasn't sure what to say in response though. What was I supposed to say in a situation like this? I tilted my head down nervously as I fidgeted with my fingers. There was too much worry inside me to glance up to see if he was watching on me. Though, I soon didn't need to as I heard movement and felt a hand on my head, resting there in a comforting manner. "It takes time Briar. You'll come to share in time. Your mother...she was the same way."

I glanced up. There were words I wanted to say, but I wasn't exactly sure what they were. I opened my mouth, ready for any words to come spilling from it when a doorbell sounded. I jumped a bit at the sound as Mr. Ainsworth moved his head to peer over to the hallway and pat my head one last time. "That's most likely a customer. Stay here Briar, I'll be a moment." With that he walked away from me. His hand leaving my head.

I liked the feel of his hand on my head and once it was gone, I placed my own hands there, trying to grasp at the feeling once more. It was like he knew where to place his hand, what would be the most comfortable even with my horns. He was kind. He was nice. He was saying I was his family. I had a family. I wasn't an orphan. Someone wanted me, even though I was a scary, monster girl. I kind of wanted to stay with him. He said he didn't pity me, and since he seemed so honest and straightforward, I felt that I could trust him.

I sat there, thinking over everything when voices came from the hallway where the door was. They sounded like they were arguing, and I recognized the voice that was mixed with Mr. Ainsworth's, Mr. Renfred. Another professor at the College. I tensed as I heard them bickering. "You took her?! What are you thinking?!"

Mr. Ainsworth spoke calmly and with the same dispassionate sound. "I took what was mine Renfred. She belongs to me."

"She doesn't belong to you! She belongs to the College!" Mr. Renfred was here to take me back, wasn't he? "Where is she?! I'm taking her back."

I heard the heavy tap, like a cane hitting the wood floor in the house. "You will do no such thing Renfred. She belongs to me and I will protect her here. I can maintain her condition and tend to her needs."

"Like you did with Chise?!" There was a heavy silence.

I got to my feet a bit shakily as I shuffled to the hallway, peeking into the area to see Mr. Ainsworth with his cane blocking Mr. Renfred from entering the house. There seemed to be a dark, rather frightening aura around Mr. Ainsworth. It made me a bit nervous to approach, but then Mr. Renfred saw me causing a bit of panic as he watched me. "Briar! Come here, we need to get you back to the College."

I remained grounded near the door to the living room. I didn't move. I simply stared at him with my blank, dull eyes as I whispered, "Why?"

"Why? Has this man been filling your head with crap already? Briar, you can't stay here, it isn't safe for you." He reached out his hand to me, but I remained far out of his reach.

Not only that, but the action lead to Mr. Ainsworth grabbing his wrist and glaring at him. "You are not welcome in my home Renfred. I believe I made that clear."

"I'm taking her back to the College, Pilum Murialis!" Renfred struggled to be freed and make his way over to grab me.

I stood my ground though as I stared at him and grabbed the hem of the bottom of my hoodie. "I'm...I'm staying."

Both men stared at me with surprise. Was it really that surprising? Renfred was the first to speak. "What...?"

"I...I want to stay here. Mr. Ainsworth knows my mother. He knows the answers to my questions, and he said he would care for me. He won't pity me. I...I want to stay here." I didn't want to seem fearful, so I kept my eyes focused on Mr. Renfred.

The silence that followed was thick, but soon the hand that was preventing Renfred from reaching me released him. Mr. Ainsworth smiled as he removed his cane and walked over to pick me up in his arms. "She gave her desire. You would be wise to oblige it, Renfred. I'll care for her."

There was hesitation in Mr. Renfred's face before he grit his teeth and backed down, leaving with a flourish of what I thought was anger. Mr. Ainsworth kept me in his arms before with a sweep of his cane the door was closed. "Well, that was unexpected."

I gave a nod. However, there was a burning question in my mind after that. Who was Chise?