WITHOUT

Me.

Clark stared at Ethan..."Didn't love you!   Didn't want you!     You were my world, the moment my stomach swelled.    I couldn't be sure at first, what girl knows of being with child - I was a child!      My Ma knew the signs, she fed me more.....Then, you were there. Within me..."       Clark was smiling, it was a warm look.  A tender memory, one Clark had held so tightly in her head.        Ethan reached his hand out, he couldn't help himself.

The woman, who he both feared but held within his chest - Was happy by the mere thought of small him.        He still held anger, but suddenly he needed answers - The How's?    The When's?     The Why's?      Did Clark fight long?     What did her family do?

She was taken before a group. He was taken.  But, who were the women?      Did Clark try to find him?     He had tried to runaway a few times, but was bought back every time.    Going to a boarding school was meant to "curb" his disappearing.     Ethan looked at Clark, he had too many questions.       But, first...He needed to get her on side, her disgusted look ate into him in a way (To his very core) and that pained him.

(What powers did she have?!
And, she was in spirit form)

He had her anger, he could wipe her out....But, she could slice him right down middle (From head to groin) with her acid cold eyes.

Clark saw the out reached hand, what was this gesture?     Was she being tricked?    The Others could be "tricksters!"     Surly not this young man before her?!       Abby and Fern had made her talk.    That was not the punishment she had been expecting.     She had been thinking, a physical action, a removal of something....Clark couldn't forlorn what they could possibly "remove" from her, or even do to her.

(She was mostly thin air at the best of times)

But, the talking! That had almost killed her to do so.     To be made to remember, they kept giving her glasses of water (They had been laced with the dust of "Remembrance" (Fairies can perform that trick)      She remembered all the "firsts" - And, it made her stomach twist on the spot, because it also bought back the fear.   All the tears, the words spoken....The fights.

Her ma had cried. Held her close. She remembered how her ma couldn't let her go, kept stroking her hair - Telling her, she had been so naughty! Children of this village, don't let these things happen. Her ma was kinder, gentler with her - Had lightly touched her stomach when it was big and round. Her brothers and sisters shared whispered chats (Looks of pain)

Clark remembered holding her little tadpole. But, he was a baby. With arms and legs....He would cry, and pout. Stare definitely at her, then go floppy - Small head turned away. She would laugh, smile at him..."Your being so silly! Look at me, I'm your ma. Your too small to be so silly!.." She would then pull him close, hold him tight.

Small hands would tuck into her chest, he would instantly curve to her arms.....She could hear him make small gurgle sounds, she could hear him wanting just her. He was the centre of her heart, her world. He was all that she wanted. She would protect him till her last breath could not be breathed.

Clark didn't have long with him. He never took his first step, said his first word (Only she could teach him that. One of the many reasons The Other babies are immediately removed from their mothers at birth. Only the mother's of these children can teach them anything!)