The Deaths

Dad cried, and I felt like crying once again, but I tried my best not to. "Dad, everything will be okay, stop crying," I said, biting my lips.

I wanted him to stay calm... to stay strong because if he keeps doing this, I feel like I'm going to give up. But no, I would never give up... I have a brother and a father to fight for.

He surely saw the broken egg that was thrown at my back earlier and the few scratches on my knees, making them bleed a little, but here he is... crying as if I died, and it keeps breaking my heart.

He wiped his tears and then faced me with a smile... a fake smile. "I have prepared your lunch, sweetie. Zonen is already eating, he seemed so hungry." He created a small laugh to lighten the atmosphere.

I laughed with him, "He's always hungry," I said as we both proceeded to the kitchen.

Father never fought with the people who bullied us, even though he knew he could fight them all at once, because he was afraid that once he hurt one of them... the Mayor would throw us out of the community, and that is the worst.

Outside of the community live different wild creatures and other unknown beings, that is why the patrols at night were always tight.

When we reached the dining table, I could see Zonen, my little brother, eating some fried rabbit meat that Dad caught in the forest. "You have a good catch today, Dad," I stated, complimenting him.

"Of course, as always," he winked.

I just laughed at him as I sat on the chair beside Zonen, "How are you doing, Blubby?" I asked.

I called him Blubby since he's chubby at his age of ten, and right now, I'm twelve, but I'm more mature than any other girls my age, and so is my brother.

"Stop calling me Blubby, I'm a man now, Maive. Call me by my name," he said as if he was such a professional man.

His act made me and Dad laugh. "Oh, Blubby. You're daydreaming again." I ruffled his hair as I laughed out loud.

"Aish!" He scoffed, shoving my hand away, and he continued eating once again.

Despite all odds in our life, we remain positive as long as we have each other.

I am Maiveline Underwood, daughter of Christopher Underwood, who was believed to be a dangerous man... people were just scared of him, and I don't know why though. My mom's name is Velaia, a witch as they say, but I would never believe them.

We never really go out of the house if not necessary, unless we buy goods or other necessities. Dad only goes out for a hunt if we don't have money to buy food. He works as a laborer, but they rarely need his services, only when it is a very difficult job.

I pitied my father, but I could do nothing. However, I will work hard to help my family out of this hell.

That night, I decided to sleep with Dad, and so I went to his room. But when I was near his door, I stopped the moment I heard cries inside my father's room.

"Velaia... I'm so sorry, I couldn't protect our children well. I... I'm sorry..." He said sadly, and it broke my heart... he was talking alone, and he often did that.

Dad was crying again, and it was tearing me apart like pieces that are hard to put together... making it hard for me to breathe.

Suddenly, I calmed down when I felt a hand patting my shoulder. I looked at it to see Zonen looking at me with comfort. I bit my lip and nodded knowingly.

"Come in." All of a sudden, we heard our father's voice calling.

I was surprised at how Dad knew that we were here outside his room. I opened the door and went inside, Zonen followed behind me.

I then faked a smile, looking at my father, "Dad, can we sleep here tonight?" I asked, giving him puppy eyes.

He laughed, "Of course! Come here, Sweetie... Zonen, come." He stated as he scooted to the middle, and Zonen happily jumped on Father's left side while I laid on his right side.

There was a moment of silence, but I decided to break it, "Dad, can you tell us about Mom?" I asked.

I really wanted to know anything about Mom... I wanted to see her... to find her and to know where she is.

"Your mom is the most beautiful woman I have ever met, she's beautiful inside and out," he stated with love and longing in his voice.

"But why does she have to leave us, Dad? Why does she have to go away?" I heard Zonen sadly ask.

"Zonen, your mom didn't want any of this to happen. You know what, she sacrificed everything for us... she's our guardian angel," Dad stated, and I could see his eyes full of love.

"Dad, do you think Mom is still alive?" I suddenly asked out of nowhere because Dad talks as if Mom is dead, but he always believes that she's alive.

He shook his head, "I could still feel her, Maive. I could feel that your mom is alive. Your mom loves you so much, always remember that."

"Dad, is Mom really a witch?" Zonen suddenly asked, which made my heart skip a beat.

"Zonen!" I exclaimed in a harsh whisper, telling him to shut his mouth.

"I'm sorry, people always told me that she's a witch. I just wanted to know," he explained, and that made me release a sigh of defeat.

"It's fine. Don't listen to what other people say, okay? Your mom will always be our angel. One day, you will understand. Now, let's go to sleep," Dad calmly stated.

"I love you, Dad," I said as I kissed his cheek.

"I love you too, Dad," I heard Zonen say.

"I love you both," Dad said as I felt him kiss my forehead and also Zonen's.

I woke up early in the morning to see Dad not in the bed. I'm sure he's out there again, hunting for breakfast.

And so I decided to look for Sheon. She should have come back at this time. I know Sheon could protect herself, she is stronger than any other creature I know, though she's just still a baby. But she's bigger than other birds. I left her yesterday not because I wanted to... that was what she wanted. That's what she always does, risking her life for my sake.

As I walked on the side road looking for her, suddenly, my attention was caught when I saw a group of people in the distance.

What's happening there?

It was as if they saw something rare, so they had gathered in one area, looking at a particular field. Some were talking to each other, wearing problematic expressions. I was about to go there to know what was happening when suddenly, someone grabbed my arm, covering my mouth so as not to let out a noise.