Chapter 8: CHAPTER 4.2

2 days later

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Father left with 6 other hunters, they traveled to a larger town 5 days away from us heading north. Within his small caravan they all rode on horses, and they weren't old and weak but were strong and young ones which, if sold, could make any peasant family well off for a whole year. One of the horses would labor the open carriage, carrying the provisions, silver, trade goods, and a gift to the baron. Even though I understood the social dynamics of lower to upper class, the fact that we are giving the baron a gift is aggravating while we are suffering from an epidemic.

 

Within the days since he left, the consumption has infected to as high as a couple hundred people by now. Despite the chief's idea of quarantining the infected, the consumption still spread. However, despite all of the people I had interacted with, I have yet to get sick unlike Alina and other children. The [Priest] told me I have been gifted well by the Spirit of Health, Hal, which I gave him a very cynical look and honestly felt slightly bitter by his illogical answer, opposite from his usual stoic and scholarly attitude.

 

He stared at me with his one gray eye and a deadpan face, then after what felt like a minute, his scarred face broke from his expression and began to laugh heartedly.

 

"Bah! So you're just joking"

 

Laughing for who knows how long, he looks at me with a teary eye; wiping the tear away.

 

"Relax, boy. I just want to cheer you up!"

 

I looked at him in annoyance, "Cheer me up? From what!"

 

Sighing, he placed his chiseled old hand on my shoulder.

 

"I know what has been going on at your hearth, and I genuinely pray to Tero for him to send Hal forth to, not only for your beloved, but to all abodes"

 

Despite speaking in tongues, I understood what he meant, and my face churned knowing my faith and helplessness.

 

In these 2 days, mother has refused any care from me. Fearing for her life, I asked the volunteers if they could nurse her, but due to the increasing number of infected and dead they had no one to spare in nursing her as they manage the fire pits and quarantine. I lost hope, but either by generosity, hearsay, or from Alina, Mrs. Misari offered me her aid. I wasn't sure how to feel, whether I should feel ecstatic for my mother or sad for her to do this herself after the death of her husband, I was conflicted.

 

As she walked to my home with me by her side as well as Alina carried within her arms, she spoke to me.

 

"I know what you are thinking, but I am fine" 

 

"Are you really? I... I just think this is way too soon"

 

She chuckled as she fixed Alina's posture.

 

"He's my third husband... he isn't my first loss. Nor, will he be the last"

 

A thought came to my mind, but I couldn't stop myself from asking.

 

"Were there others than Alina?"

 

Shit.

 

She remained silent for a while, a small shudder from the corner of her mouth. Then, as the eerie silence loomed, it was broken.

 

"Yes... there were. Many, but" she sighs then looks at me with a smile, "you should know what you should never ask a woman?"

 

I nodded with embarrassment.

 

"I know... I'm sorry"

 

I then felt a light smack at the back of my head. I look up, away from the dirt.

 

"There? Did that wake you up? Anyways, we're here now"

 

And as she had said, we were indeed.

 

Hearing a yawn, Alina woke up from her mother's cradle. As Mrs. Misari brings Alina down, she looks at me with a smile.

 

"Well, while I go check on your mother, can you be sweetie and give Alina a date?" she winks then proceeds to go inside.

 

I chuckled, then felt a small tug on my sleeve. Looking at the direction, I see Alina with a bright smile on her face with a slight green hue illuminating.

 

"Well? What are we going to do?" she pauses for a moment as if hesitating, "...s....sweetie?"

 

As she said that, I burst into laughter.

 

"H-Hey! It's not funny!" she pouts at me.

 

Wiping a tear, I grabbed her hand.

 

"Let's play some hide and seek"

 

Alina, staring at my hand, jerked her head up with a blush and a red hue illuminated. 

 

"S-Sure! Let's play" she then wiggled her hand off from mine and ran away, "I'll hide first! Come and find me!" she yelled.

 

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I laughed, then began chasing after her.

 

 

But... on the 4th  day.

 

I leaned against the wall with Alina napping on my lap.

 

Yesterday, my mother lost consciousness.

 

I'm shaking. My hands are quivering, whether it be from this cold night or fear, I don't know which.

 

"Casuro?" Alina mumbled.

 

"Did I wake you up? I'm sorry"

 

She hummed in denial while shaking her gentle head.

 

"No... I'm just worried"

 

"Worried?"

 

She hummed.

 

"That you may leave me alone"

 

After a small chuckle, I asked, "Leave? Why would I ever leave?"

 

She stayed in silence for a while, "I don't know. It's just a feeling... but... can you promise?"  

 

I heaved out a small breath, "Yeah, I promise"

 

Then, I felt it.

 

"Casuro?"

 

I tried to hide it, but my emotions got over me. I look up at the ceiling as I try to mask away these emotions.

 

As if knowing, Alina sat up and looked at me.

 

"Casuro?"

 

"I'm... I'm fine" I tried to speak, but it hurts.

 

Seeing me in this state, Alina leaned over and laid me on her lap.

 

"Wha-" before I could speak, Alina covered my mouth with her hand.

 

"Shh... It's okay... let it out"

 

Let it out? I'm fine! You don't have to go to this trouble

 

I thought, but as if knowing my own thoughts, Alina removed her hand from my mouth and covered my eyes then gently combed my hair.

 

"You're not... it's okay... you don't have to be brave anymore"

 

Then, as moments passed, I struggled to maintain composure.

 

"...It's hard..."

 

"I know"

 

"...Why did this have to happen?"

 

"Let it out"

 

"Why? Why? WHY! FUCK!"

 

I couldn't hold myself any longer, I yelled.

 

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! FUCK!"

 

The floodgates broke as I yelled. As I cried on her lap, Alina leaned forward and cradled me in her arms. It's warm, warmer than fire and yet it's comforting, a nostalgic feeling, and as the darkness consumes me, my day ended on that night.

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