The First Phase: Chapter 14

Take me with you. Take me with you.

          I woke up with a startle. I was certain that I was dreaming. I couldn’t tell whether it was a good dream, or if it was a nightmare instead. I can only remember that one sentence repeat itself over and over, but each time I tried, the tone sounded different. In the end, I decided to ignore the dream altogether.

          That evening, Veann dressed me in another white garment. When he left at my father’s call, I rebelled the choice of clothes by wearing the sort of plain clothes Tazia loves to wear. I didn’t particularly like Tazia’s outfit, but as I rummaged through her closet that evening, I decided to wear them for the sake of offending everyone. I threw the white outfit to the floor and put on an ugly wordy t-shirt and my sister’s dark blue jeans. Still unsatisfied, I went to Firann’s room and stole his supposedly prized black hat he’d never wear. Then I waited for Veann.

The First Phase: Chapter 13

“Check our mountain borders. Dispose of those that crosses it,” ordered Kuran on one of our catch-up session.

          Dispose. He’s telling me to get rid of anyone entering our territory. This pathetic being who’s been pretending to be so good to the humans. He knew the mountain border was where I patrolled. I’m guessing he knew of Veann’s attachment to one of the village.

“It has always been to dispose of hunters, and trick the others from entering. Why the sudden change of heart?” I challenged.

“Are you questioning me?” he asked softly.

“I asked a question,” I replied, unsure if he was amused or irritated.

“Well,” he said as walks toward the door. 

          Turning the knob, he continued, “Hearts can change. It’s difficult to have it stay at a place. I guess the word loyalty was invented to counter the problem with hearts.”