<\/p>\n
Katie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s violent swearing ripped her traveling companions from their slumber. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rakowsky\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gone and cut himself a new one!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Frustration cut through her voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t infiltrate the guilds by ourselves, Orsin.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The large man rose gracefully and padded over to his comrade\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s corpse. The sword was still pinning it to the earth. He glanced at Bionca. She blanched and looked away quickly, bile rising in her throat. Orsin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s large fist surrounded the hilt before he slowly extracted it. He thrust the blade into the girl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hands.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should move on. Mama\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s waiting.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The group somberly packed up and followed Orsin.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Vaslera had the distinct feeling of having once been a bustling hub of activity. The town square was a grave to grandeur. What few people were in the streets waved to Orsin and Katie before disappearing upon catching sight of the strangers. They were led down twisting alleyways. Hopelessly lost without their guides, all but Bionca were relieved once they reached the Orsin residence. The son cleared his throat and called out while opening the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mama, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m back. We have visitors.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Stepping in was like being transported back to Hyra. Nostalgia and self-pity swirled with the guilt in Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stomach. It was arid and adorned with swatches of cloth typically used for Hyran robes. A woman with deep, rich crimson hair swayed into the hallway.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Eddy, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so happy you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re back. And you too, Katie.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She pulled them both into a tight bear-hug. After releasing them, she scanned the remaining people crowding into her home. Her eyes flicked questioningly to Orsin before stopping between Oscar and Drake. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmmm, familiar somehow. And so very much alike. You should really make up, you know. You never know how long you have left.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake stiffened.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And twins. How charming. Same goes for the two of you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Finally, her gaze settled on Bionca. She gave the briefest of calculating looks before turning to her son. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Be a dear, Eddy, and fix up my clinic for me. I should really check up on all of you. Make sure all your parts are working. Oh, and how rude of me! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Lynn Orsin. Welcome to Vaslera.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The assembled bunch murmured thanks awkwardly, looking away from their overbearing host.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Katie, dear, you first. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look at your pretty bones.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the group. The minutes stretched into hours until, finally, Katie emerged from Lynn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s makeshift clinic. She side-glanced Orsin before dropping to the floor. Lynn exited soon after and beckoned Bionca forward.<\/p>\n
Apprehensive, the girl followed. Once inside, the woman spun on her heel and gripped Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Forgive me if I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m insensitive, but I am so fascinated by your skin and hair. Have they always been like that? I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never seen anything like it! Is your mother the quiet and surly one or the quiet and guarded one? Where\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your father? Can I genome you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her nails had begun to dig into Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skin, who stood dumbfounded with her mouth hanging open.<\/p>\n
Lynn withdrew her hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, love, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so sorry. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve overwhelmed you, haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She embraced the shaking girl gently, smoothing down the gold and bistre hair she was so curious about. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sit you down. You can talk to me about anything. Your secrets are safe with me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She began scanning Bionca. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also okay if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to say anything. I can certainly talk more than enough for two people.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Lynn giggled at her own expense, then looked deeply into Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes, a motherly concern welling behind her own.<\/p>\n
A single sob shuddered through the young woman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just…I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve lost so much…in such a short time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her whispers were halting. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My first friend, my father, my home\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She lowered her gaze, tears falling off her chin.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, sweetheart.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bionca was pulled into another hug, this one bone-crushing.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I feel like, even though I should rely on my mother more, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re farther apart than ever\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her voice was muffled against Lynn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, my dear, I know it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard. I almost lost my Sam once. But then we raised Eddy together. Now he and Sam work to rid our world of the Volarchy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s corrupted systems.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She pulled away and searched Bionca\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tear-stained face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I sense that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve not gotten over the deaths in your life. And honey, you never really will.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She brushed some of the moisture glistening on the girl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cheek off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But if you want my advice, work toward something in their memory. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s helped my boy and my Sam.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Beneath them, the ground shook. Sighing, Lynn pinched the bridge of her nose. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It never ends, does it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The next day, after everyone had slept fitfully, the front was kicked open and a loud holler rang through. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honey, I have some bodies for you to check. Damn comet took out so many of us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Lynn appeared, both relief and worry on her face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Welcome home, my love.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sammy?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake stood transfixed in a doorway.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is that you, brother dearest?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sam\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face lit up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m surprised you got out of hellhole Hyra! What about Viv and Dev?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s expression faltered and he slumped against the door jamb. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know what, nevermind. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll talk later, bro.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sam returned to dragging the bodies into the house. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you get Ed to help me with this? I feel so old anymore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m here Mom. We need to talk about our guild-crashing strategy, too. Things have changed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry to butt in,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bionca slipped under Drake\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to help take down the Volarchy. Tell me what I can do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Sam, Lynn, and Mina nodded in approval. Drake fidgeted while Orsin peered thoughtfully at the girl. Gaia inhaled sharply. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bionca, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think this is a good idea. I know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re still upset about your father and the doctor, but this is not the best way to honor them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Bionca looked coldly at her mother, a sneer forming. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mother, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expect you to understand, but this is something I just need to do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gaia stared at her daughter sadly before retreating back into the darkness.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brittany Teodorski<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n