Wednesday. Manon enjoyed Wednesdays. Grandmother attended city council meetings for three hours every week, every Wednesday. As of her seventh birthday, a few weeks ago, Grandmother told her she was now old enough to be left unattended in those evenings. It wasn't terribly different from before with her sitter. Her sitter, Shynna, simply read in the living room for those hours. As long as Manon was quiet, she could do whatever she pleased for those three hours. Sometimes, she considered slipping out into the suburbs and not returning until after Grandmother caught Shynna slacking off, but that would get Manon in as much trouble as Shynna. And it was never good to be on Grandmother's bad side.

This Wednesday was overcast, but late enough in the spring season that the sun still shone through the clouds even in the evening. Manon, having finished her chores, looked out the living room window. She was observing. A few birds flew overhead. The people across the street had their TV on. Her neighbor's big, mean dog was barking at the birds. The stupid thing barked at its own shadow half the time, Manon suspected. She turned her gaze farther away. The house diagonally across from hers had toys littered across the front lawn, at least the part that wasn't hidden by a fence. The house belonged to one of Grandmother's fellow councilors. A girl lived there too, Manon's age to the year. Iskra. Iskra who had been left home alone during council meetings since about a week after Grandmother had granted Manon the privilege. Iskra who flaunted whatever gaudy tutu she was going to a recital in. Iskra who left her toys in carelessly scattered, an act that would lead to the destruction of Manon's toys if she did that in front of Grandmother.

Manon narrowed her eyes.

Iskra whose shadow was just peeking out from behind the fence, with a leg swinging back and forth in a distinct kicking motion.

Manon slid from her seat, barely even rustling the pillows, and slipped out the door. She made her way across the street, letting her feet glide across the pavement that she crossed with quick glances back and forth.

Manon was barely to the other side when she heard the muffled cries. Someone was crying between gasps of pain. Manon was unaccustomed to people making these sounds, but she did not falter. She moved until she was positioned a few feet behind Iskra, her shadow falling away from her leaving no hint for Iskra to realize Manon was so close.

The source of the cries was another local girl, Asterin. Manon knew less about Asterin than she knew of Iskra. She had never been introduced, and Grandmother had never implied that Manon should spend time with Asterin. Still, she'd noticed her. The golden-haired girl wandered around the neighborhood frequently without a sitter. Manon had never noticed her mother or father with her.

Currently, Asterin's yellow hair was near brown from dirt. Asterin herself was in fetal position, hands hugging her stomach as Iskra drew back for kick after kick.

"You're useless," Iskra said with a kick.

Asterin coughed.

"And filthy," Iskra gloated with another kick.

Asterin choked on a sob.

"You're ug-gah!"

Smack!

Iskra didn't finish her third insult, for just as she pulled back her leg, Manon kicked the shin of her other leg, causing Iskra to fall backwards and screech.

"Now that," Manon purred, "would be a lie."

Asterin crawled away from the fallen Iskra, who lay crying, and pulled herself up as best she could. Manon deftly walked around her neighbor and helped Asterin up. Once Asterin was on her feet, she insisted on supporting her own weight. After all, Iskra had been kicking her stomach, not her legs. Manon let her, with only a pause before she let go. They moved back around Iskra, who kept making a commotion.

"I'll tell!" Iskra screamed.

Manon walked, Asterin followed.

"I'm gonna get you!"

Iskra's words fell on deaf ears; Manon crossed the street with a quick glance, and Asterin followed.

Manon lead Asterin into her house, mindful that Grandmother would not be home for another two hours. She instructed the injured girl to sit on the couch and then fetched the band aids from the bathroom.

Upon her return, Asterin composed herself, with a small smile at Manon.

Manon looked at her for a moment, and then handed Asterin the band aids.

"Thank you," Asterin said as she applied the bandages.

"You're welcome."

"For more than these," Asterin continued, waving one at her.

"You're welcome."

"I'll return the favor next time," Asterin rambled.

"To me or to Iskra?"

Asterin smiled a bit wider. "Both."

Manon scoffed a little, but nodded slightly at Asterin's words. With a plunk, Manon took a seat next to the girl and just stared at her. She did not ask Asterin about her parents; she did not ask why Iskra kicked her. She just observed.

"You know the witch is gonna tattle, right?" Asterin said.

"It doesn't matter," Manon replied. It really didn't.

Asterin gazed at Manon for a moment, with such stillness it was almost as if Manon was staring at a statue.

A moment later, Asterin stood up shakily. Still, she clapped Manon on the shoulder.

"Next time," she smiled.

And Manon, unable to help herself, smiled back.