SAY WHAT? I didn't care to show how mad I truly was. "Little fox, I don't know if someone has already told you, but since you're a know-it-all, you might also know that I don't belong to nobody else besides me and as a matter of fact I can be with any one I want. You aren't going to stop me. And cut being all knowledgeable on me, got it? Now if you ex-"
She broke me off. During my little flood of anger, she only sharpened her eyes. *You truly don't know, do you?* I couldn't think at all anymore. *The only reason I can speak to both you and Diam is because you to belong to each other. If you didn't, there'd be no need... I know that and so as I like you, I say this to you: you'll get hurt by the others.* It did make sense, but I didn't believe her.
I calmed down. "Dark Fur, I like you too, but please just stay away of my love life. I will do as I please and I really don't want to fight with you about it. It's my life, not someone else's, so please..." She nodded. "Then let's continue? You're still hungry, right?"
*Yes.* We headed once more to the kitchen.
I reviewed our little... disagreement. Did that really just happen? I mean I am sure that it—
I bumped into someone. Not-so-broad shoulders, white shirt on tanned skin. I looked up. A white smile and those hazel eyes. The tray hit the ground. The shirt wasn't as white as it used to be. We quickly ducked and picked up the food.
"I'm sorry." We both said. We looked up and as the old days, we laughed. Normally he would pat my head, but this time Nam didn't. He just stared.
"I thought you'd died. I really have. Then we got a letter from the Lord and I came with your mom; they just left. The Lord let me stay. I wanted to see you. I... was so worried, but you look fine, tired, but fine. When he told me you were passed out..." Worry had its split image on his face. "You're alive!" He hugged me. Useless to say that the plate I had in my hands found its way to the ground, again. The noise alarmed both of us. He let go of me.
"It's good to see you too, Nam." I smiled.
As soon as the pieces where all on the tray, he picked it and we both stood up.
"So where have you been these past four months?" He asked.
"You know I was followed. I ended up have to escape to the forest and then I lost myself in it. Somehow I came here. Spent my four months in the forest."
"How was it there? I mean... You are alright, that's all that matters." He smiled again and I found myself smiling back.
As me made our way to the kitchen, Nam put me up to date. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who ran away. My sister took advantage of the ruckus I made and fled with her lover. Her fiancé ended up marrying our cousin Louise. I couldn't say she didn't deserve him. His mom was doing fine and it seems she was now our new housekeeper. As it seems, the old one got fired, because was thought to be the cause of the events. At least, one of the causes. Nam told me Mother was furious and she'd say I was the shame of her family. He said she would never forgive me. Although she thinks that my staying in Uncle Desdiro's house might be of her help. Mother is a supporter of the new rules, as Uncle Desdiro calls them. She'd use this opportunity to turn Yerdoth into the last pet-country of Dawnerry. If she thought I'd help her..., she didn't know her own daughter. I wonder if she ever did.
We sat at the kitchen table, while waiting for Dark Fur to eat.
"How did you do that to your arm?" I asked mentioning his bruises.
He covered them up and let his arm fall beside him. He smiled. "This is nothing, just some accident."
"Liar." I looked right into his eyes. I was right. "Mother did this to you, didn't she? And there's more beneath the shirt, right?" I stood up. I kept looking at him. He was frozen. I was right. I wonder what Mother did to him, for Nam to be like that. It's not the first time Nam gets punished, but it's the first time he reacts like that. Normally he would pat my head and say: 'There are worse things in this world. She may hit me, but she will never change my mind. Don't worry.' I was now more worried than ever. She did something to him and it didn't seem that good. I stood beside him. My hands found his shirt buttons. He was lightly trembling. I unbuttoned them, opened the shirt to the side-
There were so many of them. How much pain has he endured? Not all were recent, but the ones that were had been cut deeper than the other. Just how could Mother...? I knew it had been Mother; she wouldn't let anyone else do it. I traced the bruises. Oh, Nam, why did I run away? I should've stayed and married sister's lover, at least you wouldn't have to suffer. I looked into his eyes. He knew what I'd been thinking and he disapproved it. I continued my inspection. I was now looking at his back. I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my lips. Tears started swelling up. Once more staring at his eyes, I knew that Mother had gone further. Mother, how could you?!