Cold Reception
Well...not much new...just...development of the story I guess...
~*~*~*~*~*~
Makira picked up her small basket filled with
food and quickly ducked back into the bushes before the old lady caught her
taking from the vegetable garden again. The last time she was caught, the woman
had whipped her back till it was raw and Christopher had to go out and find
salve to put on it.
She turned and dashed down the path towards what was left of their family's
house. Christopher would eat well tonight and wouldn't have to go to bed
complaining of a hurting stomach. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her
ear as she ran along the path. Slowing down as she neared the horse, fright
built up in her heart when she saw Christopher outside talking to a woman with
brown hair.
Her eyes widened as the woman bent down and picked Christopher up, putting him
on the back of a horse. He was smiling, but Makira didn't trust the woman to not
hurt him. She walked forward quickly, but remained hidden behind some rubble.
The woman led the horse forward and they walked around in some circles.
Christopher smiled and giggled, clapping his hands and petting the horse.
Makira's heart slowly settled back down, thinking maybe everything wasn't as bad
as she originally thought. Slowly she walked out, "Christopher?"
Christopher's big blue eyes turned to look at his older sister, "Makira!!! Look!
I'm riding a horse!"
Makira smiled and nodded. She looked at the other woman as the woman looked at
her, smiling and nodding. "Hi, my name is Michelle." The woman said, but there
was an edge of nervousness in her voice.
"Nice to meet you..." She blinked as Christopher slid off the horse and ran over
and hugged her. She looked into his eyes and saw the question, 'did you get food
for tonight?' She just lowered the basket for him to look in, and was surprised
when he reached in and pulled out a carrot and ran back to the horse, giving it
to the animal. "Christopher..." He looked back at her, eyes pleading. She just
sighed and nodded.
Michelle watched the proceedings quietly. Finally Makira turned and walked into
the house, calling Christopher after her. A few moments later Christopher ran
back out and asked Michelle in. She nodded and thanked him, but told him she had
no where to put Boo. He led her around back to where an old pen had been, they
put Boo in and 'repaired' the fence well enough then went inside.
They had a small dinner, both women letting the child have the majority of the
food since he needed it the most. Makira helped Christopher into bed, Michelle
went outside to check on Boo.
Michelle walked out into the crisp air of the night and over to the pen where
Boo was, "Hey girl...you ok?" The mare looked up at her and nickered softly, "I
bet you are thirsty, aren't you..." She frowned and looked around, finding a
bucket then went over to a nearby well. She pulled up some water and gave it to
the horse who drank it readily.
Makira looked outside and watched the brunette as she tended to the horse, then
quietly she walked out to join her. "So...where are you from?"
Michelle looked over at the blonde woman, "Ehh....Georgia..."
Makira blinked, "Where's that?"
"Ummm...in the United States...east coast..." the knot in Michelle's stomach
grew. 'How can I be in a place where they don't know where Georgia is...'
Makira blinked again, "I've...never heard of the ...United...States..." She
looked at Michelle suspiciously.
'Doesn't...know of the US?' Michelle groaned inwardly, she looked back at Boo,
muttering, "I must be dreaming..."
Makira hears Michelle's mumbling, "I don't know who you are or where you are
from, just know that if you hurt my little brother...I'll kill you."
The coldness in Makira's voice cause Michelle to freeze, 'I'm not
dreaming...then where am I? What's happened?' "I...would never...hurt a
child...or any human for that matter..." She turned and looked at Makira, but
couldn't think of anything else to say.
Makira looked at Michelle, "You can stay the night, but I think you should leave
in the morning. I don't want my Christopher becoming to attached to
anyone...cause as soon as he does...they tend to leave or be killed..." She then
turned and walked off after that.
Michelle stood there blinking, caught totally off guard by what Makira said.
'What is going on???'
~*~*~*~*~*~
(0815/02)
Author's notes: Worth pursuing? Please let me know...