The Stranger

The Golden Ostrich

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"What...?" my mother repeated, obviously not believing her eyes. She suddenly wrenched at the tunic, splitting the seams with a loud crack of threads. The blue fabric fell to the ground ungracefully, revealing the entire top half of Ophene's dress. Tucked into the belt was one of the distinctive Moiety knives.

My mother gaped for several moments, Riy and I completely forgot. Then, with the speed of a swimming Sunner, she snatched up the number book and hurled it at my sister.

"What are you thinking?" she bellowed as Ophene tried to duck in vain. "How dare you come in here and endanger your family like this! Get out of this house, out!"

Ophene needed no second bidding. She ran for the door with all haste as mother grabbed plate and flung it her way. It smashed against the slammed door...Ophene was gone.

* * *

I made my way quietly to my room, settling in on the bed and praying mother wouldn't come to question my knowledge of the Moiety. I've never been a very convincing liar...

She never did though, and I fell asleep to dream of my mother chucking dishes at a running statue.

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Author's Note: shortness! Grrrr! Somehow this seemed like a good chapter to make short...please review; more coming soon!