Earth's Children
Summary: The parents of Harper tell their tale of life and love in Post-Commonwealth Earth.
Author: Luna Sealeaf
Rating: PG
Episode Four
Why did I invite him inside? Why? What I said was true; I did want company, and he was the only person around. But I didn't even like him, so surely no company was better than bad company? Right?
If it hadn't been for my bad day at work, I would have told him to leave. As it was, I didn't want to be alone. The events that evening had shaken me so badly that I needed to have someone, anyone, around. And maybe...maybe a small part of me that I didn't want to acknowledge found his presence comforting. He just seemed so sure of himself; for some reason I felt safe around him. After the day I'd had, safety was what I was looking for.
It was lucky Devin and Orla came, however, otherwise I don't know what Evan and I would have talked about. While I was touched that he'd brought the shawl back, he didn't seem very good at conversations in general. Yet for some reason I didn't feel the same intense anger at him as I had the night before. Perhaps what had happened earlier had disturbed me more than I first thought.
Sitting around the small table, sipping tea with the Harpers and Devin, I found myself going over the events of my day...
Every morning I tried to dress as unflatteringly as possible. I only wore dresses of the dullest colors and of the stiffest, most shapeless styles. The idea was to attract as little attention as possible. Usually it worked; the females in the Nietzschean household ignored me, except to sometimes give an order, and the males rarely even glanced at me. But this morning, something happened. One of the Wives had ordered me to fetch water for her bath, and I hurried to follow her orders. The house was situated near a large lake and that was where we servants went to fetch water for bathing or cleaning. There were four of us altogether; each carrying buckets. I was the last one at the shore and the last to leave. The other girls had already started up the hill when a shape stepped out of the trees clustered by the water. I froze, seeing it was a Nietzschean. He had tanned skin and looked strong; then again, they're all strong.
Part of me wanted to run, but I also knew that it would do no good. So I stood there, clutching the buckets of water as he came closer and closer. Suddenly he was in front of me, and with one hand he reached out and touched my cheek. I stared down at the ground as his hand slid down from my face to my neck.
"Sir, I must follow my orders," I said softly, hoping he'd notice the buckets and realize that I was in a hurry. When he didn't say anything, I dared to look up. He seemed amused, and I felt frightened all over again.
"Go then. Perhaps we shall meet another time." After uttering those words, he turned and walked back through the trees, disappearing from sight. His words echoing in my head, I turned and made my way back up the hill. I made it through the rest of the day without any sign of fear or discomfort. When my work had ended and the sun began to set, my anxiety returned. The road home no longer welcomed me; just thinking of walking all that way alone made me terrified.
But what could I do?
So I set out, eyes kept on the ground as always and with my head bowed. I had made my way home to safety, only to find Evan there waiting by my door. And I was relieved. Then Orla and Devin came, filling our small house with talk and even some laughter. I hoped it would soothe my nerves, but as Orla and Evan prepared to leave, and the prospect of another day at work started filling my mind, the small wooden cup in my hands shook.
Orla and Devin were busy talking, lost in each other's eyes. I had hoped no one noticed my strange silence. When I looked up though, Evan was staring at me strangely. I tried to smile and failed, quickly directing a question to his sister before he could ask any questions. As they stood up Devin went to escort Orla outside and I could hear them talking softly to each other. Evan and I were silent.
"Would you mind if I saw you again," he finally asked, pausing in front of the doorway. This was my chance; I could say that he must leave me alone, and then I might never have to be annoyed or bothered by him again.
"If you want," were the words I spoke.
In my defense, it had been a very trying day, and the idea of seeing him again didn't seem so bad. He smiled at me and said good night, while Devin finished saying goodbye to Orla. Later he and I finished our tea and watched as the candles began to burn out.
"Orla seems like a nice girl," I remarked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah she is. Evan seems cool too," He replied, looking at me slyly over the rim of his cup. I pointedly ignored his comment, finished my tea, and said I was going to bed. But for the second night in a row, sleep eluded me.
I had just fallen into a fitful dream-like state when I felt Devin gently shake me awake.
"Sis, are you alright? I have to go to work..." My eyes opened and I saw him leaning over me, looking concerned. I didn't dare answer him at first, afraid I would beg him to stay and not leave me alone; but I couldn't say that.
He was my little brother. It was my job to protect him, not the other way around.
"Go on, I'm up. I'll see you later tonight," I sat up to reassure him, pulling the woolen blanket away from myself so that he knew I wouldn't go back to sleep.
"Ok, have a good day Sis," He smiled warmly before leaving. The hut was heavy with silence. Sweet, beautiful silence. Every particle in me begged to stay in my nice warm bed. The smell of the dried grass that stuffed my mattress was comforting.
"Stop it! You are not a coward!" I said out loud, hoping to shake some courage into me. It didn't work. Although the morning was only cool, and the sun had risen, my hands were cold. My stomach was cramped with fear. No matter how many times I told myself to stop being an idiot; after all, the Nietzschean probably wouldn't even remember me, it was all I could to do to get dressed and leave the house.
My day started out normal enough; there were the everyday chores to perform, the usual orders and demands from the petty masters and mistresses we served. My fears seemed to be as irrational as I had told myself they were.
It was my turn to clean up after the midday meal, and I was washing dishes in the kitchen area when I felt a hand slide around my neck. The bowl in my hands fell into the basin of soapy water underneath it.
"Well well, we meet again, and so soon." The deep voice I had heard yesterday. His grip on the back of my neck tightened painfully and as he leaned forward I could feel his breath on my ear.
"After your work is done, you will go to the edge of the lake and wait for me. Do you understand?" I couldn't move, couldn't think; there was a loud buzzing in the back of my mind that nearly drowned out his words.
"I'll take your silence as a yes. Don't disappoint me, I'd hate to kill you," then he was gone as quickly and as silently as he had entered. I stood there shaking, and slid to the floor as a wave of numbness ran through me. Taking long deep breaths I gathered my scattered thoughts. What to do? What a stupid question -as if I had a choice. Didn't I? No. If I died, what would Devin do? And who's to say that if I disobeyed, the Nietzschean wouldn't kill Devin instead of me once he learned of my brother? There were no other options. I hadn't thought of my mother's stern order for almost nine years, but now I heard them as clearly as the day she said them:
"Never, ever, question the Lord or his people, do you understand me Josephine? There's no point. Nothing will be gained from it."
She was right then, and she was right now. My fate had been sealed the moment I'd been born on this earth.
The rest of the day flew by in a blur of colors, sounds, and shapes. Although I performed my duties perfectly, I was vacant inside. All my life, my one protection has been my silence. To pretend that I wasn't a part of my body was something I'd been doing all my life. As my footsteps led me to the shore of the only clean lake in this former state of Massachusetts, my thoughts were far, far away. There; someone was standing by the lake, but on the end farthest from the house, in the direction of the village. Steeling myself, I walked forward, eyes and face blank.
Usually I would admire the sun setting over the water as I walked home; now, walking towards the sandy shore, I couldn't even bring myself to open my eyes. The ground was flat, and I didn't care if I tripped, so I kept my eyes shut tightly. Maybe if I couldn't see anything, it would all go away. At last, judging the distance mentally, I stopped, not daring to even breathe. Then something shattered my wall of protective nothingness.
"Hey Josephine, Devin told me you liked to stop here after work, so I thought I'd come and catch up with you. What are you doing?..." My eyes flew open and I took a step back. No! It couldn't be! But there stood Evan Harper, smiling and looking at me curiously.
"What are you doing here?" I gasped, trembling with suppressed fear. The tone of my voice must have concerned him, because he took a step towards me.
"What's wrong? You look terrified," He unfolded his arms and looked over my face.
"Just go! Leave, ok? I'll –I'll meet you back at my house!" Panic made my words short, and I tried to nudge him towards the road. He resisted, confusion spreading over his features.
"Josephine, tell me what's going on!" Before I could answer he looked past me and froze. Slowly I turned around, afraid of what I'd see. A few paces behind us stood the Nietzschean, the one who'd told me to come in the first place.
"I don't believe I asked you to invite any friends," his voice was soft, but his eyes and smile were those of a predator.
"He was just leaving Sir," It took all my strength to get those words out, and I moved in front of Evan, hoping he'd get the message. He didn't.
"Like hell I was!" He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back. I think my mouth literally fell open in shock. I knew he was little more than a savage when it came to interacting with people, but I didn't think he was this insane!
"Come on Josephine, we're leaving," Eyes locked with the Nietzschean's, Evan pushed me towards the road, but this time it was I who resisted.
"Evan, don't do this," I whispered furiously. "He'll kill you!"
"Josephine, I didn't know you cared," Not turning to look at me, he said the words equally softly and I felt a pain of both guilt and annoyance.
"Kludge, I shall give you one chance to go about your business. The girl stays here."
"No, I really don't think she will," With that Evan shoved me back towards the road. I stumbled backwards for a few steps on the uneven ground before falling against a few scrawny trees.
"Have it your way kludge. Either way I'll still have my fun," The Nietzschean smiled again and lunged before Evan could move. The two fell to the ground and blood marked where they landed; the Nietzschean had sliced Evan's arms with his bone blades.
"Jo, run!" Evan cried out, attempting to fight off the Nietzschean. I didn't know what to do. Not thinking clearly, I scrambled to my feet and started running up the hill. Tears ran down my face and I looked around frantically for someplace to hide. That's when my thoughts began to clear. What was I doing? I couldn't just leave Evan there to die. I had to do something. A small voice in my head was asking why I should risk my life for him, but I ignored it. Justifying my actions was something I could worry about later.
Right now I needed a weapon. The sun had almost disappeared from the sky, making it difficult to see what was on the ground. I started back down the hill anyway, hands running through the grass for balance when my right hand closed around a fallen branch. I lifted it and found myself running towards the two dark forms struggling on the beach next to the lake. With a strangled cry I swung the branch with all my might against the back of the Nietzschean, who had pinned Evan on the ground. This only resulted in the Nietzschean turning on me, backhanding me across the face. Adrenaline kept my mind off the pain as I fell; face first, into the ground. Luckily this had given Evan a chance to get back to his feet. I heard a yell and turned, standing up. Evan had jumped onto the Uber's back, trying to strangle him. If the circumstances had been different it would have looked amusing; after all, the Nietzschean was twice our size. The Nietzschean had reacted by digging one arm's bone blades into Evan's side.
I screamed in rage now, not just for Evan's sake, but for mine as well. What had either of us done to deserve this? I had never done anything wrong in my life, and this was what I got? Part of me wanted to be killed; this was all so pointless! And I didn't like the idea of my entire life being pointless. The Nietzschean saw me get up and swung a powerful kick at me. I dodged it. With strength I didn't know I had, I twisted to the side and kicked at him. If both his hands had been free he would have simply grabbed my leg and probably broken it, but Evan was still on his back and distracting him enough for me to manage the kick to his stomach. I didn't wait for a response; I kicked at him again, this time aiming for his chest. Meanwhile Evan kept a hold on the Nietzschean's neck; and at last the Uber fell to his knees. I backed away as he tried to lash out with his free arm. When he couldn't reach me, the Nietzschean moved his arm behind him swiftly and stabbed Evan with the bone blades. I screamed as Evan cried out again, and more blood soaked into the sandy soil. Still he hung on, until at last the Nietzschean collapsed to the ground. Evan rolled away from him and lay still. He looked terrible; he was covered in blood, his clothes were ripped, and his eyes were closed. Gulping for air, my mind still trying to absorb what had happened, I took three steps forward before falling to the ground. Just before I fainted, the thought came to me that for the second time in my life, someone would die because of my weakness.
When I woke it was still dark. I wish I could say that I found myself in my bed, with someone, perhaps Devin, telling me that everything was all right.
Instead I sat up on the ground next to the lake, the same place where I had fallen. In retrospect, I should have counted myself lucky that no Nietzscheans had discovered us, or I would probably have never woken up at all. Pain coursed through my back and shoulders as I struggled to my feet. For a few seconds I stood there taking slow deep breathes. Then I opened my eyes and saw Evan, lying where he had collapsed earlier. I fought back a startled cry and hurried to his side, kneeling over him. He had to be alive! He couldn't die because he'd tried to help me!
"Come on Evan, you have to get up! I can't carry you back to my house!" I checked his pulse; he was alive, but barely. Panic was starting to disrupt my thinking so I shoved my fist into my mouth and bit hard. I tasted blood, but the pain had helped me to focus. Another deep breath and I got to my feet. There was no way I could carry him all the way to my house, and dragging him there would only worsen his condition. I glanced at the still form of the Nietzschean. Trying not to think about it, I walked over and checked his pulse, recoiling after a few seconds in disgust. He was dead. We had killed a Nietzschean! Impatiently I dismissed this thought; I'd think about the implications of our actions tomorrow. I cast one more look to Evan, and my resolve hardened.
"Don't die," I ordered him quietly. Then I ran.
I've never been much of a runner, but now I practically flew. I swear I don't think my feet even touched the ground. Despite the heavy darkness I didn't stumble or falter. As I ran I only allowed two thoughts to go through my mind: Find Devin, and Bring Evan Back. All other thoughts or words were useless, so I pushed them to the back of my mind.
Can I describe the relief I felt when the light shining from our small window reached my eyes? No, I don't think I can. In a nanosecond I burst through the door, scaring Devin half to death.
"Josephine!" He couldn't say anything else at the sight of me; blood splattered on my dress and face, which was red from my running.
"Evan –he's hurt." I gasped for breath, hands on my knees. "We have to help him!" Devin didn't say anything, but he walked over to me and grasped my hands.
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Evan needs help!" I screamed at him, never having felt this frustrated with my little brother before. "Come on!" I didn't wait for an answer; I turned and started running back the way I came. For a moment I was afraid he wouldn't follow, and then he was running just behind me. I was thankful that he knew better than to ask any questions. We ran in silence, except for the sound of our heavy breathing, until we reached the lakeshore.
"Over here," I managed to say, trying to fill my lungs with air. I ignored the burning sensations in my ribs and the cramps from running. I wouldn't die; but Evan might.
Devin saw where I had pointed, and I knew he was tempted to ask what had happened, especially after seeing the dead Nietzschean. But he didn't say anything as he ran down to where Evan lay. I could tell from his face that he wasn't sure if Evan would survive the night. With a grunt Devin lifted Evan onto his shoulders, grimacing under the dead weight of him.
"Do you need help carrying him?" I asked, but Devin shook his head determinedly, so I instead lead the way back home, constantly looking over my shoulder to see if any other Nietzscheans had discovered what had happened. The walk back was slow; Devin was stronger than me, but that didn't mean carrying Evan was easy for him. I had little sympathy to spare for my brother; as we reached the house I ran inside to fix my bed up and to get whatever medicines we had ready.
A few moments later Devin came inside and carefully put Evan down on the bed.
"Fill up some bowls with water," I ordered, ripping up a blanket to use for bandages. When Devin didn't move, I turned to repeat my order, but before I could speak I felt his hands on my shoulders firmly.
"Josephine, you're exhausted. Go lay down, I can take care of Evan for awhile." I tried protesting, but the reserve of strength I'd felt earlier was leaving me rapidly. Devin led me to his bed and my eyes were closed before I even lay down.
I slept for most of the next day. Devin told me later that he'd cleaned up as much of the blood on Evan as he could, used some of the herbs to make a poultice, and applied them with the bandages I'd made. I was proud of him; Mom had taught me how to treat most wounds, and after she and Dad died, I had taught Devin, but hadn't thought he had paid attention. Luckily he proved me wrong.
When I finally woke from my deep sleep Devin was gone. He'd left to go find Orla and Liam, but of course I didn't know that at the time. Standing up slowly, I blinked to clear my eyes. Everything was so peaceful and quiet. I turned and went over to where Evan was, relieved to find him sleeping. Pulling over one of our stools, I sat by his side, gradually allowing my mind to go over everything that had happened. To be honest, I wasn't scared of retaliation from the Nietzscheans. I was guessing that any male Nietzschean who could be defeated by two puny kludges wouldn't be missed very much. Besides, if no one had seen us, they would probably assume that he'd been killed by another Nietzschean.
No longer having to worry about that, I studied Evan himself, my left hand brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. To my surprise his eyes opened slowly, focused, and then he smiled up at me faintly. I couldn't keep a small smile from my face either.
"How are you feeling?" I asked quietly. Evan had some amazing luck; although being stuck with bone blades on both of his sides, as well as numerous hits all around his body, nothing vital had been ruptured or broken. Since Devin had been able to halt the bleeding, he would be ok, provided he was given the opportunity to rest.
"Like I'm in heaven," he teased me, trying to sit up a little, but his face grimaced in pain and he quickly stopped trying to move. I rolled my eyes, though I shouldn't have been surprised that he was making jokes on his deathbed.
"You know, I've met a lot of stupid people in my life, but you definitely take first place,"
"I like to think of it as bravery, you know, as in courage,"
"There is a very fine line between courage and stupidity; you seem to keep falling on the wrong side of that line." This time he rolled his eyes as I laughed a little.
"I guess that means I'm not even going to get any thanks for saving you?"
"No," I said simply. He sighed and I gave him another smile before standing up and bringing him some water.
"It's not like I asked you to help, remember? You might have ended up making things worse," I held the cup as he took a few small sips.
"Yeah, but I was willing to risk my life to save yours, that's gotta mean something, right?" He finally asked, his intense blue gaze making me feel uneasy.
"Yeah, I guess it does," I didn't know what else to say, and we were both quiet for another long stretch of time.
"Will you marry me?" I shook my head, coming out of my daze, and looked down at him, totally confused, and certain that I had misheard.
"Sorry?"
"Will you marry me?" He said the words with a completely serious face. And I have to say, that for at least one moment, the word 'yes' formed on my lips. Almost.
"Maybe," I said the word heavily after staring at him in surprise for a few minutes.
"Just 'maybe'?" He didn't seem very encouraged by my answer. Strangely enough, I didn't feel annoyed at him. Actually, I'm not sure what I felt, but it wasn't a bad feeling. At least, I don't think it was.
"I'm sorry Evan; just because you played the part of a valiant hero doesn't make me some rescued princess who suddenly finds herself in love with you. I'm not saying no, but I can't tell you yes. So you'll just have to live with maybe." He was quiet for a minute, then nodded and smiled.
"Ok, 'maybe' I can work with. It can be changed to a 'yes' after all."
"You're welcome to try," I didn't want to get his hopes up. I was glad he was going to live, really, I was, but I seriously doubted he could make me want to marry him.
How very wrong I was.
Author's Note:
Thanks for the reviews everyone! If it hadn't been for all of you I probably would have given up by now, even though I enjoy writing this. Sorry the last chapter was a little sloppy, I was in a hurry and didn't have much time to edit it. I'll try to make sure that doesn't happen again. Thanks,
-Luna Sealeaf