And like this, days and perigees and seasons passed. Until the harsh winter and the spring returned. And everything was the same as it always was. The young troll and his guardian, living in a forest, away from anyone of the outside world.

And somewhere, a few kilometers away from their camp there was a small town. Smaller than the one Porrim has known while growing up. She had visited the place a few times, doing labors in order to get some money. She used the money to buy Kankri some things that couldn't be acquired in a forest. At the moment, the wiggler was reading a book. Porrim has taught him how to read a while back and that was the only thing he has wanted to do since. The mother knew this would happen. Kankri was always fascinated about learning new things and books, even fictional stories, were a great way of learning.

The two of them were enjoying the cool evening when they heard a twig snap behind them. Porrim jumped to her feet, her skin starting to glow white.

"Stay behind me, Kankri," the rainbow drinker ordered and the young troll complied.

Porrim could make out a figure running towards them from the darkness of the trees. She took a defensive stance and prepared herself for the attacker. From between the trees a small figure appeared. Upon looking closer, Kankri realized it was just a wiggler, maybe a bit older than himself. She had long, tangled hair who was full of dried leaves. Her horns were short and pointy, somehow resembling cat ears. She was covered in olive blood and her body was only sheltered by an animal fur. When she reached the fire, she collapsed to the ground.

"Stay here," Porrim said to the little troll beside her.

She ran towards the girl and crouched down to have a better look at her.

"Please...," she said, her voice hoarse, "help me."

After that, the girl closed her eyes and Porrim could tell she fell unconscious. The rainbow drinker reverted back to her gray skin and took the girl in her arms. She proceeded to walk to the other side of the river when Kankri shouted out to her.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm getting her as far away from here as possible," answered Porrim, not stopping.

"She's hurt, mother. She needs help," Kankri said as he followed her.

"I told you to stay where you are, Kankri," said Porrim sternly. "I will be back soon."

"No!" shouted Kankri. "She could die if we don't help her."

"We don't know anything about her and that makes her dangerous. Now stay here until I return and no more arguments! I know what's best."

"Letting her die is best? If we do this we are no better than those bad trolls you keep telling me about." Kankri reached his mother's side and looked up at her with big eyes. Porrim sighed and turned around but this time she calmly explained.

"I can't risk putting you in danger. Who knows what she'll do when she wakes up."

"She is hurt and you are very strong. Please, mother. I won't ask for anything else, I promise. Let's help her."

Porrim, somehow convinced, hesitantly returned to the campfire with Kankri on her heels. She put down the mysterious girl and after looking around for a clean cloth, she dipped it in the river water. She spent the next few minutes cleaning the wounds of the girl while the other wiggler was curiously looking over her shoulder.

After the white cloth turned green and the wounds were treated, Porrim covered the girl's body with a blanket and left her to rest.

For 2 days she kept sleeping. Kankri was really worried about her and wouldn't leave her side. When she finally stirred, Kankri quickly alerted his mother. Porrim came running and fell down on her knees near the girl.

When she opened her eyes, Porrim pushed Kankri away from her. He didn't protest. It took a little for the girl to fully realize where she was. She quickly backed away, scared, after noticing the unfamiliar faces in front of her.

"What is your name?" asked Porrim, not moving her gaze from her.

"Who are you? What did you do to?" She was obviously scared but she tried not to show it.

"You don't have to be scared. We took care of you. We won't hurt you," said Kankri while stepping in front of her mother. But, before he could get any closer to the girl Porrim put a hand on his shoulder, signaling him to stop.

"Don't worry, mother. She won't hurt me," Kankri said while he moved away from the safety of his guardian's strength.

"My name is Kankri," he said as he extended his hand for the girl to take.

"Meulin...," the girl whispered while taking his hand and getting up from the ground.

Porrim stepped forward between the two wigglers. She, once again, put a hand on Kankri's shoulder before pushing him back a little.

"What happened to you? Why were you hurt like that? Was anyone following you?" Kankri was about to say something but his mother looked at him sternly. He didn't dare open his mouth after that.

"No one followed me," Meulin said keeping her gaze lowered. "And... before I came here..." Her voice cracked signaling that tears might be following soon, but they didn't.

"My lusus was culled," she finally said letting out a shaky breath. "We didn't do anything, I swear. My hive was in a cave. We lived there, not bothering anyone," she stopped to catch her breath and then continued. "And these highbloods came out of nowhere. They demanded food and we had no choice but to give it to them. Then... after they ate, I had to watch as one of them pulled out a knife and stabbed my lusus. I asked them why they did it. They said they wanted the cave for the day. After, they beat me until they thought I was dead. I managed to sneak away while they were sleeping."

"Was your hive far from here?" Porrim asked, not sparring the girl.

"Yes... I walked a lot to get here. I wanted to be as far away from them as possible."

"Mother, please stop. You are making her uncomfortable," intervened Kankri. "Are you hungry?"

Meulin didn't answer but she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"Come, we have some leftovers, Kankri said as he reached a hand out to her, waiting patiently for her to take it. Once she did, the boy led Meulin to the warmth of the fire.

Porrim watched helplessly knowing she had nothing on the girl. Not wanting to leave them alone, she followed and sat down beside the two wigglers.

It was obvious that Meulin was hungry, but she ate slowly and shyly from the pieces of meat that were given to her. She refused when she was offered more and after drinking some water, Kankri advised her to get some rest, while promising her safety. She seemed reluctant to go to sleep with strangers around her but the exhaustion was greater than her doubt. She fell asleep by the fire, under the same blanket that has sheltered her for two days.

The other two stayed in silence watching the dance of the flames, until Porrim spoke.

"You did a good thing, Kankri."

"I did?" he asked, looking puzzled.

"You saved a life," Porrim explained, smiling at him.

"But you were the one who treated her," he said.

"If you didn't convince me to, she would have most likely died. It's you who saved her. I am proud of you."

"You seemed angry," Kankri continued, turning his head away from her.

"I was angry because you disobeyed me and put yourself in danger," the mother explained.

"I wasn't in danger. She would-"

"Not this time," Porrim interrupted. "But who knows what could have happened. You have to promise me, Kankri, that you will listen to what I say from now on, alright? I want what's best for you. And no matter what I ask you to do, you have to do it. Please, promise me," said Porrim gently.

Kankri hesitated but he eventually answered, "I promise."