POV: Vernisha.

I have three cloth bags filled with clothes, money, and residence papers for all four of us since that’s needed to enter the city.

It’s taking her forever to return. I find myself kicking a round stone like a football to pass the time.

Every two seconds, I would take a look at Ulah to see if he’s okay. He’s fast asleep.

I ask Marvin, who is sitting with his arms crossed, “You are sure the dosage was right?”

“Well, no. I didn’t use a scale. But seeing that they are still alive, I would say it was close enough.”

Hm…

Palia who has been watching me for a while now says, “I am sure your mom’s okay.”

Hm?

“Oh. Yeah, I know. I am just annoyed it’s taking her so long to return.”

“Oh…” She is taken aback. I guess she thought I would be anxious or scared.

Ironically, it looks like she is the one who needs the comfort.

I tell her, “Don’t worry. There is nothing to worry about.”

She slowly nods and then quickly changes her expression to a smile. “Of course!”

Five more minutes pass and my frustration builds. I kick the rock the hardest I can, sending it on some guy’s roof.

There is a loud bang because it hits a galvanized roof.

Tch.

I sit near Ulah and take his hand to watch his fingernails. They have a darker shade…

“Sorry,” I whisper to him.

But… we will get him fixed. At least him.

He is young and easy to influence like all kids. So because of Caren and basically everyone, he too fears and hates vlandos.

There was one time when I was teaching him how to gut fish, since he prefers fishing over farming. According to him, farming is too much work, especially when the silo is so hot.

Anyway, he randomly started a conversation with me while opening a small fish’s belly with a knife, “Do you sometimes have dreams that you are a vlandos? L-like just randomly you are very tall, super pretty, and can lift buildings?”

Then I got excited, I thought maybe I could make him like vlandos instead of fearing them.

So I excitedly lied and said, “Hell yeah. All the time.”

He frowned and asked, “Do you think… that means we should die? But I don’t want to die and I don’t want you to die.”

It was confusing so I obviously had asked him what he meant. And he anxiously talked, like he was guilty of something:

“Well… Dad always talks about how vlandos are evil, and why they are useless… And my friend was telling me that a vlandos beat his father up for no reason. A-and his father was angry.”

I had listen to him and understood his feelings. He was having dreams about being a vlandos because he was afraid of becoming one.

Afraid that everyone would hate him, including his own family, and especially his father. He was close to him, far more than Natasha.

But that was probably because Caren was much softer to him and took him everywhere to except for market days.

It doesn’t matter to me how nice Caren is to him, I still hate him. Perhaps I hate him more because his love for Ulah can easily switch on a dime. Not because of actions, morals, ethics, or values, but because of something he has no control over.

Caren would go from seeing him as his precious star to the devil, someone he would cry for as he sends him to his death.

I know why Natasha stays with him, because of me, not simply because she has a child. But because of those powers of mine, it’s better for me to have an incompetent father, one who will probably never find out what I am.

But I never understood why Natasha got married to him of all people. For one, he is dirt poor.

What parts of your brain think it’s okay to tie yourself down to someone who makes you live in a house that wouldn’t be able to stand up to a category one hurricane?

‘love’ bullshit. If he was at least attractive, I could probably understand. But he isn’t.

Even if he was handsome and had money, it wouldn’t be worth dealing with someone as hateful as him.

And if his views were ever questioned, he would always get angry.

I remember a time Natasha was interacting with some guy. I was there, so I know it wasn’t anything flirtatious.

The conversations were related to the best seasons to harvest red cucumbers and how certain farmers inflate them with water and so on.

When the interaction was done and she came inside, Caren was angry.

He wasn’t shouting or anything like that. He sat on one of the chairs at the dinner table, arms crossed and hatred in his eyes. “Who was the guy?”

“What’s with you?”

“I asked who was that guy.”

“Some traveling merchant. What about it?”

“Uhuh? And what were you two talking about?”

“Not what you think,” she said and took a seat near the wall.

“And you can’t say it?”

“What do you think we were talking about?”

“You must think I am some fucking retard, don’t you? I saw the way that man was smiling at you, grinning like a pig.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“You have an issue with people smiling at me?”

“A-are you playing smart with me?”

“Don’t know.”

He muttered something under his breath and then stood up with fire. “If you are going to be fucking other men, don’t be so fucking obvious with it.”

“Well, I am not.”

“Yeah… You think I don’t hear what your friends say? What that fucking whore friend be saying? How she tries to get you to step out of fucking marriage?”

“What whore friend?”

“Mary!”

“Oh.” She shrugged. “And I haven’t. Not because I love you, but because I don’t care too. I already told you, you can do what you want. You have already been eyeing Mary and the others, try your luck. One of them may pity you, or maybe Mary will give you a discount. If I asked her to…”

That one had really bothered him. “You think I am like you?! I care about this family. I want to be a good husband to a damn woman like you.”

She looked at him and gave half a shrug. “You have been trying to fuck other women, you just haven’t been successful. They all told me, or a friend of mine told me. So I know. I am not stupid, I just don’t really care what you do.”

He tried denying it but gave up.

He didn’t stop accusing her of cheating on him. Heck, he even tried telling her to not talk to other men when he isn't around. Obviously, she didn’t care.

I didn’t get his point either. If she was cheating, or flirting with any men, then I could see an issue. But I am certain that was never the case. Not Natasha, she didn’t care too.

He tried threatening with divorce, but again, she didn’t care. And he realized his threats had no weight.

Unlike him, people were constantly showering her with both romantic and sexual interest.

He stayed, because at the end of the day, a beautiful woman took interest in him for reasons no one knew, and she never gave a reason other than he had traits that she liked.

He tried asking his friends, but they all couldn’t figure it out. Except one, who suggested: “Maybe she thought you were cool to talk too?”

There were some bold assholes(some seemed pretty chill, but I mean, confessing love to a man’s wife, in front of his face? That’s kinda insane) that brought flowers here to her, acting like Caren was nothing but a bug. Insignificant.

If she said, “I already have a husband,” they would respond, “But you hate him.”

And if she replied with, “I have two kids.” They would reply, “I am good with kids.”

Natasha is stunning. Beautiful enough for some to call her:

A mountain fairy. A type of fairy that lures men and women deep into mountains because of how beautiful they are.

Or a cloud maiden. Which are just spirit-like beings that are said to be mirages of the most beautiful people in history, returning to land.

Along with Julioes folktales.

All that beauty with no sort of cosmetics. Impossibly beautiful. Unnaturally beautiful. Vlandos-like beauty.

And yet, she chose to be with a man who is below average in everything (except height. He’s 5”10). There were even some people who thought she was a monster in disguise and for some reason wanted to eat Caren.

The fact she has human children disproved that fear. So, people just thought she was very stupid and Caren promised her great deeds.

And Caren always heard it all. From his friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, and even parents.

“What the hell does she see in him?”

“Does he have a rich father or something? Like, is she trying to get some of that family’s money?”

“Maybe she likes her men ugly?

“Probably thinks he wouldn’t cheat. Well, uglier men cheat more.”

“Ha. He definitely has her hostage.”

There was a time when Natasha and I slept by the sea bay. About a year ago. There, she told me that time she met his parents for the first time.

They hated her because they were convinced that she wanted to use Caren. Use him for what? They didn’t know. Perhaps a ritual.

The sounds of a moving carriage start coming to us, so I stand up and try to peer through the darkness to see. The lamp isn’t bright enough.

Palia and Marvin turned their attention to it.

He says, “I think that’s Bahmos. Took them long.”

Palia isn’t convinced yet. “I hope so.”

It turns out it is them. A massive horse-size green lizard pulls a carriage right up to us. And from inside the carriage walks out Natasha and four men.

I recognize them all.

Bahmos looks around and says, “Why is the blu-fire so dim? I can barely see anything.”

Julan says, “Must be Qura ones.”

“Doubt. Qura quality is okay at least, this one is absolutely trash.”

Natasha jumps off the carriage and says, “Those two that are asleep.”

Bahmos takes a look at Caren, squinting. “He’s bleeding?” He turns to her with a sly smile. “What the hell did he do to make you so angry?”

“Just get them into the carriage. Please.”

Bahmos gestures at Caren. Julun and Merkerthy grunt while walking towards him:

“I already got fucking back issues.”

“Damn, same.”

I pick up Ulah and hand him to Natasha. “Why did you take so long?”

“He had to prepare some stuff.”

“I see…”

“What did you think?”

“No idea. Maybe you got lost or something?”

She looks at me for a while with a blank expression. “I see. Either way, did you get everything that’s needed?”

“Yes. Residence papers, money for the city gate’s foreign entrance, extra clothes, and… a couple of fruits.”

“Fruits? Why?”

“I don’t know. Why not?”

She half shrugs.

“Step aside… we are coming in.” Julun and the other guy holds Caren by the leg and back while moving like crabs, grinding their teeth and trying their best to get to the carriage before their intestines pop out of their ass.

We did as they requested and step aside. The two changes strategy multiple times to elevate Caren into the carriage, but keeps failing.

So another one, I think his name is Tom (the oldest tom in the village) came to help them.

He is tall, skinny, maybe 6”0, and has a lot of acne scars. Unlike men in public, he doesn’t have his hair covered. Instead, he has the hair scarf like a rag on his shoulders.

Feels weird but whatever.

He removes the cigar from his mouth and places it into his shirt pocket. “Jul get in the carriage, Me and Merk will push him up.”

Julan hastily nods. “G-got it.”

Palia is trying to get Marvin to help, but he is just saying, “I am an old man, what the hell do you want me to do? Break my back trying to help?”

The good news is that they got Caren in. Once they are done, they all basically throw themselves on the ground, gasping for air or/and wiping the sweat off their faces.

Tom tries to call Natasha, but every time he gets half of her name out, he has to take another breath of air.

He stops and recovers. When his breathing is normal, he says to Natasha, “No disrespect and I know I am out of place for asking, but…” He takes a look inside, frustrated. “But how the hell you be fucking that?”

Julun mutters, “That’s rude, man.”

Natasha replies, “None of your concern.”

“Damn. Sorry.”

Julun taps him with his feet. “This one of those love don’t discriminate kind of thing.”

Tom rolls his eyes. "Sure."

I think this Julun guy has a fetish for Julioes. A few times that I heard him and his pals talking, he would be telling them they should start dating Julioes.

Something like:

“I am telling you all, Julioes women are better than what we have. They are sexier, they got that pink skin, and their skin is soft as fuck.'”

“Watch this, you ever see a human chick stretch her breast double its length? Triple her ass size at the snap of her finger? No. You. Haven’t.”

“A–alright, y’all stay outdated. Yeah, I am a gum fucker, so what? Man, I embrace that shit. I wear it like a fucking badge. I am happy as fuck while y’all are stuck dealing with these nagging ass bitches.”

Bahmos comes over and checks Caren and then nods. “Let’s go.”

And so all of us hop on. Palia waves us bye. “We will be waiting for you!”

Natasha waves back with a smile. “Stay safe.”

As soon as we are out of their sight, her smile disappears and it’s replaced with a neutral expression, like a student lock in deep focus.

Natasha lays down Ulah. I also sit down near her.

The guys are in front.

Tom ask, “What happened to them?”

I answer, “They ate a bad bread, basically.”

He slowly nods. “Did your father fall or something?” He ask that because of all the blood.

I respond, “Yeah, a lot of falls.”

The others ask some questions and then the conversations evaporates between us. They continue chatting with each other about stuff I have no interest in.

Bahmos states that the trip would take about eight hours, which is frustrating to think about.

Natasha taps my shoulder. When I turn to her, she gestures at my bandaged left hand.

I peek at it. “Need a new round.”

“I know. That’s why I pointed it out,” she says before pulling a roll of bandage from the backpack I packed.

She takes my left hand and rip the dirty bandage out. She adjust my hand, making sure that’s on my palm wasn’t visible to others.

Julun spot us and ask, “She got hurt?”

Natasha respond, “It’s just the same left hand.”

“Ah… Is the disfiguring any better or the same thing?”

“Same thing.”

Bahmos who is lying down suddenly sits up and looks at Julun with a confused expression. “Did you just ask if the disfiguring got any better? The disfiguring.”

Tom shakes his head, chuckling. “That’s why I tell these guys to get their asses into a school. A bunch of fucktards.”

Julun shoots a glare at Tom, “Dude, shut up. You see anyone here can afford school?”

“If you start working hard, you might be able too.” He ends his sentence by lighting his cigar.

“Fuck off.”

Natasha finishes wrapping my hand and examines it multiple times before being satisfied. “Once we are in the capital, try your absolute best to not let it get worn out.”

“Got it.”