Chapter 1 - Savage Eyes; Hungry Heart

“I can see his head, just one more push!” My husband shouted loudly, full of excitement. I just wish he would calm down for at least a minute.

“I am trying, so stop talking already!” I tried to shut him up. I can’t afford to think right now otherwise I will faint.

But even when I try so hard to push the baby out, he or she still doesn’t budge an inch. So stubborn.

This one will most likely be a headstrong one, unlike the brothers and sisters. That should give some nice suggestions for the name: something that includes the meaning of determination and resistance should be a good suit for this one.

Or if it’s a boy: a simple name like Gerald would do.  Gerald Junior, named after his dad. But if it’s a girl, then something cute and majesti-

I felt something move just now! I believe the baby decided to leave its home and reveal itself to me. Please God, be a girl.

“The baby!” Gerald shouted straight into my ear. “Sister, is it a boy or a girl?” I asked little sis, who was currently holding the calm newborn baby. Calm baby?

The last ones were screaming their lungs out...unless there is something wrong with this one. No! Tha..t can’t be. “H...ey! Mary, don’t fall asleep!” Gerald once again demonstrated his loud voice.

But, his voice began to lose it’s power…

000

Seems like this baby was too much for my dear wife to handle, unlike the previous ones. And she had never fainted after giving birth before, she is always a strong woman so I know there shouldn’t be much to worry about. However, seeing her faint for the first time like this does no good for my heart. I really hope she is well and fine.

“Flare?” I stare at my sister-in-law’s serious face. It is rare for her to show one, so she must be emotionally moved by what has transpired before her. But right now, I am more eager to know the gender of the baby.

Hopefully it’s a boy. There is already too many girls in the house, compared to boys. Two guys including me, against four needy women including Mary. It’s a bit of a mouth full to be honest. But I really wouldn’t mind a girl either. We need women in this dying place, and most of all excluding the village. Humanity really needs women, who can carry on our race.

But in the end unless some miracle happens, we will most likely…No, I shouldn’t think about the future. I should cherish the present even more, if the future is like that. I should start showing more love to my daughters from now on.

“Gerald, there is no need to start crying like a girl. Mary is fine, she just fainted a little.” Flare’s mocking voice returned along with her naturally mischievous face.

Women. They never understand what you are thinking about, and there is no way that I cried. It must have been the sweat dripping down, as it is unusually warm in this room.

“I was speaking about the baby. Is it a boy or a girl?” I tried to sound as frustrated as possible, just to show her that I have no time to waste. I need to go back to work soon. But in the arms of Flare, the baby looked so strange, as you wouldn’t think she would be carrying a baby.

But I guess people change over time.

“I can’t really tell. Is a baby not supposed to cry from birth?”

000

After 1 year

“Atarneus, why do you always stare at me like that?” I whispered in his ear really quietly. It would be awkward if I asked him out loud, as he can’t even think for himself yet. But, I think there is something different about my one year old brother.

I think he can understand me.

“Spring, stop pestering Atarnu, he doesn’t seem happy.” Said Mother, who was currently knitting a pair of socks for the weird one.

She should just focus more on her knitting than me, it’s important to do the only thing she can. She doesn’t even trust me: a sensible fourteen year old lady. I won’t hurt him or anything, and I know how to control myself unlike Gate.

But anyway, I really think he can understand what I am saying.

One time, I told him to look over here.

It was little Autumn’s fifth birthday and everyone was having a splendid time; chatting and singing loudly. Atarneus was sitting playing with his hands at the other side of the room, together with big sis Flare. He was around eleven months old and he spent most of his time sleeping, accompanied with the daily feeding. At the time I had already had some suspicions about him, as I was the one usually playing with him. His every action and movement did not seem to be of a child's, he moved his limbs with a purpose. Seated furthest away from him and almost inside the other corner of the room, I whispered softly: “Atarnu, I am coming to get you.”

But it was just to test out a scenario I had in my head.

His little head turned at a speed I thought impossible. I might have passed it off as a vivid imagination, if it weren’t for the cold sweat that dripped down my head. I could still remember his cold penetrating eyes staring right through me. His right eye had been colored a savage red, and everything turned black around him.

He made me feel small and weak, but I kept on thinking that something like that did not happen.

And I still do, even a month later.

“Why is Atarnu not sleeping like Gate?” I asked in the nicest way possible. Gate is already two years old, and he is sleeping way more than Atarneus.

Wouldn’t that cause some problems later on for Atarneus?

“Spring” Mother’s squeaky voice sounded off behind me. No doubt it is about me and not Atarneus, so I might as well ignore her and annoy her.

Stolen novel; please report.

Currently, the boy who is too tall for his age is stretching his legs in a funny way, so maybe he will start walking soon. I hope he doesn’t, as it is really calming to see how seemingly laid back he is with no worries in the world. And if he starts walking, that would mean he might go somewhere that is dangerous like the kitchen.

I wish everyone in this family was like that, relaxed and enjoying their life. They are too serious all the time.

But that is because it’s the way things are.

“Spring, go and put Atarnu to sleep”

“Yes, Mother.”

She can put him to sleep herself, since she isn’t doing anything anyway. But I guess I’ll do this one favour for her. I still respect her as a mother after all.

Getting up off the straw, and bending over. I lifted the heavy Atarneus and placed him to one side of my chest, which is definitely soft and comfortable for Atarneus, and it also makes the load lighter for me in a way.

Walking out the room, I took a glance at the grinning person who was knitting in a deliberately slow manner. And it was not until I took two steps out the room that I heard a released giggle from behind me.

She really has no appreciation for my countless helpings.

Looking at Atarneus perched closely into me, I couldn’t help but lightly nibble on his ear because of his defenselessness. A lost hope in wanting to see a different facial expression on him: he simply stared at me with his big round eyes. His ear soft and squishy, it might become a habit to do this to him, but not that I would hate it.

I walked straight past the room Gate and Autumn were sleeping in, and where Atarneus should be sleeping. But they are already awake. Whenever Atarneus is going to sleep, the others would rouse awake as if by pure coincidence. But it’s not coincidence, Atarneus is doing something to them and I know it.

My room is getting closer and closer, so I let my smile break loose.

Atarneus moved his head slightly, nudging my shoulder lightly with his body. His eyes fixed on the front door of the house, it made me turn around to look at it. But nothing was there, and nothing beyond. Dad has been gone for almost a month already and Crystal has not yet returned from the school in the capital.

The premonition that something bad might come charging through the door, gave me shivers and my legs would have buckled if I did not turn around.

Walking into my room I was greeted with a misfortunate surprise. Crystal has returned.

“Why are you taking that one into your room?” Her voice had changed, and her experience traveling to the capital probably had something to do with it.

“My brother likes to sleep more comfortably in this room.” I replied, not revealing the name of the boy I was carrying.

Crystal is around eighteen years old, and has been attending a private school in the capital. The only reason she was able to go there is because the whole family, plus others, provided the money to her. She left around my age without saying goodbye to anyone.

She took our money, slapped us in the face and ran away.

If she doesn’t know what has happened with this village in her absence, then it is her responsibility to find out.

“So what is his name?” She asked with a mocking tone.

She had not changed at all.

“Please leave, I need to put my brother to sleep.” I replied in a nice way, just to show her she wasn’t the only one to change.

“Isn’t he a little big for his age?” She asked, moving in front of me and halting my advance. She stood in front of me with her hands on her hips, it felt like I was looking at a mountain.

She has changed.

“What are you talking about?” I replied, trying to not sound weak.

If she tried something right now with her massive frame, I don’t think I could stop her. I also got Atarneus in my arms, so right now I definitely don’t stand a chance against her.

“A one year old child shouldn’t look like a five year old. I just got surprised that is all. But you on the other hand have not changed at all, still a weak girl. And still not destined to get anywhere in life.” She stated the truth from her intelligent mind. Her words clear as day, to remind me of my position.

“Sorry wise Sister, Atarneus needs to sleep. Please catch up on matters with mother.” I told her with shaky legs.

What happened to her, for her to change into this mountain?

Her feet moved past me with a giggle, and I let out a sigh of relief as I heard the door close.

000

In this dark room with only candlelight as warmth, I lay powerless to the world that changes around me every day. I gained sisters as wells as fiends to accompany me in my growth. My mother is gentle like the morning breeze, and my father is like a viper who lost its sense of direction.

Creak

The danger arrived together with the noise of the front door opening…The short lived life of intelligence is now going to end, if I don’t act.

I stood on my two feet, and left my sister’s warmth as I headed towards the gargantuan door.

I need to act quickly.

Extending my legs and balancing my weight on the tiptoes, I reached for the door handle and levered it down, carefully shifting my balance to accommodate the action.

Down the dark hallway I saw the savage red eyes I once had, staring straight at me.