:: From Twice Forsaken :: Week Four - Thursday
Who: Rafe and Brenna
Where: Rafe's cottage
When: Early evening
Circumstances might have been better if she had just packed her things and left. But she hadn't. Instead, Brenna informed Rafe of her desire to seek out her parents, or at least discover what became of them. At first, he attempted to persuade her to stay; surely her parents were dead, or if they truly cared about her, they would have found her by now. Besides, Brenna had the Illuminated Quill to run, not to mention her duty to keep Rafe's life running smoothly. Despite her love for Rafe, which exceeded the bounds of normal siblings, her stubbornness won out, and nothing would stop her from reaching her goal. Her strong will gave way to anger, and soon Brenna was slamming the front door behind her, while Rafe remained indoors. No "I'll see you when I get back," or a joking "Don't fall to pieces while I'm gone." Just silence. And animosity.
Brenna's futile mission had endured around three months. All she had learned was she truly loved living in Tainic and the outside world was a terrifying place. She discovered nothing about her parents. It was as if they had never existed. Perhaps their true nature had been discovered. They were killed and their names were erased forever from history. Or they might have changed their identity when they came dangerously close to detection. They did not bother to seek out their beloved daughter, because what Fae could survive so long as a slave?
Brenna winced at the invisible knife to her gut. Who sells their own child into slavery? Shaking her head, she took a deep, cleansing breath. "I'm sure they had their reasons."
The gravel popped and cracked under her leather boots as Brenna shuffled up the path. Her journey had come to its end. She could return to the comfort of home, if Rafe could forgive her. She clutched her gray knit bag, the only item that had not been stolen, close to her side. Her khaki pants and white button-down shirt were filthy and clung to her body with rainwater. She shivered as a cold breeze swept around her and shoved wet strands of hair out of her eyes, wishing she had her jacket. True, Brenna could have hitched a ride to the house, but after her potentially fatal encounter two days ago, she was hesitant to come in contact with others.
How she had missed their house and its charming jungle garden with exotic flowers, sprawling vines, and sweet fruits. Brenna could not deny the warm smile twitching her lips upward as she remembered past escapes with Rafe after a dreadfully long week in the city. She enjoyed the bookshop and the vibrant city life of Tainic, but she was a Fae and ultimately drawn back to nature. Brenna lingered near the garden a while, letting the familiar fragrance invade her lungs and renew her nerves. What if he could not forgive her? If their places were switched, would she readily forgive Rafe for walking out on her?
"Of course I would forgive him," she whispered to the violets beneath her wandering fingers, sharing what strength they offered. Brenna loved Rafe fiercely, but it was clear he did not share her feelings. He had been hurt one too many times. "He'll forgive you," she assured herself, taking another deep breath, and stumbled to the front door.
She caught her reflection briefly in a window and nearly lost her nerve. Her chestnut locks were a tousled mess, and she desperately needed a shower. Would Rafe even recognize the hobo at his doorstep? However, she could not back away now. If she did not knock on the door now, Brenna might never regain the courage to face her adopted brother. Besides, he might not be home.
She reached up with a trembling fist and tapped the door twice with her knuckles. Then Brenna waited, trying to quell her quaking body and praying Rafe was elsewhere.
Where: Rafe's cottage
When: Early evening
Circumstances might have been better if she had just packed her things and left. But she hadn't. Instead, Brenna informed Rafe of her desire to seek out her parents, or at least discover what became of them. At first, he attempted to persuade her to stay; surely her parents were dead, or if they truly cared about her, they would have found her by now. Besides, Brenna had the Illuminated Quill to run, not to mention her duty to keep Rafe's life running smoothly. Despite her love for Rafe, which exceeded the bounds of normal siblings, her stubbornness won out, and nothing would stop her from reaching her goal. Her strong will gave way to anger, and soon Brenna was slamming the front door behind her, while Rafe remained indoors. No "I'll see you when I get back," or a joking "Don't fall to pieces while I'm gone." Just silence. And animosity.
Brenna's futile mission had endured around three months. All she had learned was she truly loved living in Tainic and the outside world was a terrifying place. She discovered nothing about her parents. It was as if they had never existed. Perhaps their true nature had been discovered. They were killed and their names were erased forever from history. Or they might have changed their identity when they came dangerously close to detection. They did not bother to seek out their beloved daughter, because what Fae could survive so long as a slave?
Brenna winced at the invisible knife to her gut. Who sells their own child into slavery? Shaking her head, she took a deep, cleansing breath. "I'm sure they had their reasons."
The gravel popped and cracked under her leather boots as Brenna shuffled up the path. Her journey had come to its end. She could return to the comfort of home, if Rafe could forgive her. She clutched her gray knit bag, the only item that had not been stolen, close to her side. Her khaki pants and white button-down shirt were filthy and clung to her body with rainwater. She shivered as a cold breeze swept around her and shoved wet strands of hair out of her eyes, wishing she had her jacket. True, Brenna could have hitched a ride to the house, but after her potentially fatal encounter two days ago, she was hesitant to come in contact with others.
How she had missed their house and its charming jungle garden with exotic flowers, sprawling vines, and sweet fruits. Brenna could not deny the warm smile twitching her lips upward as she remembered past escapes with Rafe after a dreadfully long week in the city. She enjoyed the bookshop and the vibrant city life of Tainic, but she was a Fae and ultimately drawn back to nature. Brenna lingered near the garden a while, letting the familiar fragrance invade her lungs and renew her nerves. What if he could not forgive her? If their places were switched, would she readily forgive Rafe for walking out on her?
"Of course I would forgive him," she whispered to the violets beneath her wandering fingers, sharing what strength they offered. Brenna loved Rafe fiercely, but it was clear he did not share her feelings. He had been hurt one too many times. "He'll forgive you," she assured herself, taking another deep breath, and stumbled to the front door.
She caught her reflection briefly in a window and nearly lost her nerve. Her chestnut locks were a tousled mess, and she desperately needed a shower. Would Rafe even recognize the hobo at his doorstep? However, she could not back away now. If she did not knock on the door now, Brenna might never regain the courage to face her adopted brother. Besides, he might not be home.
She reached up with a trembling fist and tapped the door twice with her knuckles. Then Brenna waited, trying to quell her quaking body and praying Rafe was elsewhere.
