Shyba--

The next thing I know I wake to the sky turning orange. I sit up groggily, looking out to see the sun setting. My body still feels heavy, and I yawn. When was the last time I had slept so much in such a short period of time?

From below I can hear people talking and little girls laughing again. I smack my lips together and realize I’m parched. I hesitate to go downstairs. It will be quick. Just go and get a glass of water and come back.

With that in mind, I head downstairs. As I reach the bottom step, I hear an unfamiliar male voice. I peek around the corner to see a guy with blonde hair, wearing glasses. It’s the same guy from the photo only a few years older. I reach up for my hood, once again finding myself empty handed. Not good. Too many people have already seen my eyes. Slowly, I take a step back before I feel a presence behind me.

I quickly turn, seeing a little girl with auburn hair staring up at me with curious green eyes. She looks to be about five years old, holding a stuffed rabbit. We stare at each other for a moment, neither one of us making a move. Will she scream or cry?

“Your eyes are squinty,” she states and then trots toward the kitchen.

Her comment stunned me. “Squinty?” That is all she had to say? She did not even seem afraid.

Then I hear her announce, “The guy is awake.”

I feel my pulse quicken. I did not want to make a scene. Before I can make my exit, Reba comes around the corner.

“Did you sleep alright?” she asks, a smile on her face. I simply nod. “Good. Come on into the kitchen if you want. We’re cooking supper right now. Oh, there is someone I would like you to meet.”

She beckons me to follow and for a moment I am frozen in place. I feel so vulnerable without my hood, but there is nothing I can do about that. I should stay on her good side though, so I do as she asks. She leads me out into the main room, and I keep my head lowered, but I can still see Jeremiah at the table and Kiara busy in the kitchen.

Then she stops before the blonde boy. “This is Nicky,” she states. “Nicky, this is Shyba.”

He smiles, his hazel eyes framed by squared glasses. “Nice to meet you Shyba,” he says and holds out his hand.

I say nothing, puzzled. They are acting way too casual around me. I don’t trust his motives, so I can’t bring myself to shake his hand. 

Nicky slowly lowers his hand and I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. I look over to see the little girl again, only now her hair is braided. Then I recall the picture of the twin girls. This must be the other twin. Upon seeing me her eyes widen and she yelps, running behind Jeremiah. There’s the response I am used to.

“It’s okay, Harmony. Shyba ain’t going to hurt you,” he tells the girl, patting her head.

Then the other one walks out from behind the counter, carrying the stuffed rabbit. She looks up at me then points. “It’s the squinty man.” Why does she keep using that word?

“Jade, that’s not nice.” Reba’s voice is stern. I fear for the child. If Reba raises a hand to her, should I intervene? “Now apologize to Shyba.” That’s it? No punishment for acting out of turn? 

She clutches at the stuffed rabbit, looking down. “Sorry…”

Reba turns to me. “I’m so sorry about that, Shyba. I hope she didn’t offend you or anything.”

“No,” I mutter. 

“Good. Now, where were we? Oh, the clothes.”

“Right here,” Nicky says, reaching over and picking up a bag from off the counter.

“I asked Nicky if he would bring some clothes for you to have. I think you both wear close to the same size,” she says.

“Sorry if it’s not exactly your style, but at least it’s something,” Nicky says, handing me the bag. “Don’t worry about giving them back. I’ve been meaning to get rid of some of this stuff anyway.”

I nod once, taking the bag. “Thank you.” Why go through the trouble?  I briefly glance inside. On first inspection, nothing with a hood. 

“Are you hungry, Shyba?” Reba asks.

“I only need water,” I tell her.

“Oh, wait right here,” she says before going into the kitchen.

Nicky goes to stand next to Jeremiah, who is still talking to the young girl. She stares at me from behind him. She is the only one that has reacted in this way to me. But as long as she doesn’t get in my way, she should be the one who is least fearful of me. Reba returns with the glass of water. “Here you go. Would you like to sit with us for supper?”

For a moment I am unsure. The food smells great but without my hood I feel vulnerable. I can’t get comfortable around them and they shouldn’t feel comfortable around me either. 

“No, I… eat in room...” I mutter before turning toward the stairs.

“Okay. I will bring your supper up once it’s finished. Even if you don’t feel hungry, you should eat. Your body needs the nutrients right now,” Reba says.

After enclosing myself in my only, but temporary, place of refuge, I take a few sips of water. I set it on the desk then empty out the bag of clothes from Nicky onto the bed. There are a variety of shirts and pants. 

I try on a shirt and a pair of jeans. They do seem to fit better than the last, however the jeans are a bit too long. Light footsteps catch my attention then I hear a knock at the door. I go over to open it and there stands Reba holding a tray along with a red bag strapped across her shoulder and several hangers tucked under her arm. 

“It looks like I was right,” she says and comes over. She reaches up and pinches the fabric of the pants on the beltline, causing me to freeze up. What is she doing?

“They fit pretty well. Looks like we’ll just have to hem them a bit,” she says, and kneels down. She rolls up the end of one of the legs a couple times. “About two hem lengths should do it,” she mutters. “Kiara can do that tomorrow. It won’t take long.”

I am still stiff as a board even when she goes over to the desk and grabs the hangers. When she starts hanging up the clothes in the closet, I block her without thinking. “No--”

She stops and looks at me. I feel bad, but I do not want her to go through the trouble.

“Might as well, you’ll probably be staying here a while,” she says as she resumes hanging up the clothes.

But I won’t, I wanted to say. 

“Nicky already washed them so they are ready to wear once they get hemmed. Oh, and I picked these up today,” she says and reaches into her bag, pulling out another plastic sack and handing it to me.

Inside is a toothbrush and toothpaste, along with packages of socks and boxers. A mixture of emotions swell up within me. I cannot tell if I am more embarrassed or grateful. 

“I do need to check your wounds and reapply the bandages real quick though,” she says, taking the bag off her shoulder.

“I can do it,” I say, reaching for the first aid kit.

“Don’t worry, I’m a doctor. I need to make sure they don’t get infected,” she tells me.

“It is fine.”

“If they get infected, I will have no choice but to take you to the hospital to get treatment. Do you want that?” she asks. Her tone is stern, the same way she was with the little girl.

If I do not do what she says she could turn me in. Not to mention going to the hospital would be bad. What if they realize who I am? My stomach churns. I have no choice. I make no sound as she treats my wounds, putting a salve on them before covering them with bandages.

The whole time she hums softly. Though it is a rather pleasant tune the weight on my chest does not ease and I continue to stare at the floor. Once she is done, she reaches up toward my head. I involuntarily stiffen and my heart starts racing. Why did I flinch? That always makes it worse! I wait, but she does nothing but smile and retracts her hand. 

“The wounds are healing well so it shouldn’t be too long before I can take the stitches out. I’ll need to check on them each day though, okay?” she says. I turn away and nod. Then she heads out the door. “Let me know if you need anything.”

Once she is gone, I quickly change into the pajamas before sitting back down on the bed. My mind reels. I argued with her, and yet she did not hit me. Instead, she smiled. They must be up to something. Nobody shows such kindness without an ulterior motive. I need to watch my back. 

No, I need to escape… But where could I even go? Even if they plan to use me, I have food and shelter here. Perhaps I should just cut my losses. It is either this or the Domain.

My eyes land on the tray Reba left. I notice the plate is stacked with meat and potatoes with a slice of cake on the side that makes my mouth start watering. As I sit at the desk to eat, I press my palms together.

“Itadakimasu.” 

Translations:

Itadakimasu: Said just before eating as a way of saying "Thank you for the food."