Just like what she asked. He took her to her house, where his wife looked at her. “Should I go tonight?” He said to his wife. “To the hunting tradition. All the men in the village have to spend the night there, right?” He added.

“Not really. We’re doctors, not hunters. Did that thorn look poisonous?” She said.

“No, it looked normal. Did the commander leave yet?”

“Yes, he just did. He and the village chief talked for quite some time. It seemed like it ended in a disagreement. There were loud noises in his house.” 

“You think it might be about recruiting?”

“Mika, stop! You are already hurt. Just go home. If that thorn was poisonous. You could never walk normally.”

He stood up. “Anno, don’t—” But Mrs Tanigawa glared at him with anger. She was adamant about putting some sense into the kid. “I know! You don’t want her to know about the possibility. Mika, you better thank god that the thorn wasn’t poisonous.” Anno knelt before her, cupping her face. “Look, Mika. You’re Akemi’s only hope. Please don’t be reckless like this.”

Mika dropped her head, avoiding eye contact. “I’m sorry… I—I will be careful.”

“You better! I’m done here. You can leave now.”

She hopped off the cot, thanking Anno and Tanigawa and leaving for her home. Akemi was pacing back and forth at the door like a hungry cat—with her hands crossed, head lowered, staring down at the ground and hyperventilating. Mika walked closer, covering her knees with the towel Mr Tanigawa gave her.

She stopped in her tracks, swiftly turning toward her kid, sighing as if she got back from being underwater for the past fifteen minutes. She sprang towards her and knelt in front of her—hugging her tightly and cleaning her face off with her kisses. “Where have you been?”

“I’m sorry ma…”

Akemi was silent—she stood back up and held her kid’s hand and took her into the house. Mika gripped the towel around her knees ever so tightly. She sat her down on the cot and sat next to her. Mika handed the bag to her. She peeked inside the bag. “Herbs??? Is that why?” 

“Mika, please, I’ll be fine without this. I begged you and still do this.” She buried her face in her palms, slouching towards Mika. “Please, don’t strain yourself with this. You should be out playing, not doing whatever this is.” As her eyes condensed, she exhaled. “I feel so guilty…”

“Mom! Please… You think I can just sit here and watch you cough up blood? I just…” She stood off the cot, jolting frantically inside the room. “I can’t, okay?” She started throwing her hands around. “I just can’t see you like this…”

“But—I’m ruining your childhood…”

“I don’t care! If it’s you or playing with dumb kids. The answer is obvious,” she started raising her voice—spinning around and staring out of the window. The grip loosen and the towel gently landed on the floor. Akemi’s brows rose, her hands across her mouth, thunderstruck at the sight of her kid’s leg.

“MIKA! What happened to the calf?” Mika gasped and bent over to grab the towel, exposing her bruised knees.

She wrapped it tightly around her leg. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

“It. Is. Not. Nothing. You’re hurt.”

“Mom, please, I’m alright—” Akemi interrupted her by pulling in, sitting her down on the cot and yanking the towel and throwing it across the room and staring dazed at her bloody knees. She was a statue. Mika quickly jumped off the cot, covering her knees.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a minor scratch,” she knelt down near the kamado, a traditional wood fueled stove, glancing at the porridge that her mom prepared for them, which had gone cold. 

Mika grabbed the bowls nearby and poured it into the bowls. One for her and one for Akemi. She handed the bowl to her, staring down at the ground—avoiding her frown. Akemi got the bowl and kept it down on the floor and cupped her face closer, staring straight into her eyes while she played the sad dog, avoiding eye contact.

“I. Am. Fine. Okay? Just eat and go to bed, mom,” she raised her voice again. Akemi was tongue-tied, her gaze fixed on the kid’s eyes. Silence engulfed the room. She took her hands off her cheeks. 

“Fine…” Akemi whispered. They had dinner in pure silence. With no words uttered, Mika was lying on the ground while Akemi occupied the bed after dinner.

Mika couldn’t sleep. Keiyo might give me some work. He does, however, pay more than the other merchant. I should go check with him tomorrow. She speculated in her head. If a porter job pays 1000 Yauzs. That would mean seven or eight jobs…. She stared at the ceiling. Maybe I was a little too rude to mom. I should ask her sorry tomorrow. The thoughts of tomorrow stumbled through her head. But her body was numb, begging for rest—pulling her into deep sleep where nightmares engulfed her, blinding the sound of metal clanging outside, but it couldn’t mask it for too long.

“Someone is crying. Where? I can’t feel anything… Mom, are you alright?” Mika murmured in her sleep. The feeling of being woke rushed into her system and she jerked awake, covering her eyes. Bright lights… What? Why? She wondered as her senses slowly adjusted. She rubbed her eyes to open to the blinding bright lights.

Red glowing embers surrounded the village. The ceiling was no more and there were no walls around her. Huts were burning to the ground like a lamp in the dark night sky. Their homes were being ravaged. The remaining horses were rearing at the stables that were in flames. Sound of swords clashing filled the calm night. Scent of blood overwhelmed her senses. The ground she slept on was gooey and soft. It wasn’t even the floor anymore—she found herself on top of a pile of bodies. Faces she knew lied soulless. Kids she played with. Ladies whom she chatted with. Her dead neighbors—her people. Thick, dried blood coated her forehead. WHAT IS HAPPENING?