Day nine of the infection. Fion’s strength has increased beyond that of a normal human. He can easily rip the bars off his the cell door so the Crone has fashioned silver chains to keep around his neck to keep his strength subdued for now. He’s been well-behaved but he's also been showing signs of an increased appetite and temper. 

I just want some more meat! 

He tries to keep his voice calm but his ears reveal his real feelings. They’re pointed forwards, his fur is puffed up. He’s angry. 

Would you stop fiddling with that thing and get me some more food?! 

I don’t look up from my journal. The man who watches the gate, August, said I should start to fill it out in order to ease my boredom and keep track of where I’ve been. I even started making a map. Not much on it right now and I’m not a good artist. 

He tries to struggle against the chains that hold him to the wall like a rabid dog. Fion bears his teeth at me when I look up, “You ate an hour ago.” I go back to my latest entry, “If you keep this up then you can’t see Caetlyn.” 

You know what she looks like by now! Could’ve brought her here yesterday! 

“I could have.” I stand up and leave for now. This is the big test. If he’s calm when I return then Caetlyn can speak with him. I head up to the market and approach the farming area. 

Caitlyn wears her favorite yellow beanie and red gloves as she picks some carrots and puts them in the basket, “Oh, uhm.. Mouse, right? We spoke yeterday.” I needed a name. Mice are considered cute by a few, they’re regarded as pests by more, but are overall harmless. 

“Yes. How are you feeling?” I told her about the latest update on Fion. She hasn’t been allowed to see him since he got infected on account of her pregnancy. 

“I’m alright.. is Fion doing okay? Since yesterday, I mean..” 

“He’s been doing fine.” She picks more carrots before putting the basket down by the others, “You know.. you’re kind of creepy.” 

“How so?” 

“You don’t blink much, you stare too long.. someone spilled hot soup in your lap yesterday at dinner an’ you hardly reacted. You ain't a Satyr, are you? We had one live here when I was a girl. They’re exclusively male.” 

“I’m not a Satyr, no. I’m a Kelpie. But, I want to be a Unicorn.” 

Caetlyn gives a dry response, “I don’t know what those are.” 

“A Unicorn is a mysterious creature. Its usually a white horse with a horn on it’s forehead. It’s magic can heal anything.” 

“And.. whats a Kelpie?” 

“Me.” I want to elaborate further but the words are fuddled in my head. I’ve never had to explain what I am to someone before… what do I say? 

“That doesn’t help much.” Caitlyn puts the carrots in another basket and starts walking to the kitchen. I follow her. 

“If this Unicorn is good then are you bad or something..?” Good? Bad? I hadn’t given that much thought. As she chops the carrots up, I walk over and take a piece. 

“Hey!” 

“Would you consider me a bad person for doing that or that I simply did a bad thing?” I ask before eating the piece I took, “I don’t know if the Unicorn is a ‘good’ creature. I just know that if I do good deeds, like helping people, I’ll become one.” 

“Who told you that? Or did you come to that conclusion by yourself?” I find myself chuckling, 

“Its fake.” I look over at the pile of chopped carrots, “The Unicorn, I mean. Almost everyone in the old world knew the legend.. its a myth made up by humans who wanted something to be recognized for. And despite having no real records, its lasted thousands of years.” 

“So.. why seek to become something that doesn’t exist?’ 

“Because it’ll be something that only I can become. I would be the first and the last, doesn’t that sound exciting?” The smile on my face grows, “Becoming something other than myself, to see what would happen.. Its frightening. But, that fear is what drives me. I’ve never been afraid before.” 

“You’re a little too close there… Mouse?” I rant on about my memories. My past observations. I’ve watched countless creatures and wondered how they did it. A Wulver would fish and spend its days doing just that, living in peace, perfectly content. I can’t stand it. The second I realized I could do more then what I was made to do, I had to try other things. 

“Mouse!” I snap out of it. Curious, I’m normally not so.. emotional. I’m not supposed to be if I want to fit in. “My apologies..” I step away from Caitlyn, “Did I frighten you?” 

“You were just a bit too close, thats all.” She gives me a reassuring smile, “No problem, really. Its.. actually nice to hear someone so passionate. You should show this side of you more often, its cute.” 

She goes back to chopping the rest of the carrots. I take my leave.

I take the time to process what happened in a quiet spot behind the market square. 

Strange… I log what happened in my journal. I’m not used to talking about my interests. People are usually content with my help and don’t ask questions. Thats been fine with me. The more I help, the closer I get, I can feel it. 

When your purpose compels you to do whatever it takes, the heads you step on to get there don’t matter. But now I’m thinking that maybe some do.