Another day hard at work. Whew! It’s exhausting, but always worth it for Yur-an. I love, love, love her to death! If her dear departed mother were here now, well, she’d think I was doing amazing. I think (Actually, no, she would disagree).

It’s hard being a single father, especially one that dotes as much as I do. I’ll give Yur-an whatever she wants, on request even. This last year has been tough on the both of us. Yur-an still won’t leave the house and I’ve devoted my time towards our survival. I’m tired to my core, sometimes I swear I can hear a bone possibly two creak here and now. Ha, I’m getting old.

I realize it’s not very swell to be without her mother, but she needs to be with her friends. She needs to get out there, learn the ways of the world. Ever since the disease took An-tak from us, I just can’t get her out. I gave up at some point, if my daughter wants to be like this, then so be it. I swore I’d do my best to protect her and if this is what she wants. It’s what I want as well. There are times where she peeks her head out to take in the sun, so I still have a slight hope.

“Oof!”

Ouch, did I just run into a wall? I lost myself in thought for a moment there. Huh? This dirty green and octagonal pattern. This is no wall.

“Seol, is that you?”

“Hmm… Oh.. How do you do, Yur-nal?”

“Oh, you know, returning from work.”

This humongous creature is Seol, my closest friend. She speaks kind of slow, walks kind of slow, eats kind of slow. She’s just slow in general. It’s part of her natural disposition. I find it charming and that’s why I approached her that day. She may be slow, but when I need advice she has the most solid words I’ve ever heard. It’s helped me out of many a sticky situation. To this day, she is the wisest being I know. It must be her years, she’s counted many more moons than I could ever possibly imagine. Though, as she says for her kind, she is still just a young maiden and has many moons left to witness.

“…What is it today?”

“Just a rat but look.”

I’m tired after dragging it for so long, however, I’m quite proud of this catch. It may be a rat, but it’s huge. I have no idea what this thing ate day to day, I’m just happy it ate whatever it did. This fat bugger will feed us for a week, possibly more. Yur-an may not like it since rats aren’t very tasty. Of course, food is food, at the least she knows that.

I swung it around, bringing the lifeless and rustled body into view for Seol’s calm eyes.

“Oh… That’s a big’n. Good.”

Seol has a habit of cutting some words short, even she doesn’t adore how slow she speaks.

“Thank you, Yur-an will surely be happy.”

Seol squinted her eyes a little, well, as much as I could tell.

“How… Is… She?”

“I like to believe she’s doing better than before. It’s still hard, but she’s coming along. The day may be close.”

“I see… Perhaps so. Age… Is close. And you?”

“Hahaha,” I boasted, “Why even ask. You know me, I’m always doing great!”

Seol turned her head away. It certainly took time, that long neck is more of a curse for her.

“So… You say.”

I get it, I understand she’s worried about me. I worry myself sometimes, but a proper father shows no weakness and I have my pride.

“I’m curious, Seol, what are you doing out here and not at the temple?”

Us forest folk call it the temple when it’s just a huge tree with a huge opening at the base. Seol’s family has lived there for generations. Her father, before he died (bless his soul), did the same thing she did. Give advice to those in need of their wisdom and offer shelter to wandering folk. It’s said that the goddess of nature, Menshul, protects the tree, because it’s whethered many storms and never moved an inch.

“Seeking donations… Crop… Bad… This time. Could be bad… For the… Village.”

“Ah! I understand.”

I whipped the rat around and bit into its tail, ripping it off with all my force.

“Here, it’s not much, but it’s the best I can do.”

Ouch, that made my teeth rattle a bit. Definitely won’t do that again. Definitely.

Seol nodded and said, “Much appreciated… Good for soup.” She then grabbed it with her mouth and tossed it in a basket nearby.

“Well, I should get going. It was nice to see you, have a great day.”

“You… Too. Come… Visit sometime …I don’t… See you… Often… Anymore.”

“I will,” I said as I tried my best to wave as I left. It’s a little hard to do with no arms.

Now that I’ve met Seol, it’s clear I’ve made my way into the village. It’s not big, but it’s home and even though they don’t like me sometimes, I still appreciate that they let me and my daughter stay here. My family used to stay deep in the forest, being alone as best we could. We’re predators, it’s to be expected of us. But, when An-tak died, I moved us here so that my daughter was further away from danger. The forest is large and bustling with activity, both good and bad. It’s especially dangerous when the storms start to come. Flooding takes many lives away from us, it’s how things are and we’ve learned to adapt. Most of us go to the temple for safety during those times.

Almost home now, dragging this fat rat around is tough on the body. There it is, coming into view now. Covered in sticks that jut up here and there, leaves around the edges to keep it from getting too damp and dried mud for the foundation. It’s not too pretty, but it’s my home, our nest. With it’s own special look, it also warns the others not to come by starting trouble. They know better by now, sometimes I feel bad for the ferret, but he was aware of the consequences and simple as that became our meal.

Ah! There she is! My beautiful daughter decided to peek her head out again right as I was returning home. She widened her eyes as we made eye contact. Slithering her tongue back and forth in an excited manner. Then in an obtuse and quite frankly rude moment, she darted her head back in.

“Haaa,” Why does she do that? It’s clear she was excited to see me. Darnit! I just wish she would be honest with me for once.

“Why hello Yur-nal. Got a big catch today, eh?”

Shoot, I don’t want to deal with this guy right now. He’s so cocky… Him and all his stupid legs.

“Yes, yes, now excuse me while I go see my daughter.”

“Awe, was a week too long for you?” His mouth thinned an inch wider, ew, dirty smile go away, “Hm? Hmmm?”

I might have blushed just a tad, not that I’m willing to admit it. Definitely not!

“It’s none of your business, stupid legs!”

I then rushed inside, screw that guy. Dunderhead. But, he is about the only villager I get along with and at times his teasing isn’t so bad. Capar is my neighbor, the only neighbor I have.

I turned my head left and right, peering through the mist as they like to say on the other side. Nope. Nowhere to be found. So we’re playing that game, huh.

“Yur-an!” I said, “I know what you’re up to and today is not the day you’ll succeed.”

I play along with this game not because I enjoy it, but because it’s good practice for her in the future. To be fair, she’s getting good at this. Hiding and stalking your prey and striking at their weakest and most unaware moment is a honed skill, not a talent. One must learn to control their breathing, to not move a muscle, and become like air itself. You cannot let your prey know you’re nearby, even the slightest ounce of noise isn’t forgiven.

I placed the body at the entrance and began my sullen search. First, I checked behind the bed, a few clumps of hay on top so it’s comfy and dirt to keep it steady. Not here. I then went to the dining room, which had some solid but small walls surrounding the pit (it’s best to worry about safety at all times, even while eating). I checked behind each one, five in total. Darn, not here either. She’s getting too good at this.

I headed to the living room, on the walls it had art etched into it all over. Yur-an had quite the artistic touch. Her mother raised her that way, she too loved her art. It was for the most part flowers, but here and there I could see the ones she’s met. I could tell she liked Seol quite a bit, there was a lot of her. That shell is the ultimate defense, Seol might be the only person I’ll never have to worry about. Ugh, she even drew Capar, it makes me want to hurl seeing all those legs. Wow, is that a bird? That’s new, I wonder where she saw a bird.

“Crik, ssst, tss.”

“That’s… An odd noise, where did that come from?” I thought aloud.

“Creakkk, bhm, tssss.”

What the heck, it’s getting louder. Above? Above. I looked up. Holy cow! Oops, shouldn’t think that. There’s a hole in my ceiling.

“Yur-an, did you do this? You know I’ll have to punish you for this right? Hey, it’s time you came out. You’re in big trouble young lady!”

“Plup.”

“Wahh!” I screamed and stumbled backward. Oh no! Yur-an is just a head now. Who did this!? I’ll kill ‘em!

I heard cackling like laughter before she squirmed her way out and landed on my head.

“Hehhehheh, I got you this time, dad!” Then she wrapped around me and rubbed her cheek against mine. It was how we hugged.

“I missed you, dad!” She said, not sparing me any teeth, “What did you bring back this time!?”

“Haaa,” I sighed, “You sure did. Great job.” There’s a first for everything, I’m not sad my daughter is growing up. Not at all. “It’s a rat.”

“Eh,” She raised an eye and flicked her tongue a little.

“Hold on, hold on,” I grabbed it up, “Look how big this bugger is!”

“But dad,” She said, sporting a slight frown. “Rat’s are gross. C’mon, let’s eat ferret again.”

“Yur-an, that was a rare chance and to be fair, I didn’t plan for us to eat that guy. He was just being disrespectful. That’s not the way we do things here in Wayward East. Remember?”

“Hmph, whatever and yes I do remember, dad. You’ve told me too many times to count. Here in Wayward East each person stays to themselves, allowing one another to peacefully pass the days by. Should one start trouble, they have the right to resolve the issues between one another in any way they please.”

“Correct and what did that ferret do?”

“He broke into our home while I was sleeping and tried to steal our food.”

“Correct again. Always remember this Yur-an, anyone in our home without permission is granted death. It’s how we keep ourselves safe from others.”

“Yes, dad! Let’s eat already. I’m starving.”

“Actually, me too.” I said, then I proceeded to drag the rat to the dining room.

First, I sat it in the pit. The pit is useful in that it’s deep and cooler than the rest of the nest. This helps to keep food from spoiling rather fast. Second, I tore several chunks off. That’s how Yur-an likes it. That’s all there is to it.

“Yay, let’s eat.” Yur-an lunged forward to strike at her meal.

“Stop,” I said, and she did. “First, we must pay our proper respects.”

We both bowed our heads and closed our eyes. “Menshul,” I continued, “we thank you for this bountiful meal and good sir, thank you for feeding us. May Menshul protect you up above.”

“Sweet, now let’s eat,” Said my daughter, yet again lunging forward and ripping into the flesh.

Within no time at all, we finished our meal and started prepping for bed. I’ve never been a fan of this, but when it starts to get dark during this time of the year. The cold becomes too unbearable for me and my daughter. It gets hard to move, plus, we’ve just eaten and that also slows us down somewhat as well.

After everything was set up and the entrance had been blocked off. We laid down, wrapping around one another. I know it’s odd for a father to be sleeping in the same bed as his daughter at her age, but it can’t be helped when nature forces you to. Definitely!

“Dad.”

“Hm,” I perked my eye open in response, “what’s up?”

“You never got onto me for the hole…”

“Well, you did such a good job attacking me, I decided your reward would be not to get punished.” Of course I’m not doting on her. She really did do a good job. It’s going to be a hassle fixing that hole, however. I have no arms!

“Thank you! Oh, uhm, dad I noticed something odd today.”

“What is it?”

“One of my stripes disappeared. Do you know what that means?”

Noooooooo!!! This can’t be! I didn’t know it was this close. I suppose I no longer have a choice. I have to show her the way we do things. That means I have to force her out with me, which is going to be a tough endeavor. She hates the outside. Maybe a plan of some kind would help. Yes, a plan. I only have so much time, so I have to be quick.

“It means you’re getting closer to becoming an adult, once you lose them all you’ll be a young adult then.”

“Oh,” She counted with her mouth, “then I only have seven left to go.”

I opened my other eye and widened them both like a madman, “Woah, woah, woah. Woah. Wait, seven? As in seven? Seven?”

“Yes, dad, seven.”

“What the hell happened to the other two!? Didn’t you have ten!?” I asked in a rushed tone. It’s possible some of my words blurred together. Seven. She definitely said seven. Definitely.

“Huh, guess I never noticed,” She replied with a calm demeanor. I don’t understand how she’s calm. Seven.

“You know what, I’ve had a long day, so let’s go to sleep. Tomorrow we need to have a talk. It’s important for you. Goodnight, dear, I love you.”

“Okay, dad. Goodnight, I love you too.”

She dozed off so fast it almost annoyed me. Seven. My daughter will be an adult in less than a year. I really do have to rush this. Before I talk to Yur-an, I need to speak to Seol. She’d know what to do, she always has an idea. I let out a big inward sigh. It looks like my peaceful days spent enjoying time with my precious daughter will soon come to an end. I don’t like this at all, definitely not. Definitely.

That night in Wayward East, unlike usual, I didn’t get a wink of sleep. It was a first for me in that village. Nonetheless I prepared for the terrible adventure that was soon to come. The adventure that would end with my daughter leaving me behind. Seriously seven!? I loathe that number more than anything in this world.

My dear departed wife, I ask that you wish me as much luck as you can. I’ll need it. For our daughter.