The Learning Wilds

By A. P. Nuri

Fox is a restless young woman who yearns to know her past. Her best friend, Falcon, makes her laugh and Wolf keeps her head on straight. Even with all she has, she still longs to travel beyond Leathen, her community. One night, the three finally work up the nerve to venture out together and nearly fall into the grasp of flesh-eating creatures called Gorlons. The encounter makes them question everything they know about Leathen. And for Fox, the truth is personal. But it comes with an irreversible cost for all who seek it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. P. Nuri
• Release date: Jul 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463246689

A. P. Nuri

A 12-year-old girl was told her short story had the potential to be a novel. Ever since then, she never stopped writing. Even when she was told she was too young. Even when she doubted herself. She never gave up on stories: on acting them out, on painting their plots, on writing their life. She had something to say.A. P. Nuri loves to support other artists through collaboration and yearns even more to tell stories that entertain and inspire readers everywhere. When she's not scribbling story ideas, acting on stage, or brushing out blobs of watercolor, she's likely drinking a latte at a local coffee shop, doing yoga, or walking around a farmer's market for goods.

Book preview

chapter i

"Why do I only break the rules when I’m with you idiots?"

Or friends, Falcon offered with a shrug, you c’ld call us friends.

Wolf rolled his ocean eyes. He sat across from me, still and sure like the moon above us, dressed in a cotton tunic and black pants. Falcon, no more than a foot to my right, wore an elaborately embroidered top with caramel thread that matched the color of his eyes. Sparks were escaping the fire, up to the diamond-studded sky, as another midnight breeze tickled the exposed skin of my shoulders. I could hear the gentle, rolling waves just beyond the trees. Silent, I shifted my weight onto my heels, watching the crackle of red-orange flames move like the stormy waves of an ocean: passionate, powerful.

You ready? I murmured to them both.

Dazzling me with an affirming smile, Falcon nodded—but honestly, this was his plan to travel to the beach tonight. Still hesitant, I didn’t move from where I was, my belted, linen dress waving only slightly in the wind. Wolf encouraged me with a single flick of his eyes.

Relax, Fox, Falcon assured me with a wink. If somethin’ jumps out the bushes, I’ll kill it ‘fore it e’er gets near you.

Wolf lifted an eyebrow and let out a gruff laugh. He brushed his hand over the head of his water drum. What’re you gonna do—charm it t’ death?

Falcon passed him a bold, yet subtly icy, look. Oi, don’t tempt me!

C’n we do what we came t’ do? I begged them, elbowing Falcon in the side for good measure. As if in reply, the beating of Wolf’s steady drumming filled the air, and Falcon’s pan pipe accompanied the rhythm. I listened intently. This was the best Wolf and Falcon had ever played; both instruments were synchronized to perfection. I let my lips bend into a smile, and my feet spun my body around the flames of the fire, tambourine in hand. My mind began to drift, my arms bent gracefully, and I  twirled in dizzying circles. I slowed and finished in a beautiful stance.

Standing up straight, tying my small tambourine to my waist, I breathlessly asked, How’d I do? Scale o’ one t’ ten?

Falcon cheered, throwing his pan pipe to the ground to applaud me. Ten!

Eight, Wolf stated.

Falcon glared. She was fantastic!

She stumbled on her prep for her turn, Wolf shrugged. I blushed furiously as he added, Least I’m honest.

I swung around to glower at Falcon, "You ’eren’t bein’ honest?"

I was tryin’ t’ be nice, Falcon offered halfheartedly as he doused the fire.

Suddenly, a foreign gurgling noise, encompassed us like it had escaped from the mouth of a foul beast. Our bickering ceased in one fearful instant.

What was that? I whispered.

We turned our heads to the noise, alert and frozen like statues.

We waited.

Altogether, the forest went silent, save for a breeze that dampened us to the bone as it passed. Nothing happened. Nothing moved. I held my breath, my heart pulsing against my ribcage. I watched as Wolf turned to look me in the eyes.

A piercing screech split the night.

Run! Wolf commanded us.

Stumbling from our bonfire, we shot off in one direction and didn’t stop. All of us ran with the stride of our spirits: Wolf covered ground so quickly, he was a blur, Falcon looked as if he were about to take off into the air, and I sprinted under, over, and sideways through the trees, as cunning as a fox.

What in Elorah’re those? Falcon hollered, glancing behind him. I preferred not to look. I knew wild game roamed these areas but never predators.

Knew we sh’ldn’t’ve snuck out! Wolf shouted across me to Falcon. As we ran, flashes of moonlight flickered on his exasperated expression.

Oi, so it’s my fault? Falcon exclaimed. It had been Falcon’s idea. But then again, I had nagged Wolf for his reluctance.

We’re talkin’ ‘bout this now? I yelled. I panted as the sweat collected on my forehead. C’n it wait ‘til our lives aren’t at stake?

The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and I knew something was close on my heels. I risked a good glance at one and witnessed a disgusting, hulking, two-legged thing that had the advantage of both size and mass over my toned frame. It had black, coarse skin with patches of uneven hair. Their hideous layers of teeth and sharp, finger-like claws glinted beneath the moon’s light. There were two of them behind me. My eyes drifted to my blind side, and the creature nearest my path drove me farther and farther away from both Wolf and Falcon, singling me out.

Realization hit me hard. They were after me.

I frantically searched for my weapon yet felt nothing but the soft leather of my beaded belt. My tambourine clambered against my hip. Why hadn’t I brought my dagger? Stupid! We all knew it wasn’t safe going out of the ravine, but we longed for freedom, for space to do what we pleased. Our leader seldom offered that. Freedom on his terms, we called it: the price of being a Leathen citizen.

My heart started to rise in my throat, and my feet slowed on the rough terrain, catching and stumbling on nearly every tree root. As my vision blurred, my lungs struggled to get oxygen to my limbs. The creatures were within arm’s length of me. I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the ravine. I had never run this hard in my entire life.

I possessed speed but not stamina like Wolf and Falcon.

All of a sudden, the figure of a creature lunged in front of me. I skidded in the soil and planted my feet just in time. Its body was human—somewhat—but oddly deformed and blackened. Its face seem twisted into the form of a short snout, and its breath struggled out its mouth, like sharp rocks lived in its lungs. It made a terrifying, guttural noise, and I gasped, flinching back. I locked onto another pair of dark glowing eyes near the first that drilled deep into my soul. I panicked, trying to find a gap in the huddle of creatures forming.

I backed into the stiff bark of a tree.  My body quivered. I think I recognized these creatures. I’d only seen them once before. The memory of my father’s mangled corpse flickered in the back of my mind, and gooseflesh ran up my spine. I was six years old, shivering in the cold, watching these same creatures crouch over his body.

Promptly, I spun and scoured the knotted bark, up in the branches before the creatures could reach me. My eyes searched the tree frantically. Nearby hung a broken branch as wide as my arm. My fingers seized it, my foot on its base to steady myself, and yanked it free. I weighed it in my hand, trying to find my balance as the creatures began howling at me.

They were scrambling up the tree, finding strange footholds in the trunk that weren’t there when I needed them. Lifting my arms above my head, I used all my might to thrust down the branch. It slammed into one of the mutts, sending him hurdling to the ground where I heard a sickening crack.

My breath caught in my throat, and I scrambled up even higher, the creatures merely a branch below me. A sturdy vine tangled around my arm, and I gripped it—maybe it could save my life. I turned to swing off the tree when a clawed hand clutched my ankle. I let out a yelp as I swung from the tree, the creature coming with me. I lost my momentum almost instantly, and I glanced down as the animal thrashed at my other leg. It swiped back and forth until I propelled my leg back and kicked it square in the snout. With a grotesque wail, the creature tumbled to the ground and lay still by his fallen comrade.

My foot seized the fork between two branches in the adjacent tree. Ripping my tambourine from my belt, I covered its cymbals and made my way down the second tree. Something sharp caught my calf, and I hissed out a curse. I darted through the sulking trees and finally grinned through my weariness. I could see the ravine just breaking through the trees.

Suddenly, something jerked my good leg, I lost my grip, and my world flipped upside down. I tried to reach the rope knotted tightly around my ankle, but I just dangled there, spinning helplessly as I watched the silhouettes of the creatures run underneath me and disperse through the trees. I’d fallen into a trap set by our own scouts.

Though it’d saved me from the beasts, Falcon and Wolf would have no hint as to where to find me. My head pounded.

The quiet lingered for a long time.

Falcon…! I called into the night.

I received the hoot of an owl in return.

There couldn’t have been anyone around for miles. The boys had probably escaped deep into the ravine by now. But I wasn’t going to hang here all night either. I was better than this.

Straining to reach my ankle, I found I couldn’t grasp the rope. Instead, it spun me around. With a huff of breath, I stretched back up, only to come back down more discouraged. No weapons. No friends. I shook my tambourine, yet the quiet of the trees seemed to soak up its resounding clangs. The canopy lay far above me. My options were rather limited.

To my surprise, I heard the snap of a twig, and I swiveled my head toward the ground. My eyes searched the darkened landscape but found nothing.

Wolf? I called in a wary voice.

Instead, I saw Falcon step out of the trees and into the moonlight. I let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his round, comforting face. In a flash, he spotted me and scaled up the closest neighboring tree without a second thought. A moment later, we were eye level.

Swing! he asserted quietly.

Already on it, I said, shifting my body weight back and forth. Back and forth, until finally Falcon grasped my waist. He held me to him and helped get my ankle out of the confines of the rope. When I detached myself, I found that his arms were holding me close to him so I wouldn’t fall. I gasped, catching my breath, right-side up at last.

How’d you know where t’ find me?

You called, didn’t you? Not t’ mention your tambourine’s a bit clangy…

With a roll of my eyes, I criticized bitterly, I didn’t realize the scouts’d set traps outside o’ the ravine.

We only ‘ave a few, he said, defensive. Some o’ the best pigs’re out here in the Wilds.

‘N’ you hang ’em? He shrugged, and I confessed in a more serious tone, Thought you both went t’ the ravine ‘n’ left me.

"I’d ne’er do that," he murmured.

I frowned—Wolf wouldn’t either.

Falcon led me down, our feet barely making a noise when we landed on the forest floor. Falcon studied my expression, holding my face in his sturdy hands. I glanced once into his bright, copper eyes. My heart thumped unevenly, the adrenaline still coursing through my blood. What was he doing?

How’re you, Fox? I heard Wolf murmur, appearing next to us with a quiet agility I adored.

My startled eyes met his piercing blue irises, and I replied in a small voice, Fine.

Heart drumming, I prayed that Wolf couldn’t distinguish my blushing cheeks, but my light brown skin probably hid it well. Another screech pierced the calm, and we all took off again. Relief flooded through my veins as Wolf ran close to me, taking heed to watch my back. Knowing we had little time to dwell, I thrust my feelings away.

We all could hear the sounds of the creatures re-emerging from the trees and approaching our heels. We dashed out of the Wilds, and, minutes later, the trees began to thin. All three of us were scaling down to the bottom of the ravine. The river near here rushed with a raging sound, but we could hear the creatures screech and spread out along the top of the ravine. We clung to the rock in the dark, holding our breath, until we heard them depart. They weren’t climbing down. My heart ringing in my ears, I strained to hear. Their hoarse breathing faded away, and they left.

Oi, ‘ave you e’er seen anythin’ like those things? My voice accompanied the dark, just a breathless whisper. That was too close for comfort.

Really, you think? Falcon asked so sarcastically that I cracked a smile, I mean, considerin’ that you’ere just hangin’ in a tree, I’d say we made it with time t’ spare. No risks taken. I’d give the overall experience a six.

I scowled at him, but soon, I laughed and he smiled stupidly. We weren’t loud, but I felt better… way better. My heart rate returned back to normal as I turned to Wolf, a lingering grin still on my lips. Wolf didn’t smile back. Our laughter died out.

Oi, Eliot, c’n’t you’ve a good laugh for once? Falcon icily remarked.

Eliot was Wolf’s birth name. His brow lowered. No one ever used our real names anymore.

There’s nothin’ I find funny ‘bout what just happened… Wolf stated, his magnetic eyes seeming to flash with fury in the little moonlight that shone down here. He made his way onto the man-made walkway within the canyon’s walls, a look of increasing fury on his brow. They’d been quarrelling so much these past few days, and I was beginning to lose my temper over their bickering.

So? Falcon exclaimed, following swiftly behind him. "Don’t mean you’ve t’ spoil it for everyone else just ‘cause you think that."

I think that ‘cause it’s true! Wolf said in dry retaliation. Fox almost got killed by those things, ‘n’ you’re standin’ here laughin’ like it’s a farce. I’m sorry, but do our lives suddenly mean nothin’...?

Really, what else do you think ‘bout, Wolf? ‘Cause it seems that all you e’er think ‘bout’s yourself! Falcon’s eyes were dark and his frame rigid. All joking had faded from sight.

In a swift movement, I placed my hand on Wolf’s shoulder because I knew he would say something he would regret. Then, my other hand restricted Falcon’s arm, his shoulders unbelievably tense.

What was wrong with them? They’d never fought like this before! We had always treated each other well. Feeling the muscles in Wolf’s shoulder relax under my fingers, I demanded, Oi, c’n you quit tryin’ t’ take the other’s head off?

Maybe if he’d—

Shh! I hushed them. I could hear something, but uncertain of where it resonated from. An echo followed.

Something lit up in Falcon’s eyes, and he snapped, Get d—

That’s when I heard the distant crunch of leaves and a whiz. Falcon dropped to the ground.

Falcon…? I exclaimed, terrified. I lifted his head only to find him unconscious. Wolf withdrew something from Falcon’s neck and twirled it in his fingers, but I barely noticed. I hovered over Falcon’s chest to hear if he was breathing. Very gently, I felt his forehead then his clammy neck.

Fox, Wolf murmured, but I didn’t dare look away from Falcon’s flushed cheeks. I maneuvered him into a comfortable position in my lap, brushing his brown locks from his face.

What?

Wolf lifted something up to show me. I stared at the red and yellow feathers at the top of a dart, baffled. Struggling for coherence, I stammered, "But… those’re our sleepin’ darts."

chapter ii

Someone approached us swiftly. My heart raced. In his hand, he carried a lamp, and he shone it over us. All of our scouts had one, and I knew we’d been found out.

My eyes adjusted, and Bear scolded us harshly, Wolf! Fox! What in Elorah’re you doin’ all the way out here?

The wash from yesterday’s rain took my necklace with it, I told him, clasping the necklace in my hand to show him.  My hands were dirty. Which helped our cause. Wolf ‘n’ Falcon came with me. I thought it w’ld be alright since Falcon’s a scout. It’s my fault.

Bear looked at my necklace. There wasn’t a single villager who didn’t understand how much my necklace meant to me. Once, I went out in the freezing cold, spring barely on the horizon, when I realized I’d lost my necklace in the Wilds. Falcon had found me half a day later, nearly frostbitten and hungry as ever.

Wolf’s gaze seemed to sear my skin. He decidedly knelt next to Falcon and examined the wound.

Bear looked at me with his dark brown eyes. Lion isn’t gonna like this…

My eyes went wide. I put a hand on Bear’s. Oi, ‘re you gonna tell him, Bear? My necklace… Falcon ‘n’ Wolf ‘ere just helpin’!

Bear looked back at Falcon, handing the lamp off to me. We’ll ne’er get Falcon past the other scouts without him noticin’. Wolf’s gonna’ve t’ treat him as soon as we get back. That sleeping dart looks like it hit his throat.

Wolf looked at Bear as he helped Falcon onto his shoulders. It’s his larynx.

I asked, What’s that?

His voice box, Bear interrupted. Wolf stared at him, pleasantly surprised. He snorted and chided, The Preservation Museum. Not everyone has the privilege to be a doctor like you, Wolf.

We smiled half-heartedly as if this was all just a misunderstanding. Wolf trailed a good distance behind Bear to whisper in my ear, You know, you c’n’t keep lyin’ like that. You’re too good at it.

Worked, didn’t it?

He lifted the corners of his mouth, and I glimpsed a couple white teeth: a full blown laugh in my book. He composed himself and studied me with a worried look. I feel like we sh’ld say somethin’… ’bout those... creatures. Whate’er they’ere...

If we do, Lion’s gonna use that t’ discipline us further, I said. ‘N’ besides, it w’ld ‘cause panic ‘n’ more village gossip than there already ‘s.

He considered me momentarily. Don’t you wanna know what they ‘ere?

Shaking my head, I murmured, No. ‘Cause if Lion finds out…

Oi, I hear you. Wolf thought for a moment, maybe to ask me more, and then said nothing more.

If we were going to arrive at the village before dawn, we needed to move faster. But Bear took his time. The adrenaline had long flowed out of my system, and sleepiness settled instead. I kept telling my feet to walk, but it took all my strength to force my mind away from those grotesque creatures and focus on the journey ahead. What could’ve taken a couple hours would now take double the time. With Falcon’s weight on Bear’s shoulders, he had to take a breather every half kilometer or so. Bear wasn’t muscular and lean like Wolf, but stocky and broad-shouldered. Wolf and I offered to take Falcon, to help, but every time we spoke up, he refused. We only stopped one time on our five-kilometer journey to get some rest so we could take off again once dusk arrived. We couldn’t risk being seen by those creatures again—travelling at night had become that dangerous—so we found a natural opening in the ravine and made camp.

I had gathered edible greens and mushrooms as we had gone along through the day and started a fire to roast them but saved some for the remaining miles. In the cave’s threshold, I gave some to Wolf and Bear as we sat, silently eating the tangy roots and green leaves. After a while, Bear reluctantly decided to sleep. Making a place next to Falcon, he fell asleep beside him a few minutes after. We were all so used to sleeping with each other’s warmth. The ravine got cold at night, and it was instinctual to rely on each other to stay heated and feel secure.

My body strangely had no urge to sleep, and Wolf stayed up with me. I blamed my mind’s nonstop replay of what happened earlier.

You're hurt... Wolf started.

I looked down. I had completely forgotten. I shrugged.

Lemme treat it, he lifted my calf and set it across his lap. You’re lucky it didn't get infected. What‘ere you thinkin’, Fox?

Falcon’s hurt—what else am I supposed t’ be thinkin’ ‘bout other than my friend?

Knowing all the scouts were trained in aid—by him, usually—he opened Bear’s pack and pulled out some supplies. He began to treat my injury in the silent way that he always did. When he worked with a wound, his blue eyes would brighten very slightly. And, I didn’t think it possible, but he was a thousand times more handsome. Maybe only I noticed when Wolf grew excited about his work. He became especially quiet when he started working with a new patient or there were improvements within the Hospital Dwellings where he worked. I had to ask questions because I knew he wouldn’t talk about it, even though I knew he wanted to.

He appeared so focused, I had to laugh and ask, How’s the hospital treatin’ you?

Better than e’er, he smiled slightly at me, and my heart burned with a fire inside of my chest. Did I tell you they give me double meals now?

What? I gasped as he bandaged my leg.

Oi, don’t get jealous. I work all day. It’s just one o’ the perks.

The perks. I smirked. So that’s why you’ve gotten so thick...

Wolf in his gracefully slender frame grew rigid, and I laughed as he exclaimed, Oi, I’ve not!

To our surprise, Falcon murmured something in his sleep, and trembled. Wolf dampened a cloth and warmed it on a hot rock near the fire in one movement. He handed it to me a minute later, and I pressed the cloth against Falcon’s forehead. He began trembling so hard, I grew anxious. His face held all the youth and innocence of a small child as he slept, and I couldn’t help but notice how peaceful he looked. I reached out to touch him. He seemed tense at first then relaxed when I resorted to brushing my fingers through his dark brown hair.

I turned away, stoking the fire to busy myself. Wolf got situated to keep watch for the night, but I suggested he sleep instead since I knew I wouldn’t be able to bat an eye until I knew Falcon would be okay. Wolf didn’t complain; he only gave me a wary look before lying down. I fixed my eyes on the deserted canyon and serene Ina River that flowed past us, my gaze taking a clean sweep across the mouth of the ravine as silence settled across the coming day.

When I noticed Wolf wasn’t sleeping, I murmured, You need t’ rest.

He didn’t move before decidedly looking up at me with his clear, blue eyes. He replied, I w’ldn’t need it if Falcon’d been more laidback ‘n’ stayed put. This trip would’ve taken less than a couple hours.

I frowned, dismayed. It isn’t his fault, Wolf. I encouraged him.

He looked away and muttered, Oi, sure.

I hate it when you do that… I let out a gruff sound of air.

Wolf peered at me, his water-blue eyes curious.

You two ‘ave been fightin’ like animals this whole week… ‘n’ I don’t like it, I sighed. Wolf’s hard, glassy eyes faltered only to melt into a soft vulnerability I very rarely saw.

I better start actin’ my age, huh?

I smiled. You act far beyond your age…

Sometimes, I wish I didn’t.

I was silent for a second before he opened his mouth and asked, What do you think ‘bout…

Those creatures? I finished. I looked into his blue eyes. He didn’t want to drop it as much as I did. The fact that they were real, not just figments of old dreams I had years ago, raised gooseflesh all along my arms and legs. They reminded me of my father.

Yeah.

Elorah’s a big island, I muttered, afraid I might wake Bear if I spoke too loud. There’re no doubt predators that live outside o’ the ravine.

He seemed to contemplate my words, my tone and then my expression. As if everything I said and did translated without effort in his brain.

You sh’ld sleep, I replied, not wanting to speak any further until I knew Falcon was in good health again. Wolf’s eyes rested on me longer than they should have. At last, he found sleep.

Dawn began approaching, and Falcon suddenly stirred; he let out a groan. I moved gently to Falcon’s side, brushing his hair from his face. I cupped his cheek in my hand, watching to see if he’d wake. His eyebrows furrowed, and he opened his eyes, blinking several times. He released another moan and stiffened. He gazed at me for a moment—I could see the familiarity of my face registering in his eyes—and then lifted his hand to overlap mine on his cheek. I smiled. He wove his fingers through mine as if clinging to them would help him remember his very life. To say it slightly disconcerted me would’ve been a flat out lie. It made me panic.

Hey, I murmured, you okay?

You’ve any water? He rasped out.

I let out my breath, relieved. I handed him the canteen next to me and helped him sit up. He drank the water, not very intent on every drop making it into his mouth, then observed his surroundings with tired, golden eyes.

How long’ve I been sleepin’? he inquired, handing the canteen back. His voice oddly muffled, he cleared his throat as if realizing it himself.

Few hours… you’ere hit by a scout dart. How’re you feelin’?

Weird. My head hurts. My throat feels closed up. You carried me?

I tilted my head in Bear’s direction. You’ere sayin’ somethin’ before.  ‘N’ you‘ere right. Bear was on scout patrol.

Does my voice sound strange t’ you?

I nodded then put my hands on his neck to examine his throat. In the dim light of dawn, the swollen, almost inflated look of it stood out. It was a deep red with a bluish center. The color of a flowering bruise.

Wolf said the dart hit your voice box. I gave him a gentle smile and said, I’ve no idea what that is, but I’m sure Wolf does.

Wolf woke at his name and turned to look at us. How’re you feelin’, Falcon?

Like you’re still pissed at me.

I

gnoring his comment with grace, he woke Bear up, and we prepared to move out.

Two hours later, I sat outside one of the many small infirmary huts lined up along the edge of Leathen, awaiting the news of Falcon’s condition. Maybe I could have prevented this whole ordeal if I had sided with Wolf. Bear had boldly led the trek back home while Wolf followed behind me, making me extra self-conscious. It was still quite dark outside, and the village was fast asleep. Bear signaled to a few scouts while we were still a ways off with three whistles, and a couple more scouts had come to meet us partway down the trail. Bear and another scout took Falcon immediately to one of the Hospital Dwellings, and Wolf followed.

I could see Lion’s Dwelling light up from far off, and my heart sunk, drowning in a flood of negative thoughts. There was no ignoring that we would be in grievous trouble. He had enough on his plate, leading our whole village, but I likely made it more of a burden to be a leader than a blessing.

A scout began taking care of my leg, telling me that it was barely a minor cut and would be healed within the next day. I wasn’t really listening. Just watching in nauseous expectation as Lion came out of his small hut and started down a long trail to where the small area of commotion stirred. I inhabited the center of it.

It was evident that my sleepless night had left me dwelling in groggy exhaustion. Lion approached me in his sleeping tunic, and I immediately straightened up. His square jaw clenched, and he was clearly more tired than I.

Aileen, he said in a stern voice, please don’t tell me this’s what I think it ‘s.

My heart pulsed in discomfort. Lion could be relied on as one of the few people who wielded my birth name with precise intentions. I’m sorry, Lion.

What on Elorah happened?

I glimpsed the irritation in his blue eyes. I started, My necklace—

How many times do I’ve t’ keep tellin’ you, Fox? He put a heavy hand on my shoulder. No lyin’.

My expression faltered. He was likely one of the only people who could read past the facade.

We went t’ dance ‘n’ play music. I’m sorry.

He sighed in disapproval, and I realized how young he looked. His full, blonde beard had been cut away, revealing a square jaw that appeared chiseled and reminded me of his scolding me in my youth. This was not the first time he’d rebuked me for leaving. In fact, it was the second time in the past two months.

You’re like your father, he said in a serious tone. He wanted t’ explore everythin’ Elorah ‘ad in store. But Elorah wasn’t forgivin’. You c’n’t make that same mistake, Aileen. You already know that, as a villager here, you’re not exempt from the rules. Yet, you don’t seem t’ take my instruction very seriously. If you leave ‘gain, Aileen, I’ll not hesitate t’ do what I must.

I swallowed past the increasingly large lump in my throat. My palms were sweaty.

You don’t mean… I stammered.

You’ll ‘ave t’ find another home, Aileen. I won’t stand for this kind o’ behavior.

I forced back tears and looked down. Yes, Lion.

Lion gave me one last look before leaving to check on Falcon’s condition.

I let out an exhale.

Wolf emerged from the Hospital Dwelling, and I went to him immediately, putting a hand on his arm. But his expression stayed unreadable. He was adept at hiding his emotions; he made someone like me—who had difficulty controlling some of her truths in her eyes—envious.

They won’t let me help. It’s simple ‘nough t’ treat him, so they told me t’ go elsewhere ‘til they’re finished.

Though he was an esteemed doctor for his age, some didn’t like his presence making them feel inferior. He eyed me. You’re exhausted. You need t’ rest.

Everyone in the Dwelling was just getting up, all huddled like baby birds in a nest but moving like the ripples in a large pond.

He’s alright? I asked quietly. He’s goin’ t’ be okay?

We’ll ‘ave t’ see. He needs rest, like you.

I took a breath and sat down, dropping my head in my hands with exhaustion. Wolf had been very against travelling outside of the ravine last night. But Falcon and I went off without him, knowing he’d follow. I had been yearning to do anything but spend another quiet night in the village. My worries often overwhelmed me, and, in order to throw them out my mind, dancing was the only thing that worked. It seemed to be the answer to everything in life, especially in times of chaotic turmoil and anxiety. Soon, I’d be one year older. The age of adulthood. The age of Pairing. When I was Paired, my youth would be over. The village would expect children. I’d have to dedicate my time to my partner and my children. The thought alone, of maybe having to give up dancing and wandering, made me nauseous.

Before I could lie amongst the blankets with the others, Wolf put a hand on my arm and studied my expression as if he knew this went deeper than just restless worry, as if he sensed I was running away from the daunting date coming up with every minute that passed.

Aileen, everythin’s fine… he murmured.

Stunned, I gazed at him.

Never before in my life had he ever called me by my real name. He knew this meant more to me than I gave off. I was an open book free for his private viewing.

I snapped out of my shock then looked away so I wouldn’t cry. Yeah, okay.

This didn’t happen ‘cause o’ you, he assured me, reading through my expressions. He knew the dangers. We’ere all unprepared.

Frantically, I raked through my head for an excuse but came up empty-handed.

I tried not to whimper as I bit back tears.

I wanted to believe him with my entire being. But there wasn’t anything he could do to convince me this wasn’t our fault.

Until, all of a sudden, Wolf drew me into his chest. His arms were strong and comforting around me. Very seldom did he let me take respite in his hold. He pulled away, holding my face within his fingers. And the weight of how much I should savor this moment settled in.

Falcon’ll be fine, he reassured me. You hear me?

I nodded my head.

"Think you c’n promise