06-10-2020, 09:51 PM
He thinks to call her back.
But he is not his sister’s keeper.
They are only children, young, but he does not question his sister’s ability to look after herself.
He thinks to call her back.
But he will not embarrass her in front of this stranger.
Because he does not question that his sister is every bit as fierce as their mother. The mother who had told them in no uncertain terms that she had oft thought of carving them out of her belly with her own fanged teeth.
He thinks to call her back.
But he merely watches as she takes a bone between her teeth and yanks. And it is only seconds later that the whole thing collapses and he thinks that it is his sister’s doing and he feels some swell of great pride.
The figure creeps closer then, closing up all the distance between them and Gravitas instinctively sidles up to join his sister where she stands. He sets his jaw, a juvenile display of courage, lifts his head and meets the stranger’s eye as steadily as he can manage.
He is young, confused by the stranger’s first question. What is there to be pleased about? He bumps his hip against Tirza’s, locks his baby knees. Looks back over his shoulder when the stranger asks after their mother. He wonders, in his baby way, if the stranger knows their mother or if the question had been something general. An accusation.
He tips back his galaxy-kissed head, meeting the stranger’s gaze again. Just in time for the remark to sink into the marrow of his ribcage. “Who are you?” he asks instead of answering.
G R A V I T A S
