05-17-2016, 10:15 AM
When my accusation brings only a smile and a bit of laughter, I realize my mistake. The man had no intention of leaving his young daughter alone without an explanation or even a goodbye. I guess I've seen one too many abandoned children in my short time here. Been one too many, for that matter. Maybe that makes me a little quick to overreact.
I duck my head, embarrassed to have insulted the stranger with my presumption. “Good. I'm glad to hear that. I apologize for assuming the worst of you.” I would really prefer to skulk off back into the shadows, back to the quiet, putting a comfortable distance between myself and watchful eyes. Especially the amber ones of the man I just accused of being the scum of the earth. I should never have spoken, should never have come over here, should have thought before I acted.
Did it wrong, Nevi. You always do it wrong.
But my retreat is delayed by the arrival of the girl I tried so defend, lured by curiosity and maybe a little protectiveness toward her father if the fire in her eyes is any indication. “Oh. I. I'm nobody,” I answer, looking down at the ground. I know how upset I would be if someone insulted anyone I love. “I'm Neverwas.” The name slips out, shards of glass slicing through my skin; I haven't called myself that since the day Isle found me. Now here I am, spilling secrets onto the ground at a stranger's feet.
She should know though. They both should know. Please don't let my words offend; I am less than nothing. “I'm from the Tundra,” I add reluctantly when she asks where I'm from. I shouldn't be. I should be Neverwas of nowhere at all, claimed only by the Den as yet another lost boy slowly growing into a lost man. I am the Tundra's only because I am Isle's, wrapped up in angel wings and carried home to paradise. “What about you?”
I duck my head, embarrassed to have insulted the stranger with my presumption. “Good. I'm glad to hear that. I apologize for assuming the worst of you.” I would really prefer to skulk off back into the shadows, back to the quiet, putting a comfortable distance between myself and watchful eyes. Especially the amber ones of the man I just accused of being the scum of the earth. I should never have spoken, should never have come over here, should have thought before I acted.
Did it wrong, Nevi. You always do it wrong.
But my retreat is delayed by the arrival of the girl I tried so defend, lured by curiosity and maybe a little protectiveness toward her father if the fire in her eyes is any indication. “Oh. I. I'm nobody,” I answer, looking down at the ground. I know how upset I would be if someone insulted anyone I love. “I'm Neverwas.” The name slips out, shards of glass slicing through my skin; I haven't called myself that since the day Isle found me. Now here I am, spilling secrets onto the ground at a stranger's feet.
She should know though. They both should know. Please don't let my words offend; I am less than nothing. “I'm from the Tundra,” I add reluctantly when she asks where I'm from. I shouldn't be. I should be Neverwas of nowhere at all, claimed only by the Den as yet another lost boy slowly growing into a lost man. I am the Tundra's only because I am Isle's, wrapped up in angel wings and carried home to paradise. “What about you?”