We, who Survived

As we entered the village gates, something instantly felt off. Children still ran around joyfully, their mothers watching them as they cut vegetables or hung wet clothing on washing lines, but the atmosphere was tense regardless. Fern was holding my hand tightly, the Rock Cat and zebra still plodding along peacefully. Why was it so strained here now? Even breathing felt like it was impossible, the air becoming thick with smoke and choking me. Was it because I was casually walking with Fern or was there another factor? He seemed to pick up the difference too and tried to hurry us back to his hut the best he could. It was too late. The next thing I knew was that I was on my hands and knees, the small pebbles in the sand digging painfully into my cut palms.

“What the fuck, Jacob!” Fern’s growl made me tense up as he crouched in front of me before helping me up. The Rock Cat had transformed when I glanced towards the threatening hiss she was giving off. Her hard pelt was now sticking up in jagged spikes while the zebra dragged his hoof on the ground, a horn sprouting from the middle of his forehead.

“I should be asking you that,” Jacob spat, glaring daggers at me with sky-blue eyes. “You’ve had the rat for a day and he’s keeping you away from your duties. Now, you come back from Sacred Land with two of its animals. Take them back, we know they are not bonded to you.”

“I can’t. If I did, my rat would have to go back with them,” Fern snapped, not even giving Jacob the attention he so craved as he gazed over my bleeding palms. “Don’t even think about taking them. You know bloody well how bonds work and you’d be hurting them more than him if you did.”

“You have to be kidding me, they bonded with him! The rat doesn’t even deserve to be standing here right now.” Jacob was fuming, his face getting a tinge of red over his cheeks. He looked like he was ready to rip me in two with his intensely he was glaring at me.

Fern placed himself between us, reminding me of Spark and Daniel, of how I had felt so helpless then and unable to stand up for myself. Daniel was ousted and left in the dark. Fern, in this situation, would be the one punished for taking me somewhere I was not allowed to go.

Glancing around, I saw that the women and children had ceased their working and playing, young men coming to stand in their hut doorways while hunters stopped in their tracks with proof of the morning’s hunt. The Rock Cat was ready to pounce, claws extended and jagged fur glinting a dull shine. The zebra was poised to charge and spike any threat with his sharp horn. Lastly was Fern, who stood tense in front of me, waiting for any sign of advance from Jacob. He was just as tense, watchful and stubborn. Were all Cree men like this?

“I am an outsider, okay, but you don’t have to be an asshole about it. There is no need to fight over it. What has been done cannot be reverted,” I muttered, holding onto the hem of Fern’s tunic and gazed up at Jacob who seethed and took a step forward. The zebra lowered his head, ready for his charge. But then, all the anger and colour drained from Jacob’s face. A hand clamped heavily onto my shoulder and I glanced over it to see a man in his mid-forties. He had gentle olive-green eyes and a knowing smile. He squeezed my shoulder before walking to stand in front of me.

“River has informed me of your presence, I will be looking forward to having a full meeting with you but for now, go to my son’s hut. As for you two, off to the field.” The man smiled even though his voice was hard and threatening. This was Fern’s father? Damn.

Jacob glared at me before trudging off with tension still in his shoulders. Fern sighed and let his stance become more relaxed as he turned to face his father.

“Fern, you cannot let this little rivalry get between you and Jacob. I want this sorted out by the time Hawk is back,” The chief said then smiled at me again. “It was nice meeting you, Nathan. Fern, off you go.” With that said, the chief left after patting the zebra on his now horn-free head.

“I will get Zed to stop by to keep you company. He won’t hurt you,” Fern finally said. He then tentatively touched my head before ruffling my hair. “Go, I won’t be too long.” Nodding, we parted ways. It was crazy how fast the situation calmed itself as soon as Fern’s father showed his face. Even the two animals had instantly relaxed in his presence. I could not help but think if Fern would ever be that intimidating by just smiling and exuding the aura of power.

I was sitting on one of the bigger chairs, the zebra’s head on my lap like a dog as the Rock Cat investigated the hut. I was bored out of my mind. My thoughts had given me a headache and twice I felt like passing out from hyperventilating. The situation was just becoming more and more complicated, driving me up the walls with unfair options. I hated not knowing what to do and what would happen. There was a strict regime on the station that I could follow with ease. I could even sense when Daniel and his idiots wanted blood but here, it was all random and crazy.

Sighing, I brought the zebra’s face in front of mine. “Suppose you don’t know what I should do, do you? No, I guess not... Just going slightly insane, that’s all.” He only responded by bumping his cold, wet nose against my cheek. The action bringing a smile to my lips. “I still have to give you guys names but all that comes to mind is Stone and Spike.”

Three knocks against the door made me sit up rigidly. The door opened slowly and Zed walked in. I let myself take in his detail this time. He had cloud-white hair that was neatly trimmed to sit just above his ears, tanned skin and matching carefree, light blue eyes. He had ripped hide shorts on and no shirt, his exposed chest sporting tattoos similar to Spark’s geometric ones only darker. In his hands was a bright, green-leafed plant that reminded me of cabbage and caught the zebra’s attention instantly. He trotted up to him and snatched it out of his hands before making himself comfortable at the side of my chair.

“Looks like you have made yourself at home,” Zed commented. I watched him as he approached the seat next to me.

“I have to in order to adapt. If I did not, I would be dead by now,” Mumbling, I folded my legs under me, taking a fur and pulling it over my lap.

“Your situation is similar to my own. I come from a different village, very much like Jacob, and was forced to adapt to the new rules and rankings. In my village, I was the second son of the chief, allowed to do anything I wanted. When I arrived here, I lost my title and was made a simple hunter restricted to the chief’s word. Only now have the villagers gotten used to me being here.” Zed shook his head as he smiled. He did not make me uncomfortable but talking felt strained.

“Who is Hawk?”

“He is Fern’s older brother from another mother. The chief took him in when Fern was only three years old. Hawk’s parents were killed in a hostile attack.”

“Oh...”

We were silent after that. The Rock Cat, now finished with her exploring, slinked into the room and jumped into my lap where she began cleaning herself and purring. Fern trusted Zed and he seemed to be the closest friend the idiot had but it didn’t mean anything to me until he showed that I could trust him. After a bit longer, Zed sighed and stood up.

“It will not take long for Fern to come back. Knowing him, he has already beaten Jacob into the ground and is on his way back. So, I don’t think me being here for much longer is needed. Good luck with the animals.” He made a small saluting gesture before exiting the hut, seeming relieved of leaving the awkward atmosphere.

I stared at the door for a long time before finally getting up, disturbing the cat, and headed to the bathroom. I removed the stopper in the wall and watched as water rushed to fill the tub, steam rising and emptying through the small windows near the top of the ceiling.

“Kitten?” Fern’s voice echoed down the hall, making a shiver run up my spine.

“B-bathroom.” My reply was met with quick footsteps then with Fern standing in the doorway. My jaw dropped at the sight of him.

A purple-black tinge was forming under his right eye, the colouring giving his own grey-green mixture an evil gleam. His cheek was puffed up as well from being punched and his lip was split. Did Jacob manage this? If so, how badly did he come off?

“What happened to you?” I asked, gingerly touching his cheek. It was an outlandish action that made my cheeks burn but it felt right. Fern’s hand covered mine, his knuckles bruised and bloodied.

“Nothing out of the ordinary but don’t worry about me Kitten, Jacob came off far worse,” Fern said while nuzzling his cheek into the palm of my hand. “Are you going for a bath?”

“I was but you need it more.”

“We could always have a bath together.” His voice had become husky, suggestive.

“I don’t think so, I can sit here with you but I will bath after you.” Turning my gaze from him, I slipped my hand out from under his. The water in the bath was at a good level now. Leaning over, I pushed the stopper back into the wall before feeling Fern’s hands on my hips.

“W...w-what are you doing?” Standing up, my back was flush against Fern’s chest. “Fern?”

“I have a better idea.” Glancing over my shoulder, I gulped. Fern had a wicked grin and a hungry glimmer in his eyes. He gripped my hips before picking me up and dumping me in the bath. Water went over the side and splashed onto the floor. Glaring at Fern, I watched as he took off his shirt then pants, making me glance away as quickly as I could before he climbed in.

“Why did you have to do this! Now, what am I going to do?” I splashed water at Fern angrily, feeling my clothes hug my body. Being in this situation was feeding my anxiety. Of all things he could have done, he had to drop me in a bath with him.

“Firstly, this can leave,” Fern smirked as he moved forward and pulled my tunic off. The loss of cover made me instantly hug my knees to hide the scars on my chest. Fern noticed my actions before bringing me to his chest. The positioning should have made me feel way out of my comfort zone but I found myself leaning my head against his shoulder, still clutching my knees.

“Sorry Kitten, I didn’t think you would act like this. I’m moving too fast for you, aren’t I?” Fern rubbed my lower back soothingly. Sighing, I felt my body relax against him as the hot water worked with my tense muscles.

“You need to understand that on the station, I did not receive anything that was kind or soft. It was all laughing at the small kid and help make him feel worthless. You doing these out-of-the-blue stunts give me anxiety and I think that you are going to hurt me.”

“Kitten, I am not planning on hurting you,” Fern said, lifting my head so I could lock gazes with him. He leaned forward, pressing his lips gently to mine before resting our foreheads against each other. My lips tingled slightly.

“I promise,” He whispered then leaned back, his grin resurfacing. “But that does not mean we can’t enjoy a bath together.”

“I am not taking off my pants.”

“As long as you are comfortable with that, I am.”

“Shut up...”

“You are too cute, Kitten.” Fern nuzzled my neck, making me freeze before I tapped the back of his head.

“No funny business Fern or I am getting out.” My words were met with a snicker. Rolling my eyes, I tapped the back of his head a little harder. “I mean it asshole.”