Haphazardly changed my bandages again. I couldn't settle on the couch, so I sat on the porch staring at absolutely nothing. Every couple of minutes I would spot Maron scowling at me.
But clearly she was warned off doing that because she constantly looked away. I smirked at that, then exhaled a long breath that hurt like hell.
Now that I was aware of my injuries, they were constantly there. It was like until I actually saw them, it was in the back of my mind that something sort of hurt in my stomach. I just assumed it was anxiety, like a normal human.
The worst of it was that I couldn't actually pinpoint when I broke my ribs because so much shit happened in the last few days.
Ratched on my bandages, then tried to stand up and held my head because I got a dizzy spell every time that happened, and embarrassingly so, I passed out the very first time that happened. Maron had to carry me off like a newborn.
I crouched down looking at the weeds. I remember being with Helena in the garden all these years ago. Growing vegetables was her favorite thing, so I knew a lot about that. It was doable. The patch of land was not dry but very soft, still damp from the rain. All I have to do is pluck out the weeds, find some seeds, and plant them.
So every day, despite myself, I plucked weeds from that garden.
I didn't know why I wanted so much to see this garden grow. Maybe I knew that I would be leaving and I wanted to give them something before I left, or maybe it's because I just knew that Helena would be so sad seeing this garden wither.
Maybe I just wanted to do something good.
This was my routine every day. I would try to make the walk to town and then fail miserably, probably pass out. I would angrily stomp to the garden, checking if any weeds are coming out. None have grown, but I am weirdly positive on that front.
I also spend my days with my nephew Leni. I've met the older one, Selena. Practically almost a woman, with sticky bones and a thin frame. Dark bush hiding her eyebrows and the line of her eyes, strangely enough, Selena also did not inherit her mother's dark eyes. But striking blue ones who seemed to be so similar to the glare that adorns me every day from Maron.
Probably suspicious of me and not liking me hanging around here. The one day I decided to spend in our company was the day she went to the market. I started behind her trying to catch her. Not an easy job, I was still limping, and she did not slow down.
"Hey there!" I called.
She was carrying a saddle for the horse. Despite her boney facade, she was strong enough to handle the heavy livery material. She didn't even glance my way when she huffed, "What do you want?"
"I want to come with you." I quickly bounced on my heel to face her. She was with an unreadable expression on her face. She opened her mouth to decline me, but then she looked into the window. Nyla was smiling at the two of us, clearly thinking that we are getting along. She huffed a long breath and nodded.
Finally going somewhere.
------
I didn't know if I was overwhelmed or relieved from the pressure of noise from all sides. Despite it being only a small town, the surrounding residents gathered here to share a few goods.
Fish, vegetables, pots—it wasn't just a market. It was an occasion.
Selena was wearing a dress that seemed better than her other usual attire. And I put on my usual white tunic and dark leather. That was the only item of clothing that I was willing to take from the family, and I was cleaning it with my own damn self because, like, hell, I'm going to let my little sister clean my laundry for me.
Despite Nyla being from our wealthy family, I was surprised to see that the shack she was living in with her daughters did not have more fitting accommodation. With her station, she could have gone to was a much bigger house. Clearly, whatever happened with her husband also affected her status with our dad. Her dad—I corrected myself. He was never yours.
I could still feel the bite of betrayal after realizing that he really wanted to get rid of me, sell me. At last, decency to tell my siblings a lie so they wouldn't have to pretend I didn't exist.
I clutched my rib cage, realizing it's not just the feeling of betrayal—it's an actual pain. I unbuttoned some of my buttons to reveal my torso, actual bleeding started again on the side of it. I had a spasm of pain in my head, and my knees buckled to the ground. Selene rushed to clasp my shoulders to steady me.
Unfortunately for both of us, I was too heavy for her, and I nearly buckled to the ground, but another older woman helped her to study me on my feet, carrying me to a chair. She was selling pots made of clay with tiny little ornaments, and the size of them was artistic. Almost the older woman studied my face, grabbed my chin, and examined my pupils.
She gave a subtle nod, turning to Selena. "You should take him to the witch. It's too late for a healer, and she lives near here."
Selena's eyes widened. "No, they say that she demands per pound of flesh for her services."
I raised my eyebrow. If it wasn't a witch, then this poor woman was ridiculed for healing. I knew around here a couple of centuries ago my family's ancestors tried to hunt down magical creatures and outlaw magic in these lands. Centaurs, mermaids, phoenixs and griffins were all nearly extinct because of it. These days it isn't an outlawed magic, but in many areas they would be persecuted, especially around these parts.
I looked towards Selena, perched beside me, and carried my shoulder. She looked nervous, and I did not like that fear starting to appear in her eyes. To be honest, I had my own reservations. I started shaking my head to say that I can walk back home myself, but then the ache started again, and I started seeing spots.
"Shit," we said in unison.
"We have to get you to the witch now," Selena muttered.
She started walking me towards it, whatever. Direction the old woman gave her, but I stopped her in her tracks. "Are you sure?"
She looked me dead in the eyes, the most amount of fear that I've seen from her. "No."