Page 2 of Lich's Mate

“Where are you going?” Rosalyn perks a brow. “To the fields?”

I nod.

“It’s way too early for that!” Natalie exclaims, leaning back in her rocking chair and setting her tea down. “Come here. We can feed you a plate of meat and eggs. It looks like you need it.”

“No thank you.”

My stomach is screaming at me. But I can’t be selfish.

I can’t take food away from them. Not when there’s work to do.

“I need to gather some grain and fruits. We’ll starve without it.”

“Your loss,” Rosalyn remarks, offering a dry laugh. Then, she gestures to Natalie. I can already feel my cheeks going red.

“See? What’d I tell you? You can’t say I didn’t try to help her.”

“And you were doing so good, Rosie,” Natalie replies, shaking her head. “Why do you keep bullying her?”

“Because she’s weird.”

I’m already gone by the time they glance my way. With a small basket in my hand, I trudge all the way to the fields. There’s a small shed at the field entrance, filled with tools and supplies. I pick up a rusty watering can, filling it up in the spring.

With no one looking, I take a few sips of the cold water for myself. It’s an unwritten rule around here to not take the water for yourself, but the dehydration on top of the hunger is making my head feel weird.

I get to work promptly, spreading water on top of the plants that still need it. It’s going to be a bountiful season this time around, which is exciting.

No more hungry nights.

No more dreaming about food.

All of our plates are going to be filled with hearty meals. And most importantly, no one will go without.

Despite the hunger, I feel the hope motivating me, giving me energy I don’t have. There are some fruits and vegetables nearby, too. I grab a bit of everything, but make sure to leave enough.

I start to feel my mind poking at me, as though urging me to pay attention.

At first, I’m convinced that it’s just hunger pulling at my survival instincts. There have been times when I’m so hungry that my vision will go black if I try to stand up too fast or move too quickly.

But then, I stop moving.

And I listen.

I focus on the passing breeze… the swaying of the crops.

Then, my eyes narrow as I see a running figure in the distance. It’s familiar.

“Kai,” I whisper to myself, confused as to why he’s running my way. He doesn’t care about the fields.

He and his friends are usually playing in the woods at this time.

“Kai?”

“Meera!” His scream sounds anguished and desperate. “Meera!”

“Kai, what’s wrong?” I ask, making my way over to my panting little brother. I move his hair from out of his eyes and see pure terror behind his gaze. “What’s going on? Where are your friends? Are you hurt?”

“Meera, we saw… I saw… The xaphans. The mean ones! They’re… they’re flying outside of the village right now! And they’re hurting people!”

---