Page 63 of Scarred

“They are amazing. Everyone tells stories, eats, laughs, and just enjoys talking about the fallen warrior.”

“Amma? Jo?”

Amma took a deep breath before turning to face her disobedient younger cousin. “Shelly.” The words she wanted to say lodged in her throat as she took in the scared look in Shelly’s eyes. She hugged herself as if seeking comfort. “Are you doing alright?”

“Yes. No.” Shelly’s eyes scanned the battlefield. “I don’t know. I can’t just sit and do nothing. Can I help?”

Amma pulled her cousin into her arms and hugged her tightly. “You are way too young to be seeing this. How about we both go and check on Mike, Sam, and Astro.”

“You’re not needed here?”

“I’m sure Jo can keep everyone in check.” She looked over Shelly’s head and locked eyes with Jo. Without words, they understood that Shelly would need a lot of gentle care in the coming days as she came to terms with the destruction she had witnessed and helped cause.

“You two go have fun with your animals. I’m going to bother my mate.” Jo gave Amma a nod before walking away.

“How are you and Astro getting along?” Amma asked as she gently guided her cousin toward the housing area.

“So far, good,” Shelly muttered with a shrug. “We haven’t had a lot of time to get to know each other.”

“Just remember, he’s a pup and has lost his mother. It’s your job to make sure he doesn’t get into trouble or hurt himself.”

“Like you do with Mike and Sam?”

“Exactly, but you and Astro will develop your own relationship.”

“Amma, why didn’t our mothers tell us how wars really are?” Shelly asked.

“No one in our family has been in a real battle for generations. After Vietnam, we stopped joining any armed forces. And before that, women were usually only allowed to be nurses.”

“I don’t think I’m cut out to fight.”

“There are other ways you can help. Talk to Jo and listen to what she says. I don’t think I said how proud I am of the battle circle you cast. It was perfect.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Shelly puffed out her chest and almost tripped.

Amma caught her. “Pride comes before a fall.”

“That was a little too literal,” Shelly laughed.

“Shelly!” Nej, Ru’s mother, rushed toward them. “I have been looking everywhere for you,” Nej murmured softly and pulled Shelly into a hug. “You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

Shelly returned her hug and Amma was reminded of a child who was finally back in the arms of her mother. “I didn’t. I should have stayed with you and Han.”

“All calves must learn. I would have been heartbroken if anything had happened to you,” Nej said. “I made that stew you like.” She looked at Amma. “I have her now. I promise to keep her safe.”

“Thank you for taking care of my cousin. She can be headstrong, but she is growing into an amazing young woman.”

“Yes, she is.” Nej stroked Shelly’s hair. “She is like a daughter to me.”

“That makes me happy. I will catch up with you guys later. I am going to find my mate and see if he is hurt. Males always try to hide their pain.”

“My mate is too old to fight. When he was younger, he was always coming back with one wound or another. Go check on your male.” Nej smiled.

Amma watched the two walk away. She wondered if she was wrong for wanting to take Shelly with her. Nej had adopted the girl as one of her own, and Shelly needed a strong hand. They could always practice by using animals as their intermediaries.

Chapter – Amma

Amma. Are you okay? Mike’s voice screamed in her head.

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