Warden's Daughter Pt.2

chapter 1

As I open the door to Oscar's, I take a moment to pause, just like I always do when we visit. I look up at the higher shelves filled with books, those  I used to see in Anniera's bookstores. Whenever I went with Papa, he always made sure we stopped by. It didn't matter what town we were in; they all had a bookstore.

I realize Janer and Tink are waiting for me, so I gently close the door and run my hand along the side of the wide shelves. 

“Mr. Reteep? We managed to pull Tink along this time, too,” I think I hear him somewhere nearby, but I'm not sure. 

Tink sighs behind me—loudly. 

“Maddieeeee,” he whines. 

Finally paying attention to his noises, I turn to face him, holding back a laugh as he trips over a book. I pick it up and scan the shelves, catching a glimpse of Tink running by at the edge of my vision, but I think nothing of it. 

Without meaning to, the beginning of a poem starts to form in my head:

Once woven together, now frayed at the seams,  

In echoes of heartbeats, we drift from our dreams.

“Come on, bind a fook and let's go,” I urged, hoping not to leave Leeli alone for too long.

I glance out the window to see Peet crash into the sign between Main and Vibbly Way. As I watch, he stands up, brushes off some dirt, and begins talking to the sign.

Papa, really? You have to make a scene, don’t you? I think, smiling as I remembered how Esben used to pull him into conversations to keep him from “turning into a book with all the books he reads,” as Uncle Esben used to say.

“Well, your mother makes mediocre pies!” he shouts. “How dare you? I challenge you to a fight!”

He pauses, waiting for a response. Then he attempts to punch the sign, misses, and ends up spinning around a few times before falling over and laying there.

“How about this?” Tink asks, holding up a book about different animals.

“Do you want to?” I responded.

He nods, so I pull myself away from the window and head through the maze of books to Oscar’s desk.

“Ah, hello Igibys. Find everything okay I hope?” Oscar asks once we finally find the office.

“Yes sir, like alway,” I tell him.

He glances over at Janner then back at me, asking a silent question. I nod slightly, impossible to tell unless you’re looking for it.

Can you help sort books tomorrow?

Yes.

“So, ‘The Many Animals of Skree and Dang’. Found that pretty interesting myself. In the words of Beatriz McGillicutty, ‘A fine book I tell you.’”

As we leave Books and Crannies, I realize Peet is gone. Either moved by some Fang, or awake and back at his tree house. I tug my sleeve down over the scars just in case.

Seeing a group of Fangs by the path back to the cottage, I take off my rings and put them in my pocket. Mama’s with the silver heart, papa’s band of blue, and mine squiggling up and down like waves. I pull Kalmar closer as we head out of town past the Fangs.

Lucky, I think for a moment. Lucky enough to forget. Lucky enough to be on the winning side.

I remember mama’s words from our carriage ride through Blackwood. Remembering is the one thing they don’t want us to do. If they take the memories, they’ve already won the fight.

I tap Tink on the shoulder, “Race?” He nods.

“Three, two, one, Go!” I easily let him get in front of me, knowing someone needs to keep up and Janner would never manage.

He runs up on the porch and almost into the door. I’m only a few paces behind but breathing easier.

I smile, “Well done Little King,” I tell him, hitting him lightly on top of his head.

When he catches his breath, he opens the door and heads in to get a drink.

I sit on the steps and watch Janner’s small form running and stopping as he travels up the lane. Kalmar walks back out with an extra cup and offers me one. I place it down until Janner is close enough to be heard if he had the breath.

I stand and walk over with the water, hugging him lightly.

“Stay strong, Little Soldier,” I mutter just loud enough for him to hear.

He tenses when I call him little like I knew he would.

He nods as he takes the water, still out of breath. Somehow, I manage not to laugh while leading him to the porch.

Janner sits down and I go inside to try and find my yarn. I grab some orange and blue out of the bucket with some needles. Climbing up to my bunk, I start at the end of one sock and keep going. I didn't even realize Leeli came in and was fingering her whistle harp.

__________________________________ < Time gap

Tink’s head appears at the foot of my bed. “Mama says come and get you before the food gets cold. She’s called you a couple times already.”

I glance out the window, surprised to see the shadows long until I realize the new socks are done. 

Oh, I realize, How long have I just been sitting here?

“Then let me get down,” I tell him and he disappears over the edge of the frame.

I climb down, taking multiple steps at once to the kitchen.