It was normal for my Dad to be intimidating, Father even once said it's where I learned my ‘rock-like’ expression but...in comparison to Dad’s?
My look was nothing but a pitiful imitation. Dad constantly told me stories from his native home life, what the people looked like, the culture and all.
But the main thing I remember him telling me? It was that the men of his village were always intimidating and were always tall, some of them made him look short and he was 6’4!
Violet-colored tattoos covered his dark brown skin alongside old scars that mostly targeted his arms and chest, he had a muscular body that made him look like he went to the gym every other day. His dull red lips were always formed into a straight line, only showing emotion at extremely rare emotional intervals such as a moment when he suddenly burst into tears when I broke my leg when I was ten and he had waist-length raven-black hair that was braided and decorated with large purple scales that were tokens of his homeland.
“Anyway.” He sighed, clearing his throat a little as he got up and gathered all the folded items before walking off, causing me to quickly follow after him.
“I have no words nor advice to give you Chelidon. We moved here because not only was it the best for you, the old home was too small.” He explained.
“But haven’t you heard about this cult Dad? They’re cannibals! They eat people!” I warned as we entered his and Father’s bedroom upstairs.
“The Storm Empress’ wings are over us Chelidon.” He said with firm belief.
I rolled my eyes, I believed in the Empress as much as him, each story he told me since I was a kid sounded so real that I had no choice but to believe it! But for the situation at hand?
Belief and faith weren’t enough.
“That’s not enough, cults believe in something entirely different, this cult believes in something entirely different and one of them focuses on the fact that they hunt and eat people like monsters!”
Dad went quiet, the sound of a drawer closing being the final noise before he let out a heavy sigh. It was hard getting anything through to a person so firm in their belief, especially when they said they and many more have seen their god face-to-face! But...for a moment, I had a grain of hope as he turned around to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Little Bird,” I walked closer with a raised brow. “-If I was to agree, tell and recommend your Father that we move elsewhere. Where do we go?”
“Anywhere but here-”
“No, specifically, where do we go? We cannot just pack and drive with no plan. The homes in the city were too expensive, nearly bled us dry.” He huffed, his eyes soon narrowing.
“I refuse to have my family rely on a hotel, hopping from place to place and wondering where we shall stay next. You’ve suffered enough of that; you deserve a life that is stable.” Dad continued, his words sending a small pang through my chest as I recalled the distant memory.
But as he took my face into his hands, the memory that threatened to come back at full speed was quickly halted as I grumbled at the sight of my Dad’s gentle smile. It wasn’t every day I saw him smile, not because he was mean or rude or anything of that matter but he was a stoic person. He kept to himself and preferred keeping himself busy with anything he could.
The rare moments where you did see him smile though? Those times were enough to make the dead crack a boney grin as well.
“I am not denying nor condemning your fear. It is understandable.” Dad sighed. “But...for just a little while longer? Have faith? Both in myself and your Father as well as the Empress-” I inwardly rolled my eyes at the mention of the Empress, had she cared? We wouldn’t even be threatened by a cult to begin with.
For goodness’ sake, was she even real?
“-Trust and believe, no harm shall ever befall you.”
I let out a sigh.
If not in the Empress.
I’d believe him. Heart and soul, however...that didn’t erase my worry one bit. To sleep each night wondering whether or not I was going to awaken to a knife being held at my throat or to the sun? It left me with dark rings around my eyes and so paranoid that I always made sure to cover my window before I went to bed at night! Once, I was able to go outside at night and simply stare at the stars...watching comets shoot by every now and again and just simply admire the multiple colors in the galaxy above!
Now? I was caged, for my own safety yes but caged nonetheless. “...Fine,” I murmured, my Dad, giving me a reassuring pat on the head before he handed me some folded clothes.
“Good boy, me and your father will talk tonight. If you’re too afraid to sleep on your own, do not be afraid to sleep in our room.”
I blushed. “I-I’m sixteen Dad!”
“So? You’ll forever be my baby in my eyes!” Dad chuckled, placing a quick kiss on my forehead before he began to scratch and dig through my messy hair.
Red strands of hair started to fall over my face as I simply stood there, groaning and occasionally hearing the phrases ‘Hold still’ or ‘Storm Empress’ mercy...how in her name did you get that into your hair?’ before he finally pulled out a few leaves from my head with a raised brow.
I flashed him a cheeky smile, scratching the back of my head. “Isn’t nature so fun-”
“You have a bump on your face, please tell me you didn’t lay next to that ant bed…”
I rose my brow, we had an ant bed?
Dad let out a sigh, rolling his eyes before he handed me my folded clothes. “Clean yourself up, will you? I’ll re-braid your hair afterward. If you need me to follow you to your room, I will, the last thing I would want is for the cult to suddenly pop up hm?”
My cheeks burned in embarrassment.
I was scared but not that scared! I could walk on my own!
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