***

That evening she went out to their general store at the northern end of town. To fight off the evening chill she put on a sweater and flipped up the hood. Dein hadn't left his work once all day. She offered to cook herb rice and steam their garden vegetables so he could focus on work—although he’d promised to come with her this time.      

        She couldn’t say that the broken promise didn’t hurt her. He was always so busy with work. She was always alone. Outside the house she kicked the dirt before heading to the store.

Boris, a man likely in his sixties, and the only kind Repute in town, owned the general store. Da said his kindness came from his son who was exiled by scars.

The worst ritual besides the hunt was scarring. Everyone had scars along their arms, some more than others. These scars were given when someone erred in any way the mayor deemed wrong. This ritual gave you a rank in town—or got you cast out—during the coming of age ceremony.

The mayor said Boris and his wife would be hunted if they tried to go after their son. That they must accept the truth. Their son was a bad seed who would hurt them in the end. A few months after the exile, Boris’ wife died of grief.

Sylva had seen the son once. He was running from some adults laughing like a mad child. She giggled when they ran past her.

A bell chimed when she heaved open the general store door. A wave of heat from sunset escaped the store, pleasantly warming Sylva fingetips and nose. Inside, Boris was organizing sacks of grain in the storage room beyond the counter, but looked over his shoulder when he heard the bell.

“Ay, ih’s lil Syl” Boris called out, “I’ll be with you in a mome.”

“ ‘Kay” Sylva perused the shelf of toys. There was one thing she really wanted, a magnifying glass so she could get a closer look at the lacunae and drifters. The handle also had a pretty hand carved design. The bell to the store chimed again, but Sylva was too absorbed with the magnifying glass.

“What’s this? Does my girl want a magnifying glass?”

Whirling around Sylva let out a delighted squeal hugged Dein tight.

        He tousled her hair gently, “Did you order the rice yet?”

“I'm waiting for Boris.”

Dein called out to Boris, “Evening Boris"

        "Well well well, Dein. Good evenin' ” Boris said as he came out front with a kind smile, but a telling arched brow, “Lil’ Syl’s been coming all alone for a long while now.”

Even if she was a kid, Sylva could hear the meaning. It wasn’t often people chastised Da, and even less often that he allowed it. 

"Too long," Dein gave an apologetic smile, “you’re right."

Satisfied Boris slid a product catalogue across the counter for Dein to choose from. Dein was quick to choose, "Can we have a sack of rice, parsley, thyme, anise, and-” 

        "Peppermint!" Sylva chimed in.

        Dein gave her a side hug, "Peppermint and the magnifying glass."

         Gasping in disbelief, Sylva looked at Dein who nodded, then ran to claim the magnifying glass. She held it close to her chest with silly grin on her face.

Boris brought their order quickly and accepted payment. As Dein gathered the items into a large canvas bag Boris whispered, “Keep the girl home for a while, you hear? There’s been some awful rumors going around. I expec’ the other children will act up if they hear their parents going on abou’ih.”

“Surely I don’t need to keep her-”

“You watch your child closely.” Boris said, ever so slightly raising his voice, “Your already worn welcome is fading off faster than you know.”

One of the townsfolk entered the store, so Dein argued no further. He picked up their items with a thank you smile and nod. Sylva scurried to Dein’s side when the other customer gave them a side eyed glare.

The walk home was full of more glares than Sylva ever remember getting. Dein said nothing the entire way, but pulled her closer to his side and kept a protective arm around her shoulder. She heard a few people cursing her under their breath so she grabbed the fabric of his sleeve. The few people who dared to speak insults met Dein’s calm, but incredibly severe stare. They would scurry to their homes like rats.

 At home, Sylva carefully tucked her magnifying glass away under her pillow. They didn’t have much money to spare, so she would treasure this.

Dein stepped out back to harvest vegetables. Not a single word uttered. Sylva hesitantly approached the backdoor, searching for him in the garden. The last glow of twilight silohuetted Dein who was crouched down by the root vegetables, hand gripping carrot leaves—but making no move to harvest. She watched him uncertainly, a lone cricket playing a reptitive melody. His face was set with a frown, brows making deep creases between his eyes. Abruptly he took a deep breath, pushed his hair back, and started harvesting the carrots, his expression neutral once more.

What was that? Sylva pulled a puzzled face, Is something wrong?

Sylva ducked back into the house when he stood up. She pretended to have just arrived in the kitchen and reaching for a pot too high up for her. Dein told her to get the stepping stool while he took down the pot, then went to the sink to wash the vegetables. She did as she was told. Now she could easily cut vegetables on the counter.

“Someone’s pretending they weren’t spying on me a minute ago.” He said shaking the water off a couple carrots.

Sylva tensed, only stealing a quick glance at him. He was next to her. She avoided looking up at him so he knelt down.

He took her hands and said, “About what Boris said…I’ve been too busy with work to make plans for this situation, but he’s right. People will soon start acting out and I’m concerned for your safety. Whatever rumors are going around means I can’t let you run about on your own... It’s best if you stay home for at least a week.”

Sylva nodded. He was a little worried, that what that face was… She scrunched her nose. So why does it feel like that’s not it?

Dein watched her expectantly, knowing she had something to say.

“Are you okay?”

His eyebrows twitched up for a split second, but remained composed. “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.”

Sylva waited for him to say more.

He gave a laughing sigh saying, “I’m alright you silly goose. I just want to keep you safe alright?”

He gently tapped the edge of her nose and returned to washing veggies. Sylva stared at his back for a minute, then turned back to her cutting board. The rhythm of her vegetable cutting sounded like the cricket's song.

***

Each day Sylva stared out the window when people weren’t out. This only lasted five or ten minutes before she was bored again. To waste a few hours she worked alongside Dein making sloppy imitations. Occasionally he would correct her technique for carving, or working with clay. In the afternoon she tended their gardens, and used her magnifying glass to get a closer look at the insects. She still needed to fill up the last few hours of the day, so she took to practicing hand stands. She never figured it out, and had fresh bruises from falling on the wood floor.

 Mayor Barrett came to pick up the robe on the third day. He uttered no complaints, but made sure to insult Sylva after she accidentally made eye contact with him. Dein all but shoved him out the door, saying he shouldn’t be late for Quinn's ceremony. 

Other folk came by requesting various items from Dein. Wood spoons, woven carpets, and a dinnerware. All work he accepted without hesitation. The money from these jobs would last them two months.

After a week cooped up in the house Sylva asked to go out. Dein said that the rumors were still running through town and to wait a few more days. It had also rained excessively so the fields would be treacherously muddy. They even built a canopy over their garden to stop the rain from flooding their crops.

On the fifth morning of the second week, Sylva awoke bright and early. She poked her head around the bedroom door to find Dein at his work table carving the last order of spoons.

Before she could open her mouth, Dein exasperatedly set down his tools and looked her straight in the eyes, “Sylva.”

“Please!” Sylva clasped her hands together staring with wide, pleading eyes, “Please.”

He pointed to her weaving stool. New clothes! A new shirt with extra long sleeves, a turtleneck sweater, and wide tapering ankle pants. She rushed to her room to dress. Her socks and boots would cover the rest of her legs. Lastly a coat with a big hood to hide her face.

When she returned to the work room Da waved her over. The last thing was a newsboy cap to tuck her braided hair into. Dein looked sorry as he said, “I should have thought of this sooner. Now people shouldn't notice you as easily. You can go to the fields for an hour. One hour. Come straight home and don’t talk to anyone.”

“Straight home, no talking.” She repeated seriously. She went to her bed to retireve the magnifying glass.

“I expect you home in one hour, and be careful. If it’s too muddy come straight home.”

“ ‘Kay!” Sylva said while skipping out of the house.

She reigned in her exuberance when passing through town. People barely recognized her but there were a few who caught on in time to spit at her heels. Time to walk faster.

The fields were unnaturally devoid of drifters for dawn, and the sky was threatening rain. With mindful steps, she went deeper into the field, mud sucking at her boots. She usually didn’t go this far. 

A dark patch in the field ahead got her attention, but most of her view was obscured by tall grass. She ignored her boots sinking inches into mud with every step. Grass fronds parted to a small clearing which led to a somewhat steep slope. 

         She approached the edge not watching her step. A deep patch of mud sucked her down. Eyes wide she tried to step back from the slope but the sucking mud held her foot in place and she fell instead. Heart racing, she grasped for any grip. Deep bleow the mud she found solid ground and managed to claw her way to safety.

Falling wasn’t the scary part. It was the horrifyingly large lacuna at the bottom that set her heart racing. It could only be seen stretching from left to right if you were right at the edge. She took a few slow, cautious steps away. Now Da will know I didn't listen to him about the mud. She tried to shake most of mud off.

Quinn’s raspy voice called out, “Oi! I found Ghos’. She's flailin’ her arms cas’ing spells!”

Rustling came from every direction. Other children waited deeper in the grass. Suddenly mud balls came from every direction. The children’s laughter all she could hear. One hit her square in the face. Blinded. Another hit her in the mouth. Silenced. She stepped back as if that could get her away from the attack while gagging on the bitter earth.

She spat out the mud as best she could, the grit of minerals stuck in her teeth. She shouted, “I can’t see! Stop!”

Where’s the slope? Where is it? Sylva shielded her face with her arms and crouched down. It’s safer if I don’t move. She coughed out minerals.

Someone patted her head, then the Quinn’s voice sounded next to her left ear, “We’re just helping you fih in. Everyone will accep’ you this way.”

He pushed mud deep in her ear. She squirmed and whimpered, but didn’t dare move. Footsteps squelched on her right side now. Her skin crawled when he whispered, “You live here doing wha’ever you wan’cause daddy will save you. Well, where’s daddy now?”

She expected more mud but none came.

“Just let me go home.” She whispered.

When no moves were made, she pushed mud away from her eyes to see again. The other children had emerged from the grass. Over her shoulder she saw the slope. In front of her stood lanky Quinn with his rusty hair.

        He crouched down so they were eye to eye. His eyes were black, but up close she thought they looked...

       “You cursin’ me with those death eyes!?” Quinn shouted.

Before she could respond, he shoved her. Screaming, she grabbed Quinn’s sleeve. He staggered forward. His eyes widened when he finally saw the lacuna. The mud would take them both in seconds. Panicked, he clawed at her hand to pry it away.

“Oi, ge’off me!” He roughly yanked her arm. She grabbed his shirt with her free hand. He yelled to the others, “There’s a lacuna down there! Are you all useless, GE’HER OFF!”

The others surged forward, yelling at her to let go. When they got one grip loose she reached for another. The mud underfoot becoming ever more unstable. 

“Please!” Sylva held on tightly to whatever clothing she had grabbed.

One of the girls shouted,“You’re immune. Leh him go!”

The girl shoved Sylva. The mud took her down fast. She slammed into the lacuna, an electric shock flying through her body. Pain stabbed at every muscle. The lacuna clung like sticky pine sap as it slowly crawled over her body. Visions of the looming city blocked out the fields intermittently. She saw Quinn and the others staring down, the sounds screaming reaching her ears. Until…

The pain was gone. She sat up. Only the city could be seen and heard wherever she turned. She should be sinking into the lacuna with the fields surrounding her… Her hand roughly passed over the hard grey-black path with yellow lines.

I can touch it. This isn’t a vision!

                                              “I’ll keep us safe.”

                                                         -Love That Lives