A Cry For Help
Siralaine
“And then you put it straight into the pot, letting all the vegetables stew together.” Dorene smiles as she adds the potatoes to the simmering pot; the spices smell divine, too. “And you just keep an eye on the heat and let it cook, and we’ll have the perfect soup when it’s ready.”
“It already tastes amazing,” I compliment, tasting some from the little cup Dorene had poured for me.
“Just be careful, it’s quite hot,” she says.
“I know how to do this, too,” Alfrea says, pointing to the cloves of garlic I’m peeling.
“You’re a smart girl,” I say, smiling as I tug on her cheek.
“Mama said you have a baby in your tummy,” Sarena states, making Dorene shake her head.
“Yes, but don’t trouble Sira.”
I nod at Sarena, feeling guilty for lying. “I do,” I answer.
Last night flashes before my eyes, my heart pounding at the memory of his lips against mine. The way he held me, kissedme…
“Sira?” I look up as Dorene calls me.
“Mmm?”
“Are you alright?” she asks.
I nod, smiling softly. “I was just thinking about Kai.”
She laughs. “Now that’s why you’re blushing,” she teases. I smile, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.
There’s a pull between us… I can’t deny it, but we’re enemies; we will never be able to be together, even if we want that, and he doesn’t want that, of that I am certain. He just needs me for now, for whatever use is fitting until he gets what he wants from me.
What is the endgame? When he finds and kills my father?
“Pregnancy can be scary, but it’s rewarding,” Dorene says, gently giving my hand a squeeze. I nod, letting her assume whatever she wants to think.
“Can we go play outside?” Alfrea asks, dropping the peeled clove into the pot.
“Yes, but stay in the yard,” Dorene orders. The girls get up and run outside, laughing and giggling as they begin chasing one another.
“They really do bring the house alive,” I say. “They’re adorable.”
“Thank you, for many years it felt so empty… until they came along,” Dorene says with a sad smile.
“It’s lovely to see you all together, too.”
I continue to peel the garlic, as Dorene hums softly beside me, rinsing a basket of spinach in the basin.
“I’m just going to take the washing off, it’s rather cloudy andI’m worried it’s going to rain. I will be right back,” Dorene says. I nod absently, lost in the mundane comfort of the task and my thoughts about Kai. For a fleeting moment, it feels almost peaceful.
She’s only been gone a few minutes when a scream rips through the air.
The garlic bulb slips from my hand, thudding to the floor. My heart thuds violently as I scramble to my feet and rush to the door. It was one of the girls! What happened?!
“Alfrea! Sarena?! Are you ok? Dorene!” I call, stepping outside. The sun has disappeared behind the clouds, casting a bleak light over the yard.
“Help me!” The scream tears through me. Alfrea! My stomach twists as I race toward the direction of her scream.
