The Broken Ones

Chapter 6:1 -Guidance

-Damn Soi. He told me he didn’t have a problem with mountains and now look at him! He’s been unconscious for… Ana counted on her fingers. –Seven days! It’s been a week, for all the oceans! Wake up, dammit!
Ana shook Soi’s lifeless body. Two broad hands were places on her shoulders and pushed her gently away from Soi.
-Ana, he’ll wake up when the times come. There is no need to rush. You’re welcome for as long as you like. Now come and sit down, Jagger’s finished in the kitchen.
The hands belonged to a huge man with thick red hair and a beard covering most of his face, his eyebrows covered the rest. He led Ana into the dining room where there was a table filled with food. There were soup and bread and beef and roasted chicken and bacon and egg and stew and omelettes and some vegetables. There was not one space empty.
-How come that every night since I arrived this table has been filled to the edge with food?
-Ana, we know you well enough to know that you eat, a lot.
The man smiled widely at Ana who smiled back.
-I mean, where do you get all this food?
-We grow it. Jagger, done yet?
A girl’s voice answered him.
-Coming, Mack.
Ana turned her head to Mack.
-Does she still call you Mack, instead of dad?
-Yes, I thought it was just a phase when she started with it last year and that she would get over it but it doesn’t seem like it.
Mack shrugged his shoulder and gave a small smile. Right then, a young girl, not much older than Ana, stuck out her head from the kitchen. Her hair was red as fire, cut short like a boy and tangled like a bird’s nest.
-I’m almost done, just cutting some cheese for dessert, she said and withdrew her head.
-Cheese, oh no, that’s not necessary, Ana complained.
-Ana, just let her. She’s celebrating that you’ve stayed here one week. You know she admires you even though you only meet once a year, and then you usually stay one day or two during your visit. This is a rare occasion, worth celebrating according to Jagger.
-Oh well.
They all sat down around the square table, and by just looking at all the food Ana’s stomach felt full.
-Has he woken yet? Jagger asked Ana.
-No, not yet.
-Good.
-Jagger! Mack reproached his daughter.
-I just want Ana to stay a bit longer, that’s all.
-By wishing that young man bad health. This is not how I brought you up, young girl, Mack said with a stern voice.
Jagger’s face filled with remorse.
-I’m sorry Ana, but I…
-Yes, yes, I understand, Ana waved it off. –But why don’t you call Mack dad anymore?
Jagger immediately lifted her chin.
-He’s my dad, yes, but dad’s not his name. His name is Mack.
-But Jagger…
Jagger turned her head away and ignored any further comments on the subject. Mack shook his head with a little smile hidden in the red beard.
-There’s nothing you can do, Ana, she’s made up her mind. And she’s far more stubborn than you.
Ana sighed and set her teeth into a chicken leg.
Mack and Jagger’s cottage was small but they always had a room to spare for their friend. For the moment Soi was resting in the guestroom’s only bed and in the next room the rest of the company sat and dined. Soi whined in the next room and Ana left her plate and disappeared into the guestroom. Jagger leaned in over the table to her father.
-Mack, she whispered across the table.
-Yes, dear.
-Don’t you think she’s acting strange?
-What do you mean? Mack’s eyes glowered by the fire in the dining room.
-She would never rush to anyone’s side, not even for those friends of hers.
-So perhaps this is a special friend then? Mack smiled gently towards his daughter.
Jagger’s forehead creased in irritation.
-I don’t like him, she said between her teeth.
-You don’t like Sam either.
-No, but Sam’s weird, he’s not like Ana. Or you, Mack. Even though he’s a broken.
-No, you’re right, Mack sighed.

In the small guestroom Ana sat on a wooden stool by Soi’s side and nervously watched how he murmured in his sleep and sweat gathered as shining pearls on his forehead. She didn’t know what to do, this was the second time he had been unconscious under her care. But he wasn’t really sick this time so she didn’t want to use his little dark bottle, not without his permission at least. Soi kept whining and Ana gritted her teeth. Ana’s hand slipped down in his backpack and found the little bottle. She prepared to open the bottle when suddenly Soi suddenly talked.
-Father, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, he murmured. –I didn’t mean to…
Ana’s eyes went wide and she leaned in closer.
-What was it you didn’t mean?
But Soi didn’t say anything else and Ana’s curiosity grew. Ana took his hand and closed her eyes, she was immediately sucked into his memories.

Soi tried to open his eyes, they were heavy and sticky and wouldn’t open. His sight was foggy and blunt but he could see that there was a roof above his head instead of the usual velvet blue sky with stars glimmering like diamonds. Slowly he turned his head to one and the other side. On his left side he saw the top of a head he could have recognised anywhere. He stretched out his hand to touch her blond smooth hair with his fingers.
-I wouldn’t do that if I were you, a husky voiced advised him and Soi looked up.
In the doorway a giant man stood blocking out all the light from the next room. Except where his right leg should be, Soi thought.
-I am glad that you’re awake, the man continued. –Now we might get some peace back in the cottage. She hasn’t left your side not one of these days since were brought here.
-What happened?
-Don’t ask me, you were out already when I met the two of you. Seems you’re way above your head, young man. Heard the mayor of Sofara appointed you. Don’t know if he’s foolish or smart, but you’ve survived so far…
-Where am I?
-In my and Jagger’s cottage by the foot of the mountain.
-And who you are?
-He’s Mack.
Ana raised her head.
-How come that the first thing you do when you wake up after a seven days coma is to ask questions? Are you 6 years old?
-Looks like our conversation interrupted your beauty sleep, Ana, Mack laughed.
Ana snorted.
-I am serious, all he does is asking questions, most of them stupid may I add.
Mack chuckled and Soi looked sheepish at Ana’s surly expression.
-I’ll leave the two of you to discuss, Mack bowed his head and left.
-Are my eyes injured or did that man miss a leg?
-Yes, he’s a broken like me.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick