The Broken Ones

Chapter 17:3 -Spring Island

On the old stove stood a saucepan filled to the brim with soup. The kitchen was filled with people, not only Soi’s family and friends but people who had somehow heard of the returned Spring Saviour. They all took his hands, kissed his palms and cheeks and blessed his return. No one was cross with him for leaving just happy that he had returned. Soi’s mother offered soup and bread to those who wanted and the festive mood rose when Sanoi retrieved some bottles of liquor the girls had hid from their mother as she didn’t like her daughters drinking. Sanoi filled the glasses generously although her mother watched her with stern eyes.
-What, mom, out little brother’s home! Can’t we celebrate? Sanoi raised the bottle for support from the guests and shouted. –The Spring Saviour has returned!
All of the gathered raised their glasses and voices in exultation. Sanoi drank from the bottle and put her arm around Soi’s shoulders.
-Damn good to see you, lil bro, has been boring without you, she smiled a tad tipsy and kissed her brother’s cheek with a smack. –Here!
She offered him the bottle but then their mother swiftly intervened.
-He’s not supposed to drink, Sanoi, she said firmly. –Can’t you see the state he’s in?
-A bit thin but that’s because he’s lived without your food for some time, Sanoi smiled cheekily.
Their mother hid a smile before she narrowed her eyes and confiscated the bottle.
-Oh, mom, Sanoi whined but pulled out another bottle as soon as her mother looked away.
She winked to Soi and started to refill the guests glasses.
It seemed like the night would never end. People drank, eat, danced and laughed. But as the sun slowly begun to rise over the mountain peek people went home. Left was Soi, his mother and sisters, Haz, Ard and Jagger. They sat around the kitchen table and suddenly the festive atmosphere was gone. A seriousness lowered over the kitchen.
-Mother…, Soi begun.
-We talk about it tomorrow, she said.
She rose from the table and walked out of the kitchen.
-But… we need to talk, Soi continued.
-Tomorrow, little brother. Tomorrow, Sanoi rose from her chair as well. –We need to sleep now.

Soi followed Haz and Ard up the stairs to his own room. When he stood on the last step on the top of the staircase he turned around and looked down to the kitchen. He could still remember how the steps had felt that day when he rushed down the stairs to quickly follow his father to the spring. How light his feet had been. How heavy they had felt later that same day. A single tear run down Soi’s cheek. Tonight it felt like his father had been there with them, celebrating.
Soi’s room hadn’t been big to begin with but now it was cramped with three persons.
-You know, I really like your mother, Soi. She’s been most welcoming, Ard said as he sat on Soi’s bed and waited while the other two prepared the room for sleep.
-She’s always like that, Soi said.
-But still, to accept three strangers claiming to know her son. And we don’t look anything like you do either. White and red hair, round eyes with weird colours. It must have been a shock.
-How did you end up here anyway? How did you even find Spring Island?
-Well… I saw the future, Ard put it.
-That’s it?
-Yes.
-And how did you afford a ship?
-Aren’t you thinking practical. What, do you want to compensate us? Ard teased Soi.
-I’m just curious.
-Stop that or you’ll lose your tongue some day, Haz said all of a sudden.
Soi was too surprised to answer.

When Soi walked down the stairs the same morning a few hours later his four sisters were all busy preparing for breakfast and setting the table. They rushed across the kitchen floor like they were dancing, full of energy. Soi suspected that they never went to bed. He felt tired only looking at them. His mother stood steadily in front of the stove where several pots and pan fought over the heat and simmered merrily. It smelled like home.
In the large kitchen sofa sat Jagger with her short red hair standing straight out on all sides. She rested her chin on the kitchen table and watched the sisters with envy. When she saw Soi she waved to him to sit down beside her.
-I haven’t seen a real kitchen for so long, she sighed longingly.
-I’m sure they let you help if you want to, Soi said encouraging. -You’re a good chef.
-I’ve tried already but you see that, Jagger pointed at the sisters’ hasty work. –It’s dangerous to even leave this sofa.
She sighed again and lay down her head to watch the sisters sideways.
-Is Ard up? She asked after awhile.
-Not yet.
-Maybe I should wake him? Jagger mumbled to herself. -Is Haz up?
-I suppose so, he’s not upstairs anyway.
-He’s probably in the garden then. Alright, it’s now or never!
Jagger rose from the sofa and rushed up the stairs before Soi could stop her and before anyone else saw her. After awhile she came down again smiling and with Ard following in a trail. He sat down in the sofa with a big yawn.
-Morning, Soi said.
-Morning, Ard’s voice was raspy and hoarse. –I’m the last one up?
-Yes. How are your eyes nowadays?
-Still the same, but I’m getting used to it.
Haz walked in from the garden and seated himself opposite Soi and the others.
-We’re all here? Soi’s mother asked from the stove before she brought a big saucepan of stew over to the table.
-How are we going to eat all that, mom? Sanoi complained.
-Oh, I’m sure you’ll find room somewhere in your stomach.
They were soon all gathered around the kitchen table. Small talk where held across the table while enjoying the breakfast. Soi tried to relax but a feeling of anxiety remained. He ate very little and waited impatiently for the rest to eat up. On his right Siri sat and bit on her fingernails.
-Are you also anxious? Soi asked.
-How can I not be? This involves the whole island, not just you and your friends, she hissed.
Sanoi, seated on Siri’s right, looked up at her little sister.
-There’s something else, isn’t it Siri? She asked.
-I know what it’s like, being his prisoner. If that were to happen to… I can’t just sit here and wait.
-You act as if you have someone you care about, Sanoi pointed out and Siri’s eyes widened.
-Ah, that man on the boat, he who helped us escape, Soi said.
Siri’s cheeks reddened and she looked down at the table.
-Who was it? Soi asked, he couldn’t remember the man too clearly.
But Siri didn’t answer, she kept staring at the table. The answer came elsewhere, from Soi’s left side where Ard sat.
-But that was Nibbles, didn’t you know? I saw him take the decision to save you, that’s how I knew where to pick you up with the boat.
Soi was lucky he wasn’t eating anything or it would have got caught in his throat.
-Nibbles?! Nebelius Silver? The man you care about is Nibbles?
Siri in her turn stared with red cheeks at Ard who didn’t notice it at all.
-Don’t you know how to be discreet? Jagger poked Ard with her elbow.
-What do you mean? He said confused.
-You’re turning into Nibbles, Jagger sighed.

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