Emotions

The world spun as Gruff remembered the day his mother forced him out of the house to make friends. Although he was only two at the time, he would never forget that day.

A metallic taste hit Gruff's tongue as he bit down on his cheek. "If only I could have controlled my emotions better."

"Gruff—" Hermon entered Smith's house. "Are you okay?"

Gruff's eyes watered, and the man moved to comfort him. "This is a safe place to cry."

Gruff shoved the older man to the ground. "This village will never be a safe place!"

"We are sorry, truly. If we had known, we would never have-"

"You wouldn't have what? Beat me? Starved me? Isolated my only guardians? Left me on the streets to die?" The room heated up as magic leaked from Gruff. Hermon wiped at his brow with a shaky hand. "What about killing my mother? She did nothing to any of you. She was the kindest person I ever knew, and you killed her. You should have killed me instead."

"The townspeople went crazy that day. They weren't thinking about the possibility that their children were lying or that they saw wrong. If it weren't for Smith-"

Gruff grabbed Hermon by the shirt and lifted him off the ground. Hermon's thin legs swung back and forth, his wrinkled hand grasping fruitlessly at Gruff's arms.

"You lay blame on the others when you are just as guilty of mistreating me. If Smith weren't so much stronger than all of you, you would have surely killed him alongside me and my mother." Gruff released the old man. Hermon landed hard on his bottom. "I despise this village. So, you'd better hope that prophecy isn't true because if someone tries to destroy this place, I'll let them."

"Gruff—" Smith walked into the room. "You don't mean that, do you?"

"I do. I'd save you, Marcia, and Jonah. Everyone else can die."

"Your mother would not have wanted that. Even if they killed her, she would not hold a grudge against them. Our ancestors would be ashamed of what you just said, and I believe Leah would cry."

"'Our' ancestors?" The room cooled down.

Smith looked over at Hermon. "I think you should leave now." Hermon scampered out the door. "I never had the chance to tell you before you left. Your mother and I were cousins. We descend from Enchantresses."

"Enchantresses? I thought they all died."

"I think it's time you hear about your mother and where she came from."

"No!" Gruff pushed past Smith. "I don't want to know about it. I loved my mother, but now she's gone, and the only family I have is Marcia, Jonah, and Ma."

The door slammed behind him as Gruff left Smith all alone.