Chapter 9

The silent usual nights in the village is now replaced by an antagonistic exchange of words among villagers. I think most, if not all, are cramped inside the expansive village tent, demanding for blood.

The noisiest of the bunch is the village leader, who are pushing the people to consider pardoning A-nac. Me and the other kids are sitting on a thin, threadbare carpet, itching to go home.

 "Thank you, Karah…" The little boy bowed his head, averting his gaze. "It is too late and we don't deserve your forgiveness, but you fought hard. We are ashamed of what we did." They spouted words of gratitude and apologies. They are even sitting close to me, not bothered by the smell or proximity.

 "I told you, A-nac just lost control of his wolf, he's young and erratic. He just needs therapy and he will be okay." The village leader insisted. A-nac's relatives agreed and mentioned that a were like him comes once-in-a blue moon. It would be a great loss for the village and the empire if he isn't pardoned for a simple mistake.

 Victor couldn't believe his ears, but tried to reason and make the village leader and the others empathize with him, "I just lost my son and he went on a rampage killing and injuring many others. Are you sure you would be able to control him?" His wife's eyes have been swollen from crying, she has no more tears left to shed. The couple can only hold onto each other. Victor caressed his wife's elbows and consoled her.

 My father explained that the real murder weapon has been found with indications of blood sloppily wiped or washed. He even accused the village leader of kicking the knife away, pretending that the latter thought it was a rock that could hinder their investigation. The leader reddened in embarrassment yet he insists that he thought it was something insignificant.

 A-nac is under house arrest, where he is being attended by his parents, without any presence of guards nor chains to pin or confine him once he goes amok again. The preferential treatment is astounding.

 The kids sitting beside me, stood up and approached Bulos' parents, "It was A-nac who killed him. When he woke up after losing a fight to Karah, he was so mad that we let her walk away." The second oldest in A-nac's group took charge and added. "A-nac ordered Bulos to report where she is, and he obeyed. I don't know if it's because Bulos was slow or he's clearly impatient that he lashed out in anger to your child." The fear instilled by A-nac can't be denied. The kid's hands are shaking, his face deathly pale.

 "Karah protected us and fought A-nac in the plaza, too. She is innocent!" Another kid chimed in. My mother rubbed my shoulders, giving the village leader a heated gaze.

 "If you need strong fighters for the pack, we already have Karah and her dad! Why are you letting that murderer live? I say we prune it to a bud and make the village safe again." The guy named Monabe shouted, then placed his hand over his mouth realizing he said the word prune. The older lady beside him corrected him and said it's 'nip', not 'prune'. He got apologetic immediately.

 Bulos' mother nudged my father, her voice weary and broken, "Adir, help us get justice. You're the only one who can help us." Our neighbors often criticize father for not recognizing authority. Now they want him to go and tear the leader apart because it's obvious that the latter is acting for his own self-interest.

 My father brushed her hand from his coat. "Remember the time I begged you and the other parents to ask your kids to stop harassing Karah." I felt my chest tightened, my father didn't offer her any sympathy. "That kid is bad news and you didn't listen." He spat, the people averted their gaze.

 I can't bear hearing those words, even if my father did it for my sake. My father shook me back to reality. "They wanted their sons to be in A-nac's circle. But, now all of you realize that they value him over your lives…" My father spills those words, not worried if the parents get offended. "There are too many casualties. And now, look." He points at the village leader and his cohorts. "Look how they are letting him go, scot-free. Shameless pigs!" The crowd went to an uproar, louder and angrier than the one they did against me earlier that day.

 The village leader tried to appease the people calling for justice, but he reminded the community with something very crucial. "This is my decision. I call the shots! You all better accept it or face punishment!"

 I stood up from my seat, the rest of the people grumbled under their breath. One by one they went home, but not without expressing their disgruntlement with the leader's decision. I can't believe all that fighting was for nothing!

 The other adults approached me and took my hand. "We misjudged you and treated you horribly. Please tell your father that we apologize, too."

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 As always, we placed the sound proofing boards down and continued the discussion at home. When we finally ate, we make preparations to rest. My mom has tucked me to bed and dimmed the lamps' lights. She caressed the top of my head, to my chin and said that she's thankful for the life we have currently. Life is hard, but she's happy that we're all alive, and for her that's all that matters.

 I was about to drift myself to sleep when I saw a shadow lurking outside. I got scared, remembering how Suri abducted me. Then I remember that she most likely won't do the same thing again. She has no reason to.

 A small, hooded figure appeared by the window. A smiling Alphos, grinning widely from ear to ear, gestured me to go outside. He mouthed, "I miss you."