Badblood

[Part 1] 1. Badblood

The world was f****d up and so was Serra. The sun was up in the sky, giving light to the world. She's getting late. Serra woke up on her mother's voice calling her name. She bolt upright, her eyes still closed. She have dark circles under her eyes since she did not have enough sleep that night, her mind wandering somewhere. She yawned and opens her eyes, blinking, filling her eyes with the sight of her room: the low ceiling with cobwebs full of dust and dirt, her little closet on the right, her bed where the blanket fallen on the floor and a little chair full of stuffs on the left. She picked up the blanket and fixed her bed. Then she wanders out of her room.

She found Maria on their kitchen - which is just outside her room - smiling with a cup of steaming liquid on her hand that gives off a refreshing and delicious smell into the air. Serra recognized it immediately. Tea. She put it down on the table.

"Good morning Honey" Maria said. She's as sweet as what she called her.

Serra's mouth curved into a smile. "Good morning mom" she said as she sat on the wooden chair her mother built.

Maria came behind her, a comb in her hand and a long piece of cloth. She started to comb Serra's hair, a touch so familiar and comforting. She always loved morning because her mother used to fix her hair every morning before she goes to the fields.

"Maddy will be angry at me again" Serra said then sipped her cup. She felt the tea going down her system, warming her stomach. "I hate her"

Maria chuckled. "Just ignore her", her mother said, getting all the strand of her hair, clearing her face. "She's old. Older people often get angry. You should understand"

Serra laughed a little then sipped her tea. She loves tea. The tangy, sweet, and bitterness party in her mouth like a festival. They grow tea plants on the village for consumption and trade. Her mother is expert in tea making and Serra thinks that the other people in their village envy her as Maria's tea was the best. Her mother became a cook in the Captain's kitchen after tasting her tea. She's proud of her.

"How's the field going?" her mother asked. She always liked the way her mother talked. Sweet and careful, and her tone was light and gentle. Her mother could calm everyone in her presence, Serra thought.

"The carrots are good for harvest today" she said, watching as the steam from the tea dances in the air before disappearing into nothingness. "And the potatoes will be next week I think"

"Really? That's great. Her mother tied her hair with the long piece of cloth and formed it into a ribbon. "There" she said, appreciating her work. She's not a little girl anymore for the ribbons on hair and all but Maria loved doing it on her and so she let her. She was her mother's canvas.

"Anyways" Serra asked, "Where's Rila mom?"

"She got up early" Maria answered who now sat across her. "Their group is on gate patrol today"

Rila is her older sister, five years older than her. She's a village guard. They watch the gates for possible Reaper attack. They're also warriors. They keep peace and order inside the village.

Serra's work is on the farm together with her childhood best friend Mira, where they plant carrots, potatoes and other crops to supply the village needs and for trade. The older ones are assigned for weaving and cleaning, the light labours. Men are usually assigned for the trade in the other village. They ride and travel for days or weeks or even a month to trade their goods from other village. Depending on the distance, the traders would sometimes come back only a week if quite near and a month if far.

Serra has never been outside the gates since she was born. They are not allowed to go out because it is very dangerous. Reapers are everywhere, the creatures of abyss who will devour everyone they see. They feed on human souls and flesh.

Serra never saw one but they said the monster has scarlet glowing eyes, long and sharp razor-like talons, long black slithered body with black smoke coming out. The Reapers cannot be killed or even wounded by any weapons forged on earth. They are dimensional creatures and only those who draw power from other dimension can kill them, the Inkurs. The image of the monster gives shiver to her skins. She will never wish to meet one.

Maria stood up and scrabbled something from the cabinet. It was a not-so-nice-looking-bread her mother cooked at the village kitchen. The bread was big as her palm with brown withered surface full of white powder and a slit at the centre. Serra could see the white and fluffy treat on the inside. Her mother used to say that the ugly ones always bring surprises so she makes these breads unattractive outside but delicious and explosive inside, a party of flavour. Besides, Serra loves the crust of the bread. It is her favourite.

Maria works as a cook on the village kitchen for the Captain's family and for the village patrol. The workers and other families will be given only a limited supply of vegetables and fruits that will be allocated for the whole week. The Captain and his family can only eat bread and other foods. Breads are luxury for them. But Maria sometimes managed to hide some and bring it home for her and her sister.

Maria handed the bread to Serra. "Take this" she said. "You might get hungry in the field"

Serra put it on the left pocket of her dress and gave her mother a sweet smile. "Thank u mom"

Serra finished her tea then stood up, feeling energized and alive. "I have to go" she said.

Maria came to her, smiling as she always do, like nothing's wrong, like the world outside is okay and safe. She love those smile, she could live with that smile. That makes her love her mother more. Looking at her makes her forget everything.

"Goodbye honey" she whispered, kissing Serra's rosy cheeks. "I love you"

She gave back the smile, the smile that speaks her love for her mother. "Love you" she broke off then stepped out of their cabin.

Serra winced as morning light of the sun hits her face. The wind was arid and warm. It felt spicy to her skin. She let out a deep breath and welcomed the world in her heart. Another day, she said to herself. The sun above was burning bright against the sky and the sky was cloudless, clean as the wind. Serra could see birds above, flying in the sky, safe and free from the terrors that wait below them.

Serra started to walk. She saw Mira's mother, Agatha, watering the flowers bedside their cabin. Their cabin was the same as theirs, roof made of dried grass leaves and walls made of wood. The flowers on Mira's cabin were beautiful, big and small flowers with different colours like red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Those were Mira's flowers, she grow them. She and her mother are alike, flower nerds. Serra laughed at the thought.

Agatha saw her and waved. "Mira's on the field already" she said without her asking.

Agatha is quite short and a bit chubby; her hair was short, up to the neck like a boyish cut. Serra pictured here beautiful and charming as Mira in her youth as they have the same features: a huge blue eyes with long lashes that feathered in their cheeks, a firm and a pointed nose, and a full rosy lips like the flowers they grow.

"Thanks Tiya!" she waved back.

On the distance she could see Rila, standing near the gate with a spear in her hand, it's tip gleaming in the sun, and a torch on her hips, ready to light and fire. She wore their patrol uniform, a brown jacket with patterns of line and curves - which they say a symbol of the village - and a gray pants. Rila stood with confidence and she's oozing with strength and bravery. Serra envied her sister for that because it was something that she lacks.

There were six of them that stood near the gate. The gate was made of huge and thick slabs of wood painted in brown with the village's symbol at the centre - each half of the gate and the symbol formed when the gate closed. The wall stood high as ever, blocking her view of the outside world. There were towers above the wall where archers occupy, bow and arrow ready and a cauldron of fire beside them.

Rila looked at her direction and saw her. She waved and gave her sister a smile but Rila looked away, ignoring here like a dust floating in the air. She felt a pang of pain in her heart but she's gotten used to it. Her sister changed since their father died during the trade. She became ruthless as her heart was full of hatred for the Badbloods. It was a group of Badbloods that ambushed the traders, steal all the goods and burned the wagons. The traders, including their father were burned to death, leaving their withered corpses on the trail. Serra couldn't blame Rila since her father and her sister were very close, but Serra chooses to let go of the pain and believed that it all happened for a reason. They still talk with Rila when they are at their cabin but it wasn't the way before anymore. It's like her father's death made a gap on their family, slowly ripping them apart and Serra always took the effort on getting all the pieces back again.

She turned and headed toward the field. The farm was a bit far so she ran. The wind hit her face sending tendrils of hair flying behind her head. Her heart hammering against her chest as she come near the field. There she saw Maddy, short and chubby; her hair was short like a man's haircut. Her face was very annoying to look at: big puffy eyes, wrinkled forehead, a long overgrown nose full of blackheads and a chapped lip. She was talking to someone. If she saw Serra now she would be shouting loudly across the field, calling her names. But luckily Maddy was occupied. Serra let go a deep breath of relief and hurried toward the field. She picked an empty basket on the edge of the field and sat down beside Mira who’s busy plucking carrots from the ground.

"Good morning" she greeted, her smile was bright as the sun above the sky.

Mira flinched in surprise and looked at her. "You really want to kill me do you?" she said then laughed quietly.

Mira was beautiful. She has beautiful blue eyes, blue as a cloudless sky and long lashes that cast shadows in her cheekbones. Her cheeks were rosy white and freckles lined up in her long pointed nose making her look like a goddess. Her lips were full and rosy pink like the flower. She also has a nice complexion that really compliments her features. Her hair was curly like vines and she tied it up behind her head. Strands of curly hair escaped in her ear and strangle down, flying in the wind. She looks very beautiful, she thought. If Serra was a boy, Mira would be the one she marries.

"You're lucky Maddy didn't catch you late" Serra giggled while she pulled a big carrot from the ground.

"Indeed I am" she said. "I guess the heavens loved me today"

Mira chuckled, she's sweet as pie. Serra noticed Mira's sweet smile painted on her face. She's glowing today like a flower blooming in the morning, her eyes bright as the sun.

"What's with the smile? Huh?" she said. "Did you have a good dream?"

Mira looked at her then giggled like a child given a treat.

"The traders will arrive today" she said excitedly. "I can finally see Haris again"

Haris is Mira’s boyfriend. He used to be their childhood friend and the two of them fall in love with each other. Serra is happy for both of them. They're perfect pair, Serra thought. Mira is beautiful and Haris a charming man.

She smiled and felt happy for her friend.

Serra pinched Miras side and she flinched giggling. “So that's why you're glowing today" she laughed. "You naughty girl!"

They stopped as a shadow loom over them and saw Maddy above, her hand on her hips, her huge belly blocking her face.

"Stop babbling you lazy girls!" she said, sounding annoyed and angry. "Work! Or else you will have no food!"

They didn't respond and zipped their mouth as they continue the harvest. Maddy stalked out from them. They looked at each other for a moment and laughed silently.

The sun now burn brightly above the sky just as they finished the harvest. It only took them a couple of hours to harvest the carrots since there are around thirty of them doing the work. They pile the entire crop on the storage house which is located at the rightmost part of the village. They have a couple of storage houses which are huge houses built specifically for storing goods. The village supply and all the traded goods are stored there and Maddy is also in charge of it. Serra suspected that her family smuggled some of the food as her husband and their only son named Rodrigo - who's name she hates - are so fat.

The carrots were now sorted for the trade and village consumption.

"Now sho! Go away" Maddy said, glaring at the two of them. "I'll call everyone when I'm done sorting"

They only nodded and stalked out from the storage house.

It's almost noon and the sun burns hot on their skin. They headed on the far end of the village where a river snaked through their village.

"I hope the traders bought some corns today" Mira whispered as they walk, stepping over grasses, folding them to the ground. "I'm done with carrots and potatoes"

"Me too" Serra agreed. "I miss eating corns. Why don't we grow our own corns here in the village?"

Mira snorted. “I thought of that too" she said, her long lashes cast shadows on her cheekbones. "My mother speaks of that idea on the last village meeting but the captain ignored the idea."

"He's crazy" Serra laughed.

"Not as crazy as Maddy." Mira's mouth twitched into a smile, her eyes shining and playful.

They laughed.

They reached the river and they sat on the river bank where a big tree stood beside them, its shadow covering the two of them from the sun. The wind now colder mixed with the misty scent of the river. The water below them calm and clear, the fishes swam in freedom.

The river is not that deep, they used to swim and play on it together with Haris. But as they grow up and loads of chores were slowly added on their backs, they stopped doing it anymore. They now only come here to clear their minds and forget everything for a while, a quick escape.

Serra pulled out the bread on her pocket and cut it in half. She handed the other half to Mira in which she received in delight. She munched it immediately like a wolf.

"Good heavens!" she exclaimed as she munched the bread on her mouth. She ate it like she hasn’t eaten bread before. "This is delicious".

She closed her eyes as the cold wind struck her, feeling the cold sensation sink deep into her flesh.

Serra took a bite and felt the flavour explode in her mouth like a firework. It was sweet And creamy and soft on the inside and the crust was crunchy and solid. It would be perfect with a tea, she thought.

"So what are your plans later when Haris arrives?" Serra asked as she leaned her head on Mira's shoulders.

"I don't know" she answered. "Maybe give him flowers? Do boys love flowers?"

Serra chuckled. "Of course!" she exclaimed. The idea of Mira giving flowers to Haris sent a shiver of happiness in her heart. It's always been boys who give flowers to women and it's so good to see women do it in return. "Flowers are for everyone!"

"What will I give him?" Serra could really tell how excited she was in her tone. Haris has been out for almost three weeks now on their trade from Layu Village, which is south from Sirka. They trade their goods with their fresh fruits and other harvest. "Roses? Or how about Lilies? Or Morning glory? Pink daisies?" It's funny how love can make someone so paranoid.

Serra pulled her head back and looked at Mira. "Why don't you make a bouquet of all the flowers you've mentioned?" she said and Mira's eyes widen making it shinier. Is that what love can do? Make your eyes shine brighter, you'll glow up, and you'll smile all day? Serra laughed at the thought.

"Oh yes! That would be nice" she said excitedly, her eyes gleaming; full of love and life.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

They both startled and bolt upright as they hear three loud beats of the drum. The sound only mean one thing, the traders are back.

They looked at each other for a moment and Mira screamed in excitement. They both stood up and ran towards the gate. They were holding each other’s hand as they ran, their hairs flying behind their heads. For the moment, Serra thinks they're little girls again. Playing and just having fun, unaware of the terrors that lurk outside the gate. No Maddy to worry and free. How she wished they can be little girls all the time, but life has to go on and they have to keep up with it.

They passed the fields. The carrots gone, the potatoes ready for next week’s harvest, the wheats are almost ready and the beans just sprouted from the ground. In the distance, they can see the tall gates - which looks like a tiny rectangle from afar - opening and wagons starting to enter. Villagers also start to gather on the gate, blocking their sight. They ran fast, panting as their hearts beat in melodic rhythm like the drum. They passed the Captain's house and then the villager’s cabins that lined up on the left; the roofs and wall neat and uniform. Only Mira's cabin looks colourful as bunch of flowers in different colours lined up on the outside.

They reached into a wall of villagers overlooking the traders as the last wagon entered. Serra saw a glimpse of the outside world. She saw a clearing just outside the gate and beyond that was trees, tall as the sky and green as the grasses below. There were bushes and wild flowers of different colours: red, yellow, white, and pinks, all the colours party in her eyes. It was beautiful. Beyond the trees were dark shadows. She saw flickers of movement which sent shivers to her spine just as the gate closed.

There were 4 wagons on the inside full of goods. The wagons are mechanical, fuelled with oil for faster travel. Around the body of the wagon were fire tubes which spew out fire when there are Reapers, it keeps them safe from their travel. Reapers are afraid of fire and no one knows why and no one bothers to know why. All were happy enough to have something that will keep them safe from the vicious monsters.

But Serra's heart started to hammer inside her chest; her body tensed and felt a pang of pain in her heart. It was six wagons that left for the trade and now there's only four that comes back. She felt her throat dry. Mira was also shaking beside her. The smile that pasted on her gorgeous face was gone. Her heart pounding loudly, Serra could hear it like a whisper. Her grip on Serra’s hand tightens as if like bracing herself for some bad announcement.

The traders started to come out from the wagons and they all looked sad and exhausted. Some were crying as their eyes were red and puffy. Serra and Mira searched for Haris. They searched for a boy with curly brown hair, dark brown eyes, tall and a lean body, but they found none. Their hearts now beats violently, almost ripping out from their chests. They feel a lump on their throats. They waited for all the traders to come out but there was no Harris. Mira's eyes started to blur as tears started to come up on the surface.

"Where are the others?" said the captain who popped up on the crowd. The people parted as he walked forward to the traders. "Where are the other wagons?" The Captain sounded sad and horrified.

The traders didn't speak. They just look at the ground sadly, their eyes droopy and cloudy with tears. There was a deafening silence and even Serra couldn't hear her breathing. All their minds was processing what they are about to say.

"There was Badblood ambush three days ago on our way home" a man on the back finally said, breaking the silence. Serra saw tears streaking down on his cheeks. "They got the last two of the wagons. We expected that they only just seize all the goods but they started to pin them in the ground, so we ran away"

Serra felt like her breathing stopped and the world fell silent. Her heart sank deep to the bottomless ocean and then all suddenly came rushing to her. She felt crushed and shattered. Mira broke down beside her, crying, her hand still on Serra's.

"No!" Mira cried. Her eyes also started to blur but forced herself not to cry. Haris was not her lover but he was her friend and things that hurt Mira hurt her also. Seeing her friend cry felt like her heart was stabbed. She kneeled down and wrapped her arms around Mira. "No, no, no, nooooo!"

She wanted to comfort her and take some of the pain in Mira's heart but she don't know how. She's also dizzy and broken inside on the news. She wanted to say 'It's alright' but stopped herself. It's not alright. It's not okay. She knows it isn't the kind of pain or wound that will heal immediately when you wash it with water. It's the kind of wound that only time would heal, the kind of pain that will drill deep to your heart. She knows and understands such pain because she felt it when she lost her father.

Serra felt Mira's tears on her arms. She's wailing now and others also, the families of the other traders that was taken by the Badbloods. It was a crowd of cries now.

Mira stood up and walked toward the wagons, still crying but still beautiful. "No! Haris!" she cried as she searched every wagon, looking at the inside, at every space. "Haris?" Mira pleaded.

"Haris is one of the occupants of the seized wagons" the same man said, his voice exhausted and sleepy.

Mira looked at him angrily. Her mouth turned to a grin, teeth clattering. "You left them to die!" she said with menacing eyes. Her smile earlier was replaced now with anger. "You should have turned and helped them!"

Another man came to Mira, Rolando, Tufi's husband. He was angry. "Don't you dare shout at us little girl!" he said, pointing his finger to Mira. His voice was spicy. "Badbloods are powerful! They have powers and we have none! We don't stand a chance! Our best option is to run! Do you think we will just leave them there if we stand a chance? Huh?" The man spoke loudly almost like a shout, streaks of saliva flying into Mira's face. "You don't have any idea how painful it was for us watching our brothers there crying in pain and fear"

Mira's was stunned watching Rolando who was breathing heavily. She turned and ran away from him. Serra called her name but she didn't answer like she didn't saw her. She just ran past her. Serra followed.

There was a discussion about the next trade before Serra followed her friend. She found Mira crying on the river bank where they sat earlier. She was sitting down, her knees to her chest, burying her face between them as she cried. Serra sat beside her and put her hand on her friends back, caressing it gently. She wasn't a comforting type of person but she hopes it will at least help Mira. She looked at the river, at its calm water and let her mind flow through it. She saw fishes swimming at the clear waters, their colourful tails wagging on the water. Serra suddenly wished to be a fish for a moment, free and unaware of the horrors of the world. If only she could forget all of it for a while.

Mira looked up, her eyes red and tired. "Haris is gone" she whimpered. There was pain in her voice.

"I'm sorry" was all she said. She wiped Mira's tears with her fingers. Her cheeks were rosy and pink. More strand of curly hairs now hanging in her face. She's still beautiful, Serra thought. How unfair it is to someone who cried and still looks beautiful.

Serra pulled her friend toward her and put Mira's head on her shoulder. Mira stopped crying but Serra knows the pain isn't receding yet. It's still there in her heart, fresh and spicy. They closed their eyes and feel the gentle touch of the wind on their skins.

There was a thud sound like a rock hit a solid wall. They broke off and Mira flinched, grunts in pain. She touched her head as streaks of scarlet blood flow on her forehead. She touched it and whimpered. There was cut on her head and then saw a sharp medium sized rock beside Mira. There was stain of blood on it, fresh and smelled like metal.

"What are you two doing here!" it was Maddy. Her face was annoying as ever, her hands on her hips. "Escaping work? Go help the others unload the goods from the wagons!"

"Did you just hit Mira with a rock?" Serra said angrily.

"Yes!" Maddy raised her brows. "And I will do it again if you don't move!" she said as she bent down and picked another rock.

Serra's rage stirs inside her. She wants to punch Maddy's face so hard right now. She wants to see her annoying and ugly face turned into a pulp as she crushes it with a huge rock. But before she could do all of that, the grasses beneath Maddy's feet started to grow violently and wrapped her. It grows up, wrapping her legs and her waist.

"Wha... What's going on!" she said in panic, dropping the rock and tried to scratch off the vines that grow upward, to her arms.

Serra stood there, stunned and eyes wide open. She was like a statue cemented on the ground, afraid to move. The grasses now reached Maddy's arms, wrapping them and on her side. Maddy cried in panic as the grasses started to choke her as if the grasses themselves were angry of her.

"He...help!" the old woman said, choking off the words. Her eyes bulging largely as if coming out of its sockets. Her face turning red as all the blood trapped on her head.

Serra finally found herself and dashed toward Maddy. She managed to cut some of the grasses but the vines keep growing like they have their own mind. Serra is in panic now, cutting off vines as fast as she can, giving space on Maddy's neck. She hates this old lady, but only in her imagination that she wants to hurt her not in real life.

"Mira!" she called as she cut another grass. “Help!"

Mira didn't answer and Maddy's face now was purple, trying to catch her breath. She turned and looked at Mira. She was still standing on the same space they sat on. Blood streaked down on her gorgeous face. She was looking at Maddy, her eyes menacing and evil, all the anger in the world was in her face. Her jaw set and her teeth clattering. She looks like she wants to kill Maddy. Her fingers were twitching at her sides and she's breathing heavily.

"Mira!" she called again loudly. Mira staggered back, blinking her eyes and she was panting like she's running in a distance. To Serra’s surprise, the grasses started to loosen themselves and shrank back to the ground. Maddy fall to her knees as she tried to fill her lungs with air. The colour of her face was slowly going to back to normal.

Serra’s heart almost stopped as she looks at her friend. Crowd of thoughts swirl on her mind like a hurricane. Their eyes met and Serra could see fear, confusion and horror on her eyes. Her cloudy mind started to clear and a realization started to solidify in her mind, clearing the whirlpool of thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Badblood!" Maddy said, choking the words out. She stood up and the colors now back on her face but she's still breathing heavily. She pointed at Mira. "Badblood!" Then she ran.