We Dream of Hope

Scars

Hours passed and Nadia was finally starting to get over the turmoil of the morning. She managed to finish the laundry and even got the extra outfit prepared for Ma’at. With all her current tasks finally tackled it was time to gather all the stragglers around the campsite. Normally everyone was pretty decent about bringing their laundry to Nadia’s station, but every so often there’d be one or two articles to escape the gathering. Turning her bucket over she picked it up and placed Ma’at’s clothes neatly folded inside along with a few blankets still warm from the morning sun. 

Well, time to be off I guess. 

The weight of the bucket wasn’t too terrible, she was used to carrying it full of wet clothes so by comparison it was easy to manage. 

And no one will help you?

Oh great, Nadia thought, I wondered when you’d return. Took a few hours off annoying me did you?

Miss me that much have you?

I wouldn’t make that drastic of an assumption. 

Nadia got to thinking about the voice, it sounded dark, possibly male? Had a sort of raspy growl to it, but still could it be something that she made up herself? Maybe as a coping mechanism for something that had upset her before? She tried to think of what could have started this voice, it wasn’t trying to comfort her, it just offered it’s own insight into her day like he was watching over her. 

Who is this? 

Oh finally trying to get answers?

That wasn't an answer, so is this Ma’at who learned a new trick or something? Couldn’t be Tomin, he’s-

Clearly not bright enough to have my insight. 

A Laugh escaped Nadia as a smile washed over her face. 

I don’t think we’ve been introduced yet, so I don’t think it’d matter if you knew my name.

You know my name, why is this whole mind talking thing seem more like an infiltration?

Because it pretty much is, and if I could stop it I would. You have far too distracting thoughts for my liking. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try putting a face to my voice either, you’d only just be disappointed. 

Wait, you can see the pictures in my head too? 

She was trying to picture how this mysterious person looked, but only to make it seem less odd, maybe if she could see him she could imagine he was in front of her talking like normal people and not some weird magical abomination. Whatever it was she was trying to picture someone physically pleasing, maybe the same height as herself, brown hair like hers, golden eyes that shined like fireflies at night. For once it would be nice to not have to crank her head upwards to have a conversation, so yeah, he’d be just the perfect companion. 

I’m nothing like that, the voice sounded irritated now, something about his size Nadia placed to him left him annoyed. I’ll have you know that for my age I’m quite tall. 

Sure, Nadia scoffed, that’s just my luck anyway. No one was ever as short as she was, the curse of her lineage she guessed. She never knew her mother, but her father wasn’t necessarily short, he was average, then again, maybe she took after her mother, who could tell. 

As fun as our exchange has been today, I would like to ask a favor of you, Nadia. 

Ummm. Sure, I guess? With the tone shifting to a more serious one, she figured this person was older, battle-torn, someone scarred from the war. 

Keep an open mind, Warner, he-

WARNER?! Nadia shook her head, this voice knew about Warner? 

Warner was her father’s best friend, at one point he was her guardian. Nadia’s father was always busy and Warner was just always there, until one night something in him snapped. He clearly had some psychological issues from his time spent in the war, but how it was translated seemed to be directed fully at Nadia. She recalled that night vividly the fear in her eyes as the man she once loved changed into something else screaming about demons among us. 

The war was over, demons ruled the world now, and everyone knew the toll it took on those who fought them. Demons though, everyone knew couldn’t climb the mountains. They were safe from the threat as long as they stay up in their camp. The few remaining humans not under the servitude of the demons all lived high above the desolate world, so for Warner to completely lose his mind claiming they walked among the campers bashing in the tents and scaring everyone, it caused a rift that he couldn’t recover from. Nadia’s father had to make a difficult choice that night and banished Warner from the camp. 

Nadia wished that was where the story ended with Warner, it would have been much less mentally scarring. A few nights after Warner was banished he returned waiving a red hot iron rod taking Nadia captive. Nadia couldn’t remember how everything unfolded, but she woke up the next morning with long scratches down her chest. Still to this day she keeps them hidden just so no one comments on her markings. It was ten years since that night and why now was this voice caring about Warner?

Please, Nadia, I need you to be open-minded when Warner tries to talk to you. 

Do you even know what Warner put me through? 

She dropped her bucket next to a tent, her journey had come to a waypoint as she placed a blanket from the bucket on a stool. Her fingers traced her chest where the scars were left she wished that she could have remembered everything, but maybe it was for the best the complete events of that night were hidden from her. Picking up her bucket she continued her journey. 

I know better than most what happened that night, but please. I promise I will keep you safe. 

She rolled her eyes but stopped as someone looked over at her giving her a half unconvinced smile which she returned with a booming nod and a “Hi, just taking put back the blankets for the day. Have a good one.”

Returning to her invisible partner felt like putting on a mask. She had to keep her face calm so no one thought she was losing it, but at the same time, she wanted to just scream, find this person, and make them pay. 

Warner did hurt you, I can see that. I’m sorry to ask this of you. Truly I am, but if it wasn’t important that you talk with him I wouldn’t be asking. 

You can see it huh? 

Well, yes, but I can sense it. You flashed that night in your mind. I saw it. You were hurt. You’re confused. I’m really sorry I can’t tell you more, but you wouldn’t believe me. Even now you think you’re just being crazy. Honestly, you’re not but please. Talk with Warner. 

If I agree to talk to him when he approaches me, will you leave me alone?