Chapter
2 – Giving In and Digging Deeper
“Hello!” Zidane says as he enters the store. I
quickly slither over to the door and hug Zidane as if I was trying to get rid
of my worries and pains all at once.
“Okay, okay! You’re squeezing the life out of
me!”
“Haha, I’m sorry,” I say while backing off
and going back behind the counter. “I’m just glad to see you like always. What’s
new?”
“Nothing much, unfortunately. We still haven’t
been able to find Oretta.”
“Yeah, I figured.” Where could she be?
“I’m sure something will come up sooner or
later. We’re talking about Oretta after all. She’ll probably cause some trouble
and we’ll find right after.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Zidane! I knew I would find you here. We
have to get back to work at the parish.”
“I’m sorry. I thought I’d just stop by and
say hi and update Varena on Oretta since she’s so worried about her.”
“That’s very nice of you, but it was done in
vain because there’s no new update. Oh, hello, Varena. I’m sorry to take your
boyfriend away from you. We need to get back to work. I’ll be back tomorrow for
your weekly tithe.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” I kiss Zidane
before he says goodbye to me and my mom and leaves. Soon after, Trista walks in
and looks outside the shop as if making sure she isn’t being followed. “Is
something wrong, Trista?”
“Yeah, I’ve been trying to avoid Selestine
because I’m supposed to be making artwork for a nearby parish, but right now, I’m
on break and want to shop around a bit before getting back to work and he doesn’t
want me to shop because ‘we can’t take things into Heaven’. I told him that I can
still enjoy the things I have now and then he preached to me about vanity. You
know how he is.”
“Haha, yeah. Can I help you look for anything
or would you like a recommendation?”
“I don’t need your help looking for anything.
I know this store inside and out and what you have, and I don’t need a
recommendation. All the jewelry that your dad makes is excellent.”
That was a backhanded compliment. Still, dealing
with her isn’t as bad as it was a week ago.
“No
one has come around to bother you or your family, right?”
“Thankfully no one has.”
“That’s good. Not because I really care about
what they do. I just don’t want them making themselves look like fools and damaging
your parents’ store. It’s important for my parents’ business as well.”
Why does she have to keep acting like she doesn’t
care about my well-being? I get that it’s how she is, but still, it can be
annoying. Trista eventually finds a bracelet, buys it, and then leaves while
saying goodbye to me and my mom.
“I’m glad to see that you two are finally getting
along.”
I just smile and nod in response to my mom. Part
of me still doesn’t want to be friends with Trista, and yet, there is this part
that prefers it. It’s probably better to have her as a frienemy rather than
just an enemy. Another day of work passes like every other. Mom and dad make dinner
and we sit around the table to chat and eat. Today, they’ve made rabbits and
eggs, a dish that we’ll sometimes have for breakfast, but breakfast is never
bad to have for dinner, so I can’t complain, especially since it always tastes
good.
“So, your dad and I are thinking about
finally adopting a brother or sister for you. What do you think?”
“You’ll have to take care of them and be an
example for them. Do you think you can handle it?”
“I can handle it. Oh, and just go through with
the adoption already. You keep saying you’re going to finally do it.”
“But we’re a hundred and ten percent sure
that we’re going to go through with it in a few weeks. Trust me.”
Mom and dad have always wanted more than one
child, but mom isn’t able to have any more children, so they’ve been bringing up
adoption for the past two or so years. They’ve been financially, mentally, and spiritually
preparing for another child and going back and forth on whether they should get
a boy or girl first and what their name should be. I’m fine with having a sibling
and taking care of a child because I’ll eventually have my own to take care of
in the future and I find children adorable.
“I’m proud that you’re getting along with
Trista.”
“I know you are. You’ve said so like ten
times since it happened.”
“And I’ll say it again later because it means
you’re making real changes in your life and your soul is growing in virtue. I
was so glad to hear her come in and have a pleasant conversation with you and
express interest in your safety.”
Dad continues talking about the importance of
getting along with others and constantly trying to be a better person while I
continue to eat. After dinner is finished and we clean up, we hear the sound of
someone knocking at the door. When I open it, I see Piaras with a bag in his
hand.
“Hey, Varen. Is this a bad time?”
“No, what is it? Is something the matter?”
“No, I’ve just been meaning to drop off this
bag of homemade desserts to your house. My family’s been wanting to repay you
back for your kindness and since it’s not too late, I thought it may be a good
time to do so.”
“Thank you for the gift and tell your family
thank you as well.”
“Oh, and uh, here’s a letter for you from
someone.”
“Thanks. Who’s the letter from?”
“Just read it, but make sure you don’t show
it or talk about it with anyone else. I’ve gotta go. Bye!”
That was weird. I give mom and dad the treats
and tell them what happened while leaving out the letter. When I open it, I’m
surprised to see that Oretta had written it. She wrote that she’s doing fine and that
she’s concerned that I’m friends with Trista now. In addition, she wrote that
if I want to learn more about why she’s hiding away, I’ll have to see Piaras
tomorrow by the Hanging Bridge on the south side of the town in the afternoon.
Since I’m curious about what the whole situation behind this letter is and
because I’m concerned about Oretta, I do as she wrote and see Piaras who is waiting
for me.
“Hi, Varena! I’m glad you came. How are you doing?”
“Hello, I’m fine. Can you tell me what’s going
on? What are you and Oretta doing? What’s going on?”
“I understand why you want to get straight to
the point, so I’ll lay it all out. Oretta is with a mutual friend of ours that
we’ve been going to for advice. She’s doing fine but is concerned about you
being friends with Trista.”
“You should tell her that I’m concerned about
her hiding from everyone and this friend of yours. Who is this friend anyway
and why is Oretta hiding?”
“Are you sick of this life, Varena? Of
constantly going to confession, being discriminated against by some in the town,
of the mundaneness of life, and having to give to a church that you’re in
constant debt to?”
“I guess so. Kind of. What does that have to
do with anything?”
“This friend of ours convinced us that our
flaws are not blemishes on our souls, but part of what makes us who we are. I know
that sinning and having to go to confession every week upsets you because it
disappoints your parents. As for me, I’m tired of having to give to a church that
should be giving more to me and my sick parents. I wasn’t able to drop off that
gift from yesterday for days because my parents were on the verge of dying and
my siblings and I could barely save them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. My parents will help
you more from now on.”
“Your family has done more than enough for me
and everyone they crown and dress with jewelry. I’m forever in debt to your dad
for giving me this golden eye after I lost it in a fight defending my younger
siblings. It saddens me that I can’t do more for you all. The way life is
constantly puts me down from the people who deserve more not getting what they
deserve like you and me, and the people who deserve less being given everything
like Trista and Selestine, but that’s just how life is, I guess. We’re just
going to keep struggling and suffering until the day we die.”
Part of what Piaras says makes me tear up and
sad since most of it is true. “Still, we have to keep going on and trying to
improve and not let life keep us down. That’s what my dad always says. There’s
always something you can do.”
“That is true and I do have something I can
do to make my family’s life a bit easier. Do you know why is called the Hanging
Bridge? People come here to kill themselves by throwing themselves in the river
and there are rumors that people hang themselves by using their own tails like a
noose. Who knows if the people around us are here because they’re here to watch
the setting afternoon sun or if they have suicidal thoughts? I know which kind of
person I am.”
Trying my best to seem reassuring, I put on a
face, hold out my hand, and say, “Come on, Piaras, your family needs you! Life
will get better. You just need to pray, hope, and rely on the people that love
you.”
“If I’m gone, then it means they’ll have one
less mouth to feed and worry about. Here, take this eye that your dad gave me
and give it to them to sell. Thank you for everything, Varena.” Piaras takes
the golden eye out of his eye socket, throws it at me, and jumps off the bridge
before I can grab him. In a panic, I jump off the bridge in an attempt to save
him. At first, I try to wrap my tail around one of the railings and bring
Piaras back up, but his weight and my weak strength make it difficult and we end
up falling into the river together. While in the river, I see that Piaras is
unconscious, so I swim over to him and bring him to land.
“Piaras! Come on! Wake up!” I say while
trying to resuscitate him to no effect. Looking back up at the bridge, I see people
watching and talking to each other. “Get us help!” After hearing me, the people
rush away to presumably do as I said. I think that it’ll be better if I meet up
with them halfway, so I do my best to carry Piaras as I move through the hilly
forest. While in the forest, I hear something moving in it. “Hello?! We’re over
here and need my friend needs help right now!” A shadow figure approaches us
and reveals itself as it gets closer to us.
“Varena! I’m so glad that you’re safe. Piaras
wasn’t supposed to do that. Here, let me heal him.” The strange woman
approaches Piaras and one of her snakes injects something into his neck. “He’ll
be fine now.”
“Um, what have you done to him and who are you?”
“I’ve healed him thanks to an ability that I have
as a deity. As to who I am, has Zenos never told you about me? Don’t I look
familiar to you? Has that deceiver, Qadira, never mentioned me or that you’re
not her actual daughter.”
“Woah, slow down! My mom is no deceiver, and
no they never told you about me. What do you mean I’m not my mom’s actual
daughter?” Something is unsettling about this woman. She does bear some
resemblance to me and she’s mentioned my mom and dad by their names.
“I am Venetta, your real mother. Before Zenos
revoked his godhood, he was my lover and ruler over the deities until he encountered
Qadira and poisoned his mind with lies. He tried to do the same to me and get
me to leave our riches, worshippers, and power behind, but I resisted and tried
to get him to stay. Even with everything and everyone I had at my disposal, he
managed to slip away with you in his arms probably as a result of the Outsider
or “God” as you call Him since he escaped an impossible situation.”
I have been taught about tribes of deity serpentmen
creating cities and societies, but I’ve never encountered one. “I guess I know
why my parents never told me about you because your people are degenerate,
blasphemous, and barbaric.”
“Are we now? Because of my deity form, I was
able to save Piaras. In addition, both he and your friend, Oretta, have come to
me for help and wisdom. In fact, many from your town do that and are spies for
my kingdom.”
“Why do you have spies in my town and why are
you influencing people?”
“You are my dear daughter. You and Zenos are
my goal. I want you two back and for Qadira to suffer for taking you away from
me. From there, I’ll burn down the town and the church for what it’s done to
you.”
“What?! You can’t do that! I won’t allow it!”
“Ha! Oretta was right in saying that you have
my fiery spirit. I like seeing it, but it’s you’re misusing it. Don’t worry
about the people in the town. They’ll either serve alongside us or be enslaved
to serve us for the rest of their days. If you’re wondering about Zidane, don’t
worry. He’ll have a high seat of honor alongside us. So, will you join me and
take your rightful place as princess and future queen of your kingdom?”
The temptation to accept her offer rings
silently through my head. Venetta’s snakes on her head and the ones that take
the place of her hands look at me and move their heads in subtle ways that make
my head hurt and the temptations worse. “N-no! I refuse! Leave me and everyone
else alone!”
“If you say so. You’ll soon want to be at my
side and my daughter once again. You can’t deny your own urges for long.”
Venetta hugs me and kisses me and my head. “Don’t forget that I am the only one
who loves you. More than Zenos and infinitely more than Qadira and her so-called
God.”
I swipe my claws at her throat and say, “Get
away from me! I told you to leave me alone” Venetta laughs and then slithers
away. I’ll have a lot to ask mom and dad about when I go back home, but first,
I have to get Piaras some help. Thankfully, the people from before finally find
me, however, they denounce me because they saw me talking to Venetta. To them,
this confirms their fears and the rumors that my family is connected to the deity
serpentmen. “I have nothing to do with that woman! If you saw us, then you have
to have heard me denying her offer and telling her to leave this town alone.”
Despite what I said, the people continue denouncing
me and begin to throw rocks at me. The temptation to cut their throats with my
claws arises in my head, and I’m about to give in until I see Trista,
Zidane, and Selestine push through the crowd and come to my aid.
“If you heard what she said, then you should
leave her alone or are you all deaf?!”
“She’s done nothing wrong! She’s only risked
her life to save her friend and denied the temptations of a deity!”
“Step aside and get our friend help, or else I’ll
make sure you all will have to owe twice on your next tithe as part of your
penances!”
Even though my friends try to defend me, the
crowds still yell at us. We have to push through them while carrying Piaras to
escape this situation. Once we get back to town, we take Piaras to a doctor who,
after checking his condition, tells us that he'll be fine and just
needs to rest. I guess whatever Venetta did to him did save him. We then go to
tell Piaras’ family what happened and at which doctor he’s resting. I also
give them his golden eye to give back to him once he wakes up. They thank me
and quickly head off to check on him. Turning to my friends, I say, “Thank
you for everything. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s what friends do.”
“I should be sorry for getting there later
than the other two and only going to chase after Zidane for leaving his
responsibility to help you.”
“I won’t get in trouble for abandoning my job
to help Varena and Piaras, will I?”
“No, you won’t. In fact, I’ll be the only one
being punished for not helping a friend in need. I’ll be going to confession
tomorrow to confess my wrongdoing and atone for my sins.”
“Well, alright! Anyways, I’ll help you get
home, Varena. After what happened, I’m sure word will spread and people will
start acting funny around you.”
“I’ll go with you guys then if that’s the
case. They’ll be less likely to attack or yell at you if they see me because
they’ll know that they’ll get in trouble with my family if they do anything
stupid.”
“Thank you, guys. I really appreciate it.” My
friends take me home and say good night to me and my parents before leaving to go their separate ways back home. I
tell my parents everything that happened including Venetta and what she said.
“What Venetta said was true. I’m sorry you
had to find out this way. Your mom and I were going to tell you everything if
you asked about why mom couldn’t have more children, but since you never asked,
we never told you and thought it wouldn’t be right to just tell you out of the
blue.”
“Well, it would’ve been better if you did
tell me.”
“It would’ve been even better if you killed
Venetta or got rid of her somehow so we wouldn’t be in this situation! Now the
people who hate us have a reason to be afraid because they know she’s after us!”
“Varena! You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“I’m…I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand your frustration,
but I tried to change her when I could and she refused and tried to force you
and I to stay in her kingdom. To be honest, I thought she would be trapped in
the politics of that self-destructive kingdom and never have the chance to bother
us. Looks like I was wrong.”
“Yeah, you were. Now, what are we going to
do?”
“Resist her and pray for her and those she’s
influenced. If she comes around, we’ll keep denying her offers and if things
get violent, we’ll defend ourselves, which goes for her, her followers, and the
people in the town who chose to hate us.”
“We’ll make it through this together. Trust
us that the hard times will pass. God is with us after all.”
“Yeah, I know.” My parents kiss and hug me before
saying more reassuring words that I hardly acknowledge. Life is going to get
harder for me and everyone I care about and there’s nothing I can do about it.
God, if you really care about us, then please get us through it all.
