INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

She kept waking up. It was her brother's turn to guard that night. He laid unmoving on his sleeping bag with his arms under his head. She knew that he preferred to sit and look around but Storm said that the sound will wake them up. She couldn't sleep because of the stranger beside her. She could perfectly see the stars and Milky Way above. But it didn’t calm her. He would glimpsed at her brother’s unmoving form, then lingered at the cot on her right. Hanne wouldn’t help just anyone so it probably surprised Nate when he saw her with a limping, obviously battered, red-haired girl, who is a foot taller. She looked like a climber who was attacked by a mob, not vicious animals.

She looked back at the starry night sky and weighted Storm’s words. But just like Nate, he couldn’t sense anything out of the ordinary about the red-haired girl. She didn’t look suspicious and it’s uncomfortable to see the fresh bruises, but they will know the truth when she wakes up.

It was three in the morning and her eyes were getting heavy when he sensed Storm stirred. Nate looked over at his standing figure, the dying fire illuminated only his lower body. He seemed to nod at Nate, indicating that it’s his time to guard. It wasn’t long before Hanne’s heavy eyes closed and drifted to another dreamless sleep.

Her sleep was cut short, bolting upright when she heard shouting.

“Wha-wha-what’s happening?” she shouted, still half-asleep and with blurry eyesight. She blinked rapidly to chase the sleep away.

“Don’t.touch.me,” said the red-haired girl with menacing eyes glaring at Storm. She stood slouching behind Nate who was trying not to touch her even though she was limping. Nate was awkwardly glancing at Storm, who was holding a white bandage while looking bored. What the…. Hanne’s breathing returned to normal after he realized the situation. She wiped his fresh-from-sleep face with her hand, then walked towards the three.

“What happened?” she asked. The red-haired girl’s head snapped towards her and seemed to relax when she saw Hanne.

“We need to change the cloth…” Storm started.

“Do.not.touch.me,” the red-haired girl replied.

“I’m not-“

“Don’t”

“-going to-“

“Alright!” Hanne raised both of her hands in the air. The two stopped. The situation reminded her of her and Storm’s usual bickering. She looked at the girl then gave her a small smile.

“He won’t touch you,” she explained slowly. “I will help you,” Hanne offered. The red-haired girl relaxed but was still glaring at Storm and Nate. The two guys left the girls to get fruits for breakfast.

Hanne was changing the white strap on the red-haired girl when she finally looked at her face properly. She wasn’t afraid or anything. She was just intimated with her fierce chocolate brown eyes. She never felt intimated by other girls before.

“I forgot my manners,” the red-haired calmly said after she changed her shirt and washed her face. “Thank you for…treating me.” Her eyes looked fierce and kind at the same time. Like Storm…

“You look better.” Hanne looked behind her and saw Nate smiling while holding apples and oranges. Storm strutted behind him with a frown. Typical…

“Thank you for your help,” the red-haired girl offered. Then the awkward silence followed as the two guys heat water in their small kettle. Hanne fixed her sleeping bag and help the girl fixed hers. Hanne knew that, just like her, Nate and Storm had countless questions for their new companion but decided to let her rest first. They were quietly drinking their coffee while sitting on large roots when Hanne couldn’t stop herself to ask.

“Can you tell us what happened to you?” My mouth won’t cooperate! But I’m so curious!

Nate gave her a look while Storm seemed to not mind. She turned to the girl, who set down her cup. We don’t even know her name…

After minutes of silence, she spoke up while looking at each of them – Hanne, Nate, then Storm, who now looked interested.

“Someone was following me. I tried to run, I can’t win in that fight. When I thought I was going to be killed…” Her gaze faltered when she looked at Storm. Hanne immediately followed her gaze, confused. Why?

“…someone save me back there,” she concluded, while looking on the ground.

“That must have frightened you,” Nate comforted. Hanne couldn’t comfort her. She was too busy watching Storm’s reaction. He usually looks around while listening to a conversation, but now, he seemed curious about this stranger. He scanned her whole face while the girl wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“He’s probably trying to figure out if she’s lying or not,” Nate whispered. Hanne gave him a small smile. Yes, maybe.

“What’s your name?” Storm suddenly asked.

“Ahh yes! We also didn’t introduce ourselves,” Nate exclaimed. The girl slightly brushed her rosy red hair. It looks royal red under the sunlight. Hanne glanced at Storm and found him still staring. This guy…what’s on your mind? She hoped he doesn’t have perverted thoughts or she would smack him later.

The girl stopped sipping her coffee. She seemed to be in deep thought. Maybe she forgot her name?

“Aria.”

“A lovely name.” The comment made Aria give a small smile. He had always been good with people.

“I’m Hanne.” She gave Aria a reassuring smile even though she wasn’t sure yet if she’s a friend or an enemy. But remembering her bruises and pale face last night, she couldn’t shake away her concern for another human being.

“Can me Nate, and this-“ Nate pointed to Storm, who was now looking away. “-is Storm.”

“Are you going somewhere?” Nate asked. She seemed hesitant at first.

“Westward.” She’s also going there? What if… Hanne and Nate glanced at each other. The siblings had the same thought. Storm’s stare also indicated the same conclusion but he seemed really bothered. I’ll have to talk to him later.

“You know…” Nate started but was cut off.

“I know you don’t trust me, I feel the same way. But I won’t hurt you.” She said the last sentence very softly.

“We are also going there.” Aria’s eyes widened at Nate, who just nodded. Hanne just watched the interaction. She was trying to lift some of the questions in her mind. Who is she? Why is she here? Why-

“Come with us.” Her neck painfully turned towards Storm. She wasn’t that surprise because he accompanied her and Nate for days now. But there’s a foreign emotion that she couldn’t describe.

“Uh… are you sure about that?” Aria asked, looking at the three, but her gaze lingered at Storm.

“You don’t look like someone who knows the forests,” Storm commented, earning him a glare.

“Might as well be in a group than alone,” Nate added. She’s really coming with us.

“What do you think, Hanne?” Hanne woke up from her thoughts.

“What? Oh… sure.” Aria’s eyes softened after Hanne’s statement. As a girl, she knew how difficult it is to be in the wild. She didn’t want to be a brat in front of her brother and Storm if she says that they don’t know her yet. But she’s not that bad. We’ll see.

They chatted for few minutes then started to get ready for another long way. Aria refused to extend the resting. She said she’s strong enough to way but slowly and not on rocky roads. Along the way, she started talking about her family and why she left. Hanne’s guess was correct. She was also looking for a group who can help her know her true identity and her father’s death. Unfortunately, she’s very straightforward and only gave short direct answers. Very mature…the opposite of me. When asked about her ability, her face paled.

“Are you okay?” Storm asked then offered a hand. “You don’t have to tell us if you are still uncomfortable.” Surprised by his sudden kindness, Hanne could only stare.

“Uh… I haven’t use it,” Aria replied with a clear voice. The colour of her face returned. She walked past Storm, brushing his outstretch hand. He followed her.

“Where-“ did that come from?

“Where what?” Nate asked beside her. She cleared her throat then shook her head.

“Something wrong?” Storm and Aria stopped when they noticed that the siblings weren’t following them. Hanne didn’t answer but stared at Storm. His usual bored face looked back at her. She could feel her eyes sting. He blinked several times, noticing the sudden change, then opened his mouth.

“Nothing!” she exclaimed then pulled her brother towards the two.

She gave him a fake smile, the first one after she left their mom and home to face the other world.