INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

The burning heat of the sun, the aching pain on her feet, and the numbness of my legs made her exhausted. They had been walking for six hours without stopping, only taking fifteen minutes break to eat. The atmosphere around them seemed joyful but Hanne was not having it. Her brother and Storm were busy bugging their new companion, but Aria only answered in short monotone sentences. It was their third day travelling together. Hanne walked silently and slowly behind the three but when Aria snapped, she wordlessly moved besides Hanne. Storm was surprisingly curious about her but he let her go when she walked beside Hanne. Aria didn’t say anything but watched the surrounding as if expecting an attack while Hanne’s stare was burning a hole on Storm’s back. What’s his deal?

“We’ll rest here for the night,” Nate said when they reached the edge of the forest. What lies ahead was a grassy plane. Further ahead would be…

“We will reach the river at dawn,” Storm added. Hestarted to leave but he stopped and looked at Hanne. She became conscious. What…?

“Are you strong enough to help me? Nate will cook.” Strong enough? But I’m fine…

“Yes,” Aria replied behind her. The two disappeared behind the rows of trees, leaving Hanne standing, dumfound and embarrassed.

Yes, Hanne, why would he ask for your help?

But why not?

“Hanne, you should rest,” her brother noted. She snapped out of her reverie and sat down. She silently watched Nate prepare the kettle and small pot.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Her head snapped towards his voice. Nate was sitting beside her with a small smile. She found that he had already finished preparing everything and was waiting for the fire woods.

She coughed.

“Wh- what’s taking them so long?” she said without looking at her brother.

“He’s probably interrogating her.”

“What?” She faced Nate, confused. He laughed at her reaction.

“He’s only talking to her. She’s having a hard time telling us her story but Storm is curious about her.”

“But why not talk here?” Are we disturbing them? She wanted to ask but stopped herself. Nate shrugged.

“Sh- she’ll be more comfortable if I talk to her than Storm, who’s a guy and not good at talking,” she added.

“But I think he wanted to know himself. This is the first time I saw that reaction.” Nate said the last statement as if he’s remembering something.

“What reaction?” There were thousands of thoughts running in her mind. The same feeling that she couldn’t understand was bubbling inside of her. Nate’s eyes widened at her reaction but she didn’t care. He fake laughed.

“Uh that reaction when one is really suspicious of something,” he replied. She tried to read his face if he was lying. Nate won’t set her aside. Even if he lies, it would always be for her safety. I understand you… that’s what his face is telling me. So looked away.

“We wanted Aria to open up in order to know her and help her. If Storm said or do anything that hurt-”

“It’s not your place to say that, Nate.” Oopps. That came out wrong. She looked at him with a smile. She didn’t want to make him worry.

“He didn’t do anything wrong to me. I’m also curious about Aria.” Nate frowned. He now looked anxious.

“I’m fine,” she explained before he could say anything. His expression softened.

“Remember, all our decisions and actions are to keep you safe.” Our? Is Storm included?

Both of them turned when they heard footsteps. Storm emerged from behind a tree, carrying branches. Aria followed, also carrying twigs.

“Are you okay?” Hanne suddenly asked her. She looked flushed and uncomfortable.

“I’m fine,” she quickly replied before setting down the twigs. She sat on a flat rock. Hanne wasn’t one who likes observing people because she always mined her own business. But this moment broke her a little bit and she didn’t know why.

Aria, with her flushed face, kept glancing Storm, who was oblivious of what’s happening. Ahh… I see. She looked at Storm to glare at him. He caught her stare but only gave her a blank look.

After their light dinner, everyone placed their sleeping bags on the ground. No one said anything. Everyone seemed to feel the heavy atmosphere. Hanne couldn’t understand where it was coming from. She was confused why her chest felt heavy. She wasn’t an emotional person. After she settled in her sleeping bag, she suddenly felt angry and irritated at herself for feeling whatever she was feeling. She knew that disruptive thoughts were dangerous for her and her brother’s survival. Remember your promise to your mom, Hanne.

“I should’ve talk more.” Hanne was startled. She looked at her left.

“I’ve been sorting my thoughts,” Aria added without looking. Hanne didn’t know what to feel. The red-haired girl changed Storm’s behaviour. Hanned wanted to know what happened between her and Storm. But what if nothing happened? She wanted to know why Storm was acting out of character. But what if I never knew him?

“I’m also not good at expressing, but rest assure that my brother and… Storm wanted to help you,” Hanne said instead. Where’s my usual bitchy self?

“I know. And I know that you are scared for them.” Hanne wanted to scoff. She didn’t care what happens to Storm. But that’s actually false, right?

“Tomorrow, is it fine to talk to you?” Her voice was still monotone but it felt different. The image of Aria and Storm’s backs walking away flashed in Hanne’s mind.

“Of course,” she whispered. “And we can bother the boys like how they bothered you,” she added. Aria didn’t reply but Hanne knew she was smiling.

An hour passed but she couldn’t sleep. She sat up then looked around. Nate and Storm’s sleeping bags were full. Then who is guarding?

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered when she noticed the crescent moon hanging in the sky. She didn’t really care about the sky before they ended up in this journey. She stood up to look at the moon closely. She slowly walked towards a tree so she wouldn’t disturb the others. There were only a few stars tonight but the moon was big and bright.

“What are you doing?” She looked up when she heard the voice. Storm’s dark hooded eyes met hers. Her mood soured so she looked away.

“Nothing,” she whispered, small enough for him to hear.

“Go back.”

“I don’t want to. Later.”

“You’re going to complain tomorrow that you’re sleepy-”

“I won’t.”

“-And tired.”

“I said, I won’t.” Then silence.

“Is something bothering you?” Her eyes widened a bit. She didn’t expect the question.

“None.” She turned around to go back to try and sleep. She knew that their conversation won’t go anywhere. Then she heard a thud. She turned around, coming face to face with the person who kept her awake. It’s just because I’m curious.

“I don’t think so.” When she raised her eyebrow, he added, “There’s something bothering you.” She scoffed.

“Are you a mind reader now?” He didn’t reply but just stared at her. She hated his blank expression.

“Do you have something to say to me?” She quickly placed her palm on her mouth but the words were out. His eyes widened a bit. Stupid Hanne.

“Do you have questions for me?” he reverted. Yes, a lot. Like what you and Aria talked about and why did she look like that?

“Did you do anything bad to Aria?” she asked instead. Way to go, Hanne, acting like you really care about Aria’s well-being instead. But she did care. Storm was most of the time mean to others. He didn’t reply. Or is it only me? She couldn’t see his expression because of the bright moon behind him.

“D- did you hurt her? What did you say to her to make her look like that? Wh- why are paying a lot of attention to her? I- is something wrong?... I- I’m just curious.” Stop, Hanne. Your mouth is putting you in trouble again. She kept her eyes on the ground. She was waiting for a sharp reply or a scoff of an insult.

“I told her to talk to you because you seemed troubled and uncomfortable with her silence. We wanted for her to open up to know if she’s dangerous for your safety. But I already talked to her earlier and you can ask her about it,” he ranted. “I hope you won’t get uncomfortable.”

That was the longest sentence she heard him say. Her eyes widened at his words. She was relieved but at the same time confused again as to why she was relieved.

“Y- you were bothering her a lot and-“

“I won’t do that anymore.”

“Y- you kept glancing at her.”

“I’m sorry.” It was a jaw-dropping moment. She chuckled inside. This scenario is like when the girlfriend found out that her boyfriend was seeing another girl.

“Uh you don’t have to explain this-“

“You wanted to know.”

“But you are not usually the kind who explains to me-“

“Go back to sleep,” he ordered then jumped up the branch. She wasn’t finished yet but she bit her lip from saying anything. She turned around.

“Good night, Hanne.” She smiled when she heard this. Unknowingly, her chest lightened after everything she heard. But she didn’t know if he was saying the truth. Why do I need to know? She assured herself that she was just curious and cautious.

“Good night, Storm.” She heard the flapping of birds from the distance before she closed her eyes.