Chapter 5
TAA
Qinu
The other night, Qinu had found a “nice” alleyway that night to sleep in. After the chaotic events of the day before, he suspected that it wasn’t a good idea to return to the orphanage. He lay his head down onto the stone, then the voice came. He wasn’t dreaming, in fact, he was hardly asleep.
“Very impressive. Though, I would’ve picked somewhere more…clean.”
Hello to you too.
“I see you’re more welcoming. Have you considered my offer?”
And why would I do that?
“I’ve told you before, and I will again. I can help you.”
Qinu was silent after that, surprised by the tint of impatience the voice radiated in his mind.
“Keep thinking, you know I’ll be back.”
The voice was gone.
That was last night. Now, he was at the academy, on top of a willow tree admiring the sunrise. He could still feel the voice’s presence in his mind, deepening its scar on his brain. Twig was just below him. He’d met Twig when he’d first woken up. “Hello again!” Twig called, flashing an adorably stupid, gullible smile. Qinu smiled back. “Hi,” he replied. “ Why are you up here?” Twig asked, twisting his tail to a branch and hanging from it like a monkey. Huh…, weird, he thought. “I guess…, maybe to get some peace and quiet?”
Twig blinked. “But it’s quiet inside,” he said, looking towards the sunrise. “That’s true, but is it peaceful?” Twig was silent, as though he was deep in thought. “I guess not,” he finally muttered. There was silence until the sunrise was gone and foxes started flooding into the courtyard. Time to see if I was right. He scanned the foxes crowding the clearing. His eyes locked with a distant flash of yellow and silver. There she is… The female fox was speaking with another. Qinu studied the fox she chatted with. Her fur was pure white, aside from her light wine-red paws, ears, and tail tip. She had jewelry, and had an earring. He blinked. Is she 15? No… she looks younger. 13 maybe? I guess other towns don’t follow the same traditions.
Qinu leaned forward, trying to get a better view. He lost his grip and fell with a loud thud on the grass. He shot to his paws immediately. Everyone was looking at him. Even the fox he’d met the day before. Then, most foxes snickered, others just stared. This was all too much what the orphanage was like. Qinu should have done something other than run, but that’s what he did. He didn’t think. Didn’t evaluate. Just…, ran.
This was supposed to be my escape. My second chance.