Chapter 4. Malik

With head was bent down and Atticus was looking at the path as if he hadn’t seen her. He wore a three piece suit that was the same shades of brown as the dead leaves. Before he raised his head, he paused a moment and then his golden eyes met Nisreen’s ruby red eyes. A smile of self satisfaction spread across his face. In his shrieking voice he said, “Ah, It was a most magnificent performance this morning. Your granny is so elegant in her macabre.”

Nisreen didn’t react or speak a word. She pretended not to hear him at all. Ignoring him didn’t phase him. He came to where she stood, picked up a pebble and threw it in the stream. It splashed. In a low and suggestive voice he said, “So, you have had your absolutions.”

Fear caught in Nisreen’s throat. Had he been watching her during her cleansing? Of course he had! The bastard. She would not speak with this creature. She leapt into the sky. Home, she must get home. Atticus followed her.

In the sky, he zoomed around her laughing. He shouted, “So what is it like to bury your head into the body of a dead friend?”

Nisreen’s fear turned to fury. Atticus was so base. When he zipped by her again, she threw out her hand, and slapped him hard. Her long nails raked across his cheek, and caught on the corner of his mouth. For only a second he dropped below her, righted himself and looked up at her. His gold eyes glittered with delight.A trickle of blood leaked from his mouth. His small pink tongue reached out and licked it. He called to her, “I fear my curiosity has gone too far. I am sorry to have upset you.” He was not sorry. He closed the distance between then and cut to the side of her. Dropping his voice, he asked, “What does putrid flesh taste like?” A malicious smile spread across his face.

The stupid bastard wanted her to slap him again. He was feeding on her fury, gathering twisted pleasure from her anger. Disgusted, she dove for the trail. Atticus followed, swooped under her and said, “I was there when Vince was shot. Pray tell, your face bespoke volumes. Did you love the hunter, the beautiful hunter?”

Nisreen’s fury burned white hot in her chest, but she mustn’t let Atticus think he had upset her. She veered once again heading for the trail. This time Atticus spun around her and taunted, “What does it matter that Vince is dead, such a beautiful creature would never love a monster like you!” Cackling he spun and shot high into the sky. Unable to see him, Nisreen could still hear the wind flowing across his body. On the ground she saw his shadow headed straight for hers. Was he about to tumble her? He would not tumble her! She reversed her flight and flew straight towards him. Atticus smirked. He honestly didn’t think she would strike him. Fool! Gathering speed she shot toward him. He was coming fast. When she hit him it was going to hurt, but she was sure she could hurt him more. Once second he was leering at her and the next, they were only inches apart. She waited for the impact and there was none. He sliced through the air beside her so close she felt his breath upon her arms. Laughing, he shouted, “Until we meet again!” His ribald laughter filled Nisreen with disgust. She glanced up at him, he was retreating. Turning her attention back to the ground, she zoomed to the trail and landed hard. Once on the trail she ran as fast as she could, so fast her stomach began to turn. If she didn’t slow down she would regurgitate, but she must not. Her stomach was hard at work digesting and obliterating contagion. It must finish the process or else risk spreading infection here on the trail. It was a risk she would have to take because Atticus might be following her. She was almost home. Soon she would be safe, soon she could rest. Her body ached with fatigue.

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In the shade of the trees she stopped. The smoke coming the chimney filled her nostrils. She heard the hisses, grunts, and laughter of her family. They were in celebration mode. Nisreen was not ready to celebrate with her family, it seemed too soon. No one knew if the lung sickness had spread to others in Old Shelia’s village. If it had Nisreen’s life would become a nightmare. She dreaded the times when death forced her to feast on infection over and over again. Diseases were the curse of the blood born and all living things. They struck trees and plants. Tiny bloodless creatures too small to s were also susceptible to contagions. These thoughts were dark, and they were the exact reason the rest of her family reveled. It was time to forget. Its was time to turn toward happiness. They must make their happiness where they could.Thanks to Atticus, her energy was spent. Unable to raise even a smile, she crept passed her family in the shadows.

On the front porch her father and uncles were clustered smoking grapevines and passing a jug of Granny’s special recipe. The females were under the oak tree on old quilts hissing among themselves. Gossiping most likely. Granny saw Nisreen, but didn’t call her to join them. She simply nodded and Nisreen returned her nod. Behind the house the young male’s were rough housing, while the young females looked on with interest. Unnoticed Nisreen slipped into Granny’s garden shed.

The shed was pitch. The darkness spread over her like a comforting blanket. Nisreen closed the door and slid down to the floor. She drew her long legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. In her brain Atticus’ words roared and stabbed her. All the things he said echoed and echoed again. Those questions he’d asked, were questions that hounded her in her vulnerable moments. His observations about Vince were on point. Vince never would have loved her ever, but she would rather have him alive than not know him at all in this life. At least their paths would have crossed from time to time as they fulfilled their separate duties. Only, Vince no longer had a life. Did she still have one without him? Yes, but it wasn’t much of one. Exhausted, she closed her eyes, laid her head on her knees and battled to push all thoughts of Atticus and Vince away from her. It was not working.

Suddenly, the door gave way behind her and she fell backwards. Strong arms caught her. She looked up, the sun was blinding and she couldn’t tell, who had her. She sniffed the air and instantly knew the scent. It was Malik, her cousin Nate’s best friend. He leaned closer to her and said, “I heard Atticus harassing you, are you okay?”

This information went into Nisreen sideways. Wait, what? So had Atticus left because of Malik?

Again the young male asked, “Nisreen, are you okay.”

Weakly she nodded. Her eyes darted to the yard, no one was watching. She pulled herself from Malik’s grasp and scooted back into the shed. Malik followed and closed the door behind him.