But I had to get home.
My feet dragged along the cobblestone as I walked back to town, away from the farms and the quiet and the freedom.
Back into my world of white houses with iron fences and bullies and rules.
Kera’s father walked quietly beside me. I hoped desperately that my parents hadn't noticed that I was gone yet, though deep down, I knew they had.
“I could just sneak back in,” I said, wishing to avoid the inevitable. Kera’s father shook his head firmly.
“I can't let you do that. I'm responsible for you now.”
As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I knew he was right.
“My father will be fuming…” I trailed off.
His temper was notorious in our village, something I’d always felt ashamed of. I had cursed my mother countless times for marrying a man like him. Their marriage had been a trade—her beauty for his wealth. I doubt they ever loved each other.
I had vowed never to follow in my mother’s footsteps, never to end up with someone who treated me the way he treated her.
“I’ll deal with him,” Kera’s father said.
That was the kind of father Kera had been blessed with. He was firm yet understanding, soft but strong. On Midsummer, when Kera disappeared, he’d stood up to my father, something very few dared to do. His calm manner and quiet strength probably earned him the respect of everyone who saw it.
The metal gate to my home came into view. And my stomach tightened.
I pushed it open with a soft creak.
Roses in red, pink, and white filled the garden. My mother had to do something with her days other than gossip with her friends, I suppose. Gardening kept her busy, but never too busy to have a warm meal ready for when my father got home from work.
I slipped quietly through the still-unlocked front door and gestured for Kera’s father to leave, hoping he would understand that he’d done his part.
I was home, safe. But he ignored my silent plea and knocked firmly on the door.
I snuck back out.
A moment later, the door swung open and my father stood in the threshold. His eyes darted between me and Kera’s father, trying to make sense of the pairing, before grabbing my arm and pulling me toward him.
“What are you doing with my daughter?” he growled at Kera’s father.
“Good morning, Mr. Warlin,” Kera’s father said in a calm, polite tone, unfazed by his hostility.
So my father turned it on me instead, digging his fingers deeper into my arm.
“Where have you been?”
“I… I found Kera,” I stammered.
“Oh.” He blinked, taken aback by my words. “You found her... body?”
“No. I found her alive. I brought her home.”
I tried to hold his gaze, but my voice trembled as I spoke.
He didn’t look convinced.
“You don’t lie to me,” he demanded. His eyes bore into mine, and I knew that he was searching for any sign of dishonesty.
He always knew when I was hiding something.
