Anne kept fiddling with the sheets as she was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. The utter softness of the bedding was unknown to her and she was finding it hard to get used to it. Tom was sleeping in another bed next to her. After they entered the farmhouse the previous day, they were welcomed with open arms by the family living here. The father gave them a meal and some spare pajamas to wear to bed. They couldn’t experience the taste of the food, nor have they spoken a word to the man since then, yet they were so grateful. So much so that Tom had a hard time eating. He kept sobbing. The sun was already setting by then. They were so worn out that they were put straight to bed. Tom was asleep within minutes.

We made it.

What happens now? We can’t stay here, but where can we go? Maybe we can work here on the farm? I don’t know what to do.

A sudden flashback interrupts her thoughts. The image of the baboon-creature standing over Tom, ready to rip him apart.

What would I have done… if… if anything would happen to him? I was so powerless. Our connection, I have never felt it so intense before. It felt like I would die with Tom, but not in the same way. That creature. Whatever happened to that thing? There was so much blood.

She rests her hand on her chest to try and calm her heartbeat when she felt the cold touch of the socket that is imbedded above her right breast. In that moment all the uncertainties piled on her, pressing her deeper and deeper into the bed. She wept, curling up into a ball

Purpose. Do we have any? Is there any reason?

A soft squeak could be heard as the door slowly opened. Startled, Anne wiped her face and listened.

‘Anney?’ Tiffany’s tiny voice called from the doorway. She came in and walked up to the bed.

‘Anney?’ She whispered again.

‘Yes, Tiff?’ Anne sat up, pretending to have been sleeping.

‘Can I sleep here with you? I don’t like the dark very much’ Tiffany said as she played with a strand of her hair.

‘Where is your dad?’

‘Papa… papa is not here. He will be back tomorrow. He stays outside some nights.’ She said while fidgeting even more.

Anne tried to make sense of it but quickly decided that this is not the time. She moved up. Tiffany gave a small jump of joy, then clambered up the bed. Her pink pajamas matched those Anne was given to wear. Tiffany cuddled up against Anne, her eyes already closed.

‘Thank you, Anney’ She mumbled with a yawn.

‘Y-you don’t have to cry anymore.’ She added.

A little taken back, Anne held her as she fell asleep.

This sensation. It feels so nice.

With a slight smile on her face, Anne falls asleep.

***

Daddy, can we visit mommy today? I got her some flowers.

No! I already saw the doctor yesterday! And the day before. Why can’t I go see mommy? The flowers are going to wilt… Daddy, why are you crying? Please no. I’m not sad! Please, no pills. I’m feeling ok daddy, look.

Please, I don’t want the pills again. You know what happens.

Daddy? Daddy!

Anne wakes and finds herself staring at a ceiling. She sits up and looks around. Her head was a bit hazy.

Where am I?

Tiffany was still curled up next to her.

Oh, right I remember. How long have I been sleeping?

The sun’s rays were coming in low through the window. It was still early morning and an old cross-eyed rooster was on the roof trying to wake them. It gurgled a few sounds then fell over, rolling down the side of the roof. The low rumble echoed through the ceiling and ended with a tump as the rooster hit the ground outside.

‘That’s Goose’ Tiffany groaned as she woke. She looked up at Anne and gave her a big toothy smile.

‘Morning!’ Tiffany greeted. She sniffed the air and her face lit up more.

‘Breakfast!’ She dropped off the bed and scurried out into the hall. ‘Anney! Tommy! Hurry! Breakfast is ready.’ She called from somewhere in the house.

Tom just woke up and was looking more confused than Anne was. They both stumbled out of bed and followed the excited yapping down the hall. Tom and Anne were both wearing bright pink long sleeve pajamas. They entered the kitchen and was assaulted by the smells of food. Yesterday they couldn’t taste or smell the food for what it was, but now their senses seemed to have recovered. Anne and Tom felt the rush of excitement, suddenly understanding Tiffany’s enthusiasm. The big farmer was trying his best to establish himself in the kitchen. Everything from the spoons to the pots and pans seemed too small when he worked with it, and most of the utensils were bent. The three of them were seated at the small wood kitchen table. Pumpkin was basking in the sun as it shone in through the open kitchen door that led outside.

‘Morning little ones.’ The farmer’s voice rumbled as he finished some sunny side up eggs. The eggs flopped onto their plates as he dished them. He then got the crispy bacon, which was crumbled into small bits.

‘Thank you, papa.’ Tiffany said and dug into her food.

‘Thank you.’ Anne followed. She and Tom started eating.

‘Make sure you drink plenty of water.’ The farmer said as he placed three large full glasses in front of them.

‘Yes papa’ Tiffany uttered stiffly and rushed for the water. Her eyes urging Tom and Anne to do the same. They did. The farmer softly sighed and he smiled.

‘You haven’t told us your names yet little ones.’ He said calmly.

‘I’m Anne. This is Tom. He… doesn’t talk.’ She said while chewing on some bacon.

‘Tommy! Anney!’ Tiffany exclaimed with a know-it-all smile.

‘Oh, you knew, did you?’ her father said acting overly surprised.

‘And when were you going to tell me?’ He said as he reached over to tickle her. ‘Hihihihi! Noooo haha noo!’ she giggled, trying to break free. He let off and looked back at Tom and Anne.

‘I’m John.’ He added.

‘Papa Johnny!’ Tiffany laughed.

‘Sorry for yesterday. We had some problems with chacma spiders attacking the cattle. Almost mistook you for one.’ He let out a husky laugh at the idea.

‘What is a chacma spider?’ Anne asked, her mind anticipating the answer.

‘Bad new those creatures.’ John murmured. ‘They are…’ He looked at Tiffany and decided to rethink his answer.

‘Spider. Baboon. About as big as pumpkin there, just not as puffy’ He said with a pause. He tries to think of a better way to explain.

‘Don’t worry.’ Anne said, staring at her plate. ‘We understand.’

John lifts a bushy eyebrow. ‘Oh?’ Worry flickered across his face, which he quickly hid as he took a sip of cold water.

He is not entirely correct. They are much bigger. Anne thought with a shiver.

Tom’s eyes widened and he pointed to John, and then to his own arm, poking at the marking he and Anne had below their wrists.

John looked down at his arm.

‘Oh, this?’ John showed them his wrist, revealing a similar yet different mark than they had.

‘What about it?’ John smiled.

‘What is it?’ Anne asked quickly. ‘What does it mean?’

‘This here is just your date of birth.’ John laughed. ‘It shows when you were born, see? Counting the years from mine I’m thirty-eight years old now.’

Tom eagerly held out his wrist for John to read.

‘Let’s see now. Hmmm… You are nine years old.’ John exclaimed. ‘And you…’ He turns Anne’s arm around.

John froze. His face was blank as he just stared down at her arm. Anne and Tom looked at each other, confused. Tiffany doesn’t seem to have a care as she continues eating. Seconds later John springs back to life as if nothing happened.

‘You are nine years old too. Ah, the dates are identical.’

‘Yes.’ Anne said suddenly. Pulling back her hand. The dark color of one of her sockets flashed from under her sleeve.

Oh no. Did he notice it? Was that why he froze?

‘He is my brother.’ Anne said without thinking.

‘I’m six!’ Tiffany exclaimed proudly while holding up five fingers.

‘That’s my big girl.’ John said warmly. ‘Well, I have to get to work. Remember to drink all your water.’ He says getting up.

‘You all play nice now you hear? And please make yourself at home.’ He kissed Tiffany on the cheek.

‘Can we visit mamma?’ Tiffany asked. After a slight pause, John gave a delighted nod, put a big hat on his head, and disappeared out the door and into the bright outdoors.

Tiffany obediently downs her water and puts her glass down with a clang. She points to their glasses. ‘Drink up so we can go.’ Tom shrugged looking at Anne, then finished his glass. Anne finished her glass soon after.

They follow Tiffany back to her room. Her room was mostly pink except for the white walls and bedding. Her wardrobe door gave a faint squeak as she opened it, and she pulled out a cute pink and blue dress and some undies. She places them on her bed.

She loves pink. Anne thought as she entered her room.

And she never wears shoes.

With a groan, Tiffany drops to the floor and crawls under her bed. She pops out the other side, pushing out a big suitcase. She flips it open, revealing more clothes.

‘Mommy made these for me for when I am older.’ Tiffany said smiling. ‘There are many. Come pick one!’ Tiffany gave a slight sigh of relief when Anne picked the least pink one. Anne smiled when she looked at the white ribbons dotting the dark blue dress.

Tiffany hands Tom a pair of jeans and a plain maroon shirt.

‘Sorry but I only have this that will fit you. This is for when I’m old enough to work in the field with papa. I have too many so you can have these.’

Tom felt his face warm up as he blushes.

‘Now go. We need to get dressed before we go see mamma.’ Tiffany said as she playfully pushes Tom out of her room. The door clicks to a close in Tom’s face. He scuttles around the corner into the spare room where they slept.

Anne thought of hiding the metal bits dotting her body from Tiffany as they undressed.

What if she sees these? I must hide them. Should I? Why am I even worried about it? Who cares?

The worry dissolves. Anne puts on the dress and finds herself looking in a big mirror next to Tiffany’s bed.

This dress is so pretty. I just love the little ribbons, and the colors are beautiful. Anne’s hair was clean, giving it a very different look than before she cleaned it in the riverside pool. Tiffany walked up to her, looking into the mirror with her.

‘Your hair is so pretty and curly. I wish my hair was as curly as yours.’ Tiffany said looking at a straight lock of hair she pulled in front of her face. Tiffany’s hair was dark brown and long enough to just pass her chin. A contrast to Anne’s long black locks that draped over her shoulders. Anne’s skin was soft and pale, with one of her bright green eyes trying to hide behind a stubborn lock of hair. Tiffany was tan. Most probably because of her farm life.

They leave the room just as Tom came around the corner.

‘Wow, Tom that looks very good on you’ Anne said, giggling with Tiffany.

‘Now let’s go visit momma!’ Tiffany jumped, unable to contain her excitement. ‘Oh, but first! We need to get her flower’.