It was a silent morning when Kerue and Felix awoke not even the usual songbirds were singing. It gave a beautiful but eerie feeling as she walked to the elder's house to say hello to her little sunshine. As Kerue neared she felt that something was wrong, the elders who would normally be inside teaching Zeverous were outside talking to their handlers in a hushed tone. She tried to put off any bad thoughts as she approached the visibly nervous group.

‘Zeverous was probably sick, yeah.’ Kerue told herself. ‘Babies get sick all the time!’ She tried to convince herself it was something simple but as she was within five paces of the elders they turned and said the words that made her worry the most.

“Kerue, don’t worry.”

The days when by and they had to abandon the village before the winter snow set in. Kerue and Felix had practically torn the village to shreds looking for their fragile baby but had no avail. For a few days they searched through the forests but it became obvious that no child would survive in such a terrible place. She and her husband packed their things and made their way on the long and arduous walk to the nearby city to evade the cold death of winter.

The walk took several days giving her plenty of time to think. If only she didn’t take Zeverous to that meeting that day! If only the other ladies kept it a secret from the elders! If only she was there more to support Zevrous! If only… if only… if only those bastard elders cared to keep their eyes on her!!

Kerue balled her fist as she kept her hate and frustration underneath her skin. Letting it grow and seethe.