Finding Contentus

Chapter 14: Step Two

"You know, it's fascinating how such a fickle thing can mean so much in light of all that's happened so far. And all that's going to happen," Renero took a deep breath, exhaling like fresh mint.

Petora was currently in the season of Autumn. The green radiance of the forest fell into orange colours, coinciding with the dropping of leaves from the trees that were scattered and flying around them like whirlwinds.

The temperatures were steadily dropping in preparation for the approaching winter, which made the sun's warmth that much more resonate on their skins. The sun wasn't as bright on the eyes of the twins this time around, nor was it as palpable in extravagance, being shrouded against the overarching clouds in the sky.

Like the ever present clouds that hung over their heads, everywhere they went and with everything they did like trailing gloom. Instead of the orange fall, Genesia and Neosa saw red, falling over the forest and saturating it in blood. Everywhere.

"But hey, whatever challenge continues to come our way, we'll just continue to meet it. Although speaking of challenges." Renero's nostrils flared from the luring aromas that came their way from downstairs. "Our next challenger is morning sustenance!"

He turned his head away and started to walk towards the roof's opening, pausing to look at his two children. "You kiddies gonna keep staring at it or? Because the food is calling you."

Genesia and Neosa looked back at him with unfocused faces, wrapped and entangled in their thoughts that harbored in their minds like beehives. The pleasant sight before them provided the necessary outlet for the twins to escape and just...

Breathe. Relax. And be.

"We'll be down now now Papa," Neosa repeated, facing the slanting light that the sun produced.

Genesia gave his father a false smile, communicating the same sentiment. Ah, just give us a minute here.

Renero's cocky smile dropped from it's cheerful optimism, warping to match his son's face, noting the space they both needed with each other.

"Ah, right right. Uh, well, just don't stay too long. You both could use some good food in your bellies and Kakara's quite the feisty one when it comes to Leesey's cooking. Couple of minutes before we start chowing down on your portions okay?"

Genesia nodded stiffly, still maintaining his half smile, to which Renero reciprocated meekly before descending back down into the house.

The chilly air and morning fog blossomed like awakening flowers.

"Yeah... give me fire," Neosa motioned with her outstretched arm, opening the palm of her hand to feel the difference in the sun's warmth due to the changing season. She let the flames sprinkle along her skin, allowing the ball of limitless power to surge in her bloodstream like liquid fire.

Just as she did a few days ago when she basked in the sun's light and heat with her brother and uncle on top of the tallest tree of Mootlakeng.

Back then, she was so certain, so adamant and sure of herself, convinced that the breathtaking splendor would send them on their way to prosperous adventures, not... not the genocide of their race...

I want to cry again. Neosa thought earnestly, like crying was the only avenue, the only relief, the only pain killer, the only outlet for her boiling emotions and gross grief.

She wanted to scream, shout and shriek for the whole world to hear her pain like she was on fire, being burned alive, like their world was set on fire and scorched into nothingness. She wanted to cry every day for every member they had lost, like she was paying tributes to their deaths.