Memories...

“I like to read and play cards,” Khunara answers with a small smile. “Simple stuff pleases me, such as taking walks and getting to know people. It helps me deal with all the emotions connected to the disaster and all this…chaos.” With a gesture to the ceiling, she obviously means the events from a year ago. “Most hobbies I used to have as a little girl - playing board games, spending time with friends - it all went out the window once mother and father got me on the path to be a doctor. I mean, I’ve always loved helping people, but sometimes I feel my career isn’t always my choice.”

***

Watching the guards leave, Sophia shudders a little and looks to the person that will be stepping into her mind and looking through all those heavily guarded memories. Gulping, she nods to both of them and keeps petting Honey. It’s all she can do to keep herself calm…

Most of her memories are that of a painful and rough life at the hands of her father. He is never nice in any of them - no kindness is offered even when her mother dies. The older she gets, the worse things become, but it is obvious that she is very good at keeping secrets and locking her emotions away. The only issue she has is her temper. When seeing someone hurt another, she has to help - it’s an instinct now.

The day finally comes when she returns home to find her father has friends over. They are all talking about things, drinking that nasty alcohol she hates so much, and the moment she steps inside, they all look at her. She tries to escape, attempts to run out the door, but hands are on her before she can even touch the doorknob.

All that can be heard are her screams of pain and begging for it all to stop…

Sophia is covered in a cold sweat, hugging herself now as the memories are brought to the surface. Closing her eyes, she does her best to endure.

During the events a year ago, a large twister hits home - she is unaware that this is her doing and that her eyes are even glowing as silver as her hair. All she knows is she must get to the cellar, which is exactly where she rushes to. Her father, slumbering on the couch and drunk as ever, does not know of the horrible wind or the wood being ripped from the walls.

She feels no sympathy for him as she closes and locks the cellar door and rushes to the safety of a corner. Tears well and fall down her face as she hears one loud yell of her father before he is swept away. Sadly, the wind will never be strong enough, never blow enough to wash away all of the horrors and sins she has endured over the years. Nothing will ever make her speak of this either, though.

The only good thing after that day is meeting Honey, the wolf-dog that now walks by her side. They become close and are as close as siblings now, taking care of each other. The wolf-dog is kind to her and she is kind back. They help each other.

From then on they stay on the move, meet people, keep secrets quietly held to their hearts and locked away. No one else in the world knows the things she does and she never seems to find a place to call home…

The last thing seen will be her distrust of Malik. She is unwilling to trust men very easily, but Perrine, being so deeply connected to animals, earns her respect. That is the extent of her trust towards most people, though. A true connection with someone will take time and effort.

She is one to keep her mouth shut, though.