Autumn had only calmed down on the trek back when the brown-eyed lady told her that Bridget's sickness wasn't life threatening; the anxiety whooshed out of her even though she tried to stay fearful for preparation of the worse. Slowly, they made small talks that was awkward at first but the mother of the twins looked elated to finally speak on normal terms with Autumn.
The moment Autumn pushed the rusted steel hip-length gate open, she all but knew that something was wrong, totally wrong. The familiar smell of incense and home didn't welcome her as usual but all she could smell was wet earth and gloom. Quickening her steps to the entrance lined at the side with flowers that bent because of the beat down of the rain, she raised her hand to knock, her knuckles coming in contact with the door slightly only for the door to push open with a creak and squeak, falling forward but only held back by the second hinge; making her frown deepen. The whole house was dark and with lightening dancing on the dark sky, it was illuminated a bit for her to see; the wind changing the direction of the rain to spray over them and onto the entrance floor because of the absence of a porch and elongated roof top. Her eyes took in every detail; every scratch, every tilt, every broken piece, everything. Her hold on Bridget's thigh tightened a bit until she picked herself from the haze she was about to fall into.
"Mom! Dad?! I'm home..." She walked quickly from the doorway to the little space they called a parlor consisting of a wooden center table and only two couches where she lay burning Bridget to rest.
"Forgive me". She apologized to the woman who's name she had forgotten to ask during their little talk. "It-It's not always like this". She blushed embarrassed as she walked back to the doorway to close the door, slipping in the process because of the puddle that had formed from the continuous pour in and enveloping everywhere in total darkness once she finally snapped it shut. Blind walking, she caught hold of an oil lamp and lit it to place on the small wooden center table.
"Sorry for the intrusion and once again thank you for letting us squat for the night". Her eyes looked everywhere but at Autumn who gave a curt nod to dismiss the matter.
"There's a bathroom to the left with clean towels; there's water in the basin, you just have to bail". She told the woman when she noticed one of the twins shiver as she danced round to light up the place, excluding the hallway; her movements a little sluggish because of the heavy wet baggy shapeless gown she had worn back on the way.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!". The brown-eyed woman sprang into action, leaving Autumn to attend to Bridget who's fever seemed like it rode up every minute. Wringing water out of the towel she dipped into the basin placed on the floor, she placed it on Bridget's forehead only for her to stop when she heard something which made her frown. Leaning closer, she put her ear close to Bridget's mouth to be sure she was hearing right.
"Salvati... Salvati..."
What did that mean? She had never heard anything like that.
"Autumn?"
"Mama". She abruptly stood up and turned to face her mother who's eyes were already on Bridget who had a thick blanket wrapped round her.
"She wouldn't feel warm with wet clothes still on Autumn". Emerson sighed and Autumn rubbed her arm with a lazy, nervous chuckle.
"Didn't know what to do when it looked like she would die anytime soon". Med class!! She took it for granted, Autumn groaned; exasperated.
"Lemme see". Emerson placed her fingers on the side of Bridget's head with her body tilted slightly and her knees bent forward a little so that her arm could elongate a little all because of her swollen stomach.
"It's just migraine".
"Migraine?". Autumn was shocked. Migraine? Now she really hated herself for always ditching Med class. History and things about war were her forte, years that she could say if she were shaken from sleep but medical? A big no-no and it sucked.
As if reading her unasked question, Emerson clarified. "Different symptoms for different body system my silly child". Autumn's lips were curved in a 'o' shape and Emerson caressed a pouting Autumn's cheek with a sad expression crossing quickly which she tamed; Autumn noticing.
"Looks like it's a full house". At the same time, the brown eyed woman and her twins flanked on either side of her with a towel carefully wrapped round their body walked into the parlor. Not knowing what to do under Emerson's scrutinizing and piercing gaze that sized her to the core, the mother could only keep her gaze to the floor with her hands fidgeting on her kids wrist who looked up at her simultaneously to ask if she was okay. She nodded at them, waiting both eagerly and fearfully for Emerson to say something.
"Cut her some slack". A male voice grunted from the hallway that was yet to be lit.
"Papa!". Autumn smiled fondly and readied herself to bolt in his direction like usual so he would pick her off the floor and twirl her midair as usual but he stopped her, standing there and merging with darkness as if he was darkness itself which made her squint, putting the little pieces together.
"What happened?". She asked, walking towards him despite his warning.
"Autumn listen to your daddy". Emerson was seated beside Bridget, attending to the still unconscious girl.
Never being one to listen, despite the darkness she was able to locate his hand and yank him to the lit up parlor.
"Who did this to you". She asked once she finally saw his face. "Tell me". Her voice was extraordinarily calm which made Song worry and Emerson stiffen from where she was. But he didn't have to wait for long with the swirl of red in her iris.
"I'm all ears". She told him, her fingers caressing every bruise on his face with a smile on hers as she imagined every brutal punishment in her head.
Oh!! How she would make them pay.