Fowlhunter [GL]

The following night, Capri and Ennanis made their way to meeting Moru. They were still discreet about it. The director probably guesses that I’m here, but doesn’t have proof. Best to not let any guards catch us, Capri had said. Carefully, with a few well-timed distractions, they managed to meet the boy behind the metal bunker while he ate his lunch.

Moru looked a lot like his adopted sister. His face was soft and round-featured, and hair black as soot, though it was covered in so much dirt it had been impossible to tell if that was his natural hair colour. It was also frizzy and heat-damaged; Capri combed through it gently with her fingers as she talked to him, brushing the smudged grime off the curly locks.

“How have you been?”

“I’m fine.”

“Have they been treating you well? Eight hours of sleep? You get regular meals?”

“Mm-hm.” Moru munched serenely at his sandwich. He wasn’t very talkative. He kept his head low, brown eyes unfocused on the ground.

To the side, crosslegged and silent, Ennanis watched the conversation roll on. They talked about very normal things. Capri talked a little about what she learnt in school, about their family, about changes to their hometown, retiring bakers and new shops and their products and the like. Afterwards, Capri said:

“Remember, if you are ever in any trouble, pray to the Agni for help,” Capri said. She began to recite a short chant in a foreign language, probably a Kancha dialect based on the intonation.

When she finished, she shot a meaningful glance at Ennanis and at the dark circles under the angel’s eyes. “It will help ward off illnesses, bad spirits, and ghosts of the past that may keep you up at night.” Saying this, she chanted a few more times.

Perhaps some part of Ennanis knew it inappropriate of her to intrude on the moment, as it seemed of great significance to the humans. But it upsetted her to see them dance around what she felt was a very important matter, and after a while, when Capri’s murmuring had quietened, Ennanis could not ever help but speak her mind.

“The cattleprods,” she said.

Capri glanced at her. “I’m sorry?”

“The guards carry cattleprods,” Ennanis said heavily. “I don’t imagine they use those to mine rock.”

“......” The pair of siblings was silent.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Ennanis asked Moru.

Moru glanced up at her. He merely averted his eyes, saying nothing in return.

Capri spoke for him. Her gaze was downturned. “We really appreciate it, Ennanis, but it's best for him to stay here. He’s making a good wage here, better than what I can on the upper shelf, and they take care of him here, better than my family can. Besides, by being dust, he brings good fortune to our bloodline.” Capri drew Moru into a hug, tight and protective against her chest. “It's simply our hope for a better future, you see.”

She spoke to him, stroking his hair as she stared into his eyes, as if to memorise the look of his face for the last time. “Stay well-behaved, alright? They won’t hurt you if you’re well-behaved.”

“......” Ennanis wavered. “…If you’re sure,” she said finally, though she didn’t look satisfied.

Capri nodded. “Mmhm. Sorry… I imagine this isn’t what you came down here to do.”

Ennanis paused.

“-But this is already enough,” Capri said. “For me, getting one glimpse of my family… it’s enough. Thank you.” She ruffled Moru’s hair one last time, and put the hardhat back on him, fastening the buckle below his chin. She took her time more time than she should have doing this, every last precious second. She gazed into his eyes for a long moment. Then finally, reluctantly, she stood up, brushing her pants off.

“We can go home now,” she said.

“Wait,” Ennanis added quickly. “Do you two know about the Kraken?”

“Kraken?” Capri raised her brow. “Like the sea monster?” Meanwhile, Moru gave her a blank stare.

“...Never mind,” Ennanis said. “Yeah, let’s get out of here for now.” Now that she had a way down, she ought to regroup with the Beasts to seek their next steps.

Capri retapped her oil lantern. Then they made back towards the elevator shaft.

This time, Capri’s steps were noticeably slower, as if being more cautious than usual. She held the lantern low, far from their faces, hiding them from prying eyes. In the darkness, her expression appeared distant. She didn’t talk much on their way down the decrepit tunnel; still the hinge of the lantern creaked as it swung, unbearably loud in the deafening quiet. Creak. Creak… The occasional guard trekked past them, walkie-talkie crackling. But there really weren’t many of them. Because they had been diverted to the entrance. Because of that incident. The murder of the two guards.

They were almost at the elevator shaft. As per the previous time, they took a narrow, off-track crook. Behind the elevator, they stood nearly squashed on all sides by the rock.

Capri glanced up, and up and up and up, till her eyes found that little sliver of an opening they had come down through. “It’s a long way up,” she remarked.

Ennanis knelt down, arms out. She gave her wings a flap. “I’ll carry you.”

Capri looked down at her, the flickering lantern lighting her chin from below her, the blades of her soot hair. The first time, she had looked at her with so much fear in her eyes. Now, she still looked scared… but this time it felt different.

Ennanis watched the girl swallow.

“I’m sorry,” she said again. “I owe you in the next life.”

Capri threw herself at her.

Then, Ennanis’ vision exploded in white.