Chapter 104 Retaliation
"Sister, are we going on another picnic with everyone?" Bry inquired, casting a glance at the container Hera carried as they walked to their new location.
Hera glanced at Bry as they continued forward. "Why did you ask?"
"You are bringing food with you, isn’t it to share with everyone like our picnic yesterday?" Bry explained, kicking a pebble along the road.
Hera’s radiant smile faded, replaced by a glum and sorrowful expression as her eyes misted over slightly. "About that, Bry... um..." Hera struggled to continue, her difficulty evident, which prompted Bry to look up at her face. He was taken aback to see her looking so profoundly sad.
He stumbled over his words. "Um... Sister, what’s wrong?" Uncertain of how to proceed upon seeing Hera on the verge of tears, Bry felt a pang of concern.
Hera brushed away the imaginary tears, her voice strained as she spoke. "I don’t think I can have picnics with anyone from the village anymore..." She paused as if struggling to find the words, before continuing. "And it’s not just me—Xavier and Zen won’t be able to either."
"Why?!" Bry asked, his voice filled with alarm. "Did we do something to offend or disappoint you?" Bry’s expression was one of profound dismay as if tears were about to well up in his eyes. He even halted in his tracks, with the cameraman just a few steps behind them, capturing every moment on camera.
Hera felt flustered as she watched Bry’s frustration grow. "No, no, it’s not your fault or the villagers’ fault... The three of us actually loved the village and its people," she explained, managing a wry smile as she kept her eyes lowered, giving her a meek and vulnerable appearance.
"Then why?!" Bry couldn’t contain his emotions any longer, his voice rising as he shouted in frustration.