Things had moved on for the better since Ashathink moved in. I started viewing her as an older sister, which I already made clear to Shade that it didn’t mean they had to be siblings. She taught me all sorts of things about her culture. One of my favorite things she taught me are life beads. She started a new life bead since she viewed this as having a new life after finally breaking away from grief and anger.

  “How come your first six beads are black? Those are meant to symbolize a dark year.” asked Ashathink.

  I paused, “That’s how many years I lived with my ex parents…”

  Her eyes widened, “Oh… I should have known that…”

  “It’s okay. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore.” I patted her shoulder.

  Just then, Shade came out, dressed in traditional Heskian clothing. My face almost immediately lit up.

  “I almost forgot it’s Artonia day!” I exclaimed.

  Ashathink looked confused, “Artonia day? You mean the girl who got so mad she was sealed in the gem of the Eshkichin?”

  Shade paused, “What? What are you talking about?”

  “You haven’t heard her story? Then why are you celebrating her?”

  “What do you mean? Of course, we know her story! She saved all the Heskians from going extinct after the Eshkichin attacked them! She fought off a horde of over 20 echidnas that came to finish off the children of their tribe.”

  “I was there that day! It was another attempt to get rid of the Eshkichin people… I saw the girl get rejected by her own father. Enraged, she accidentally harnessed the powers of their gem, and she had to be sealed into it.” Ashathink explained.

  “Hey, uhh, Shade, can I talk with you in private?” I asked Shade.

  “Sure, bud.” He quickly led me into another room.

  Once we were in the room, I began talking to him, “She’s lived for over 2,000 years. She has no reason to lie to us.”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “I know you’re right, but how are we supposed to break the news to everyone else?” asked Shade.

  “I’m not sure, but we have to somehow.” I told Shade.

  “Let’s take her to the play being hosted by the elementary school. I’m running it, so there might be something we can do.” said Shade

  “Okay… sure.” I replied

  We then left the room. Ashathink was waiting for us outside. Shade spoke up.

  “We believe you, but we need to find a way to tell the truth. The government themselves are pushing this story onto us, so it’s going to be very hard to convince people otherwise, mostly because a lot of people trust the government.”

  “There’s got to be some way they can listen.”

  Suddenly the doorbell rang. Ashathink tensed up.

  “What’s wrong, Asha?” I asked.

  “I don’t know but I don’t like the convenience of that doorbell.” Ashathink said.

  “I’ll answer it.” said Shade.

  Ashathink ducked behind the couch and trusting her instinct, I crouched down with her. Shade opened the door and I could hear their conversation clearly.

  “Good morning Mr. Shade. How are you this morning?” asked the mayor in a polite and professional voice.

  “I’m doing alright, how about you?” asked Shade.

  “Lovely. We just came to… check in on our dear Ashathink and Torshik.”

  Both me and Ashathink tensed up. Ashathink instinctively summoned her spear quietly.

  “Oh well they’re not here right now.”

  “Well where are they and when will they be back?” asked the mayor.

  “Uhh I’m not sure when they’ll be back but they’re in the city getting beading supplies.” replied Shade, scratching the back of his head.

  “Hey Shade?”

  “Yeah?” replied Shade.

  “You wouldn’t mind answering some questions for us, would you?” asked the mayor.

  “Uhh yeah sure…”

  Shade’s hand pointed towards the back yard behind the doorframe.

  “He’s telling us to go to the backyard.” I whispered to Ashathink.

  Ashathink nodded and teleported us there. I wanted to hear the rest of the conversation but I knew we would be safe in the back yard.