Sage glanced at the dirty water around her. There were only a few times when she allowed herself to cry. Sage remembered her mother saying to save her tears for when they were really needed. The moment her body seeped into the hot, murky water the hot tears began. Lifting her arm out of the water she watched the brown streams trickle off her grimy skin. Letting out a puff of air and tried to scrub the grim off. Even if the water was dirty, at least the layer of dirty could come off. Sage would often day dream of when she was a child and the water stores were not so low. She would take baths in water that was clear. It was over two decades ago now.
Now, they were lucky to get enough water to drink let alone bathe. Willow was giving her this liberty. A small token. Sage did not understand the old Nyem. Sometimes Sage caught glimpses her that rose the hairs on her arms. A quiver would go through Sage. They were images of when Willow was younger. From what Sage remembered of her father, Willow had many of the same features.
Shaking her head shoving the thought away, Sage splashed the dirty water. Sage gasped when her fingers touched the surface. Searing pain ran through her fingers as they dipped slowly in. Sage watched in amazement. Half the time, she had no idea what her body was doing until it was too late. She cautiously continued. A small circle formed in the water beginning to clear. The crystal water began to glow brightly.
Sage, open agape in shock, saw an image begin to form. Sliding her two fingers to the left, the image began to clear. A young woman was staring back at her. For a moment she wasn’t sure if the woman could see her also. Sage watched in horror as the dark haired woman moved in excitement. Behind the woman Sage could not take her eyes off the bright blue sky. Large fluffy clouds floated. Sage felt her gut twist. Wherever that woman was, it was beautiful.
“Please, save me…” Sage whispered in desperation to the woman. Sage wasn’t sure why she spoke those words, but tears continued to pour from her lashes. Removing her fingers from the water, Sage covered her face and tried to fight off the sobs.
Wiping her tears off her eyes to see, she froze looking down at the water. Screaming she quickly escaped the water. Peering over the edge she looked down in amazement. The water was clean. No longer murkier and fully of dirty particles. The water looked pure.
There was a pounding on the door behind her and Sage screamed again when someone came crashing through.
“Why are you scr-“ Basil bellowed stopping short at the tub.
“The water!” Sage yelled pointing her finger towards it.
“Put some cloths on,” Willow said shaking her head following behind Basil. Sage felt her cheeks grow hot for a moment and quickly yanked her clean clothes for the counter top. Turning her back she quickly got dressed while the others gazed dumbfounded into the tub.
Willow turned her face on Sage and gripped her wrist tightly. Wincing in pain Sage stumbled behind the elder Nyem. Shock struck Sage at the amount of force the old Nyem was pulling her. “Explain,” she demanded.
Sage glanced at her shocked and shrugged her shoulders. Basil quickly snatched Sage from Willow’s grasp glaring at her. “Do not touch her,” Basil seethed.
“What did you do?” the old woman asked again trying to compose herself.
“You know as well as I do that I never know what I am doing,” Sage whispered. She rubbed her wrist seeing the beginnings of a bruise start to form. Sage knew better then to mention the woman with dark hair and Nyem freckles across her face. “It just happen.” Basil had placed himself between the two women. Resentment flared as she looked at his back, with his muscles tense. Basil was searching for any way to help and not feel helpless. Even though they both knew there was nothing he could do, she would give him this moment.
Willow stared deep into the water and slowly sunk her hands into the hot water. Cupping her hands she pulled the water up letting the crystal droplets fall between her fingers. A genuine smile formed on her face. Saga inhaled sharply.
“You’re related to us,” Sage burst out. Basil glanced back at her like she just went crazy and Willow’s whole body froze. Hands still cupped she slowly turned her face towards the siblings. As she slowly opened her mouth, Sage continued, “You have father’s smile and the little wrinkles around his eyes he got when the smile wasn’t forced.”
Basil’s dark eye brows grew close together and he took a slow calming breath. “You turned away your own blood? Isn’t that what Nyem are all about? Family? Blood? The people?” Sage bit her lip reaching up to touch his shoulder. He shrugged her off.
“Please understand,” Willow whispered. Basil shook his head grabbing Sage’s hand forcing her out of the tiny bathroom.
“Basil, wait.” She said tugging gentling on her arm. Basil tightened his grip. “Please,” she said weakly.
Basil stopped in their room and began to stuff his items into his bag. “Grab your things Sage,” he said in a deep voice. Sage only nodded her head and followed suit. Throwing her satchel over her shoulder, Sage double checked the device was safe. The moment the satchel opened the whispers began again. Sage ignored them. Basil did not speak another word as they walked through the small living space and out the front door. It was dark out and the dim fires in the streets casted moving shadows onto the awkward buildings.
Sage glanced back over her shoulder seeing Willow in the doorway. Her cheeks were wet and Sage fought hard not to cry also. Sage knew she was now in more danger then before. Clear water could mean more to the Nyem then the plan. Biting her lip, Sage wished she could escape before they called on her to complete what she started.
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