The Dragon's Bride
Chapter 9

I am in a different part of the same boat as everyone else...

With Halona in mind, Catori made her way to her house by taking the long way. Walking down by the ocean where she saw the dragons not so long ago.

While making her way to Halona, she was hoping to see one again. Wondering if it was her father, or the mysterious man that now haunted her dreams.

But she wasn’t so lucky. She spotted none, and not before long she was at her friend’s house.

Before Catori could knock, the door was opened with the messy brown-haired Halona standing in the doorway.

“Did you know that I was coming?” Catori asked.

“No, I was only coming out for some fresh air.” Halona said, not meeting Catori’s eyes.

“There is something I need to talk to you about.” Catori put across.

“There is something I have to tell you too, but we can’t speak here. I know somewhere we can talk.” Halona said, then pulled Catori through her house and out the back.

The two walked until they reached close to the school, where they paused.

“I have been having these dreams ever since we went to the mountain, and then I was attacked.” Catori bleated out.

“I can’t really see the future.” Halona got out.

Both shocked each other.

Catori blinked a few times, trying to get over her shock.

“You can’t?” Catori was more than stunned. Now that she thought of it, she realized that none of Halona’s predictions ever came through. And those that had happened were merely just either luck, or something everyone already knew.

“My da’ only did it so we can stay here. We don’t actually pay to live in the upper side of Desolation.” Halona made known.

“So, what were your dreams about?” She questioned after, trying to change the subject off her.

Catori now doubted if she should tell her friend or not. Afraid she might laugh at her, telling her that she was silly and had her head in the clouds too much.

“Just about that man and what he said.” Catori lied.

“Yeah, that was creepy, wasn’t it? Do you think he would really come here?” Halona wondered out loud.

“I don’t think he was bluffing. The way he said ‘Stones’ said it all.” Catori said.

“I doubt he would come. Calian said everyone fears his father.”

Catori scoffed, “like hell they do. Akara is nothing to fear, it’s just those who he bullies that were scared of him.”

“Well, Calian-” Halona began.

“Calian this, Calian that. He is not-” Catori was cut off by the blowing of horns, just as how she cut Halona off.

They exchanged looks with each other, knowing that the horns only blew when there was something major happening.

Catori bit her lips, wondering if she would see her mountain man, and if he somehow had the same dream she did.

“I should go home and get something to eat.” Catori made a beeline towards her house, while Halona ran off to see what the excitement was about.

When Catori got home, the place was surprisingly silent. Her mother wasn’t nagging, and her siblings weren’t yelling at each other.

But she could see why, both Nuka and Kai were kneeling on bottle caps with their faces turned to the corner of the living room, while Farrah sat in a rocking chair, knitting.

“What’s going on?” Catori asked.

Farrah didn’t do as much as to look up. Instead, she got up and made her way to the kitchen, where Catori could hear the pots and pans banging.

“She placed us in the corner ever since you left. She hates us!” Kai cried.

“What?”

Catori stormed off to where her mother was.

“How can you do such a thing? They are just children. What could they have done for you to put them in a punishment like that?” Catori asked.

“They are my children. I can do to them as I please. And this way, they will learn to not make the same foolish mistakes you made.” Farrah said, not looking at her daughter.

The two went back and forth, arguing about how cruel the punishment was.

“Listen, you have no say in this household. What I do or say shouldn’t be of any concern to you.” Farrah yelled, pointing a knife at Catori.

A deep frown appeared on Catori’s face. “How can you even call yourself a mother?”

“Why are the twins kneeling in a corner like that?” Lucian inquired, coming into the kitchen.

“Ask your wife.” Catori pointed at Farrah.

Lucian turned a disapproving look at his wife, “what happened?”

Farrah looked away from him, not able to answer his question.

“Farrah, why are Kai and Nuka kneeling on bottle caps in the corner?” Lucian asked, his voice calm.

Before she could answer, someone pounded on the door. Using that as an excuse, Farrah rushed to the front door.

“Mrs. Murdoch, Mrs. Murdoch. Is Catori here?” The voice of an excited Kateri came.

“No.” Farrah was about to slam the door in her, Leona and Halona face, but Catori stopped her.

“What is wrong with you?” Catori pushed past her mother.

“Is this a bad time?” Halona asked, exchanging a look with Kateri.

“No.”

“Yes.”

Catori and Farrah said at the same time.

The three girls at the door exchanged looks with each other again.

“Why are you guys so excited?” Catori grilled, ignoring her mother.

“The mountain man, he is here, along with some other really desirable men. And he’s asking for you.” Kateri gushed and blushed.

Something Catori had never seen before.

“Asking for me?” Catori was surprised. She knew the first time they met, he said he would see her soon. But she never thought he would be asking for her.

“You three best be leaving now.” Farrah said, trying to close the door, but Catori’s foot was in the way.

“Let me get my coat.” Catori told them.

Farrah slammed the door at that. “I swear, if you walk out that door, it will be the final straw. You won’t get any dinner or supper.”

“What, just like last night? You purposefully made pork and knew how sick it makes me.” Catori challenged.

Lucian leered at Farrah with an unreadable expression on his face.

He then turned to Catori, “if you want to go then you can, just be careful.”

Farrah made a face. “I don’t get why you always pick up for her and support this bratty attitude?”

“I have no time for this.” Lucian turned to walk away.

“Well, if you leave this house never come back, or else.” Farrah warned.

“Anywhere is better than an unhappy home.” Lucian fired, “you can’t see how toxic and annoying you are. Catori again, if you want to leave, you can.”

Catori nodded at her father, then left.

“Is everything ok?” Halona asked.

“What, don’t tell me that you don’t have disagreements with your family?” Catori retorted.

“Catori, you should see them, especially the ones with blue hair, oh there is this one in particular. He’s a dream.” Leona smiled.

Catori’s face must have turned sour because Leona backed off a bit.

“I rather the one with the dark skin. You know how I like my men. Tall, dark and handsome.” Halona batted her lashes.

The four hurried to the center of the village, where all the commotion was going on and females gushing over the handsome men.