Answers

“Rain isn’t in there. I still haven’t found her, but I suspect I know where we can find a clue. Is your mother well?”  

I paused. Suddenly I noticed my shoes had new soles but were very uncomfortable. I stared at my black laces for a long time. “Mom was poisoned. She passed some time ago.” Dad lifted his head to the sky and breathed again. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I wanted nothing in this world more than to have our family together again. I fought for so long to find your sister, and for a moment I had. Just a few weeks ago I saw her and Still running through a little town. Unfortunately my mind has been overtaken by the “blessing” of the armadillo so it is very difficult to fight against an order. In that moment my order was to enter a building and take a prisoner. Dirt, I’m not proud of what I have done and even if I am able to get our family together again I cannot continue to be a part of it. I fear I am a slave. A weapon more often than I’d like. But I have freedom of consciousness most of the time. I will use that to hunt down your sister and her friend. We will be whole again soon, I can feel it. And Dirt. I am so proud of you kiddo. You have grown into a beautiful person. Heart and soul from what I’ve seen. Just as cunning and bright as always. I see your scars. I see what this world has put you through.” I touched the jagged trail on my forehead where the hot pan split me. My subconscious counted the broken bones, and missing teeth.  

“But you’re here now. And I am here. And we need to make the most of it.” He finished. I bobbed my head silently, and tried to absorb what he was saying but all that stuck in my head was ‘why am I angry?’