forgotten

[mute_pen]

It's past dark, but when you need the outhouse, you need the outhouse.

Isabel picks her way across the yard of her father's house in the moonlight, hoping to sneak back into bed without waking him.

Comments

[mute_pen]

"But probably not."

[growcrooked]

Nona hugs her.

[mute_pen]

Hugs.

[growcrooked]

Hug hug.

[mute_pen]

"I'm afraid," murmurs Etty. "Of what will happen when he comes back."

[growcrooked]

"It's scary," says Nona, hugging her. "I'm sorry."

[mute_pen]

"Why is he like this, what happened - or has it always been this way?"

[growcrooked]

"I don't remember it that well," she says. "I was - well, about the age I look, when Mother left. A little older when he finally brought her back."

[mute_pen]

"I'm seventeen," volunteers Etty after a silence.

[growcrooked]

"I don't remember how old I am."

[mute_pen]

"Do you know what year you were born?"

[growcrooked]

She shakes her head.

[mute_pen]

"It's 1878 now."

[growcrooked]

Nona shrugs.

[mute_pen]

"Transforming isn't as bad as it could be, and being a swan isn't terrible except that I can't talk - or write," Etty comments idly. "I didn't figure out how to fly today, but I might tomorrow."

[growcrooked]

"I hope you do," she says. "I bet it's fun."

[mute_pen]

"I bet it is too."

[growcrooked]

Nona grins.

[mute_pen]

"I guess you don't turn into any kind of bird."

[growcrooked]

She shakes her head.

[mute_pen]

"What do you do all day," wonders Etty, "if you can't go into the library anymore?"

[growcrooked]

"Eat. Sleep. Cry. Climb things. Fall off of them. Tidy the castle. Fuck myself."

[mute_pen]

Etty permits herself a blink at that last.

[growcrooked]

"What?"

[mute_pen]

"I don't usually hear people talking about that."