The Child

Tessa jolted awake and looked around her. There was a camo net inches above her head, she was outdoors and the ground beneath her was damp and cool, making her minimal clothing dirtier and damper than they already were. She rolled onto her stomach to get a better view of exactly where she was. The air was acrid with the aftermath of the bomb, piles of rubble smoldered. Now she remembered. She had crept in close last night when she saw the bomb go off. She needed food and a recently bombed out village was the best source. She wasn’t the only one who would be thinking this. Many people her age were doing this as well. They were basically running for their lives as fugitives because they had broken away from the insurrectionists.

She had been five when her village had been bombed just like this. The visions and odours of those days lived in her mind and as she lay there the memories of that time were as raw as if she was living it today. That was 12 long years ago now. Tessa cried silently as she clutched the little locket. It was the only piece she had left of her mother; everything except her resolve for a better future. She had to find it.

***

Her parents knew the day was coming. You could hear the insurrection in all directions and worse, you could smell it in the air, so it was only a matter of time. Just days before, her mother called her over and held her tightly. “Tessa, my darling, sweet girl. You must know that our end is coming very soon. It’s coming for all of us in the village.” The little girl nodded. It was all anyone spoke of these days and she could only imagine what that meant. When their family dog had died, her mother said that he had reached his end so to her “the end” meant just that. Death.

Tessa’s mother continued. “We are going to try with all of our might to help you survive, little one. Your Dada has prepared a little divot under the floor. See? Right here.” Her mother reached under the table and pulled aside a tattered rug. The hole was shallow, much as you would expect a divot to be. “Come on and lie down in here so that you are not scared later.” Tessa looked at her mother and did not want to disappoint the kind, loving face that made the request, so she crawled in. It really wasn’t very large. Big enough for Tessa, perhaps two of her, but no more than that.

“Not too bad, is it Tess?” Tessa shook her head. As fearful of it as she was, her mother sounded hopeful so she wanted to be as cooperative as she could.

“But I’m gonna be scared, mama. I want to go to the end with you and Dada. I don’t want to stay without you.” Tears welled up in the little girls eyes and dripped down her dirty cheeks but she did not sob.

“Tessa.” Her mother said, now with her own tear-stained cheeks,” this is the only way, baby. Your Dada and me, we know that if we do this you might survive. It’s your only chance. They will take you if they find you, but they will be good to you, little one. If they find you, go with them. They will be good to you. The want the children, the little ones whose minds they can influence. Us grown ones aren’t of any use because we can’t be influenced no more. They will be good to you.”

“I don’t want them to take me, Mama. Please let me stay with you and Dada.” Tessa’s tiny voice pleaded.

“Oh, my sweet, sweet little Tessa,” her mother’s voice tried to sooth her. “I know you don’t but this really is the only way. But, don’t you worry. Mama’s going to give you something. This is going to keep you safe and it will protect you from their influences.” She reached behind her neck and unfastened the dainty heart-shaped locket. “This little treasure contains pure magic and it will help you to stay safe. It will guide you and help you grow up to be a strong and independent person. You will know in your heart, by wearing this little heart, what is right and what is wrong. Come. Let me fasten it around your neck, darling.” Tessa stepped closer to accept this gift.

That day was 12 long years ago now. Tessa cried silently as she clutch the little locket. It was the only piece she had left of her mother, except her resolve for a better future.

The day after the bombing she had awoken, much as she had today and wondered where she was. When her eyes focused, she could see shards of daylight coming through the weakly woven fabric of the rug that had been tossed on top of her. She could smell the sour stench in the air and it made her nose itch. Her mother’s words rang in her head. ‘THEY WILL TAKE YOU IF THEY FIND YOU, BUT THEY WILL BE GOOD TO YOU, LITTLE ONE.’ She was cold and she was hungry. She needed to free herself from her hiding spot. She pushed at the rug. There was no impedance so she push and bit harder and a bit further. It wasn’t enough. There was something partially covering the divot her Dada had made, so she could be safe from the bombing. She started to panic and flailed at the rug which moved and revealed the light of the day that had dawned. Something covered the divot, the table perhaps but even using all the strength she could muster up the little girl could not move it.

She began to cry. Softly at first and then more loudly. “Mama. Mama! Please… MAMA!” It was quiet around her. She waited to hear her mother’s voice but it never came. “Dada, please help me. Help, Dada, help!” Again nothing, just silence. She knew why. She knew. All the villagers had been talking about this for days and now it had come to them, and she just knew that her parents were dead; that they had met their end. The realization washed over the little girl and her body trembled. She clutched the locket. It was all she had left. There was no more family. No more Mama or Dada to comfort her. She was alone with only her mother’s promise of magic in the locket she wore around her neck and clutched desperately. In that moment she vowed she would never let it go.

Tessa heard a voice. It was soft and sweet, much like her mother’s. “Who’s here? Is someone in hear? If there is someone here show yourself.”

Tessa called out, her voice filled with hope, “Mama, is that you? It wasn’t your end time?” She saw the rubble above her head move and she caught the distinct silhouette of a female figure pulling at it. “Mama, is it really you?”

The figure came into her view. It was indeed a woman but it wasn’t her Mama. “Oh for the love of all that is sacred!” the voice loudly whispered. “Who are you? How on earth did you survive?” Tessa caught her breath but her tears continued to fall.

She sat silently, with her mother’s words ringing in her head. ‘IF THEY FIND YOU, GO WITH THEM.’ The female crouched down and reached for Tessa. “Come on, child.” Her voice softened. “Come on, now. I’m not going to hurt you, but you can’t stay here. It’s nowhere for a young girl to be all alone.” Tessa reached up to connect with the outstretched arms. The female grasped Tessa’s forearms and gave a gentle tug. Tessa was propelled forward and she gave an extra little push with her feet. She heard her mother encouraging her and as she landed in the strangers arms; she felt that heart-shaped locket against her skin and she was comforted by its presence, almost as if her mother was there with her. The stranger picked Tessa up and held her close, “Now close your eyes, child. I don’t want you to see what this place looks like. No little one should have this image in there heads forever.” Tessa closed her eyes and settled into the stranger’s warm bosom. With her mother’s voice echoing within her she grasped for the security of the heart-shaped locket and quickly fell asleep.

Tessa woke in a warm and comfortable bed. She sat up with a start and looked around and then she remembered the last time she woke in the divot, without her Mama and Dada, and being found by a strange female. “Well hello there, young miss,” Tessa turned to the voice she vaguely remembered. It came from a woman; a tall woman with a strong looking arms, but her face was gentle and the voice melodic. She had short cropped hair, kind eyes and a bright warm smile. “My name is Zerena.” She brought a glass of water toward Tessa and offered it. “Can you tell me your name?”

Tessa looked at her. “I’m Tessa,” she said as she took the water and drank it down quickly. “More, please.” Zerena turned and picked up the pitcher on the night table and refilled the glass. She handed it back to Tessa. “Thank you.” Tessa finished the water and handed the empty glass to Zerena. As she did so she reached for the locket. It was gone! “Where is it?” Tessa yelled and began crying. “Where is it? I need it! My Mama gave it to me! I need my locket.”

Tessa collapsed into a heap on the pretty bed. Her wails echoed around the room. Zerena settled onto the bed and embraced the little body. She began rocking the little girl back and forth. “Hush, little one. Your locket is here, on the night table.” Tessa continued to sob, not hearing what Zerena said to her. Zerena picked the locket off the nightstand and held it up. “Tessa, darling, it’s here. Look. Here is your locket.” Tessa stopped sobbing and looked up to see Zerena holding the locket by its chain. It caught the light and sparkled as if it had come to life. “Shall we put this on you?” Tessa nodded and pulled back her hair as she turned her back toward Zerena so the locket could be refastened to her neck. She took a long, deep breath and wiped away the last remnants of tears. Her magic was back where it belonged. She knew she could endure anything as long as that heart-shaped locket continued to hang around her neck because it meant her Mama was with her always and they could depend on the magic that was inside the locket.

*****

Part two is available for your reading pleasure. Please click here.