Wiser
Shane
Wiser?
I couldn’t help but laugh. The hole in my heart grew by the second, but my sister could always move me. Mave glared at me and I know had I not been injured she would have attempted to give me a thump on the head. Instead, she crossed her arms and pouted. Her actions reminded me of a younger version of her. I’d had my fun.
“Okay okay, oh wise one. What did you eat? I don’t see you living off of fruits. You love your meat,” I said. I thought back to all of the times I had brought leftovers from work that I had been permitted to take home. Mave loved food with substance.
“I had to for awhile. It was terrible,” she said. I laughed. “It took some time to get tools ready for hunting,” she said.
“Hunting? You?” I asked.
“Yes, me,” she said sarcastically.
“What have you been doing then? It’s been a week,” I said.
“I’ve surveyed the surrounding area for the last week. I haven’t noted any suspicious behavior and it seems safe,” she said.
“Mave,” I started.
“That wasn’t safe! I think I need to—”
“What you need is rest. Your wolf is trying his bests to heal you. Just stay in bed and relax. I have to get back. I’ve got to prepare the meat—”
“Meat?” I asked.
“Yes, meat,” Mave said proudly.
“From where?” I asked.
“Didn’t I tell you I was preparing tools to hunt?” She asked.
I stared at my little sister awestruck. She stared back at me with a smirk on her face, one so similar to my own. Was this really the little sister I’ve been protecting all my life? She seemed like a different person, she seemed, well, like me.
“To have meat you would have had to—”
“I know what having meat means,” she laughed.
“So you did?” I asked.
“Yes, big brother. I hunted, I failed, and I kept trying. I was victorious early this morning,” Mave said. I stared at her flabbergasted.
“What did you catch? Hares?” I asked.
“Bunnies would have been nice, yes, but no. Game wandered through and I tracked it,” she said. Her eyes sparkled and her mischievous smirk grew.
“Game?” I asked, interest bleeding into my tone
“Yes, game. I think you’ll be happy to hear that you’ll have stew tonight,” she said.
“What did you catch?” I asked.
“A buck,” she said proudly.
“How? That’s impossible,” I said.
“Nothing is impossible for me, brother,” <ave said.
“How?” I repeated.
“I sharped a few rocks into arrow heads and made a few spears. You’ve been out and I had to get creative. I am nothing if not creative,” she said.
“That’s… impressive, but to kill a buck, you would have had to be in close proximity,” I said.
“Correct,” she said.
“You put yourself at risk for a meal!” I said.
“Just tell me I did a good job brother,” she said.
“Good job Mave. You’ve done well. My sister is brilliant,” I said proudly, without hesitation.
Her smile said it all.
“When did you get so wise?” I asked.
“I’ve always been wise brother. Maybe you should start listening to me more,” she said.
I snorted.
“I’m sorry I’ve been useless,” I started.
“Don’t. Don’t do that,” Mave said.
“Don’t do what?” I asked.
“Don’t feel guilty. You would have done the same for me. There isn’t too many visitors that have come through here, so I think that it would be wise,” she stopped and gave gave me a look at the word ‘wise’, “for us to stay here. At least until you’ve recovered,” she said.
I sighed.
“So stay in bed and listen to your favorite sister,” Mave said.
“You’re my only sister,” I said.
“Even better,” she sang.
“And did you say bed?” I asked.
She nodded and I looked down to where I lay. Imagine my surprise when I found that I lay on top of a bed of grass. The same as the one I had spied earlier when I first opened my eyes. My sister had built me a nest and carried me over, or dragged me, while I slept. Guilt rose up again. It should have been I who was taking care of her, not the other way around.
Was there nothing I was good at?
Could I not even protect my little sister?
When had I become so useless?
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Of course. Don’t beat yourself up. You can thank me later when we take back what is rightfully ours. I’ll be gone for a few hours, but I’ll be back,” Mave said.
She turned from me and headed out. I had just woken and yet, I found my eyelids heavy and I lay back on my stomach on the bed of grass. I inhaled deeply the smell of the earth and water. My eyes fluttered shut and my head grew heavy. Sleep grab hold of me and I was pulled under.
A warm aroma wafted around me and I stirred from my sleep. My nose picked up the scent and refused to let it go until I sat up. I sat up and opened my eyes as the promising scent grew closer. The sun had gone down and the cave was covered in darkness. All but a small fire sat in the middle of the cave. The waves cast dancing shadows along the cave walls. My sister came around the corner holding a small wooden bowl of soup.
Where had she gotten the bowl?
The liquid of the gods sloshed around and my mouth watered as she made her way closer. Mave took a seat by my bed made of grass. She folded her legs and offered me the bowl. It looked amazing. Chunk of meat floated, along with carrots and what I would think was potatoes. I reached out and took it, but couldn’t bring myself to eat it. Thoughts of her flitted across my mind.
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