Orphaned Girl

Asa and Mint stop in the small city of Rhoda, a lumbering town that was of primarily Greek descent, but had diversified over time, gaining many Middle eastern and South Asian populations. They roam main street, which bustles with vehicles and food vendors.

Actually, there’s a lot of different vendors. There’s clothing vendors, souvenir vendors, cell phone vendors… There was also a guy who was just carting around a rack of sunglasses on his shoulder. The vendors may outnumber the normal pedestrians, who mostly seem to be travelers.

“Can we stay at a hotel?” Asks Mint.

“Unfortunately, no. We’re already behind schedule, so we’re probably going to have to camp out tonight.” Asa answers. “But, we are going to get something to eat here, if that makes you feel any better.”

“We don’t have to speak a different language, do we?”

“You’re really hung up on that… A lot of tourists pass through here when traveling from Manzanita to Marine, so everybody should speak common.”

Mint relaxes, but still seems bummed out. Maybe a fun fact will get his mind off things. “That’s actually why there’s so many vendors here. The tourists are a large source of income, so peddling regulation is some of the most lax in the world. Pretty interesting, huh?”

It didn’t help. He’s still sad. Asa’s face falls. “I miss home…” Says Mint. “Traveling all the time is tiring.”

“Feeling homesick?” Mint nods. Asa tucks his arms behind his head, a look of resigned sympathy on his face.

“Well, I guess it’s to be expected. Traveling this much will be rough on anyone, and you haven’t even left your hometown before. No wonder you feel worn out.”

“Mm.” Mint nods again, not any happier. Something in the crowd catches their eye.

A lone girl sits in the middle of the sidewalk with her back propped against a shop front’s support beam, looking miserable. She’s very young, probably no older than 15 or 16. Her long, black hair is ratty and matted. The only gear she’s equipped with is a tan shirt dress and a tiny shoulder bag that’s more for fashion than anything. The sea of pedestrians parts around her as they redirect themselves, more concerned with their own situations.

“Mint? You see her?”

“The girl?” Answers Mint, concerned.

“I’m gonna go see if she’s okay.” Asa’s pace picks up to a speedwalk. The girl looks up at them with wide, vulnerable eyes.

It doesn’t seem like she knows much about the world yet. Asa crouches to be on her level. Mint follows, looking deeply concerned to see a girl his age (potentially) in trouble.

Asa waves to show that he’s friendly. “Hey.”

The girl only stares. “Are you okay?”

“...” This is troublesome. She’s not talking.

“What’s your name?” In response to that, a sorrowful look fills her eyes.

“I won’t hurt you. I’m asking your name because I want to help you.” He says, trying to be as soothing as possible. “Are you shy about your name?”

“...”

“I won’t judge you for it. I’m sure it’s lovely.”

“Iris.” Her voice is so quiet he almost doesn’t hear it. It sounds like one belonging to a much younger child.

“That’s your name?”

“Mm.” She nods so slightly, that almost can’t be seen either.

“I was right. It is lovely.” He smiles.

In response to such a gentle voice and such a warm smile, she can’t help but smile too. “We’re going to get falafel. Would you like some?”

She doesn’t speak, but her stomach growls. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

☼

The grill sizzles and a giant shawarma rotates in the window nearby. Dishes clink and customers chatter. Mint, Asa, and Iris sit at a bar, each with a plate of food in front of them. Mint had really wanted to sit next to her, but Asa didn’t want her to feel trapped, so he let her sit on the side closest to the door and had Mint sit on his other side. Asa’s plan to distract him with food seems to have worked.

Mint focuses on his plate, quietly tearing the meat apart with a fork and a butter knife. His silverware etiquette is clumsy, but no one minds. With Mint busy, Asa takes this time to speak with Iris.

“Why are you out here by yourself? You look pretty young.”

“...”

“If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to tell me.”

“My mom.” She suddenly sounds very unhappy, her eyes trained on the counter. Her voice isn’t just childlike, but also strangely cold. She’s closed off.

“?”

“My dad wants me to run the family restaurant. That might not sound too bad, but he wants me to throw away my dreams for it and the restaurant’s not even good. It hasn’t been making anything for years now.”

“We don’t even get to eat much ourselves, but still have to serve rude, ungrateful customers all day. I’m sick of it. The restaurant was successful back in grandpa’s time, but Gargi’s economy just isn’t there anymore.”

“He won’t let it go. It’s an obsession. Me and him had a big fight about it, screaming and everything. I shouldn’t have to give my life up for his obsession. Just because they gave birth to me, it doesn’t mean they own me!”

“I’m not a toy! I thought my mom would get it, but she sided with him! Again! She said ‘Just do what your dad wants. He works hard to provide for us.’ Provide what for us?”

“Empty stomachs? Headaches? Do I have to slave all day for the rest of my life for people who treat me like garbage? What kind of life is that? I don’t wanna live like that! I’d rather die!”

Realizing her outburst, her face turns red. She glimpses sheepishly at Asa and Mint, assessing the damage.

The two stare at her and slowly blink. She retreats into herself. “Sorry…”

“No, it’s okay.” Asa soothes. “I get it. It sounds like you’ve kept this in a long time.”

She nods, tears prickling the corners of her eyes. “Thanks for being understanding.” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s no problem…” He says, trying to ease her anxiety. “But, I have a question. Would you mind answering?”

She waits for the question. “Okay, so… I know you’re going through a lot right now and I’m not saying you have to live your life the way your dad says, but…” He takes a breath. “Do you think running away is truly the best course of action?”

“...”

“What does the outside world have that your home doesn’t? Aren’t you all alone out here?”

“I ran out of money, and I was really hungry…”

“It’s hard to make it on your own, and don’t you think your parents miss you?”

“Yeah…”

“Even if your dad is stubborn, don’t you think it’d be a lot easier to work things out if you were actually there?” She nods with a frown, and starts to cry. He puts a hand on her hair.

“Hey… I know it’s hard, but just do your best. It’ll be okay.” He rubs her scalp with his thumb. “If things don’t work out with your parents, just wait until you’re 18 and you can move out. It won’t be as easy for people to take advantage of you and the world will be your oyster.”

Asa fidgets awkwardly. “I know I’ve talked a lot already, but I just want you to know that even if things don’t work out with your parents, there are people out there who’ll accept you. You just have to find them. Don’t give up hope!”

Her eyebrows crease and an odd look comes to her face. Is she going to cry more? She’s still staying silent, so he hopes that he got through to her.

Maybe she’s just feeling emotional. She has a lot going on. Well, what’s important for now is making sure she’s safe. They need to get back on the road as soon as possible, but that doesn’t have to get in the way of helping her. He just needs to be flexible.

“You’re from Gargi, right?” He asks. She nods.

“We’re going to Marine and that’s on the way. How about you come with us and we can make sure you get there safely?”

“I can’t make you do that…”

He shakes his head. “We’re already going in that direction, so it’s no problem, and I’d feel really bad if you got into trouble.” He sticks his lip out in mock sadness. Hopefully she’ll feel like less of a burden if he acts like it’s for his sake.

Mint, who’s been listening the whole time, pops his head out from behind Asa. “And I can heal you if you’re hurt anywhere!”

She smiles shyly, amused and genuinely touched by their gestures. “Thank you.”

☼

Leaves rustle and birds chirp. Feet crunch the dry dirt. It wouldn’t be possible to fit all three of them on the hoverbike, so they walk. Asa pulls the bike along by its handles. Thankfully, the path to Gargi is short. It’s also quiet… and plain. All they have for entertainment is each other.

Asa doesn’t enjoy dominating a conversation, but Iris doesn’t seem to like speaking at all. However, she gets antsy when he isn’t talking. He doesn’t want her to feel like a burden, so he had talked a lot. Eventually, there was nothing else to talk about.

It turns out that when one participant hardly responds to anything (and only uses short phrases when they do), it won’t be long before topics of interest dry up. Asa silently grapples for more words to say and curses internally when Iris starts nervously fidgeting with her hands again. Mint, who had been eagerly waiting for an opening, speaks up.

“Do you miss your home?” He asks, sympathetic. Her head perks up. The look she has for him is less guarded than the one she has for Asa.

He continues. “It must’ve been hard being all on your own. I’m having a hard time, and I’m traveling with someone.”

She nods. Her expression lightens. “Well, we’re here for you now, and you’ll be home in no time.”

Asa’s head jerks up, his eyes alert. He shoves the other two to the ground. A throwing knife strikes the soil.