I Hate You

Eiric stands outside of Keldan’s home. A week of training and scolding from both parents prepared him for his next meeting with Sigrun but standing outside her home now robs him of all confidence.

“What are you doing here?” Vilgur walks up to Eiric.

“Oh! I’m here to see Sigrun, is she home?”

“No. Now leave and never come back.”

“Leave? But I need to apologize.”

“Apologize? Just forget that ever happened, our dad will make a big deal out of it.”

“I still want to-”

“I said leave.” Vilgur pushes Eiric, “You’re going to bother Sigrun. Do you really think she would ever accept a human?”

“Well, I’m going to prove myself.”

“What? It doesn’t matter, leave. I won’t let you meet Sigrun ever again. All you’ll do is hurt her.”

“I think-”

Vilgur pushes Eiric down to the ground, towering over him with furious eyes. Eiric’s heart rushes, enraged by the conflict and unsure of why Vilgur harbors such hatred for him.

“At least let me say sorry!” Eiric hops to his feet, pushing Vilgur back as he does.

“I said no!”

The two boys lunge at each other, flailing their arms and pulling at each other’s hair before Vilgur throws a hard punch that breaks Eiric’s pinky finger.

“Ow! You!” Eiric retaliates. Although much weaker than a demon child, his skill and technique are far beyond any child his age. His strike, though weak by stats, will do serous if not fatal damage. But Eiric is overwhelmed by his own emotions.

“Eiric!” Eiric is slammed to the ground by Torsten, “What in the world are you thinking! You could have hurt him or worse!”

“But!” Behind Torsten stand Keldan with Sigrun just behind him.

“Torsten! Please, I’m sure Vilgur started it, he’s overprotective of Sigrun.”

“No, I’m sorry. Eiric is talented, and he could have seriously injured your son. I’m taking him home.”

“But dad.”

“Enough! I taught you to protect. Do you think hurting Vilgur is a way to show you care?”

“I…I.” Eiric hides his face, the hot tears streaming down as Torsten lifts him up.

“Again, I’m sorry.”

“No need. Vilgur, you started this, didn’t you?”

“Dad! He won’t leave Sigrun alone!”

“Son, you know you are naturally stronger than most. Even from here I can see that you hurt one of his fingers. I’ll speak to my son, I hope you’ll give him a chance to apologize later, Torsten.”

“Of course, I’ll give mine a good talking to as well.”

“I haven’t talked to him yet. I just told him to go to his room. Maybe you were right. If he would have killed Vilgur, I could never look Kelden in the eyes again.”

“He’s a young boy. You were teaching him the right things, but a young child can still be ignorant to such things. I’ll talk to him first. And you, this doesn’t make you a terrible father. It’s how you handle such a situation that is representative of what you are.”

Torsten only nods as Astrid heads for Eiric’s room.

Inside his room, Eiric hides under his blanket.

“Eiric. Come out of there… Eiric? Oh dear.” Astrid sits next to Eiric’s bed. “At least listen to me, ok?”

“Ok.”

“Good. When I was young, I was quite the trouble maker. My parents didn’t know what to do with me, I was always trying to show my strength to the other kids. I was so feared that I was kicked out of school. I didn’t care, school was never for me after all. But it did ruin my relationship with my parents. I won’t take all the blame; my parents kicked me out and never tried to contact me again. I certainly could have tried to talk to them. Even long after I left home, after I realized my mistakes, I should have talked to them. Sweetie, I know you’re angry now, but I won’t make the same mistakes I’ve made before. I’ll never let you deal with something alone, and I hope you’ll always be willing to speak to me. I’ll say this, you made a mistake, but you can make it right. I know you can, you’re my brave little man, I’ll even be by your side if you need me to be.”

Eiric crawls out from under his covers. “I’m sorry.”

“I accept your apology. Can you keep going?” Eiric nods, “Good, if you need me, just call me.”

Eiric approaches Torsten who sits on the front porch.

“Dad.” Eiric sobs as Torsten looks his way. The gravity of his mistake now settling in, the sound of his father’s angered voice repeating in his head, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Eiric.” Torsten hugs Eiric. “I’m sorry. I could have stopped you a million different ways, but I was so scared because you’re so talented. And I let my anger get the best of me. Maybe I haven’t taught you enough about your strength and self-control. No one is perfect, I’m certainly not. Will you forgive me?”

“Mhm, I’m sorry dad.”

“I’m sorry as well son. But promise now, you won’t ever use such strength unless you are protecting someone.”

“I promise.”

“Good. I’ll speak with Keldan. you’ll need to apologize to Vilgur even if he started it. Can you do this?”

“I can.”

“Good. How’s your finger?”

“It’s fine, you healed it. Vilgur is strong.”

“Haha, demon children are far stronger than human children. You’ll have to train harder from now on if you want Sigrun, there’s more people you have to prove yourself to now.”

“I’m sorry.” Vilgur said.

The day after the children fought, both fathers arrange for them apologize just outside Keldan’s home.

“I’m sorry too.”

“Vilgur?” Keldan said.

“If you really want to, you can speak with Sigrun. But only if she wants to.”

“Can I?” Eiric looks to Keldan.

“It’s up to Sigrun of course, she can be quite shy. Um, Torsten, did you hear about their accident?”

“Oh man, I’m really sorry Keldan. Eiric had no idea.”

“Hahaha, it’s fine. Touching a demon girl’s horn is sacred, but mistakes happen of course. Eiric, you have to promise not to do so again without permission.”

“I promise!”

“Good. Now, what about their punishment?”

“Excellent question, I say we send them to buy some food together.”

“What?” Vilgur said.

“No buts, head into the market and bring something back.”

“Eiric, you’re going as well.”

“But.” Eiric sports a nervous smile as Torsten crosses his arms, “Ok.”

After the two boys leave holding shoulders by command of Torsten, Keldan laughs. “Again, I’m sorry.”

“Please, I’m the one who should apologize. Eiric may turn out to be a troublemaker just like his parents, must run in our genes.”

“Hah! Actually, there is a favor I want to ask of you.”

“How long do we have to do this?” Vilgur said as the two boys make way for the village center.

“I’m sacred they’ll see us and yell at us again.”

Vilgur shivers. “Dad was really mad. Is your finger ok?”

“It is, dad healed it. Did I hurt you?”

“No, only my ears hurt after my dad yelled all night. Eiric, I’m still not ok with you meeting with Sigrun. But I don’t think she will want too either.”

“Why?”

“She hates humans. She doesn’t show it, but she hates them more than I do. She never cries or shows her anger, but that is why I think she hates them more than anyone. She wants to change because of dad, but I don’t think it will happen. I think you should give up.”

“I’d like to try first.”

“Fine, I warned you.”

“Remember everything I taught you. And, uh, keep your hands away from her horns.” Torsten said as he pushed a well-dressed Eiric forward.

Eiric stumbles as he walks to Sigrun who wears a white dress and hat. She also holds a large bouquet of purple flowers. In his eyes, she looks magical and stole the words from his mouth the moment she walked out of her house.

“Um, you look very pretty.”

“Thank you. Follow me.”

Eiric follows Sigrun to the northern end of the camp where the river crosses through the camp. She’s quiet until they reach the bridge where she turns to Eiric.

“This is far enough. Thank you.”

“What? Mr. Keldan told me to take you all the way and back.”

“I asked Vilgur to meet me there. It’s only a few minutes from here. Eiric, dad said if it was a mistake we can just forget about it. So, I’d like to do that.”

“I… may I ask why?”

“My mom was killed by a human, and by little brother was almost killed by one. Mr. Torsten and Ms. Astrid are nice. And you, you’re the only kid that hasn’t been afraid of me after realizing what I am. But, I hate humans. You always kill. You always mistreat demons. Vilgur was right. I thought we could make a human friend. Dad wants us to; he wants to make friends with humans. But I can’t. I hate you.”