The Cold Night

We have brought Miriam's body with us deep into the woods. Far from the houses.

Oko digs into the ground with an old pan as a makeshift shovel. Beside him are candlesticks with one of them lit, providing enough light to see around him.

I stand on the side just outside the reach of the candlelight, watching him dig while holding Oriana's hand. Whenever I looked at Oriana, she would look back with a little smile. I don't remember if I have been smiling back.

No words. Occasional sniffles.

Oko digs deep enough that only his head pops out when he stands. Oriana and I help him lower Miriam's body, and he starts putting back dirt into the hole.

Oriana walks around picking up different kinds of wildflowers. I follow behind her and do the same.

When Oko finishes, Oriana and I place our small bouquets on top. We stand there for a few minutes, saying our final goodbyes to Miriam. Oko places a hand on my head and forces a smile.

We start walking back to their house. Oriana and I are walking behind Oko, guided by the light of the candle he is holding.

It must be already close to midnight. Maybe even past. This is the first time I've stayed out this late. Mom and Dad must be really worried right now. What excuse will I tell them?

The closer we get to the end of the woods, the brighter it seems to get. Then we start hearing tiny stones hitting on wood. What greets us when we're finally out of the woods is a cruel view.

At a distance, we can see half of Oriana's tiny house set on fire. The river water is already close to the floor of their house, the highest I've seen it. Some kids stand far in front of it where the ground is dry, throwing stones. They must have seen us taking Miriam's body out of the house.

Oko immediately runs towards the house, dropping his tools on the ground.

"Ah! Ah!" He frantically circles the house, splashing river water at it. He is getting hit by some of the stones thrown but he pays it no mind.

"Hey!" I stand between the house and the kids. "Stop it! You are horrible! All of you!" Some old ladies are far back behind them but no one is doing anything. Just whispering at each other.

I take glances at Oko who is still trying to put out the fire. Then he goes into the house. He must have realized that the fire is now too big to put out and his only hope is to grab what he can inside.

The kids are still throwing stones at the house.

"Hey! I said stop! How could you do this?! What did they do to you?!"

No one is paying attention to me.

"You are all heartless! You are all monsters! Garbage human beings!"

A stone the size of Oriana's fist hits me just above my right eye. I fall back and cover my face, writhing in pain.

"You don't belong here, either! Go away!" one of the kids yells.

I look at the old ladies. They are all looking at me. Still just whispering to one another.

It's no use. I can't stop them.

I hear Oko behind me get out of the house carrying a blanket load of things. I immediately head towards Oriana. The three of us disappear back into the woods.

When we are far enough to be seen, Oko drops his haul against the tree and runs back to their house.

I wanted to follow to help but realized that I was holding Oriana's hand. I sit down right beside their belongings leaning against the tree. I have Oriana sit in front of me and hold her in my arms, like how we were earlier.

"It's okay, Oriana," running my fingers down her hair. "It's okay."

It looks like I'm not going home tonight. Not after all of this.

I close my eyes, trying to imagine how I would sneak back into our house, and how I'm going to explain everything to my parents.

Before I know it, I have fallen asleep.

I wake up with Oriana sleeping on my arm. Dawn is just about to break.

Oko is on the side, his back towards us. He seems to be organizing what little he was able to salvage.

"Sir," I softly call out to him but it wakes Oriana up. She gets up and immediately goes and gives her father a hug from behind.

I struggle to stand up. My legs are still shaky. I slowly walk up to them. He has just finished tidying up the blanket as a bag. He faces me and nods.

"What are you... Going to do now?" I ask.

He holds Oriana's hand and then points in the direction of the sun.

"Mm," he smiles. "New home. Find."

"You're going away?!"

He nods.

"But it's too sudden! You haven't even fully rested yet!" I explain. "H-How about you come to my house? I'll convince my parents to let you stay. You have accommodated me all this time. It's my turn to do the same."

My insistence is just met with smiles, both from Oko and Oriana. Oko shakes his head.

"I. Find. Oriana. New home. Mm. Better home," He starts gesturing with one hand. "Far. Here. Mm. I. Find. Work. Oriana. Close. Mm. Care. Oriana."

I guess that is a good decision. Finding a home far from here would be much better for both of them. Far from these heartless people. I hope they find a new place where they will be accepted, and will live a happy life. A better place where Oriana can find more friends who would care for her.

I still can't accept it all so suddenly, but I can only nod back in response.

"Meg. Thank you. Very. Mm. I. Oriana. Miss you."

"I'm going to miss both of you. And Miriam too," I walk up to Oriana, touching her face with both my dirtied hands. "Take care, okay? Don't cause trouble to your papa. Always remember your manners or your mama will be upset. Be a good girl."

She smiles. "I love you, Meg."

"I love you too, Oriana."

Holding my tears back, I wave goodbye to them. I watch as they walk towards the rising sun. The sky is getting brighter and brighter, but somehow also getting dimmer the further Oriana goes.

I start walking back home. I pass by where their house used to be. All that remains are four burnt pillars that used to support a family of three. The street is also empty. How could they all sleep so soundly after what they did?

I cross the bridge, back to the other side of the river. As I walk closer to our house, I see a group of people around. They all notice me walking towards them. My parents emerge from the crowd, shock on their faces, then they tackle me with a hug.

"Meg!" Dad yells in tears. "Thank goodness!"

"We were so worried!" Mom wipes her tears, inspecting my face. She touches the bump on my head. "What happened?"

"Where have you been?" Dad asks.

All the excuses I've thought of escape me.

I bite my lip as I feel my eyes watering again. The tears I thought I'd held back come rushing out. I start bawling.

They keep asking me questions, but I'm only reminded of what happened, and I cry louder in my parents' embrace. Mourning the loss of a friend. And a friend's mother. And a friend's home.

I cried my heart out that entire day. In the end, I never told them anything. I didn't have to make excuses. It was good enough for them that I was safe.

Until today, I kept the story of what happened that summer all to myself. The story of a family with the shallowest pockets and the deepest hearts.