Work Text:
After sundown when the dew settles upon the abandoned countryside and the curtains are drawn, the little girl inside the secluded cottage sleeps. But the horned Outsider does not. The girl does not stir when the floorboards creak at the shifting of the wind, or when the logs in the fireplace snap and fall apart. Yet the Outsider inspects the house from top to bottom before he can even think of letting his guard down for the night. The girl dreams of sunlit days and endless walks in the woods clutching her the Outsider’s umbrella as the pair strolled to the abandoned village. The Outsider dreamed of nothing at all, –let alone sleep–. Sometimes the girl would wake early, just as dawn birds began to chirp, eager to start a new day with her Teacher. But Teacher is frightened.
Teacher finds himself organizing the same collection of books each night, as soon as he is sure the girl, –the girl called Shiva,– is tucked in safe and sound in her bed across the hall. Then once he bores himself in his study, he might wander to the kitchen and fireplace room, and sweep the ashes of day away. Out the door and into the breeze.
During the chillier nights, Teacher would tend the fire and keep the flame burning. He did not need to be kept warm, but Shiva did. Besides, the light was useful if Teacher ever decided to pick up something to re-read.
Sometimes the nights are long and dreadfully silent. With Shiva around, the cottage was rarely quiet. Though in all honesty, Teacher had grown to prefer the noise. The noise meant that Shiva was nearby, happy, and presumably safe. That is all Teacher could ask for, as a cursed Outsider.
Teacher had grown accustomed to silence before Shiva graced his life. He was not the type to talk to himself. Yet it was the lonesomeness of silence that got to him the most.
Those nights when the fireplace could be kept ablaze and the sound of the wood cackling was enough to keep the cottage from sounding too empty were few and far between during the summer. On those frequent summer nights, when the whine of the Junebugs penetrated the glass windows and no fire was lit, Teacher had little to keep his mind from wandering. Terrible fleeting visions made his fists clench and twitch, and a sudden feeling that at any moment he might lose something. Those were Teacher’s least favorite nights.
Teacher didn’t touch the locket he kept in his breast pocket when he could help it. But when he did, there were times when he couldn’t tear his gaze from the eroding picture for minutes on end.
He lost loved ones once.
He would never let it happen again.
One night, while a chorus of summer storms sang in the sky threatening to deluge the countryside and Teacher held the locket close in his palm, he heard the soft sound of a child padding towards the fireplace room. Startled by a sudden thunderclap.
Shiva peered into the fireplace room from around the corner before entering. Teacher sat in his usual worn chaise lounge with a book next to his lap and a lantern at his side. The fireplace sat cold.
No words were exchanged between the pair because Teacher knew exactly why Shiva was not in bed. The thunder had rocked the air and nearly shook the cottage, and the lightning that preluded it illuminated the sky like the day. Teacher slipped the locket into his pocket and gestured to the empty spot on the lounge with a short chuckle. Hastily Shiva darted across the room and to his side.
“Quite an inconvenient time for a storm.” Teacher finally said, situating an afghan between himself and the girl to prevent accidental contact. “Did it wake you?”
“The thunder did,” Shiva replied sleepily. She slumped to the side and leaned against the armrest of the lounge. “What are you doing up, Teacher?”
Teacher shrugged. “I suppose I was enjoying the sound of the rain.” –A small white lie, however, it was not without some element of truth. Teacher enjoyed the rain.– “Although perhaps for you, not so much.”
“I like rain. Just not thunder.” Shiva’s tiny face was backlit by the lantern which gave her hair a ghostly shine. Another, softer roll of thunder emanated from outside. Already starting to nod off, she tugged at the afghan and tried to pull it to her chin.
“Wouldn’t you rather I bring you back to bed, Shiva?” asked Teacher.
Shiva shook her head. With a slight smile, she sighed, “This is fine, Teacher.” Then with Teacher’s help, she wrapped herself in the wooly afghan and settled herself by Teacher’s side.
“Shall I read to you until you fall asleep, then?” Teacher offered, holding up the book.
Shiva shook her head. “It’s okay, Teacher. I just don’t wanna be alone.” She paused. “Teacher?”
“Yes, Shiva?”
“Do you ever get lonely?”
Teacher set the book down and said nothing. Merely looking upon the small girl trying to think of a reply. Then he sat back against the lounge.
“Would you like me to be truthful?”
“Yes.”
Teacher nodded. “I used to. I don’t as much anymore.”
Shiva tugged the afghan over her head as a lightning strike shone through the small windows and heavier rain started to fall. Followed by a thunderclap like an enormous drum. Teacher got to his feet and went to close the curtains.
“Why’s that, Teacher?” Shiva continued as Teacher blocked out the windows.
Returning to the lounge, Teacher sat down on the edge of the cushion. “Before I met you, I had nobody to keep me company for some time.” He responded, feeling the cold weight of the locket in his pocket. “So yes, there were times when I felt quite lonely.” Noticing Shiva’s face fall, he added quickly, “But not anymore, of course. I have you. You needn’t worry.”
“Oh . . . well, I’m glad you aren’t lonesome anymore!” Shiva said as she sat up. Cocooned inside the afghan, she shifted closer to Teacher and brushed against his elbow. Teacher flinched. “It’s okay, Teacher! I’m all wrapped up and safe.” She added.
Trying to let himself relax, Teacher cautiously let Shiva lean against his clothed arm. Her eyes slowly began to shut.
“I’m glad I have you keep me company, Teacher.” She murmured. “Good night.”
Teacher felt a pang in his chest. If his heart still beat, he was sure it would have skipped a thump. Keeping still as he could, Teacher watched Shiva fall asleep once more. The rain outside still drummed against the windows, and the fireplace was still empty, yet for a moment, Teacher could feel a certain warmth inside of him. One that typically he only felt gazing over the old photo of his lost family inside the locket.
Then an epiphany washed over him.