Mama Rabbit

Ross listened attentively to the presentation and contemplated the restlessness and anguish of his work colleagues, but when he was more immersed, something put him on alert. Leen trembled and clung tightly to him. She was about to collapse in fear and refused to let go of Ross's arm.

The voice in his head went from being a simple voice to being a vague image and then fragments of a memory. A throbbing headache began to afflict him. He closed his eyes and suddenly noticed that he was wearing his old military uniform and was in a ruined building that was on fire. He heard a lament and saw a girl crying over a gnawed corpse. The girl cried inconsolably and called her mother. He knew who the girl was and that affected him a lot.

Leen was lamenting and there was no one to help her. When he approached to get her out of there, a creature appeared, similar to a red insectoid trying to attack Leen. Enraged, he created a sword with his mana and leapt to finish off the creature. The fight lasted a few minutes, and Ross lifted himself with the head of the beast, but the corpse disappeared like a mirage from his hands and from the ground. A young Leen was in shock and did not react to Ross's call. People came screaming and he started to fade as well. He looked at Leen and only managed to say what was necessary.

-I promise that I'll come back for you and kill them. Until then wait for me- Ross looked hurt at a little tearful Leen

She saw a young man who started crying as he slowly disappeared.

Ross opened his eyes and noticed Leen about to cry. She hugged him and buried her face in his coat. A muffled, silent cry was piercing her heart. Sonia, who was sitting next to her, noticed Leen's reaction and remained silent, since she clearly remembered what happened in the Rocamora incident and the day everybody called her sister crazy.

-I saw it grandma. That thing ate my mom ... because nobody believes me !!! -

-Edaleen, you were just imagining it. It was a terrorist attack, everyone already knows. Myriam do not encourage her more-

A fight between Leen's grandparents left her in a bad way among those present at the funeral who soon called her crazy and said that it was she who caused her mother to die, by asking her to appear at her recital that day when she was busiest. Only Sonia and Agnes accompanied her in her pain because they lost their mothers in the same way and, in order not to pass as delusional girls, they omitted to tell her stories.

Trying to forget that dark part of her past, she urges Ross to comfort Leen as much as he can.

-Don't leave her alone. She needs you- Sonia was shedding tears in the dark

Ross's arm wraps around her as well and she ends up being comforted by her brother-in-law.

-They both need to be taken care of. Don't ask, cry if you want to. When we get home put on something cold to ease your eyes-

Ross sounded angry and looked straight ahead without hesitation. Sylph was unable to utter a word and shook her head. She had heard from her brother Morty what had happened to his sisters-in-law when they were children. But out of all that, what bothered him the most was not the sad story, but the fact that the devourers actually existed and had appeared 13 years ago without anyone ever having questioned, whether Rocamora was really a terrorist attack or not.

Something strange and harmful was making itself known and there was no way to understand why or how to stop them.

**

The meeting ended with the task of informing the rest of the fairies of the different sectors and areas on Friday at the last minute so as not to generate a panic that delayed their work.

Leen and Sonia were hugging Ross and did not seem willing to let go, Sylph would take them home to rest. Olga looked at the laughable situation Ross was in and she came over to play a prank on him.

-Wow, now you are more valued. Do you want me to hug you too? -

-I'm not playing. If you don't have something important to say, get out of the way please- there was an anger in the environment that made Olga withdraw

When they got to the car, Leen passed out in Ross's arms. Sonia was sleepy and fell asleep on her brother-in-law's shoulder.

**

Sylph and Sonia helped Ross carry his things while he carried Leen. They stood in front of the door wondering whether to enter or not. Ross asked them to open up so he could have dinner and go to sleep.

Bradley, hearing voices, opened the door and was glad to see them. He was waiting for someone to come and cook dinner. Once inside, both girls were stunned to see how clean the place was. Arthur greeted them and helped Ross get Leen into the room.

It was after 11 pm and they were finishing eating. The talk was kept on the matter that would be revealed on Friday and on the relationship of Leen and Ross. There were still doubts as to whether his arrival was linked to the anomalies.

In the midst of his thoughts, Ross diverted the subject to something much more serious that made everyone drop their forks on their plates.

-Why did no one mention at the meeting that a charix appeared when Leen was a child? They only mentioned the attack 600 years ago. What killed Leen's mother was not a damn attack ... it's what I don't understand-

Sonia was petrified and the others looked with terror at the man who continued to eat as if what he said was not a big deal. Leen had gotten up and froze behind the door when she heard the comment.

-You ... how ...do you know? - Sonia trembled

-Ross, you know what those things are ... answer! - Leen ran and took Ross by the shoulders and then shook him.

-Yes, they are vermin, eating men. I thought they only existed in my world but apparently it is not the case. Don't worry, if some of them appears I can kill him-

-...-

-God ... who are you? - Arthur was dumbfounded

-What you say is impossible. According to the stories they were locked in an infinite void. Now you say that you have seen them! And that you can even kill them ... hahaha- Sylph laughed so as not to cry

-Ah ... that's not true. Those critters are very elusive. They infiltrate between people. One day they may be in one city and the next on another continent. My mom used to say that they love to travel between worlds to feed on people-

- How do you know that they were the ones who attacked in Rocamora? - Bradley was still incredulous

-Because I saw it-

-It's because you were there ... it wasn't a dream, it was you ...- Leen lost her strength in her legs and was settled on the couch.

They couldn't get out of amazement and started with pointless speculation. Arthur thought of the name of the only person capable of answering his doubts, but unfortunately she was out of the country.

-Mama Rabbit! She can solve this. But she returns to Johannesburg in three months. She is one of the oldest beings that exists, she helped me with my problem-

-It's true! She might know. You have to talk to Rocket and tell her so that she can help us talk with her grandmother- Sonia bump her fist against the couch to get rid of her frustration

-Who is Mama Rabbit?- Ross asked excitedly as Leen looked at him uneasily.