Alienated

Andrew took the girls out of the forest and soon, they emerged out into the village. As soon as they emerged into the bustling village, all eyes dropped on her and the entire town seemed to halt for a second as their attention was on the strange child.

They were all aware of supernatural beings walking amongst them, they knew most physical description of each supernatural being, but they had never seen a white haired and purple eyed being before.

Although the Faeries possessed different hair and eye colours, they had wings so it was easy to identify them, so apparently the mysterious child could not be a Fae.

They all goggled at her as she walked through the crowd, their hawking gaze following her every movement.

Not being acquainted with people before, Dabria flinched back in fear as she hid behind Andrew's large frame.

"It's alright, they won't hurt you." Andrew said to her as he gave her a tender smile, but she was still reluctant and scared until Malia chipped in.

Holding her hand, Malia said to her with her brightest smile "It's alright, you don't have to be afraid, just hold my hand."

Immediately she spoke, Dabria's demeanor lightened and she smiled while walking hand in hand with Malia.

Andrew silently thanked the heavens for giving him Malia, before following behind the girls who were already skipping through the crowd.

As they walked on the road towards their house, heads turned, gazes dropped on them and soon, hushed whispers erupted in the air as they all pondered on who the strange child was and moreover, why she was following Mister Andrew home.

Although, the balance between fear and fascination was on an uneven weight as most of the people feared the peculiar creature rather than become fascinated by its presence.

The villagers were confounded by the sight of the child, but none were brave enough to query Andrew on who or where he had seen her from.

After a few moments of walking, they finally arrived at Andrew's house.

"We're home!" Malia announced as she pulled Dabria along into the house, while he simply watched as the two girls got along well.

He could hear their giggles as they skipped into the house, hand in hand.

As they went into the house, Dabria's large eyes scoured through the small cottage, but it was bigger than the one she and her mother used to live in.

Dabria's observation was abruptly interrupted as a sharp voice boomed through the house. Her small heart leapt to her throat in fear as the voice rang loudly, with obvious disdain coating it.

"What is this you have brought home, Andrew? What on Earth?" The woman yelled in shock and horror as her eyes dropped on Dabria.

Dabria gasped in fear as she recoiled back, her small frame disappearing into the shadows, but Andrew held her still as he spoke to the woman who stood in front of them.

"Love, she's my niece. My sister died in a fire this morning leaving her behind, she somehow survived and it's my responsibility to take care of her." Andrew spoke in a whisper.

Despite his words, the woman's brows were still tightly knotted in displeasure and when her eyes narrowed to the child hiding behind him, her lips twisted in disgust.

"Never! She's obviously not human, I will not let an unknown creature live in the same house as my daughter. It's unacceptable." The woman spat out firmly.

"She's my niece and she's just a child, don't let fear overrule your judgement." Andrew remarked.

"Then why did her mother hide her from everyone else? She even lied that her baby was dead. I have every reason to be afraid of that creature." The woman snapped erratically as she pointed her fingers judgingly at Dabria.

"Watch your tone." Andrew growled with a finality, silencing the woman immediately.

The woman pressed her lips in a thin line, her body twitched in unease and when she opened her mouth to speak, a young girl came out to stand beside her. She looked like a replica of the woman with the same golden locks and blue eyes and she was about two years older than both Dabria and Malia.

"What's wrong, Mother?" The girl asked as she darted her eyes between her parents, but as soon as her gaze fell upon Dabria, horror masked her countenance as she flinched back.

"W-What is that?" The girl gasped.

"Elara, that is your niece, Dabria and she will be staying with us from now on." Andrew stated firmly.

Elara's eyes widened at the news "What is she?"

Andrew glanced at the little girl hiding behind him "We'll find out soon enough."

"Or it's better not to find out at all, we should hand her over to the castle or an orphanage, they'll know what to do with her." The woman spoke.

"That's enough, Lovessa!" Andrew growled at her, but Dabria got scared too as she drew her feet back, ready to sprint away, but Malia who had noticed her frightened state immediately ran to her and hugged her.

The unexpected warm embrace she got from her new friend suddenly made her relaxed and Malia whispered into her ears "Everything will be fine."

"Dabria, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell." Andrew apologized with a soft tone as he crouched down to her level and she nodded.

Lovessa rolled her eyes at the sight before her, not only was she uneasy about the peculiar child, but the pang of envy also pricked at her skin.

Lovessa was unhappy about the new change that was unfolding before her very eyes, the share of attention that she and her daughter had to give to another and even worse, the child was a being of unknown knowledge, it irked the woman even more.

Regardless of the fact that she was scared of the unknown, she wanted all the attention only to herself and her daughter, Elara.