• Chapter Eight: Questions of the Beloved
    Back at the village, Emi was treating Shadowpaw’s wounds. She was badly injured in the side but the only concern was how much blood she had lost. Lola sat in the corner of the hut.
    This is all my fault. She was after me. Shadowpaw had nothing to do with this. Maybe I am a curse? No, this was her fault. She had no reason to bring Shadowpaw into this. Nosaka must pay for all she has done. I am not a curse. I am not a curse. I am not a curse!
    “Are you okay?” Olivia was speaking with tenderness in her voice. Lola had now realized that she had started crying. She tried to wipe the tears from her face quickly, but she only cried harder.
    “Why am I crying? I have nothing to be sad for.”
    “You blame yourself for Shadowpaw’s injury, don’t you? It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself for it. There was nothing you could do.”
    “Yes there is! I could have gone in after her! I could have saved her! I’m the one who should be injured! She had nothing to do with this! It’s ALL my fault! You don’t get it! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”
    Olivia backed away. She mumbled but only a few words. “You need to open up.” She walked out leaving Lola crying in that corner. She caught what she had said. Emi was now looking at Lola.
    “What?” Lola was angered and left the room. She went to her special tree. She had many fond memories surrounded by this tree. And whenever Lola got mad or sad or couldn’t figure something out; that was where she would be. Kino walked towards her. He was right behind her when she finally spoke.
    “Go away.”
    “No.”
    “I said go away!” Lola turned and found he was now in front of her face. They were so close they could feel each others breath. Lola glared at him for only a moment and then turned away. “Go, now.”
    ‘I said no. I won’t go. Not until you talk to me.”
    “I am, now GO!”
    ‘That’s not what I mean and you know it. We both know what your problem is, and I think that I’m the only one who’s noticed, but I think the problem is Nosaka. Not Shadowpaw.”
    Lola looked up in shock. She turned and saw Kino standing, smiling at her. “I am right.” He hopped in the tree with her. “Come on. It’s been two years. You can’t still be upset. Stop beating yourself up and look at what you have. Come on; show me that wonderful smile of yours that I know and love. Come on, come on!”
    “Not now.” Lola spoke with sternness. They sat for a few minutes in silence. Then Lola finally spoke once more. “Can you hold me? Like your sister did when I found out my grandmother died?”
    “Sure.” Lola moved over and Kino rapped his arms around her. Lola rested her head upon his chest, folding her hands across her front to create a bit of distance. Kino moved her arms and she suddenly wrapped herself in his chest and he simply sat there and rubbed her back. They sat and Kino comforted Lola while she continued to cry until she fell asleep.