85. The Outburst

Baka’s mother never seemed to run out of tears as she held unto Baka like her life depended on it. She inspected her daughter thoroughly trying to check for any wounds and wouldn’t let go of her. Baka let her hold unto her for as long as she wanted to.

She had missed her mother so much. Missed her scent and her voice and her crushing hugs. She would never forgive herself if anything were to happen to her mother because of her.

It was just shy of curfew and they both sat together on the floor in the room they once shared. This was the only time they could meet without arousing suspicion. But it was only a matter of time before the other girls joined them too.

“Thorin has had his eyes on me like a hawk,” her mother was saying. “I’m not sure what to think about it, except that it cannot be good.”

Tatum had told her he had left a trusted friend looking after her mother. Baka knew it had to have been Thorin. “Don’t worry, Mother. We’re safe.”

“Don’t worry? Child, you were gone for days wit