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Calliope

Anika’s face turned grim, as though a cloud had passed before the sun.

“Well, I don’t know. It was just me when I was caught and sold, but I like to think I have more now. Maybe a little sister.” She nodded toward Natalya. “She has some, though.”

I froze. Sold. Did she mean that metaphorically or– It didn’t sound like a metaphor. Was that normal in their world? How could it be? How was I supposed to deal with this?

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, but Anika just looked confused, as though she wasn’t expecting my sympathy.

“I have four brothers,” Natalya said, briefly. “One brother is older, and three younger.”

She looked away, face hard and drawn. She clenched her fists, as though she resented me for bringing up the thought, resented me for reminding her of what she’d lost.

I hadn’t meant to hurt her.

“You?” She barked. “Is it just you and your sister?”

I nodded, silently.

“She went back to China two years ago. I haven’t seen her since,” I said, quietly.

In a way, it was just me now. Maybe that was for the best.

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I think after this they’ll all be headed to the hall so I’m just going to stop there XD