A World of Worlds
Page 16
The secluded Navi house made for a luxurious prison while the colonists debated what to do with her. The law was clear—the punishment for killing a Navi was death.
Three days had passed since Samare’s death, and Fiana was still in the dark. Maya brought food three times a day, but would not answer any questions. Through the window, Fiana saw others, including Brynt, in the distance, but at best they shot fearful glances in her direction.
On the fourth day, what started as a headache developed into a migraine. But she wouldn’t let the others know stress was getting to her. Instead, she used the time to learn and study. She browsed through the things that belonged to the Navi and read whatever she could find about the law, the Navi, and the colony. She pleaded, whispered and swore at the bracelet daily too, but with no luck.
Her worsening headache sent her to bed early. Again her dreams were filled with voices. Murderer, they called her. She woke up heaving and covered in sweat. “I didn’t mean to,” Fiana whispered.
As days slipped through her fingers, her appetite diminished and patience weakened. One time she threw the lunch plate Maya brought back at the girl. “What are they waiting for?” she shouted. “Kill me or release me already!” Maya ran out with tears in her eyes, and no one brought Fiana dinner that night.
Muscle aches joined the migraines and she kept losing track of time. When she hobbled to the kitchen the next day, she found the plate already on the table. She wanted to apologize for before, for the Navi, for... no, she wouldn’t admit to that. But no one would let her. In a fit of rage, Fiana smashed another plate.