5. Osiris

5

OSIRIS

“ O h, this is too much!” Eddy, the caregiver of the orphanage pleaded, pushing back one of his fruit baskets.

“They will go to waste if you do not take them,” Osiris argued. “In any case, who else would I give them to? Most beings in the enclave do not eat these things, and you know how the other humans fear me ever since…” his voice trailed off.

The older woman’s eyes softened as she looked up at him. “And you are sure this is all you want?” she asked, gesturing to the book in his hands.

He nodded, tightening his grip on the book. “Yes, this is all. I have already finished the other ones.”

She was not like the other humans he had observed. She was kind. Caring. She was the one who taught Osiris how to farm in the first place.

Eddy sighed, turning to place the basket behind her on the stone floor of the old wooden orphanage’s hallway. “Would you at least come in? The children are playing out back. You know,” she mused, “they oft ask where we get all this food.”

The light in Osiris’ head dimmed as he shrunk back, holding his hands in front of him. “I do not wish to scare them.”

He never knew how she came about raising all her children, though he also supposed it did not matter. Each time he paid her a visit, he could sense another addition to her ever-growing family.

“Ohpishposh,” she said, swatting his shoulder. “You are one of the kindest souls I know, Osiris. The children will see that too.”

Osiris looked past Eddy to the back of the house. His senses picked up the echoes of laughter, tiny feet on the grass, and a chasing game involving wolves and time. He did not understand the activities, but he understood what they represented. Pure joy and childhood wonder. “I will taint it,” he whispered to himself.

Hearing it was enough for him. Knowing they were safe and well fed was enough for him.

He always thought that it would be wonderful to have a family of his own one day, but as far as he knew, he was the only one of his kind. At least around here.

Eddy sighed, drawing his attention back to her. “No one will ever be able to prove you wrong if you do not give them a chance to.”

Osiris smiled softly. “I will keep that in mind, old friend.”

Turning, Osiris started for Shadow, leaving Eddy to tend to the children. His loyal companion was still attached to her carriage, patiently waiting for his return. Her head bobbed up and down as he approached. Lifting his gloved hands to his mare’s head, he was met with a content nicker as he caressed her face gently.Once she settled, he walked over to the carriage and stepped up, noting the darkening sky around him, trepidation flooding his senses.

Hallows Eve. I am sure the other beings are getting ready to leave our enclave right about now.

His worry for the beings vastly overshadowed any unease or solicitude he harbored for the humans. It was exceedingly rare that a being ever came into contact with a human, let alone harmed them intentionally. Yet his concern for his people ebbed and flowed. If a human followed one back, they could find their home. And if they brought back a mob, what then?

Though, the beings never strayed too far from the main forest to begin with. And with the town’s lock down every Hallows Eve for the last few years, the chances of even seeing one was small.

Let them have their night of freedom under an open sky.

Osiris reminded himself.

Sitting down, he gave the reins a quick flick, signaling Shadow to walk forward as he took off his head and placed it beside him. His shadows swirled around him, reveling in the comfort of the crisp night air. Without the burden of his head weighing down on him, he rolled his shoulders, letting his body relax.

Osiris wasn’t in charge of the other beings, not really. Though, as they all had others of their kind to worry about, and Osiris had no one, it was easy for him to take on the roll of protector.

Pushing away his racing thoughts, he convinced himself they would be fine. They always were. So long as they avoided humans, everything would remain as it always had.

Shadow picked up pace, leaving the barrier of the hidden orphanage to trot towards their small home.

“Give someone a chance?” He shook his head. “They think I am a monster.”

The carriage wheels clanked and rattled as they entered the forest, racing over the rough terrain below them.

Flicking the reins again, Shadow picked up speed once more as the darkness began to set in, obscuring the path ahead of them.

He wanted to get home and open the book Eddy had gifted him. This one was a book a love, she had told him.

What would it feel like to love, or to be loved?

He had so many questions, though, they would be answered soon enough. He could already feel his body relaxing at the thought of a warm fire and a good story.

Being so caught up in the questions racing through his mind, it was too late to stop when a flash of white barreled towards him as he crossed the path, nearly slamming into him.

When his senses finally registered what it was that had nearly caused an accident, any thoughts of a relaxing night swiftly left his mind.