Atlanna Abiyaksa
6 | Kick Bison

In the morning, Raskal awakens as sunlight begins to infiltrate through the cracks of his bedroom window. The man grimaced, his head felt heavy and his entire body felt lax.

"Wake up?" Raskal turned his head, his forehead wrinkled hearing the flat tone of his Mother.

"Why?"

"Still you?!" Sheila stared intently at her son, the young woman walked to the corner of the room and grabbed the blanket on the sofa in a slow motion. Both of Raskal's eyes glanced at Atlanna sleeping there quietly. "You don't remember last night?"

Raskal shook his head, he was about to go down but again grimaced to feel his stomach ache. Don't know, last night Atlanna beat him all out for almost harassing the girl.

"Raskal's stomach hurts a lot, Mother." He complained, his hands stroking his thin sixpack stomach. "Kayak's done kicking a bison."

Sheila glared, the woman ignored her son and crouched down near Atlanna. His hands raised slowly, about to wake the girl but stopped when he saw her arms.

"Oh my God," Sheila's inner.

Wounds with abstract lines that were still flushed dominated the bruises on her left arm made Sheila speechless. The girl.. Why did it get like that?

Raskal shook his head softly in a clueless sign as his Mother looked at him questioningly. The man ignored the pain in his stomach and then approached his mother.

"Raskal beg Mommy, don't ask anything about Atlanna's life later."

•••

Atlanna's two sharp eyes slowly opened, twitching a few times while staring at the ceiling of the room in silence. He had just dreamed, someone stroked his long hair gently and gave him a thick blanket in the middle of the night.

Comfortable, affectionate elusan was just like her Mama's elusan eleven years ago, feeling warm and soothing.

Her right hand raised rubbed her flushed left arm then rose slowly to lower her collar. The dominant pale lentic fingers rubbed the neck area decorated with red patches.

'Why am I not angry?'

That question just popped up when his brain was replaying the memory last night. Nekat asks Ravloska to take her to Raskal's house. It just happened, even when Raskal touched it and made some kissmarks then he realized and beat the man all out.

"Morning, pretty!" Sheila smilingly looked at Atlanna who was just looking at her expressionlessly flat, the young lady with the little girl in her sling approached and sat down next to Atlanna comfortably. "Sorry because Raskal you have to come here at night."

"Raskal hasn't done that to... you, have you?"

"Don't hurt yourself, huh?" Sheila dyed her hair slowly. "Watch a aunt like your mother. Call me Mother, okay?"

Atlanna's body felt limp, both her eyes tightly shut, holding desperately the tears that forced her to come out. Failing, Sheila smiled faintly at the little sobs from the little girl's lips.

"No need to be arrested, you deserve that."

Atlanna's lips twitched. "Why?"

"Because you're special." Sheila repeatedly kissed Atlanna's temple while wiping her with affection. "Our purpose in the world is to live. Only great people can survive and you're one of them."

His raised fingers wiped away the tears flowing down Atlanna's cheeks before rising from her seat. "Can't be sad, now you have a mother," said Sheila.

Both corners of Atlanna's lips were raised slowly to form a thin, very thin arch. He nodded small. "Thank you, bun-da."

It was his first time smiling and feeling a happy emotion since eleven years ago. And that, thanks to family... Rascals.

Atlanna followed Sheila's steps leading her out of the room. Raskal House consists of only two floors but looks very magnificent. The second floor contains three rooms and one library, while the first floor contains two rooms, a living room, a work space and a kitchen. Not as big as Atlanna's house, but this house feels very comfortable for the girl.

"I'm pictured if I have a wife, see the pretty one in the morning." Raskal blinked one eye making Atlanna frown dislike.

"It's a lot of confidence that Atlanna will be with you" Sheila said cynically, the woman gently pulled Atlanna's arm into one of the empty seats. "Here baby."

Raskal grunting. "Wouldn't Mother have a daughter-in-law to Atlanna?"

"You." Sheila nodded. "But Mother pity Atlanna if you have to have your cake husband."

"Where is that cake." Raskal.

Sheila's face was ducks, the woman put a side dish with a large portion of green vegetables into the Atlanna plate with a plate. "Given, yes, dear. Anyway, it's gotta run out to be strong."

"Dimikin yi siying, pikikiknyi hir hibis biir kiit." Raskal.

Sheila raised both eyebrows. "If Mommy thinks the cake is real, you if it is big must be married. You see Raskal has dared to make so many kissmarks when Mother is equally Papa is not at home."

"Ohuk!" A spoonful of rice that he was about to swallow immediately gushed out because of Sheila's words. Atlanna glared, the girl covered her mouth with both hands looking at Raskal who was staring at her meaningfully. "Damn it!"