The house on the rocks

Langston


"I don't exactly have one either. I live with a group of people..." I say, shrugging slightly.

"Oh? What sort of people?" she asked, relieved to not be talking about her old house now.

Langston


I shrug again, "Nothing special. Just some ordinary people."

Well if ordinary is a group of superheros. Including one that is full of living bugs, a seventeenth century gentleman who can hop through portals, and a few other unique people.

"Lucky you." Kafadzwa tried to keep her face impassive. She nearly succeeded.

Langston


"What about you? You said you didn't have a home anymore."

"Mr Tendo, the man who took me in as a baby, died when his house burnt down."

Langston

"Oh...wow....that must've been terrible.....I'm sorry....." I say, mentally kicking myself for asking her.

"It was horrible, and I know who is responsible."

Langston


"Oh.....what are you going to do?" I ask her, knowing how it felt to want to find out who ruined things for you.

"I'm going to find them and kill them. The captain of the Devouring Wind, the dread pirate Captain Ntemba Ayo, led a Norlan warship to my homeland and, well..."

Langston


"And they killed your adoptive father...." I say quietly, knowing how that felt. "When I was thirteen, my parents were kidnapped."

"At least they might still be alive," Kafadzwa said, her fists clenched.

Langston


"Yes, but...see I was in the room at the time....and I watched them hurt my parents...and well....I know how you feel about wanting revenge."

Kafadzwa nodded. "I suppose you're right..."

Langston

"and because of that I've been looking ever since, not just for my parents but for the people that took them."

Kafadzwa nodded. "It seems we have something in common, then."

Langston


"Yes, but I wish it was in something more pleasant."

"Same. I wouldn't wish this on anyone," said Kafadzwa.

Langston


"Sucks doesn't it? Especially when you have to stop living in your house cause you're too afraid they'll come back for you."

"Mr Tendo's house was burnt down. I couldn't go back even if I wanted to."

Langston


"Do you have a place to stay now...?" I ask, wondering if I could find her something.

"Close enough," she replied. "I go from ship to ship, earning my way as a deck hand. Sooner or later I'll catch up with those filthy pirates."

Langston


"If you need any help, let me know alright? It might to have a giant helping hand," I grin.

Kafadzwa nodded seriously. "I will."

Langston

"Do you think anyone else might be here?" I ask, now remembering the possibility.