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Tara opened the door to bright sunlight. There were few clouds and per cousins were laughing farther into the compound yard. Molly was standing outside. Tey raised teir hand to wave. There were three trees by the door. An insect flew by. Tara smelled grass.
Tara shut the door.
Per blinked. There was breathing. Loud. They turned to look for who it was. No one should be there Tara was inside. Tara was safe. They wouldn't find them if no one left they couldn't find Sali or Cors or Molly or per. They all needed to stay inside. There wasn't anyone around. The breathing was theirs.
Tara blinked again.
They were sitting in the corner. The door was closed but Molly was in front of them. Molly was inside. Molly was safe. Where was Cors. Molly should have Cors. Its teir day. Cors is two where is Cors. And where's Sali they don't see them did they wander away what if they went outside its not safe. Tara needed to find Sali.
"Cors is okay, they're playing outside with Trace and Sali. Cors is seven and Sali is eight and we are okay."
That isn't right. Sali is three. Sali and Cors can't play outside. Molly and Tara don't know what happened to Trace. Tara looked up at Molly. Molly looked different. Molly looked wrong. Tara scrambled further into the corner. That isn't Molly.
Not-Molly kneeled down near the wall. "I am Molly. But I'm 14 and so are you."
Liar. Tara turned ten a month ago. They looked around. The breathing was back. It didn't come from Not-Molly. Tara blinked ag-
"Tar let's take some breaths. Breath with me. In two three four and Out two three four. And again. Good. I am Molly and you are Tara and it is Saama 18th 46 AAI. We are in Suren. You are safe."
Safe. Yes. Tara was safe. They're inside that means safe.
"It's safe outside too."
No no no no. No. If Molly goes outside they will find Sali and Cors and they will be taken and Molly will die. They need to stay safe. They doesn't want Molly to die.
"We didn't die. Mau came and found us a month after you turned ten. Can you take more breaths?"
Tara took a deep breath. And another. They knew how to breath, they had been doing that for years. Molly stayed between them and the door. That was nice. Tara took another breath.
Tara blinked. "How-" per voice cracked, "how long was I out?"
Molly sighed, "Only about eight minutes this time. And you were using my current pronouns. How are you feeling?"
"Not great. I need a- a minute. Can- can we hang out in the courtyard instead of the yard? I don't think I can be out there right now."
Tey nodded, and started to talk through teir day. Apparently Gears was boiling soda again and Kaleva had stopped by to try and get her spouse to leave their newest project, something about a new type of wheel for Demea, and go on a picnic with her. Tey were halfway through describing the wild rabbit Trace had tried to smuggle into its room when Tara shook off the dregs of panic and looked up.
"Want to go watch the birds?"
Tara stood up, and offered Tara a hand. "Yeah, lets go! I brought cookies and tea!"
The pair walked towards the back door leading to the shaded courtyard. Tara turned per face skywards and for once the sun felt warm.