Revenge After Death



We were finally back in Huma.

Steven and I were home at last, but Ashton and Xandra were detained by the police.

"Ashton and Xan's situation is special, so the police asked to conduct a psychological evaluation. They'll only let us bring them home when everything looks okay." I was slightly worried that they wouldn't pass the examination.

Psychological evaluations in a regular society consisted of ordinary questions like why a rabbit would enjoy a carrot. For Ashton and Xandra, these questions might seem stupid.

"They're going to pass... I think." Steven's confidence faltered for a moment. He coughed sheepishly before heading off to get me some fruits.

Now that Ewan wasn't here anymore, the house seemed kind of empty.

Stevie was still barking rampantly in the yard. I was soothing it before Steven walked out with a bowl of chopped fruits.

"Why do you look so guilty?" I looked at him skeptically.

Walking with a limp didn't seem to impact his good looks at all.

He replied, "I kind of tricked Eason into telling me who the doctor in charge of the evaluation was. Then, I told the kids detailed information about said doctor. They're probably going to pass the test."

Not to our surprise, Eason and Zion soon pulled up with the children in tow. They looked evidently displeased.

As soon as the car door opened up, Ashton and Xandra bolted toward us gleefully.

Stevie was nudging the children affectionately with its tongue sticking out.

"Your children are getting more and more unbelievable by the day," Eason exclaimed.

"Why? Did they fail the examination?" I was slightly worried.

"They turned it around and evaluated the doctor instead." The corner of his lips twitched.

"The doctor asked Ashton why the carrot is a rabbit's favorite food. Do you know what his answer was? Rabbits are herbivores. Their digestive tract is very long in order to accommodate tough fibers.

"A carrot doesn't have nearly enough fiber content, and it would cause the rabbit to fall sick. The rabbit might even die," he continued in disbelief.

"Then, the doctor turned to Xan. He asked what she would do if a kitten fell into a body of water and she couldn't swim." Eason looked at me.

For some reason, I started becoming uneasy. I was eager to know what Xandra said in response.

"She said she'll ask her brother to save it 'cause he knows how to swim."

I let out a breath of relief. That seemed like an answer a normal child would give.

Steven couldn't possibly have taught her that reply.

I looked toward him instinctively. Guilt was plastered all over his face. He did, in fact, teach her that response.

"The doctor also asked her what would happen if Ashton didn't know how to swim either," Eason saidAll text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

again.

He stared straight at me before continuing, "She called her brother stupid for not knowing how to swim."

I couldn't help but laugh. That was exactly how an innocent child was supposed to act.

However, a pang of sadness washed over me as I laughed. Ashton and Xandra's innocence was learned instead of innate.

"You should all get some rest. Dayton is back too. He's receiving treatment in a private hospital. We'll follow the case through," said Zion.

I nodded.

After Zion and Eason departed, I knelt in front of the two kids and asked, "What answers did you actually have for the doctor's questions? If a kitten fell into a body of water and you both didn't know how to swim, would you try to save it?"

The pair glanced at each other. "No."

In a world where it was survival of the fittest, they wouldn't waste their own life to save a cat.

There was nothing wrong with their answer, but I was afraid that they'd have a disregard for life just because they were emotionally indifferent.

"If you knew how to swim, would you save it?"

They nodded. "If we knew how to swim, we would. Dad told us being more capable means that we have an unspoken responsibility to protect the weak.

"It needs to be within our capabilities, though. If we overextend and make meaningless sacrifices, we'll make Mom and Dad worry."

I froze briefly before looking toward Steven.