Freezing northern winds bellowed and wailed, crowds waited on the frozen shores in anticipation. Whaling season had begun, but the weather made it near impossible to hunt. Aput’s community did not have the commodities of powerful liners that dominated the oceans, but that was by choice. They lived as their ancestors did, striving to maintain the culture they had. Fogged goggles blurred his vision, but his sight was unnecessary to tell that there was not going to be any letup from this tempest.

A hand on his shoulder caught his attention. Looking up, he saw the form of his brother. The recognizable blue fur-coat covered his burly form, much like how he himself appeared. People often remarked Nukilik’s resemblance to his father, while Aput took more after his mother’s appearances. Everyone, however, could not tell who was the burliest of the two. Both of them inherited their father’s strength, and perhaps that was they had the most in common. Even though at times they had strong disagreements on certain subjects, there was no doubt in his mind that he could trust his brother.

“Is something the matter Aput?” He asked him.

There was sincerity and depth in the manner he spoke, his pitch always deepened when he knew that there was something troubling Aput. His grip tightened on Aput’s shoulders, not giving him the opportunity to brush it off by ignoring him.

Aput thought carefully about it before giving him a reply. There was some part of him that hoped that the woman was not a demi, but her actions from a few nights ago were beyond suspicion. She blatantly transformed her appearance into something else entirely, the long black silky hair became long strands of quills. Much like that of a hedgehog. Her eyes reddened and bloodshot, shooting daggers into his soul. He could swear that his breath was knocked straight out of his lungs, for a long moment he even forgot how to breathe. The way she stabbed the boiled moose meat was animalistic, he was certain that was meant as a threat to him personally. She slithered back inside and loudly demolished the meat, followed by a very unladylike belch that rocked the entire village with laughter. He was the only one who was not laughing, there was no humor to be found in the predicament he dug himself in. It was like dealing with some sort of wild dog.

“I was thinking about our guest we are taking care of.” Aput said. As much as he trusted his brother, he felt he might have crossed a line which he could not tell even his brother.

“Oh? That so?” He accepted his response easily enough. “Have you thought about marriage already? Awfully fast paced.” He cackled loudly.

Aput frowned, he did not appreciate that kind of humor. Nukilik knew how sensitive that subject was with him. When Nukilik realized he was the only one laughing between the two of them, he stopped himself before making it anymore awkward between them.

Nukilik’s attitude became more serious. “To be honest with you brother, I can’t wait for a moment sooner for us to be rid of her. Outsiders only mean trouble for us and our village. Has she given you any information that is of use?”

Aput shook his head. “None whatsoever. In fact, she only spoke a single word since arriving.”

“Really? What was that?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yup.”

Silence.

“Aput, you can’t just end it there, what was she saying yes to? Food?”

Aput chuckled from his older brother’s reaction. “No, no. Funny enough, she wouldn’t say anything about food. I asked if she knew how to speak, and she responded to that.”

“Really? Such a curious girl. Maybe I should make the trip towards District Ergatuk, make a request for an identification.”

Aput stiffened from hearing that, District Ergatuk was an extension of the Foundation’s influence in the modern world. The coalition of nations from the United Nations broke down and established a sub-branch authoritative power that came to be known as the Foundation, many argued that this branch was more influential than the UN.

“What do you say brother?” Nukilik asked him.

He was not paying attention after the mention of the District. “Sorry, what?”

“Would you want to join me? That way you could get yourself checked out with the doctors there, you know, just to make sure that there isn’t any permanent damage from that time.”

Healthwise, Aput felt as fit as a bear hunting salmon. “Bah, Nukilik, you worry far too much. I am fine, I can still wrestle you to the ground whenever I want.”

A spark of amusement glowed in Nukilik’s eyes. “Oh, is that so?”

Nukilik gave him a small shove, which Aput responded with a bump back with his elbow. It escalated to where the two wrestled with each other playfully, knocking each other to the ground as they struggled. The men and boys all gathered around them as they cheered them on, while the women and girls all sighed their disbeliefs. Before long, Aput had Nukilik in an armlock. Nukilik struggled to get out of the lock, but relented in his efforts.

Conceding to his younger siblings victory, he admitted defeat. “Ok, ok. Let me go, I won’t pester you any further to come.”

Aput released his grip and helped him a hand up. “Good, that will be fine by me.”

The crowd that gathered moaned their disappointment, they hoped for more action to entertain them. However, their wait was at long last at an end. There was a disruption in the winds gales, signaling the first break they awaited for.

“Finally!” His brother exclaimed. “Tomorrow we hunt!”

Everyone cheered and hooted their excitement, tomorrow marked the first break in the wintry month to hunt in the ocean. Chattering and bustling erupted amongst themselves, some remarked how they longed for the meat of the whale, others look forward to uses of blubber they would have. All had their own reasons to look forward to this, but certainly the most exciting thing would be the feast and festival that comes from said hunt.

In the corner of his eye, he spotted something unexpected. Their guest was standing at the edge of the crowds, partially hiding behind a tree. She stared straight at him, a burning gaze that would melt the snow if she could do so. For a brief second, her hair started to quill up and vibrate powerfully that it pained his own head to see it happen.

He gulped. What have I let into my village?