Free Sky Child by T. M. Brenner

say.
    "You are to me," says Charm.
    "Then why was I taken from you? Why did you let that happen?" I ask.
    Charm looks very hurt. I know it wasn't her decision, but I have always felt like maybe Charm didn't try very hard to keep me. That's why it's difficult to be around her sometimes. I feel like she gave up on me.
    "I did everything I could to keep you Sam. I pray to the Sky Gods you know that. Chaff was the one that suggested you be on your own. He told Hammer that since you were the Sky Child, that you should be raised to be strong, and not rely on anyone. Hammer wasn't sure that it was a good idea at such a young age. Chaff came to me and said that if I didn't agree to let you go, that he would have you killed."
    "Why? Why would Chaff want me dead?" I ask.
    "Because, just like everyone else, he believes the stories. He worried that you were the Sky Child."
    "I still don't understand why people think I'm the Sky Child."
    "Because you weren't born in the Crag. You are the only person we have ever seen from outside the cave. Most people believe we are the only ones that survived the End War. So how else could you be here? Only the Sky Gods could have given you to us."
    "Even if I was the Sky Child, why would he want to kill me? The Sky Child is supposed to bring peace, and food, and happiness to everyone."
    "Not to Chaff. You see, if everyone has plenty of food, then Chaff has no control anymore. He loses the one thing that makes him powerful and feared in the Crag. Chaff threatened me so that I would agree to give you up. I talked to Hammer and said that I thought it was a good idea for you to be on your own," says Charm.
    "But if I were such a threat to Chaff, why didn't he just kill me?" I ask.
    "Because he's a coward. If people knew he was behind your death, they would kill him, too. There are people that believe very strongly that you are the Sky Child, Sam, and they would do anything to protect you."
    "Why didn't he send someone else to kill me then?"
    "Because he didn't trust anyone, and no one trusted him. He knows that everyone hates him. So why would someone want to help Chaff kill the one person that might get rid of him? I think he hoped that someone would do it for him. That someone would get jealous of you and kill you. Maybe even someone who has lived as many snows as you have," says Charm.
    I think for a moment. I start to realize that maybe Chaff had told Sickle and Scythe to bully me when I was a new one. He may even send one of them to kill me someday. Knowing that Chaff would use his own sons that way makes me hate him even more.
    "I am sorry Charm for hurting you with my questions. I know that you did what you had to. I didn't know why until now, but thank you for telling me the truth," I say.
    "The truth, Sam, is that I would do anything for you. Even if that means I have to let you live somewhere else. Even if I miss you every day. Even if I wish things could be different, and that we could be together again. You have no idea how hard it has been for me. I don't get to be there for you, not the way I want to. I see you change, and become older. You are a parent now to your brothers. Can you imagine how hard it would be to have them taken away from you?"
    "I can't."
    "I did it because I love you, Sam."
    I reach out and hug Charm. I wish that I had talked to her about this sooner, instead of letting the questions and doubt make me wonder if she really cared about me.
    "I love you too, Charm."
    I'm surprised that I said it out loud. I know I feel love for Charm, but I never really tell anyone that I love them. Not even Flot and Jet.
    "Okay, you are going to have to stop all of this," says Ebb. "You're making me cry."
    Charm and I both laugh.
    "We should probably be letting you sleep now, Charm," I say.
    "I hope that you stay safe and happy, Sky Child. I pray to the Sky Gods every day that you are," says Charm.
    I smile back at her as Ebb and I stand up to leave.
    "Oh, Charm, there is one more thing I was