NovelEnglishQueena didn't utter a word, her attention fixed on the medicine simmering in the pot.
Fabian's pride was wounded, and in a fit of embarrassed rage, he slapped the table.
"What's the deal here?"
Seeing Queena remain silent, he made a move towards the room where lan was resting.
"Fine, if you won't talk to me, I'll talk to the guy inside. And if he doesn't want to speak up, I'll toss him into the well outside!"
Fabian was used to throwing his weight around at home. His wife had been driven away by his temper, and if it hadn't been for the
school scholarship that Queena received, she might have never escaped a lifetof being on the receiving end of his fists.
Queena never cared about her father, but Fabian still saw her as the meek and compliant daughter she’d been in her youth.
He headed towards lan's room, but as he reached the door, someone smashed a chair down on his back.
He shook violently and toppled to the floor.
Fabian's body trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief, but he couldn't get the words out.
Queena pulled out a needle and thrust it into his brain, ending Fabian's life in an instant.
She returned to the stove to continue brewing her medicine, and after bringing it to lan, she went out to inform the villagers.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFabian had a decent reputation in the village; though he was an abusive husband, he was also known to stand up for his neighbors.
And, like many men who were tyrants at home, Fabian was obsessed his dignity.
A few of Fabian's close friends began to arrive to help prepare for the funeral and to console Queena.
"Queena, you holding up okay? My condolences."
Standing off to the side, Queena sighed, her voice breaking, "I never expected he'd fall off the roof."
According to her, Fabian had been trying to fix a few broken tiles on the roof when he fell to his death.
Now the village was dependent on Queena for medical care. With her mother gone and her father dead shortly after she came
home, everyone was filled with pity for her.
The community pitched in with vegetables and pork to prepare a feast at the Temple residence.
Neighbors gathered to help—swashed the veggies, others chopped them, and a few took on cooking duties.
A simple canopy was quickly erected.
Queena watched it all, claiming she wasn’t sure what to do next, so others went to hire a bagpiper and buy a coffin.
Soon, the wail of the bagpipes filled the village, mingling with the smoke from the cooking fires.
Abner was roused from sleep by the bagpipes, their sound having continued throughout the night.
He propped himself up and shuffled to the door, only to see wreaths laid out on a distant hillside.
He turned to Tobias, who was nearby.
"Someone passed away over there?"
Tobias' face was tinged with sadness, "Yeah, it's Queena's dad. Heard he fell off the roof and died. They're gonna lay his body out in
the main room for three days. Look, handsome, | brought you sfood from Queena's place."
Abner wasn't fussy; he took the utensils and ate methodically.
"Wasn't your dad supposed to be back today?"
"Yeah, but he won't be back until noon. There'll be plenty of fish then."
Abner glanced towards the hillside with the rising smoke and spoke indifferently, "Should we head over?"
Tobias had stayed behind to look after Abner, and now, perked up at the suggestion.
"Sure, but take it easy, handsome, you can't walk fast."
Abner nodded.
Sensibly, Tobias fetched a stick that was just the right length for Abner to use as a makeshift cane.
Abner surveyed the village surroundings, which were small enough to see in a single glance, situated by the water. The scenery
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwas indeed picturesque.
What would have been a brief walk took him nearly half an hour.
Upon arriving at the Temple residence, Abner immediately spotted Queena standing at the doorway, a bitter smile on her face as
she discussed burial arrangements with others.
Tobias remarked from the side, "It's just so sad for Queena. Her mom ran off, and now her dad's gone too."
Abner ignored the sentiment and asked, "The man you mentioned last time, is he from the Temple family?"
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