《Some People Get A Dog [Community Contest Submission]》


 First Chapter: A New Family

    A loud bang erupts through the home, breaking the serenity of the rain that June much enjoys. She rushes out of bed to the best of her ability, her old muscles not used to working harder than a dawdle. ¡°I swear, if he¡¯s broken that door again¡± she complains to herself, well aware of her son¡¯s occasional drinking habits and its effect on his ability to use a key. ¡°It¡¯d be nice to see him but he needs to start calling first¡± she continues grumbling as she makes her way down the stairs, turning lights on as she progresses.


    She halts at the bottom of the stairs, seeing a trail of blood cover her newly laid blue carpet. Feelings of confusion and frustration battle in her mind as she follows the soon to be scarlet stain. Turning the corner, June hears the sniggering of little voices accompanied by the view of the cellar door wide open. Arming herself with a clearly overused fire poker and a flashlight, she takes a slow march down the cellar stairs.


    Keeping her steps as silent as possible, she listens to the frantic murmurings coming from the darkness. Halfway down the steps, she turns on the flashlight. The bright beam reveals an image often feared by most townsfolk, a group of goblins. The combination of a sudden bright light and June¡¯s grasp of shock alerts the short green creatures, reacting by frantically retreating to the far wall of the cellar. As the majority of the group run, several are left behind to assist two of their kin. Focusing her vision, June notices one of the goblins being assisted has an enlarged stomach and arching their back in a fashion a mother knows too well. The other is the obvious culprit to the blood trail with his comrades helping him to accommodate his lack of a second leg. With almost an aggressive snarl from the single-legged goblin, both his carers run to prioritise the pregnant female¡¯s trip to safety, leaving him to fall to his knees, wincing as his open wound meets concrete. He shuffles around to meet June¡¯s still shocked gaze. ¡°When sun, we leave¡± he says in a broken form of the common tongue. The injured goblin sets his hands out in front of him and brings his forehead to the ground. June couldn¡¯t resist noticing his trembling but also couldn¡¯t ignore the obvious lack of body fat on him. A familiar call to action erupts her being as she turns and leaves the cellar.


    Witnessing her departure, three of the goblins come to retrieve their leader. With two supporting his shoulders and the other his leg, they carry him to the rest of their tribe. The pregnant goblin parts the females attempting to tend to her and rushes to him. As they meet, the goblins lower him and they embrace on the cold but smooth ground. ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll get the hunters?¡± she asks worryingly in their language. He puts his hand on her stomach and smiles. ¡°She won¡¯t, we¡¯re safe now¡± he responds, willing to deceive his mate if it means giving her peace of mind.


    The father-to-be looks around his current shelter for the night, noticing old cardboard boxes, some damp from moisture, others preserved with dust. ¡°Check those boxes¡± he orders several of his clan members. Without hesitation, they follow his words. As they rummage through the hoard of stored items, they mistake many items for weaponry. Those ordered to scavenge start handing out metal candleholders, small wooden decorations and any other item they can believe is lethal. The sight of every able bodied clan member brought a communal wave of comfort to the goblins. Although they were small and starving, they believed in the strength of their numbers.


    At first, June thought to call the appropriate authorities. She held the phone in her hands. One quick call to the Human Preservation Police could rid her of this burden but her body told her differently. She looked at the tall cabinet housing a closed ceramic urn. She pauses as if she¡¯s listening to a voice she couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°Even when you¡¯re practically an ashtray, you always get your way Gerald¡± muttering with a warm smile. Clicking on the stove and pulling out several big saucepans, she turns to a picture stuck to the fridge. The picture displays an old man with a green dragon somewhat towering over him yet they share a similar joyous look. The man in the photo dons a militaristic uniform covered in medals whilst his cap is being comically worn by the dragon. June looks at the size of the meal she¡¯s about to prepare before stroking the dragon in the picture. ¡°It¡¯s almost like I¡¯m feeding you again, Mumma''s precious boy¡± she reminisces, unable to prevent a tear from rolling down her face.


    Two hours pass as the goblin clan has now set a small barricade of boxes between them and the cellar stairs, the uncertainty of a human¡¯s intentions blanketing them with a recently common sense of anxiety. June soon comes back down the stairs less stealthily, giving them enough time to somewhat prepare a combat formation. ¡°I need a few of you to help me with this¡± she requests. Both the goblins and June stand still, staring at each other. ¡°Go with her¡± the injured male orders four of his comrades. With slight hesitation, they follow their leader¡¯s order and follow her upstairs. The four of them follow June into the kitchen, halting upon a sight not even a clan¡¯s truth-seer could predict. Three saucepans sit on the stove, full of stew. June bends down into a cupboard, pulling out paper dishes, clicking her back on her way back up. ¡°Now, I need you strong boys to take these down whilst I get your friend something for that leg¡± she demands as if she was their mother. Blind to any caution, they take the saucepans from her one by one and gleefully take them to their clan.


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    Feeling like champions, the four of them carry down the stew and paper dishes to their clan. Seeing the amount of food, the entire clan shared the cries of relief. Before the leader could project his doubts, the starving started using the dishes to scoop as much as possible and indulge in a hot meal. ¡°At least if it¡¯s poisoned, we can die with our stomachs full¡± he worried. Soon after, June returned with a bright green bag and her trusty flashlight. Very quickly, she found the string switch for the light, brightening the room. ¡°Well you all seem to be comfortable¡± she jests, reacting to the somewhat makeshift battle stations. ¡°Bring him to me, I¡¯ll fix him up¡± points at their disabled leader and gestures him over in an attempt to translate her words. Fully giving her their trust, he is carried over by his kin.


    Filled with a nostalgic sense of duty, June opens the bag and starts pulling out different medical instruments. She grabs the goblin¡¯s leg to analyse. ¡°Rough separation, removed at the knee¡± her years of medical experience overcomes her belief of her retirement. In this moment, she was a nurse again and this wasn¡¯t a goblin, but her patient. Immediately, she pulls out a tourniquet and straps it tightly to his thigh. ¡°This is to halt the bleeding. Luckily, your race¡¯s blood naturally coagulates better than human¡¯s, which is why you¡¯ve survived this long¡± she announces to him. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± she asks. Taken aback by the hospitality, he pauses before responding ¡°We have no human name¡±. The goblin grunts in pain as June starts cleaning the wound and wrapping it in padding. ¡°For now then, your name is Gerald¡± June asserts, almost seeing some resemblance between the goblin and her late husband. Newly dubbed Gerald nods, accepting the moniker.


    Through back and forth discussion, both dancing around the language barrier, Gerald reveals his group were attacked by a group of poachers as their bone marrow is a cheap substitute for strong adhesive. June keeps herself composed but internally she mourns, learning how a strong clan had only been whittled down to two dozen. ¡°Tell the pregnant one and a few girls to follow me¡± she demands of Gerald just as she finishes patching up his wound. Finally feeling reassured of his clan¡¯s safety, he follows through with her request.


    The pregnant goblin, whom June has dubbed ¡®Linda¡¯, and two females, now named ¡®Rose¡¯ and ¡®Tulip'', follow June through her home and upstairs to a guest bedroom. ¡°You three can stay here. Like I¡¯d let a pregnant woman sleep on concrete!¡± she exclaims whilst escorting them into the room, apathetic to whether or not they understand her words. The comfortable mattress and lack of dirt almost overwhelms the trio as they all get onto the bed. The combination of a full stomach and the warmth of the heavy blanket laid atop of Linda sends her to sleep immediately. Looking at them from the doorway, June almost feels nostalgic, as if her children were children again and had come home.


    ¡°Blankets and pillows!¡± June announces, before throwing the aforementioned bedding down the cellar stairs. Following the ball of bedding that has formed at the bottom, she starts opening up blankets, making sleeping areas on the ground. ¡°If any of you would rather sleep on the sofas upstairs, be my guest. Just don¡¯t break anything!¡± her voice projects a sternness that doesn¡¯t agitate the goblins, but almost feels welcoming. Some decide to make their way to the living room, whilst Gerald and the rest stay in the cellar. ¡°I stay here¡± he declines politely, ¡°Thank you¡±. For once, words left his mouth with a smile following. She reciprocates his emotion, knowing full well the gift she has given them. ¡°Now rest, we¡¯ll talk more in the morning¡±.


    She leaves the cellar and walks past the living room, hearing the symphony of snoring coming from passed out goblins, sprawled across her furniture. ¡°It¡¯s almost like having the boys home again¡± she whispers softly, looking at her husband¡¯s urn. Almost as if it didn¡¯t exist in her mind until now, she marches to the opened back door and locks it shut before looking for carpet cleaner.


    The unordinary night she had so far had woken her mentally and physically. In an attempt to tire herself, she started scrubbing the blood from her carpets, using the carpet cleaner, several rags and her mixing bowl to carry water. Her hands and knees start to ache with the labour, yet her stubbornness helps her progress. ¡°If I can clean dragon mess, I can clean anything¡± she recites to herself every time she stands up to replace the water in the mixing bowl.


    She stands proud over where the stain of Gerald¡¯s blood used to be. As she gives herself a grunt of confirmation and puts her cleaning equipment on the countertop, she hears whimpers and cries coming from the living room. Following the sounds, she finds a smaller goblin on her armchair, crying in its sleep. Without much inspection, the goblin¡¯s size proved to June that it was a child. Although unconscious, the child couldn¡¯t help but make sounds of fear in his sleep. June tuts, looking back at the urn and slowly shaking her head. She gently picks up the youngling from her seat and sits down, putting him against her chest. Often being the mother that stated she missed her kids being infants, she proceeds to comfort the child. Stroking his smooth green head, she rocks back and forth, softly talking into his ear. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Nana¡¯s here¡± she can¡¯t help but say, as if she were babysitting her grandchildren. The young goblin clings to her nightgown and nestles his head into her. After a few minutes, the crying stops and is replaced with a snore that is significantly softer than the rest of her new tenants.


    June looks around her and chuckles at the weird sight of goblins sleeping on her furniture as one sleeps on her chest. She leans back into her seat, finally exhausted. June closes her eyes, clutching at the youngling, feeling the warmth of being a mother again before falling asleep.

 Chapter 2: A Dragons Intuition

    Gerald awakens to the rupturing of footsteps as goblins rush down the stairs followed by the sounds of the basement door slamming shut. He pulls the blanket off him and grabs the silver candle stand from beneath his pillow, his hands sweating with adrenaline. ¡°Everyone stay quiet!¡± orders a familiar sounding voice. That voice being Rodry, head of the clan¡¯s scouts that had just recently been renamed by June. Gerald¡¯s hold on his improvised weapon eases along with his anxiety. ¡°What¡¯s the situation with the human?¡± Gerald asks. Rodry gestures to his subordinates as they start to hand out a foreign item. ¡°The human ordered us to call her Nana and gave us the task of delivering food to the clan¡± he states with a monotone voice of obedience. ¡°Nana has also ordered we remain down here as one of her offspring will be arriving¡±.


    Gerald stares at the odd piece of food in his hand then looks around at his clan. Every other member of the clan seems to be clearly enjoying this weird combination of bread and meat, yet he was hesitant to eat any form of meat that¡¯s not cooked, and this meat was clearly pink. ¡°Nana calls it a Sand Witch. The meat is from swine and changed in a way that is safe to eat without fire¡±. ¡°A Sand Witch?¡± Gerald ponders the odd naming of such a creation, yet proceeds to take a bite. The taste of the meat clearly overpowers the bread, yet Gerald quickly understands the bread¡¯s role. ¡°The bread isn¡¯t for flavour, but convenience¡± he marvels at the clear example of human creativity, noticing the bread saves his hand from the grease of the meat allowing his hand to still be ready for battle.


    June opens the guest bedroom door to the image of the female goblins tending to their pregnant kin. Her stomach is close to bursting, it is clear she is due very soon. ¡°Ladies, breakfast time¡± she speaks softly, softer than she did to the males of the tribe. Resting the tray on the bed stand, she turns to the goblins. ¡°How¡¯re you feeling Linda?¡± June asks with concern. ¡°Hurt¡± pregnant goblin replies, nearly drowning in her own sweat. ¡°Oh I remember on my Malcolm I was burning to death in the snow!¡± June reminisces, wrapping ice in a small towel and applying it to Linda¡¯s forehead. ¡°It¡¯ll end soon when the babies come but for now we have to ease her symptoms¡± she advises the other goblins who respond with blank stares. ¡°What is she saying?¡± one goblin says to the others in their native tongue. ¡°I think she¡¯s saying to care for her¡± another responds. A high pitched sound wrings through the building, alerting the goblins. ¡°It¡¯s okay, my son is here¡± June reassures them before heading downstairs.


    June slowly opens the door. Her face shines with joy as she bends over and slaps her hands onto her knees. ¡°Is it Nana¡¯s big boy?!¡± she squeals in a childlike tone before a green dragon the size of a pitbull rushes to her, rubbing its snout into her hands as she fusses her hands behind the dragon¡¯s ears. Following the dragon is a broadly built man, towering over June. ¡°Mum, I exist too¡± he chuckles. She ignores his entrance, fully engrossed in playfully teasing the dragon. ¡°God, he¡¯s more like my Titan everyday!¡± she says, finally acknowledging the man¡¯s presence. She rises up and hugs the man ¡°It¡¯s good to see you Malcolm¡± she says softly. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you too mum¡± he says as they separate. June turns to walk to the kitchen, both Malcolm and the dragon follow. As they pass the basement door, the dragon stops and starts sniffing the carpet by the door. ¡°Baldur, come on!¡± Malcolm orders, followed by his whistle which Baldur immediately responds to with obedience.


    Baldur sits proudly on a kitchen chair as June sprays his scales, brushing the oil in with a nail brush. ¡°Is your dad not oiling your scales?¡± June coos, as if she¡¯s spoiling an infant. Malcolm ignores her comment, focusing his sights on the stew covered counters. ¡°Had a party here, did you Mum?¡± he asks with concern. Hearing his questioning, it clicks in June¡¯s mind. She stammers her words, unable to lie to her son. ¡°I had guests last night¡± she is able to get out before a knock at the backdoor is heard. Hesitantly, June goes to open the backdoor as Malcolm looks out the window. Baldur sniffs the air as the warmth of relaxation breaks, leading him to jump from the chair and position himself next to June.


    Slowly opening the door to three dirt covered men, she feels nothing but confusion. Baldur steps in front of June, acting as a wall between her and the strangers. The sounds of sniffing and growling are heard behind them until a direwolf comes to one of the men¡¯s side, showing the hound¡¯s leash. ¡°Hello there¡± one of the strange men begins to speak with an odd smile. ¡°I¡¯m Henry, these are my associates William and Robert¡± he says, gesturing to the man to his side and the man with the direwolf respectively. ¡°And?¡± June retorts, placing her hand on Baldur''s head. ¡°Well you see my love, we¡¯ve tracked a small tribe of goblins to the area and they may have potentially invaded your home.¡± Henry drones on.


    As his mother and the strange men talk, Malcolm hears the old floorboards of his childhood home creak. From years of firsthand experience in this home, it¡¯s the sound of someone sneaking around. He looks towards the living room to the sight of a small goblin. ¡°Nana! Nana!¡± it calls. ¡°Come on Noah, come to Nana!¡± June chirps back. Malcolm halts, watching what he¡¯d usually view as a pest run so innocently into his mother¡¯s arms. The direwolf sees the child and growls, causing him to cling into her gown.


    ¡°Miss, do you not know-¡± as William approaches to speak, he¡¯s cut off by June. ¡°Malcolm! Get my tamer licence!¡± She orders her son in a tone he hadn¡¯t heard in a long time, but it¡¯s a tone he knows not to disobey. The three hunters recoil in curiosity. June¡¯s left arm is wrapped around Noah, keeping him to her chest, whilst her right hand remains on Baldur¡¯s head. Malcolm rummages quickly through the draws, grabbing a small piece of red plastic with the words ¡®Post-Military Spousal Licence¡¯. He returns to his mother, seeing a familiar fire in her eyes. He checks Baldur, seeing June¡¯s pinky finger raise from his scalp. ¡°Baldur¡± Malcolm calls calmly. ¡°Baldur!¡± he repeats, more stern yet Baldur ignores his command. Panic erupts inside Malcolm as he hears a grumble from Baldur¡¯s stomach. ¡°Show them¡± June demands, not breaking eye contact with the men.


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    Almost as if he had turned from a man of the military into a scared disobedient child, Malcolm sheepishly follows his mother¡¯s command, revealing the plastic card to the men. June glares at Robert as he holds his direwolf close. ¡°You know how licensing works, I¡¯m qualified for a dragon, so I can have anything smaller!¡± June states. Robert attempts to speak before staring at her right hand and then back to her almost dominating glare. ¡°Listen Miss-¡± William attempts to speak yet again before Robert slaps the back of his head before taking over. ¡°We¡¯re so sorry for the disruption madam¡± Robert says through his shaking, understanding the situation he is in. ¡°We¡¯ll be leaving now, please have a wonderful day!¡± Robert projects a fake cheery demeanour. ¡°Oh I will¡± June retorts, hand still in position on Baldur¡¯s head. The men quickly turn and retreat back to the woods, quietly arguing amongst themselves.


    Once she sees them disappear in the tree line, she lets out a proud smile. ¡°Heel¡± she whispers calmly, brushing her four other fingers along the top of Baldur¡¯s scalp, causing the grumbling of his stomach to silence. Malcolm lets out a huge sigh of relief before bursting in anger ¡°Mum, you know you could''ve killed them!¡±. June chuckles ¡°You forget I had a military dragon too right? I wasn¡¯t going to let Baldur waste his breath!¡±. June sits Noah on the counter as she takes her licence from Malcolm, placing it back in the drawer. ¡°If my Titan was here though, he would¡¯ve had them just for looking at me wrong¡± she mumbles.


    ¡°Noah dear, can you take this up to Linda, she was in such a state last night¡± she speaks calmly to the young goblin, giving him a glass of water. He nods, jumping off the counter and runs the glass of water up the stairs. ¡°And you were going to tell me about the goblins when?¡± Malcolm asks, ¡°Why do you think I called you here?¡± she retorts as she cleans the stains of dried stew from the counters. ¡°I got 3 upstairs, one¡¯s pregnant. The rest, about 20, are downstairs. I¡¯ve fed them, cared for them. I just want your opinion¡±. Malcolm knew his mother was a caring woman, often known to nurture injured wild birds, but pet goblins have always been unheard of, even amongst the tamer corps.


    Noah quickly rushes back downstairs with a silver tray of empty glasses and dirty plates. ¡°Nana¡± he innocently chirps as he hands the tray to June. ¡°Thank you!¡± she says, smiling down at him. After putting the tray on the counter, she crouches down to Noah, whispering ¡°I have some family you should meet!¡±. She takes his hand and walks over to Malcolm. ¡°Malcolm¡± she points to her son, Noah repeats with a cheer. ¡°And this is Baldur¡± she says, rubbing under the dragon''s chin. ¡°Baldur¡± Noah mimics, his youthful innocence making him ignorant to what any adult of his race would recognize as a great threat. Baldur turns to the green child and approaches, sniffing around his face and chest. June watches carefully as Malcolm is still baffled by the situation. Noah, without fear, scratches under his chin, yet again mimicking June ¡°Baldur! Baldur!¡± he repeats joyfully. Baldur barely responds as Noah finds the spot that creates bliss for him.


    June¡¯s anticipation turns to a small grin. ¡°I was more looking for his opinion!¡± she laughs. Malcolm finally decides to speak. ¡°Where are you keeping them?¡±. Silence now blankets June, as her joy disappears and she looks out the kitchen window. ¡°I was hoping to put them in Titan¡¯s old room¡± she says with a wave of sorrow, staring at the old barn house. He puts his hand on her shoulder for reassurance. ¡°Mum, it¡¯s long enough. Now you¡¯ve got an excuse to empty it¡± Malcolm says before witnessing June¡¯s tears roll down her face. ¡°It still has his bed in there¡± her voice breaks through the tears, feeling the swelling in her throat that often comes with grief. She inhales deeply and exhales hastily before wiping her eyes. ¡°Noah dear, can you go get everyone from downstairs, I have somewhere nice and comfy for you all to stay!¡± she asks of him, wearing her smile from earlier. Noah nods and rushes down to the basement, chirping joyfully in his native language.


    ¡°Nana has a new home for us! A nice comfy home from Nana!¡± Noah sings as he runs down the basement stairs. His loud asserting of his presence garners the attention of the clan. ¡°Nana, Malcolm and Baldur have found us somewhere nice and comfy!¡± he cheers. The rest of the clan fail to match his enthusiasm. ¡°Malcolm and Baldur? Are those Nana¡¯s offspring?¡± Gerald asks. ¡°Yes! Malcolm is big and tall and Baldur likes chin scratches! He¡¯s like a big smooth dog!¡± Noah¡¯s enthusiasm irradiates from him as he gestures along with his words.


    Goosebumps run up Malcolm¡¯s body as he hears the sound of a small army marching up from the basement. He stands in the kitchen doorway with Baldur by his side, seeing the image of a swarm of goblins. Noah breaks through them, running to Malcolm¡¯s feet. ¡°Malcolm! Baldur!¡± Noah shouts to his clan, pointing to the human and his dragon respectively. Gerald freezes, not at the sight of the human, but at any goblin¡¯s nightmare, a dragon. ¡°Child! Get over here! That creature can kill us-¡± Gerald shouts at Noah, but stops once witnessing the dragon¡¯s affectionate chirping. ¡°Bring me to them¡± he orders the goblin holding him up. Whilst assisted, he hobbles over to what a goblin would only describe as surreal. Gerald holds his hand out to the dragon and mutters ¡°Baldur¡±, catching the dragon¡¯s attention. Baldur turns to look at Gerald¡¯s hand, bowing his head, awaiting affection. Horror and anxiety turns into pure awe as Gerald runs his hand along Baldur¡¯s scales.


    Baldur accepts Gerald¡¯s hesitant attempts and responds by rubbing his snout into his hand, blissfully chirping at all the new attention he¡¯s received today. Gerald¡¯s eyes and instincts clash internally. The usual sight of a dragon would force him to flee without thought, yet his instincts aren¡¯t alerting him of danger. Gerald turns to his helper ¡°A human spent the night feeding and caring for us, and now I¡¯m enjoying the company of a dragon. If we haven¡¯t died and gone to paradise, then paradise must¡¯ve come to us¡±.

 Chapter 3: Cherish, Hope and Joy

    It has been a week since the adoption of the clan of goblins and June has been a witness to an aspect of the species not many were aware of. Although they were weak creatures, goblins can settle anywhere, especially an old barn house that used to house a giant green dragon. For the first time in years, June was able to look at the goblin¡¯s new home with a sense of fulfilment. The old tattered wooden structure was revived with newly wet green paint and a perimeter, made of a mudbrick wall.


    Inside the refurbished barn house is a giant common sleeping quarters, where Titan used to lay, filled with two dozen bedrolls. The top floor of the barn house has somewhat maintained its use as a tool shed but instead of an old veteran¡¯s collection of rusty tools, it¡¯s now filled with makeshift tools and weapons the goblins felt more comfortable with.


    ¡°Nana, may I see Linda?¡± June¡¯s admiration of the goblin¡¯s efforts break at the sound of Gerald¡¯s words. ¡°Your speech is getting a lot better¡± she looks down at Gerald, holding himself up with a small branch. ¡°Go see her, she might need a break from the girls¡±. The goblin nods and starts to hobble towards the house.


    Struggling with the weight, Noah slugs around the watering can, splashing the soil and sometimes the flowers. Full of curiosity, June struts over to Noah, attempting to care for the flowers in front of the big oak tree. ¡°And what are you doing?¡± she asks. ¡°Flowers, Nana¡± he responds innocently. Gently, June takes the watering can from him. Noah looks at the watering can and then up at June, tears enveloping in his eyes, expecting a punishment. June rests it down on the ground and sits next to it, groaning as her joints click. She pats the ground next to her invitingly. Noah follows the silent request and sits next to June, closing his eyes, bracing for what¡¯s to come.


    He jumps at her touch, but relaxes as she pulls him close. Her arm tightens around his shoulders and she kisses the top of his head. ¡°Do you know what this is, my boy?¡± she asks. ¡°Flowers, Nana¡± he repeats through his sniffling. ¡°This was where we laid Titan to rest¡± June looks at the newly watered patch of flowers. ¡°When age finally got to him, like it will me, we requested for him to be buried here. Now he can watch over the house forever.¡±. Noah points to June¡¯s cheek ¡°Water¡±. Hearing his voice broke through her thoughts, helping her to notice the tears rolling down her face. She wipes them away in her sleeve and lets out a long held breath. June pats Noah¡¯s shoulder before slowly getting up. ¡°You¡¯re a good boy Noah, your mother did an amazing job¡±. A smile stretches across her face causing Noah to mimic.


    The peaceful whistle of the breeze June very much enjoyed broke with screech of goblin voices. ¡°Nana! Nana!¡± frightened echoes boom from her home. She quickly picks up a paced walk to the home. Some of the goblins working on the barnhouse see June¡¯s distressful movement and accompany her. Reaching the backdoor, she sees Debby, one of the female goblins that cared for Linda. ¡°Linda hurt¡± Debby squeals. June passes her and rushes upstairs, hearing loud painful groans. She reaches Linda¡¯s bedroom, catching the sight of Linda laying down, drenched in sweat. Both Linda and Gerald turn to June wearing identical expressions of fear. June¡¯s eyes darted around the room, internally questioning the situation. Her eyes widened with realisation. ¡°Debby! Get here!¡± she commands, rolling up her sleeves. ¡°Gerald, I¡¯m going to need you out of the room, the entire clan are outside bricking it!¡± Debby rushes into the open doorway and starts following June¡¯s orders. Gerald sits still, shocked by the sudden rush. ¡°Gerald, she¡¯ll be okay. Go see to the clan. They need you to calm them¡± Linda reassures him, squeezing his hand. They share a smile before he follows her request.


    The door slams behind him as he hobbles into the corridor. He looks down the stairs to witness his clan. Their eyes unanimously on him, awaiting his words. ¡°Today, our clan grows¡± he begins, ¡°We were nearly nothing. Nana ensured that never happened, and it is because of her, do my children enter this world in a safe environment. They can grow and learn strength without struggle. They can learn the ways of metal tools and the comfort of quality wool. My children will have the very beginning we are all envious of, but it is not just because of Nana, but of Rodry for guiding us through the dark. Bruce for breaking the old shelter walls, giving us a way to escape. More importantly, it is because of those that sacrificed themselves during the attack that allowed the clan to live on¡±. The goblins watch in awe as their leader rallies them with his words, exciting them for the birth of his children.


    Some of the bigger built goblins climb up the stairs and bring Gerald down into the living room. Although having practice, he still struggled climbing downstairs with a missing leg. They rest him onto the couch. ¡°Do you need anything boss?¡± one goblin says to him. ¡°Yes, grab me my needles. My children need warmth, and I¡¯ve not finished preparing¡±. The goblin nods and grabs a round tin from the kitchen. Gerald opens it, pulling out crochet needles and wool before pulling out a brown half-made crocheted blanket. He starts continuing to work on his project, hesitating every few minutes, undoing loops and knots where he made mistakes. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll never get used to seeing you do that¡±. Gerald¡¯s hands halt as he puts his needles and blanket down at the sound of such a snigger. ¡°Whoever said that, come forward¡± Gerald¡¯s demands, not in the usual soft tone he¡¯s known for. The crowd of goblins turn their gaze to a singular, skinny looking individual. He¡¯s pushed forward and responds with a betrayed look to the one that pushed him.


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    ¡°Is it because crafting with wool is a female¡¯s task?¡± Gerald asks, his glare aiming at the wise cracker. ¡°Well yes boss¡± hearing such a response, Gerald leaps from the couch. Although only equipped with a single leg, he reaches the goblin with his momentum and pins them to the ground. ¡°A father¡¯s job is to meet the needs of the child¡± he snarls into the goblin¡¯s ear, ¡°Much like a leader does for his clan. A task isn¡¯t restricted by your mating equipment, but your ability to be useless¡±. He raises himself from the now petrified goblin. ¡°What did Nana dub you?¡±. The lone goblin remains on the floor and mutters ¡°Wayne¡±. Gerald hops back onto the couch. He picks up his crochet equipment, and continues working on the blanket. ¡°Wayne, and the rest of you, I hope my efforts with this blanket lead by example. I do not want to hear another word similar to what was said today¡±. Seeing a familiarly angry Gerald, the males of the clan agree silently.


    Rodry marches into the room, breaking the hostile and awkward silence. ¡°I have informed the rest of the females of the situation. They are in the kitchen preparing food for the clan and more importantly Linda¡±. Gerald nods ¡°Thank you Rodry¡±. Rodry nods back at his leader, before leaving in a similar manner. ¡°Why does he rush around like that?¡± one goblin asks another. ¡°Just be glad we don¡¯t have to¡± the response is followed by a shared chuckle amongst a few of the crowd.


    The kitchen is filled with a racket of plates and cutlery banging and rattling. ¡°Pull out the pork and beef!¡± Theresa demands whilst standing atop a small step ladder, buttering bread. Another female goblin does as she¡¯s told, rummaging through the fridge for packets of meat. Several other female goblins start preparing stacks of sandwiches on plates and carrying them into the living room, to the joy of their male clanmates. After Theresa passes on another load of buttered bread along their makeshift work line, she¡¯s handed empty jugs. ¡°If that¡¯s not enough, tell them to cook their own bread!¡± she yells over the sounds of the running tap filling the jugs, before passing them along as well. Noah wraps his arms around one of them and carries it in with the similar struggles he had with the watering can. The males cheer ¡°Working hard there Noah!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get as big as Bruce doing that!¡±. His face beams with pride before reverting back to his attempts of stoicism, knowing he¡¯s supporting the clan.


    An hour passes as the goblins, the males and females stay with Gerald in the living room, the majority stuck with sitting on the floor. Noah sits on Theresa¡¯s lap as he pesters her with questions, primarily about having children. ¡°Can I help with them?¡± Noah looks up at Theresa, his eyes filled with the usual innocence. Gerald intervenes ¡°Of course Noah. Raising a child is difficult, we¡¯ll need our best on the job!¡± the room fills with laughter at his words. Debby slowly walks in. ¡°Oi Debby! Coming to meet the dad to the next litter eh?¡± a goblin jests gesturing to Noah. The laughter continues, until it starts immediately dying. ¡°What¡¯s the matter Debby?¡± Theresa pushes Noah off her lap and approaches her. Her head hung low. She tilts her head for her eyes to meet Theresa¡¯s, already bloodshot with the tears that soak her cheeks.


    Behind the house is an elevated mound of dirt, now covered in flowers in front of a big oak tree. Next to the flower patch, the goblins start digging. Gerald sits on a stool next to the hole. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Gerald¡± June rests her hand on his shoulder. ¡°No¡± he grunts, ¡°If mother dies, child strong. Linda strong, child stronger¡± he attempts to explain in broken tongue. ¡°Warrior¡¯s death¡± Gerald mutters, looking down into his mate¡¯s soon-to-be final resting place. His face battles along with his emotions. Grief and joy clash. He tries to smile for his new children, yet can¡¯t help but mourn his life mate.


    On the living room floor lies a small figure, wrapped up in bedsheets. The females of the clan sit around, routinely checking the wraps, seeing that they are appropriately covering her. ¡°Will they be ready soon?¡± Debby asks one of her peers. ¡°Hopefully¡± an answer is sounded.


    In the basement, Noah is left with Theresa and two goblins his age. ¡°Can we go upstairs?¡± he asks Theresa, a question she¡¯s heard too many times since she took him down there. ¡°A burial isn¡¯t a sight for children Noah, so no¡± she responds, tired of the pestering. A cry is heard from an open wooden box. Theresa approaches, picking up one of the new-born goblins, cradling it in her arms. She manoeuvres the child to one arm as she checks the others, still soundly asleep on a mattress of blankets. She gestures to Noah, who approaches with his common enthusiasm. ¡°You see Noah, these young ones are going to grow up without a mother like you okay?¡± he nods accordingly. ¡°So they¡¯ll need you to guide them, show them how to be strong without a mother. Can you do that for Linda?¡±. ¡°Yes Theresa!¡± he stands up straight, mimicking Rodry¡¯s sense of duty.


    Slowly, a group of goblins carry the wrapped figure up the hill and lower her into the newly dug hole. ¡°Won¡¯t feral creatures try digging her up and eating her?¡± ¡°Would you feel hungry if you smelled a dragon nearby?¡± two goblins exchange. Gerald pushes down on his branch turned crutch and forces himself to a stand, taking a long and final look at Linda. ¡°What. Are. Strong human names?¡± June is initially stunned by Gerald¡¯s attempts of improved speech before answering him ¡°What do you mean by strong names?¡±. ¡°Strong children. Need strong names.¡±. June stands there, watching the clan pour the dirt into the hole. After a while of pondering, she finally answers his question.


    ¡°Cherish, Hope and Joy.¡±

 Chapter 4: The Settled Life

    Noah swishes around his trusty watering can, alternating between the patch of blossomed flowers on his left, and the new budding patch to his right. ¡°Some water for Titan. Some water for Linda. More water for Titan. More water for Linda¡± he chants gleefully. He puts the tool down and brushes the sweat off his brow, the sun¡¯s reflection glistening off his bald head. With his hands on his hips, he looks over at his handy work, embracing the difficult five minutes it took him to achieve this apparently labour filled feat. ¡°Now for breakfast!¡±.


    Tired and covered in sweat, Noah stumbles through the wide open backdoor, lugging the watering can with him. ¡°Theresa! Flowers are done! Sand Witches please!¡±. June spits out a mouthful of tea onto the table, breaking into a fit of laughter. Theresa hops off her chair and approaches Noah. The juvenile puffs out his chest, believing he looks masculine. Such a curtain of masculinity tears as a result of Theresa¡¯s grip on his ear. ¡°Don¡¯t you ¡®Theresa¡¯ me until you¡¯ve looked after three infants you¡¯ve never birthed! Now make your own damn Sand Witches before I show you a real witch!¡± her growls of anger are nearly overpowered by June¡¯s failed attempts of quite sniggering. The sight reminding her of the squabbles her children often entertained her with.


    Sheepishly, Noah backs up into the fridge and proceeds to follow Theresa¡¯s hostile recommendations as she sits back at the kitchen table with June. ¡°My lord Theresa, you¡¯re a mother of teenagers already" June mutters in-between sips. ¡°Well luckily, the girls are currently asleep upstairs at the minute. Gerald¡¯s up there with them¡± Theresa opens up the newspaper and proceeds to work on a crossword. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta give it to him. One leg and 6 month old triplets, he¡¯s doing quite well¡± June finishes her tea and starts stacking the used dirty crockery. ¡°Good thing he¡¯s not a human. I know a few good girls who¡¯d have him.¡± June continues.


    June¡¯s tangent is cut short as the wall phone rings. She gets up and answers. As she puts the phone to her ear, her eyes widen and smiles from ear to ear. ¡°I¡¯ll unlock the door now! I¡¯ll get Theresa to get the kettle going!¡± June quickly slams the phone back into the holder. Upon hearing her name, Theresa stands up. ¡°Who¡¯s coming over?¡± she asks. June starts pacing to the door, ¡°Jenny¡¯s here with the boys!¡± she responds, shouting it through the house.


    Unlocking the door and opening it, June is welcomed to the appearance of a tall, casually dressed woman. Beside the woman are two twin boys, both dark haired and dark eyed. ¡°My word, you¡¯ve both grown, you must be in your forties!¡± June exclaims, opening her arms wide. The twin boys jump into her embrace. ¡°No Nana, we¡¯re ten!¡± the boy on the left answers. ¡°Oh do I know it!¡± their mother responds. ¡°Now go on boys, Rodry¡¯s downstairs, he¡¯d love to see you both¡± June gestures towards the basement door, to which the twins rush to. ¡°Come on Jenny, Theresa¡¯s got a cuppa going¡± June welcomes her in.


    Jenny sits down at the table with Theresa bringing her a full cup of tea. She quickly picks up the cup, takes a long swig and rests the cup down, releasing a sigh of relief. ¡°Fair play Theresa, you make tea better than any human I know¡± she lets out before slouching into the chair and undoing the top button of her jeans, allowing the tension of the material to relax. ¡°Never take long to make yourself at home, do you Jen?¡± Theresa chuckles. Both mother and daughter join in the laughter. ¡°And who taught her banter?¡± Jenny playfully slaps June on the shoulder


    Jacob and Terry rush down the basement stairs. ¡°Teacher!¡± Terry calls. Rodry stands tall and turns to the twins. ¡°My students, you¡¯ve returned in perfect timing!¡± he mimics the young boy¡¯s enthusiasm. Rodry opens a crate, frisking it quickly before pulling out three plastic toy swords. ¡°Have you been training boys?!¡± he shouts as he throws the twins a toy weapon each, keeping his own held firm. They both catch theirs and rush at him, letting out a valiant battle cry. Mindless swings of plastic swords are blocked and parried by Rodry, unable to hide his joy of training the youths, a hobby he indulges in whenever they visit.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Rodry! I¡¯m here!¡± shouts a muscularly built goblin, although the same height as the twins. He quickly picks up a broom and charges towards the training session. ¡°Go get him Terry!¡± Jason orders his brother. ¡°Come here Bruce!¡± Terry yells as his plastic sword playfully clashes with Bruce¡¯s broom handle. ¡°No Noah! Don¡¯t go out there!¡± echoes through the open basement doors. The physical activity halts. ¡°Noah!¡± is screamed again, more panicked than the first time. ¡°Boys, stay here and train amongst yourselves¡± Rodry hides his concerns before both him and Bruce rush upstairs.


    ¡°Filthy goblin lover!¡± the teenager screams from the roadside, before throwing another egg at June¡¯s living room window. The egg cracks, leaving the contents to slide down the window alongside the previously thrown. ¡°My father said he¡¯s gonna bring our wolf around and eat those green rats!¡± the teenager¡¯s friend joins in the vandalism, launching another egg. The front door swings open, allowing a small goblin covered in casual shorts and a short sleeved t-shirt to run into the front garden. ¡°Look at it! She even dresses them like kids!¡± the teens gawk. ¡°Leave Nana alone!¡± the young goblin screams at the top of his lungs. ¡°Nana is nice to us! Why can¡¯t you be nice like Nana!¡±


    The delinquents freeze in shock. A goblin just spoke to them perfectly. June and Jenny show up behind him, dragging him back in before Jenny storms out, quickly pointing to the boy holding the empty egg carton. ¡°You¡¯re Beckett¡¯s lad aren¡¯t you? The one with the wolf?¡± The teen regains his composure, revitalising his cockiness. ¡°Yeah and?¡± he throws the empty carton over the fence, littering June¡¯s front garden. ¡°You wait until I get a hold of your folks! Now I suggest you get out of here before I let the whole clan out here!¡±. Both teens scoff and laugh at her before riding their bikes down the road.


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    Jenny marches back into the house. ¡°Mum, why do you deal with the hassle?¡±


    ¡°The people around here don¡¯t understand Jenny. They just need to learn goblins are good people¡±


    ¡°They haven¡¯t got an excuse to give you grief! Does Malcolm know?¡± Jenny starts looking through her contacts list.


    ¡°We both know a clan of goblins are easier to control than Malcolm¡±


    Theresa holds Noah, who¡¯s shaking with adrenaline. She looks upstairs, seeing Gerald looking down at her, tilting his head in concern. She slowly shakes her head. ¡°They¡¯re mean to Nana¡± Noah repeats into Theresa¡¯s chest, slowly quietening as she brushes his head.


    Bruce and Rodry both enter the kitchen, where Theresa, Noah, Jenny and June have stayed. ¡°Did the children return?¡± Bruce asked. His question is ignored, as everyone sits in silence, Noah still in Theresa¡¯s arms. Both of the male goblins look at each other. ¡°Should I get Gerald-¡±


    ¡°No!¡± June interrupts Rodry. ¡°He¡¯s with his children. Let him have some peace.¡±


    An hour passes as the women continue to converse. Jenny slams her fist onto the table, nearly red with rage. ¡°You raised half the people on this damn street-¡± the sound of the doorbell interrupts Jenny¡¯s verbale rampage. ¡°I bet it¡¯s him!¡± she quickly rises to her feet and storms to the door, nearly ripping it from its hinges. Standing there is a short man with a bald head, yet looks around Jenny¡¯s age. As he inhales to speak, Jenny¡¯s voice fills the street. ¡°Let me tell you something, if you, your boy or his mates come over here and harass my mother-¡±. The man tries cutting her off, almost raising both his hands submissively. ¡°No you wait till I¡¯m finished!¡±


    June exhaustingly rubs her head. ¡°There she goes. I swear all my children were dragons¡±. The filtering of the walls causes Jenny¡¯s ranting to become inaudible, yet do very little to muffle the volume. After what felt like forever, the one-sided arguing stops and the door slams shut. Jenny struts into the room ¡°He said he¡¯s sorry and his boy will keep to himself¡± she sits down, wearing a big grin.


    The day passes quickly without any more hostility or interruptions and Jenny soon leaves before the moon rises. As darkness covers the sky, the street lamps brighten the urban world. ¡°You keep watch for humans, I¡¯ll sneak in and investigate¡± Rodry whispers to Bruce as they both dawn black cowls and evade into the tree line behind the homestead. They traverse through the forestry before reaching the roadside and start progressing down the street. Being the more rural outskirts of the town, the streets are empty and most house lights are off.


    The goblins reach a house much smaller than June¡¯s with a familiar looking bike outside. ¡°There¡¯s the enemy¡¯s mount Rodry¡±  Bruce points to the bike.


    ¡°Don¡¯t destroy it Bruce, we¡¯re only here for information¡± Rodry starts walking slightly ahead of Bruce and steers to the side of the building, where they find a gate leading to the back garden. Rodry sniffs the air and gestures to Bruce to halt. ¡°Dire wolf urine. Fresh. This homestead has a defender¡±. Rodry climbs over the gate into the garden and rushes to the small patch of dirt, covering himself in it.


    Bruce witnesses Rodry¡¯s acrobatics and walks back into the street, looking either side. His hairs stand on end as his eyes catch a tall stumbling figure almost falling through the darkness. ¡°Hey mate, have you got a cigarette?¡± the figure asks Bruce, the slurring voice accompanied by the harsh scent of alcohol. Bruce looks at him blankly, unaware of what a cigarette is. He reaches into his small satchel. ¡°Bread?¡± Bruce offers, holding a clump of homemade bread in his hand.


    ¡°Screw the cigarette! I¡¯ll have some bread!¡± the figure thumps himself onto the ground next to Bruce and gently takes the bread. He takes a big bite and chews audibly. ¡°So, bread friend.¡± the man pauses as he swallows the bread. ¡°What are your plans for the night?¡±. In an almost perfect level of innocence that rivals Noah, Bruce responds truthfully. ¡°Someone keeps harassing Nana. Rodry has gone in and looked around before we do anything.¡± The man bell-laughs loudly, echoing through the street.


    Rodry, covered in dirt, starts climbing up the building¡¯s outer accessories. He quickly climbs up the guttering before clinging onto the outside windowsill of the nearest window. He pears in, seeing a dark room lit up by a single small screen. A familiar looking teenage boy sits inches away yet screams in frustration almost as if it¡¯s a rehearsed tantrum. In-between childish fits of rage is the click-clacking of plastic as he practically hammers his controller.


    Rodry climbs up onto the windowsill and leaps onto the next one, just about catching it in his fingers, preventing his fall. He climbs up to witness a clearly opposite sight. A brightly lit room covered in green wallpaper. In the room, he sees a small boy alone on the floor, playing with small figurines. Rodry pauses his investigation and curiously watches the boy. The child stops his imaginative play, halting the making of combat sounds, and looks up. Their eyes meet. The boy smiles and waves. Rodry, unable to control himself, mimics the boy¡¯s greeting. The heartwarming greeting stops as screams are heard from the front of the house.


    A deep man¡¯s scream is heard, causing the boy to rush to his bed and hide under a blanket. Rodry quickly retraces his route to descend down the building.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s nice messing with a bloke¡¯s nan eh?¡± Bruce¡¯s new friend screams at the man in the home¡¯s doorway.


    ¡°What are you on about?¡± the short bald man in the doorway responds, matching the aggravator''s hostility.


    ¡°Oh shut up you filthy bald munchkin!¡± he continues to scream, throwing an empty bottle at the home''s brick wall, shattering into pieces. Rodry quickly comes around from the corner and looks at Bruce. ¡°What''s going on?¡±


    ¡°Right I¡¯m ringing the police if you ain¡¯t gone in two minutes!¡± the short man slams his front door. The drunk man stumbles over to Bruce and Rodry. ¡°Come on lads, we¡¯ll had to my mother¡¯s for the night. We¡¯ll deal with Humpty Dumpty in the morning!¡±.


    Rodry and Bruce, both oddly curious with the man, follow him. He stumbles through the streets, rambling about a random topic before quickly traversing into another. After what seemed like a half hour long walk, that Rodry and Bruce start recognizing, they reach their home. ¡°Here we go boys!¡±


    The drunk man rushes to the door, slamming his fist onto it. ¡°Oi ma! I forgot my keys!¡±. Bruce pulls off his cowl and starts twisting it into a makeshift garrote and slowly approaches the man from behind. Before he reaches him, the door swings open. June gazes at the man, tears start developing in her eyes.


    ¡°¡±You never call first, do you Junior?¡±