Milk

She crouches uncomfortably at the edge of the chair, ready to flee at any sign of danger. Peeks out at Jheri from behind strands of her hair.

Jheri pushes a clay cup across the table towards her. Cautiously, Rasa wraps her hands around it. Warm. Filled with white liquid, foamy on the top. She gives it a tentative sniff.

“Milk,” Jheri says. Rasa blinks, she doesn’t know what that is. “Drink it. It’ll help you get stronger.”

Obediently, Rasa sips at the liquid. Warm, sweet and sharp on her tongue. It makes her feel warmer. She remembers now, she has had it before, it brings back vague feelings of being very small, being carried, gazing up at huge furry animals.

Milk.

She looks quickly up at Jheri, then back at the milk. Drinks it in quick gulping sips.