Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

         At ten o’ clock at night Jason came to the appointed spot under the big oak tree. Long he stood and reflected on her beauty. For a while the thought of her sufficed, but finally he became impatient. She spoke no English, little German; maybe she didn’t understand. Where was she? “Este.” Unanswered his voice echoed back to him. “Este, you promised.” Around him the trees reared silent. Tentatively he started climbing the big oak. If he could get high enough he’d see. He hadn’t gone far, though, when he slipped. If only he could climb like Este and her people! Of course, if he’d his way they wouldn’t be here. Este, at least, would get a Western education and a proper job, instead of having to scrounge about a forest. Yes, he would bring great change to the Ani. How ironic this change would come from a union of Ani (maybe real-life Elves!) and his kind, when their ruin came about by their refusal of such a union, long ago.
         His ears pricked. Ani voices approached. Their outlines appeared in the dusk. Nenne, he realized, and two others behind: Este and someone else. They were arguing. Stepping past Nenne, he asked Este, “Why are you so late?”
         “No say wanted come.” Este pointed at Nenne. “She said I come, I no want come. Lie like father, from your kind.” Nenne looked embarrassed.
         Jason was confused. “I love you, why won’t want to come?”
         “No, no!”
         He stepped toward her, but the other person, a man, stood between. “You heard? Me brother.”
         Jason shoved his elbow. “Get out of my way.” Este turned and ran. Jason followed, but the brother pushed him down and seized him.
         “You no leave, so we take you where can’t kill, can’t rape like others.”

[300 words]