The Boy with No Name (Part 1 of 'A Tale of People and Apples' Trilogy)

Chapter 8: The Island Games 2

Present day.

The next morning, Lleyton found himself at the pier on the south coast of Orconia City. Scores of young people had flooded through the south gate, some wearing matching clothing to indicate partnerships, cheering and celebrating as they climbed their way down the back cliff to the hot sandy shore, salty air and humid heat causing Lleyton's skin to glisten with sweat. Lleyton realized the Games were more of a celebration for many rather than a competition.

A long, dark pier jetted off into the light blue ocean, with skinny golden pillars holding it slightly above the water which Lleyton was at the foot of. Off to the right and left of the pier were great silver nets extending from the cliffs down into the water all the way to the south island, which Eeva had told him kept Creatures of the Night from frequenting the water directly south of Orconia City.

At the end of the pier was Aimos, his silver crown shining in the sun, as he waited for the partnerships to crowd around. Calysa saw Lleyton close to the pier from the back of the crowd, and giddily waved at him. She was dressed in dark green camouflage and black lines were under her eyes and above her cheeks.

Lleyton couldn't help but laugh to himself at her childish waving while dressed in war apparel. The juxtaposition between her competitiveness and lighthearted personality were laid bare for everyone to observe. Maybe I should have dressed more appropriately, he thought to himself, looking down at his light blue robe which made him feel more of an outsider than he already was.

"Welcome, everyone, to the sixteenth installment of the Island Games," Aimos began to the cheer of the crowd. Lleyton looked around at hundreds of citizens, many of whom were parents attending to their sons and daughters who were entering the games, and young children going to watch their older siblings.

"A quick recap of the rules before we send you off: If you or your partner are eliminated, stay where you are and game wardens will come find you. Then you can proceed to the landing zone of the island to begin with your binge drinking of Sweet Beer and partying or whatever you young folk do nowadays," Aimos announced loudly to everyone, the contestants laughing but their parents rolling their eyes.

"We will also be having a small feast immediately after when the sun starts setting, which all contestants are required to attend. This is not to be confused with the Festival of Champions we will have a week from now in honor of the partnership that wins today. Lastly, please have fun. This is a time to come together and compete as fellow Orcas. Those are the only rules, now please enjoy yourselves, and I wish you all good fortune in the Island Games."

With a large cheer, the contestants began sprinting into the ocean, gracefully swimming through the salt water at a speed which had to be seen to be believed, towards the island south of the city. Lleyton stood still as he watched everyone piling into the water, and caught a glimpse of Eeva and Julien slashing through the water in front of everyone. Calysa grabbed Lleyton by the shoulder.

"Don't worry, you can ferry across with Aimos," Calysa said to Lleyton, who couldn't remember if he could swim or not. Definitely not like the others. "Aimos might be a Six, but he's definitely no Orca. Come to think of it I don't think he can swim at all. I'll see you at the island," she said sprinting into the water.

Embarrassed, Lleyton made his way down the pier to meet Aimos, who was now piling into a small motorized boat latched to the pier along with older citizens who apparently preferred not to swim the length to the island.

Aimos smiled at Lleyton, who he could tell was embarrassed and feeling like he didn't belong. "Special qualities come in many different forms, dear boy. Never believe you are inadequate just because you are different."