~Map of Songs~ Neteyam x OC

The Plan

***This chapter will be in Neteyam's perspective***

I could feel my heart pounding in my ears with how nervous I was. To finally tell Noa how I feel after hiding it for all this time. It was exciting. I ran my thumb over the back of her hand, looking down at it and smiling at those five fingers of hers, so much like my dad and siblings. "It wasn't too long after that, that I realized how I actually feel for you. I admire how you care for others. You always put other people before yourself. Even if sometimes I wish you'd take better care of yourself. And I love how you play with Tuk and the children in the nursery, and it's so fascinating watching you treat people, seeing you be so passionate about it. I can't even find words to say how-"

"I see you, Neteyam. I see you." she cuts me off, taking her hand from mine and placing it on my cheek. I feel myself moving to cover her hand with my own, a wide grin on my face.

"I see you, Noa." I placed my forehead to her own. I almost can't believe this is happening. I can feel Noa's breath on my lips as she smiles, that beautiful smile of hers. I hope that she wears it forever, I hope that I'll be able to keep it there. I run my thumb over her lips, so soft and plush. The thought of kissing them comes to my mind.

WHOOSH

An arrow is shot at us from afar, catching itself on the rock beside Noa's arm. Too close in my opinion. Our heads shoot up in the direction it was shot only to see two creatures, too big to be ikrans. They are red and orange and carry riders with ash colored skin. I decide that I do not have the time to mull it over. They could have hurt Noa if their aim was any more accurate, I've got to get her out of here. "Get in the water!" I shout, jumping into the water and pulling her with me. I call to my ilu who is nearby and quickly connect myself. Securing Noa tightly to me by her thigh as we dive under the waves. Going back the way we came was a much more difficult feat in such a dangerous situation. It's hard to navigate between the leaves of seaweed. I could feel Noa tighten her grip around my waist, trying her hardest not to fall off as we are hit again and again by the plants. I hear something plunge in the water and look back to see that it's one of the flying creatures from earlier. They were chasing us and trying to pluck us straight out the water. I feel Noa's grip loosen from the shock. She gasps, resulting in her losing some air. The escaped air rising to the surface in bubbles. I direct the ilu to speed up, these people are entirely too close for my liking.

Suddenly I hear a SLAP sound from behind me and feel as Noas hands slip from around me. She falls off the back of the ilu and is now in open water. 'No!' I hear myself think as I turn around to get her back, reaching my hand out for her to grab. But before I could get to her. One of the men dive back into the water and grab her, right there beyond my reach. He grabs her by her shoulders and hauls her out of the water and away. Immediately I return to the surface, my braids swishing each way as I look to see where they went. I noticed Noa to my left, flailing about and trying to free herself from the things claws.

"NOA!!!" I yell out, starting to chase after them. How could I let this happen? I let them take her! It was my idea to come out here today, and now thanks to that the most kind hearted girl on the planet is in danger. I have to make things right. There's no way I would let her be taken by them. Her captors speed up, trying to lose me. I can see Noas beautiful face twist in pain as she tries to escape. My heart aches for her. After some time I notice that the men are actually flying in zig zags. They don't want me to see where they take her. My only choice is to make them think I gave up, diving under the water, and following them from below.