Ma Tsawke

Chapter Twelve

As dawn breaks in the sacred glade, shafts of orange morning light cascade upon them. Jake and Tanhì lie entwined in each other's arms. Jake's strong arms are wrapped around her back, resting loosely on her hips, while Tanhì's face is nestled into his sturdy chest. However, the peaceful scene is abruptly shattered by the roar of engines, awakening Tanhì with a start. Her ears twitch in response to the splintering wood and the crackling of the forest being crushed under enormous treads, the sounds growing louder.

Tanhì rises, feeling completely disoriented and attempts to pinpoint the source of the noise. However, the rumble of multiple engines coming from different directions makes it challenging. She shifts out of Jake's arms in search of a better view, her senses heightened and alert.

She watches in growing horror as the blade of a bulldozer cuts down a ring of willows, drawing nearer to the tree of souls. She starts shaking Jake in fright.

No. No no, not again!

"Nì'eveng! Jake, wake up!" She shakes him more vigorously in deep concern as the menacing machines draw nearer to the pair. Determined not to abandon her newfound mate to the relentless machinery.

"Jake! Wake up! Wherever you are, come back to me now. Right now, Jake!"

Jake, confined to the shack, hurries to return to the link and reunite with his girl. Grace, still groggy, chases him with coffee and microwaved eggs.

"Here, eat this. I'd hate to have to force-feed a cripple." She slams the lid shut before he can enter and places the plate under his nose.

"Trust me, she's not goin' anywhere." Grace grins knowingly, aware of his longing to return to Tanhì. If only she knew how much he fucked up right now. He sighs heavily and begins wolfing down the eggs.

Meanwhile, Tanhì screams in despair as the majestic willows start to topple before the merciless blade, the once-vibrant tree losing its enchanting allure. Beneath the crushing treads, Jake is directly in harm's way.

Frantically, Tanhì attempts to lift him, her screams filled with desperation as she tries to rouse him but he remains motionless. She pulls at him, dragging his weight as branches fall perilously around them, a large one narrowly missing crushing his legs.

Jake shifts uncomfortably in the link chair, passing the empty plate to Grace and gulping down the coffee in a single swig. Urgently, he prods Norm to speed along the setup of the link pod.

Grace, noticing the pungent odor, tugs at his t-shirt with a grimace.

"And when was the last time you took a shower?"

"I don't need a shower!" He snaps, rebuffing her hands and forcefully closing the lid.

"Jesus, marine." Grace exchanges a puzzled glance with Norm, who responds with a shrug, mirroring her confusion.

Jake awakens to the sight of Tanhì frantically pulling him, her screams echoing in his ears. Springing to his feet, he witnesses the bulldozer invading the sacred glade, shattering trees and carving through the earth. Determined, Jake dashes into the machine's path, waving his arms while Tanhì's cries pierce the air.

"No, we must go!" Tanhì trails after him, her hand desperately reaching for his elbow.

"I'll be right back, be careful, baby go please. I'm right behind you! Go!" He guides her through an opening, though she tugs his arm in the opposite direction, reluctant to leave him.

"No, they will hurt you too-" He strokes her neck with a pleading touch, earning a reluctant nod before she runs off and he sprints back towards the approaching machine.