SPIRIT ANIMALS FANS MUST READ!!! I created a idea for Spirit Animals series #3

Chapter Seventeen: Abeke

THE HUNTER BECOMES PREY

Abeke watched as Skeki trekked along the wooden-plank road, arms out wide as she balanced on the long, thin, wooden boards. The young girl walked as if she had done this countless times before, never missing a beat, even when the path began to crumble under her steps. Each plank was unevenly laid out, making it a challenge for the young girl to reach the next space, and the wooden nails that once held everything into place were rotten and allowed the road to bounce with each step. The girl had walked that way since the group first arrived at the road, not once tumbling over or falling. Behind her followed the rest, trekking slowly along the inside of the path. All was quiet except for two young men, one with a single yellow eye and the other attempting to stab his friend in the side with a dull-ended branch. Their disruptive voices echoed in the air, a shot of laughter making Abeke cringe. They were loud and spoke with voices that cracked when used too high, making them sound like a broken canary forced to speak. Abeke could tell that whatever they said couldn't be trusted, the pair were a two-headed beast trying to call the other out, but not meaning what they said.

"I bet I will become Sudhor's apprentice by next spring." Spoke the dragon-eyed man. "He has been watching my work lately, haven't you noticed?"

"All he's been watching is you trying to court his daughter."

The stick reached out and both yelled, their hands trying to stop the others' attempts.

"Kain and Amulin, lovers on the outside, fools at heart. Sudhor will have your head if you try anything with that girl."

"And how about you and Ezra? How far has that gotten?"

"A lot farther than your so-called relationship."

"You know that boy has a Kar father on the other side. Bet he can't be trusted, just another spy."

"All of us were Kar until Hadden drove us out, so don't blame his parentage. My grandparents are still there too."

Even with the distraction, Skeki continued walking forward, this time singing to cover their voices. It was an old song that Abeke faintly recognized, one that was sung by elders who heard the same tune from their passed relatives, but this version was slightly changed from what she remembered. Most likely brought from the ancients who first arrived here and passed down to their children, the version changed with time. It was a story about a woman's love lost at sea, the lyrics echoing through Abeke's mind.

My love sailed far away long ago.

Across the sea, to a land none could see.

I watch the waves and pray for their return.

Safe in my arms. Safe from the dangers that threaten our love.

As the weeks turn into months, and months into years, my soul aches for them.

They'll be home in the end, I will wait here until the end.

I will see their face again.

It was beautiful, yet haunting. Abeke couldn't help but be drawn to the girl's voice. She sang with the power of a storm, strong and beautiful, a power of her own. She felt herself drift off, letting the song be the only thing in her mind, as if she was being led by a force she couldn't explain. Something about that girl made her want to forget her troubles and just let the future take hold.

I can't do anything right now. With my leg injured and the others not doing much better, I can't worry about what is to come. If we are to survive, I need to focus on the moment. Conor is gone, Meilin and Rollan are missing, and others are nowhere to be found. But they can't be my main focus right now or else we might fail on this mission. Losing my mind isn't a good way to go about this. Listen to the song instead, and remember that things lost may never be found, but in the end, they always return.