Promise me

10 • a meaning

I search through the village to find Aonung. I hadn't seen him in two days, since we confessed and it really started to worry me. I was messing with my necklace as I got anxious. Was he avoiding me? Maybe Ronal didn't like me.

I tried not to think much of it but it didn't help. I went to finally go and find tsireya to ask her but she was nowhere to be found either. I couldn't find either of the sully brothers. I was really starting to get worried.

Just then I see rotxo sitting on the beach, looking worried so I decided to help him.

"Everything alright?" I ask him putting an arm around him for comfort. I tried to ignore my feelings but I wanted answers from him as well.

"Tsahik and Oloeyktan found out Loak bonded with Payakan.." Rotxo says.

"Payakan??" I ask, confused on who that was.

" Payakan is a young bull, tulkun who is a killer.. but Loak didn't believe us. We went to spy on him and he ended up bonding with the tulkun. It opened all of our eyes as we saw a friendship between the two." Rotxo says.

"So where are they?" I ask.

"In the Tsahik and Oloeyktans marui pod." He says as if he was worried I would go there. I thought about it but decided against it as I knew Rotxo needed the support and comfort.

We both sat in silence as we heard a growl and a voice right after. I realized it was Jake and Loak. We both looked at eachother then at them as I only had worry in my eyes.

I decided to not move but listen into the conversation. I heard a few pecks about bonding, Payakan and disgrace. Was Jake calling Loak a disgrace?? He would never.. I hope.

I see Aonung walk towards me and Rotxo as he sat on Rotxos other side, he put his arm around Rotxo as well as we held hands behind Rotxo.

We all sat in a comfortable silence as I then heard Loak get dismissed. I see Loak and tsireya walking the other direction. I think nothing of it as I knew their feelings for eachother and they just wanted to be away.

I only thought about what Jake said to Loak.. I made my mind spin. Did Jake always have to be harsh. I couldn't bare even thinking about how their conversation went.

I look up the stars to embrace them. I closed my eyes and imagined I was dancing in the sky, music playing and people cheering. It gave me a comfortable feeling.

I was listening to the music as I heard waves crashing and laughing. I tuned out everything to silence as I laid fully down letting my hair speed out in the sand.

I made myself comfortable feeling very tired.

Mommy I want to go home.

What??

It's hot mommy

I look around, it's dark.

We're okay just hold onto me.

The voices filled my head with worry.

I can't see

Me neither

Noak? Where are you?!

Noak? It was Noak and mom but where?

My eyes fly open as I sit up. My heart raced with anxiety and fear after what I had dreamt. I look to my side to see Aonung laying beside me. He stayed the whole time?

I looked at him as he slept. He looked so peaceful and he was definitely tired after today. I gently shook him to wake him up as I heard a groan from him.

"What..?" He said rubbing his eyes in a very tired voice.

"We have to go back to our marui pods, our parents are probably either worried or gonna kill us." I say.

"I wanna stay here for a bit." He says turning back over.

"Alright, good night Ao" I say.

I walk from the beach and into the sully marui pod. I noticed everyone was asleep but Neteyam. He was laying down on his side, his back facing the entrance as he fidgeted with his song cord.

I could tell he was nervous, he only fidgets with his song cord when something is wrong. I slowly walk over and sit beside him.

He looks at me, surprised I was beside him.

"Where were you?" He asked sitting up and eagerly looking around my body for scratches and bruises.

"I fell asleep on the beach, I'm so sorry Neteyam I didn't mean to worry you" I say putting my arm around him.

"It's okay Ralu... I know your safe now"

I laid my head on his shoulder slowly falling asleep to the silence and comfort of his company and warmth.