The Calling Forest

Chapter 9- Oh Brother

It was the Do-Likidin, two years later.

Zuccia's favorite month as he enjoyed the warmer climate with the bright green grass, the trees all having their bright colored leaves.

The 16-year-old was relaxing in the branches of Ah-chon as he smiled. He looked beside him at the 15-year-old Tul-Luh as he ate one of the fruits. He had been using this place as a base during the day when Tum-Mah was doing things around the forest. With the familiar crunch of bamboo next to his ear, Zuccia looked out around the forest as a memory came to his head.

Zuccia was 5; he noticed that Chris looked upset, shutting his toy chest. "Bubbie, what's wrong? Do I need to get daddy?" he asked as the 10 year old snapped his neck to look at Zuccia.

"Our father left us! He gave Mom divorce papers and left!" he shouted at the 5 year old. "He went to work today and he won't return. He is what's wrong, Zuccia." Zuccia tilted his head as it felt way too light.

"But-but daddy loves us! He told me so! Daddy would never do that by choice!" Zuccia cried, tears staining his eyes as he looked up at Chris. "You know daddy loves us! We have to find him and- and-" 

"You didn't hear what I heard last night. Things are different than we want them to be. We have to grow up and accept that. There is no village in the forest. There is no green star to guide us to this mythical place our grandfather talks about. There is no such things as gods and goddesses guiding our everyday life. Our lives and futures are only up to us. You can either grow up and accept that or be a stupid little child and believe in those stupid stories of happiness and kindness and love." Chris snapped and started leaving the room, stopping in the doorway "I've made my choice. You'd be smart to make the same choice. I'm getting my own room. You can have my little kid toys if you want, I don't care. I'm growing up." Chris said, walking out.

Zuccia was left, standing there with his toy wolf in his hands as he cried.

Zuccia felt a fuzzy slap as he blinked and came out of his thoughts. "Oh, hey Tul-Luh." He said softly as he looked at her panda form in front of him. He stepped back as Tul-Luh shifted back into her human form.

"Brother...you need to tell me what is wrong. You keep spacing out like this. It's worrying me." She said as Zuccia could smell the salt from her tears.

"I just randomly have memories pop into my head. Sorry for worrying you!" He said shyly, rubbing the back of his neck and looked down at her. 

"Don't be sorry- You're my big brother. I'll always worry about you." She said. "Can you control the spacing out?" She asked after a moment of silence. "Because I'm worried it may happen while you and Tum-Mah are in a fight or something like that and you'll get hurt!" 

Zuccia softly smiled. "I'll be okay, Tul-Luh." he assured her.

She seemed to take it as acceptable and nodded "If you're sure, Zucci" She said.

Zuccia smiled and laughed. He felt something in his arm, a location in his mind as his chest felt a bit heavier. From doing this for two years now, Zuccia could tell what it was. He turned to Tul-Luh "Get Tum-Mah, The forest senses someone at the entrance near Fresdom." Zuccia told her as they grabbed their mask and put it on, swinging on the vines to where the forest was currently keeping the person. He knew that Tul-Luh had run off to get Tum-Mah in case things go south. 

It was about 50 miles until Zuccia got to where the forest was leading him. Looking down from the tree top, they saw it- or rather, they saw him. 

It was undeniable to Zuccia, it was his older brother, Chris. They both had the same shaggy, dark brown hair. Though, while Zuccia was starting to have a beard, Chris looked clean shaven and his hair was combed back except for a small cowlick hair that stuck out from the peppermint scented gel that Zuccia could smell even from this far away.