Odyssey of Birds

𝓡𝓾𝓷𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮

To be able to grow up happily, most children need a family. A family gives a child affection and love, the essentials to have a positive mindset for their future. Something that almost everyone has today in society. To have parents love you and tuck you into bed every night. Surely all children have that.

Not Griselda.

In the dirty and dark corners of the alleyway in Aguadulce, Panama, Griselda is running. She uses all of her stamina to jump over the boxes, metal pipes and garbage that is in her way. Her legs are sore and bruised, her arms are full of small scars, and she's hungry. Despite all that, she continues to run further and further away.

Behind her, the entertainment district of the black market grows smaller and smaller to her baby blue eyes. The yellow lights begin to blur as she runs. The night sky is dark and filled with stars that are evenly spaced out above her. The fields blend into the night sky and yet, Griselda can feel the grass as she runs.

Not far behind her, a group of men is chasing after her as they emerge from the black market. Most men carry ropes. Ropes to capture Griselda. Then men have a enraged look as they follow her through the alleyways and fields.

"She's getting farther away from us!"

"It took us 3 months to finally buy her off and she's running away?!"

"The Crown of Rubies & Sapphires will be ours!"

Griselda hears their shouts and doesn't stop. She keeps on running despite the pain she feels from fatigue. The ground crunches beneath her bare feet. The wind gently blows against her face, causing her hair to sway. Yet, she doesn't care about anything else than being free.

Eventually, Griselda hides in a crate in the hidden part of an alley near the city. The crate is old and soggy but regardless, she fits in and pulls the cover over her head. The group of men run pass her, ignoring the crate as they continue to find her in the night. Their footsteps echo the alley as each thud is heard by her.

Even as the men are gone from the alley, Griselda doesn't move at all. She only removes the lid to let air in. The cramped wooden box provides more safety to her than anything else in her life as she slowly falls asleep. Before she sleeps, she speaks softly.

"Where do I go?"

"What do I do?"

"How do I get back home?"

~~~~~

Early next morning, a woman comes patrolling the outskirts of Aguadulce. Her hair is pure white in a beehive hairstyle. Some curls can be seen on the front of the beehive. A headband made of black seashells is neatly placed in front of the beehive hairstyle. Her eyes are siren shaped with dark blue pupils. Her tan skin shines brightly in the morning sun as she walks.

Her outfit is composed of a white, V-neck blouse. A backless turtleneck covers the front from being exposed. She wears a large, black ribbon that is in a bow on her waist that connects her blouse and dark blue jeans together. Her black heeled boots can be heard as she walks.

What stands out the most if her hair or clothes didn't seem odd to you is large, oval shaped black obsidian on her forehead. The stone shines with a glassy tint in the sun as she walks in the early morning.

As the woman walks to the alleys, she sees something in a wooden crate by the dark corner. She goes to inspect it like she always does. As she gets closer, she sees hair. This confuses her and finally pulls the box out of the dark corner where she can see who's inside.

Her eyes widen as she sees a person in the crate. The woman in the crate is sleeping. Her hair is dark brown and messy. Her top is a semi transparent blouse that is all wrinkled up. The skirt is short and black where it barely reaches her lower thighs. She doesn't have any shoes or socks on.

The woman in the box opens her eyes and looks at the other woman who is in front of her. She then speaks softly.

"Are you going to send me back to the black market?"

The woman looks surprised and looks down as she speaks to the one in the crate.

"Why would I do that? That doesn't sound good at all for you."

Both of them stay silent until the woman in the box speaks up with a soft, but louder voice so the other can hear her.

"I'm Griselda, Griselda Chimborazo..."

The woman looks at Griselda with wide eyes as she looks around. She looks back at her and speaks in a happier tone with a smile.

"Josephine Colón"

Griselda looks up at Josephine with wide eyes as she looks at her with her baby blue eyes. Griselda then props herself out of the box and stands up in front of Josephine. She is a bit smaller than Josephine, not by a lot though. Griselda speaks up again.

"Where can I go then?"

Josephine looks at her with a frown as she thinks to herself. She thinks and thinks. Her eyes open and light up as she speaks.

"Why don't you come with me for a while!"

Griselda looks uncertain. She seems wary of Josephine. But as seconds go by, she agrees to go along. Anything is better than being in the crate in the alley. Griselda speaks up.

"I'll go with you! But you better not send me back!"

Josephine smiles and shakes her hand, sealing the deal between them. By now, the sun is shining on them now as it rose up more during their conversation.

"Let's go then! It's been a while since I had anyone with me, this will be fun! ¡Vamos!

Griselda walked behind Josephine as they found their way out of the alleyway. Griselda is still wary and a bit curious to where Josephine is talking her to. A million thoughts and scenarios go through her mind as she speaks up."

"Colón, where are we going anyway?"

Josephine looks back at Griselda with a blank expression before she smiles back. She then speaks again.

"You'll see Griselda. This will change your life for the better..."