her pale faced lover

Chapter 2

 "Ahhh! Nayeli! Mami! Papi! Mama Maira! Cheif Beshkno! Sayen! HELP!" screamed Naira through loud huffs of breath. Nayeli and Sayen ran as fast as they could towards the voice. 

Nayeli saw her mother, Shikoba, her father, Nanook, her grandmother, Mama Maira, and most of the tribe running to help as well. Nayeli was worried, but brushed off her negative thoughts with a confident assurance that Naira was alright. She and Sayen called to Naira.   

Finally, Sayen spotted Naira, "Nayeli, look! Naira!" Naira ran into her sister's arms. The two hugged and embraced one another. 

Shaking, Naira whispered, "Nayeli, I was so, so scared. The animal- he was like us- , yet he looked unsual...he seemed demon-like." Nayeli reassured Naira with sweet words, but her own heart filled with worry once more. Nayeli once more conviced herself that the 'demon' Naira saw was nothing but her imagination; worst come worst- some bear or other animal.   

Nevertheless, Nayeli questioned Naira rapidly, "Are you hurt? Was Zyanya with you, or were you alone? Is the animal still out there? Are you hurt?"  

Naira let out a small giggle, "Nayeli! You asked me if I was hurt twice! I am not hurt at all." Nayeli let out a sigh of relief while their parents and the rest of the tribe arrived. Nayeli's parents wrapped their arms around their daughters.  

"How did this happen? You are not hurt, are you? No? Good. I am so glad you are safe and sound," Shikoba sighed.  

"I will tell you what happened," Naira started. "I was making dolls with Zyanya until we ran out of deer skin, so Zyanya said that she was going to go to her mother to ask for more cloth. I agreed and told her that I would wait for her for sometime. Then, all of a sudden I heard some rustling in the bushes. I thought it was one of the really little kids playing hide and seek in the forest. All of a sudden, this new animal came out- a-a-a monster! At first, when I saw it, I tried to be big brave girl, but then I got scared and ran as fast as I could. Nayeli, I am never going to be as brave as you are." 

Nayeli chuckled,"Oh, but Naira, you are brave! And you are very smart, too! It was a good idea to run away from the animal! What if it hurt you?" Naira reconsidered and agreed with Nayeli. 

"Naira, what was the animal like? We need to be able to recognize it if we see it again," Nayeli's father, Nanook, inquired. 

"It looked like us, but it had no color in its skin. Its eyes were a bright blue color, unusually blue if you ask me. Now that I think about it, I think that animal could speak our language! Hmm...oh! So that is what it was saying! It was saying stop! Of course, being smart like always, I did not stop! I ran, and ran, and ran until I landed in Nayeli's warm arms." Many people chuckled at Naira innocence. Questions arose about the new animal.

Nanook spoke up about his decision. "We shall have a search party for this demon of sorts," he declared, patting Naira's head. 

"We shall," agreed Cheif Beshkno. Nanook and the Cheif had been friends since childhood, so Nanook was highly respected by the whole tribe and his decisions were always executed.  

"All women and children shall stay near the huts," continued Cheif Beshkno. "There shall be more soldiers and men near the forest and more shall surround the huts.  Now women or child shall be allowed near the forest or outside of the boundary of the huts. No one is to roam alone. We do not know what this animal is and what it can do to us. Be careful, everyone and try to stay safe. Families are to know of their children's whereabouts at all times, if not accompany them. Women and children are to return to the huts. Men are to stay here. We shall plan the jobs for protecting our tribe."   The tribe followed their Chief's instructions strictly. 

Two months later, the new animal was found.