Life Behind The Indians

Chapter 7

As I walk through the snow it gets deeper as I travel through the woods. The moon gives very little light in the night sky. It reflects off the snow making it look shiny and sparkly. I look up into the sky the world's full of silence. I wrapped the shawl tighter around me, looking into the distance in front of me. The snow blinded me from seeing in front of me preventing me to go any farther into the blizzard.

I lay in between some trees closing my eyes falling asleep. I hear a voice behind me whispering to me. "Aridana, why you leave? You leave me for good" Tandals voice says to me. My eyes shot open and I look around me unsure what's actually happening to me. I look around realizing this was a mistake. I get up slowly going back to camp as the wind picks up and blows the shawl off of my shoulders sending it to blow far far away. I run quick as the snow begins to get deeper and deeper. I stomp through the snow hurrying towards the far away camp.

I think to myself, Tandal I am coming gosh it's so cold though. I shutter at the feeling of coldness the heat from my body draining and going away. I am left with weakness and freezing skin. I stop dropping to the ground from the cold as some large blobs walk toward me. I look at the face closely. I notice the features of his cheeks, and eyes. I realize it's Tandal and a few of the indians. He picks me up holding me and walking through the snow with no problem.

I look into his eyes as I place hand on his chest. Tandal kisses my forehead as we get to the camp. I close my eyes falling asleep. I dream peacefully; The sun falling to the earth will be the death of us all. They will kill us like pieces of falling rocks killed and caused fire. I wake up screaming loudly. Misela runs to my bed side placing a hand to my forehead. "She burning up, bring cold water with cloth" Misela says.

"What wrong her?" Tandal says. Looking at me concerned.

"She fever it very dangerous, she need to be cooled down" Misela says. Placing the cloth into the water and setting it on my forehead.

"She look red. She not die right?" Tandal says to Misela.

"No she fine it normal when being exposed to harsh conditions" Misela says. Misela looks at me unsure she watches my facial expression carefully.

"I am fine" I manage to say as Tandal stares at me shocked. I nod sitting up. I place my hand on Tandals shoulder standing up.

"Sit no walk you sick" Tandal says grabbing my waist.

"I am fine I promise" I say standing up and walking toward the opening of the tipi.Tandal holds me still making sure I don't fall. I bite down onto my lip by accident, looking out at every indian and white person standing waiting for me. Silence fills the air nobody speaks they just stare until one little boy starts clapping and cheering. I look at them all smiling.

I nod looking at them again. Tandal hold my waist, helping support me. "We be safe. She keep us safe now we be happy" Tandal says. I kiss his cheek placing my hand onto his shoulder.

"I don't want us to lose everything we worked very hard for it. I will help in every way I can we can't lose this territory for any reason" I say looking at Tandal walking away. He follows me back inside. I pick up Chameli and sit her up a little bit as she looks at me cooing. I smile looking at Chameli she wraps her small hand around my finger chewing on it. I kiss her forehead laying her on the ground.

"Come I show you something?" Tandal says. I look at him standing up and following him outside he starts going toward the forest. I follow close behind him unsure where we are going. He stops in an open field, a few small birds playing in the snow. Tandal looks at me surprised. I look at the large pine tree in the center of the open field. I look at the surrounding noticing the beautiful scenery.