The Rift

Chapter Two

Jericho's sleep was not a pleasant one that night. He dreamt of tsunamis and riftmen, he dreamt of creatures covered in seaweed and hair and of being naked in public. When he woke up with a gasp, it took him a second in the dull light of the small hut to remember where he was.

He noticed Delgen sitting quietly in the corner and then became instantly aware again of his nudity.

"Coverin's be on dah floor." Delgen said and Jericho noticed the stiff, salty rags beside his bed.

"Uh. . . Thanks." Jericho struggled with the clothing, it wasn't like any he'd seen before. Was that a sleeve? Or did his head go there? Delgen laughed to himself as Jericho tried to figure it out.

"Mayhap Cap'n wrong 'bout dis one." Delgen smiled as he carved the white flesh out of a coconut. "Mumbo jumboin' 'nough tah special up dah place, can't e'en figger a dressy wrap."

With the grace of a man who had spent many a year dressing others, Delgen lifted Jericho's arms and tied the stiff fabric around him.

"You guys actually wear this stuff?"

"Su'jestin' we be wearin nuffin, like you be wearin'?" Delgen asked and Jericho blushed.

"Okay, you're right. It is better than nothing." Jericho stood up and pulled back the cloth which covered the only window. "What a beautiful morning."

"Full'a all things, dah day times is, dah light. Beauty be what beauty sees and not a thing more, Jericho."

"I. . ." Jericho scratched his head. "I don't really understand that."

"Comin' a time you knowed it all. Cap'n be hopin' so, any such."

"Where is Cap'n."

"Wait n' paish, Cap'n be round when Cap'n be seein' fit."

"Can. . . Can I go outside?"

Delgen shrugged and nudged open the door as Jericho smiled and exited into the light. The village he'd been taken to was tall, built up the side of a sea cliff. Delgen's hut was one of about a dozen that were actually situated on the beach.

As he walked towards the water, a girl hiding behind a large dune giggled. "Hello?" Jericho asked, "what's so funny?"

"Who you bein' an' why be comin' outa Delgen's?" The girl asked as she poked her head up over the dune. Her hair was filled with beautiful shells that all reflected the light of the early morning sun.

"I'm Jericho, and you are?"

"Jeri-cho." The girl tested the name and giggled again. "I be Tyrie."

"Tyrie, eh? Well I'm gonna call you Ty, how's that sound."

"I be knowin' you by Jeri?"

"I'm okay with that." Jericho smiled and Ty climbed up on top of the dune.

"Why be talkin' all mumboie jumboie, Jeri?" Ty put her hand over her mouth and squealed. "You be doin' mumboie at Delgen's?"

"I'm not really sure I know what 'mumboie jumboie' refers to in this context. . ." Jericho said and the girl scratched her head and skewed her face. It was clear to Jericho she was having a hard time understanding him. "Well, it was nice meeting you Ty. Maybe you should go find your mom, she's probably looking for you."

Tyrie laughed again, but this time it didn't sound nearly as playful. "Lost I's mama to a riftie-rat, I's papa too."

Jericho stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath. Although he didn't quite know what a 'riftie-rat' was, he knew what it meant to be a young orphan. "I'm sorry Ty."