A Bird Calling

Chapter 7

     The Tribe
However they found the tribe, nobody knew. Or maybe the tribe found them.
     Her whole body ached. When she woke up, leaves filled her hair and she was covered in dirt. Her head turned over to Peter. A quiet moan slipped out of her mouth when she realized she was starved.
     However the people on TV did it, they found food. Even if they are just actors.
     Peter rolled his head until it was looking at Missy. He let out a small groan.
     Missy slowly sat up. Looking around, she saw small houses and men and woman walking around. When she stood up a man poked her in the chest lightly with a spear.
     "Let me stand up!" Missy demanded.
     Peter snapped up hearing Missy yell to the man.
     She was tempted to run up to Peter, but gave it up. She had to look independent, but still take care of Peter. A young boy crossed the path of Missy and Peter-about three to four meters. He had dark black hair like the rest of his tribe, and his eyes seemed grey, almost.
     They boy leapt over to Peter. Peter was still sitting, and the boy landed next to him. Peter was surprised. I thought for sure he was going right to my head. The young boy held out his hand.
     "Hello, Peter. Welcome back." Peter held out his hand back to the boy.
     "Peter, you know this boy?" Missy was startled to see, Peter shook the boy's hand.
     "He knows me, alright. He came here every day when he was young. And you're Missy." He said in absolute certainty.
     "Tommy-" Peter grumbled.
     "Oh, Peter. You go by names now?" Missy asked in a mocking baby voice. "Forget  it, Peter."
     "Looks like the funerals starting!" The boy said excitedly. "My dad died in battle last week!"
     "WAIT-WHAT!" Missy and Peter asked.
     "Why would you be exited about that?" Missy continued. Missy spat out some dirt. How'd that get there.
     "My dad's the chief of this tribe. Law has it that the next descendant becomes chief. That means, I'll be chief!"
     "But you're still sad?" Missy asked.
     "No. Dad hated me."
     "Oh..."

     How could Missy forget. The night it happened. The chief's funeral. Tonight. A small cozy wooden coffin lay on a table. The small amount of cushioning was a pile of grass, dead and alive. About two yards away from each side, there was more coffins. They were filled with dead soldiers who had fought in the battle.
     Missy turned and elbowed Peter. He was to the slight left of her, standing in an awkward position. Missy noticed that many of the x-chiefs people where staring at him. He looked confused. Scared. I thought they were just annoyed because I was here. I guess not, Missy thought.
      She nudged Peter a little harder, because he didn't seem to notice  the first time. She saw a shaded coffin that had a grey eyed, black haired soldier in it. He wore no shirt, but a necklace held together with vines. Beads made of rocks hung close to the vines.
    "Is that-" Missy started.
    Peter shifted slightly to face Missy. Missy couldn't help noticing Peter holding Tommy's hand. She let out a small grin and giggled. It was so sweet how he took care of Tommy. Tommy never left sight of his father. And Missy knew why.
    "It is." Peter answered.
     It was Tommy's dead brother.