Forbidden

Chapter 9: Ahimu

The she-creature was here. The sky beast. With it was a baby. The beast held the babe closely as if it were protective of it. The creature didn't know I was watching but I saw. It dumped the baby by one of our huts with a confused and slightly caring expression and left before the baby let out a sad howl. As soon as the beast was gone, I grabbed the baby and looked toward the sky. I could see the slight illumination of a dark figure, and I knew it was the creature. She hovered there high above the tree line that surrounded our village. I watched her for a moment before she vanished within the blink of an eye as a cradled the baby in my arms.

She was here earlier and I had seen her walking into the village. I was taking notes and studying her behavior. She was here yesterday morning before dusk with two others that contrasted with her own characteristics. She and her companions had taken supplies from us though we didn't really need them. They were more so used as bait to observe them and their behavior. Or at least that is how I thought of the situation. Every few years, different creatures would come and take from us. It seemed this has been going on for some time now since the village knew when to suddenly have a surplus of goods for them to take. They were hidden in plain sight while our goods were tucked away elsewhere. I had determined I would use poaching opportunity to study their behavior.

I had been fascinated with the sky beasts for as long as I could remember and always observed when I could, to see what these creatures were doing and how they behaved. I hadn't gathered much other than the fact that when they encountered a human, they were ruthless and didn't hesitate in attacking their opponent but that didn't stop me from trying I didn't understand my fascination with them but neither did my fellow villagers. It wouldn't stop me.

I cradled the baby in my arms and tried to quiet him the best I could as the village came back to life. People began to surround me eying me curiously. "Ahimu, what are you doing out here and where did this baby come from?" A short, stocky man asked me. A woman asked, "Is the child alright?" I couldn't answer them as a flurry of questions began from the crowd.

The voices grew louder as the questions became more insistent on my answers. I struggled to tell them that the baby appeared to be fine and I hadn't the chance to look him over but I was cut off as another voice boomed out. "That creature brought that child her, could be trouble and we don't want nor need any more from this village." The questions immediately stopped. Another voice rang out. "Then what are we going to do about it, Bentley?" The voice belonging to Bentley rang out again. "I don't know but the child cannot stay here. Who knows? Perhaps his mind has been polluted with the creature's foul ways of living. He can't remain here long, who knows what the beast said. For now he will be examined and isolated." A few murmurs of agreement rang though the crowd. Bentley gave off the sort of air that no one dared impose.

I wanted to object to the man, Bentley, the one who had so called appointed himself as leader, and I did. "He's just a child! He would hardly know a scheme. He can't even speak and I don't believe he can even understand us." I said. I doubted the creature, no matter how revolting they were in their lives, could brainwash a baby. Besides, if the baby couldn't understand our language, then I doubted he could understand the harsh language of the creature. It was clear that we couldn't communicate.

Bentley shrugged as if I had said the most absurd thing. "We don't know how long she has had the child." It was my turn to look at him as if he were the idiot. "They came this morning, before dawn."The villagers all looked shocked while others looks were mixed. No one was supposed to be out during the night, especially the nights of the raids, to prevent any of us from being killed. In a way, we were held captive and inhibited by our fear for our safety.

Bentley gave a disbelieving grunt. "And how you know that? Everyone is supposed to be indoors. You know the rules." I drew in a breath. Of course I was not supposed to give myself away, especially not in front of the whole village, but c'est la vie. I needed to be very careful in picking my words to get out of this. Of course I wasn't going to tell them that I had been anticipating their arrival so I could study them more, but what did I say?

"I was out because I was filling the water tanks for my hut and I didn't realize that it was time for the raid." The expression Bentley gave me made it clear he didn't believe me. "Why would you be filling up your water tanks close to dawn?" I looked Bentley in the eyes, silently daring him to challenge my answer, simply so I didn't have to answer any more questions. "I was thirsty and it is about the time I usually wake up to start my task." I looked at the rest of the crowd, sending them the same dare. One by one, their expressions changed. They didn't quite believe me but didn't want to question me further. I was glad because I was running out of lies to tell.

Bentley turned back toward the group. "For now, I say, leave the babe in a separate hut." I interjected again. He could not sentence a baby to a separate hut. It was common knowledge that babies needed constant attention. Plus, I am sure that none of the villagers would want to hear the cries and screams of the baby from lack of care. "Bentley, that's a baby. He needs to be with someone. I'll take him." Bentley shifted his eyes to me again, the irritation plain on his face. "Are you a creature sympathizer? We can't take any risk." There was a mixed reaction throughout the crowd. "For goodness sake, it's a baby not a weapon. I wouldn't ever dream of betraying the village in such a manner but someone needs to stay and care for him." The crowd voiced their uneasy agreement. I was glad I wasn't the only one to see reason.

Bentley looked around nervously. It was clear he was losing the interest of the crowd. "Fine, stay with the child, make sure he is taken care of and well fed then." Bentley said though barely parted lips. He turned away from me and pushed his way through the throng of villagers in front of him. People began to disappear after that. Slowly, mothers began to approach me giving me tips on how to care for the little one. Other mothers handed me milk and absorbent cloth, which were dippers of some sort, and blankets.

The information the mothers shared with me was greatly appreciated and I expressed my gratitude, albeit it was stressful. I could see the mothers were amused with me and I didn't really blame them. At 19, I should have been out, working the fields or blacksmithing and building different objects, but here I was, caring for a baby for the night. I chuckled at the prospect, but no matter, the baby needed tending to and I was the only one willing to do such. I only slightly bothered me that no women in the village dared offer to take care of the child. It showed the cowardice of my people. Nevertheless, I smiled down at the child, happy that I was able to save him from a disastrous night, and happy that he was the reason I was able to actually see the sky beast so close to me. I knew tomorrow and the next days would be worse for him and I had to get him out of here before anything terrible happened to him at the ignorance of the villagers.