Chased

The Letter (Old)

My feet dragged through the snow, close to their destination. I wanted nothing more than to reach it, for it has been years since I have last been there. I yearned to go back to the place I was born.

Connor held my hand, leading me through the once familiar woods. It has been so long, now I can't even remember where it is. I can't believe that this place used to be my home. It has been so long since I have lived in these woods. I had gotten used to the English way of life. I sighed, "Ratonhnhaké:ton?" "Yes, Cha'Kwania?" "What if they don't want me back?"

Connor stopped dead in his tracks, then he turned back to me. He put his hands on my shoulders and smiled, "They want you back. We all do." I nodded, trying hard to believe his words. It was hard. "I can see it from here."

I looked up. I saw it. First, a glimpse of the village set on fire. Then, the village now. The village that I left after that very fire. The village that Connor had lived in after our mother died. The village that I abandoned. I could've went back. I could've helped rebuild. But I didn't. And now I regret it.

Connor turned my head back to lock eyes with him, "I know you blame yourself for the fire. But it wasn't your fault. It was Lee." "Hickey pulled me away. I could've fought back. I could've stopped Lee." "No, you couldn't. We were young. We were weak. We didn't know."

I frowned, squeezing my eyes shut, "I should've came back though! I abandoned you all. I left the village. I left everyone. Who says that they'll even accept me back as one of them? What if they paint me as an outsider, or even a traitor, because of this?"

I felt tears poke at my vison, and a few escaped. There is no feeling worse than the feeling that you get when your people disown you. What if that happens to me? Connor wiped my tears away, "They'll accept you. I promise."

After that, we made our way to the village. The villagers stared at us. I caught sight of a few familiar faces. Old friends. Old caretakers. New faces too. But one face in particular...

A man our age ran up to me, picking me up and spinning me around. I squealed, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Kanen'tó:kon!" I yelled out. I hadn't seen him since the war had been declared. He laughed as he spun me rapidly, making me slightly dizzy, "Cha'Kwania!" The villagers previously staring just went back to work. I was finally set down, but held by my waist for my dizziness.

Connor laughed from behind me. It was a genuine laugh and it made me smile. After his laughing spell, Connor approached us, "Kanen'tó:kon. How nice it is to see you!" He said in our native tongue. Kanen'tó:kon just smiled and gave Connor a pat on the shoulder, "As it is you! What brings you here?" "I came to bring Cha'Kwania back. She needed to see how we were doing."

Kanen'tó:kon nodded, "It's been so long. You don't know how much we've missed you. You should wait until you see the others! They will go insane!" I smiled at this. They missed me.

Kanen'tó:kon hugged me, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, "I missed you." He whispered into my ear. I smiled, "I missed you too." He just hugged me tighter. It wasn't long before I realized he was crying.

Have I been missed that much?

I rubbed his back, seemingly soothing him. "I don't ever want to let you go." He muttered, burying his face into my shoulder, "Please, don't leave again." I closed my eyes and shook my head, "I promise nothing will happen to me. Ratonhnhaké:ton will protect me. I'm safe."