Pleasing my Destiny

Chapter 1

My heart was pounding away at my chest, becoming more rapid with every step I took. I reached the outskirts of the forest, and somehow I could see through all the trees, bushes, and long, overgrown grass. I could see the middle of the forest, with a spotlight directed onto my mother. She was on her knees, her nails digging into the hand that was gripping her throat. The opposite hand held a knife with its tip digging into my mother's neck, making a dribble of blood fall down. My mother was looking at me, trying to say something, I couldn't understand, her words came out as rough squeaks due to the hand that was clasping her throat so hard.

I tried to run to her, but my feet wouldn't move, so I tried yelling but my voice would not come out. I was locked there, staring at the face that held my mother by the throat. My insides turned as I stared at Nick. The rage bubbling, almost exploding out of me. I no longer saw my loving step-father, no, I saw a man spewing with evil. As he was about to cut the throat of my mother, I heard a voice.

Karina, Karina! The sound of my name startled me awake. I looked around and saw a fire sizzling with life. It was beautiful, with the red and orange flames dancing in beautiful swirls. It was just so calming, why have I not felt this in so long? I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked at its owner. Not once have I looked at him without noticing how his eyes were loving and kind. They were the perfect shade of chocolate brown, so full of life. His brown, long hair runs down to his waist. He wore a black V-neck, with black jeans. Such different attire from when I first met him. He said his tribe only got in their traditional clothes on special occasions. Though I did ask him what that occasion was, he would not tell me. He said I would eventually learn in the near future. How could I learn what his special occasion was? Though, if he does not want me to pry, I won't.

"Karina, you had that dream again didn't you?" Nipahem asked with concern written all over his face.

"No." I looked down at my hands.

"Yes you did. You are a lot of things, but a liar is not one of them." He put his finger under my chin and lifted my head to look at him. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah I'm fine. How do you always know when I lie?" I asked changing the subject.

"Secret." He winked at me and I pouted my lip, but in the end we both laughed. I don't get affected by the nightmare anymore. I have it at least three times a week; I've grown numb to it. Is that worse though? To not be affected or feel anything from it? I'm not going to complain though, I rather feel dead inside, then hurt like I was.

Ever since that dreadful night, Nipahem has been with me, caring for me. I think the only time he has been away from me was when we ran out of food and he had to go hunt animals to feed us. He was gone three days at the time. He's says it's part of his destiny, to stay with me and protect me. He said at the time when we met, well when I found him that he was meant to be there, that it was mine and his-our destiny. He won't say anything more than that though. He said that if it's my destiny to know, I will find out. The thing is, with all that destiny crap, I want to say it's all bull, I don't believe in destiny. He believed it though, and I won't put down his beliefs, it's what makes a big part of Nipahem, his beliefs, his culture, he grew up this way.

His forehead still wrinkled with worry and I was about to reassure him again. However, before I could, he picked me up and made me stand. He hugged me right then and there and even when I tried to push, he stood his ground, and held me tightly. Remembering my mom, Nick, and my dream, all the emotion took over and I started feeling hot, wet tears run down my cheeks. I guess as much as I would like to believe it for myself that the dream didn't bother me anymore, it really did. I leaned my head against Nipahem's chest, and cried. He rubbed my back and didn't say a word as I cried my heart out. He knew I hated people, especially him, seeing me cry. It made me feel powerless and vulnerable, so he lifted his head until he was looking at the sky. He was patient, waiting until I was done, standing there for what felt like forever, and rubbing my back, like my mother did when I was just a little kid.