Moving Island

Festival

Author's note

I'm truly sorry that I couldn't make detailed chapters. I wanted to rush this story so much because I had so many plots inside my head and I didn't want to miss them. But I realised my mistake now, I'd try my best to give details and volume to my character and the plot. Thanks for reading.

I felt difficult keeping up with Nambi, I didn't have the habit of walking barefoot in the middle of dangerous woods. Every time I stepped on the mushy soil, I felt my body shudder with disgust. I envied Angelo, he seemed to have been enjoying himself over my back which hurt now. 

Maybe it was a bad idea to carry him, but I didn't mind it. I liked as every time he gasped whenever I felt wobbly while walking. I bet it was a roller coaster ride for him.

Nambi didn't seem to have any trouble walking barefoot. He mumbled something and chuckled when I was struggling to part those pathetic leaves out of my way.

"what?" I asked him.

"It looks as if you never walked in woods," he said trying to contain his laughter.

"well I have never been to a rainforest ever, they are difficult and always damp, with slithering reptiles sticking their tongue around every corner and I always cared to put shoes on". I said in a sarcastic manner, rolling my eyes.

Angelo was also laughing at my struggle. I shushed him. 

"what is that tattoo on your back?", It seemed like a spear starting from below his head and ending somewhat at the middle of his back. 

Nambi stopped, "oh that, its my rank." he looked at my confused face and started explaining.

"Our clan is divided into several categories, I belong to the fighter class. I am responsible for defending our village. There are other classes also like for instance the people who cook or the ones who fish in the ocean etc",

Yeah the ones who captured me with their filthy and foul smelling nets.

"I hate that tale guy," Nambi was surprised at my out of the blue statement. 

"I know he looks very intimidating. Its not your fault" he responded with a light chuckle.

I glanced at his face, now visible because of the moonlight, it wore a friendly expression. Apart from Eva and Angelo, his is the first face that looked friendly. He caught me glancing at him, I pretended to rub Angelo's hands as if he was cold. It was 50 degrees outside!! stupid. 

He cleared his throat, "I think we should move faster, They are expecting us"

He quickly started moving along without giving me any time to say something. I followed him in silence. 

We were nearing the village, evident from fair amount of light I could see. 

"we are here"

The whole village seemed different, way different than the last time I'd been here. Maybe the fact that this time I wasn't going to get killed got me this biased, but the village looked beautiful. So much lighting, decorations and merry children spilling out of their homes with glee. The commotion was a good kind, happy kind. 

Only if Eva could make it here, Sigh!

I put the little guy down,he heard me sigh and quickly entwined his hands with mine. That little guy gave me a lot of assurance. 

I was still following Nambi, Maybe he was taking me to the chief. 

The ground was less damp near the village, dry footprints clearly evident on it. There were murals painted on the houses. Several cabins were wooden, other were made with straw and mud. After several more minutes of trodding, we reached chief's tent and slowed our pace. Every time I look at him, my throat runs dry with fear, limbs start to shake. But I try my best to not show it.