I've Found You

Chapter 3

Mala and Blue closed the shutters on the windows and Blue lit another candle under Mala's instruction. Blue was hesitant to ask why they're lighting more candles instead of blowing them out if they're going to bed, but then decided against it after soaking in the words and meaning of Mala's story, realising the dangers she didn't yet want to face. If Mala was going to baby her like a 2 year old for however long she had to stay there then so be it, she was safe, and in this jungle, that seemed like a hell of a big deal.

Blue explored the room while Mala pulled bedding out of the cupboard. At the entry, to the right were five buckets. The two largest contained pristine water, sparkling in even the small amount of dim light provided by the candles. The two sitting beside them held fruits of all different shapes, sizes and colour. The last bucket contained cutlery, well, two wooden spoons of different sizes, three carefully carved forks with two prongs on each, and a kind-of-knife that looked like a miniature spear. All this sat in a little bit of water pooled at the bottom.

But before Blue moved away, something caught her eye in the bucket. Something shiny and metallic winked up at her. It was a pocket knife. Engraved on the front were two beautiful horses, both rearing majestically, their mane and tail flowing freely in the wind. They looked like they were mirrored, a symmetrical pattern would describe it. But what was that in the middle? A foal. Its head held high in pride as it awed at the beauty of its parents, knowing it would be just like them one day. The engraving presented a beautiful and spontaneous scene, where both parents and child were happy, proud and glorious creatures signifying a family relationship. Blue clutched it in her hand. She didn't know why but Blue felt the sudden urge to have this beautiful piece. Somehow she could connect to it, something felt right about it being close to her. It was like a puzzle, and Blue was not complete without it, and didn't make sense without the last puzzle piece. She had to have it. Her brain told her no, but her stomach told her yes. She went with her stomach.

"Sorry for the mess over there, I didn't get to finish washing up," Mala appeared beside her and Blue's face turned a tomato red. She quickly shoved the knife into her pocket and placed her hands behind her back like a little child trying to hide something from the all-too-knowing parents.

"Uh...um, no that's fine. I can clean them for you if you would like," Blue stuttered. She was desperate for Mala not to find out what she had done, and she felt that at least this small good deed could be one of many to compensate for stealing the knife.

"It's quite alright, they can be left until tomorrow, but remember you will be needed for weeks to come if we are going to help your friends. This isn't going to be any trip in the park."

"Yes, of course."

"Ok then, off to bed," Mala resembled a fatherly figure. He pointed towards the corner in which Blue assumed she'd be sleeping for the next couple weeks. "Goodnight Blue."

"Goodnight, Mala," Blue walked across the room to a kind of mattress made from layers of palm leaves, on top was a softer leaf that had been weaved and used for a blanket. Blue snuggled into her bed and turned over onto her side and lay still. Did he really think she'd be able to sleep after today?