Fragile Skins

Chapter eleven: Jungle

Light droned against Sachiel's closed eyes and he slowly opened them to greet the morning light. Their surroundings could be seen much better in the daylight. A long beach stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction and the sand formed massive dunes where is met the grass. The grass was bright green and flourished among other plant life mainly palm trees which loomed overhead and bore coconuts. Kai's arms were tightly fastened behind Sachiel's back. Sachiel absentmindedly toyed with Kai's hair, careful not to rip fragile skin with his claws. Kai opened his eyes slowly.
"Good morning." He said groggily.
"Good morning." Sachiel said back. Kai sat up and looked around.
"We're on Niihau." Kai said standing up, his bare feet sank into the loose sand. "The farthest island from the big one. As far as I know there is only one small fey colony here, it is called The Forbidden Island after all." Kai knelt down and picked Sachiel up bridal style.
"What are you doing?" Sachiel asked, surprised.
"We're going on an adventure." Kai said. He waded across the sand and into the forest. The farther into the forest he walked the greener the leaves and grass became, and the more abundant. Birds trilled their sweet songs from deep in the jungle and the boys caught glimpses of their bright red feathers through the trees. The island being untouched by outside influence is apparent.
"Where does that tribe live?" Sachiel asked curiously.
"I don't know." Kai said, "It's just a rumor after all." Kai was calm but Sachiel couldn't help but feel a little fearful. Rustling in the bushes, which were probably just small animals, seemed to be following them and he imagined the worst. This tribe, if it does exist, is shrouded in mystery and there was no way to know how they would take to the boys. Kai walked more, going deeper and deeper into the jungle, his eye store ahead as he wandered aimlessly with no destination.
"Kai?" Sachiel asked, "Where are we going?" No reply. "Kai, are you ok?" He stopped walking.
"No I just feel so," he searched for the right word, "meaningless." He put Sachiel down onto a rock. He sat down on the ground. "I miss my family, I miss Vermillion, and I miss knowing what to do." Kai said blankly. Sachiel looked down at his hands. Dirt and sand was lodged underneath his claws.
"It's not meaningless." Sachiel whispered. "That crab colony was also attacked, maybe others have been. There's something sketchy happening." Kai opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a sound from a nearby bush. Then a figure emerged. She was tall and had the legs of a deer and the horns and ears to match. One of her horns had been broken off.
"You speak of the dark assignment." She had a gruff voice that fit with her muscular body.
"The...the what?" Kai asked, shocked by her sudden appearance.
"The attacks. We know of what you speak." She said, "I am Ȃio."
"I'm Kai this is Sachiel." Kai looked back at Sachiel, he looked nervous but excited.
"Follow me." Âio walked off into the forest.