Wild Spectrum

Free

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Free*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Quandi's Point of View*

I fell onto the ground. And laughed until tears streamed down my face , rolling around, with Caramel laying on the ground besides me, grinning like crazy.

I was free! FREE ! Away from the Voice and his evil ways, away from the never ending chores , away from everything that had tried to ruin and destroy me . I was finally free.

For a while, me and Caramel just lay on the grass, staring at the rising sun. Then Caramel turned to me. He was in his lion form , and loomed above me .

"Listen. I think , it is not over yet. The Voice will do his best to track you down, only because you know what happens in that area. We should move on. Before he catches up."

Sadly , Caramel was correct. I enjoyed the peacefulness of Nature. Everything was balanced. Everything had it purpose . I took a look around me . The trees grew tall, and the flowers were bright and sparkled with dew. I turned away and jumped onto Caramel.

"Sleep." He said. "You'll need it."

"No." I told him. "I'll manage." But eventually I dozed off.

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When I woke up, I found myself in a cave . It's exit was covered by vines and in the middle was a small , cool pond. Suddenly in came an Aretna, her form a leopard. She was white and had orange spots in her , with some grey stripes.

"You're awake! " She squealed. " He told me you're a boy humani! I'm Zika! Caramel said not to disturb you , but now you're awake! What's your name? Where are you from? Caramel is really your Aretna right? Or no? Or-"

"Zika. I think he is already overwhelmed by all this . Please leave him alone for a minute. " Someone said. Then I noticed him. It was a large German Shepherd. "I am Geso. And as you can see, I am old, and Zika is young and very curios. Please help her by telling us your name. She is becoming annoying."

I stammered a bit. I must be in an Aretna camp! Unbelievable . Very very few were allowed in. And I was greeted as a guest here!

"I'm Quandiplestoram Addester. But you can call me Quandi. "

"Hi Quandi! I'm Zika! Is this how to spell your name? Q-W-A-N-D-I ?" Said the one who was annoying Geso.

"Almost. It's Q-U-A-N-D-I ." I saw her smile slowly disappear. "But you almost got it correct! You're an amazing speller! Nobody could get that close! " I quickly added, and much to my relief, her smile came back.

Caramel walked in with a rose coloured Aretna. She was obviously the queen, since she had a beautiful crown of rare and special gems on her head.

" Greetings, Quandi. I am Roze, the leader, and Caramel's sister. No , please stay seated. You do not have to do that. " She said when I tried to bow.

"Greetings your majesty, it's most... wonderful meeting you, and I am truly honoured to have Caramel as my guide. He has been... Very helpful and gave me hope." I said , still awkwardly half bowed.

Caramel laughed. He then came over to me and straightened me out. " Do not worry. Roze is a kind leader. But do not make her mad. You do not want her as an enemy." He whispered into my ear and went back to stand by Roze's side.

For a few moments, the silence continued , with me nervously turning my hands and Roze staring me down.

Finally she told me that I was allowed to look around. Then she left, leaving me with Zika, Geso and Caramel. But then Geso had to do some job, something about washing his poor tired paws, and he also went away.

Zika walked around me , and sniffed my shoe. Then she sat back on her hunches and started washing herself. Caramel, now an eagle, stood by my side and silently watched.

After a few minutes, he said "Quandi, you will have to bear with the stares and gasps when we go outside. We have never seen a humani in our camp before, so .... Well, you'll see."

I stood up. "I'm ready." Caramel nodded and shuffled with me out of the cave and into the camp.

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