Life Behind The Indians

Chapter 10

I awaken to the sound of loud shouts and the smell of something burning. I roll over to pat Tandal awake but his body is gone. I stumble off the hay bed quickly running toward the flap of the tipi. "Tandal, Misela where are you?" I shout loudly opening the flap. I witness the scariest thing in my life.

People running away screaming children being dragged by there parents and the smell of blood and chanting fills the air. I look around trying to spot Tandal in the cluster of people but he's nowhere. I cry out loudly. Someone grabs my upper arm dragging me into the cluster of people my eyes are filled with stinging tears.

"Keep... with... me" the voice stumbles. I trip and fall in the mud. I scream out in pain that runs along my ankle. I look up noticing Victar is the one who's holding my arm he lifts me up and runs until we are into the woods. The people around me stop running and huddle into an opening all together deep into the woods.

Victar places me down onto a near by stump. "Where is Tandal?" I scowl looking around. Victar looks at me and than into the cluster of people.

"We.... aren't aren't sure where he is" Victar stumbles.

"Where is my husband!" I scream louder. Victar crouches in front of me his eyes are filled with hurt and fear.

"Tandal, went to get... get my child......He went.... grab your newborn child as well. D..do you remember you been out for a week" Victar Stumbles again. I look up at him confused.

"M...my what? What did I miss?" I say. He takes me hand gently flipping my hand so my palm is face up. He runs his fingers along small scars that are starting to heal.

"You.... was attacked.... by Kilro men. They take you and torture you.... for months Tandal find you middle woods and brought you back and care for you" Victar says. I yank my hand away as tears run down my cheeks.

"Why? Why don't I remember" I stumble.

"You hit..... hard blood every... where on you head" Victar says. He points to my head where my hair line is. I gently move my hand up onto my forehead touch a small bump on my head. I shake harder breathing deeply.

I look around again noticing everyone is staring at me. Silence is broken when Tandal comes strolling through the group with a young child and a bundle in his arms. I stand up quickly running over to him wrapping my arms tightly around him securely. I breath deeply taking in the smell of wood and smoke in.

"Ari.... you okay" he mumbles I nod burying my face in his shirt. He places the child down putting a hand to the back of my head. He kisses my head gently.

Never thought I'd fall in love with a man whose still learning English.