The sea goddess

Part 2 church

Manuka woke the next morning to a cold frost, the cold season was near. She sat up and saw her mother doing her hair. "I'm hungry" Manuka said "we can't eat till after church" her mother told her sharply. Why was she being so harsh? Was she still mad at Manuka for coming home late?. "You must have more loyalty to eel man, he brought us here" her mother said "I don't want to hear you being unfaithful after church like last time". Manuka sighed quietly and went outside. Why was everyone so devoted to their 'god' without any proof of him but dumb stories?. "Come inside" her sister called "I'll do your hair". Manuka stepped inside and sat by the cold fire. She couldn't eat because of the island people's stupid religion. Her sister braided her hair in a long braid that ran down the middle of her back, it was traditional for going to church.It resembled the eel man's tail, "now pick out a nice dress" her sister said. Manuka grabbed a short light blue dress and slipped it on. "Let's go" her father said, the family walked through the village and to a clearing with two arch ways. Manuka walked through the first archway and a shell necklace was placed on her neck. This was meant to carry eel man's energy and granted you passage through the arch. She went to one of the mats and kneeled down, her brother joined her. Once all the villagers had arrived and were kneeling the ceremony began. The preist told the story of eel man then said a few prayers. Then he came round with some abalone and placed it in every villagers hands. This was supposed to be sacred shell food and you could only eat it in religious ceremony. When the priest placed one in manukas hand she cried in disgust because it was rotten. "What is the problem?" The priest demanded "it's rotten" Manuka replied getting angry. "Accept the gift from eel man" the priest said, Manuka felt anger bubbling up inside her. She stood up "how do you know he's real anyway" she yelled not knowing what she was doing. The priest stumbled back in surprise and the villagers gasped. "He hasn't spoken to anyone in years" Manuka cried "you are all so blind". "Enough!" Manuka felt her father grab her shoulder from behind "I'm very sorry, I will talk to her" he said. Manuka was pulled away from the church and outside the alter to a cave. "What do you think you were doing!" Her father yelled "you have embarrassed our family and been disrespectful to eel man!". "He doesn't exsist!" Manuka cried "is that really what you believe?" Her father said eyes wide. "Yes" Manuka said "then you are no daughter of mine" her father said. Manuka's mouth dropped open with shock then it turned to anger "you'll see one day" she said then ran. She climbed up the rocks and ran down the stretch of land that went out into the sea. She climbed into a cave and cried, why couldn't her family understand?. She cried till dust then fell asleep on the cold stone floor out of exhaustion. When she woke the next morning water was lapping at her knees, it was the day of the festival!. She stood up and wadded into the water deeper and deeper till the water swirled at her shoulders.