Bonds that Heal the Wound

Chapter 3

Halona stares at the totem, hands shaking slightly as she takes it into her hand. The all too familiar carving of the bear causes her to swallow thickly and glance towards Denahi and Mai. Her eyes are screaming for help, not sure what to do or how to react.

"Halona," Tanana strokes the side of Halona's face gently, bringing her face back towards her direction. "I know it's not what you were expecting, but the spirits know what they're doing. They know you. Let love guide your actions and one day, you'll be a woman and will place your mark upon those of our ancestors."

Tanana's hand motions over to the wall with the handprints and Halona's eyes follow suit. Halona forces a smile as Tanana pulls her into a congratulating hug. Halona can't help but to look into the distance, praying that the spirits know what they're doing.

After the ceremony had wrapped up, Halona had quickly escaped, making her way back towards her cliff. She needs to be alone right now to collect her thoughts.

"Halona!" Halona's attention is caught by the voices of Denahi and Mai calling out to her. She turns around, little to no emotion in her face.

"Oh, kid," Denahi sighs, pulling Halona into a hug. He strokes her hair softly. "I know this is hard, but Tanana's right. The spirits know what they're doing. Just...just follow your totem. Things will work out-"

"Follow my totem? Who's left to love? Everyone I loved is gone!" at this point, Halona has pushed Denahi away, tears stinging her blue eyes.

Denahi's mouth opens lightly to say something but shuts it and looks away. He's hurt by her words, there's no doubting that. Everyone she loved is gone? What about him? He's right here.

Halona sighs, and looks down to the ground. She rubs her eyes, freeing them of the tears that had blurred her vision, "Denahi...I didn't mean that-"

"I get it. Kenai and Sitka are gone. I miss them too, but you need to understand that there are still people around you that love you!" Denahi's voice becomes louder, the pain from Halona's words taking over as he speaks, "I love you! Mai loves you! You're stubborn and hard headed but we love you for that. But if you're not happy here...then maybe you should go find Kenai and live with him."

Halona can feel her heart breaking. She was upset and angry, but this isn't what she meant!

"Denahi, I-"

Denahi pushes her hand away, "I need some space." Denahi walks away, the storm clouds covering his heart are practically visible to Mai and Halona.

"Halona, you really hurt him. I don't blame him for being angry," Mai says softly.

"Then why don't you go after him? After all, I'm not the one in love with him," Halona spats. Mai is taken aback by her words.

"You know, maybe you do need some love in your heart. If you had it already, you wouldn't be acting like this," Mai's gray eyes burn with disappointment before she runs off to catch up with Denahi.

Halona watches Denahi and Mai's forms grow smaller as they move farther into the distance. Once they're out of sight, she pinches the bridge of her nose, mentally kicking herself for acting so selfish towards them. She just needs some space to cool off and then she'll apologize and talk things over with them. They both mean the world to her, even though her outburst seemed otherwise, and she doesn't want to lose more family than she already has.

Halona turns onto her heel and starts walking farther away from the village towards her cliffside spot.

It's midafternoon by the time she reaches the cliffside. The cooling winds blow softly through her wavy hair. Sunlight peeks through the gaps in the leaves of the trees in the woodland behind her. She sits on the edge, allowing her legs to dangle. She removes the totem that was placed upon her neck at the end of the ceremony and stares at the carving.