Missing

Chapter 4: Searching

A fortnight after the incident...

KAJIBWE'S POV

    I have become more concerned for Khyra's mental health as the days go by. She is not the same bubbly woman I fell in love with before. Instead, she is curt with me most of the time. The light that once shown from her amber eyes are no more. They are now, dull and overflowing with sorrow.

   I myself, am trying to reflect a positive attitude towards the situation. I always deflect the negative output. These past weeks have not been pleasant and kind to me. I want to mourn openly, so Khyra can see the pain I am in. Pain for the missing children and for my wife. I just want to see her light shine like it did before, so bright it blinded me.

I retrieve the tent's fly as I make an entrance in the tent. The first thing that catches my eye is Khyra laying in the bed. She has her back facing me while she is sleeping. I cautiously tip-toe towards the right side of the bed opposite from her. Now that her back is away from me, I can see she is fully awake. I freeze in my stance, surprised that she is awake. She stares while biting her lip, holding back a grin from spreading across her face. I relax and casually examine her profile. Her raven hair flows down the right side of her face continuously down to her lower back, sculpting her elegant face and petite body. Flawless umber skin

"Gorgeous" I say breathlessly.

Causing a small grin to appear on her face. My eyes slightly widen and my face warms.

"Haha" I nervously rub the back of my neck,

"You heard that?"

She nods her head, while a red tint flushes across her cheeks.

My blushing ceases and a smirk is plasters on my face thinking about how flustered she must be. Even after about 5 years being together she still blushes to my compliments.

I put my right knee on the bed to lean forward. My left hand reaches out cupping Khyra's cheek. My eyes flickering to her lips, for permission. Her eyes flutter close, preparing for what is to come. I close my eyes and slowly bring my face closer to her. I kiss her lips and let my hand slide off her face onto the bed, keeping my chest up. I lean my forehead against hers, the tip of our noses touching ever-so-slightly. Khyra's eyes flutter open staring into mine. Her beautiful amber eyes show love and grief. We are so close I can feel her shallow breaths against my skin. I then properly lay myself on the bed. On my right side facing her, I move my left hand to cup her cheek.

I look into her eyes deeply when I say,

"Good morning, love."

"Good morning" she says softly.

She sits up from her previous position, sitting in mermaid style. She stares down at me and sighs, her demeanor changing rapidly. I casually return the stare and I reach my hand to touch hers. I entwine our fingers as she opens her mouth.

"We have to search the neighboring village, today."

"The one where we first met?" I say to lighten up the mood.

"Yup" she says uninterested.

I sigh, feeling defeated. Every single time I tried to loosen her up a bit, it never worked.

The tribe has been searching day and night for the lost children. Everyone is devastated and you can feel it in the atmosphere. It's no longer cheerful and happy. You can see people are slowly loosing faith.

"Ok, then" I wiggle my eyebrows.

I sit up and move my legs over the edge of the bed. I stand to my feet and turn my body towards Khyra.

"I am going, you stay. Take a break this time."

She shakes her head and stand to her feet.

"I can't take a break. I need to find them or at least answers."

"You need to sleep, Khyra."

"You look exhausted." I say concerned.

"I can't! How can I sleep when everytime I have nightmares!?" She yells frustrated.

I take a deep breath, knowing we're going nowhere with this.

"I care about your health." I say calmly.

If I were to anger Khyra, her powers might deceive her. Leading another disaster to happen. Which will make her feel horrible and cause other problems.

She huffs and walks towards the door. I get up from the bed and follow behind her, until she suddenly stops. Khyra's lifts her head to the right, to look back at me.

"I don't care about my health.... When there could be frightened children out there." She points her finger to the door.

She proceeds to the door and exits the tent. Leaving me to drown in my thoughts.

END OF POV

KHYRA'S POV

Why do I feel off-edge? I'm agitated for some odd reason. This isn't how I usually am, but for the past two weeks it has.

I jog over to the warriors tent. Letting myself in and examine the number of show ups. Three, only three showed out of 200. I open my mouth to say something, when I hear my stomach growl loudly.

"Darn it." I whisper.

I haven't eaten since yesterday morning. I've been occupied by the whole search thing. I ignore the hunger pains at the moment, because it's not my first priority right now.

One of them, Okwaho, turns his head in my direction. I know who he is, considering I made sure to have acquainted most members in my tribe. Discovering they are not alone, they all face my direction. Okwaho bows his head in respect and the others follow. I look down and retrieve my head back to look at the men. Sheepishly smiling at them.

"Goodmorning!" Okwaho says enthusiastically.

"Good morning" I say in a monotone voice.

A bright smile is displayed on Okwaho. He turns to his buddies and introduces them.

"These two are Tier and Ta:wit." He points to the man with short raven hair and shoulder length hair.

I give the three men a polite smile.

"Well then, it's nice meeting you two." I say genuinely.

I change my attitude preparing for the topic I will have have to discuss.

"So, today we are going to search the neighboring village. We will stop at dusk."

"If you find anything suspicious let me know immediately." The three nod their heads in understanding.

"Yes, chieftainess" They say in unison.

"We will split into two groups. Tier, Ta:wit are together, and Okwaho and I.. Understand?"

"Understand" They respond.

"Ok, then." I rub my hands together, turning to face the exit.

As I exit, In my peripheral Kajibwe is standing at the door about to enter. I look at him and give him a small polite smile. The men stop to greet their chief. I give them a look to continue following me. Kajibwe got the hint and leaves.

I then continue forward into the pasture, heading towards our tribe's infamous hidden trail.

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A/N

Hello! The chapter is not very long, but it's something. I hope you don't mind a little romance, because I tried it out. Also thank you for the follows, it means a lot! God bless <3

- Anonymous

Not Edited*