Burn

Chapter 5 - Kenna

Thank you to the amazing LovelyOwls for making the cover on the side :D

<><><><><><><>

I knew he wouldn't follow me when I stormed of... there was a small part of me that wanted him to prove me wrong. Okay I won't lie, I wanted him to follow me, he could help me get home. Who am I kidding? He's a freak!

I wandered through the marketplace. Each stall was selling produce and strange objects. Some I had seen on earth such as carrots and potatoes, others I had no idea what they were. One woman was selling a weird green flat thing "A Broot?" She asked holding one out to me. I shook my head and moved on. The next guy was selling colourful beads of all shapes and sizes. I fingered a large clay oval one as I passed. It's smooth surface felt foreign in my hand.

"For you miss it's half price" The stall owner winked at me. I released the bead and moved on much to the disappoint of the guy. A crowd gathered around a stage near the main hut. They jeered at the guy who stood on to desperately trying to promote something. Moanna quickly pushed him off the stage before clearing her throat.

"People of the Highdent Tribe" She shouted to the crowd who instantly fell silent "I gathered you all today to ask for volunteers. The tribute has been chosen. Guardian Leith will be leaving tomorrow to be sent to the Silmur Tribe. Two people, one male and one female will be sent with him to help him prepare for his marriage." Moanna went silent to let the information sink in.

A lone voice spoke up "I'll go!"

Pav pushed through the crowd and joined Moanna on the stage. The people burst into life, pointing and gossiping. Most likely about the kiss. I pitied her. I know what it's like when you love somebody and they just don't feel that way about you.

.

*****Flashback*****

.

You would think a 15 year old would know nothing about love yet here I was... A 15 year old girl in love. Today was the day I am going to tell him how I feel. Wish me luck...

Amy opened the door. She smiled at me her blue eyes shining with happiness. "So?" I asked

"He was so sweet and acted like the perfect gentleman" She gushed.

"And? Where did he take you?" I prompted as waved to her mum. A delicious smell was coming from the frying pan in her hand.

"You know that cute little restaurant down the road?"

I nodded "Honey Pot?"

"Yeah that's the one" She giggled "So? What's happening with you and Charlie?"

"I've decided to tell him"

"Do it!" Jade encouraged waltzing into the room. You would think this was her house with the way she acted.

"I am" She nodded obviously pleased with my answer.

"Right who's ready for school?" Amy's father walked in and kissed his wife on the lips much to Amy's displeasure.

"Dad!" She whined "Come on we need to hurry, Kenna has a mission"

Amy's dad laughed "Like a secret mission?" He held his fingers like a gun and crouched down low.

Amy rolled her eyes "No dad! That's just stupid"

Amy's mother joined in the conversation "I though it was pretty good"

"Sure..." Amy seemed unconvinced. I often found myself wishing I had Amy's parents. It was clear that they loved her... unlike mine.

"Come on kiddo" Amy's dad ruffled her hair before grabbing the car keys.

Amy quickly tied her long blonde hair up into a pig-tail before following her father. Jade looked at me "Come on then, you've got a Charlie to get" We walked out to the car, our arms linked. The car ride was pretty uneventful. There was a lot of laughter and jokes mainly aimed at Amy's dad.

When we pulled into the school car park 20 minutes later, Charlie was there with all of his friends. Jade pushed me towards him. Suddenly I felt very nervous. "What's the worst that can happen" Jade hissed at me. Oh I don't know... he could reject me...

With one final push from Jade I found myself in front of Charlie. Charlie was a year older than me with the most beautiful green eyes and spiky brown hair. "Um... Hey" He peered at me curiously.

"Hello..." I struggled to find the words to say so instead I grabbed his head and pulled it to mine. His lips were as soft as I thought they would be but something was wrong! He pulled back instantly. That's when I knew I was wrong. All them glances in the corridor was not because he liked me in that way it was because I was a freak with my fiery red hair and amber eyes. Tears blurred my vision as I ran.

It was Amy who found me...

.

*****Flashback Ends*****

.

Amy... two years later on that very day she disappeared. We searched for weeks... months even. Yet no body was ever found. I always wondered what happened to her. Moanna cleared her throat on the stage forcing everyone to be silent again. "Pavarti... You wish to travel with Guardian Leith?"

"Yes" Pavarti answered, her voice never quavered even under all the odd glances the crowd were giving her. My respect for her grew.

"Very well" Moanna nodded in approval "Any male that wants to volunteer?"

The crowd looked to one another. Nobody dared speak until one boy stepped onto the stage. "Me!"Moanna looked upset by this but nodded. "I am Guardian Tyson from the Merai Tribe. I came to offer assistance this great day" He continued. "I will protect the carriage" His brown eyes dared the crowd to speak out against him.

Moanna turned to the crowd "Thank you to Pavarti and Guardian Tyson" She jumped off the stage with the agility of someone much younger than her. I followed after her desperate to demand answers from her.

I forced my way through the crowd and grabbed Moanna's arm. She spun around "Ah hello Kenna"

"I want to go home" I told her bluntly.

"You can't go home" She said smiling slightly.

"Moanna! I want to go home!" I was getting fed up with all this secrecy.

She pulled me into the main hut "Look Kenna, you are needed here on Inru"

"How?" I pushed.

She turned to face me and sighed "I can't tell you just now..."

I felt anger bubbling deep inside my veins "Tell me! I want to know if I'm forced to stay on this nightmare of a planet..."

"Look I'll get your mother to meet you at the Merai Tribe. She will explain everything" Moanna said calmly.

"I want her now!" I towered over the woman that was withholding information.

"You can't have her now, she's busy" More questions ran through my head. Busy? With what? Her work? It's always her work above her daughter. "Sleep You have a busy day ahead of you" Moanna reached up to touch my forehead. I didn't pull away as her outstretched finger I was too interested in what she was about to do. The moment her finger connected with my head I felt myself falling into darkness...