The Tiger Within

The Chief has a son?

Run. Run as fast as your legs will allow you. Run quickly, yet silently. He will catch me if I stop. "CRACK" goes the sound of a twig that snapped under my foot. Shit... He heard me. "AHHH!" I scream as the white tiger pounces on me, tackling me to the ground. He then began to lick my face, causing me to giggle. " Ew, tiger slobber, Cruz stop it." I try to push the large cat off me. " How is it that you always find me? You must be a cheater." I smile, that is until I heard someone calling out for me."Via! Via Where are you? " Just great I thought to myself. Nilima the crazy village lady just ruined my morning. I had Cruz go deeper into the jungle and run around to sneak up on Nilimia. " Via! Hurry up, child! AH!" I caused her scream when I jumped out at her, scaring her. " Via don't do that." She swatted at me angrily. "What is it you need Nilimia? There better be a good reason to be bothering me on my day off." I fold my arms across my chest as I question the old woman." The chief needs to speak with you immediately." and with that Nilimia starts shoving me away towards the village. The entire way there I prayed that I wasn't in trouble with the chief, the last thing I wanted was to disappoint him. You see, I was abandoned in the village one day right in front of the chief's hut. He and Nilimia took me in and raised me, like the rest of the village. I've always felt like an outsider though... I'm different. My hair is not black and sleek like the other village girls, it's kinda curly and a dirty blonde color, my eyes are blue, my skin? Tan. Growing up in the village there were always those few mean children that called me names, whether because of my skin, hair, eyes or just because they want to. I got over it though when I met Cruz, my white tiger friend.

"Good gracious child! Pay attention." Nilimia, once again, pulled me away from my thoughts about my past. She gestured towards the chief's hut signaling to go in. I gulped and took a deep breath before entering. " C-chief Sai? You wanted to speak to me?" I see him standing talking to someone, but I couldn't tell who, due to his back being towards me. "Ah Via there you are." the two men turn their attention to me. When the stranger turns around and I get a good look at his face I notice he resembles the chief. A lot. But younger. I noticed that he was looking dead at me.... I got a great look at his cobalt blue eyes, they seemed warm, safe and oddly familiar. "Via, this is my son, Mohan." I stare at them shocked. "You have a son?"