A New Perspective

Nothing Left But One

I could remember it like it was any other day. Mama was in the hut, tending to some sewing and dinner. We were having fish as usual, but for me, I had salads. I'm a vegetarian. Anyways, it was slightly drizzling rain. My dad had a group of boys out for hunting, but they had just came back to the village.

I asked my mother if I could shower at the far north waterfall. Since the near west waterfall had stopped, due to a friendly family of beavers making their home up top of the waterfall. She said, "Be careful dear." I nodded and ran off. I was always cautious, which I got from my father.

As soon as I got there, I looked around to see if there were any humans. It was clear. You see, humans are a threat to us. They would do anything to get a forest elf, even pretending to be their friend.

I took my clothes and put them on a nearby rock. Stepping into the pond that had the waterfall, the water was at a perfect room temperature. It wasn't ice cold nor burning hot to where it could burn my skin off. I sunk down as my limbs went limp like a rag doll.

While relaxing, I hummed a tune that my mother sang to me when I was little. My humming got interrupted by, what smelled like smoke or wood burning. I turned my head to the direction of where my village was. I saw nothing but these thick grey smoke clouds.

Quickly, I got out and put my clothes back on. For as soaking wet as I was, I didn't care. I ran like a deer being hunted. Stopping in my tracks, there in front of me, was my village torn in flames. Falling to my knees, a river of tears rolled down my face.

My family, friends, everyone and thing I loved was burning up in front of my eyes. As I cried, it started to downpour. The flames went out as fast as whoever started the fire. I stood up and whipped my tears away as I walked into the burnt area.

"Who could of did this..." I whispered to myself. Strolling over to my burnt hut, I opened the door, but it disintegrated just with the touch of my hand.

"H-Hello?" My voice was shaking as I carefully walked through the mess. I found my room and the only thing that wasn't burnt, was my violin. I ran over to it and blew off the ashes. The case and violin were still intact. Grabbing the case, I sighed.

This was the only thing I had left of my parents. They gave me this one year for my 8th birthday. I took it with me, figuring this was going to have to be left in the past and to make myself a new life.

"Goodbye... mom, dad, everyone I knew..." I solemnly said. There wasn't any of my kind left. It was just me, Yumi, the last forest elf alive.