The Human Path

Chapter 21: Arvo

"I heard the shapeshifters have come out in droves, they like to eat children and then take their place, that's why the Chief wants to send us to a new village." Said Ugo as he turned to Enri and continued "Isn't that right boss.".

Enri wasn't in the mood, she had spent the whole of last night crying and screaming at her parents. She wanted to stay with them, but they sent her off. She wasn't even sure if she will ever see them again.

'I'm no one's boss, I'm so weak, I can't even protect Amma and Abba.' Thought Enri as she looked at Ugo and yelled "Leave me alone".

She just got up and ran towards the exit of the small cabin. Koren who was also sitting there as well, could feel the sorrow and anger in Enri's voice. He apologized to Ugo and ran after Enri.

Koren saw Enri taking the stairs to the top deck of the sand ship. "Enri, stop!" Koren yelled.

Enri looked back at Koren, and her gaze softened, but the sorrow in her heart was ever present. She looked at the small metallic brooch in her right hand, a silver flower with tiny hints of gold in the petals, it was made by her father. He must have worked very hard to make this for her.

"Enri, you can talk to me about anything, you know that right." Said Koren as he approached the stairs.

"Brother Koren, Can you please tell me what is going on, are my Amma and Abba going to be OK." Asked Enri as a single tear wrestled its way out of her eyes and fell on the brooch, followed by a torrent of more tears.

Koren looked at Enri, and was reminded of his own circumstances when he first came to shale village. He looked straight at Enri and gently said "Enri, I want you to trust me on this. Aunt Zena and Uncle Tanru, as well as everyone in Shale village will be OK."

Koren walked up towards Enri, reached out and rubbed away the tears flowing down her face, he calmly took her hand in his, and led her back down the stairs.

"Brother Koren, I trust you, but I need to know. I need to know why they sent us away." Asked Enri as they reached one of the portholes , her hand still clasped by Koren.

"Are you really going to tell her, it might make her more worried." Said Hope, as she walked next to Koren, only visible to him.

Koren didn't indulge Hope, she was someone always present inside his head, so she knew his answer.

"Enri, do you remember how I was found. You never really asked me where I'm from. The truth is my village was attacked." Said Koren as he calmly looked at Enri, trying not to alarm her too much.

"My family and everyone I ever knew were gone. My grandfather was the village chief, even though he was injured, he still carried me to safety, but he too perished, leaving me alone to roam the desert, trying to find help."

"That's when you found me, you were the first person I saw after my grandfather passed away." Koren stopped as he noticed the panic and terror in Enri's eyes.

"Enri!, I asked you before, and now I'm asking you again, Do You Trust Me?" he bellowed.

Enri, who as pretty shaken up, realized that she was only thinking about herself and her family. She looked at Koren and wondered how he could possibly be so calm and composed when he had lost his whole world.

"I'm sorry Koren. I'm sorry about your family, about your village, and Yes I do Trust you." Said Enri gently.

"I have a secret, a secret I've never told anyone before." Said Koren and just as he was about to continue, he was stopped by Hope.

"Hey...hey...HEY!... Koren you can't tell anyone. This is too dangerous, you are not only putting yourself in danger but her as well." Yelled Hope as she suddenly appeared in between Koren and Enri.