The Open Book

Chapter 2 Scene 1

1.

"There's going to be trouble if the heads of two Great houses are in my home."

"There's enough space. You could comfortably fit them."

"Servants included?"

"Well..."

"Exactly. I should just tell them no."

"Well, what should be happening is that you should be there.... I know! I know, don't look at me like that. I too wouldn't leave my girl for any reason."

Aphiwe's eyes battled their way open only to find her face covered, not with goggles but leather, thicker than any she'd ever felt. Her face was covered too, clean air forced itself into her nose.

She reached for her face and immediately regretted it, like a strong wind on fading embers, pain burst up, dotting her every muscle, making her grimace. It created a domino effect. She shuddered but fought through.

"Aphiwe? You waking up? Mom!"

"Ch...um...a?" She slurred out.

Rocking back and forth she flung her hands onto her face, pulling, mixed with the sway, producing strength enough to get the mask off.

Her muscles burned, pulling, recoiling against her.

They locked into place when the giant Jokai appeared. Scowling, it talked using Chuma's voice.

Aphiwe screamed her lungs out, everything thrown into her howl. The Jokai stared, terrified, before weeping. The sunflower of bone shattered, leaving fur. The image broke, turning to Chuma. Orange fur, tall for her age, thin from picky eating, large eyes, wet with fright and sorrow. The door burst, literally as Thato ran through, door handle in hand. She jumped, sliding on pure momentum across the sheets into her, clinging until Aphiwe's screams faded.

"Sindiswa, Roli, one of you get a doctor. Whoever else, get Chuma!"

Sindiswa, also orange furred but an adult slapped her husband dark furred on the head and he took off. She scooped Chuma up.

"Are you okay?" Thato asked Chuma.

Chuma nodded.

"Do you want to go home?"

Chuma didn't move for what must have been a lifetime before shaking her head.

"Okay. She's fine, just a little rattled, how's Api?" Chuma's mom asked.

"I don't know. She's breathing and calming, but her heart's beating its way out her chest. You still think a noble house should come?"

"It's because of your care that they want to come."

"I already risked her life on it. She just got over excited just by having a friend over."

"Don't blame my child!" Chuma's mother yelled.

"I'm not blaming your child! I'm blaming myself... It was my name she called out. I wasn't even the first person she saw when she woke up."

"You have one of the most vital roles in the entire God Tree, having made one of the biggest changes in your race's history. You were going to be busy. If it'd happened any other day, you might've not seen her at all."

"I know you're trying-"

Thato rubbed her face before burying it in Aphiwe's neck a while.

Chuma jumped out of her mother's hands and stepped in front of Thato, who without trying, towered over her. Still Chuma reached out, her long tail, trying to stop her from reaching out, swatting at her wrists. Chuma withstood, determined to be held. Thato pulled her in, holding both, with room to spare. Chuma's tail hid, not touching Aphiwe who'd stopped shivering.