Hidden Allure

Meeting Danger 4

Somehow, it must have understood what I said, because he took off running into the woods.

“Hey, slow down!” I yelled after him, hobbling as fast as I could hobble.

Instantly, it slowed down to a light jog, which I manage to keep up with it. We must have been walking for about twenty minutes when I spotted a clearing up front. Going a bit faster, I rushed to find a pond.

Water! Sparkling, clear water! Looking at the jackal that led me here, I gave it a grateful smile.

“Thanks... Cal.”

As I looked away, a tear escaped. I quickly brushed it away with the back of my hand.That was what everybody back home used to call Caleb. This animal reminded me so much of him. Caleb always used to understand what I meant, even if nobody else did. I wished he was here right now.

But I knew I couldn’t let myself wallow in self pity. I would have to get on with life and accomplish what I came here to do. I would not give up until I had found my sister and brought her back home. Even if I had disappointed mother and abandoned my best friends, I know that they would be proud of me. And I was absolutely sure that my Pa would be very, very proud of me, where ever he was.

~~~~~

I still remember that day so clearly, even if I was only seven when it happened. But then again, who would forget something like that?

I was dressed in my best blue and white satin dress, with little puka shells embellishing the neckline.The charm bracelet that Caleb had gave me when I was five was on my left wrist.

Mother was running around the house, trying to get everything ready. The table was set perfectly with a bouquet of purple forget-me-nots laid in the center. Sunlight was streaming in from the windows, making the house look cheery and welcoming.

I remembered asking Mother at least ten times, “When will he get here?”

I was sitting by the front window when I saw a fancy car pull up to the front.

“Mother!,” I shrieked, “He’s here!” I rushed to open the door, Mother instantly at my side.

“Pa, you’re back!” I shouted hugging the man in front of me, without properly looking at who I was talking to. I looked up,expecting to see the loving face I hadn’t seen for so many months.

Confusion filled my mind as I pulled my arms away.

“Um, where is Pa?” I questioned, entirely unaware of the answer I was about to get.

“I’m sorry. Your Pa has passed away in the war.”

Nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared me for those words.

That day, Mother had gone up to her room, slamming the door shut, and had not come out for the rest of the day. I, on the other hand, had ran out of the house, sprinting to Caleb’s house, tears blurring my vision.

Throwing the familiar green door open, I had ran to his room, his mother close behind me and collapsed on the bed weeping, shouting, “Pa is not dead! He is just late! Why did that man lie?” Caleb was not there, he was off on a hiking trip with his other friend, so his mother did the best she could to comfort me.

I let her wrap her arms around me, pulling me close to her, even though I knew nothing could console me. I had stayed in her lap for many hours that day, and then somehow she had convinced me to wash up and eat dinner. But I didn’t want to eat. Mother had promised that that night we would have a feast with Pa. If that was not happening, I would not eat at all.

When Caleb came back the next day, he took one look at me, his eyes filled with pain, and whispered, “Oh god Amia. I am so sorry.” That is all he needed to say. He knew me too well. During times like this, he knew that that was no words were necessary. Nothing could comfort me.