Alone Together

Chapter One

        I woke up confused and disoriented. After looking around wildly for a few minutes, I calmed down a little, remembering where I was and what had happened. I looked closer at my surroundings. I was in a small cave, with vines covering the entrance. There were several other makeshift beds on the ground, and in the very back corner a little girl was curled up asleep. I took stock of my body, then, remembering the nasty fall I had had. My head felt much better, but as I experimented with moving my ankle, I felt a sharp stab of pain in the joint. I figured I'd be pretty much dependent on the Akiire for awhile. 

        Just as I was sitting up, a man threw back the vines covering the entrance of the sick bay. I didn't recognize him. "Chief Ice-Veins sent me," he said, shaking his hair out of his face. "Oh," I say, unable to think of another way to respond. "We don't know your name yet," he says. "Ari," I answer. "Well, Ari, according to Moon-Song, you'll be here for awhile. At least a week, while your ankle heals," he tells me. I nod. "Ice-Veins, however, has sent me with an offer. He thinks you'll be useful, if not as a warrior as a storyteller or nursewoman. He's convinced you have something to offer once you get better. He wants you to join us. This isn't the first time he's taken in outsiders. That's why he sent me. I used to be an outsider like you. Apollo did too, but he's out hunting," he says. "Wait, Ice-Veins wants me to join your tribe?" He nods. "He didn't give you a time limit. You can think about it, of course." 

        I knew if I thought too hard about it, I would talk myself out of it. I couldn't  afford to do that. "I'll join if you tell me your name," I say, teasingly. He grins at me. "I'm Helios. I guess I'm off to tell Ice-Veins we've got a new memeber." He gets up and pulls back the vines before turning to look at me. "You're sure about this?" he asks, dropping the teasing tone. "Yes, I'm sure," I assure him. He nods once before disappearing. 

         I sit in silence for awhile. I've not got much to do. Even though I'm apparently part of the tribe now, I still need to stay off my ankle for at least a week. Sitting here in the sick bay of the camp, I've not got anything to do. I don't even know if I'm allowed to leave the sick bay. 

        It's not too long, I don't think, before the vines part and Moon-Song enters. "I hear you're one of us now, girl," he says cheerfully. "It would seem so," I murmur. He comes and sits down in front of me. "There's no real need to keep you in the sick bay all day. As long as I don't use your ankle too much, you can go outside and meet the others. Before that, Ice-Veins would like to meet with you," Moon-Song tells me. "Meet with me? Why?" I ask, feeling a flutter of nervousness. "Don't worry. He just wants to see what role you'll take once your ankle heals," he assures me. "Oh, okay," I say, still a little nervous. "I'll escort you to his den, when you're ready," Moon-Song tells me. "I'm ready now," I say, despite a trickle of doubt that I feel. 

        Moon-Song nods and stands, going to get a cane for me before he helps me to my feet. "Put as little weight on your ankle as possible," he instructs. I nod and, using my cane to support my weight, I step through the vines.