I had been flying for days, only stopping to eat and go to sleep for the night. Exhausted, I landed on the grass of a random lawn. I didn't know where I was. I was completely lost. Stirring up the energy I had left, I walked out to the road and took a look at the town. I couldn't even tell based on my surroundings where I was. I gave up after a while, and headed over to a trail. Once the trail led into a woods, I turned there and collapsed under a tree, taking off a little purse containing my clothing and a special piece of paper. It was not even sunset and I felt like I could sleep for days. I rolled from my stomach onto my back, gazing up at the sky. Very, very cloudy. But at the moment, cooler temperatures were all I wanted. I was hot from the vigorous activity of flying. There was only one thing I knew, and my heart sank as I realized this. I was not anywhere close to where I'd lived before.
"Thailand," I sighed to myself, my lips quivering.
I came from Thailand on a journey to find a home. A new home. Because of the rapid change in human habitation, I needed somewhere that still felt like home to me. The only other reason I was leaving Thailand was the fact I was stuck in an exhibit. Basically, I was treated as though I was nonexistent. I had to pretend to be a statue. Not fun. Despite all this, though, I felt like I was the failure. I was a creature of protection, trying to keep all of Thailand pure and fresh. But the big city of Bangkok was quickly forming into a bustling mess of cars, pavement, and pollution. I began to cry as I realized what this meant. Thailand would lose the one they'd trusted in for so long. They'd be losing someone who had kept them safe. Someone who entertained them. I am not just any kind of creature, I am a kinnari. I am part bird, and part human. My job is to keep the citizens of Thailand happy, healthy, and away from danger. The paper I had contained a list of spells to help people of whom were suffering feel better. I'm also a creature of dance. But since the forest I'd loved dancing in was being destroyed, what else could I have done?
"Am I doing the right thing? Leaving the whole of Thailand? Should I just move to another part of the country? Or keep on my journey to God knows where?" I asked myself, my voice soft and croaky.
The Isan region was the only place that seemed reasonable for me, but it was too small. However, I wasn't even sure where I was heading and didn't know by this point if I could get back.
"I'm scared," I whispered, only the sound of birds and the light breeze accompanying me as I spoke.
I listened harder. No cars, no people, and best of all, no wood-cutting tools to be heard. I closed my eyes, rolling onto my side, and falling quickly to sleep.
I jolted upright suddenly. How long was I asleep for? It was dark. But at this time of day? Or was it still day? It couldn't have been. The temperature felt no different than when I'd gone to sleep. I must not have slept long. Or did I sleep a full day away and just begin to wake up now? These questions raced through my head, and I began to move from side to side in a rhythmic motion, something I seem to do when I'm nervous.
"Oh. You're awake," said a voice.
A young looking girl came over to me. I looked up at her, confused. What was she doing out here all alone? Then a few more people came over to me, looking not much older than the girl. How come they had no parents with them? More importantly, since when can skeletons walk? And what kind of place has a one-bodied person with two heads, one side of the body blue and the other side green?
"Hi. I'm Ruby. These are a few of my friends. Skull Boy, Frank and Len, and Doom Kitty," she introduced.
"Hello," I said shyly.
I could speak English, but was nervous. These people were out in the darkness. In a place that had no shelter. Trees were good, but what if it started to storm? With lightning and thunder?
"What are you guys doing out here by yourselves?" I asked after a while.
"Oh. We know these places like the back of our own hands. Or paws in Doom's case," laughed Ruby.
"We came by about an hour ago and saw you were sleeping. Are you alright?" queried the skeleton.
Shish! He can talk too! This was one weird place.
"Yeah," I said with a yawn, "just tired."
"Hey there. I'm Len," said the green head.
"And I'm Frank," smiled the blue head.
"Hello. My name is... uh... You might have trouble saying it, since my language is different from English. Just call me... Karina," I managed, unsure of how to bring up such a subject.
"What language do you speak?" questioned Ruby.
"Thai. I come from Bangkok," I answered.
"I've never seen such a wondrous creature before! Wings, feet, and tail of a bird, and the torso, arms, and head of a human. What are you? If you don't mind me asking," wondered Skull Boy.
"I'm called a kinnari. You say it, kee, nah, ree," I explained, smiling through the fog of tiredness.
"Well! You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! If it's not so difficult to answer, what brings you to Gloomsville?" queried Ruby.
I thought a moment. The group in front of me frowned, realizing that maybe it wasn't the best thing to talk about. But I summed up the courage I had, and told them.
"I'm looking for a new home. My forest had been destroyed. Plus, I've been living in this exhibit, and the people there treat you like you're nonexistent. Except the people who run it. But they don't want people knowing I'm alive. They're turning the forest I loved dancing in to housing property for humans. I'm actually not sure if I should be here though, since I'm a creature of protection. I look down on the well being of everyone, especially the ones who live so close to me. But I've left Thailand and I'm not sure if I should have," I admitted.
"Well, take as much time as you like to recuperate from your loss. We'll do everything we possibly can to get you back on your feet. You can leave whenever you're ready," assured Ruby, her face almost splitting as she smiled.
"Thank you! So much! You're too kind!" I cried, getting up.
"Come. I'll show you to our mansion," smiled Ruby.
"Welcome to Gloomsville," added Skull Boy, and we started walking.
"Yeah! Welcome!" cried Frank and Len in excited unison, high-fiving me.