Hi everyone! Sorry it took me a while to update. school just got incredibly awkward, problematic and drama-filled. if u wanna read about it just visit my profile, its there :) almong with other things i think u'll like! Anyways, the story takes place in Palawan. it is actually a real place trust me. i didn't make it up! i promise! look it up its amazingly beautiful! and google a picture of a pilandok to see what it looks like! it's pretty awesome :p
Chapter 2~ Venturing to Rushing Water Lake
Morning came and I opened my eyes to the small canopy of my hut that I share with my sister. I hardly slept at all last night. And my mind is still twirling with questions and ideas about him. Mar-cos was so mysterious and different from anything that I have ever known. He is fast and strong and smart and strange and funny and weird and …slightly scary. But the part that I was really scared about was the fact that I liked it, the feeling of danger that I get whenever I am near him.
Everything is so new now! I even look at things differently as if I am looking through his eyes at my everyday objects. And I imagine the things I would say and how I would explain how our people use these tools. I could even imagine the twinkle in his eyes when he learns them, as if all the stars in the sky were concentrated in his pupils.
Raining Falls, who is still slightly snoring in the far corner of the hut, rolled to her side making me hold my breath in anxiety. I had asked Mar-cos to meet me at Rushing Water Lake so that we may share more about our worlds. My heart is already racing.
Once the sun peeked over the dense green trees and turned the sky vibrant orange, I was ready. All I have to do now is sneak out of our room and out of our village without waking my sister or looking suspicious, I thought. I already know that I cannot tell my sister or anyone in the village, least of all my father, Sky Streamer, the chief. He would only over-react. And my mother, Painted Petals, will be very upset with me if she finds I am hiding secrets, but I am not thinking about that right now. My mind is far away from any reprocutions there may be for my actions. My mind is already at Rushing Water Lake.
Quietly and carefully, I get out of my makeshift bed and slide on my favorite light brown colored moccasins with lavender and green stitching along the sides that remind me of waves. My hair is a silky black wall that cascades over my shoulders in calm waves as I slowly roll from my makeshift bed. I made it using the huge, broad leaves from a mature, deep-rooted tree that I found while I was exploring the Whispering Waterfalls one night. Those leaves are the most comfortable and relaxing bed I -or probably anyone in the village- has ever slept in.
Tip-toeing, I hurry to the entrance of our hut and peek outside. It is very quiet. The fire from last night's feast is still quietly dying in its own embers as a waving sliver of dull-grey smoke climbs to the sky and disappears. The morning birds have begun to wake up and celebrate the new day with their high-pitched songs so I lift the flap covering the opening and quietly step outside. After replacing the flap, I walk the same path I usually take to the woods. I can only hope that someone has not woken up early today and see me on my way rushing out of the village. Actually, they may not care, I've been seen leaving before, the problem is that someone has always asked me questions on my way out. And under these circumstances, I am not a good liar.
My heart is thumping wildly and my rushed breathing sounds loud in my ears as I reach the edge of the forest. I made it! I whisper happily. Quickly looking behind me at our seemingly deserted home surrounded by trees and plants of unimaginable color, I realize that I can never truly be content with the mind-numbing regularity of an everyday life. There is no danger in it, no mystery, I suppose. I think calmly, then I shrug and continue on my journey to meet Mar-cos.
Almost there. I think excitedly as I cross Sinking Soil Lagoon by placing in front of me, one by one, a handful of large leaves that serve as steps to get across. I gathered them along the way, infinitely glad that my one of my many journeys have come in handy. I had been the one to find this Lagoon a long time ago and figured out that this is the only way to get past it, otherwise you would find yourself sinking rapidly under the mud. I am almost half-way to Rushing Water Lake! That was a lot easier than I thought that it would be! I whisper the moment that I clear the Lagoon. But there is still a long way to go.
"Hey!"
I froze in mid-step afraid to turn around.
"Driftria!" Said an all-too-annoying voice. It was Autumn Leaves.
I turned around swiftly with a sour look on my face. "What?" I yelled so that he could hear me. He was still far away running to catch up.
He waited until he was right in front of me until he answered. He stopped and braced himself against his knees, panting loudly. I rolled my eyes.
Autumn Leaves was a small, short boy with thin, threadlike hair that reached to his shoulders. He was alittle bit shorter than me but not by much, we could still look each other in the eye. His big eyes are the same dark brown color as the dirt, his nose is long and pointy, and his lips are thin and unattractive. This boy has bothered me since I met him and even before he knew my name! He used to always repeatedly plead and beg to know my name in his annoyingly squeaky voice every time he saw me! And one day out of sheer irritation I told him, just to get him to stop talking! But that did little to extinguish his curiosity.
"Where are you going?" He asked when he finally caught his breath. I know better than to tell him that!
"Just exploring," I said quickly.
"Can I come?" I am surprised he even asked this time, he usually just follows me.
"No." I said firmly. I cannot even understand why he would want to, he is two years older than me!
"Why not?" He whined.
I closed my eyes in frustration. "Because I want to be alone while I explore. I like the quietness." I said cautiously, I have never lied before, but that is not entirely a lie.
"I can be quiet," he argued.
I sighed, I know he will not go willingly so I will have to ditch him, again. "Fine. But I travel fast, so if you cannot keep up, I will leave you." I said just to warn him and started walking away.
"Okay," he said scrambling to keep up with my long strides. But soon enough he was talking again. Just rambling on and on about nothing in particular and everything he can think of. After a while it is too much for me to endure.
As we traveled to Rushing Water Lake, I knew that I would have to take a few detours to my already long trip so that I can get Autumn Leaves off my tail. I absolutely cannot bring him with me to meet Mar-cos. That would be a disaster! And since he will not leave himself, it is my job to lose him. This is one of the many, many moments that I am thankful of my gift. Every Indian that lives on this large Island of Palawan has the ability to change. Our people know that this is not normal; they think that this power has come from the gods or think that some 'All-powerful source' bestows a power upon you when he believes that you are worthy… or something like that. I choose to believe otherwise.
I continue to let my mind wander as I release myself and let my bones and muscles melt and merge. Moments later, I stood gracefully on all fours with large green eyes and bright, soft, light brown fur, a pilandok. A pilandok is like a tiny deer with sharp teeth and incredibly fast legs. After I changed I looked up at Autumn leaves who was standing, shocked, with his mouth hanging open at the sight of me changing. I just rolled my green eyes and took off running into the forest as fast as I can. It took him a moment to regain his composure and change himself. Seconds later he was running after me as a small, skinny monkey with dark brown eyes. I ran faster.
It is my opinion that we have obtained the ability to transform because of the produce of our lands. There is something special -I think- in the food we eat or the water we drink or the air we breathe that has changed us somehow, giving us the ability to change. I believe this because our land is positioned in a special place. We are surrounded by water that twinkles oddly if you focus on it. And a star, brighter than any other star, even brighter than the moon, is close to this part of the earth. It shines with a purplish hue at night and can be seen when the sun is out as well. I think it gives us our power. I can still feel a dormant part of me that has not yet been awakened, sometimes I get small hints at that power but I do not have a clue as to what that strength is.
I continue to ponder these things as I streak through the wilderness. Soon though, I cannot help but to start thinking about Mar-cos and what he is doing right now. Where is he? Is he already waiting for me at Rushing Water Lake, or was he unable to sneak out of his large boat? Both of these possibilities have my feet moving faster and faster through the trees than I have ever ran and soon I can hear Autumn Leaves' feet shuffling in the distance.
Muchos thankos for reading guys! And review! i need ideas for the next chapter k? I'm stumped about what i want in the next chapter. Any ideas?
I promise whoever reviews will get their ideas implemented in the story! :) Excited? Review!