Round raindrops fell from the dusky sky and plopped to the ground with a resounding splash, only mute when they dripped onto Tess's ivory skin, sliding down her cheeks and into her muddy hair that lay tangled in the wet ground beneath her. She could feel the cool wind nipping at her naked knees and elbows but was unaware of reality—floating on a blissful cloud of sleep that left her oblivious to her chancy surroundings.

Hundreds of apes stood around her body, watching her with guarded eyes and twitching limbs that were waiting to strike if called for. A few dared to move closer, reaching out to touch the young female's milky skin but decided against it at the last moment, hopping back with a resounding whoop.

Caesar stood above it all, observing those who got too close to the unconscious human lying in the middle of the haven. His son, Blue-Eyes was one of the spectators, looking down at the girl with his head cocked to the side—eyes curious. Caesar watched him reach out, running one finger over the flesh of her arm before taking a step back, huffing though his nose and meeting his father's gaze.

Beside him, he turned his head to see his friend Maurice sign, "Why bring female here?"

In all honesty, Caesar didn't have an answer. When he saw her body lying there in the middle of the forest covered in cuts and bruises, her left ankle the color of a fresh plum . . . he'd acted as one would to another injured creature—he picked her up and carried her back to the haven. The idea of leaving her there hadn't even crossed his mind.

He thought back to when he'd first seen her laying there, those large milky blue eyes staring up at him, so achingly passionate and tender that it was impossible to look away. They overtook her face like a child's, but with the presence of a woman and the magnetism of something more still. He remembered wandering about her soft form, taking in her hair, a thick and glossy curtain of caramel that hung in tangled waves down her back—all the way below her ribs. He could tell she was a child, one that slowly blossoming into adulthood by the two small swellings on her chest and the slow roundness of her hips.

Looking over the orangutan beside him, he finally signed, "Young."

"Human," Maurice replied, leaning back and offhandedly scratching his chin—his eyes inquisitive.

Caesar turned away, looking back to the unconscious girl and with a huff through his nose he hopped off the large rock he'd been stationed on to move closer. He regarded her form, nodding for the apes around her to take a step back—meeting Blue-Eyes' gaze once again before leaning in near her face. Opening his mouth he released a bellowing chimp pant hoot that echoed through the air, triggering the apes around him to call back, the community shaking with sound.

And the girl awoke.

'

,

Tess's heart stopped, a scream of fear clawing at her throat and ripping past her lips as she tried to make something of her surroundings. She pushed herself away from the form above her, frantically kicking her right leg to put some distance between them.

Maybe it was waking to such frightening sounds, or maybe it was the fact that she was finally able to digest what was going on around her—whatever it was, she found a heavy sob shaking her chest, warm tears dripping down her cheeks along the icy rain droplets that fell from the sky.

Apes . . .

Apes of all different shapes and sizes surrounded Tess, watching her with such intense regards that she soon found herself cowering and curling into a tight ball. Her light orbs flickered back and forth, unease and panic making her tremble.

The one that had been over her stepped forward and it only took Tess a second to recognize him.

The chimp from the forest . . .

Her head tipped to the side as delicate brows pushed together, making her look both startled and confused. She hesitantly flowed out of her fetal position, wiping away the tears that still dripped down her flushed cheeks—her hitching sobs staggering over a hummingbird heart. She was deliriously afraid and most certainly alone, so it was no surprise that the familiar sight of the dominate ape had her moving toward him. Leaning in, she swooped slowly up until she was on her knees.

Her fingers reached up to grasp the fur at his chest.

"Please," she whispered, though she wasn't sure what the word exactly meant at that moment. Maybe it was a plea for help, or possibly mercy—she didn't really understand anything at the moment. All she knew was that there were hundreds of apes staring down at her . . . and not one of them looked welcoming.

The chimp stared at her, slowly raising a hand to silence the fervent animals.

Everything became still.

He took a deliberate breath, opening his mouth to rumble the word, "Human." And Tess immediately released her grip on his fur, falling back onto her bum and looking up at the ape with eyes so wide she was afraid they would fall from her skull, her lips swollen and quivering. "Why . . . did you come . . . here?"

His words were hardly more than an audible grumble, his breath harsh under each word as though they were caught at the back of his throat.

Tess's tears silenced as shock took the place of fear, her chest pumping up and down with the heavy breath of her lungs. She responded with the first answer that came to her head, stuttering. "I-I got lost."

The ape's eyes narrowed, "Are there . . . other humans?"

Tess could only nod.

He huffed, his eyes leaving hers to stare at the muddy ground. The chimp looked to be lost in thought and it only took a second for the other apes to get impatient—shuffling and grunting as they waited for what their leader would say next.

Finally, after what felt like forever, he turned back to Tess's frozen form.

"Search for you?" he asked.

Tess opened and closed her mouth, "I don't . . . I don't know." She whispered, looking down to her muddy attire. She noticed a few rips in the material of her baby blue t-shirt and her shorts were practically dripping with dirt and rain. Her left shoe must have fallen off her swollen ankle when she twisted it in the forest hole and the tennis shoe on her right foot looked like it was moments away from falling apart. Twigs and leaves stuck in the cheap leather and poked her foot through her sock.

"Go back to humans . . . by night fall."

Tess's head popped up, a terrified voice clawing its way out of her throat. "B-But, I don't even know the way back," she covered her face with her hand as tears continued to drip down her cheeks, "I can't even walk!" she cried hoarsely as her wild gaze flittering over the chimp's face.

He followed the direction of her vision, studying the darkening bruise with what appeared to be a grimace. Looking around at the other apes, he took a deep breath, his voice deep and powerful as he grumbled reluctantly, "We heal your foot . . . you go back."

Her shoulders relaxed.

Tess dreaded the thought of having to travel through the forest in the middle night, and with a foot that left her unable to stand on her own, she knew the possibility of being mauled by one of the forest creatures was a likely scenario. Though she knew it wasn't exactly safe here, she knew it was safer than the woods. Or, so she hoped.

"Thank you," she whispered, lowering her head and raising her knees to her chest, unable to meet the intimidating chimp's eyes anymore. She winced at the ache in her ankle and straightened out her left leg again, holding in a whimper that threatened to push past her lips.

Gaze flickering up at the movement beside her, Tess watched a smaller ape move toward the chimp that saved her, his hands moving in what looked to be sign language.

At first, the actions were sluggish and smooth like sweet molasses dripping from the honey jar, but after a moment of communicating with one another, their signs became more jerky and precise and their faces more expressive. The smaller one grunted and it looked as though he was disagreeing with whatever the larger one wanted.

Not understanding the two, Tess let her eyes begin to wander and leisurely took in her surroundings.

Upon the grass and soil and above were several huts that were held together by large poles of wood and moss. The apes could be seen in clutters about the community, interacting with one another or carrying baskets of sticks‚ furs and other perishables along the rocks, the produce left stacked beside their respectful nests. She watched as young muddy faced apes leapt around the dirt and climbed up the mossy wood‚ gleefully whooping and pushing one another.

Further along the tribe by the landing, more apes knelt on the rocky ground beside a shallow pond of water, grooming each other with generous hands. Tess smiled softly at the domestic and peaceful scene.

It was all a sight not uncommon at the city, but here . . . it was unusual because of the creatures involved. Bright eyed apes: some wearing beads around their heads and elaborate jewelry while others carried long spears on their backs and bared scars—it was shocking to say the least.

"My son, Blue-Eyes take you to shelter."

Tess looked up to see the large ape and the one called Blue-Eyes staring down at her—both wearing a similar scowl. She wasn't exactly sure what to say, so she only nodded. The big chimp huffed through his nose and turned but before he could walk away, Tess found herself calling out to him.

"Wait!"

He paused and turned his head.

"What's your name?" She asked quietly.

His emerald eyes returned to her.

"Caesar."

'

,

Blue-Eyes assisted Tess up a curving stairs that were covered in soft moss and plants so green they glowed against the melancholy colors of its surroundings. She was relieved that the rain had finally ceased, though the sky was still painted with a heavy brushstroke of gray clouds.

The chimp was stiff with his movements, blatantly showing that he wasn't exactly happy with his job of helping her and she doubted that practically having him carry her up the stairs helped in the matter. She found her body continually drooping with exhaustion and the sharp pain in her ankle had her panting with discomfort. Her fingers dug deep into the ape's skin when her foot hit the edge of one step and he hissed loudly, turning to bare his teeth—and Tess yelped quietly in panic, pulling most of the lax off his side and moaning at the alarming sting that shot up her entire leg.

She was so tired.

When they finally reached the room she was to stay in, Tess almost weeped with relief and immediately dropped herself to the floor, sighing. Though the room was only about the size of a walk-in closet and had cobwebs twisting around the rotting wood above, she couldn't have cared less at that moment—her eye-lids wilting with the need to sleep.

Sable hair strewn its way across the dusty ground and her plump lips became lax, long dark lashes nestling against her cheek as a sublime peace strung its way between delicate brows. She waited to loose consciousness but the sound of breathing kept her awake and she turned her head to find Blue-Eyes still standing at the opening of the room, his milky orbs dripping with curiosity.

Tess reached out a hand but swiftly pulled back when the ape jumped away. In an instant his face frosted over eerily in dispassionate intensity that had her swallowing.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Slowly sitting up, she pushed back a lock of hair, dark lashes fluttering as she glanced up at him. "I just . . . thank you." Her rosy mouth curved softly in appreciation but after a few moments her body began sway with fatigue. It was like bricks were strapped to her eye-lids, trying to pull her into the darkness of unconsciousness . . .

" . . . Goodnight," she whispered deliriously and, stretching herself over the woven mat beneath her, she fell finally asleep.