Karma had always promised herself she would never enter the ruins. She had promised her family, when they were living, too. Her stomach churned at her promise, and the many haunting memories. Karma had become an expert at pushing her past to a desolate piece of her mind, were she would never have to battle it. Whenever she took it upon herself to get rid of them, she came out more mentally torn and bloody than she had ever been.
Karma busied herself downing her large glass of tea. She had promised all of the people important to her. Although now she had gained new friends, powerful friends that were important to her. She didn't want to let Scarlett down, ever since the explorers came she had tried to impress them. The explorers could offer her a position and ultimately a better life she had told herself. They had offered her a position too, one transporting the sown fruits of the temple.
This new position could give her status and importance. The explorers who went into the temple came out heroes, both to the natives and to their colleagues. The ones who went in got many gifts the natives put much effort into. Beautiful carvings, bouquets of cherished flowers, the best cuisine for miles and their respect among countless other things. Karma wanted just a morsel of the feast of rewards the explorers got often.
Father though. Her beloved father, who had always given her a seeming never ending flood of love. Her father who had gotten himself killed trying to get her and her mother a better life. She had promised her family she wouldn't make the mistake her beloved father had made. She wandered through the warm memories until they abruptly ended, bringing her back to a time she didn't like to remember. Tears welled in her eyes and she finished her tea. She had to respond now.
"No, Scarlett I am sorry." She said, she was trying desperately to keep her voice level. "Now if you will excuse me, I have some work to do." Karma stood up and strode out her door, leaving Scarlett sitting at her table confused.
As soon as she was out of the center of the village she ran. When she had been younger, she was the undefeated racing champion. Even the boys couldn't beat her. Karma followed the paths she had followed her whole life. She turned on to a lesser used trail. She soared over fallen logs, dived under low hanging foliage and never lost her speed. When she came to the river she stopped and sat down on the cleanest rock she could find.
Karma's head throbbed with painful memories. She squeezed her eyes shut in an effort to barricade in her tears. Tears spurt from her tightly shut eyes though. She gave up trying to stop them and opened her eyes. The tears made two little waterfalls down each of her cheeks. Years of held in tears seemed to flow from the reserve. She heard cautious footsteps coming closer. She spun around angrily only to find her childhood best friend, Flower.
"Oh Karma." Flower grabbed her hand and sat beside her. Flower put her basket full of edible berries in front of Karma. Karma giggled and started pulling leaves, twigs and the occasional bug from the basket. After a minute of sorting Flower spoke up. "So what's troubling you?" She spoke in their comforting native tongue.
"Scarlett tried to give me a position temple running." She whispered. Flower knew her whole past, in fact she had witnessed Karma go through it.
"I'm sorry Karma." Heavy silence fell over the two. "We haven't talked in a while, have we?" Flower said in an effort to change the subject. Karma had indulged herself in her work and trying to impress the explorers, she had no time for friendships and conversation.
"No. I'm sorry Flower." Karma said as she ran her hand through the ripe berries.
"Don't be sorry. You have been busy." Karma nodded to Flower. "Too much of anything is bad Karma." Flower said gently.
"You sound like our mothers. 'Too many candies are bad you two! Too much of anything isn't good!'". Karma mimicked their mothers. Flower giggled. Karma's father had always brought her candy when he visited the town. Flower and Karma had always ate it all at once, much to their mothers' dismay.
"Well Karma, are you finally going to win this war?" Flower asked.