Hello! I'm slowly returning to the writing world! :D I've updated Hoping for Hope, I've updated this story, and I've even started a new one, Beauty and the Beast. :) I have a new idea for another story whirling around my mind, and I've even started the outline (I'm doing that now :P). But I'm going to wait until I'm finished this one to start the new one.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon or any of its characters.
Death
Vaughn was suddenly leaning towards me, and, not knowing what to do, stood still where I stood. Our lips touched, and he wrapped his arms around me. I leaned towards him, and we stayed like that for a few moments before pulling apart.
He smiled at me, and I smiled back.
"You're... different than the rest," I said, looking at him. "I didn't realize it at first... But now I do."
"No one has ever said anything like that to me before," Vaughn said, grabbing my hands and kissing them. "Thank you... Nidawi."
I laughed a little. "Come on," I said, wrapping one my hands around his. "I want to show you something."
I led him back through the forest to where my canoe sat waiting near the water. Pushing it into the river, I climbed in, Vaughn behind me. Once we were both inside, I began paddling further north, into denser woods. Soon, we were surrounded by trees on both sides and the sun was obscured by the branches and leaves.
When we were close to my destination, I pulled the canoe over the right side of the river and climbed out. Vaughn followed me as I began trekking through the deep, dark forest, looking for something.
"Where are we going?" he questioned, looking around sceptically at the trees and rocks around us.
"You'll see," I replied, looking at him from over my shoulder. "We'll be there soon."
And sure enough, within minutes, we were standing at the base of a tall mountain with a long, curvy path winding its way to the top. Without saying anything, I began following the path. After a few steps, I looked down to see Vaughn still standing at the bottom, staring up at me.
"What are you waiting for?" I called. "Come on! Hurry up!"
"Weren't we just up there?" Vaughn asked, eyeing the mountain.
"Yes," I said, placing my hands on my hips. "But what does that matter?"
Vaughn frowned, and started climbing the mountain.
Smiling triumphantly, I continued walking along the path until I reached the very top. I sighed happily, and sat down on a rock near the edge, staring out over the water and the island beneath us.
Vaughn arrived on the top shortly after, and started, awe-struck, at the ground below us.
"Wow..." he breathed, sitting down on the ground beside me.
"Isn't it beautiful?" I asked, looking warmly upon the island.
"Yeah... it is..." Vaughn said.
A few moments of silence passed.
"We used to farm there," I said suddenly.
"What?" Vaughn questioned, looking up at me.
"Where your people live," I said, looking sadly at the small town the white men had built. "My people used to use it as farm land. We don't have enough food anymore. We have to live off the little land we have left and what we can catch and find."
Vaughn didn't say anything; he was gazing, stony-faced, at the village where he lived.
"I-I didn't know that," he said quietly after another pause.
"Of course you didn't," I said, looking at him. "How could you?"
"It seems so wrong now," Vaughn said. "Coming here and taking all your land. It felt right in the beginning but now... It doesn't."
I nodded, and stood up. "Come on." I said, starting towards the path back down. "We should get going..."
We walked back down in silence and through the forest back to my canoe. When we arrived back at the base of the tree, we didn't expect to be greeted by Kimama, Shea, Wada, Father, and several other men. Yet there they were, all looking scared and angry.
"Nidawi!" Kimama cried, running forward and hugging me. "We were so worried! What happened? Are you alright? What did he do to you?" She glared furiously at Vaughn.
"I-I'm fine," I stammered, shocked. "R-Really. Vaughn didn't do anything to me; nothing at all."
"I do not believe her," Wada said, crossing his arms stubbornly. "He must have forced to lie. Take that monster away, back to the village! And make sure he doesn't escape!" he ordered two men, pointing at Vaughn.
"He's not a monster!" I cried, trying to escape Kimama's grasp as she pulled me towards my father and Shea. "Please! I'm telling the truth! He didn't hurt me! He didn't do anything to me!"
But nobody listened to me. Then, suddenly, there was a loud bang and Shea was lying in a heap on the ground. Wada cried out and raced towards his son.
"He's dead!" he cried, horrified. "The monster killed my son!"
"No!" I screamed, looking around frantically: Vaughn's gun was laying a few feet away. Looking at the trees, I saw the white man Mark disappearing through the forest. "No! It wasn't Vaughn! He didn't do it! Please believe me!"
"Silence!" Wada roared. "Kimama, take her back to the village!"
Kimama nodded, and started pulling me back towards my canoe. Looking back, I saw the two men pulling Vaughn the other way, through the woods.
"Vaughn!" I yelled. "Vaughn! Please! Let him go!"
But they still ignored me, and soon were engulfed in branches and leaves.
Hanging my head low and crying, I softly whispered, "I'm sorry..." But not to my father, or Wada, or Kimama. But to Vaughn.
