Episode 2: Finding the Lost Voice
From my perch on the tree, I could observe the intruders. I was right in saying that there were four of them. All of them were males. There were three boys and one man. One boy had raven coloured spiky hair and dark russet brown eyes. Another had pale white hair and cold and dark cornflower blue eyes. The man had grey eyes and spiky brown hair. The last of those three boys was much taller than the other two. He had supple flaxen hair which fell past his light cerulean eyes.
I suppressed a gasp when I saw that particular one.
Why, he looks a great deal like me…!
Is he from our tribe…?
But…
Lots of people have that features…
Having blue eyes and blond hair…
Doesn't mean a thing…
Because it is a common thing nowadays…
" Gon, are you sure this is the right place? "
The man was complaining.
" Of course it is, I just know it! I saw the weak flicker of a fire here last night! " that raven-haired boy answered.
Gon continued his search of the place, inspecting the ground carefully.
" I saw it yesterday, Leorio, " Gon added, still determined in his search.
Leorio rolled his eyes and sighed heavily.
" But, we have already been walking for hours and my legs are getting more cramped! "
I noticed that the other two was quiet. They were not participating in the conversation at all, right from the start.
Instead, the two of them were looking around, their eyes sharp and alert.
I felt my heart race as I eyed the two of them cautiously.
What are they trying to do…?
Maybe…
I swallowed the huge lump that had formed in my throat which was a great difficulty since it suddenly became desiccated.
Maybe, they realised that I am also here…
And, they must be searching for me…
They can feel my presence…
Oh no, what should I do…?!
Then, the blue-eyed boy looked up and met my eyes directly.
My eyes widened in alarm as I took a step back. It was a gigantic error because I forgot one very vital thing. I was balanced on a branch so by doing so, I lost my balance and tripped, crashing through the other stray branches of the tree and leaves.
It was a good thing that I managed to regain my wits before it was too late. I landed back on the earth on my feet although a little maladroit.
For a moment, there was only silence as all of them gaped at me and I at them. In the next second, I turned and fled.
" Hey! Come back here! "
I heard them calling out but I did not want to stop neither did I want to stay and yak. Instead, I ran even faster, my robes billowing about me.
From somewhere behind me, I heard footsteps pounding after me.
" No, stay away from me! " I screamed out, terrified. " I'm sorry for spying on you! "
My apology had all but worked. They continued to pursue me, getting even closer. My heart sped up.
I have to get away…!
But where to…?!
I glanced up at the dense foliage of the forest. There were many trees around.
Maybe, I could get away…
I quickened my pace and leapt upwards. I could escape with the cover of the trees.
Not looking back, I leapt from one tree branch to another.
" Hey, you! Come back here, we just want to talk to you! " one of them called but I did not care.
All I wanted to do was to escape and not to allow them to pursue me any further.
In a few minutes, I was already worn out and breathless from jumping from tree to tree like a monkey maniac. I stopped suddenly, gasping for air. It was only then, that I turned around to ensure that those people did not chase after me. Then again, it was also a big blunder. I should have continued fleeing for they were hot on my trail. Right now, those idiots were under my branch, staring up at me.
Without warning, the blue-eyed one stepped forward and lashed out his hand. A chain appeared, extended and wrapped itself around my ankle. I gasped in shock. The whole thing had happened so fast that I was not able to react. I was trapped! He retracted his hand and the chain followed, bringing me down with it. With a strangled scream, I fell once again, squeezing my eyes tightly shut as I waited for the pain to come.
However, this time, I felt someone's arms encircled me. I did not come tumbling down to the ground after all.
With a soft whimper, I opened my eyes only to be met with another's.
" Really, Kurapica! " Leorio scolded. " You should be gentler with him! You can't simply pull him down like that! We should treat guests even unwanted ones with respect! "
So, that boy's Kurapica…
Kurapica placed me down on the ground.
" Sorry about that, earlier on, " he apologised stiffly.
"…I-It's okay, really, " I stammered, unsure of how to react to that sudden apology.
" So boy, who are you and what were you doing, spying on us earlier? " Leorio asked me, trying to catch a glimpse of my face which was obscured by the hood of my robe.
" Uh, well I…thought that, well, maybe it was because you were trespassing? " I stuttered, my voice soft.
It had been quite sometime since I had last communicated with people. Thus, my voice came out in a whisper, all soft and breathy.
" Eh? But, this is public property, you know! This is a forest! " Gon chimed in.
I felt my cheeks becoming hot.
"…It is? I'm sorry, I did not know of that. "
" Anyway, just who are you? "
It was that boy, together with Kurapica who had been aware of my presence earlier on.
For once, I was at a lost for words.
After all…
What could I say…?
I don't even know who I am anymore…
It's been five years already…