Terk feasted her eyes on the horizon with devastation. Her only chance to turn back to normal is gone. Her friends are safe but She'll never be all right,
She set all the tormented Spirits free, defeated La hopefully forgood. And most of all Tarzan is safe from harm. If Terk could turn back the Clock she wouldn't have changed anything. She's proud of herself for being so selfless but where will she go from here?
Tarzan helped her up to her feet along with her friends they made the journey back home. Terk looked behind her shoulder at the rubble of the Eerie city of Opar. Everything seems quiet and Terk wondered If La is truly dead since she always brags that she has reached immortality. But Terk no longer fears her and If this old Demon shows herself again then they will be ready to strike back.
The gang has arrived at Tarzans tree house, Everyone remained close to Terks bed. The spiritual possession made Terk weak but after hours of good rest she regained her strength opening her eyes slowly. Tantor Flint mungo Kala Jane and Tarzan were present. Terk spotted them sitting in a circle around the bed. Happy that Terk has awoken.
The sun rays shined in the tree house she must have slept for many hours bu still felt a bit tired.
Terk held one hand infront of her face. She was still human,and never become an ape again. Her eyes teared up but atleast her friends were safe from harm.
Terk no longer feel like resting and just want to leave, She wants to stay in the jungle where her old home is. Terk mourned about her loss even more and has fallen into a deep depression for days.
Tarzan came to visit Terk since he and his Mother started to worry about her.
Since Terk wasn't in the mood to stay with the other apes, and no one has heard from her the whole day.
The ape woman felt like an outcast more than she ever thought even though the ape Family accepted her like they did with and Mungo promised not to taunt her for being a human.
At times she felt like playing with the others but she's not as a agile as the other apes. She needs to work on her climbing ability like Tarzan did.
The other apes told Tarzan where she was when he couldn't find her with the other gorillas. Tarzan spotted her in the distance slowly ate some of the termites she found crawling around.
"Terk are you all right? " Tarzan said.
Terk climbed from the tree she was approaching Tarzan.
"Um Terk? " Tarzan said shielding his eyes.
"Yes ? Terk said. "Oh Sorry" she said realizing why Tarzan didn't want to look at her and slipped into shorts but placed her hair infront of her bosom instead wearing the tanktop aswell.
She never understood why humans make such a big deal about nudity, She used to walk around naked all the time but now that she's a human it's all of the sudden very inappropiate while there is nothing shameful about it.
"I'm done" Terk said rolling her eyes slightly when Tarzan still kept his eyes away from her. Terk crawled both of her feet again coming behind Tarzan.
"Oe hoe Oe" Terk said trying to speak the Gorilla language like she always did. Telling Tarzan to sit down. And groomed her leaders long dreads.
"Terk about what you did back in Opar"
I'll never forget what you did for me" Tarzan said. "You sacrificed your chance to turn back".
Terk stopped with what she was doing sitting next to Tarzan. "I couldn't let you die,Or anyone else" "I felt it was the right thing to do" Terk said feeling awful.
"Thank you. Tarzan said moving hair from her face to reveal tear soaked eyes.
"I'll stay like this forever" Terk quietly spoke.
Tarzan wished he could prove her otherwise but La is the only one who can reverse the spell. "Maybe you will Terk"
"But you are still one of us" "We Love you Terk" Tarzan said.
Terk nodded. "I miss my old life"..
"And I miss the old you" Tarzan said.
"I already know that!" Terk whined. "Yes I lost all my fur and I look like this" "There isn't much what I can do about It"
"I'm not talking about your Looks" Tarzan said. "I miss the way you were inside"
"The tough but bubbly bossy ape" Tarzan poked Terk playfully.
"Aww.. " Terk cooed brightening up.
"I haven't changed..I just find it so hard to adapt".
"I know..But you'll get there Terk,You are very strong. " Tarzan said.
"Thank you, You guys are the reason why I keep my composure"..But..I feel that we haven't seen the last of La" Terk said.
Tarzan felt consern too. This is the 3rd time they have defeated La and Tarzan isn't sure If She's gone forgood but still he's looking forward to see her again and have his revenge for manipulating Terk to turn against him.
"If she did survive some how the I would have searched for her to end her since she must be very weak,But she fell in the Abyss so chances are higher that she perished" Tarzan said.
"But don't be afraid Terk,If that witch shows her face again we'll be ready for her"
Terk smiled a bit. "We'll defeat her together"
"That's It" Tarzan said smiling in return.
Terk playfully resting her head against his shoulder. She didn't want Tarzan or anyone to feel she didn't care about her family.
Tarzan shot her an annoyed look when he felt her ticklish hair against his shoulder,
and Terk looked at Tarzan with an *come get some* glare. Within seconds they clashed into eachother for a rough wrestle like they always used to do.
Terk was still strong much to Tarzans suprise, It felt awesome fooling around with Terk again. Terk sat ontop playfully bit Tarzan. He laughed and tried to avoid Terk from biting him
But she still managed to bite his biceps.
"auch! "Terk!" Tarzan said freaking out but also amused. Tarzan kept her in an head lock preventing her to move. Tarzan backed off right away when he felt he was being too rough Terk gasped for air,
"Imagine me with my Gorilla strength I would have dominated you" a Terk said confident chasing Tarzan while leaping from the vines and trees.
Night came but Terk couldn't sleep,She had a much harder time to accept that her only chance is gone than she thought.
Terk slept on her side and moved her head up seeing her gorilla family snooze. Tiny Gorilla's stayed close to Terk assuming she feels cold sleeping in the nude without her fur.
Tarzan decided to spend the night in his old home, and the Professor stayed with Jane to make her feel safe through the was very pleased to have Tarzan in their old home again and so were the Other apes. They wished Tarzan stayed with the family just like all leaders do. Maybe the should persuade Jane to leave that tree house because If Jane comes then Tarzan will follow.
Terk rolled to her back keeping her hair infront of her to feel the leafs against her skin to cool her down. The tree above her ruffled and the moon poked out of the branches.
Her family still adored her but couldn't help but feel like she's no longer part of the pack, She realized how Tarzan feels,If she knew then she would never give him pep talks about accepting who he truly is and stop whining and focus on the friends who do accept him but she would tell him that she understands his struggle and express her empathy for him.
Terk carefully left her nest made of leafs. She has to find an another way, Terk wants to try everything before she puts the towel in the ring. This cannot be the end of Terk as an Gorilla. There has to be another way, Maybe the villagers have a much stronger magic than La to release her from this curse.
Terk got up from her nest carefully placing the snoozing Gorilla's off her lap she watched them fondly for a moment. "I'll be back soon little guys" Terk said quietly.
She didn't want to leave them they are so sweet. The little gorillas were a bit on their guard seeing Terk with the Gorillas but they recognized her somehow and nothing has changed between her and the newest members of the family.
If Terk could write then she'll leave Jana a message but she could barely hold a pen properly and wasn't bothered to learn how to write. And because of that she'll will do her best to stay away for less than a week.
Terk looked down at her nude body forgetting her outfit she felt hanging. And went back to the large tree to get it since the African elders might not appreciate seeing her like this. Terk still didn't understand why people need clothing and what's the harm in being dressed in air It's not like it's too cold to walk around without them.
Terk slided down from one large vine, She looked up at the family tree she could still hear the Gorillas snooze.
She sighed and carefully walked away with a spear and the bow she found in the chilly underworld. Her journey will be long and there might be animals who are not interested in having their territory trespassed. But she had no fear,No tiger or rabid baboons could get in her way to reach Basuli's tribe.