Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Willow and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Born To Lead Chapter 8
Waking before most of the villagers were out of their huts Willow was eager to start the day. She was carefully disentangling herself from her father's arms in the early morning so as not to disturb him, her mother, or the sleeping infant.
Blue Eyes was still sleeping in his bed. Tiptoeing over to her brother Willow gently shook his shoulder rousing him. Sitting up Blue Eyes peered at his sister with bleary unfocused eyes. He yawned stretching his arms above his head shaking the tiredness out of him. Willow had a finger pressed to his lips for silence gesturing towards the rest of their family. Quietly the twins retrieved their spears before exiting the dwelling.
Now these spears were different than the ones used for the hunt yesterday. While those were much larger and thick enough to take down such massive prey these were thinner and designed for catching animals like birds, fish, rabbits, squirrels, etc.
The sun had barely risen in the sky, but some apes were beginning their daily routines. A few were even congregated around the fire pit sharing their morning meals together.
While Blue Eyes went to get Ash to go fishing Willow stayed near the fire pit. It was when he was walking away did Willow noticed a separate pair of eyes tracking his movements.
The owner of said eyes was a female chimpanzee the same age as the twins named Lake. When they were little they used to all play together. At a certain point in their lives, the boys had mostly gone to their games of tag and pretend spears while girls had played mothering games with pieces of fur and learning to important skills of foraging and healing from their mothers. That may have been the case with Blue Eyes, but it wasn't with Willow. They'd remained in touch with each other through the healing lessons and foraging expeditions. Because of their friendship Willow was aware of Lake's attraction to her brother. Unfortunately for Lake, the attraction didn't seem to be reciprocated at least not yet. Blue Eyes was such a dimwit he failed to realize it all this time.
Sitting on the log, tapping Lake on the shoulder to get her attention, Willow signed "So when are you going to tell him?"
"Tell who what," signed Lake.
Rolling her eyes, Willow rebuffed "Don't give me that. You know I'm talking about my brother. When are you going to tell him how you feel?"
Appearing a bit sheepish, color blooming on her cheeks, Lake signed "To be perfectly honest I don't know if I ever will. Blue Eyes…he doesn't act like he remembers, let alone likes me."
"No," exclaimed Willow, empathetically, "No, Lake, he does like you. I know he does. He's just stupid he'll come to realize his feelings for you eventually."
"You think so," asked Lake, eyes hopeful.
Squeezing Lake's shoulder, nodding, Willow signed"I know so."
A low hoot caused Willow's head to snap up. Blue Eyes had gotten Ash and they were waiting on the side. It was time to leave.
Rising, considerate, Willow inquired "Would you like to join us? We're going down by the river to fish."
Shaking her head, Lake signed"No, you go on ahead. I've got other things to do. I'm not much of a fisherman anyway."
Shrugging, Willow signed "Suit yourself."
She then went over to the boys. She could feel the weight of Lake's longing stare although she knew it wasn't for her.
Upon her approach, Ash smiled his eyes lighting up. Willow and Ash touched foreheads briefly before all of them left the village. They made their way to the river following a pathway they'd traveled numerous times before.
On the way down Willow saw Blue Eyes staring at his scars again somber running his fingers over the scabs building. A sly smirk took shape on her face a scheme cooking in the back of her mind.
Nudging Blue Eyes with her elbow, Willow signed "Don't feel bad, Blue Eyes. Scars make you strong. Think of it this way. When females see scars they see a warrior. A lot of females do admire you for that."
Huffing, Blue Eyes signed "I doubt it."
"No, someone does. She told me herself," insisted Willow.
By "they" she was referring to Lake leaving her name unspoken.
Not believing her, sarcastically, Blue Eyes signed "Right. I'd love to meet them. Why don't you introduce me to whoever it is."
Eyes narrowed, Willow signed "Come on, Brother. Seriously? You're really that clueless?"
Brow furrowed, Blue Eyes asked, "About what?"
Disgusted Willow angrily smacked Blue Eyes hard in the forehead with her palm. She then walked faster pulling ahead of the boy, signing "Moron."
Blue Eyes watched his sister go surprised. He heard a little chuff of air realizing Ash was laughing at his expense greatly amused.
"What," signed Blue Eyes.
Ash merely continued laughing not telling him anything. If Blue Eyes didn't know what Willow was speaking of he would have to find out in due time alone.
Later that morning the three were at a selected fishing spot in the river. Shallow rapids spread out into the middle of the river downstream, the deeper calm water at the outside of the bend. They'd come here multiple times and always return to the tribe with something to show for it.
Blue Eyes and Ash were side by side together in the shallows looking at the water and patiently waiting for any trout to get within their sights. The fish camouflaged well blending in with the rocks so it was hard to get them, but the satisfaction when eating one was worth the effort in the long run.
Blue Eyes had his spear poised arm raised searching for a target within range. He was perfectly still so he wouldn't startle the fish with any sudden movements. This needed to be done quietly and neatly.
Suddenly Ash threw his hand out thumping Blue Eyes in the chest breaking his concentration on purpose.
Screeching in indignation, Blue Eyes signed "Ash!"
Ash laughed good-naturedly, signing "Hey, no big deal. You'll just have to pick another one."
Scowling Blue Eyes went to do that, but his attempts were thwarted. All the fish were swimming away in the opposite direction scared off by something else.
Wading in the water Willow was sprinting from upstream chasing the fish traveling with the current. When she was a couple of feet from Blue Eye and Ash she stabbed her spear into the water. She flew in the air the dull part of the spear remaining in her hands. When Willow landed she lifted the shaft from the water revealing her catch. On the end were three fat trout speared through their bodies right down the middle.
The boys stood there flabbergasted in disbelief. For a moment there was pause no one saying anything.
Blue Eyes threw his spear to the ground hands thrown exasperatedly in the air stomping away.
Head tilted, Willow signed "What's his problem?"
Ash slapped a hand to his eyes shaking his head. And Willow thought Blue Eyes was the one so clueless.
In the end, by the time the trio headed back to the village, Blue Eyes and Ash had caught two fish in comparison to Willow's three. Blue Eye's mood lightened somewhat after that. Going home with two trout was better than returning with none. The fish were hanging by their gills on some vines tied onto their spears.
Grinning, Ash teased "The bear wouldn't get me Blue Eyes. I'm quick."
"Shut up, Ash," signed Blue Eyes, punching his friend lightly in the shoulder, and smiling.
Willow laughed at their antics happy to see Blue Eyes was loosening up. He needed this.
Following the path from the river, the three adolescent apes were almost home. It wouldn't be long before they came across the gates. They'd just turned a corner around a large tree when they suddenly stopped in their tracks.
There in front of them was a creature they'd only seen in pictures carved in stone, heard about in stories from Maurice and other adults.
A human.
Authors Note:
Oooooooh! The humans have finally come. Things are going to change forever for our family now.