Chapter 2

Sitting at the old, green, wood table I ate the cold Gile�"a big fish caught in the narrow rivers of Hesta�"and swallowed. A sigh touched my lips and I thought back to how things used to be with Di.

He’d explain to me how Hesta was a group of rivers and streams that tunneled under the Hesta Mountains and opened its wide mouth into Hesta Lake.

"Why is everything named ‘Hesta’?” My adolescent voice would ask. A small smile of knowing settled on his lips.

“Not very creative, huh?” Di’s eyes shifted to the wide window, “it means ‘very beautiful’.”

I thought a moment; thought how the tall, green and blue trees towered over its' glistening surface, how they were filled with tropical, colorful birds. I imagined their sing-songy twitters permeating the air as I waited for a tug on my fishing stick. Yes, Hesta Lake was indeed, very beautiful.

I remember a long time ago when Di tried to teach me to fish. His happy face popped into my bedroom doorway as he went on and on about the wonderful fish that had hatched and would arrive soon. He rattled on but my childish mind was not listening. Although I looked full grown, my mind was still one of a child.

“Well? What do you think? You want your Di-De to come and help you fish? It’ll

be fun! I promise.”

Di’s eyes pleaded and those last five words made me give in.

We cruised through the forest, Di holding tightly to my hand because of my recurrent reminiscing and daydreaming. With so many beautiful birds and sounds he had fear of losing me.

When we finally arrived at the small pond that sparkled and shimmered in the tenths moon bright twilight, I was drawn immediately. Di released my hand and let me float alone as he unloaded the large wicket basket containing his fishing stick and bait. I lowered myself to the sandy beach and let my toes caress it.

So soft…

I sighed with contentment and crouched to touch the water. I reached far, expecting it to be warm and soothing. I reached, reached…

Splash!

Reality crashed down on my reverie when Mu coughed loudly as she headed to the far room. The table was quiet as I ate my dinner, except for the steady ‘whiss-whish, whiss-whish, whiss-whish’ of Di whittling a new hook.

‘Whiss whish, whiss whish, whiss whish…’

Tapping my finger lightly on the table to the beat of Di’s whittling, I chewed my last piece of Gile.

“Nattie.” Di said in a concentrated, raspy voice.

“Yes, Di?” I brought my blue Banada leaf to the disposal and ripped it up to be fed to the birds. I stood still a moment and gazed at the tall wheat that swayed tenderly out the window before me… It was almost time for the back-breaking harvest time. With this back-breaking work, however, was also the wonderful smell of Bidel bread every morning for the next fifty moons.

"Where were you? You disappear for moons.” I swallowed. I loved my Di, but didn’t want him to know about my secret place, or rather, know where my secret place was. In my younger years I had many secret places; places I thought would give me privacy, for it seemed as though Mu and Di were always trying to catch me, contain me.

This would never happen, I was much too clever. Or… At least I thought so. I would sneak about and hide behind shrubs, big trees, anything that would cover me and watch them look for me. Wait for them to poke their nervous heads out the front door and search frantically. At the third call I would finally return home.

“Just floating around.” I replied.

Di grumbled and continued to whittle his hook.

Reviews

[Pax]

another intriguing scene.... i wonder on this mysterious hiding place...

[AleyshaRosa]

Thanks, Pax =]
The scenes will keep changing.. wait until I post chapter 3...

[NathanBlackie]

I don't know why but I love it. the world fascinates me, there doesn't even need to be conflict it's imagery... yeah. good work.

[AleyshaRosa]

Thanks =]