A week slipped by in a blur, emotions crashing over Neil as he assisted Amma in preparing for Pia's funeral. The weight of his loss left him paralyzed, unable to accept its significance during those initial days.
On the second day, alone in his chambers, tears streamed down Neil's face, a torrent of raw emotions unleashed. Seeking solace, he found himself drawn to the river, its relentless current a haunting reminder of the life it had claimed.
Amma, ever perceptive, might have sensed his turmoil, at least it seemed that way to Neil. And now, she was patiently waiting for him to reach out when he was ready.
The day after the funeral, Neil caught sight of Amma hobbling inside, her cane supporting her as she filled a wooden cup with water. He watched her for a moment before turning his gaze towards the open window. Nestled beside it was a spacious armchair, inviting him to sink into its embrace and surrender to the physical and soul-deep exhaustion that plagued him.
"Seems like the child still hasn't fully come to terms with her death," Amma mumbled and left him alone in the room as she went out to talk with a few of the children outside.
In the spacious square before the house, the treetops trembled with the vibrant energy of the emerging spring. The air carried the refreshing scent of rain, infusing it with a delightful essence. Faintly, the distant melody of a song being sung reached Neil's ears, while numerous sparrows twittered in the eaves, creating a harmonious chorus.
Neil's gaze drifted out of the window, his mind weary and fatigued. Rather than reflecting, his eyes conveyed a detachment from rational thoughts, as if he existed in a dream-like state.
Emerging from the mist of his contemplations, a pair of slender hands materialized before his eyes. He would recognize those hands anywhere. Looking upward, he beheld her presence.
His heart raced, the rushing blood warming his entire being, sending waves of excitement through every inch of his body. Leaning forward, he drew a sharp breath, tears welling up at the corners of his eyes. It was an overwhelming blend of joy and sorrow that engulfed him. Attempting to grasp her hands, he passed right through, a sense of panic overtaking him. Yet, Pia continued to smile at him, seemingly unaware of his anguish.
"I'm still here," she reassured him. In the blink of an eye, her figure dissipated into ethereal mist, vanishing into thin air.
He wrapped his arms tightly around his body, seeking solace and attempting to suppress the shivering that had taken hold of him. Tears stung his eyes, and he dug his nails into his biceps, hoping to quell the emotional turmoil.
Amma stared at him from the veranda. As if sensing his distress, she motioned him to come outside. He wiped off the sweat that had collected on his forehead and reluctantly stood up.
'Maybe if I go talk to her and leave this place. Then the delusions won't disturb me.'
When he reached outside, Amma said, "Let's sit under a tree. The wind is too strong." She started walking towards the tree and Neil absent-mindedly followed her. He walked slowly observing his surroundings carefully.
On his way, he saw the kids quit bouncing the ball because somehow the wind made him sad, whistling the way it did. The kids sat down as he felt autumn come along the endless shore.
He started walking away when he saw Amma sitting below an old slanted tree.
"Can I go to the beach for a few minutes?" Neil asked her.
"Okay. Go ahead." Amma said.
He started walking and soon she was only a brown speck and he was all alone.
He called Pia's name. A dozen times he called it.
"Pia! Pia! Oh, Pia!"
He was going insane. He expected Pia to answer him; to scold him for screaming her name so loud publicly. Any moment now, Pia would come running in her favorite maroon kurta and leggings, her pigtails flying in the wind behind her. She would gather some sand in her small fist. No matter how much of it slipped through the gap of her fingers, she would throw it at Neil. He would tackle her to the ground, and they both would laugh about it.
But no. She was gone. She had gone too far out, and the river would not let her return.
The wind blew so very softly over his ears, the way the wind blew over the mouths of seashells to set them whispering. He staggered forward, walking deeper into the river. The water embraced his chest. "Pia! Come back, Pia! Please, come back to me."
He called her name for the last time. Then shivered. He felt water on his face and did not know how it got there. The waves had not splashed that high.
Then he knelt and built a sandcastle; at the same spot where Amma had found Neil and Pia from the wreckage, building it as he and Pia had often built them.
Leaving it half-finished, he shook his fist at the sky. "Pia! If you hear me, come and build the rest."
He sank down onto the sandy ground, his heart heavy with grief, and tears streamed down his face as he gazed into the vast expanse of the sky above. He anxiously chewed on his lips and clenched his hands, consumed by a mixture of sorrow and longing. Slowly, he turned and retreated towards the shoreline, standing there in solitude for what felt like an eternity, desperately yearning for even the smallest glimpse or sign of Pia to hold onto in his memories.
Deep down, he acknowledged the childishness of building a sandcastle, fully aware that the relentless waves would likely wash it away. But in his love-stricken state, he couldn't bring himself to care. His affection for her had endured for so long, and now the absence of her presence was driving him to the brink of madness.
Just as he was preparing to leave and return to Amma's place, a glimmer caught his eye near the sandcastle he had constructed. Could it be that the waves had carried something to him? With renewed hope, he hurried towards the shining object and discovered Pia's locketâa precious gift he had presented to her on her birthday last year, cherished with his hard-earned savings. It was a bittersweet moment, as the sight of the locket stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him.
"Thank you, Pia! I'll forever cherish it." He clasped the locket over his neck and clutched it tightly in his palm, feeling her essence in it. Smiling, he made his way back to Amma's hut, making this his last visit.
The next day he woke up at dawn. Amma gave him a bag containing food, a water sack, a pair of extra clothes, a small pouch of kruches - Cascadia's current currency - and lastly, some arrows along with a bow.
Together, they made their journey to the fishermen. They quickly found one who was more than willing to take Neil there in exchange for his necklace. To honor her, he touched Amma's feet and thanked her for all the help she provided.
She ruffled his hair and gave him her blessings before he boarded the boat with the two fishermen, ready to begin his new life.
Over the next few hours, the two fishermen took turns rowing the boat while Neil either stretched on the wide seat or spent hours in the shade of a stack of boxes, staring at the river in silence.
Instead of directly arriving at the border where the royal guards were stationed, the fishermen took him through a back route that twisted through a forest. They moved from the sea into an inland river.
They elucidated to him about the path he'd have to take to eventually reach the main city where he could get a temporary job and earn some money to pay for lodgings.
Neil fastidiously noted all the details. Around late afternoon, they reached their destination. The fishermen had planned to rest there for the night, and they would leave for their home the next day before sunrise. Before Neil bid them farewell, they gave him a net and a small dagger, but no less deadly blade, for protection.
He thanked them and walked through the forest as he was instructed to do.
He stepped lightly on the uneven terrain, his boots merely rustling under his feet. He walked with caution and made as little noise as possible, not wanting to attract wild animals.
A low rustle in the wildflowers caught his attention. The earthen aroma of the forest calmed his senses. Steadily, he removed a few freshly sharpened arrows nested securely in their quiver.
Neil walked further into the dense forest. He saw a small herd of stags running away. Maybe that was the reason behind the rustling. One of the stags squealed, spooked, and thundered off behind its herd.
But why? What had caused it so much distress?
His muscled arms remained still and taut as he pulled back his bowstring. His fingers strained as he raised it upwards, his lips trembling slightly against the bowstring.
That's when he noticed it. An arrow protruded from the tree where he'd first seen the frightened stag.
'So there must be hunters around.'
He heard footsteps coming from behind him. When he turned in the direction of the source of the sound, he realized he had predicted correctly.
A young boy who looked around the same age as him and his father followed and observed the herd that passed through.
A low growl rippled through the forest.
Seconds ticked by as the sky got darker.
Anxious, Neil carefully stalked ahead. His feet swiveled on the mud. He let out a small gasp as he took in the ferocious beast that emerged in front of them behind a mountain of rocks. It was reared upon its hind legs, and its dark eyes widened. Drool dripped from its mouth.
Neil's eyes remained fixed on the young hunter and his father. The boy's face displayed a fierce determination as he aimed his arrow at the formidable beast. Neil held his breath, hoping for a precise shot, but alas, the arrow narrowly missed its mark. The air shattered with the beast's thunderous growl, awakening the entire forest. Adrenaline surged through Neil's veins as he swiftly retreated to his hiding spot.
As he crouched there, a battle of conscience waged within Neil. He knew staying hidden was the safest option, but watching the hunters in peril stirred an undeniable urge to intervene.
The young hunter's father continued to defend them, taking aim at the mighty beast. This time, his arrow struck near its paw, eliciting another roar and thrashing.
Neil's heart raced, a drumbeat pounding in his chest. The tiger lunged forward, pouncing on the young hunter, toppling him to the ground. Panic gripped Neil as the weight of the beast concealed the boy from view. The tiger poised its paw, ready to unleash a vicious strike across the boy's face.
"I can't just stand by and watch," Neil whispered, his voice tinged with determination.
Drawing the bowstring taut, he aimed his arrow at the tiger's paw, the one poised to strike the defenseless young hunter. His fingers trembled slightly, a mix of fear and resolve coursing through him. With a steady breath, he released the arrow.
Bullseye.
The resounding roars of the tiger reverberated through Neil's bones, but he wasted no time. Seizing the moment, he sprinted forward, his instincts guiding him. Scooping up a handful of mud, he hurled it at the beast's eyes, temporarily blinding it.
"Run!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the trees, his urgent warning directed at the hunters.
Mindful not to inflict further harm on the tiger, Neil swiftly retrieved the net the fishermen had recently lent him. Taking advantage of the beast's impaired vision, he expertly set up the net, trapping the tiger within its confines. The mighty creature growled and thrashed, its attempts to break free futile but menacing.
With the young hunter unconscious and the beast temporarily contained, the older huntsman hoisted the boy onto his shoulder. He turned to Neil, his eyes searching for answers.
"Are you alone, son?" he asked, concern etched across his face.
Neil hesitated, contemplating his response, before finally nodding.
"Quick, follow me then. I'll help you," the huntsman offered, a glimmer of trust in his eyes.
Without another moment's hesitation, Neil propelled himself forward, his legs pumping with newfound determination. He followed the huntsman's lead as they navigated their way out of the treacherous forest, the weight of their shared experience lingering in the air.
The internal turmoil that had consumed Neil earlier now churned within him, intertwining with a newfound sense of purpose. Each pounding step he took alongside the huntsman brought a mix of anticipation and trepidation. His heart raced, its rhythm echoing the uncertainty that danced in his mind. What lay ahead was a mystery, an unwritten chapter in his life waiting to unfold.
A/N
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