Chapter 12: Saved

After making it to their room, Nia gently sat Ferral on the bed. He rubbed his eyes, feeling dry and itchy. “We should check on the kids.” Ferral said, taking two long blinks. “They’re fine.” Nia replied. “And given how dark it is outside, I’d say they’re already asleep.” Ferral didn’t say anything. Nia noticed his upset expression as he clenched his fists. “Hey.” She spoke softly. “What’s wrong?” Ferral clenched his jaw for a moment before answering. “I’m just a little mad at myself. That’s all.” “Why?” Ferral looked away. “Some of the villagers just saw me in a vulnerable state.” He sighed, “They saw me weak. What if word spreads around? That I’m not…..I don’t know…”

Nia sat on the bed next to Ferral. “That you’re not some invincible protector?” She smiled, clearly teasing. “Don’t work yourself too hard. Don’t try to be the only shield for the people to rely on. Others want to protect our people just as much as you do. You know that.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I’m one of them. So don’t think that after today, they’ll lose faith in you. You’re THEIR chief. The one they know they can always rely on, even if you stumble once.” Ferral gave a small smile, shaking his head. “Yeah, I know. It’s just always been a problem of mine.”

Ferral took off his armor and placed it on the floor. He fell back, closing his eyes and letting out a long sigh. Nia lay down as well, rolling on her side, and started running her right hand through Ferral’s hair. She giggled, making Ferral open his eyes and turn his head to her. “What?” She picked up the hair that covered his left eye. “I think it’s time you got a haircut. I mean, look at it. It’s almost to your thighs.” “Hey, the kids said they love it.” “Yeah, because they can climb on it like a fluffy mountain.” They laughed. Ferral looked back up at the ceiling, still grinning. “Alright, I’ll have it cut tomorrow.” “Good.” Nia teased. Ferral chuckled.

In the early morning, just as the sun was starting to come up. The light hit Leona’s eyes, waking her up. She yawned, stretching in the tree she slept in. She looked around, and some of the villagers were coming out of their homes to start the day. As she gazed at the village starting to come alive, she noticed a small, cloaked figure running toward the tree she was in. The figure passed under it, heading out of the village. Curious, Leona silently followed the figure. She made sure to keep a little bit of distance, so as not to be easily heard.

After trailing the figure for a little while, she stayed hidden within the trees. Watching to see what they’d do. Leona looked around at the area where they stopped. It was some kind of training ground. They took off the cloak, revealing a little girl. Laura. Leona tilted her head, confused. Why was this little girl training in the random part of the jungle by herself? Leona watched quietly as Laura did a few stretches, then walked over to a small wooden box. She snapped ten-pound weights on her wrists and ankles. Laura started running around the small track that circled the ground. Throwing punches and kicks during laps.

She did thirty push-ups, thirty sit-ups, and thirty pull-ups. She sparred with a wooden dummy. Leona raised an eyebrow. This girl was fast. Leona was intrigued by Laura’s routine. It wasn’t too out of the ordinary, but it certainly was a bit much for someone her age. Yet the girl seemed fine. Leona squinted. She looked… familiar. Laura hopped onto the areas where wooden poles stuck from the ground. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before lunging forward. Laura punched and kicked air, keeping her eyes closed. Visualizing the layout of the poles as well as the gaps between them. This really fascinated Leona.

She could tell from the way her attacks were mostly aimed upward that whoever she was shadow sparring with was taller than her. Much taller. Leona leaned forward more, accidentally snapping a branch. Laura’s ears twitched. She opened her eyes, but after getting distracted, slipped on the edge of one of the poles and fell off. Hitting the back of her head on the way down. She groaned in pain, massaging the pain as she looked up to see what snapped the branch. A crow flew out from one of her trees, landing in front of her.

“Oh, it’s just you.” She smiled. “Hello, friend.” She petted the crow, scratching under its chin. As she did, more crows started coming out of the trees and landing around her. Laura giggles, “I haven’t been gone THAT long. You all didn’t have to come looking for me.” There were about fifteen crows that surrounded her. Some landed on her legs, one even on her head. But she didn’t mind. Laura had befriended the crows that lived around the village. They followed her everywhere she went. Hiding in the trees during school hours, surrounding the windows of her room, even coming inside. Ferral and Nia didn’t mind either, though they wished she didn’t have so many. Some of the other kids would laugh at her murder of crows. But she was never bothered.

“You’re pretty good.” Leona said, crouching on the pole Laura lay against. She whipped her head around, and some of the crows flew back. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare ya.” Leona chuckled. “Wow, I didn’t even hear you.” Laura replied, both in awe and cautious. “Yeah, I’m good like that. What about you? What is a little kid doing out here by themselves?” Laura stood up, taking off her weights. “Just training. Like every kid does.” “Oh yeah? Is it mandatory?” Laura nodded, “Mhm. Papa wants the next generation to be able to defend themselves.” Leona’s eyes widened. “Papa? Your dad’s the chief?” She nodded again. “Yeah. I want to be just as strong as him.”

Leona was shocked. She didn’t actually think Ferral would ever have children. “Do you have any siblings?” “My little brother.” Leona looked at the child. She didn’t resemble Ferral or his wife. But she swears she’s seen this girl before. “Uhh, Miss?” Laura snapped Leona out of her thoughts. “You’re not from this village, are you? If you don’t know who Papa is. Who are you?” It took a second for Leona to respond. “I’m a fri….” She stopped herself. “I know your father. Since we were teens.” “Whoa, really?” Leona nodded, “Yeah. We’ve been through a lot together.” “So you’re friends?” Leona's face saddened a little. “I’m….I’m not sure.” She muttered, confusing the girl.

Leona shook her head. “Anyway, my name is Leona,” She smiled, “What’s yours?” “My name is Laura Amber Clare.” Leona’s eyes widened. She felt her body go numb. It all connected; why this girl looked familiar. Tears started to flood Leona’s eyes, blurring her vision. Her chest tightened. This child was Ms. Clare’s and Mr. Buck’s daughter. She smiled, letting out a small laugh before covering her mouth. Tears streamed down her face. After all this time, Leona believed everyone besides Ferral was gone. She couldn’t believe it, not for a second. But how? Why? And then it clicked.

Ferral.

He saved her. Or spared her? It didn’t matter how she looked at it; the fact is, Ferral couldn’t bring himself to let her die. He still cared. The Ferral she knew really was still there.

“Miss? Are you okay? Why are you crying?” Laura walked closer, concerned by Leona's sudden change of emotions. She hopped down from the pole and scooped Laura up, squeezing her in a hug. Laura was confused; she didn’t know how to react. “Um…Ms. Leona? I-I’m gonna punch you if you don’t let me go.” She put Laura back on her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just…I’m just…emotional.” “Really emotional.” Leona laughed, trying to compose herself. “Hey, if you really do know Papa, do you wanna come with me to meet him?” Leona nodded, “That sounds great. You can tell me more about him on the way, okay?” “Sure!” The two started walking back to the village, the sun now shining bright above the trees.