A very big man was walked
along the shore, like he did every morning, seeing what the tide had brought in. He found some shells. A
boot. Some driftwood. He saw a strange beige lump on the beach
ahead.
“Ah, Sweet Thing, what happened to you?”
He checked for a pulse. No. None.
What a waste! She was very beautiful. Wait.
A pulse. Yes, but very faint, and
erratic. “Come on, Sweet Thing, let’s
see what I can do for you.”
He turned her over and patted
her back vigorously. She coughed up some
seawater. He picked up a barely conscious,
naked Neeka and carried her to his dwelling.
He had found a pack on the side of the hill with provisions and some
women’s clothing earlier. He would dress
her later. But for now he just covered
her with the blanket. From the looks of
it, she had seen some bad days at the hands of the scientists. A giant scar up the middle of her body, still
red.
“You’re okay, relax,
everything is okay.” He rubbed her back,
but softly now. All of a sudden she moved
and groaned.
“It’s okay, Sweet Thing,
you’re safe.”
She sat up, backed away from
him, and clutched the blanket she found covering her. She looked around. She was lost and afraid.
The big man stood up, put his
hands up in the air and spoke slowing and softly. “Relax.
Calm down. I will not harm you. You are safe.
Do you understand me?” She just
stared at him.
“I found you washed up on the
shore. I thought you were dead. Now who in his right mind would throw YOU
away?” She smiled. “Ah, so you understand me!” She nodded.
“My name is Robb. I live here at
the seashore alone. Can you speak?” She tried.
She held her throat. She croaked
out some sounds.
“That’s okay. Maybe you will regain your voice later. Are you hungry?” She shook her head.
“Thirsty?” She nodded.
“This is my own special
blend, coconut milk and pineapple mash.
I like it. I hope you will,
too.” She took a sip. Then another.
“Like it?” She nodded.
“Now, Sweet Thing, what am I
going to do with you?”
Braedon and Anton searched
the land South and West from Lord Jamit’s domain to Lord Mica’s. They looked for signs of her. Nothing.
Braedon tried to think of where she might go. Nobody had seen her.
“The ocean! She would make her way to the ocean, where
the sea lavender grows.” They rode to
the southern part of the West, where Neeka had introduced his men to the ocean. Anton and Braedon walked down the seashore
searching for clues.
Neeka felt his approach. She ran for Robb. She had a terrified look on her face. He
hugged her.
“Swee, what is it? Trouble?” Robb said. She nodded.
She covered her head with her hands.
“You need to hide?” She nodded.
“Come.” They ran.
He took her to a cave on the southernmost tip of the shore. They went in.
He lifted her to a second level shelf in the cave.
“Lie here and be quiet. Ha!
That’s funny. You’re always
quiet. I’ll put branches in front of the
entrance. But even if someone would come
in here, they can’t see you up here. The
ledge is higher in the front. It’ll
cover you. I’ll come back for you. Don’t worry.
You’re safe here. This is my special
hiding place. I’ve been safe here since
I was a little boy.”
He kissed her forehead and
patted her arm. On his way out, he put
branches and rocks at the entrance and brushed away any tracks.
.jpg)
