by Sieni A. M.
Chase smiled. “I can see where you get your fortitude from.”
She smiled sadly in return. “But of course when I did get my first flat coming home from a youth meeting late at night, he came over to keep me company. I had to do all the work of course—jacking it up, unscrewing and tightening the bolts—but he was there alongside with me holding the flashlight and cracking jokes.”
They sat in silence before he spoke again. “What happened to him?”
Alana’s eyes misted with tears again. It had been so long since she allowed herself to recall the event in her mind because it was like taking a sharp knife and sticking it back into her aching heart. She hadn’t told Sera or Manu the sordid details. They'd learned it on their own.
“He was making his way back from a construction site…” She paused to swallow the hard lump that was lodged in her throat. “It was only a little after six in the evening and not some odd hour at night where it was pitch black and the visibility was poor. He had engine trouble and needed to stop. The truck was so old and was always giving him problems. He got out to lift the hood and didn’t see the other vehicle barreling down the road—there just wasn’t enough time to get out of the way. He was found under it by the local village men, his body cut and battered. They had to gather around the truck to lift it off him. At the funeral home, I couldn’t bring myself to look at his face before they closed the coffin. My whole family was there—my mother, brother, sister, uncles, aunts, but I couldn’t do it. I was so scared of what I might see, someone I wouldn’t recognize. I stood outside the home and cried and cried; I just couldn’t go in. The other driver was young, drunk, and pissed off from a fight he apparently got into with his family. He of course survived, as they always do, but I wanted him dead. When his family came to our home to carry out the ifoga, I couldn’t forgive him. I still don’t forgive him. My brother was the one that went outside to uncover that mat, but in my heart I wanted that killer to suffer more. He’s serving time in jail now. I never learned his name, didn’t want to, and I have wished every day since that it were him that died instead.” She gritted her teeth. “Does that make me a bad person?”
She looked at Chase and he was quiet, contemplative, listening. “What did my dad do to deserve to die like that? He was a good person. A good man. I can’t accept how something like this could have happened to someone like him...” she trailed off angrily.
Silence descended before Chase spoke. “Alana,” his voice was quiet, tender. “Do you believe that if you’re a good person nothing hurtful can ever touch or harm you?” His question made her look at him. When he worded it like that, she felt as if her world view was an ignorant one. Of course she didn’t believe that. “Life isn’t about fulfilling a quota of goodness and then expecting to breeze through it without adversity.” He gazed down at her intently, but his eyes were warm and affectionate. “It’s because of those difficult times that makes you a strong person. You can’t prevent things from happening—your dad dying, those people saying things about you—we can’t change those events. We can’t alter life’s occurrences. They provide something invaluable in exchange because they’re opportunities.”
“Opportunities for what?” she asked, her brows knitting together to form a frown.
“The opportunity to strengthen your resolve, your character. To take that pain and grow from it in a way that doesn’t define you.”
She snorted a guffaw. “So I’ve obviously failed then. Because so far my character has had enough pent-up animosity and bitterness to burn down this entire bush.” She raised her arm and swept it out to indicate their surroundings.
“You don’t have to have it figured out all of the time. It’s alright to lose it once in a while. Every emotion you feel, whether high or low, is justifiable because it comes from a pure place. There isn't just one appropriate way to feel because your emotions are the heart and truth of your soul. Anger is not a bad thing, but it’s how we act on it that matters the most.”
“I can’t afford to lose it, Chase…” Her pride wouldn’t allow it. “To lose myself is a show of weakness, and to do that in front of others just proves it so. I need to be stronger than that. And I will be,” she said with enough determination to make her believe it herself.
Chase bowed his head and Alana noticed his lips curve into a small smile, one that he tried hard to hide. “What’s so funny?” she demanded.
“Sorry. It’s just your aura...the colors are merging all over the place.”
“Oh.” Alana furrowed her brows and pulled back.
How else could she respond to him? He was privy to something she obviously couldn’t see, and she suddenly felt a wash of self-consciousness take over. She lifted her hands to cover her chest in an attempt to block whatever light show she was apparently displaying.
“Don’t,” he said softly, gazing down into her face. “It’s beautiful.”
Alana sucked in a shaky breath. She didn’t know what to make of that statement, and since she had no clue as to what she looked like to him at that very moment, she simply stared back. She studied his face and noticed his blue eyes were a shade darker in the dimly lit cavern. From this close she observed long dark lashes covering the tops and bottoms, a small mole similar to her own placed beneath his left eye, and his strong jaw line sculpted and slightly bristled with a dark shadow.
“Do you want to know what you look like to me right now?” he asked, startling her with his question.
Did she? She admitted the idea scared her. It was as if Chase was threatening to peel away layers of a well-guarded fortress, one that held all her insecurities, flaws, and fears. But what could she really keep from him at this point? What he knew of her, he hadn’t made fun of or judged negatively. But as always, she was curious. Curious what he saw in her, what he thought of her.
“Okay,” she answered quietly.
His mouth twitched into a half smile, and he shifted a little so he could face her. Alana held her breath and waited nervously.
“Crimson,” he started, “indicates a passionate and fiery spirit. I see a lot of red emanating from you right now—no surprise there.” He smiled and Alana nudged him in the ribs. Chase chuckled before continuing. “Orange tells me that you are independent, intuitive, and expressive. Magenta is for your strong will, but it also means that you are creative and imaginative. There’s a mix between indigo and aqua which signifies that you are sensitive and vulnerable, but that you are also understanding and open minded, and you have a love of music. You also have the ability to heal and are gentle and compassionate.” He paused when Alana fidgeted uncomfortably. “Should I continue?” he asked.
“You’re killing me over here,” she answered honestly. “I’m not used to this…to someone saying these things.” She deflected her gaze and looked beyond the waterfall. The light from outside was beginning to dim, indicating it was getting late in the afternoon. “I guess I’ve never stopped to think about it. It’s just difficult to hear.” She swallowed hard.
Chase slowly smiled at her openness. “Do you want to know my personal favorite?”
Alana suddenly looked up at his face and saw that his eyes were filled with genuine warmth. When she didn’t speak he continued. “A soft yellow glow... It expresses an inner joy and contentment. I’ve only seen it once while your sister was dancing her siva Samoa. And when you smile, you have the ability to make another person feel completely at ease. Comforted. Safe.”
Her heart swelled, a warm feeling flowed straight to her soul, and she couldn’t help when her eyes clouded with moisture. She was beyond moved and touched by his sincerity and sweet words. She smiled timidly and fought through the tears that were now blinding her as she worked to swallow the heaviness that weighed in her throat. “Thank you,” she rasped softly.
Chase cleared his throat before speaking in a low tone. “In all my years as a healer, I have seen countless physical injuries. I’ve been built to take that away, and when it’s gone and the body is healed, people
move on. But it’s the turmoil inside that hurts the most, and that I cannot heal. While I can see it, and I’m aware it’s there, I can’t do anything about it. When the soul hurts, it takes much longer to heal. And do you know who the one common cause behind all that pain is? It’s by someone you love, those you are the closest to—your family and friends. When you love someone, that person holds the most incredible power over you because they have the ability to cause you the most pain. I know you’re fighting for control, Alana, but don’t let this consume you to the point that you lose yourself.
“When a natural disaster occurs, there is always tremendous suffering—loss of life and homes, grief and anguish. But where there is a crisis, there are also small miracles occurring at the same time. While people are capable of causing pain, they are also capable of relieving it too. There is far more collective empathy and compassion when one is affected by a tsunami, an earthquake, or cyclone than at any other time here. It’s for this reason that drives them to come together and act together to relieve the pain.”
Chase reached out and squeezed her hand. The sensation shot tingles up her arm. “There’s something I’d like to do for you now.” He nodded towards her injured ankle. “If you’ll let me?” he asked, raising his eyes to hers.
He was seeking her permission to heal her. The thought suddenly scared her. Alana gazed at his face and blinked.
“Will it hurt?” she whispered.
His smile warmed his eyes as he shook his head. “No, it won’t hurt.”
She was definitely nervous and despite her training as a nurse, this kind of healing was way beyond her scope of understanding. It was completely foreign to her and that alone frightened her. But as afraid as she was, she accepted that a part of her was beginning to trust Chase. He had been nothing but patient and kind with her.
“Alright,” she said tightly. “If you don’t mind, that is.” She swallowed. “I mean, if it’s really not an inconvenience to you. Wait, this is not some natural disaster,” she babbled on. “Are you sure you’re supposed to be doing this? Is this allowed?”
He laughed low. “Alana? Relax. Trust me.”
“Okay.” She exhaled loudly.
He broke eye contact and examined her ankle in quiet concentration before he finally spoke.
“Oh no.” He groaned.
“What? What is it?” she asked anxiously.
“It looks like you’re going to be hobbling around for a while,” he said regretfully.
She looked at her ankle in confusion. “But I thought you said—”
Alana’s speech was suddenly cut off when she felt a warm pulse. The feather light touch emanating from Chase’s hands circled and engulfed her ankle, wrapping it like a blanket. There was no visible light as she expected, but a heat that left her tingling from head to toe. Alana was immediately reminded of the comforting feeling she had felt when Chase touched her on the face near his vehicle at the hospital. She closed her eyes and allowed his touch to ease and heal her. Then it disappeared as quickly as it began.
“All done,” he barely whispered.
She opened her eyes and eyed him suspiciously before her lips curved upwards. He had teased her to make light of the situation and she fell for it.
“I forgot to mention that magenta can also stand for being extremely gullible,” he said with a smile that made Alana lose her breath. She laughed out loud and swatted him against his arm.
“It does not,” she tossed back.
“Stand up and test it out,” he said smiling, motioning towards her foot.
Alana exhaled on a breath that came out with a whoosh and stood up tentatively. She took a few careful steps forward, half expecting to bunch in pain. When she didn’t feel any pressure, she straightened her shoulders and walked some more. The ache was completely gone, and when she bent over to examine her ankle, the bruises had disappeared. She half turned and beamed down at Chase.
“This is incredible! Thank you.” She flashed him a brilliant smile, and Chase inhaled sharply, taken back by her radiant face.
“We should head back before it gets dark.” He stood and motioned to the front of the cave.
Together they walked through the spray of water and edged along the black rocks that covered the side of the pool. The afternoon sun was retreating slowly behind the trees sheltering the grassy path they were trampling on as they retraced their steps back to the sliding rocks. Chase and Alana walked in comfortable silence, and at times when the path became narrow, he took the lead while she followed closely behind. Alana couldn’t help the coy smile that graced her lips as she looked at his back, his muscles contorting as he walked steadily over the brush.
When they reached the sliding rocks, the area was deserted and quiet save for the sounds of rushing water and the tweeting of birds overhead. Malia and Kane, together with their posse, had left and abandoned them to make their own way home. Alana stopped and looked around.
“I can’t believe they just left us.”
“We were gone a long time,” Chase said as he started to climb up the steps that led to the parking lot. “Come on, we might as well start walking if we want to get home before it gets pitch dark.”
That idea would have appealed to her if they weren’t stuck out in the middle of nowhere, the closest point of civilization miles away. With the impending darkness and no street lamps to light their way, the mosquitoes were going to devour them.
“Walk? We’re catching the bus.”
She hoped there was still one running this late in the afternoon. Did one even come this way? She began to ascend the multiple stairs. The bag that contained her towel, spare clothes, and cell phone were missing from the spot she had placed earlier. Assuming Sera must have collected them, she sighed and followed Chase.
When they reached the lot, Alana’s legs were shaky from the steep climb, but she soon forgot all about her throbbing thighs when she spotted a shiny black Land Rover parked on the grass. Chase retrieved a set of keys from his shorts’ pocket and opened the two-door LRX with a click. Her eyes widened before she chuckled out loud. Chase looked over his shoulder and flashed her a sly grin.
“You’re just full of surprises,” she said shaking her head.
He shrugged. “It’s a rental. I like to be independent when I travel.”
They settled into the car’s leather seats, which still smelled brand new, and he revved the engine to life. With one hand on the steering wheel, he expertly maneuvered the car out of the grassy lot and drove onto the main road. Alana turned to look outside her window at the passing trees and bushes and smiled to herself. Chase had revealed himself to her. He had healed her. She thought about what he was capable of doing and her heart rate picked up. As much as he intimidated her by reading into her emotions, he fascinated her with his abilities, and she was looking forward to learning more about him. He was drawing her in, and Alana couldn’t help but feel that she would be okay if he did.
Chapter 16
Her stomach grumbled loudly. When was the last time she ate? Sucking in her breath and pressing her arms tightly around her stomach, she prayed he hadn’t heard. One corner of his mouth rose slightly. Of course he had. The lights from the car’s dashboard illuminated his profile, accentuating the hard ridge of his jawline and the twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
“Let’s get some food,” he stated. Alana admitted she was hungry—bottomless-stomach-could-eat-a-cow hungry. A day of sun and swimming easily did that to her.
“Yes, please. I’m starving.”
“What do you feel like? Hotel fancy, market grease, BBQ from the road side, or fast food?”
“Wow. I didn’t realize there were so many choices.” She laughed.
“Well?” he asked, smiling.
“Let’s go for something simple and quick? I could really eat some fish and chips or a burger right now.” Or maybe both, she added to herself.
“I know just the place.”
Chase pressed on the accelerator and they took o
ff and arrived in town a short time later. He clicked on the indicator and turned onto Beach Road where tall buildings—an architectural mix between modern and colonial—rose on one side while a salty breeze from the Pacific Ocean blew in from the other. The car purred along passing large tamaligi trees, its flaming red flowers not yet in bloom, and the sea wall where people meandered along in sneakers and work-out clothes.
Chase drove to the marina and parked under a tree. Small sail boats bobbed on the water in front of them, and a team training in an outrigger canoe could be seen in the distance, its spectators squinting from the sun on the sea wall. A large cruise ship was anchored at the wharf, its name, Pacific Jewel, emblazoned proudly on the side. Seafood and local fast food restaurants trailed near the marina, the aroma of grilled fish and steamed lobster wafting through the gentle breeze. Sunsets were always the prettiest in this spot, but Alana always avoided looking at them. Pushing through the ache, she distracted herself with a group of women dressed in tight strapless dresses in bright shades to match the sky strutting nearby, their heels clicking on the concrete pavement as they made their way to the waterfront. Their laughter filtered through the closed windows of the car as they held onto their sparkly clutches. Alana looked down at her damp swimsuit and muddy shorts and frowned.
“Your bag is in the backseat...” her head snapped up and her mouth dropped a little “...I asked Kane to put it there if we weren’t back in time. He has spare keys.” Chase grinned at her reaction.
“You planned this!” she exclaimed.
“Your stomach planned this.” He grabbed a white T-shirt from the backseat, pulling it over his head in one swift move. “I’ll step out so you can change. The windows are tinted so you’ll have privacy.”
Alana narrowed her eyes at him. “How do I know you don’t have some Superman X-ray vision thingy?”