After a few moments, the camp begins to settle. I feel an arm snake around me.
I glance over my shoulder to meet Apela’s glare. His eyes are hard on mine.
“You’re the reason for the war,” he says.
I already know this, but something tells me his reason is different than mine.
11
My wrists burn from the ropes. The farther we get from the village, the heavier my heart feels. My legs cramp from walking and constantly tripping over roots and rocks. I push through the pain, since I have no other choice. Apela keeps tugging me along like a wild dog they’ve captured to use on a hunt.
Hours have passed walking with little light from the tiny crescent moon above. Apela tumbles forward, pulling me down with him.
“Sorry,” Apela mumbles and helps me to my feet. His right leg shakes, and I know the trek has taken its toll on him, too.
Makoa’s hands wrap around my waist from behind. “We’re almost there, love. A little further and we can rest a while.”
“Take your hands off me!” I increase my pace, wiggling away from him and closer to Apela.
“Insolent girl. We are saving you from the barbarians, and you fight us all the way.” Makoa passes Apela to lead the way. “Risking our lives...” His mumblings continue, but I block them out.
We climb up a semi-steep mountain. My legs begin to throb with pain. At the top of the peak, a small brick ruin sits.
“I don’t think I could have hiked another mile,” Apela says as we cross over the threshold of the ruined shelter.
The camp is already set up with bags against the falling walls. A fire pit has freshly chopped wood. They must have stayed here on the way down to the village.
I practically fall down next to Apela, and he takes my hands and starts to untie them. My spirits rise, thinking I’ll be free soon and able to return to the village when they fall sleep.
“What are you doing?” Makoa asks.
“She’s not a prisoner,” Apela says. “Her hands probably ache.”
“She’s been living with them for too long. They’ve brainwashed her. She will run the first chance she gets.” Makoa sighs. “We need to keep her tied up until we are on the boats to go home. It’s the best way. Otherwise, we’ve come this far for nothing.”
Anger boils inside me. I want to yell and scream and kick his teeth in.
“Try to talk some sense into her while we prepare some food,” Makoa says.
Apela nods. Makoa joins the other men I don’t recognize. They must be from his village.
“Why are you taking orders from him?” I ask. “Why did you agree to this?” I raise my hands and shake them.
Every inch of my body aches, and all I want to do at this point is tumble over and let sleep take away the pain, but my mind won’t allow me to give up. I hope no one else at the camp is hurt. Tao needs my help. What if he’s...? I can’t bring myself to think it. Tears escape my eyes.
“He had the boats we needed to rescue you.” Apela rests his head against the wall.
“I didn’t need rescuing.”
Apela studies me. Ignoring me, he says, “You’re an aunt to a baby boy. We named him Fenton.”
Guilt etches its way inside me. I’ve been more worried about me and haven’t even thought about Inoa or the pregnancy. “After Father?”
He nods. He looks down at the ground and shoves a rock away.
“What’s wrong?”
“So much has happened.” Tears fill his eyes. He shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut, which I can only guess is to shut out the pain. He opens his eyes and continues, “When you left, we didn’t know what happened to you, but we suspected that the twins had something to do with it.” Apela faces me. “That’s when Grandmother and Haku told us the truth about these water barbarians. They’re different from us. They are more like fish than people. We were shocked to learn that at one time we traded with them. Mother was a part of it. Haku said they would have kidnapped her, too, given the chance.”
“That’s a lie. Haku lied to you,” I say. “Who did he tell this to?”
“He didn’t tell the entire village, if that’s what you’re thinking. Sometimes it’s best to keep secrets from those you love to protect them,” he says. “He told me and Inoa, and a few others whom he felt would take on leadership roles in Molu. He told Makoa and the leaders of Lanui. He didn’t lie to us, Alania. We saw one of them for ourselves. A coffin washed ashore, and he showed us their gills, just as fish have. They probably lied to you about what they are.”
I shake my head in frustration. “He lied to you about them wanting to kidnap Mother. She knew what they could do, just as I know. They’re humans who breathe under water. They aren’t fish. The only reason he stopped trading with them was that he feared them. He fears what he doesn’t understand. With all the stories he spews of the past, you’d think he’d learn from the mistakes of the warring people, but he’s a coward.”
Apela says nothing. He leaves me to get some food that the others prepared. It seems they hunted on the island before coming to the village, as they’ve fixed a few birds over the fire. He huddles near Makoa and talks low enough where I can’t hear what they say. Both of them look at me at the same time. Is Apela telling him what I said?
Something tells me Apela isn’t telling me everything either, and it hurts that our relationship has come to this. We once shared everything with each other, but now things have changed. He’s changed. Does he feel as Haku does? That the Wai and Malalo are barbarians because they are different from us?
Apela nods... a few times. I’m half-tempted to make a run for it, but with still being bound, I know my fate would end up with me rolling down the mountain and breaking several bones in the process. If I want to escape, I’ll need my hands free and a good head start so they don’t come after me. I can’t outrun them now, even if I tumble down the mountain.
Apela takes some of the bird and brings it to me. “You need to eat and keep your strength up.”
“You need to untie my binds and let me go.” I turn my head away from the meat. “What did he say to you? What did you say to him?”
“He’s your fiancé, Alania. He risked his life to come here and rescue you. If that’s not admirable, then I don’t know what is.” Apela bites into my piece of meat. He settles down next to me again.
“He is no such thing,” I spat. “I’d rather die than marry him.”
“After all that he went through to get here and save you? Why would you say that?” Apela asks. “You shouldn’t say such things about death.”
“He’s horrible, Apela. He’s brash and uncaring.”
“He’s the future leader of Lanui. He has to make tough decisions. He decided to help Molu and get you back to the safety of our village. You have to marry him, Alania. Not just for yourself, but for your people.”
“What’s wrong with you, Apela? Mother and Father didn’t raise us to be this way. They raised us to be caring, considerate, and strong. You’re not being any of those things. You’ve changed. What Haku told you wasn’t the truth. The Wai people and the island of Malalo aren’t the enemy. There’s no reason we can’t all work together for peace.” I grab his chin and make him face me. “We can make this happen. There’s no need for bloodshed anymore. We are the last people on this planet, and we need to learn to get along and stop fighting with one another. Can’t you see that? A true leader would see that.”
A tear trickles down his eye. “You didn’t ask me about Inoa.”
“What about Inoa?”
The pain in his eyes speaks volumes, but I don’t want to read the story they tell me.
“A few days after you disappeared and Haku told us the truth about these people, she went into labor. Kahanu was there to help her deliver the baby, but the baby hadn’t turned. He was stuck. Kahanu had to turn him in order for him to be birthed.” He looks at the ground, and the tears run off into the dirt. “There was so much blood.”
“What happ
ened?” My eyes water.
“The baby, Fenton, came out screaming, and we all rejoiced that he was healthy, but Inoa started to pale. Kahanu couldn’t stop the bleeding. I was holding our child when Inoa smiled at us, and then her eyes blanketed over and there was nothing left in her.” He wipes the tears away. “Kahanu couldn’t save her. She tried, but it was too late. Blood was everywhere. It wouldn’t stop, even after she gone. Inoa never got the chance to hold her own son, the one she carried for months and sung to every night.”
“I’m...” I don’t know what to say to comfort him. I cry with him. He hugs me, and I bury my head into his shoulder.
Silence befalls the camp. No one says anything, and I imagine the men watch the scene between Apela and me. I feel his sorrow. He’s changed, but it’s caused by the death of the one he loved. I know he truly loved Inoa and she him. I saw it in her forgiving eyes when he did or said something foolish. Even in his immaturity, she cared for him.
“All the village mourned her loss. Everyone helped me with the baby and offered me meals and comfort. I’d never truly felt a part of Molu until that moment. Even after the death of Mother and Father... We were so young then.” He breaks away from me and looks me in the eyes. “You weren’t there. You weren’t there for me, or for her. Had you been there...”
“I’m sorry, Apela. I didn’t know. I... Kahanu was there. She taught me everything I know. I couldn’t have helped her.” Tears come more freely now. “I’m so sorry.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Sister.” Apela’s expression hardens. “Had you been there, she would have survived. Inoa would have been able to hold Fenton, her son. She would still be here with me today. Fenton wouldn’t have lost his mother. Had you been there, she’d be alive.”
I shake my head. “Apela, I’m not any better than Kahanu. I wouldn’t...” The look in his eyes says it all. He blames me. He faults me for the death of Inoa. “I don’t understand.”
“Haku and Kahanu told us other secrets as well.” His body stiffens. “They told us the truth about you.”
“What truth? What are you saying?” I glance at the others around camp, and they all stare at me, studying me.
“It’s you that heals. It’s your gift and yours alone,” Apela says. “Your touch heals everyone.”
12
Guilt and confusion plague me. Trying to process what my brother told me isn’t sitting well with me. My body only wants to sleep, but my thoughts refuse to let it.
The moon hangs low in the night sky. My feet are killing me, and my heart is on the verge of breaking for the fourth time in less than twenty-four hours, once each for Tao, Apela, Inoa, and the thoughts of my grandmother and how she’d lied to me for so many years.
All the healing I’ve ever done had nothing to do with the silver or herbs. It was me. I still can’t wrap my head around it. But, there is so much that used to be a mystery and now makes sense. The perfect example is when I first came upon the twins, Tao and Keyon. Tao was on the verge of dying, and when I went to my grandmother to get the necessary supplies to “save” him, she barely had any concern for the man. She knew the entire time he wouldn’t die in my care. Just the opposite, I would heal him.
As I think back, I always had to touch the sick or wounded; she made sure of that. She knew all along what I was. I feel betrayed and used. Why didn’t she tell me? Wouldn’t I have been more helpful if I had known sooner?
“Time for bed.” Makoa tugs on the rope. My wrists burn from the friction against my flesh. The rope attaches me to him, a tether of hate. He lost trust in me after I ran the first time. He also lost trust in his men and my brother.
I jerk the rope back. “How dare you treat me like an animal?” Anger writhes inside me. Every cell in my body is lit with fire.
He pulls me to him, and I have no choice but to adhere. Our faces are only inches apart. His wretched breath is like a cloud of pollution as it wafts around me.
“What am I worth to you?”
Makoa tilts his head, and his mouth curves up on one side. “You have no idea.” He wraps the rope around his hand and lies back, resting his head on his folded shirt. “Get some sleep, love. We have a tough journey in front of us tomorrow.”
“Where are you taking me?”
He closes his eyes. “Home.” He might as well have said Hell.
I’ve made Malalo my home. There is no other place I want to be if Tao isn’t there.
Tao. Just thinking his name causes my heart to ache. I can’t and won’t accept that he may be dead. I close my eyes, willing my unconscious mind to take over. Night creatures sing and chant in the distance. I curl onto my side and try to ignore the rope binding me to a murderer.
The morning comes too quickly. We’ve only stopped for a couple hours before we begin to move again. My body is still exhausted from the spikes of adrenaline and the emotional roller coaster.
Through the ruins we trudge. We are nowhere near the coast. With each step it seems we only get farther from the ocean. It’s as if my body senses the distance of the ocean. This can’t be good. There has to be another side of the island. If there isn’t, they would have had to arrive on our beach. But, Makoa and his men came from the ruins, and this is why they were undetected.
With my hands tied together, it’s difficult to balance over the debris and the uneven terrain.
After what seems like hours, I beg them to stop. I feel as though I may collapse at any moment.
“Makoa,” one of the men calls out. “The girl’s right. We need a break.”
I can hear the murmurs behind me. Makoa growls and succumbs to his men and me. Finally, we stop. Apela hands me the container of water, and I take a long greedy swig. Rationing it should be on the forefront of my mind, but I don’t care. I’m on the verge of dehydration.
“How much farther?” I ask no one in particular.
“Another full day,” the bearded man answers.
The tug on the rope lets me know it’s time to get moving.
“Come on, my girl. You can do it,” Makoa says.
The elders spoke of weapons from the past that could harm a person with only the pull of a trigger. Never until now have I wished to use such an object. “I’m not your girl.”
“You’re right. You’re my wife-to-be.”
My eyes never leave his. “I would rather die.”
He scoffs. “I wouldn’t give you the satisfaction.”
The man is sadistic. Proving as such, he jerks the rope, and I stumble forward.
I know he’s just as tired as the rest of us, but whatever mission he’s on is keeping him motivated.
The men pack up the few items they had taken out and fall into place behind Makoa and me. I’ve tried several times to catch glimpses of my brother, but he ignores me as if I’m not being treated like an animal. I don’t know if I’ll even be able to forgive him for what he’s done, or for what he hasn’t yet.
We come to an area of flat terrain. My legs are weak, but I’m able to keep up better than climbing over piles of glass and crumbled buildings. Just beyond the clearing, a mass of broken glass and spikes of metal jut up from the ground. There’s no way we can cross the wall of danger without being impaled.
“What now?” the tall man asks.
It’s the first time I’ve heard him speak.
Confusion sets in. “You don’t know where you’re going?” I ask.
I flinch when Makoa raises his hand in the air. “You are in no position to question me.” He lowers his hand and slaps me.
I refuse to cower in front of this man. “Is that what I would have had to look forward to living with you?”
Makoa’s eyes darken. I’ve pushed him. I feel a twinge of satisfaction. I turn my back to him.
His voice booms behind me. “We head east until we find a way to cross. It should only take an extra hour. We came in from the west not too far from here. Remember, getting her to our island is crucial. It’s all that matters.”
He trudges f
orward and drags me along after him. As long as he has me, he doesn’t care if any of his men follow him or even survive. The men traipsing behind us know this, too.
My slowing speed causes Makoa to pull harder on the rope. My raw wrists won’t be able to take much more.
Makoa was right. After an hour or so, we find a way to get around the fallen glass building and head toward the west side of the island. The blisters on my feet feel like they’re going to explode at any given second. Resting doesn’t seem to be an option until Makoa decides that it is.
After hours of numerous sprints with only short water breaks in between, the sun finally drops into the horizon. A spot is chosen to rest for the night.
I wonder if anyone from Malalo is following us or if Tao is alive and coming to my rescue. I can only hope, but I can’t count on it, especially considering how I last saw him, lying on he ground with blood oozing from his head. The image still haunts me. Tears threaten to break my hardened façade. I push them back.
Finding a place to rest as far away from Makoa and as far as the rope will allow me, I find a smooth boulder to lie against. The heat from the rock gives me comfort for the several minutes I have to relax until Makoa settles in next to me; too close. Inwardly, I groan out of dread and fear.
“Now that it’s quiet, why don’t we get to know each other?” he says.
I don’t turn to look at him and remain silent.
“Okay, since you won’t talk, I will.” He sighs. “Where should I begin?”
His hand rests on top of my shoulder, and I shrug it away. Unexpectedly, he doesn’t fight me and removes it.
“I had a wife once. Her name was Mya.”
The admission didn’t surprise me. I know he’s older than I am. I just don’t know how much.
“She was pregnant with our first child. If you could have seen the joy in her eyes when she realized a life was growing inside her.”
Nether Tears (Underwater Island Series Book 2) Page 7