The Land In Between

C H A P T E R 1 6

(Author's Note: Tomorrow is actually my birthday, so I might be too busy to post. I hope you enjoy this early gift from me! It hurts a lil but not too bad, I promise :DDD)

"You FORGOT to close the ritual?!" Hiwaga explodes in a way that Amihan never prepared. The girl by his leg whimpers and hides behind him. Hiwaga glares at the child and the little girl cowers even more. That action startled Amihan so much, he barely heard the rest of Hiwaga's tirade.

From what he knew of the dead, whatever they were in life was their state in death. So if this girl is truly Adhika, then she'd be deaf and blind. But by the way she seemed scared of Hiwaga, showing how she could see and hear the other woman. Amihan crouches once more and asks the little girl, "What's your name?" The child tilted her head, it was actually rather cute as the little girl brightened up. "Likha! Mama calls me Likha! I am..." She looks down on her fingers, before putting up five fingers, "Mama says I'm four!"

Amihan softens as he puts down the child's thumb. "There, that's four. Nice to meet you, I'm Amihan." Then he falters, "Wait...Mama? Who's that?" Adhik— Likha, she shrugs her shoulders before swaying side to side. "Mama is Mama! She's pretty!" Amihan nods along, "I'm sure she is." He nudges Hiwaga, "Is she..."

Hiwaga, though pissed earlier, uncrosses her arms and exhales deeply. Hiwaga comes closer to Likha, and the child keeps inching backwards until her back hits a solid something behind her. She turns around to see a tall man looking down on her. To her, the man looked menacing with an almost terrifying grimace on his face. There were just so many unfamiliar people that Likha burst out into sobs, fat tears moving down her tanned cheeks.

Before Amihan could even reach out to her, Banawag immediately kneels down to look at her face. He had a pained look in his eyes but his face was stretched into a kind grin. "Hey, hey", he calls to Likha, voice mellow and sweet. He brings his hands to his face, covering his eyes before giving a little "boo!". It quells Likah's tears in a way, and slowly her cries become little giggles. Banawag smiles a little before lifting her up in the air, saying "Look! You're flying!"

Likha laughs out loud and goes "Weeeeeeee!" Amihan nearly laughs and cries at the interaction. Hiwaga beside him tugs at his arm, and she says "I need you to bring the child here, I have to examine her." He looks at Hiwaga before requesting, "I hope it doesn't hurt her." Hiwaga replies, "It won't. I just need to check some things. If she's a dark creature, spirit or what have you." Amihan relents; he knows for a fact Hiwaga is strict, maybe even harsh, but she is not cruel.

He yells to the two giggling people, "Banawag, Likha! Can you come here?" Banawag looks away from Likha who was still hoisted up in the air before giving a tiny nod. He lets Likha sit on his shoulders as her little grabby hands tug at Banawag's braids. Amihan winces for him, for sure the child's grip was quite strong when needed. Banawag practically skipped his way to them as he slowly removed Likha from her shoulders. He brings out his arms full of a happy child and Amihan seamlessly reaches out to take her instead. He carries her with one arm, securing her tiny body to his torso.

Hiwaga comes closer to touch Likha but the little girl hides in Amihan's neck. Amihan immediately rocks his body back and forth, something his own mother used to do for him. He whispers, "Hey, it's okay." Likha babbles softly, "Scary, she's scary." Something about the way Hiwaga's face falls in utter despair almost looks funny to Amihan.

He swallows a laugh, "I know the lady looks scary, but I promise she won't hurt you. She just needs to look at you, okay? Can you be brave for me?" He feels an arm hold his waist as he hears Banawag tell Likha, "We'll be here if you need us. We won't let anything happen to you ever again."