365 DAYS 365 TALES

Dawn

"Here you go, your favorites" He gave me the apples which I loved the most, stroking my long mane and with the other hand, patting me like I was a kid. While I was enthralled in his pampers, l heard that sound.

Gun shot.

A scream.

I was startled and restless, gasping, as fear engulfed my heart as a whole.

"Shh. Cherokee, Shhh" he soothed me, slightly leaning on my side and whispering near my ears, his warm breath fanning my face while caressing my back.

"Coahoma, come on. We need to move before the white devils find us and the sun is on the verge of setting" one of his friends called on him whose eyes were as big as coconuts.

"Yes we need to find a shelter for the night, somewhere where they can't follow us. May be..." They were working out the details which I didn't understand much and I zoned out of their conversation, watching the surroundings for any sign of intrusion.

The slipping rocks were the only way to cross the river and we stopped at the far end of the rocks to fetch some drinking water on our way, for our survival. The white devils, as everyone mentioned, seemed to lack experience out in the field and my companions stated that they could never cross the river without aid or one of their fancy metals. Though I hadn't met any one of the devils with my naked eyes, the fear vested in my heart from the mere words. My surroundings were deep and I wished never to see one in all of my future.

Soon, we found shelter in a cave, a bear's cave which was on hibernation fortunately. We left the inner cave alone for the owner's own use while we spent our night in the outer area.

More apples and my taste buds immediately got activated, salivating profoundly.

"We can't risk making fire" Coahoma and his friends were talking.

'Who needs cooked food when we have apples' I thought to myself, licking my lips and waiting for him to hand over my favorites.

Sleep deprived for all of the week, I fell into a deep slumber the instant the first watch was sorted out and deliberated, it was not Coahoma.

Fire.

Gun shot.

No wait!

Gun shots.

Scream.

"Cherokee, Wake up!," Coahoma's voice screamed urgency and my eyes jolted open while searching around for the threat.

"We are trapped," he said and my eyes rounded in fear.

'What trap? And what trapped us?' I wanted to shout and run like a crazy one. However, I followed him without complaining as I trusted him with all my heart.

Somehow, we managed to move out of the cave while many were trapped in and others were scattering away in every direction.

As I was practiced in heavy running from young age, I managed to run without having to tangle my flying mane. Coahoma, on other hand was drenched completely in his own sweat that brought down the colours he applied on the face and chest, as a symbol of our tribe, showing away the red skin underneath.

"Behind you, White devil," he gave me a heads up but it was too late for him to notice the one behind him.

In the struggle to push the devil away and barge from its hold, Coahoma lost his consciousness when the handle of a dagger hit his forehead, pushing him down on the dirt.

I strode as fast as I could to help Coahama. Placing myself between him and the white devil, gnashing my teeth to provoke and distract the devil towards me, I lured it away from Coahama.
The devil took the bait and followed me while touching me at times with its filthy hands, laughing like a devil as stated in its name.

"Such a beauty," it said and I could have puked on the disgust I felt on being called a beauty from the white ones mouth.

Through the corners of my eyes, I saw two of our people carrying the unconscious Coahoma away with them, running into the patch of trees that lined the mountain.

Sighing as relief washed all over my body, I turned my attention towards my own life in the hands of a devil.

For the whole night, the white ones took me for a long walk, slow but steady and I wondered how was that my people calculated the white devils to be poor performers out in the field when they excel in night errands through the forests and mountains, in a moonless night.

"Okay... Halt! We shelter here tonight," a long bearded white one ordered and immediately everyone in the company, sprang to action in setting the camp while I was astonished by the coherent ways they were working on.

Soon, they dozed off strapping me to a tree and my legs got bruised in the struggle to break free as silent as a preying predator. Once freed from the straps, I darted as swiftly as I could in to the forest, striding towards the possible location of Coahoma.

Darkness prevailed all around but I was trained for the heavy duty and hence, I made my way through; the forest, the mountain, the cave, the river and numerous inexplicable resources. My aim fueled the fire inside me, to achieve the main goal - to reach Coahoma who gave a meaning to my life.

Bumping in to the trees a few times, I fell on the ground but I stood up with every inch of my body radiating energy. The sharp leaves of certain forest plants slashed through my skin, making several cuts throughout my body while blood oozed out from some cuts. It screamed his name, providing the nourishment for taking the next step, copping with the pain.

Stepping on the quick sand without knowledge, I fought against its luring nature and pulled myself out of it, shoving away my saved energy to hold on to my dear life. Respite for a few minutes didn't help and I dragged my limp legs to keep up my pace, in attaining my destination.

From the top of the mountain, the camp was visible with the flickering fire torches and I strode down the hill towards the camp.

Coahoma came in sight, someone near him pointing in my direction and a smile spread all over his face.

"Neigh... Neigh...," I jumped in joy, pulling up my fore legs in the air.

Dawn broke... So was the divergence between us, me and Coahoma.

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A/N : Akiprabagar (06/01)

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