Junkyard

21/10/2020

Continues from yesterday...

Siren from the Skies

-two-

The clamours of pots and pans could be heard through the mud walls of the cooking hut, as well as sounds of practiced chopping and scraping. Steam rose through the stone archway and with it, the smells of a wholesome meal. As Finch neared, he was able to catch the giggles and chatter between the cooks and helpers.

At this time of light, it must be the children doing their duties. They must always be up early to prepare the day's two meals – the midday gunji and the gunni at twilight. The younger ones were also in charge of the laundry and administering to the animals. Some of the elders worked with them at early daytime or later, after the Saloom and Inici – the pale orb and blinking eyes – appear at darktime.

"Where were you?" A girl's exasperated voice stopped Finch in his tracks.

He had hoped to sneak a loaf of bread and return unnoticed to the dogs where he was assigned.

"And where do you think you're going?" She continued. "The dogs are already fed. You're assigned here now."

Dread filled him. "Who fed the dogs?"

The girl smirked and said the one name he would rather die than hear it: "Aklan."

Aklan, the son of his mother's adviser and the one chosen to be the next village chief if Finch did not pick up his pace. He was an arrogant, brutish one who feigned kindness within every elder eyes. No doubt Aklan's act of feeding the dogs was intentional.

As he was set to chopping lettuces and dicing the carrots and corn, Finch seethed. Then he thought back to the mutilated pig. How did such fearsome creature resort to walking dead near the edge of the kilijec? This was a forest that had withstood large storms and remained throughout generations, an intimidating and indestructible presence to the various tribes. He could not help but feel that the pig had been searching for help. And if there really was something wrong in the kilijec, there was bound to be trouble with the village soon. Anger turned to resolve as Finch filled his head with plans for tomorrow.

.oOo.

After a lengthy lecture from his mother on his whereabouts at midday and a hearty gunni, he reclined on a mound of hay by the main hut. He had been watching the younger children playing reed ball, but his gaze now settled on the kilijec some distance away.

The forest was tall and looming, about a mountain's height. Though the trees' trunks were thin and straight, the foliage they made was anything but sparse. Even the lowest braches had broad leaves, and the grass a thick swathe of their own tiny forests. The grass of the village plains was low and soft, ending abruptly but surely into the kilijec.

Lean, corded legs settled down beside him, disturbing the hay noisily. Aklan. The bully was a bear of a presence, never good with grace. Finch frowned and ignored him.

"Hullo?" Aklan waved at his face. He laughed when there was no response.

Finch fisted prickly hay into the other boy's gaping maw. It was childish but he could not stand how Aklan had taken over his life and duties and been praised for it.

Aklan was taller by a head, and stronger. He spat out the hay, tackled Finch with his head and pinned him to the ground by the shoulders. Finch struggled to lift his head. The bully's face was too close, spit flying out as he cackled some more. "Why don't you give in already?" His voice pressed too close for comfort.

Finch had a sure idea Aklan would never kill him out in the open where everyone could see the act. For one, his arms were left free. He used it to his advantage, reaching up to Aklan's throat.

The bully's hand clamped down on it. Aklan flashed him a smug grin. "I didn't see you getting any hunt today." He started slyly. "Though...you did spend quite a while in the kitchens."

Finch used his other hand to grapple at Aklan's neck while utilising his special attack. The bully jumped away as if burned by fire. Curses left his lips too quickly to catch as Finch rolled himself out of the hay mound. He crouched to face his opponent, baring his teeth and rolling his tongue to issue a low hiss.

A feeling of pride washed over him at the sight of Aklan clenching his legs together protectively. The bully pulled back his lips to reveal a nasty snarl. Yellow, jagged canines flashed, and his eyes conveyed his meaning: you dare?

But Finch was ready for a fight.

Then the bully's eyes darted left and the cruelty disappeared from his face. He stood up briskly, brushed his hands and went to help his opponent up. Finch sneered privately when he glanced to the side and saw a redheaded girl approaching, knowing the true reason for Aklan's show of kindness.

"I'm sure you'll want to hunt again tomorrow, kid. See you there!" With a pat on his head, Aklan said gleefully before whisking the startled girl into the village.

The girl was well-formed. Her red hair and lighter ochre skin marked her as one of the western desert tribes that had joined their village recently. She looked like someone his parents would love for him to connect with. However, Aklan had been deliberately hogging all the girls' attention as part of their unspoken challenge to see who becomes chief, and this desert girl was no different. It is unspoken that aside from sharing hunting grounds, marriage was a firmer way to secure peace between tribes.

Other girls of various tribes had gathered near the playing field. They casted looks at him and whispered among themselves. Finch paid them no mind. Challenge or not, he much preferred never to marry.

T.B.C

...Next chapter tomorrow