Unexpected Turnaround of Events
1361 Words
"Here, drink this, Miss Grande," the chief passed a strange container filled with liquid. She hesitated in reaching it but her professor looked at her with sharp eyes.
"Not receiving and drinking this special drink is an insult to this villagers' hospitality," she whispered softly on her ear.
"T-thank you," she said to the chief who looked at her as if he adores her.
"Come on, drink it," the chief said and smiled at her.
Deep inside, she frowned. Why is this old man treating her so special? She is not the only student from the city. Besides, why did he give her this special drink and not to her professor?
"Not drinking that means not accepting their hospitality..." her professor softly whispered to her ears again, this time it sounded like a warning.
She smiled awkwardly and brought the container to her lips. Knowing that the way the whole team will be treated is dependent on her response, she felt pressure roaming around her. Closing her eyes, she drank a little bit of the liquid given to her.
Retch! She nearly vomited after drinking. It's a good thing that she was able to hold herself back. For the sake of her professor and her classmates, she has to behave properly. She then gave the container to her professor who did her best to finish the liquid there.
While busy helping herself not to vomit because of what she drank, her eyes caught Elsa in the crown who looks so worried while staring at her. For years of being with her in the mansion, she can read her facial expression although others may see nothing on it. She can clearly read the worry and tension in her eyes as she looked at her. She smiled, hoping to ease the tension that she is feeling.
Just then, the old man beside her who gave her the drink stood up and shouted. He spoke in a language that she cannot understand. He seems to be addressing the local people who are standing with her classmates all around the big fire. He spoke with power and authority. He looks so strong despite his age while addressing the crowd.
Wuwuwuwuwuwu! Hokahokahoka!
The people shouted after their leader spoke. This caught her by surprise. These people are chirping like birds. Honestly, she feels uncomfortable with what is happening around but what can she do?
"Dear visitors, my people accepted you in this place. They welcome you with warm hearts. We are glad that you can be here with us, especially you, Miss Grande." At this, he stared at her eyes.
At that, all the local's eyes are set on her. She can see admiration in their eyes as if she is a treasure to all of them. This is more than what she can take. What's the matter with all these people?
She did not know how to react. Here's the special treatment again. Although she wants to frown, she cannot show it or else she would be offending anyone in this crowd and she cannot afford to put everyone's safety at stake. She smiled awkwardly and lowered her gaze.
"Now, let the party begin!" the chief shouted.
Automatically, a group of locals marched in the middle near the fire. Although the heat is strong, they don't seem to care. They seem to have prepared a performance for the group to enjoy. Their faces are painted with white.
Boomba! Boomba! Boomba! Boomba!
They shouted loudly and started to dance. Their moves are so coordinated and their hands are moving together as one. It is good to see.
Norrie smiled as she watched. Although this is her first time to watch this kind of show, she can see the beauty of the united and coordinated movements of the dancers.
The dance number finished and another group came. They performed another performance.
"Miss Grande, please feel free to eat anything you want," the chief said to her. "You too, professor."
"Thank you," she answered which is followed by her professor as well. Looking at the food set in strange platters before her, she saw something that she wanted to try. Thank God she was able to control her urge to vomit a while back.
Picking the food before her, she put it in her mouth.
Hmmm! Not bad. She liked the taste. This is good at least.
"Do you like it?" the chief asked when he noticed that she was pleased with the food.
"Yes, thank you," she answered politely.
She enjoyed some more food before her. When she lifted her eyes, she can see her classmates dancing and enjoying with the locals in the middle. She smiled. They are happy.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Just then, gunshots were heard.
Ahhhhhh!
Screams were heard and soon, everybody panicked and started to run. Even her professor is not beside her anymore. She ran away without taking her. Startled, she didn't know how to react. She looked around and realized that at this point, some local men are protecting them - the chief and her. They are shooting the men wearing black clothes that are coming near them while all the other people are running in different directions. The group of locals are moving and taking them to a place of safety as they shielded them from harm.
Blag! Somebody seems to have dismantled the burning woods in the middle which sustained the fire that is serving as their light. At that, the light decreased and darkness seemed to have covered the place.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
She saw one man fall down. Still another fell then another. At this, no one is left to shield her from the raging bullets that seem to be raining from somewhere.
Bang!
Blag! Before she could react, she saw Elsa falling before her as she took the bullet meant for her.
"Elsa!" she shouted in panic as she saw blood oozing from her wound.
Before she could sit and hold Elsa though, she felt a strong arm catch her and drag her away from Elsa. Before she knew it, he carried her on his shoulder and ran as fast as he could inside a cave.
Ahhhh!
She can hear another local man's shout. However, she was too shocked to react and her mind is unable to follow what's going on. Besides, it is too dark now that they are far away from the place where the fire was lit. She can no longer see the fire the moment they entered this place. Also, the one carrying her did not stop running.
Pak!
Ahhhhh!
The man fell and she felt her body thrown down forcefully to the ground.
"Miss Grande...." he groaned.
She can hear him speak as if gathering all his remaining strength to do so. At this, she can recognize that the man who saved her is the chief of the place himself.
"This is all I can do for you. I was hit by a bullet while trying to save you. It seems that the enemies came for you and not me. Their real target is you. Now, continue walking out from this cave and save yourself. This is all I can do for you now. My foot cannot take you somewhere anymore..."
She shivered. She is the target.
"Go!" he said. "Run away as fast as you can. Don't let them find you."
- Writer
