Glade LegeicaSwish, swish, swish.
A particularly energetic movement brought the water up into the air, where it hung for a second, dazzling in the sun. It sprayed into her face on the way down, causing her to blink.
Kamalei paused. She, the beloved child, suddenly felt as if she was coming out of a very dangerous trap.
She stood and stretched, glancing around the Peka Glade. Her family had lived just on the outskirts of the glade for as long as she could remember. She had been born inside the glade with her sister, Channaa. She had returned to the glade of her own accord just yesterday... or was it last week? Last year?
Why couldn't she remember? Frustrated, Kamalei put her head between her hooves, and kicked out at a clump of offending bell flowers.
She had left her family, her home to come deep into the Peka Glade to understand her roots. She had wanted to develop a deeper sense of connection between herself and the world. Instead, she had wasted time doing nothing.
How much time had passed? She knew her sister would be waiting for her to come home. She had to go home. She needed to leave, and go on the trail leading back home.
Swish, swish, swish.
The leaves have turned a brilliant shade of orange. When did that happen? Yesterday, the world was still caught up in spring.
Swish, swish, swish.
The water lapped at her hooves. It was much colder now than it had been. Maybe she should find a warmer place to sit.
Swish, swish, swish.
Small birds suddenly darted out of the trees, a loud noise frightening them away.Lethargically, as if the movement required great effort, she pulled herself up from the water's edge. Standing, she put an arm over her eyes to block out the sun while she searched for the source of the disruption.
That laugh...
Realization struck. "CHANNAA!" Racing forward, she tore through the grass recklessly, ignoring the butterflies' distraught movements.They collided in a small clearing. Here, in her arms again, was her baby sister. "You didn't come back home," Channaa's muffled voice said into her chest.
Hugging tightly, Kamalei blinked back tears. "No, but you came to me. Your wild ways disturbed the peace of the glade," she chuckled quietly.
Channaa pulled away and stuck her tongue out. "Meanie. I did no such thing!"
They shared an easy laugh, like they had many times before.
Kamalei turned her head and looked back at the place she had been sitting just moments before. It was a scene of picturesque serenity. Water gurgling softly, breezes lightly disturbing the plants to give them shape and life, small animals playing about in the foliage. It would be such a nice place to sit for just a moment...
Channaa pulled on her arm. "Come on!" she whined impatiently. "Let's go home!"
She turned away and smiled at her baby sister. "Yes, it's time to go home."
Story by
twocents Profile by Ziva 
