Chapter Text
Chapter One
The high cry of cicadas surrounds me as I lie in the fragrant grass, the sweet scent lulling me to sleep. However, I need to take this step. The trees covered my face in the shade. I put my orange hair up into a small ponytail. Sitting up, the world spins from the sudden movement, but I need to go. I scan my surroundings and try not to trip on the branches and roots. I gaze back toward my hometown through the narrow trees. I can’t look back. The high trees shade my walk, but every so often a beam of light breaks through and blinds me. The smell of moss and nearby water fill my senses. My light bag crinkles against my back. My knees curse at my every movement; while trekking, I find a stream. It doesn’t seem to stop anywhere, so I decide to go through it. Stepping down onto the riverbank. Moving forward, I try to maneuver my way through the stream. The strong current pushes me to the side. The stream is small, but it has so much life. The small fish and tadpoles move from my feet. I curse at myself for not wearing better clothes, I put myself out of the creek. Lifting myself out of the bank was a struggle; the feeling of water in my socks left me uncomfortable. My leather shoes rub on my ankle and chafe. After a minute of uncomfortable walking, I found a creek with a mossy bank along my walk. I sit down and try to soothe my aching bones and wet socks; I shouldn’t be so sore. I groan as I check my shoes, blisters covering my ankles. My feet are swollen, and I need a break. The moss feels like a carpet and could put me to sleep anytime soon. I miss my carpet so much that I could lie here forever. I set my bag next to me and pulled out something to munch on. I’m not entirely hungry, but I should eat something because I’m not stopping soon. I bite a piece of my cheese and marvel at my surroundings. The cheese has a calming and muted flavor; I bought it at work. Nothing changed in my surroundings from an hour ago, and yet it's so surreal and comforting. The distant sounds of birds and frogs turn into a soothing symphony, and I cannot resist the temptation to just let go.
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Lilith V never took me seriously. She called me a curse of the fire, maybe she was right.
“Hey! Freak,” Lilith shouted across the courtyard at the school.
She continued as I sat motionless on the bench. It hurt me deeply, and I couldn’t even express it on my face anymore. Not with what I’ve been through before. That fire ruined everything; My face is still scarred from the flames. I rub the grooves in my face to soothe the ache; the skin wrinkles and folds on my face. It makes me look older and makes me feel old. After Lilith’s short spurt, she leaves, and I’m left with my thoughts for a while. I stared at the solemn trees in the manicured lawn of the courtyard. I ponder my life after school, what will I do, what will I be? Class is starting soon. I feel tired, yet when I get to class, I forget which one is next. I take a step up, and the world spins. I cannot see past the dark spots in my eyes.
“Dammit”
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I wake with a dry mouth and a sore body from the hours of walking. I’m glad I rested near a creek; I approached the creek, and as I cupped the water with my hands, I noticed a reddish-brown turtle on a rock across the water. Their shell was covered in spots and patterns. Living in a popular village, I haven't seen many turtles in my life.
“Hey, that water isn’t safe!” A squeal-ish yell shocks me, and I drop the water back into the fast-moving creek.
I probe around for the person, finding only me and the turtle. I wonder, am I still asleep? I pinched myself, only to be severely shocked when the turtle was two inches away from my feet.
Again, they speak, “God, you humans are so dramatic.”
Awestruck, I cannot find the words.
“Hey? Hello? Does it speak?” They coaxed me and started climbing up my leg, all while asking very personal questions. “Where do you live?” “And most importantly, your face!” they peppered, “Your face must feel weird with all of the burn mar-”
I had enough of that one. With the turtle inches away from my face, I shoved the turtle down with one big stretch. I stood up and picked up my backpack. I rattled along with the turtle following slowly behind. I moved to get away. Their questions still haunted me. It was too much, that's what I ran away from in the first place. I move downstream, the turtle’s voice slowly fading. With all the cicadas and the frog-song left, I could think. Walking hurts, and I can’t walk much farther. I continued in confusion and hurt. My brain scattered into thoughts, and I started with the first one.
“A talking turtle?” I mutter to myself in confusion.
Maybe it was a sick prank? Played by the younger boys who snuck off from the nearby farms? Possibly? Next one, how would they do that and why? I need to stop soon. My ankles hurt, and I could only rest at this point. In my discomfort, I realized I had seen this creek before… I stared, and it was the turtle, lying in the imprint in the moss I left after my sleep.
The turtle muttered, “I’m sorry, we must have gotten off on the wrong foot.”
They seemed so apologetic. Should I forgive him? “Let's start this again.” “Hi, I’m Snapper.” A moment of silence followed; this was real. I can try to accept this. I cleared my throat. And spoke. “Priya,” “Priya Malcolm”