Worlds on Fire: Unwelcomed Strangers

[x-molten.livejournal.com]

A chance encounter in the forest.

Amara lounged in the shade of a Tabebuia tree, her eyes half-lidded in the afternoon sun. Jimena's brood, ever-present Esme, and a couple other neighborhood children played on the outskirts of the fields under her watchful gaze. Ever since her father's warning, she had paid closer attention to the people around her, though the strain was beginning to wear. Second-guessing her neighbors and acquaintances was not something she was used to; she had grown up with them and trusted them.

A flicker of movement caught her attention and she turned her head in time to see a man disappearing into the trees. She made note of him and went back to watching the children, a lump of fear slowly forming in the pit of her stomach.

*

It was evening by the time she finished dropping the children off at their homes. Amara walked quickly and carefully down the trail, stretching her senses to their admittedly human limits. But they were enough to hear a person tailing her through the trees to her left and spot glimpses of him between gaps in the foliage. Enough of this. She stopped and called out, "I know you're following me. I can see and hear you. So why don't you come out into the open."

There was a long moment of silence, still in the evening air. Finally, with a rustle of leaves, the man emerged from the foliage. He was dressed in the robes of the men who bustled around the temple at all hours, doing who knows what. His hood was pushed back, revealing thick features and a shock of ruddy black hair. "Do not be frightened, child."

Amara snorted softly, adding a mental eye roll. It was easier to be angry than frightened, and the anger felt better. She shifted her weight, a hand on one hip, the other emphasizing her question. "Why are you following me?"

"The jungle is not always safe, senorita. We only wish to make sure that nothing happens to you. The god, she cannot always look over us all in all places." He folded his hands and bowed his head at the mention of 'the god', as if performing a benediction to her as he spoke.

"The jungle has always been perfectly safe but for you and your brothers. And your god has never done anything for me except take away my mother." She bit off the last words bitterly. "I do not need your help or hers. Good evening." With that she turned on her heel and continued down the trail.

"It is reckless to disparage the god, little one. Her methods are not for the rest of us to know." He crossed himself oddly before hurrying after her. "More reckless to tempt fate as well." His breath was laboured, but he was able to keep up with the young girl.

"Her methods," she sneered, "involve taking away loved ones and friends. Your god is cruel and spiteful, and I am glad I do not know her. I will never understand a deity that hates. So please leave me be. I must get home. My father will be waiting." Her pace grew hurried. She was almost to the next clearing, where her house was. Amara hoped her father was already there.

He grabbed her by the upper arm, his strength surprising. "Do not be a fool! All greatness is cruel. You will understand that after the ritual. All of you will see her face and weep at her dark beauty." He shook her like a rag doll, his eyes taking on a rabid, frenzied light. "You will taste of her hot blood, child. You first will feed her rebirth!"

He let go, flicking Amara to the ground with the suddenness of the release, before turning and plunging back into the underbrush. She could hear his benedictions in a jumble of Spanish and Latin, punctuated by a chilling laughter as he disappeared first from view, and finally, blessedly from sound.