Flashback When Things Go Wrong

[Anibesa]

t 8th Summer, 505AV t

“Ani would you hurry up and get out here already!” came the voice and Anibesa hurriedly grabbed her things and climbed out of the casinor, grumbling as she did so.

“I just check.” she retorted as she landed in the knee high water and shuddered and the feeling slightly. For all the pod was her family, and it seemed that she had once been a Svefra, she doubted that she’d ever get used to the lifestyle and be able to enjoy it in the way that everyone else did.

At times she knew that she just wanted to be on solid land, and she knew she wanted to stay there for a bit, but then she also knew that if she ever chose to stay on land and leave the pod, she’d miss them. And some of them would miss her, even if others wouldn’t.

Sighing she trudged through the water and got to the shore and went to stand by Tiamon, looking up at his now grey hair and frowning slightly. While she’d stayed young, everyone around her had grown up and grown old, and something about that stirred feelings in the pit of her stomach as she glanced over the rest of the pod.

She knew that one day she would be the only one left. They’d all be replaced by new faces and although she looked forward to meeting those new faces, the thought of losing those she’d met all those years ago, especially Tiamon and the Lia, made her feel lost.

“You okay Ani?” Tiamons voice brought her out of her thoughts and she nodded at him hurriedly, grinning slightly as she did so before she was aware of another person coming to stand with them. Jiacek.

“You with us?” she asked and the young man shrugged, making it obvious that roles hadn’t been divided out yet.

Then the Lia appeared. An older woman with muted grey hair and the most piercing ocean blue eyes Ani had ever seen. Though she was the oldest woman of the pod, she wasn’t quite as old as Tiamon, and as Anibesa tried to work out the pairs ages she caught a glimpse of the Lia giving Tiamon a kiss on the cheek and she averted her eyes.

“Jarci...” she heard the hushed tones of Tiamon, and looked over to Jiacek to see him also averting his eyes before she heard the two step away briefly.

“Why do you always look away?” she heard Jiacek sneer and Anibesa just rolled her eyes at him, not able to get out a reply before Tiamon returned.

“Come on you two, we’re foraging for food. Remember how dangerous the jungles are though!” the man exclaimed and Anibesa nodded.

“No walk straight. Easy target.” was the first thing she remembered and said out loud. “If see animal, quiet. If animal see you, no move. If animal charge, get out way fight.” she said and she saw Tiamon nod before he handed her a curved blade about the same length as her forearm.

“You clear the bush out of our way, okay?” Tiamon asked and Anibesa nodded, taking a hold of the weapon carefully.

Word Count529

Adapted from a code by Karin

[Anibesa]

“Remember how to use a kukri?” the man said and Anibesa nodded, holding the blade so that it was curved downstairs, then she pointed to the inside of the curve.

“Sharp part. Strike down.” she said, her voice bland as she concentrated and swans downwards, imitating how she’d use it, before looking up at Tiamon to see him nodding before the older man turned his attention on Jiacek.

“You’ll be on watch duty. Look out for anything edible, and keep an eye and an ear out.” Tiamon said and Anibesa saw the young man roll his eyes.

“I know, if I notice anything I’ll let you guys know. If it’s dangerous I’ll let you know even quicker!” the boy huffed and Anibesa could tell that he wasn’t happy with his task. It seemed that he’d either rather be the one with the weapon, or he’d rather just stay on the beach and help to fix the things that needed seeing to.

“Good, now are we all ready?” Tiamon asked and Anibesa nodded, readying herself and heading into the jungle, making sure to walk in a mostly straight line so it would be easier to find their way back out.

For the first few chimes it was easy work, though as they got deeper into the forest Anibesa began using the Kukri to cut away vines and weeds that blocked their way, the kukri swinging downstairs and sometimes breaking the obstruction in one strike, other times taking several swings to cut through the plants blocking their way.

It was monotonous, and the two behind her were almost silent. She knew that both of them would be looking for foods to gather, or just useful supplies, though she was unsure quite how attentive Jiacek was being to the safety of the group and just in case she kept herself alert, listening carefully to what was happening around them, each noise of wood snapping or plants rustling unnerved her, and as she bent down to hack at a plant that was blocking her way she heard a hushed voice from behind her.

“Ani, take a few steps backwards slowly.” the voice was calm and stern and she didn’t have time to process who had said the words before she remained crouched and carefully took a few steps back, a hissing now audible to her as she carefully looked up to see a snake curled around a branch above her, leaning down and uncoiling itself as it stretched downwards.

The blood roared in her eyes as she tried not to made any loud or sudden movements, her eyes looking over the snake as she tried to work out whether it was venomous or not.

It was a variety of browns and greens, and seemed to camouflage with the tree quite well. It’s head was triangular, and as it hissed and flicked out it’s forked tongue Anibesa could see tongues.

“Don’t let it bite you.” she heard the voice say again, and now she was aware that Tiamon was the one speaking.

Word Count507

Adapted from a code by Karin

[Anibesa]

She could feel the blood draining from her face at his words. She was certain that the snake was venomous now, especially after his words, though how venomous was a different story. She knew that some snakes that were venomous would cause confusion, others would cause loss of consciousness, while others could make you ill and even cause your death, but without recognizing the exact snake that this snake was it wouldn’t be possible to tell exactly what a bite from this snake would do.

Thoughts echoed through her head, arguing with each other, telling her to just run, to stay where she was, to move slowly, and even to attack the snake and see if she could kill it. Though the voice telling her to stay still seemed to be winning.

Every other voice in her mind screamed and her to run, but she found her limbs completely numb as she watched the snake as it drew back though didn’t coil back around the branch. It looked as though it was ready for something, and then she saw it push itself forwards sharply and as she squeezed her eyes tight shut and braced for the feeling of fangs sinking into her flesh, she isn’t felt a hand on her shoulder pulling her back and out of the way, throwing her to ground a foot behind where she hadn’t been able to move from.

At first she was dazed, though quickly she regained her sentences jumping up from the ground and glancing around the forest as she heard someone wince.

Her eyes looked to where she had been to see Tiamon crouched in her place, the snake with its fangs buried in his forearm before it let go and dropped to the floor, it’s eyes on Tiamon seeming waiting for something.

Almost instantly Anibesa ran towards it, standing just above its head to hold it in place and stop it from slithering away, her boot protecting her foot as the snake thrashed around and she clenched the Kukri tighter and tighter as she saw Jiacek run to Tiamons aid.

The snake was strong, she could feel it attempting through throw her off, then she felt it’s tail starting to attempt to coil around her leg and almost instantly she stopped thinking, the Kukri in her hand almost acting on its own as the blood pumping through her body roared in her ears.

She sliced down towards the snakes tail, missing it at first but then slicing into the snakes body on her second attempt, the snake now struggling even more as she took her third swipe at it, cutting into the snakes tail more.

On her fourth attempt the tail was almost severed and the snakes struggles became weaker and finally she pushed down on the snake with her foot hearing a series of crunches before the snake went limp.

“Ani!” came a shout and she looked towards where Jiacek and Tiamon were, Jiacek now stood up supporting Tiamon. “We need to go back to the shore and get the Lia! Just grab what’s left of that thing and come on!” Jiacek practically yelled at her and instantly she raised her foot and picked up the now dead snake, her hand away from its mouth before she turned back to Jiacek and Tiamon, hurriedly following them out of the jungle with the front half of the snake and the Kukri held firmly in each hand.

Word Count575

Adapted from a code by Karin