Zherosha Chronicles: Climbing Tree
Clinging to Natia's braid, Amnika balanced herself so she wouldn't fall off. Natia took her to the unused community space so that Amnika could play with the other children.
Like the parents and other caregivers, Natia went there to socialize. The area had logs set in a way to allow the adults to sit and the children to play on. Next to this wooded arrangement stood the highest tree in the area. The Natisien children would climb the tree while the Inersien children looked on.
Natia put Amnika down next to it and began to talk with the other parents and caregivers.
Amnika looked up at the branches. She noticed that a few of them were within her reach. She glanced over towards the parents to see them talking to each other, not paying much mind to the children. She looked back at the tree to find an Inersien boy who was about her age, studying the tree and its occupants. He also wore a cape.
"Hi!" Amnika called to him. "I like your cape."
The boy turned to her and looked her up and down. Amnika noticed that he had hazel green eyes, like hers.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "You stole my eyes!"
Amnika covered her eyes. "No, I didn't!"
She heard the boy laugh and she removed her hand from her eyes. He looked back up the tree. A sly smile came over his face.
"I bet you can't climb up there!" He said.
"We are not allowed to climb," Amnika said.
"I'm sure it's alright if you only climb as high as a Natisien's shoulders," the boy said. "After all, they carry us that high all the time."
"Then why don't you climb?"
"I can and will!" With that, the boy grabbed the lower branch and lifted himself up. Amnika watched as he reached for the next limb and hoisted himself up on it. He was almost as good as the Natisien children.
"See?" He called down to her, "It's not that hard."
Amnika took a deep breath and grabbed the first branch. She had some difficulty but was able to hoist herself up. Then she reached for the next. The Natisien children cheered Amnika on, and she kept at it until she was about as high as a Natisiens' shoulders and stopped. She straddled the branch for balance.
She smiled back at the noisy children below.
"I'm as high as Nahaeda's shoulders!" The boy exclaimed, trying to get the attention of the Natisiens. She looked up. The boy was over her right side. His left foot dangled by her right shoulder. He looked down at her and wrinkled his nose.
"Well," Amnika responded, "Natia is my guardian today. I'm as high as hers." She then looks down and sees a young Natisien boy looking up at her. He looked amused.
"You shouldn't be up there," he said. "You could get into trouble. Here, jump and I catch."
Amnika looked surprised at the request. "You are the same size as me right now."
"But stronger."
"What if I fall wrong?"
"Don't worry," The boy said, "Natisiens never miss."
Amnika considered it and loosened her grip on the branch.
"Amnika!"
The sharp sound of her name caused her to tighten her grip, and she squeezed her legs around the branch. She looked at the direction of the voice. It was her uncle. She knew she was in trouble.
"Hello, Oshtron." Amnika tried to look down, but she was too high up. Instead, she looked right at her uncle.
"What are you doing up there?" He demanded.
"I thought it okay because I'm as high as a Natisien shoulder," Amnika said.
"Why did you think it was okay? Who told you it was?"
Amnika didn't respond at first. She didn't want to get the boy in trouble.
"Amnika," Oshtron warned, "do not hide it from me."
Amnika looked up at the boy.
Oshtron followed her gaze and saw the boy. Then he called over his shoulder, "Annia?"
A woman who was wearing her hood walked over. As Annia approached, Amnika could feel sadness. Amnika glanced at Oshtron. His stern face softened a little.
At that moment, Nahaeda appeared from behind the tree. He picked up the boy and set him down in front of his mother.
"Astran, you are not supposed to be climbing." Annia took her son's hand. "We'll have to talk to your uncle tonight."
When Astran looked back up at Amnika, he bit his lip. He was as much in trouble as she was.
Nahaeda then took Amnika, but instead of setting her down, he cradled her again. Glancing over at her uncle, Amnika could see Oshtron's eyes widen. After a moment, he set Amnika in front of her uncle.
"Come Rhada," he said to the Natisien boy.
"You're Rhada?" Astran asked, "Nahaeda's son?"
The boy grunted an affirmation, but he continued to look at Amnika, smiling. Amnika smiled back. She could feel her face burn, and she turned away.
Chuckling, Nahaeda took Rhada's hand and walked away.
"You know I will have to tell your father of this," Oshtron said. He was no longer angry. Instead, he stared at Nahaeda's back, confused.
Amnika studied him for a moment. "Father had that same reaction."
Oshtron looked at Amnika and took her hand. Then looked back at Nahaeda who stopped to talk to another Natisien.
Walking up to Oshtron, Amnika's pregnant Aunt put her hand on his shoulder. She didn't say a word but instead put her other hand on her stomach.
Amnika squeezed her uncles hand. "Oshtron," she said. "I think she needs to go to medical."
Oshtron let go of Amnika's hand and held his wife who leaned on his shoulder. Amnika got the attention of Natia.
"She needs to go to medical." Amnika pointed at her aunt.
"Someone has to watch you," Oshtron said.
"I know not to…"
"I'll watch her," Nahaeda interrupted. "When does her father get home?"
"Just after sunset," Oshtron said.
"I can take her to the caves then?"
Oshtron paused. "Not too many young Inersien children go out of the walls without their parents."
"Her father will understand."
At that moment, Amnika's aunt groaned. Amnika thought she felt a tightening in her stomach and grabbed it, confused.
Oshtron looked at Amnika. "Perhaps it will be okay. I'll let Zeth know."
Natia picked up Oshtron's wife and took her up the path to the transport tube station. It was on the other side of the wooded area.
"Come Amnika," Nahaeda said, and he stooped down. Amnika climbed onto his back then onto his shoulders. Then they started their walk to the other side of the city.
"Why not use the transport tube?" Amnika asked.
"Transport tube is fast, but then I wouldn't be able to speak with my brothers," He responded.
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