Reflection

by Lynn Moon

  I snicker, but Takoda looks serious.

  “Now, if you’ll open your packets you’ll see several different places from which to choose.” As he explains, he stops to talk to a couple of the students.

  “Okay, what’s all this?” I whisper to Takoda.

  “It’s as he said. We get to go away, Journey.” He smiles and winks at me.

  I frown a little. “I don’t want to go away.”

  “Shh, we can go together,” he adds. “We get to choose a partner.”

  “And what is that supposed to mean, exactly?” I’m not sure whether to be happy or apprehensive.

  “Have you looked at what’s in your packet?”

  “Not really.”

  “Class, you must read all the literature before you can decide which Trial to choose,” the professor says as he walks down the aisle.

  I still didn’t get it. So later, while riding the train home with Takoda, I thumb through the material again.

  “I think we should choose Kronian, Searching for the Voyage. We would be exploring ancient ruins. I enjoyed our time at the ruins the other day and would really like to visit more, and these are supposed to be big.”

  “That does sound pretty cool, but I’ll have to ask my dad about this. I’m sure he knows all about it,” I say, trying to convince myself everything will turn out okay.

  “Are you two planning something special—like your honeymoon or something?” Anneeta asks, as she sneers at us from a few feet away.

  Intimidated, I turn my head toward Takoda and try to ignore her. But, as always, there is no ignoring Anneeta.

  “Takoda, I really do not believe your father would approve of you partnering with her. You were promised to Trial with me and you will not be traveling with her.”

  “Fine,” he says, which takes me by surprise and a huge knot forms in the pit of my stomach. Until he continues with, “Wait for me at the train station. I’ll be sure to pick you up.” He says it so sarcastically, I know he’s not serious. He doesn’t look up at her, he just keeps flipping through his packet.

  “This is not over, Takoda, and she will not be your Trial partner. I’ll put in a complaint with the authorities.” Anneeta threatens with a stare that should have buried us both.

  Anneeta finally crossed the line. Takoda stands up so quickly that I drop my packet, and the pages scatter all over the floor. He stares at her and with a finality that frightens even me, yells, “You have no say on what I do, where I go, or who I go with! We are not together. You are not what I want Anneeta, you never were.” His voice is deep and demanding of respect. “Who I decide to travel with is up to me. I do not need to ask for your permission or get your approval.”

  As I pick up the pages, Takoda sits and stares out the window. Anneeta stays only a few moments longer before she says directly to me while pointing her finger into the middle of my face, “This is not over Gayoid.”

  “That is enough!” Takoda yells, jumping up and grabbing her arm.

  Anneeta stares at me one last time, yanks her arm out of Takoda’s grip, and storms down the aisle.

  “I’m doomed.” I’m trying to put the pages back into the correct order but my hands won’t quit shaking. “My life is over.”

  “You’re not doomed,” he whispers with a slight grin. “But I’d definitely keep my distance from her.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that.” The train is slowing down. “I guess we’re here.”

  “Come, let’s go home,” he suggests, taking my hand into his.

  Standing in my yard, I’m hating having to say goodbye to Takoda. He holds me close, and I inhale his essence.

  “Takoda? What is a Gayoid?”

  “Just forget about,” he says, kissing my forehead.

  As he walks away, I feel lost again. I glance out at the lake and wish that the Wanderers were still here. I need release from the fear that grips me from deep inside. I could use some peace right now. Makayah comes running out of the cabin with her hands full of fresh warm bread. As she runs past me and the honking geese, or what I think are geese, she yells out a short “Hi” but doesn’t stop to talk. Feeling alone and dejected, I decide to share my packet from school with my father.

  “I remember your mother talking about her Trial,” he says gazing up into the nothingness of our ceiling as though watching a movie only he can see or hear.

  “Well, can we get back to mine please?” I ask, pushing the packet towards him. “By the way, what does it mean when someone calls you a Gayoid?”

  “It’s a very bad name for someone who isn’t blue,” he replies. “Where did you hear that word?”

  “A girl from school called me a Gayoid today on the train,” I answer. “What does it mean?”

  “First, do not use that word. It’s a curse word. Others will frown upon you if you do. But it comes from an ancient one—Gaia. She ruled our people for many years. She was like us, white. The word means people of her descendants.”

  “I see,” I say. Now I understand why Takoda got so mad at Anneeta. But I shrug it off. Prejudice is something I’m used to. I remember how some people were treated on Earth just because of their race. I see the pamphlets and smile. “What is this, anyway?” I ask, not really sure if I want to know. “And do I have to go?”

  “Of course you have to go. It will be a great experience for you,” he adds, flipping through the papers. “This voyage allows you to learn who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing.”

  “Takoda wants us to go together,” I say, staring at a picture of a beautiful landscape wishing to avoid my father’s eyes.

  “Some people go on Trial in groups and some go with just a friend,” he says, softly. “How do you feel about going with Takoda?”

  “I don’t really feel one way or the other,” I answer, a little louder than I intended. “I have no idea what this Trial stuff is all about anyway.”

  My dad pushes the papers aside and turns his attention to me. He takes my hands into his and says softly.

  “Journey, what happens is simple. You choose a place to go, which is here on Traveler. It may not be on this continent, but here all the same.”

  “I just thought of something,” I reply, gazing into my father’s beautiful dark brown eyes. “Are there oceans on this planet, like on Earth?”

  “Huge oceans, Journey,” he answers, with a smile. It’s obvious that my father wants me to be curious about this world, my home world. “There is so much about this place there’s no way I can tell you everything. You have so much to learn, so much to discover.” His enthusiasm radiates from his eyes. It’s obvious he loves this world.

  “I guess there are lots of cities and continents and mountains?” I ask, pausing to think about what the rest of the planet might look like. I’d only been to our cabin, the small town, and my school.

  “This will give you a chance to see your world. Be excited about whatever place you choose, and I will support you in your decision.”

  “But what happens when I get there?”

  “You will be given a task to complete. Nothing terrible, but something exciting,” he adds. “You will be safe. This is all supposed to help you grow.”

  “If you say so,” I reply. As long as Anneeta is a long ways away, I will probably survive. “Where did my mom go when she was my age?”

  “Her experience was with a group of other girls who were her closest friends. The Grand Cave Junction was their choice, and she was tasked to locate a small electronic device. It took weeks, but they finally found it.”

  “Weeks?” I ask now wondering how long I will be out in the wilds of this unknown world.

  “You won’t know for sure what your challenge will be until you choose your destination and your partners. They always wait until the last minute to give you your task. They don’t want you to be able to make advanced plans. I won’t lie to you, it wasn’t easy for her. But she learned many things about herself.”

  The phone rings and I jump. We
both laugh as he picks up the receiver.

  “Peace be with you, Takoda,” he says. It’s strange how they answer phones around here. I still don’t see anything wrong with a simple Hello, but I’m constantly reminded that things are different here. “Yes, just one moment. It’s for you.”

  My hand shakes as I take the phone. “Peace be with you.”

  “Good evening, Journey,” Takoda answers, which makes my heart leap.

  “What’s up?” I ask, trying to sound as calm as possible.

  “Have you picked a destination?” he asks, with excitement in his voice.

  “Not really, have you?”

  “My father said that the Ruins of the Wicked Lady would be perfect for us.”

  As he talks, I flip through the pages until I come to that place. Nestled under a large cliff is a city built from huge stones. There are more floors than can be counted and large tree roots have broken through many of the walls. It’s quite beautiful in a rustic sort of way.

  “Ah,” my father comments with a chuckle. “The Wicked Lady Caves. Yes, a great place to explore.”

  I take in a deep breath and sigh as I reply, “It is pretty wicked looking. I guess it will be okay.”

  Now I don’t know which to fear most–the wicked lady under the cliff or the wicked lady at my school. Either way, one of them is going to do me in for sure.

  9

  THE CREATURES

  AFTER CHOOSING our destination, my bond with Takoda seems to be strengthening. It’s almost as though he can read my mind and feel what I’m experiencing. Anneeta, of course, is just as cold and hateful as ever, so I simply ignore her the best I can. But she’s making Ancient History almost unbearable. After all these weeks, I’m sure her gaze has burned a lasting impression into the back of my head.

  “I wish she wouldn’t do that,” I whisper to Takoda.

  He glances back over his shoulder at her, then turns to me. Takoda shakes his head and laughs. “Maybe it won’t leave too big of a scar.”

  His comment takes me by surprise because he knows what I’m thinking. How does he do that? There’s even times when he finishes my sentences for me.

  “Let’s share where we have chosen to go,” Professor Graysonian announces, dragging me from my thoughts and back into the present. “And let’s start near the back. Anneeta, you first.”

  His statement takes her by surprise. She stutters and hesitates as she tries to answer his question.

  “Um, well,” she says.

  I keep my eyes on my hands that are clasped on the top of my desk. It feels good just knowing she’s been caught off guard and I giggle.

  “My friend Shanta and I decided on the Crystal Watering Pool,” she explains, with a little more conviction in her voice, which disappoints me.

  “Excellent!” Professor Graysonian says clapping his hands together and making a loud noise that echoes around the room. “It is a beautiful challenge and you will learn much about yourselves. And Makia, what about you?” he asks a blonde girl sitting in front of Anneeta.

  “I’m going with Deenea and we picked the Crossings of the Moons,” she says, blushing.

  “Another excellent choice. Many different paths to take with that journey. And speaking of journeys, what about you two?” Professor Graysonian asks, turning and staring at Takoda and me.

  Takoda speaks up quickly. I become speechless. “We are going together and we’ve decided on the Ruins of the Wicked Lady.” He says it with so much pride in his voice that I know my face is starting to blush a bright pink.

  “Now that is a difficult one,” Professor Graysonian replies, staring at us with shock written all over his face. “I’ve never had any student choose that one before. You two will be the first. In fact, I do not believe anyone has taken that challenge in many generations.” My heart skips a few beats because I don’t like the way he emphasized the words difficult or generations.

  “Difficult?” I ask.

  “Yes, it is rumored that those ruins are protected by an ancient race of creatures called the Nomaddas. I’m surprised, very surprised, you would pick that particular challenge.”

  “Yeah, me too,” I whisper into my now shaking hands.

  With a raised eyebrow, the professor asks cautiously. “And may I ask what made you decide on this challenge?”

  “Journey and I love to explore ancient sites,” Takoda replies. “We thought it would be fun to explore our land together.”

  “I see. And do you agree with this choice, Journey?”

  I glance at my teacher and try to smile. “Yeah, sure.” I know my answer is not very convincing because he stands there with a look of concern for a few moments.

  “Okay then, let’s get back to work, shall we? I’d like to go over what happens next.” As he continues explaining, my head reels and my imagination starts to run wild through all the negative possibilities. Now, aside from Anneeta, I have monsters in my future.

  I don’t pay much attention after that. All I want to know about are the wild creatures called the Nomaddas, and if I will become their next meal. I can see it now, running away from a huge monkey-looking animal with extra large, sharp teeth, and it’s drooling all over my body and…

  “Journey?” Takoda asks holding his bag and smiling. “Journey? Let’s go.”

  Class is over and the room’s empty except for us. “I’m sorry,” I apologize as I grab my things and follow him.

  Takoda pauses just outside the classroom and stares at me. His eyes are tender and his smile sincere. “We’ll be fine, Journey. I’m sure he’s just trying to scare us.”

  “I hope you’re right. I don’t have a real good feeling about this, Takoda.”

  “Come on,” he says, taking my hand into his. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

  His skin is warm and as our hands touch, I know I would follow him anywhere. Nothing seems to matter when I’m with him.

  The rest of the day flies by quickly. Even the ride home seems shorter than usual. The more I try to get a grip on how I’m feeling about this Trial, the faster time speeds up.

  • • •

  I’m standing at the train station with a very large backpack crammed to the splitting point with all the necessary items I will need: sleeping bag, water, food, a change of clothing, and other small items like a toothbrush. It seems a little odd to bring a toothbrush when I just know I will be some thing’s dinner. I stare in despair at my over-stuffed bag and pray I haven’t forgotten to pack my courage.

  After a quick hug from my sister and father, Takoda and I are on the train and sailing down the track at an incomprehensible speed. As the outside world blurs past, I’m dizzy and uncomfortable.

  “We’ll get our instructions when we arrive,” he explains, with more enthusiasm than I can muster. My only comfort is to nibble on my lip until it hurts. I need something to keep me grounded and pain is the only thing I can think of.

  “Journey, we’ll have a great time,” he says, trying to soothe my nerves.

  “All I can see are those creatures wanting me for dinner.”

  “How can you think such things? You don’t even know what they look like or if they even exist,” he argues. But then we both laugh.

  We study the material that was handed to us as we boarded the train. I really want to enjoy this private time with Takoda, but my imagination keeps me seeing some monster drooling over my dead body.

  “The train’s slowing,” I say, looking out the window at the darkening skies.

  “We must be there,” he announces, not taking his eyes off the paperwork.

  “Oh,” I reply, fearing the dark outside. It’s as if the world knows of my fate, and is casting me into the blackness where there’s no chance of returning.

  Takoda grabs both our packs, and I find the air cool and misty as we walk onto the dark platform. Three men in uniform are waiting for us. One of them approaches with a serious expression. Takoda nods to the right and hands him our papers. After the officer reviews them,
he signs the forms and hands them back. The officer turns to the others and nods. As they walk over to us, my stomach hurts, and I feel like I need to use the bathroom.

  “Here are your instructions,” one of the other officers says as he hands Takoda a huge envelope. It’s an inch thick and looks heavy.

  “Thank you,” Takoda answers, as he takes custody of the packet. “Will you be accompanying us?”

  “No, we take leave of you here. There is a vehicle waiting for you by the road. We wish you luck and safe passage.”

  Takoda smiles and nods to the right to the officers.

  “You might get a few miles before it is too dark to continue,” the third officer suggests, with a saddened expression. “I recommend you leave right away.”

  “Good luck,” the first officer says. They board the train leaving us alone on the dark and gloomy platform.

  “Well, we’d better get going,” Takoda hands me my pack.

  We walk down the road and toward the waiting vehicle. The night is cool and a thick mist hangs heavily in the air. As we walk, my hair and face feel wet. It’s as though we’re walking through a light veil of water.

  “I’m wet,” I announce when we spot the vehicle.

  A covered black jeep waits for us next to a dirt road that fades into a shadowy and ominous forest. It reminds me of an armored car that’s used on Earth to transport money between banks.

  “This doesn’t look promising,” I moan, as he drops the tailgate and tosses in his bag. After placing mine beside his, he slams the door and turns to me.

  “Journey, the next few days are not meant as a punishment. We are supposed to look forward to this day our whole life. This is an exciting time. You’ll learn much about yourself.”

  I wish I could share his enthusiasm, but I’m just plain scared.

  “Come, let’s go,” he suggests, as he helps me into the passenger seat.

  The vehicle starts right up, and I decide that at least we have a method of escape when the time comes, if nothing else. We ride in silence for what seems like a very long time before he pulls the vehicle off the road and into a small clearing. Someone had removed several trees and placed the trunks along the edge of the forest. It’s dark and I can only see a few feet in front of my face.