by A. H. Shinn
A cold breeze tickled the back of her neck. The weather had shifted drastically. She put on her plastic cover and had the bottle in her hand, ready to catch some rain. As she wound around trees and shrubbery, she saw a plant growing from the ground that had gigantic heart-shaped leaves. The leaves could function as a funnel to capture water.
Kellie sat and took off her shoes as she waited for the rain. Her feet were covered in blisters, and the sores were worsening.
Drops of water began to spatter on her feet. The winds picked up, and the downpour started as if it had been turned on by a switch. After putting her shoes back on, she filled her container with rainwater and chugged the whole thing. She had never felt thirst like that before. As soon as she filled up her bottle again, she threw it in her bag and looked for shelter. With the hood over her head, it was difficult to locate cover, let alone see.
Kellie treaded carefully as the earth below her feet softened and tilted. There was a downgrade. She hoped that this was the way to her destination.
Her feet were now plunging into thick mud. The bottoms of her pants were turning black, and her shoes barely stayed on. As she pulled her foot up from the mud, she lost her balance. There wasn’t anything to grab onto, and she slipped and fell on her rear.
The earth below her crumbled, and she slid down the side of a hill, which became steeper. The heavy rain and the weight of her body created a mudslide.
Kellie grasped and grabbed for a handhold, but there was nothing to stop the momentum. Debris caught in her mouth when she screamed and she clawed at her face in panic.
Scree slapped her skin as mud splattered all over her. The poncho wasn’t helping either. It acted as a shell, collecting muck underneath. Her hands and lower back scraped on rocks and sticks. Her head bounced off the hard terrain as the slope became rougher.
She came to an abrupt halt, landing on a bed of sharp rocks. It felt as if knives were stabbing her brain. Raindrops bounced off her cheeks as she lay at the bottom of a hill.
Her vision blackened.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ravens
The blinding sun and a family of squawking black birds framed a bald head hovering over Kellie.
They found me, thought Kellie, her hope of getting home crushed.
She fell back into unconsciousness.
A moist cloth wiped Kellie’s forehead. A gentle touch dabbed at her wounds.
She didn’t want to open her eyes and see the inside of her old, confining room. The sight of the plain, white walls would surely make her vomit. She would have much rather been with the snake in the forest than be trapped at this monastery.
After everything she had gone through in the wilderness, she was back in her jail cell. And now the nuns would no longer trust her, nor would they ever let her out of their sight.
A tear ran down the side of her temple. Kellie wasn’t going to see any of the Taiping monks again; she wouldn’t become a junior at Milldale High; and she’d never get her driver’s license. One day, Jake and Jory would forget about her, and she would become only a vague memory to those she cared for and loved.
“Don’t cry,” a small voice said as she wiped Kellie’s tear.
Kellie didn’t recognize this person. She sounded young. Was she new? Were they taking in younger females now?
“You’re safe now,” the girl said. “You have a lot of cuts, but they’ll get better. My mom said a wound reminds us that we are fragile and that we need to be careful. She’s making you something to eat.”
Kellie’s eyelids flicked open. A young girl with short, black hair and ruddy cheeks was kneeling beside her.
She wasn’t back at the monastery. She was lying on a floor mat in a tent.
“Where am I?” asked Kellie, carefully propping up her sore body.
“In my home.”
“Am I still in Bhutan?”
The child giggled. “You’re silly. Of course we’re in Bhutan.”
“In the mountain?”
“Yeah.” Though the answer was disheartening to hear, the young girl’s sweet smile eased Kellie’s misery.
“I thought the Druk nuns were the only ones who lived around here.”
The young girl stood and took a step away from Kellie. “Are you one of them?”
“No, I’m not,” Kellie answered ever so firmly.
“I didn’t think so, but my mom said you were wearing their clothes. I told her I didn’t think you were a nun because of your hair,” she said, looking less frightened and creeping back toward Kellie.
“What is your name?” Kellie asked.
“Lia. What’s yours?”
“Kellie. Where did you find me?” The last thing she remembered was sliding down the muddy hill.
“The ravens brought me to you.”
“Ravens?” Kellie scratched her head, and felt a bump.
“Yeah! They’re my friends. You must have done something nice for them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ravens never forget. If you help them, they will always remember.”
The small black bird Kellie had on her lap didn’t get eaten by the snake after all.
Lia softly caressed the strands of Kellie’s mane. “Can I braid your hair?”
“Lia, let our guest have some breathing space,” said a woman carrying a tray of food.
The girl moved out of the way as the woman handed Kellie a plate. Kellie couldn’t wait to devour the meat, vegetables, and rice.
“Thank you so much,” Kellie said, her mouth watering.
“I see you met my daughter,” said the woman. “I hope she wasn’t bombarding you with questions. I’m Sarna.”
“My name is Kellie. Thank you for taking me in.” Her stomach rumbled loudly. “I didn’t know there were others on the mountain.”
“We’re just a small group who lives off the land,” said Sarna. “Please, eat.”
Kellie dove into her meal using her fingers. The meat tasted like chicken, and the rice was full of flavor. The vegetables were cooked and far better than the raw ones she’d had to endure.
Sarna watched her eat as Lia played on the floor with a doll made from straw.
“She’s not a bhikkhunı−, Mommy,” Lia said as she began to gently brush her own hair.
“That’s good to hear. I hope you don’t mind, but we went through your bag to see if we could find out who you are. We didn’t find any clues, but we did wash your bag and clothes that were inside, as well as the ones you were wearing. Most everything was covered in mud, including you. I cleansed and treated your wounds so you don’t get an infection…I was a medical assistant in my past life.”
Kellie looked down to see that she was dressed in a brightly colored patterned shirt and pants. Her hand automatically went to her neck. She was relieved to still be wearing her jade necklace. “Thank you.”
“I’ve never seen anyone dirtier!” said Lia.
“Though your cuts will sting for the next few days…” Sarna said as she looked at Kellie. “How did a foreigner like you get lost on this mountain?”
“How do you know I’m not from here?” Kellie asked, worried. In the back of her mind, she feared these people might alert the nuns to her whereabouts. Although, from Sarna and Lia’s reactions, Kellie didn’t think they cared for them either.
“Your English is impeccable…as is mine. The others here speak Dzongkha. I was born in Bhutan, but traveled around the world most of my life. My sister and brother live in this village, and I felt that being here with Lia was our next calling.”
“I’m trying to find my way back to America,” said Kellie, hoping these strangers could help.
“You’re quite a distance away,” Sarna said with a playful smile.
“The Druk nuns brought me here by force.”
Sarna’s smile fizzled.
“Lia, can you get our guest some more water?”
“Okay,” she said and darted out of the tent.
Sarna wrinkled her forehead. “That’s why you were wearing their clothes…Do they know where you are?”
“No…but a nearby village would be the first place they’d look for me…” Kellie said, only just realizing it herself. There was no time to waste. She got up and picked up her bag. Her stiff, pained muscles warred with her racing heart and didn’t allow her to move quickly enough. She looked around for her clothes and shoes.
“I appreciate what you’ve done for me, but I have to get out of here.”
Sarna gently touched Kellie’s trembling hand. “You don’t have to worry about them finding you. They never come here. They rarely leave their monastery…The Druk nuns are not who they should be. They are misguided and have lost sight of their path. Their true mission is spirituality and peace. But instead, they focus on the physical power of martial arts. They keep to themselves and do not interact with the people of this land.” She took Kellie’s bag and set it on the floor. “They must think you are very important to have brought you here.”
“They have the wrong person,” Kellie said, peering down at her bare feet. “Can you help me get home? I was told to find a colorful van with a picture of a dragon on it.”
“Yes, that belongs to the Gatokto monks. They will help you get to where you need to go. But the road they drive through is on the other side of the mountain.”
Other side of the mountain? I really went the wrong way. Kellie’s head fell forward, and her shoulders dropped.
Sarna lifted Kellie’s chin. “We will guide you there, but it’ll be in the next couple of days.”
“I really need to get home, Sarna. There are people worrying about me. Please, take me now.”
“The monsoon isn’t finished with us yet. And by the way you looked when we found you, it was clear you were in the middle of it. The rain will hit us again. We will take you when the weather improves. I promise.”
Lia flew into the tent and held out a cup of water. “Here you go.”
“Thank you,” said Kellie, sighing. She had been stuck in this country for about a week now. Another day or two would have to be tolerated.
“Can I brush your hair?” asked Lia.
“Oh, Lia,” said Sarna. “I’m sure Kellie would like her rest.”
Lia’s bright smile turned upside down.
“No, I don’t mind,” said Kellie. “I would very much like to have you brush my hair, Lia.”
Overjoyed, the rambunctious girl tugged Kellie down to the mat. Kellie sat cross-legged as Lia began her work.
“Would you like anything else?” Sarna asked Kellie as she was leaving. “Another plate?”
“That was more than enough,” said Kellie. “Thank you again…for everything.”
“Your hair is so long and pretty,” Lia said as she softly nudged at the tangles with the bristles.
“Your hair is very pretty, too,” said Kellie, looking at the child’s perfectly straight hair. No strand was out of place.
Lia giggled with her hand over her mouth.
“How old are you?” asked Kellie.
“I’m seven,” she said, moving around Kellie’s head as she concentrated on her task.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Kellie asked.
“No. It’s just me and Mommy. I would like to have one,” she said to Kellie with wide eyes. “I would like to have an older sister.”
“An older sister would be nice to have,” said Kellie.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Lia asked as she fought to straighten out a ball of hair.
“No. Well, I don’t really know…”
Lia scrunched up her nose. “You don’t know if you have brothers or sisters?”
“I was adopted. I don’t know who my parents are.”
The young girl stopped brushing Kellie’s hair, and her big, brown eyes drooped at the corners.
“One day you will find out about them,” she said. “I’m glad that you’re here, even though you don’t want to be. Everything will turn out okay. That’s what my mommy always says.” Her serious countenance dissolved, and her cheekbones rose with her grin. “For now, we can play until you have to go.”
“How are you two doing in here?” Sarna asked, poking her head in through the slit.
“Good, Mommy.”
Surprised at the unexpected words from the little girl, Kellie murmured, “We’re fine.”
A ruckus a distance away caught Sarna’s attention. “Okay…Well, just stay in here,” she muttered and then closed the front of the tent.
Lia examined Kellie’s head at all angles and appeared satisfied with her work. Then the real seriousness fell over her face. She divided Kellie’s hair down the middle and tied one of the sides. She was braiding the other half when the noise outside became louder and closer.
“What’s happening outside?” Lia asked as she darted to the tent opening.
“I think you should stay in here,” Kellie said nervously.
Lia’s head popped back inside. “It’s the bhikkhunı−s!”
Kellie’s mouth went dry. There was arguing, and it sounded as if the altercation was just a few feet away.
Sarna was heard saying, “Just my daughter is in there. I don’t want her disturbed.”
“We would like to take a look,” said a familiar voice that sent a chill down Kellie’s spine. It was Choden.
“You do not have the right to come to our village and do what you please!” shouted Sarna.
Other words were exchanged in Dzongkha.
Kellie’s heart sank; her freedom was short-lived. Sarna and Lia had done what they could to help her, but it was hopeless. The nuns were going to discover her and drag her back.
“Over here,” whispered Lia.
Kellie turned toward the corner.
Lia had a large, red cloth in her hands. “Hurry! Get down!”
Kellie did as the little girl instructed, and she heard the flaps of the tent open as darkness fell over her.
“See?” said Sarna, with a question in her voice. “I told you. It’s just my daughter in here. Now please, leave us.”
Kellie held her breath, trying to remain still as she balanced something that had been propped on her back.
“If you see a girl with long, black hair and—” There was a tense pause. “Where did you get this?”
My bag, thought Kellie.
“My daughter found it,” said Sarna.
“Where?”
“Near the stream. It was covered with mud. I washed it and told her she could keep it.”
“This was made from our monastery,” said Choden.
“Then it’s yours,” said Sarna.
“Was there anything inside it?”
“Besides dirt and rocks? No.”
Kellie’s arms and legs began to tremble as the thing leaning on her grew heavy. She didn’t know how long she could stay on her hands and knees. Her muscles burned, and the scrapes on her back stung.
Several pairs of feet shuffled outside, and the voices faded.
The object that spanned from Kellie’s shoulders to her hips came off, and light appeared. Lia was standing in front of Kellie with the blanket hanging over an arm and the food tray by her feet.
Moments later, Sarna reentered and took a big breath. “Very clever, you two,” she whispered.
“That was Lia’s idea,” said Kellie, straightening up as she came out of her position as a corner table. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me, but I should leave. I don’t want to cause any more trouble.”
Sarna touched Kellie’s arm. “You are safe here. When it is best to make the trip to the open road, we will take you. The nuns have a journey of their own. I direct
ed them to another part of the mountain where I told them I found your bag. Besides, Lia needs to finish doing your hair,” she said, staring at her half-braided head.
“Yay!” shouted Lia.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Mongoose
After Lia was satisfied with the second braid, Sarna wrapped a handkerchief over Kellie’s new hairdo. Sarna wanted to modify Kellie’s appearance, just in case the Druk nuns decided to make another visit.
Kellie was welcomed with open arms by the villagers. At first, she worried one of them would notify the bhikkhunı−s of her presence, but they seemed to share the same disdain for the unfriendly neighbors. Any foe of the “misguided nuns” was a friend of theirs.
There were only about fifty people who lived in this small community, and they lived as if they were one big happy family. The women smiled as they laundered their clothes and cooked meals together. The men joked with one another as they tended the farm animals, and the children screamed with laughter as they ran around their parents.
To a foreigner, it would have seemed that these people didn’t have much, but to Kellie, they were rich with love and togetherness.
This was the safest she had felt since before her kidnapping and, for a brief moment, she forgot the circumstances that had brought her here. These people had a special gift for making her feel at home.
Lia showed Kellie around and introduced her to everyone, including a baby no more than three months old. Lia picked up the crying infant, and he instantly stopped shedding tears. He cooed in her arms and tried to tug her hair.
“No, no,” Lia said tenderly. “You know not to pull my hair. Remember last time?”
The baby cooed some more.
“You really have a way with him,” said Kellie.
“It’s easy,” said Lia. “You just have to know what he needs.”
Kellie chuckled. “How perceptive you are.”
“What does purr-sevtid mean?”
“Perceptive means to understand something or someone easily.”
