Chapter 5: A Cat's Curiosity

"We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed, and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature."

—Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

"Quiet people always know more than they seem. Although very normal, their inner world is by default fronted mysterious and therefore assumed weird. Never underestimate the social awareness and sense of reality in a quiet person; they are some of the most observant, absorbent persons of all."

—Criss Jami, Healology

"It's the unknown that draws people."

—E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly, (Gadfly Saga, #1)

***

Later that day, when the clock strikes at 8 in the evening, Xenia snuck out of their house without his parents knowing.

The surroundings were dark and eerie, filled with the sounds of the cricket rampant on the whole island. Despite the feeling, Xenia thought nothing of it and tread on the dirt with the intention of knowing more about the incident earlier.

"If she was really struck at the place where a cut was made on the ground, how come there was not any trace of blood?"

On his way, Xenia wondered about the possibilities that could have happened before Myla was killed.

"Myla must have avoided that one strike but she was unfortunately caught in the river. And that was where she met her demise. Still, who would do such a thing? How angry could they be to murder her in such a state."

A blaze of a fire in front of him waved and danced as the person holding it waddled through the uneven path. Then, more lamps held by people coming towards Xenia's direction came into view.

Footsteps rang in his ears, unbothered by them since Xenia knew who the owners of the footsteps were. His keen senses and calm mind lets him discern people based on the way they walk and their body movements.

All lamps were gathered in one place. The crime scene. When everyone arrived at their meeting spot, Xenia explained what he had been thinking about before he reached the river.

The silence was loud but the stream of water from the riverbank was louder than the deafening surroundings.

"How fast could the killer run if Xenia's theory about Myla being dead for a minute was right?"

In the end, Franzia, Zeb, and Pack came too when they kept protesting they should just stop prying into the matter. They can't just leave Xenia and the other guys alone. Worrying about them is only natural since a person was killed, and they are trying to solve the case.

"I'm really against this! I have a bad feeling right now!"

Chill ran through Franzia's spine, rubbing both of her arms in a cross manner. Paranoia was slowly consuming her, afraid that danger is the only thing that awaits them.

"I told you to bring your sweater, sis," Zeb gentlemanly lent his jacket to his sister after seeing her feeling cold.

He was wearing something thick, so he could somehow endure the cold night.

"We should make this quick. I told my mom I am just gonna drop by to a friend's house to get something."

All of them will be reprimanded if their parents learn what they are trying to do now. Most of them will likely get their asses whoops.

"Since when did you become such a worrywart, Arlan? Don't you always get away with your punishments?"

Arlan is his parents' favorite child. If something bad happens to him, they will be devastated and won't be able to forgive themselves for poor parenting. Because their child's safety falls under their supervision.

"The crickets sure are so noisy at night. Thanks to them I can't hear my own heart pounding in my chest."

Mack, Pack, and Jack were stuck together like glue, walking side by side with their arms clutching onto the other.

As they formed a group of three, with two individuals in each group, holding the lamps in their hands, the three groups split to secure more time and space. They wanted to get things done quickly and collect as much information as possible since all of them were quite scared except for Xenia, who literally came for some thrilling experience.

Xenia, on the other hand, went alone but not far from the others. He borrowed one of the lamps from his friends and went near the entrance.

Deep breaths could be heard from himself, the rustling of the dried leaves crushing in each step resonating with the crickets' sounds, and the cool breeze from the trees sways the leaves, which sweeps them up in the air. It was a totally normal night. For now.

"Zeb, say, why did you insist on coming? You could have stayed at home."

What they were looking for actually was a trace of blood, which could lead to where the attack starts. And they were searching everywhere in the area outside of the river for important clues.

Franzia and the other kids were kind of hoping that the evidence would be somehow connected with the Sulten tribe. Everybody knows how all of the Balmackians wished for the eradication of the tribe if not eviction. Balmackians want to get rid of the Sulten Tribe, for they pose a threat to the islanders. However, the government is protecting the tribe, always imposing human rights against them.

"It's simple, sis," Zeb started, peering his eyes through the vivid view in front of him. "It's because everyone is going. I can't be the only person left out while they discover something new and enjoy themselves."

They know and see the harm in what they were doing but chose to turn a blind eye to it. For these kids, what matters were the memories and experiences because they don't get to be a part of this every day? A rare occasion for them. Also, it has them on the edge of their seats. That's why.

"Simple and stupid."

"Not as stupid as your reason for coming."

"What do you know," Franzia confusedly asked.

"Didn't you go because—"

Zeb's words came to a halt. Franzia thought that her brother was just too afraid to continue what he was about to say but was caught up in something.

"Good, good! Be a good boy and shut your mouth." Her last step made her bump into her own brother, stopping her in her tracks. "Keep going! Why did you stop?"

"Shh!!!" Zeb eagerly hushed his big sister to tone down her voice. "Can't you see those pairs of bloodshot eyes?!"

Chills ran down everyone's spine upon noticing the darting gazes from the shadows.

"Just how many pairs of eyes are there?!"

Shockingly, Xenia's, Franzia's, and Mack's group were all encircled by the silent countless gaze from the dark luminosity of the night.

Thump, thump, thump. The kids could feel their hearts pounding loudly inside their chests as sweat formed on their faces. Fear was starting to creep from their feet around their whole body. And every sweeping breeze from the sea sent shudders to their core.

None of them could move, freezing in their spot. Adrenaline rush did not kick in for them to instantly tuck their tail between their legs and run away.

"Hahaha! What is this now?"

There was only one answer that crossed their mind as to whose pairs of eyes they were.

"Are we being surrounded by the Sulten Tribe right now?"

No one dares try to move an inch from where they stood. In their minds, the slightest movement that they will do might result in their safety disappearing with the swaying air of freedom.

"We do not condone trespassing to our homeland. All of you are lucky you imps are not standing above our land, or else we would be forced to show violence and let all of you know not to set foot in our home!"

"Us, Sulten people, will not show mercy to anyone that threatens our well-being and dare sully our land! Be it a kid or an elder, a man or a woman, punishment will be laid upon trespassers!"

Emerging from the shadows, the Sulten tribesmen revealed themselves to the impetuous kids.

Dark, tall, and has long hair. These were the few characteristics of a Sulten tribesman. Through the cold night, they do not wear anything but fabrics to cover their manhood and also to showcase their intimidating tattoos, which are indelible religious designs of their ethnicity and culture.

"Never try to set foot in our home again. Do so, and we will tear you all apart."

"Now, scram, and don't ever think of going back here again!"

After they heard those words, the kids who had mustered the strength and courage to run did so as fast as they could. They did not care if they fell or slipped on their way back. All that mattered to them was to get away from there.

Out of breath, scared for their lives, and unaware of everyone's safety, the kids finally made it back to their playground where the Sulten Tribe won't be able to hurt them.

"Haa! Haa! I knew it would be a bad idea! We're lucky we were not inside their territory!"

"You said that right!"

However, as they were calming down, Arlan noticed someone from the group was missing.

"Where is Xenia?!"

~