Same Planet but Different Worlds

Chapter 3 Our Trip Has Just Begun

Kaya's POV

I leave my little hut behind, knowing I will be back soon enough, before turning to the boulder to start putting on everything I will need out there. "Kaya, are you ready? I don't see your bow in hand." I hear from behind me as I turn around showing my bow and quiver that is within my tight grip, to my best friend Talullah and her partner Orson.. They were raised together and always had a strong bond that evolved into a special love that anyone would be lucky to have.

I throw the quiver then bow over my head so it sits on my back comfortably. I made my quiver on my own, adding extra pockets and room to it just to make sure I can carry snacks, rope and anything I may find out there that is bigger than my arrows, which happens often. There is even extra straps to make sure everyone can come with us.

"Are we the only ones going this time?" I ask as I turn around adjusting the band across my forehead and arm, showing my abilities that I have succeeded at. I wear these with pride, since every time you pass and succeed in areas of learning, you gain a stone, feather or charm to show everyone what you are capable of. "No, we are meeting Soya and Atlas at the entrance." Orson responds quickly as I walk towards them nodding in understanding.

"Crew.. Come." I say loudly as my animal companion follows, prancing behind me on all three paws. He is my favorite little friend. He is a wild canine that was caught in some sort of metal tooth trap years ago when I was out hunting. I found him, released him, but because he was trying with all his might to get out and didn't succeed, he had to lose that limb that wasn't going to be able to recover ever, but it never stopped him from running all around after he healed up.

I nursed him back to health and ever since then he has become my partner, hence why I had to make sure I had enough straps so everyone can come. I always make sure to accommodate him in anyway I can because he knows the world above better than I nor my friends every will. So Crew continues following me wherever I go to hunt and protect me if needed. But we have ended up being a great team that no one ever expected.

He prances behind me as I grab my arm cuffs that I was able to make from leather to help protect my forearms when climbing. "Kaya, Kaya can I come with you? Yeah me too?" The children that I help teach ask as they run to my side, pulling on my leather cloth of my top that I have put together to cover my most vulnerable parts on my chest. They start pulling on the beads of my pants that is luckily covering everything below the waist because there are many things on the surface that can hurt me below the waist. Many members have come back with rashes, cuts or even bruises, So I do what I can to prevent that.

"Children.. you don't know how much I would love and appreciate your help.. but this is a dangerous climb and I don't know what I would do if any of you got hurt.. So keep working on your studies and when you get bigger I promise I will take you with me." I say watching them rub on Crew's head, body and ears as his mouth sits open with his tongue hanging out, looking as if he is smiling.

His fur is soft so I can't deny the urges of wanting to pet him, but sometimes he gets distracted with all the loving he receives by the children. It's adorable and he deserves it. "Uh.. Kaya.. But.. I really want to." One girls states stomping her feet as I squat down next to her, gently taking her cheek into my hand. I can see she looks heartbroken by my response. I know that she idolizes me or maybe just the fact that I can leave when I want and she cannot.

"Kit.. I know this is hard for you just to stand back and watch as I go.. I have been there and I understand.. but if you go now into that dangerous world, you could get killed.. You need to train such as I have. You're only a mere 8 years of age and me.. I am 30 years of age. I have had many more years of practice.. and I didn't even get to go out and hunt for the first time until the age of 18 years. You have a while to go.. But what I will say is that if you stay and study like I did.. I'll bring you back something nice from above." I declare in hopes that she will take the bait and be happy with that negotiation.

As I had hoped and suspected, her eyes lit up before she nodded her head and bounced on her toes with excitement in every inch of her. "Ok I promise I will study Kaya." She says putting her forehead to mine as we close our eyes in unison, taking in this moment before I go. I smile to myself as I slowly opened my eyes while I lean back and stand up from her. She reminds me of myself and I have always thought of her as a little sister. Maybe that means I am being extra protective of her, but as long as she is safe, that is all that matters to me.

I turn away from the children, snapping my fingers to get Crew coming with me before I leave him with the children. I start to follow Orson and Talulla as we walk through our community, headed out of there. "So how long will you be gone this time around?" I hear from besides us as I stop to turn on my heels. I would know that soothing tone from anywhere. It's my mother. "I think it will only be a couple of days this time around. We are traveling through the waterfall exit and to the furthest end where we have laid the newest little traps to see if we have caught anything." I declare explaining as much as I know at this moment to her as she sends a small smile my way.

"The waterfall? That's a tough climb.. Please be careful." She says sweetly to me, showing her concern because she has done this trail before so she knows how tough it will be for us. But that's why we have never been found in this area, we have very complicated ways of getting to our community, and we hunt from even further away so if anyone is found, they won't be able to find our place of residence. That hasn't happened yet, but it's just a precaution for all of our safety.

I feel my mother adjusting my top cloth as she tampers with the straps of my bag that I have created for not just me but Crew as well. I heard her letting out a deep breath before she adds, "Please be extra careful.. Especially since you will not only be carrying yourself but that pup as well." She points down at him as he wags his tail staring up at us because I think he knows we are talking about him.

"I will, don't you worry.. You know I have done that climb many times with and without my pup." I state with all the confidence in the world as she shakes her head. "Don't be too confident in your work.. you have to treat every climb as if it was your first." she says in her all-knowing tone. "So will you be joining us Ms. Lana?" Tallula asks as my mother instantly shakes her head. "It has been far too many moons since my last climb.. I will stick to what I do best and teach the children.. I will leave the complicated hunting skills to all of you." she playfully states as we all smile, then bow as she leans foward giving me a kiss on the top of my head. "Be safe my flower."

I nod my head as she leans up and away from me, so I do the same. "Be back soon mother.. keep me in your mind and I will soon find your eyes and comforting touch again." I say before turning around and leaving with my mother's eyes on my back. I can feel her staring with so much concern in her features. I know that she has many reasons to be concerned, I just hope none of them will have to do with us.

I turn back to look at her as she continues to wave at me as I wave in response before tripping on a branch that seems to be protruding from the ground, which instantly sends me to the ground as a grunt leaves my lips before I feel Crews tongue licking my cheek because I'm sure he is just concerned. I slowly stand while rubbing my bottom as I look to see my mother with her hand over her mouth as she stifles her laughing. I stick my tongue out at her as I wipe the dirt off of me as I continue walking towards my friends whom I have noticed are also stifling their laughs at my clumsy actions.

"Have a nice trip?" Tallulah asks me as she laughs between the words before Orson loses it and bursts out laughing with no resistance behind it this time around. "Ha.. ha.. I get it.. I'm fine and it was a short trip.. so don't worry.. lets get this started please.. we have people waiting on us." I declare as I pass them before they bust out laughing again. I flip around as they instantly shut up before Orson passes me with wide eyes trying to act normal, but his features say otherwise.

Tallulah on the other hand doesn't even try to hide it anymore.. she continues to chuckle at me as she states, "They wouldn't be waiting so long if you didn't decide to make so many little stops.. That last one was at least worth watching for our entertainment." I slap the side of her arm before she leans over and hugging my side. This is her lighthearted way of apologizing for making fun, but I don't mind, this has always been our relationship with one another.

We crunch through the leaves with every step we take together as she playfully wraps her arm around me as if she is trying to prevent me from falling again. I know I'm clumsy but I am not that clumsy. "Just lead the way, go to your perfect partner.. I don't need the help.. If anything you might make me fall again." I declared, as she laughs louder than before as she kisses my cheek then prances up to Orson's side.

I watch them walk and talk, wishing I had something that was that completely genuine and sweet in my life. I have my mother and friends.. even Crew.. But nothing like what they have. I just wish I knew what that felt like. To have a partner who has eyes for you and no one else, who only sees the beauty shining within you that you might not even see yourself. She has never smiled as big as when she is with him.. Sporadically they do fight, but nothing enough to make them stop this with one another. Besides, pairings never happen that often, so when it does you have to make sure you have a full grip on it or it will be lost.

I haven't seen many pairings up close but I know many who have had them. Like I know that my mother used to have a man long ago at her side. But she refuses to talk about him no matter how much I have asked about him. She said they were going down different paths and that their futures were not aligned, so they went their separate ways.. that's it. But I have heard through the grapevine that he was not from our compound, because no one knows of him.

Which makes me think that maybe he was from the men's compound or a straggler on his own.. maybe he lived with a different colony. No one will ever know, because she has kept that information locked in her head ever since she had me. I have been able to pull out of her some thoughts when it implies to him. But she only says that sometimes things don't work out with partners, no matter how much they love one another. But she has also warned me that sometimes your love can be the reason for your pain, because that person has the tools to create more pain than you might ever want to endure.

So my mother will declare that love is a beautiful thing that will bring many people together but it's the mind that will break them apart if their ambitions don't align. She won't say much more.. She won't even answer if he is still alive or not.. but maybe she doesn't know. But she has heard me talk about wanting a partner with my friends many times and she says she supports me and says almost the same things that friends do.

They have told me time and time again that when you see that person you will know they are for you.. but I don't understand what that means. It logically doesn't make any sense to me. I have seen many people running around this place but no one that does that for me. I don't even know if that will ever happen for me when there are not as many people to chose from as I would like. But I just continue to keep my head up and hope for the best within every part of my life.