Page 41 of Eat Me Alive
Bruh.
I poke his chest, hissing, “You’re lucky I’m not good at arguments.”
He hauls me into his arms, and that does it. I’m losing my breath and swooning like a damsel.
“I will let you win any other argument, just not this one.”
Xiaoyu
Today has been…something.
The conditions I’ve seen so far in Esoterra have been heartbreaking. The crystal waters, downstream river flow have significantly dropped, affecting the whole ecosystem. The ground is parched, there are earthquakes every now and then. It’s as if the earth hates Esoterra, but I know that’s not the case.
It all boils down to Datu. Everything is connected to him. Apart from this symbiosis, there’s something weird about the way he watches me. When he thinks I’m not looking, an eerie look falls over his face. He likes to lick and bite his lips every time he does it. The animal in me wants to run, but I get the distinct feeling he'd absolutely love this.
Contrarily, his deep focus isn't returned by his people. They refuse to look him in the eyes.It seems more of like a conscious effort than anything else. Why? Whatever this mystery is, it got its teeth under my skin.
It’s a tight-knit community here, their homes tall huts and treehouses connected by hanging bridges. Some even just tie uphammocks between trees. They have a community kitchen where they eat what little they can get. At closer inspection, I see a head of a yak laid carefully on what looks like a small shrine with flowers.
What’s with Terra and their shrines?
I remember the forest last night, though. Mahoganies and fruit-bearers so close together, but so full of life. It doesn’t make sense. The human logic is to find the root cause why there’s a drought…but Ingar had taken me here totreatDatu. Not the island. I quietly watch Datu as he carefully slides a needle into the leather of one of my boots. He’s stitching it up.
My heart flutters as a thought crosses me.
I am old. The island’s wellbeing is tied to my health.
No.Hell naaawwww.
Is…Datu having a dry spell? Jesus Christ, my head is spinning.
“Here, I think I sewed that correctly.”He ambles over to me and chucks my chin. He dusts off my feet first before slipping them on.
I’m motionless, my mind malfunctioning once more.
“The lights are on, but nobody’s home…”he chuckles as he tightens the knot.
I scowl, offended once again. “Did you just call me stupid?”
“I believe it also means you are not processing information well.”He rebuts.
“An understatement.” I grumble and, on impulse, take his hand. “I’m so for fucking real right now—are you causing the drought? I need the truth, Datu. Please, I’ll even crawl and beg again.”
He sucks in a breath, releasing after a few pensive seconds.“It is best to have this conversation elsewhere then.”
I smack his arm and shake my head. “This is not a joking matter.”
“I’m not joking.”Is his only reply before he adds,“I will let Savi know we are taking our leave.”
“Where are we going?”
“Back to my altar.”
Altar? “Your…platform? Stairs in the woods?”
He nods solemnly.
“But that’s at least four hours away!”
