Chapter Seven: Can't Stay, Can't Leave

“Ah… my head,” David was waking up from his little nap, “why does my head hurt so much.” He was having trouble remembering what had happened to him. It then came to him that the last thing that he remembered was holding something furry, something huge. ‘What was it; what was I doing?’ David thought. Then it hit him like the tree he had slammed into. ‘Wyanet, where’s Wyanet.’

As he hurried to get up, he felt sudden and sharp pain in his chest and right shoulder; he laid back down. His ribs hadn’t fully healed and his shoulder was still dislocated.

“Where the hell am I?” Wherever he was, he wasn’t back at the cabin. He way lying in big animal pelts of fur in what seemed like a teepee. David could hear voices coming from outside, but they were too indistinct to tell what was being said. So David slowly got up and peeked through the flap. Wyanet was talking to another Tokala, but he was a little taller than her and his fur was red instead of white and gray.

“He can’t stay here,” he said, “I won’t allow it.”

“Why not, Gahege, why do you hate him so much?” David could tell that Wyanet was getting frustrated with the other.

“You know why, because he’s a human. And you know how we feel about them.”

“But he’s not like the rest of them, he’s unique.”

“Unique? How can any of them be unique? They’re all the same. They’re barbaric and they have no respect for the wild. Have you seen what they have done to our land? It disgusts me.” David could tell that the other Tokala was growing more than impatient with Wyanet.

“You just don’t know him like I do. Why can’t you give him the chance? Don’t we all deserve a chance?”

“We gave his kind their chance a long time ago, and they threw it away like the ungrateful creatures they are.”

“He’s anything but ungrateful.”

“How would you know, what has he done to prove himself to you?”

“When I showed him how to hunt like us he gave most of the food to me. I’ve also learned a few things from him regarding their culture. And unlike what you say, he’s capable of emotion, and no less than us.

“He cries when he’s sad, smiles when he’s happy, and he even gets defensive when he thinks I’m in danger.”

“I find that hard to believe,” said Gahege, giving a grunt of disbelief, “what has he done to defend you?”

“If it wasn’t for him, then I would have been killed by one of them.”

“It was probably because he knew that only you could save him. There’s no way he would have been able to hold his own. And the fact that the beast wanted him is even more reason that we should send him away.”

“Send him away,” this shocked Wyanet more than anything else she had heard, “but there’s no way he would survive out there. He’s already suffered abandonment from his mother. Why would you want him to go that that again?”

“There’s no way he would fit in here anyway,” it was obvious that Gahege had no answer for the question. David could tell that Wyanet was about to give up trying to convince the guy.

“Fine, have it your way. But if he goes, then I go.” David couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had never known anybody that would stick with him till the end.

“You can’t be serious, you wouldn’t.”

“Of course I would, he’s my friend.”

Gahege gave out a long sigh. “Very well, but he’s your responsibility. If he messes up just once, then I will send you both away without a moment’s hesitation.”

“He won’t, and he has a name; it’s David.”

Defeated, the Tokala walked away. When he was out of sight, Wyanet tuned around and entered the tent. David was crying.

“How much did you hear?”

“Everything between ‘he can’t stay here’ and ‘no hesitation’.”

Wyanet sat down next to him and put a hand on both of his shoulders. David was expecting another hug, but Wyanet shifted his dislocated shoulder and popped back into place. He gave out a long groan of pain.

“You couldn’t have done that when I was out!?”

“Sorry, but I wouldn’t be able to tell if I was pinching your blood veils. How does it feel now?”

David moved his shoulder around. “It’s okay. I just hope that never happens again.” Wyanet gave a nod of agreement. It took a while for David to stop his tears, but when he did he felt angry. Fighting through the pain he got up and walked out of the teepee. Everyone was looking at him, none in a welcoming manor. David began to walk around looking for a way out. It wasn’t easy, trees that formed a wall surrounded the whole camp.

“Where are you going,” Wyanet called to him, “get back inside.”

“Why,” said David, “There’s no reason for me to stay; I’m leaving.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, why would you want to leave?”

“Do you really have to ask? You heard what Gahege said, I’m not welcome here, and from the way I see it I never will be.”

“Yes you will, you just need to give him a chance to see you for who you really are: a gentle and loving human being. Why else would I call you a friend and be willing to leave just for you? I care about you more than anybody else ever has; you said it yourself.”

“Don’t get me wrong, you’ve been so good to me, and like you said better than anyone else, and I’ve never had a friend like you. But I’ve lived all my life being treated like a peace of trash and a nobody, and I don’t think I would be able to take it anymore. That alone is enough reason for me to not call this place home.”

“You know that I would do everything in my ability to make you feel like you belong here.”

“I do, but will that be enough?” Wyanet gave a long pause in response to David’s question.

“I don’t know. But what I do know is that you won’t survive out there, and you’re in no condition to even provide for yourself. Also, your ribs haven’t healed yet,” David could feel one of them pressing against his lung.

“So what, I heal fast.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Wyanet was getting frustrated with David, so he turned around and kept on looking for a way out.

“What do you plan to do about them?” asked Wyanet. David stopped; he hadn’t taken what the werewolf said into account.

“What do you mean ‘them’?”

“They’re more out there. Your only chance against them is us, you need our help.”

“Do you have any idea why they even want me; what do I have to offer?” David began to feel a fear grow in his heart.

Wyanet went up to David and looked him dead in the eye. “There are only two reasons why they would want a human like you: to bite you.”

“I’d become a werewolf,” David honestly didn’t care, “So what.”

“Or eat you.” In hearing this, David took a big swallow, and looked at his feet, thinking of what to do. If he left the Tokala, then he would risk dying. Then again if he stayed, then he would be safe, but likely suffer ridicule. Eventually, he made the obvious choice.

“You’ve convinced me, Wyanet,” David sounded reluctant as ever, “I’ll stay, but I still don’t like it.” Wyanet gave David a big hug, but gently so she wouldn’t cause further injury to his ribs.

“I promise you wont regret this.” Said Wyanet, and then he sent him back to the teepee. But before he entered he turned around to face her once again.

“By the way, what became of the one who attacked us?”

“I killed him with your knife; he died instantly.”

“Did he say anything after he knocked me out?”

“No, he didn’t get the chance.” David was happy with this, so he went back inside the teepee to rest, followed by Wyanet. She felt a little guilty about lying to David like that, but she was afraid of how it would affect him. He already had enough problems to deal with. After entering they sat down next to one another, they didn’t say a word for a long period of time.

“Did you really mean all of those things you said about me when you were talking to that other Tokala,” asked David, breaking the silence, “would you really give up everything you have to stay with me?”

“Of course I would,” Wyanet was surprised by David’s question, “I’ve never met anyone like you, David. Your not like the rest of the narrow minded Tokala that I’ve known. I also think that you are exactly what they need to change the way they think about humans.”

“Never have I met anyone like you too, but I’m still afraid that I’ll be the death of you.” David had a worried look on his face

“You won't,” Wyanet embraced David the same way she did back at the cabin when he opened up to her, “not if we look after each other. Now go back to sleep, you need all the rest you can get.” She helped him lay back down putting his head on her lap, and began to run her fingers through his hair. David closed his eyes and drifted away.

Later when David woke up, Wyanet was sleeping in her animal form at his feet. As he got up his stomach growled, it had been over two days since his last meal. So he hurried out of the tent to find some food, but not before putting on the clothes that Wyanet made especially for him; he liked them very much. They seemed like what Native Americans would have worn a long time ago.

“Excuse me,” said David as one of the Tokala walked by, “where do you go to eat?” The female gave him a look that was anything but friendly, but she still pointed to a very large hut in the middle of the camp.

“Thank you,” but his little navigator walked away without saying a single word. David ran as quickly as he could; it felt like his stomach was eating itself.

As he entered, everyone gave him a quick glance of disgust and went back to eating their meals. David hoped that Wyanet was right about how he would be able to change their minds about humans.

Heading for the banquet table a bunch of males got in front of him and forced him to the back of the line. David wanted to say something in his defense, but then he remembered that a single mistake would get him and Wyanet exiled. So he just stood there without saying a word.

When David finally made it to the front of the line, a Tokala handed him a small bowl with raw meat and fish. He then caught the food server’s attention. “Do you have anything cooked?”

“We don’t eat cooked food,” said a voice from behind David, it was the male from earlier that day. Man was he tall, at least half a foot taller than Wyanet. “And if you’re going to live with us, then you’re going to eat like us.” It was getting harder and harder for David to submit to all this segregation.

“That’s okay,” David offered out his hand, “well, I’m David. And you must be Gahege.”

The male looked at David’s hand, refusing to accept the friendly gesture. David put his hand down in humiliation.

“You are not to call me by that name,” he growled, “what you do need to know is that I’m the chief of this tribe and that is exactly what you’re going to call me. Also, I hold your life in my hands.”

“Well then,” said David with a smile, “I’ll have to be extra careful to not upset you.”

“I seriously doubt that you will not, David.” The chief then walked away.

After Gahage had left the hut, David sat down away from everyone else. He looked at his meal; he didn’t want to eat it, but he was hungry and didn’t want to insult the Tokala’s way of eating. Even though he had a hard time eating it without gagging, he still managed to eat it all. Finished, he put his dish where everyone else put theirs. But as he did his stomach was getting upset; David wasn’t used to raw meat.

Not wanting to spew his guts in front of everyone, David hurried outside where Wyanet was waiting for him. She could see that he wasn’t feeling well.

“Uh, David,” Wyanet looked concerned, “are you okay?”

“Oh, yean,” David lied, but not very convincingly, “I’m just fine.”

“The chief made you eat raw food, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, but I can take it. It’s… no problem.”

David then felt it starting to come up, and tried to look away. But before he could he threw up all over Wyanet’s beautiful coat. He collapsed on the ground clutching his stomach.

“You see,” said the chief, “he’s weak, just like the rest of them.”

“You’re not being fair, taking advantage of things you know he can’t do. He needs his food cooked.”

“It’s against our ways, it makes us seem more like David and his kind.”

“The very least you could do is try one of the many things that he has to offer; what’s the worst that could happen.”

“It would injure my pride,” the chief looked down at David and then back at Wyanet, “Fine, he may eat cooked food. I think he’s been humiliated enough.”

Wyanet picked up David and helped him on his feet. “Go back and get some food that won’t make you sick. I’ll meet you there after I clean myself.” Her fur was covered in smelly, bloody chunks of partly digested meat.

David did as Wyanet told him, feeling desperate for some real food that he would be able to keep down.

Going back to where the food was served, he took another bowl and sat down in front of the fire and placed the meat close enough to the flames to get it cooked to how he liked it: rare. As usual it smelled really good, but David couldn’t tell what kind of meat if was: deer, moose, bear, maybe squirrel or rabbit? Well, whatever it was David knew he was going to enjoy his second meal.

While he was preparing his food, David noticed that some of the Tokala were observing him, as if they had never known the smell of a hot meal. It also came to David’s attention that two males were talking within hearing distance.

“Come on Wematin, how could you even think about doing that?” One of them said.

“I just don’t see the harm in welcoming a new member into our tribe. He’s done nothing wrong, and he nearly died saving one of our kind.”

“Really, who, how?” the one who spoke first had a strong look of doubt on his face.

“He saved Wyanet by helping her kill a werewolf, and with a small knife too.”

“Still, the fact that he nearly died shows that he’s not worthy to live among us. If Wyanet had just another one of us to help, then neither one of them would have gotten hurt. I’ve also heard that the beast attacked because of him.”

“Why are you so damn narrow minded,” said Wematin, “I can’t stand talking to you any longer. I’m going to go talk to him whether you like it or not.” In hearing this David immediately turned his attention to his meal; he didn’t want Wematin to think he had been listening in on him.

Casually sitting down to his side, Wematin turned to David. “Is it true what Wyanet has said about you?” Before answering, David took good look at the male Tokala. He was even taller than Wyanet, though not quite up to the Gahege's height, and had somewhat of a lanky look to him. His fur was a light red and his eyes were a dark blue. Long hair hung from his head with a couple small and thin braids.

“That depends,” said David, not daring to look the Tokala in the eye, “what did she say about me?”

“She said that your culture is very interesting, and that the way you prepare your food is amazing.”

“Really? Well, she did eat my cooked food in a mater of seconds when I gave her some.” David finally turned to look him, the first Tokala to treat him like one of his own other than Wyanet. “Would you like to try some?”

“I couldn’t, after seeing how you reacted to what Gahege made you do,” said Wematin holding up his hand.

“Please,” said David, “I insist.”

Wematin could no longer refuse such an offer. And just like Wyanet, he was amazed at how good cooked meat tasted.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe that we’ve never eaten our meat like this.”

“You and me both.”

“What’s your name? I know that Wyanet told me, but I can’t remember.”

“I’m David, David Hemming.”

“Well David,” Wematin held up his palm like how David taught Wyanet, “it’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” David held up his palm too, even though he knew that it was going to hurt. Wematin effortlessly smacked David’s hand, and with much more force than Wyanet. However, David was able to hold in the pain.

“Well,” said David as he got up, “I’ll be going now.” Once again as he walked back outside, he grasped his hand and yelled in pain, causing everyone draw all their attention to him. When the pain had gone away he noticed that Wyanet was waiting for him again, but with a smile on her face.

“What,” said David, “why are you smiling like that?”

“No reason, no reason at all.” Wyanet gave out a chuckle and gave David another high five, causing him to groan in pain like last time.

“We’re still gonna have to work on that.” David then went back to his personal teepee, and rested there for the rest of the day.