THE SPIRIT WALK OF TEOBU
by Nicole Sheldrake
Published by Nicole Sheldrake at
Smashwords
Copyright 2012 Nicole Sheldrake
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In the desert village, one week before Teobu's spirit walk began, her parents revealed the book that would prepare her for the solitary walk into adulthood.
“Those stories contain everything you need,” her mother said.
“Reading's so boring!” Teobu groaned. “Can't you just tell me?”
“You have my knife and your mother's water skin for the desert. Read the book and you'll be ready.” Her father strode back to work.
Her mother dropped the book on Teobu's lap. “It is your choice, Teobu.” The book's hard edges dented her thighs. Sand rasped in the spine as she turned the pages.
That was more than two weeks ago. Teobu had trekked for ten days then squatted under a tree to rest and eat. When she started walking again, a shadow chilled her and she tilted her head back. From the solitary cloud which blocked the midday sun a drop of water fell to her forehead and thickened. As she lifted her hand to touch it, the honey-thick raindrop expanded, then flowed to cover her head. The liquid had encased Teobu's body before she could draw another breath. The desert around her disappeared.
***
Teobu stared into the white space where the desert had been a moment before. Despite the constriction of a jelly-like substance which encased her body, she could breathe and see and move her head. Raindrops gathered in chattering groups around the room.
“...stayed in that puppy's ear until his owner took him to the vet. Three moons, my dear, three whole moons I was condensed,” a high-pitched voice said over the din.
“Stuck in an ear doesn't sound exactly like an adventure. Better luck next time,” a raindrop replied.
“Humph. Where were you?”
“The ocean.”
“And why would any drop choose to come back from the ocean?”
“It, uh, wasn't really my choice. A kid scooped me up in a bucket. Threw me over his fire on the beach.”
“Ah. Better luck next time.” The raindrop with the high-pitched voice joined another group. Teobu decided it was time to escape.
“Ayee!” she yelled, then struggled to kick her legs and wave her arms.
“Hello?” a voice from above her head asked. “My belly screamed. Can you see something in my belly?” A nearby raindrop was tugged towards to Teobu then it bent over and peered at her.
“Hi! I'm here. Can you see me?” she called out. The raindrop shook its head.
“Nothing there, Rondrop,” the raindrop concluded. “Maybe you got a few whiskey molecules caught in your condensation. Or you're a bit frozen up top. Know what I'm saying?”
“I hear you. Why can't he?” Rondrop said.
“Why can't who?” the other raindrop asked.