Chapter Twelve

"Mother loved me, she did. Only legend says that she left with a good friend into the cave and never came back.
"Everyday, since I can remember, I'd go to he cave and listen to the voices there. The elders say it's the spirits of my mother and her friend, but there was too many. I realized Mother had uncovered a new side of Isola!
"After some time, I concentrated on work. I got married and had my son, Seven. Then the plague came and killed many, including Seven's father. WE were lucky.
"That's when I decided to come here. I wanted to see my mother, who I have little memory of. I don't even know what she looks like! I'm too late, I guess.
Dada was telling her story around the fire, all eyes on her. SHe stopped.
"Dada." Hiji suddenly said, eyes somber."I drew Hakea once, and I still have the picture. You could look at it if you want. Even though it'll just look like a mirror to you. You look just like her." He stood and left, coming back a few minutes later. He showed Dada the picture, and her eyes welled up a little bit with tears. She showed Seven. He smiled, then nodded. Then, Dada stood.
"Well, thank you all, but Seven and I think that we will be more comfortable together back home. Thank you."
"Spend the night here. In the morning we can give a few things for your journey, it'll be harsh going around that jungle." Mali said.
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The next morning, Dada and Seven were gone before Bindi woke up. She went outside to the pond, and cried a bit.
She felt a hand on her back. She looked up and saw Hokou, smiling a half-smile, his inky black hair pointing in every direction. With instincts in control, Bindi put her head on his shoulder and cried, because she just lost the closest thing she had to a mother, and to Bindi, she never wanted to feel that way again.