Handi

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Chapter 32

 

The tropical storm would continue for a few more days, maybe a week at most. They got long ones like this every so often and the sky showed no signs of letting up. Chiyo had taught Handi how to read the clouds. She had taught a lot, the others too. The strong winds whipped their raincoats around as Handi led Ludz and Ayn through the damp forest. Handi was warmed by excitement. 

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“The original trio at it again,” she said with glee. This is exactly what she needed, a break from all the fear bubbling up inside her whenever Vince brought up leaving. Being able to reminisce in the old days when it had been three exploring without worry or care gave her relief.

Ludz rolled his eyes, but she could tell by the little curve of his lips that he was just as happy. Ayn glowed with joy as she looked up at the rain and smiled a mad smile. She shook off her hood and let the water splash as rain ran down her face. “We should do something fun,” Ayn said.

 

Handi couldn’t agree more. “In this weather. Right,” Ludz said with his signature snark. Even his usual pessimism gave her comfort. He’d been acting too mature for her sake recently, trying to look on brightside when it just wasn’t in his nature. That was supposed to be her job. 

And today she had the perfect adventure to reward them for putting up with her. Handi looped her arms around the two of them reaching up on her tippy toes to pull the two into a hug. “I’ll think of something,” she teased, grinning wide.

 

“We’re looking for food,” Ludz reminded her.

 

Handi twirled around in front of him and leaned in close to him. “I’ll think of something,” Handi said, enjoying how the tip of his ears turned red. 

 

They continued wandering the forest with Handi in lead, she looked ahead expectantly. “It should be around here somewhere…” she said.

 

Luds walked up beside her. “What is?” He asked with curiosity.

 

Ayn joined them in a line. They both looked at her eagerly. As if perfectly timed, Handi saw it just a glimmer between the trees. “That,” she yelled and ran ahead. Ayn followed close behind, but Ludz watched them in amazement.

 

Handi found the wreckage of what looked like a fresh merchant ship. The spouts had been expectantly strong during the storm and this was one of their more fruitful scavenging spots. Yesterday she had seen something big in the sky and she had a hunch another ship had made it onto the island. It had barely been ravaged by spouts. It even managed to land upright like a perfect gift from her island. Handi ran up the hull still covered in barnacles and even the sail up above had yet to disintegrate with time. It was as fresh as can be. “I thought I saw something land around here last night,” Handi explained.

 

Ludz joined them, he looked up, shaking his head yet smiling. He shoved his hands in his pockets and just looked up at the ship in awe. Handi and Ayn began to search around for a place to get up. She kept an eye on him as they circled the boat, Ludz had always been more solitary than the others. Sometimes she didn’t know what was going on in his head, but she trusted him to sort it out himself and to come to her if he needed her. Ayn on the other hand she needed to pay attention to and give her a little push and encouragement when needed. “Thanks for helping out while Fiu rested,” Handi said.

 

“Yeah, not like I had a choice,” Ayn said sarcastically. “The kiddos weren't all bad.” She smiled sheepishly. She had always liked it when Handi gave her compliments not matter how small. 

 

“Good,” Handi said. She playfully bumped Ayn’s shoulders, Ayn bumped hers back.

 

They stopped in front of a part of the hull that was almost barnacle free. “Lucky, lucky,” Ayn said. Ayn kneeled down as Handi climbed on her shoulders. “You know he is watching you right?”

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Handi looked back and caught Ludz’ honey eyes gazing up at her. “Shut up.” Handi’s hood fell as she pulled herself up onto the deck. The cold rain hit her cheeks, but she was more focused on getting up. It was just barely within her reach with Ayn standing at full height.

 

“He’s been watching you a lot lately,” Ayn teased as Handi reached down to pull her up but she couldn’t do it alone, with Ayn height also came the weight.

 

She sat on the edge of the deck. “Ludz, could use some help,” she shouted. He was still watching her with that look on his face. The one filled with admiration. She wasn’t sure when it happened but he had started looking at her differently and she didn’t dislike it. She wasn’t the most welcoming to change, but she liked the fluttering in her stomach as she anticipated his soft smiles.

 

Ludz helped Ayn up and the two of them together were able to drag him up too. They began looking around. Even the deck was surprisingly clean and intact. Whenever they got a ship like this, that just hopped off the ocean waves, there was a question that floated at the tips of all their tongues: Where are the people? Even Handi wondered sometimes. She wasn’t keen to see any random man or woman show up on her island, but when walking through the corridors a person had been sleeping in just the night before, she couldn’t help but wonder. She wanted to believe it was her island protecting them, but why would it go to such lengths? 

 

Ludz walked up behind her and pulled her hood back up. “You’re getting wet,” he said. 

 

Handi shook off the eerie feeling. She didn’t need to know why. All that mattered was she wasn’t alone and didn’t need to be afraid anymore. Handi ran towards the broken mask and lifted up the fallen sail. She twirled it around her shoulders like a cape.

 

“Fiu’s going to love this. Lots of fresh fabric,” she said cheerfully.

 

Ayn ran up to the captain’s deck and took hold of the wheel like she was steering the ship. “It’s been a while since we’ve found such a nice one,” Ayn shouted down at them. 

 

Even Ludz couldn’t help but smile. “Lots of loot around.” Handi wanted this to be a perfect day, just for them. Rain or shine, she was happy here.