Maki

I carefully tail Naak as she looks around the area for something edible. The night sky has slowly faded and the morning sun peeks through the old, tall trees and wooden houses on stilts near the edge of the wide river. The rays of light dance with the soft ripples of the tranquil river world beyond the patch of soaked grass where the wind lightly blows the leftover water droplets into the moist soil that gives off the familiar, faint scent of another that passed through here. A distant call and chatter from the underworld and above, high in the hanging tree tops where the winged beaks charm one another with their incessant chirping. An apocalypse of wiggling, headless unremarkable creatures have come out from the underworld, captivating the heavenly feathered fiends. We follow the trail of dirt weathered from last night’s shower that washed away the streaks from the frightening creations of the two-legged creatures.

Walking through the puddles were a bit uncomfortable for me. Wet fur, wet paws, a cold breeze. Naak is much taller and older, so I guess she doesn’t mind the bumpiness of the path. She takes long strides as her long, dark-colored tail sways side to side. Although, I’ve noticed since the day we began scavenging and travelling together, Naak moves a little bit slower everyday. Some days when Naak would just lay down for the entire day, I’d explore the different places around our home and observe the tiny kingdom of little dirt hills. One time, I came across a battle between two large clans and watched without trying to disturb the little soldiers. I remember witnessing a little one carrying her fallen friend elsewhere.

I never disappeared from her sight though. Her dirty short coat is black and slightly striped in a shade of light brown emphasizing the outline of her ribs. Naak also has some gray hair around her eyes. She has this distinct jagged line with some peculiar round scars from the back of her neck to the front. Curiosity drags me to question her what happened but I fear the consequences of doing so. The only thing we share in common are our black ears and snout and our golden eyes. We are not the same but Naak tells me that even though we don’t look the same, she still loves me. Naak told me my story began like this: Naak was wandering around a small, rundown village and came across a collapsed house. She dug around the area and from underneath a pile of rubbish and large wooden floorboards, she found me. When I asked about how I was there, why I was alone, and what was she doing I received the same response: “We were meant to know each other”.

We reached the end of the trail that faded into man’s roads and towns. Naak nudges me gently and tells me to stay put before she scouts the area. Every time that we must venture into this chaotic world I find that it becomes harder and harder for Naak. Each time we come here, Naak becomes more paranoid of everything. She would pause for a long time at every corner and before crossing a four way road. Even though the morning is still quiet and the roads are empty, Naak would hesitate before putting a paw down on the broken road.

“Naak, why do you keep stopping? There is no one here, right?” I asked. She turned her head around and gently nuzzled my muzzle.

“You can never be too sure about anything,” she replied.

Naak is much older and knows about a lot more things than I about this world but the one lesson that Naak has completely ingrained in my mind is to trust your intuition. Naak turns around.

“You are allowed to be naive until the moment I no longer exist.”

“Naive? What does that mean? What do you mean—” I quickly run around to face Naak as I try to process what she just said “—by when you ‘no longer exist’?”

“You don’t need to worry about our tomorrows. Just keep your head in the present.”

“Naak, are we alone in this town?” I pondered about this as I tried to keep up with Naak’s pace. “Earlier, I smelled the presence of another one by the river. But when we got closer to town, I didn’t smell others. Is there something wrong?” I peered up at her golden eye and the shape of her profile.   Perhaps she didn’t hear me.

It is only before the break of dawn that the town never utters a word. The whole place is surrounded by a wall of trees towering over the two-leggeds’ homes. The buildings here are tightly packed and painted earthy colors sitting on stone with a narrow road that splits and turns and divides into smaller roads to pathways and secret hiding places. Pots in different sizes are placed here and there and near the tall wooden poles with whimsical strings threaded through the skies. When we have to venture into town, Naak warns me never to stray to the center. We have always visited town only near the outskirts, closer to the trees. She didn’t specify why but as time passes by our noses, I’ve learned that it is best to always obey otherwise I get lectured by Naak about how it is better safe than sorry. I can’t even complain because she gets feisty over me whining about everything. I guess that is because Naak is really old now.

Naak swiftly guides me through the narrow alleys with large sheets of crimped metal leaning against the dirty, discolored walls. At this time, the town has woken up and the air is filled with an odd smell. I hear the distant voices of the beings waking up as we scurried around trying to avoid any contact and being seen.

“Maki, stay close. We are almost there. Don’t lose your pace.”

“I’m trying.” We approach a dead end filled with lifeless human things. Naak sits right in front of the door and scratches the door. She attempts this multiple times before she backs up for the door to open. I quietly watch from the corner. I cry to Naak, but she doesn’t turn her head. Instead, she keeps her gaze at the two-legged creature who comes out to meet her. There is a long moment of silence as he stares at her with wide wide eyes. I saw a lightbulb.

“It is you again. Isn’t it? I guess that is a constant reminder for you now...me as well. ” The tall, young looking being bends down to meet with Naak’s gaze and gently caresses her ear. “Are you hungry? I don’t have much but I will share with you what I could get for me. It has been a long while, hasn’t it? Come, Naak. Where have you come from, doggy. I didn’t think that I would ever meet you again. Please be safe around here. I’d take you in but...I cannot. Auntie doesn’t like animals.”

The two-legged creature shows a gentle expression before he returns inside to retrieve something. Naak signals for me to come to her just as soon as the being returns.

“Who is this little one? Her coat is beautiful like the night.”

He reaches out his hand and gestures to me and I cower behind Naak. But Naak pushes me gently with her snout. The being’s hand comes from behind my head and gently pats. The being’s hand is warm even though it looks dirty.

“I’ll be back with more.”

We return to our home in an abandoned enclosure. The presence here of the others are strong and well-known but only we live this particular area. For the past few years, Naak and I spent our nights burrowed underneath a pile of floorboards and flimsy material. Our home is far from the river which means we don’t encounter many flies however, during the long summer days is when it becomes a little harder than usual to make it through the day.

“Naak, the being said ‘again’. Who is that?” I asked Naak as she proceeded to lay down in the shade in the same spot she has laid before many times.  She stretched and I swear that she hesitated to answer me.

“I don’t know who he really is. A long time ago when I was in need of some help, this little boy came up to me and offered me all that he had. I believe that being is that same boy.”

“So...how did you know it was him? Also, Naak, I thought that we shouldn’t trust the two-leggeds and if it was a long time ago, I am surprised that he still remembers you, Naak.”

“I suppose I too am surprised. I wasn’t certain. I just had a feeling. And that feeling was confimed the moment he touched me.”

“So is he one of the good ones?” I asked.

“I suppose he is. This world has its flaws. But when you find something good, it’s okay to hold onto that little good thing. When you believe that you might regret it later, don’t let go of it. It’s more than a feeling.”

“As usual, your words are inspiring but you shouldn’t teach this kid wrong. This world is nothing but cruel and that ‘little bit of goodness’ does not exist,” a familiar voice joins out of nowhere.

I turn my head around and there is Sud, another one with wheat colored coat, eavesdropping on our conversation. Naak calls him the “Lone Dingo” of the Soi’s. He sleeps near the river by the wooden houses on stilts and comes by often. Usually, Sud comes by on his way to hunt. Most days when Sud interferes with Naak’s day, she gets quite irritated but I know that Sud is someone is also important to her. Unlike her, I like it when Sud stops by us. The other ones live a bit further from town. Naak found Sud when he was in need of a friend. Sud isn’t that much younger than Naak but his personality is that of a whelp.

“Naak, why must you bring your crazy into her? There is no such thing as goodness and trust. If that something has already failed to become something good more than once then why put in the effort to believe in it, to have hope? Maki, this world is not what it seems. Has Naak not shown you what those two-leggeds did—”

“Sud, why don’t you take your ball of hate and play elsewhere?” Naak interrupted..

“Y’know, one day she will know. She must know one day.”

“If I throw a stick, will you go away?”

Ouch. The Lone Dingo hangs his tail down and for the smallest increments of time I’m certain that he whimpered with those puppy eyes at Naak. Naak seems indifferent.

“Alright...right, did you find anything when you went out today, Naak?”

“...No…”

“I see…” Sud left our enclosure mumbling to himself. I felt kind of bad about Naak pushing him away but I’m quite disappointed that the tiger had no counterattack. He quickly left through the hole torn through the metal fencing. I studied him as he disappeared beyond the trees. He, too, looks like Naak. His body looks so frail.

The sun bids farewell until tomorrow as the moon awoke from its slumber. The sky twinkles and the brilliant moon illuminates the tree tops and branches that hover over our little home. Once again, another day has passed. It was a day just like any other day we’ve had. Nothing really changed. I guess receiving that good meal from that being today was a blessing. So the world isn’t all that bad. I don’t understand why Naak doesn’t take us into town more often. Although the walk is quite far, I think we’d have more luck like today in finding something delicious to eat. I just don’t understand Naak sometimes. Maybe Naak is so secretive because she is old now. But I trust Naak. Everything will be just just fine. Never once in my entire life so far have I not been by Naak’s side. I can stand Sud but I need Naak and I’m sure that Naak needs me too. Never once in my life has she failed to love me. As long as Naak stays with me, everything will be just fine.

We had gone to the river to freshen up and get a drink just as soon as the sun fell behind the horizon. The night becomes busy here near the forest far from town. The river runs completely still and  the frogs have come out to sing. A bunch of flirtatious fireflies fly around, signaling each other, and quietly calling to each other. The moonlight reveals my soft reflection. I’m looking at it, at myself. My coat is dark like the lurking shadows huddled in the corner underneath the wooden house on stilts. Just like Naak, my golden eyes appeared to glow on the water’s surface. I peeked at Naak as I drink some water. She has a faraway gaze. It looks like she’s hoping for something, praying to someone, yearning for something on the other side of the river. Naak, I love you. So don’t be afraid. I’m here, aren’t I? Why aren’t you looking at me? The sounds of frogs croaking stopped.

On our way back home, I took a big whiff of something awful carried by a light breeze. This smell was disgusting. Nasty. A foul odor coming from over the hanging trees alongside the river to our left. Absolutely stinky. It doesn’t smell like Sud’s doings. Also, Sud should still be out hunting. I look up at Naak hoping that she would understand my expression that says “ew”.

“Phi Phong.” she said.

“Phi Phong?”

“I’m sure that he is enjoying his meal for tonight,” Naak said as she pushed me in a way to hurry me, “We should hurry. If he is disturbed, he will not be happy.”

I turn my head around as I follow Naak trying to find this “Phi Phong”.

“Don’t look back, look ahead.”

We made it back into our little home. The day went by so fast unlike any other day we’ve had so far. Naak and I crawl inside our little bed underneath broken floorboards and old, man made things. Earlier, I had forgotten about what Sud had mentioned when he spoke with Naak. I recalled his exact words which lingered around in my mind. I must be a handful towards Naak considering how many questions I ask every day. Last one.

“Naak...are you asleep yet?” The river hushed, crickets chirped, and a tree branch snapped in the few moments of waiting for an answer. I guess Naak is already asleep. I rest my hand and position myself closer to Naak. Her protruding ribs and her slim, bony legs were quite discomforting but the heat from her made me feel secure. Just as I was about to shut my eyes, my heart stopped beating for a split-second and I jumped when I notice a dark figure coming from behind me.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry. It’s just me, Maki. It’s me, your Naak.” The sound of her sleepy voice reassured every startled nerve and calmed my senses. “I’m awake. What do you need?”

I hesitate for a moment and turned around to check to make sure it really was Naak that I leaned against. “Jeez, Naak...I thought you were a monster or something instead it was your tail..Anyways, I just...I was just wondering what that something is that I must know one day.” I close my eyes and cuddle close to her. Naak sighed.

“I don’t think you are ready. I don’t think you need to know. Right now...I think that all you need to worry about is to grow up. Become a stronger version of yourself and maybe one day, you can figure out what that something is.”

“Okay. I will…Naak, will you always stay with me? You won’t ever leave me, right?”

“I promise.”

“I promise too. To never leave you…”

Someone’s pushing me. Why? What is this? My eyes sprung open.

“...Kid...Maki, wake up,” Sud’s voice. I roll around and Sud hovers his head right over me. “Maki, where is Naak?” Why is Sud looking for Naak? She should be…

“...here…” I turn around and Naak is not here. Didn’t she sleep with me last night? Where is Naak? Naak has never left me before. I stand and find my balance. “Sud, where is Naak!?”

“I don’t know. I thought you would know.”

“No...I don’t. She was here with me last night so I don’t understand…We must find Naak!” I fear that Naak has left me. But she would never leave me. No, she did leave me but why? We must find Naak. “Sud, can you help me find her? Could she have left to town or elsewhere?”

“Maki...she would never leave you...But I don’t think we should go look for her. I think that Naak is just fine and will return soon.” Sud said.

“No. Yes, but I think we must try to look for Naak...What if she got hurt or something?” I exclaimed.

“Maki, I think that it’d be a bad idea to leave. What if we leave and Naak returns to find this place empty? She would probably panic and worry a lot about you, Maki.”

“But we must! Naak promised that she would never leave me...she said—She promised that she wouldn’t leave...I understand that I should never leave home alone but...I have you! You can go with me! And...and...Couldn’t we at least look around this area for her?” An assembly line of different scenarios run through my mind as I try to make the best decision on what to do. What to do...what to do...what...to do? I have this feeling boiling inside me. Time to grow up, Maki! “Sud, Naak has always told me to trust my intuition and I have a feeling that this feeling pulsating within me is telling me to leave...at once! I fear the consequences of leaving but also staying. Lets go now.” I turn around and run through the torn up metal fencing and head towards the same old dirt trail.

“Maki...Maki! Maki! Naak, your words are as powerful as ever. Maki is just like you. Preferring instinct over logic.”

Keeping track of the position of the sun, Sud and I carefully walked down the trail together keeping eyes open for Naak. The sun sat mid way while the clouds rolled out across the sky. The ground is dry and decorated with small twigs and dried up leaves and the occasional droppings of the small critters. I hear a twig snap in my left ear and turn to see a hare scurry across the dirt road. I look back at Sud in disappointment. With Sud by my side, I’m certain that things will be alright just like when Naak would be by my side. My eyes trail the same scenery again when I cross paths with an owl perched on a broken branch. He hoots at me and flies away. We continue on for a while and make a stop at the river bank.

“Maki, I think that we should turn back. We are getting too close to town.” Sud said. I stop and stared in the direction of town and I see the end where the dirt road meets the same old stone road.

“You’re right. I hadn’t notice. But we’ve yet to find Naak so can we...go a little closer?” Sud stares down at me. His body may look frail like Naak but he still seems very strong for an another old one. Finally, Sud doesn’t say a word and walks ahead of me towards town. I follow.

At the end of the faded trail, once again I step foot onto the being’s territory. At this time of day where the sun sits now, the town is more lively than the other day when Naak took me. Both of us survey the area and not for a moment in my field of view do I not see one of them two-leggeds. They’re giants, they’re loud and quite scary. I look at Sud who doesn’t seem fazed at all by the high activity happening around. Sud looks as if he is used to this kind of sight. He motions me to follow and we cross the stone road when the machines pass. Sud jumps ahead and I follow up mid way only to freeze in my tracks when I hear Naak’s voice.

“Maki? Sud? What are you guys doing all the way here? Why are you going into town?” Naak stands behind us in the direction of home. I study her image and she still looks as delicate as before but just fine. She looks the same the way she did the day before and all my anxiety clears up and I gasp in relief as it swells up my bo-dy. I thought that Naak left us. I thought that Naak broke her promise. I thought that Naak...these thoughts ran through my head and I finally come to my senses when Naak yells “MAKI”! The sound of the lively two-legged and the rushing water of the river, the unfamiliar scent in the air, the beating of my heart resume when I come back to my senses and I am suddenly launched into the air and land back on the other side in the direction of home. The dirt flies up into the air and into my eyes as I try to regain my balance. I turn around and the world is split into two. One side of the world is pitch black and the other is blurry. A familiar looking figure rushes in front of me.

“Naak? Sud?” I cry out and try to remove the dirt in my eyes. I hear the sound of Naak crying. “Naak?”

I shake off the dirt in my eyes and the world returns its original colors. In front of me is one of the scenarios I did not predict. The being’s...Man’s machine had stopped  in its tracks. A two-legged gathers around Naak sitting beside Sud whose body remains still on the ground.

“Stupid dogs!” The two-legged exclaimed. “Get out of here!” The man comes around and motions us to shoo. When Naak wouldn’t move, he began to whip her.

“Naak! Please!” I yelled out. Naak got up and walked past me. I turn my head back in the direction of the road. Sud...didn’t get up.