All Chapters of Great Heads: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20
41 chapters
10: A Warm Welcome
DarlaBeryl was obviously surprised to see him. They had a short moment of silent staring before she finally spoke. She made sure her warm smile was on and she demonstrated accordingly.“Fair greetings.” The pretty princess-like lady finally broke the silence with her euphonious voice. “I’m maiden Berylene. You certainly do not look from around here. May I know where you’re from?”'Certainly not.' I said in my head. 'How does this sound to you? I’m a murderous Rocainian that killed a man before coming here and hope to do more. You know, the killings.'I saw that Kaleb actually did not look like he had a possible reply for the lady. I would have jumped right in to help but it felt funny watching him struggle.“Oh, forgive my undoubtedly silly question. We all know only Forelenes live amongst Forelenes. It's just that you have splendid eyes.”She gave a nervous giggle at the end.Kaleb's cold expression was probably what made him Kaleb. He did not seem friendly at all. It was as if all
Read more
11: Getting To Know Him
Forelenes are said to be happy people that depend on their various livelihoods for survival. They are aware of the war, but the people of Forestille choose not to be a part of it. Unlike the Rocainians who have armies of warriors ready to fight and train their children to join these warriors someday, some Forelenes have decided to not even hold a weapon against anyone at all. Darla and her grandfather are farmers that occasionally travel out of town to where their farmland is. Their place of farming was where they found Kaleb, known as Stranger Boy by Darla. When they return from travel, they supply the town’s marketers with these goods._________________________Darla Another bright day dawned in Forestille. People would usually wake up to the sound of the birds tweeting and the ever-lively atmosphere. For me, that had now changed ever since I started living under the same roof as a Rocainian. Pa was gullible. He was too friendly.Be nice and see nice was what he would often say.H
Read more
12: Something Strange
Darla“But I do know he’s charmingly handsome,” Berylene spoke as though in a reverie. I noticed Beryl smile, making me retch at her.“How are you suppose to know what it feels like?” She added, defending herself. She attacked me with her penetrating gaze. “You’ve never loved and will never love with that attitude.” She then huffed.Beryl knew I wasn’t going to react to this since she knew me and how less I cared for such ludicrous things. I did not uphold such a task to execute. She held my hand and soon I found myself running behind her again.‘Where to this time?’“Take care you two!” The ladies in the saloon waved at us, bidding us temporal goodbyes for the day. They smiled at us, enthusiastically.Berylene’s attitude had a way of always persuading people around her to do things they’d never really want to do or knew they could in a cheerful manner. She was an invigorating beign and sunny. Most of the other Forelenes my age had a tad amount of fear for me because of my haughty p
Read more
13: Should He Go?
As I caught my breath bending my knees, my eyes suddenly alighted on a figure by the edge of the platform near the lake. It was a familiar black-haired person.With no doubt it was Kaleb, I went a bit closer to this person leaning my head forward to see him. It was actually him. I didn’t make the slightest noise. I stood there feeling annoyed as he had literally made me run for nothing. Also, seeing how Kaleb was, I wondered why he looked that way. His position said sad. The way he sat with his legs folded made him look like a child who had just been abandoned by his parents. I did not feel pity for him and wasn’t expecting myself to. All I wanted was to confront him and bellow out my anger. I would ask him why he chose to make me worry. I would ask him why he didn’t head back home to Pa. I would warn him never to… Never to…I started to hear moaning noises from him. My head moved slightly forward as I tried to confirm if what I heard was correct. The sound continued. I gingerly w
Read more
14: Happy Atmosphere
DarlaBerylene came over to help me dress for the get-together. She tightened my belt and I tried not to scream.“Tighter,” She said as she tortured my stomach with the so-called corset. “Tighter!”“Enough!” I exclaimed, breathing harshly. I now almost fell but used the wooden cabinet beside me as support. I let out a puff of air as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I gulped and tried steading my breath as I was panting.“You look like the beautiful damsel that you are.” She said stressing the word ‘beautiful’“It’s really killing me. Maybe loosening it a little would help,” I winced while holding my waist still looking at the mirror. I did look beautiful, wearing the pretty dress her mother had made for me.“She would be so pleased to see you in this dress,” Berylene said to me from behind resting her chin on my shoulder with arms wrapped around my waist.She said as her hands felt my waist, “Maybe we should loosen it up a little. The thing’s damn tight!”It was a black long
Read more
15:
Darla“Did you know one of our family’s been chief before?” Uncle Rustuls began his talk. He continued without waiting for a response, or he probably didn’t even expect one. “Of course you don’t. There’s a chance one of us here years from now could be the next town’s Chief. Darla, are you aware your Grandfather was one of the founders of Forestille and was once chosen to be the town’s Chief?”That one hit me. Grandpa? My humble Pa the farmer? Then why hadn’t he ever spoken of such?“Rustuls, I don’t think the old man would want her hearing this,” Beryl’s father whispered, but one could still hear.“Well, you deserve to know a little of your Pa’s past, if not everything.” Rustuls continued. “Your Pa was more than a farmer back then. He denied leadership and chose to be a far-”“Enough Rustuls!” Beryl’s father proclaimed, making everyone seem tensed up.Rustuls was the talkative one, while Beryl’s father was the opposite. He was calm and thought carefully before he spoke. Rustuls though
Read more
16: Word Of The Heart
Darla Something told me to go find him at the deck near the lakeside, knowing he had gone there before.I walked to the place feeling the evening breeze blow briskly as I moved.I didn’t even know what to say to him when I finally found him.‘Was I making the right choice running after him? Should he go or should he stay?’I didn’t know if it was pride I felt, but whatever it was made me feel uneasy. I felt uncomfortable going to see or talk to that Kaleb. Getting closer to the lakeside, I slowed down. I told myself I could still head back and avoid any awkward thing that was certainly about to take place. It felt kind of chilly outside. Luckily I had long sleeves on. I held the down of my gown so I could walk freely and avoid tripping. I started to feel goosebumps pop out on my shoulders due to their exposure. I wasn’t sure if it was the cold or the nervous feeling I felt that made them come out or made me feel this way, but I surely felt the chills. Breathing out air, I rubbed my
Read more
17: Truce
Darla “My people?” Kaleb spoke in a calmed voice. “I’m not sure again.” He still faced the lake with an atmosphere devoid of warmth. I paused on hearing him and wondered what words he had to speak of that were worth listening to.What could he possibly have to say to take away this growing anger I have in me, or change things? Well, that was my question until he spoke in this strange way, as if holding in so much hate and also having a mixture of sadness too. More of anger and hate I'd say.Kaleb went on, “I saw those people kill my mother and take my brother away. They forced a warrior to go to his grave even after he had served.”I didn't know what I felt surge through me, but whatever it was made me turn to the little boy.“Wasn't he a Rocainian?” Asked my own self mentally, still in disbelief.I was shocked alright. I knew or heard about the Rocainians cruelty, but never would I have thought Rocainians could be so heartless even towards their own kind.Were we the same here? Me
Read more
18: A Grey Cloud’s Presence
Darla“Berylene,” I called out, knocking on top of her wooden door as I was now back inside her house.There was no response, though I was sure she heard. I placed my ear on top of the door, awaiting for any sort of response, but there wasn't any. She was still too dazed to even talk to her sister. Never did I intend to reveal Kaleb’s identity. Although there were times that I thought of it, still I didn't act on it as it was going to go against Pa's wish.Back there at the lakeside, when I and Kaleb turned back to discover that Berylene was there, I remember taking a look at Kaleb and saw how surprised he was at how Beryl reacted on hearing his tribe.I could see he never expected that from kind happy Beryl who welcomed him so heartily on his first day here in Forestille. Though he showed anger for such a reaction, but I knew he must've felt hurt inward.He was most surprised to see her face and a darkened expression appeared on his, changing the former managed brighter look he ha
Read more
19: Forest Night
DarlaLate afternoon hours,Quiet knocks were heard on the front door. The taps were light and sounded almost as if whoever stood on the other side was unsure about knocking. One could even mistake the sound for some random noise that came from the other children playing in the neighbourhood.It was the day of the forest night.I walked to go get it. Slightly perplexed, I paused because the knocking seemed to have ceased for a while. I wondered if the person was still there.I stood still, unsure of opening the door as it felt as if the person was playing games.I looked at the door and asked, “Anyone one there?”There was no reply. I twisted my body to the side about to walk away from the door when the tap began. I felt my brows furrow as I marched to the door.On opening it, it revealed a startled Beryl.“Hello,” said Beryl in an unusually low key. “Darla.”‘Her usual pitch was definitely higher than that for sure’ I thought in my head.Though she appeared as beautiful as always, he
Read more