Read Online Fire by Terra Harmony - Free Book Online

in the back seat.
    Oh great , I thought. I’m the fifth wheel tonight .
    "Kaitlyn! Good to see you without that bundle on your back!" Andrés shouted out the window.
    After briefly glancing back at the house, then toward the volcano – the source of the energy surge, I slid in the back seat. I took a deep breath, "It’s…good to be here."
    Surprisingly, it was.

Chapter 13
    The Fire Within
     
    We arrived just as the tail end of the parade was approaching the main stage on Avenue Tekema. The lively beat of the band continued as floats parked and dancing women flooded the stage. One of the floats bearing a replica moai statue was set down a little too quickly. It rocked back once, then forward. I watched as it toppled, hitting the ground and shattering. I blinked as a flashback to the religious parade during holy week in Spain hit me. Micah and I had actually caught one of their floats – Jesus on the cross – as it tipped.
    Here, my feet stayed firmly planted on the stone-paved road. I made no move to help. There was no Micah to stand beside me, pushing me to do the right thing. A wave of grief caused my stomach to turn, and I grabbed Jose's arm to steady myself until it passed.
    "Are you okay, Chica?" The cracked face of the Moai statue blurred, and I felt Andrés strong hands support me from the other side. "Kaitlyn?"
    Sandaled feet blocked my view of the broken statue and my vision cleared. I heard laughter, then the beat of the music came back to me.
    "Kaitlyn?"
    "I'm okay, guys." I straightened myself out. "Sorry. It's just…been a long few months."
    Andrés frowned. "Take it easy on the drinking tonight."
    There would be no drinking, not unless I wanted an inebriated three month old on my hands. "Okay. Come on – I want to see the dancing."
    Dozens of women in bikini tops, grass skirts, and sunburst headdresses took the stage. Their hips swayed in sync with the music, accentuating the low booms and high clicks of the percussion band. An elaborate background of giant roosters, sunbeams, and ocean waves changed color with different lights. The women parted and a group of tan, muscular men bounced forward in outfits that barely covered their essentials. White paint adorned their bodies in swirls, birds, and sea turtles. In contrast to the women, whose arms and hips floated like rolling ocean waves, the men kept a wide, strong stance, using precise arm movements. They pounded their thighs and lifted their knees, drawing attention to the dried grass rings covering their lower legs. They thrust their groins back and forth, facing one another in a warrior's challenge.
    The women continued to make large sweeping movements with their arms. They bowed and dipped, displaying beautiful flowers woven in their hair, then raised their hands again in praise. The separate dances contrasted each other, but at the same time provided a perfect balance.
    The crowd pressed in close to the stage. Everyone clapped and stamped in time to the music. Even if they weren't part of the show, the locals had exchanged their usual garb of jeans and tank tops for traditional tribal dress. Yet, they held their digital cameras up high to capture the moment. Soon I found myself stomping and clapping alongside Jose and Andrés. Low thumps and high-pitched clacks blended together, making the music impossible not to move to.
    My attention snapped away from the stage all at once. Another surge of energy shot out from up the hill.
    Ahi’s house - Bee!
    Before I even made my way through the crowd, the energy dissipated, but I had most certainly felt it. A strong hand grasped my upper arm. I turned. Andrés questioned me with his eyes.
    The music was too loud, I couldn’t explain. I just pointed toward the house and screamed as loud as I could, "I have to go – now!"
    He nodded, and caught the attention of the rest of the group with waiving arms.
    I told myself to breathe. He would take me home.
    On the way, several times, I urged Andrés to drive