The Antelope's Journey

21. The separation

“Francina, look at the moon. Follow the moon,” the voice brushed over her ears, smooth as always. She had learned to trust this voice. The last time she heard the voice, she woke up only to find that it was a dream. That did trip on her confidence a bit but now, hearing it again, she felt even more confident it was far from imagination.

It may lead to my doom but I will follow it still. That could really be my mother. I might never rest until I find out what all of this is about. The voice calls to me, much louder and clearer than ever before. I feel almost connected now. I feel very close. Close to something of familiar feel. What could it be?

“This road,” said Betty. “I can feel it. It is this road.” She started taking the right path of which she was pointing at. The others saw Francina walking forward to the left path. Now Mbali and Kali were puzzled on who to follow. Betty chose right and Francina chose left. They both appeared confident about their choices. So, who do they follow? Could they really trust Francina?

“She was the last contestant to be found and brought to the basement. She had no training—none at all,” contested Betty as she was trying rally up the others to her own side. “Surely, she does not know much. Ask her what we’re looking for and she won’t know.”

“Of course, I do not know,” finally prompted Francina. “I don’t know what I’m doing or what I am looking for exactly. And so, I will not ask any of you to follow me. You follow me at your own risk.”

A lot of times, she has proven herself to be a survivor. I struck her hard on her head. I thought that she would not wake from that but she rose like a phoenix from its ashes. On the other hand, I have known Betty to be stubborn and impulsive now—such traits can harm one’s decisions. Betty may have chosen that path only to deviate from Francina. Or rather, she refuses to change her mind because she doesn’t want to bent to Francina. Also, she did make it clear that she wants away from Francina.

Francina is not exactly, one to trust. However, it seems that she is always calm and level headed. I have seen her to be critical and patient. Siding with her might cost me my life in the end but I believe that I have better chances of survival than siding with Betty. For that, I stick with Francina. God, protect me.

It was now Mbali’s turn to choose a path. Could she take Francina’s risk or Betty’s confidence? Mbali wanted to stay alive, even if it meant going through things that constantly threatened her life. Mbali had known Betty for more than 7 years now, and she knew Betty to bluff a lot of the times. Betty would often pose confident when actually, she would be shivering inside. She would claim to know when she had no idea at all. This had always risen mistrust in Mbali.

However, Mbali knew Betty could never bluff on life-or-death situations. Mbali decided to trust her lover one more time. She launched forward and she joined Betty. This did unsettle Kali—he was beginning to doubt his choice of sticking with the clueless Francina. Francina was moving and she going farther away from him. He knew that he had to catch up. The boy chose to stick with Francina still.

It was sad for each of them to separate. They had their differences and mistrust of each other, however the bond that they had subconsciously formed kept them tied to each other. Their memories lingered on each one of them, even Francina. Still, they walked on, each pair on their journey. Francina would not show Betty and Mbali that she was missing them already. Francina was still spiteful at what they all did. Francina headed forward in the guise that she did not care. So did Betty. Betty held a poker face and matched on. She would not look side-ways to wave or wink at the other pair at all. Only Mbali and Kali were sane enough look and wave at each other. None of them knew what was ahead of each of their paths. They may never meet again.