The sky was dove grey, slowly tinged with pink as dawn broke over Montunoi. The village was already alive with activity. Women bent over fires, cooking the morning meal, while men fished along the shore. Older children carried firewood, husked coconuts, and hauled water, while the younger ones played and shouted with delight.
Mateo sat in his boat, mending his fishing nets, when he heard shouts of joy from the shoreline. It was Kili's father and his men, dragging in a massive catch of fish. Mateo glanced at his net and sighed. If he had known Grandma Millicent would request fish, he would have mended it the night before. Ignoring the surrounding noise, he focused, though frustration simmered inside him.
A familiar voice cut through the morning bustle.
"Hey, Tomato! Good morning!"
"Morning!" Mateo replied without looking up.
Loki, Mateo's friend, was tall with green eyes and dark brown hair that curled slightly at the ends. His bronzed arms and broad shoulders gleamed in the sunlight, but even he paled in comparison to Mateo, whose tall frame, broad shoulders, dark blond hair, and piercing blue eyes commanded attention.
"Come on, Tomato! You can't start the day with a long face," Loki teased.
"Cut it out, Loki. I'm trying to concentrate," Mateo replied, still focused on the net.
Loki sighed. "You sure are boring today."
"Can you make yourself useful and stop complaining? I need help," Mateo snapped.
"Sure! What's there to do?"
"You mend that side while I work on this part."
"This is going to take ages. Can't you borrow a net?" Loki asked, glancing at the tattered state of Mateo's.
"Borrowing a net means giving away part of my catch, and I'm not doing that."
"Give me a second. I'll be right back." Loki vanished and returned minutes later with a strong fishing net.
"Where did you get this?" Mateo asked.
"Doesn't matter. Let's go. It's almost noon, and fish don't stay near the surface when it's hot," Loki said, leaving immediately.
"Hey, wait up!" Mateo shouted, grabbing his bow and arrow as he ran after him.
"Seriously? We're fishing, not hunting, Tomato," Loki said, eyeing him oddly.
"It could come in handy."
Soon they were on the deep water, the boat bobbing gently.
"Remember, don't go beyond the reef, Loki!" Mateo warned, scattering some fish food into the sea.
"Aiya, Tomato!"
Minutes later, a school of fish swam toward the boat, and they lowered the net to catch them all.
"Woah! This is huge!" Loki shouted with excitement.
"Grandma is going to be so proud," Mateo said with a grin.
As they struggled to haul the net, they didn't notice a shark tailing them, its sharp dorsal fin cutting through the water. Screams erupted from the shore, and before they could react, the shark struck the boat, sending them both flying backward.
"What the hell was that?" Loki shouted.
"A shark!" Mateo gasped, springing into action. He nocked two arrows and shot at its throat. The shark winced, retreated, and began to sink, but Loki threw another net to secure it.
"Looks like your bow came in handy after all. Now give me a hand here," Loki said.
"But the boat's already full," Mateo replied.
"Seems we've got company," Loki said, pointing as Kili and his men paddled toward them.
"Are you guys okay? We saw the shark. Is it dead?" Kili asked worriedly.
"Of course. Thanks to this baby," Mateo said, kissing his bow.
The men laughed, while Loki sighed. "We get it, Mateo. Now can we head this thing to shore?"
Together, they landed the shark and fish. The village had gathered, cheering Mateo and Loki for their catch. Portions of the shark were shared, while they kept the rest for themselves. By afternoon, the blazing sun warmed them as they roasted fish under a tree. Maya and Kili joined in.
"Man, this is delicious!" Kili exclaimed, licking his fingers.
"Disgusting!" Maya blurted without meaning to.
"Oh really?" Kili teased, approaching her.
"Kili, stop!" Maya screamed, moving closer to Mateo. The boys laughed.
"I can't wait for tomorrow night," Mateo said.
"What's happening tomorrow night?" Loki asked, oblivious.
The others exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
"Seriously, Loki?" Kili asked.
"Tomorrow is the Festival of Lights," Mateo explained.
"Oh! How could I forget? So, what's the plan?" Loki asked, excitement in his voice. "Is there going to be dancing?"
"Sure. The girls and I are already practicing. Get ready to be dazzled," Mateo said, smiling.
They laughed again.
"Now that we have enough fish, we'll need to hunt for meat and gather more fruits," Loki suggested.
"Then maybe we can make some delicious skewers," Kili added.
"That's for the women to decide, not us," Mateo said.
"Says who, Tomato?" Loki teased.
"Leave him alone! He's not a tomato," Maya defended.
"Let's go," Mateo said, pulling Maya to her feet.
"Wow! Look who's grown up," Kili joked.
"Catch you guys later!" Mateo waved as they walked away.
Mateo and Maya moved silently along the bush path.
"Where are we going?" Maya asked.
"Somewhere. I want to show you something," he replied softly.
The sweet winter wind swirled around them until they reached a dead end. The wall was thick with vines, leaves, and creeping plants.
"What now?" Maya asked, scanning the wall.
Mateo pulled aside some plants, revealing a small hole.
"Woah! What is that?"
"Ever heard of the Ring of Orion?"
"Yeah! Grandma Millicent mentioned it once. Why?"
Mateo sighed. "My mother told me about it when I was little. I didn't understand much then, but after what happened today, I have a strange feeling something bad is going to happen. Did you know Loki and I were almost attacked by a shark?"
"A shark? That's impossible! Sharks don't live in these waters!" Maya gasped.
"Exactly my point. Montunoi is dying. That hole is where the Ring should be, but according to the story, it was stolen."
"By whom?"
"She didn't say. But we have to find it."
Suddenly, rustling leaves made them turn. The flowers along the path withered, fading to black. Maya gasped and gripped Mateo's hand.
"Mateo!" she whispered.
"That's what I'm talking about. Only the Ring of Orion can restore Montunoi to paradise," Mateo said.
"Will the entire village turn like this?"
"Not if you find the Ring of Orion," a voice said.
Mateo and Maya turned to see Grandma Millicent approaching, her walking staff tapping the ground.
"You both can leave after tomorrow's festival," she said.
"But who'll take care of you?" Maya asked.
"I'll be fine, Maya," Grandma Millicent replied, sitting on a boulder. Her eyes fell on the two, still holding hands. "You two look good together," she beamed.
Both blushed. Mateo gently released Maya's hand, and she felt a pang of disappointment.
"Oh grandma! It's nothing. Come on, let's go home," Mateo said.
Maya's eyes misted. The simple act of Mateo letting go had stung, though she quickly wiped her tears—too late. Mateo had already noticed.
"Um…" Maya began nervously. "…I'll be going then. Good night, Grandma Millicent." She left hurriedly.
"What's wrong with her?" Mateo wondered aloud.