Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Strange and “wyrd” ones? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, you might want to start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
Thrown underwater, Lei was tossed and tumbled like a pebble in the cascading flood. At first, disoriented as the waves carried him along pell-mell, soon his lungs were on fire and, he knew he had to swim to the surface or die. Gathering all his strength, the boy fought his way upward and, his head broke the surface of the river. Instinctively gasping for air, his lungs filled before the water overtook him again and, he sank. The will to live brought clarity to his mind. Lei was determined to survive. Resurfacing, he saw a large piece of driftwood coming towards him. The boy managed to catch the branch and buoyed along.
How to get to the shore? He tried kicking with his legs to guide his float but, the current was too strong. Lei watched as the shoreline whizzed by in his peripheral vision. Weakened by his efforts to stay afloat, the child succumbed to the flow and hoped for rescue. He thought of and called out to the only person he knew well. “Mama!” he yelled. “Help me, Mama! I need help Mama!” Tightly gripping the branch, the surge of the water carried him downstream. Soon, his little arms grew weary and, his strength waned; how much longer could he hold on? Should he just let go and let the river overtake him? Giving his last effort, Lei looked to the far shore where he had come from and screamed once more, “Help me! Mama! Help me!” Bringing his attention again to what lay ahead, he saw a rocky outcrop jutting up nearby on the opposite side of the river.
Salvation! Valiantly, he propelled his log towards it. Lei tried to position the branch to allow the front of it to bear the brunt of the impact but, the current was too strong. The bough snapped in two as it collided with the rock. There was searing pain on the side of his head. Then all was black.
Lying on the ground, Lei opened his eyes and blinked in response to the bright light. A hand reached down and picked him up. An old man with a kindly face was looking at him intently.
“How did you get here?” he asked Lei.
“I rode a raft and it crashed. I fell into the river and then I had to ride a log. It crashed too.”
The old man smiled at him. “A raft? You seem too young. Did your parents give it to you?”
Lei hung his head. “No, it wasn’t mine. I took it because no one was watching.”
“Taking things that aren’t yours can get you in trouble,” the ancient said, then laughed and put his arm around Lei. “I heard you calling for your mother. Come. Let’s go find her.”
He took Lei’s hand and, they started to walk. The small boy studied the old man who used a gnarled staff to lean on. A long, white beard trailed from the chin to his belly and, his face was like bark. Brown, wrinkled and rough. Lei thought of his mother’s sacred tea tree.
The old man seemed to sense that he was being observed and looked down at Lei. He stopped, beamed a smile at him, and then said, “Here we are.”
Lei took his eyes off his guide; he was surprised to see that they had come to stone steps surrounded by trees. Glancing up the stairs, he could not see the top of them. The child looked back at his companion.
“Don’t worry, climb on my back and I will carry you up.”
Lei obeyed; they were soon at the top. The old man set Lei down in front of a field of beautiful flowers surrounded by forest. There was a path that led to an ancient temple far away across the field. A woman came towards them. She stopped at the gate in the fence that separated them.
Lei recognized her. “Mama!” Tears in her eyes, she gave him a sad smile, turned away, walking back to the temple. “Mama! It’s me, Lei,” he yelled before trying to run after her but, the old man held him in check. “Mama!” Lei cried again but, she did not look back.
Blocking his way, the bearded one told him, “You must return to your father.” The lad tried to scoot around him but was unsuccessful. “Do not fight me, young dragon,” commanded the ancient. Turning the boy by his shoulders, the old man made him face the way they had come. A dark cave loomed in front of Lei.
Suddenly a gust of wind from behind swept the child into the hole and caused him to spin around like a top. The whirlwind buffeted his body as he fell, crushing his head and chest with the pressure. His head aching and unable to breathe, Lei thought his heart would burst with sorrow.
Next: The Mysterious World of Dr. Wu: Part 3-The Teacher
