Every Little Memory

Entry #3: Apricot

I am in a field, surrounded by plants. They have been arranged into neat rows within a large, fenced-in space. Each row has a different plant; I notice vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and corn. The last two contain trees bearing healthy, lush fruit almost ready for harvest. 

There is no one to be found here on this farm. A house sits in the distance, puffing smoke from a chimney. It is a simple, one-story dwelling crafted of wood. It is the middle of the day, with a bright cloudless sky and a brilliant sun. The farmer and his assistants responsible for this field must be on his lunch break, as there is no one working the field. 

I sit beneath the shade of an apricot tree, enjoying the scent of nature and the warm sunlight. The wind comes in gentle breezes, rustling the leaves above me. The fruity smell of apricots, strawberries, and peaches drifts past my nostrils. If only I could reach up and pick one, but alas I cannot. My hand would go right through it. I think I shall have some fruit when I return home today. I long to bite in to a fresh, juicy apricot or peach, savoring the rich flavor.

The calm atmosphere is interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps in the grass. I turn around to see a young woman, not much older than I, sneak up to the tree. Her face would be pretty if it were not covered in dirt. It is clear she has been working, or at least up to no good. Hair the color of wheat falls just a centimeter above her shoulders. Pointed elven ears poke through the flaxen strands, identifying her as a creature far from human. Her eyes are an inhuman shade of amber yellow, and they stare hungrily at the apricot dangling from the tree.

She grins, showing pearly white, sharp fangs like that of a canine. The girl licks her lips and looks around with caution before leaping onto the tree. Her claw-like nails dig into the bark as she scrambles up into its branches. In one swift movement she snatches the fruit and leaps back onto the grass, chuckling.

This isn't the first time I've seen a demon in a memory. Though whether they are truly demons has been a subject of debate for a long time. They have their own country outside ours, named Talyyn. They are creatures with bizarre forms, abilities, and customs. Some appear as animals, others appear as humans. Some are violent and bloodthirsty like true demons, while others are calm and peaceful.

We gave them the name due to their culture and appearances, but by no means are they the true definition of evil. They despise us humans because thousands of years ago,  we waged bloody war with them over land. Known by all as the Crimson War, it happened ages ago when humans first came to this continent. This land used to belong solely to the demons, who lived amongst themselves in their grand cities and wide open plains. Perhaps things would have been different had the humans not demanded land from them. A battle was fought and by some strange whim of fate, the humans won and the demons were forced to leave behind a large portion of land.

So, their reasons for lashing out at us are somewhat justifiable. And why shouldn't they feel threatened by us? They have homes and families to protect, just as we do. They feel love, hate, sorrow, joy, and other emotions. So why is it that we call them demons? Is it just because they are creatures with bizarre abilities? I doubt anyone will ever know. I do not think them demons, but for consistency, I shall refer to them as such.

Most of the ones hiding in our country of Fen are harmless to humans these days, but I fear that will not always be the case. They harbor grudges, you see. I'm unsure as to what time period I am in, so the demons may be violent here. I wonder how long it will take the farmer to notice her. In her navy blue rags, she stands out from the lush greenery around her.

With a Cheshire grin, she takes off with her loot; glancing back every now and then to ensure that she is not being followed. I follow her, curious. She darts into the forest near the farm, weaving through trees and underbrush. The trees are packed so tight in here that it must be difficult to find your way. Their leafy tops stretch high into the sky, mostly hiding it from view. Sunlight can make it through somewhat, lighting the trail that the demon woman is moving along.

I follow her to wider clearing bearing a freshwater pond. The water is so clear and pure, untainted by pollution and garbage. It is tempting to drink, with how clean it is. Beside this pond, the land rolls up into a small hill with a cave dug deep in its side. There is a fire going for smoke is drifting out the entrance and I can smell it burning. The woman's home must be here, for she ducks inside the cave upon reaching it.

  Another demon is waiting for her, similar in appearance but much older. Judging by their similarities I guess this older woman is her mother. Just as the woman does, she has flaxen hair and amber yellow eyes.  They could look as if they were twins if it weren't for the mother's worn face. She looks as though she has experienced all of life's twists and turns. While the young one's eyes are mischievous and spunky, the mother's are gentle, tired, and slightly sorrowful. She also appears rather fragile, her thin form wrapped in a hide blanket.

"Mom! Look what I found today!" she shouts with laughter as she enters the cave, holding up the fresh apricot.

The mother looks up from whatever she had been doing and replies, "This isn't your usual, Kaiya."

The girl, Kaiya, grins. "We eat meat too much, and that farmer almost never grows apricots. I know how much you love them mom, so I snagged one for you."

Kaiya's mother chuckles and says, "I must be fortunate to have a daughter like you; always doing kind things for me." Kaiya blushes at the praise, scratching her head.

"Aww, mom, don't say such things."

Kaiya uses one claw to slice open the succulent fruit. Juice runs down the side of the fruit's skin. I can just imagine the taste: sweet and full of flavor. It's as if this fruit is the ambrosia of the gods, golden and delicious. Kaiya splits it into equal pieces and hands some of the gooey fruit to her mother.

"This fruit certainly looks delicious. But I want you to not mess with the humans so much, Kaiya. It will bring trouble."

"Come on, you know I'm good at sneaking around. I won't get caught."

Her mother sighs, as though they've had this argument before. "I know; you are skilled. But tread carefully."

"I will. It will take a lot for them to notice me though; they're too dumb."

"Kaiya, that's not a good thing to say," her mother replies, voice dripping with sarcasm. I expect no less. They are demons, why would they ever respect humans after all that has been done to them? The two demons laugh and bite into their fruity treat, savoring the flavor.

I leave the memory as quickly as it began, craving fruit…