Chapter II
Maria
Heloisa and I continued our quest to find something that would satisfy our protagonist's curiosity. We encountered birds with beautiful feathers, animals with exotic appearances, and even some plants with stunning and potentially rare qualities.
We were both amazed by how far we had walked. It had taken us about three hours to explore to our heart's content, but it was evident that I was still not content with our findings. Heloisa noticed this and wanted to know how she could assist me in uncovering what I sought. When she inquired about what I wanted, I confessed that I wasn't entirely sure, only that I wanted to discover something seldom seen by human eyes.
"Do you genuinely not know what it is?" Heloisa probed, doing her best to help me unearth the answer.
"No," I replied. "But what we found could be seen by anyone. What I desire is something unique, something few people have the privilege to witness."
Heloisa looked at me and comprehended my yearning. Perhaps what I sought lay within the forest, but the uncertainty loomed large. It could be an exceptionally specific rarity that eluded us there.
"Here's an idea," Heloisa proposed.
I gazed at my friend. We were walking along a trail amidst the trees, enveloped by the sounds of singing birds and croaking frogs.
"It might be best if we return to the village. Perhaps your grandmother can help us pinpoint exactly what you desire."
"But I do know what I want, which is to find something rarely seen, especially with human eyes, as I mentioned before," I replied.
Heloisa simply regarded me, comprehending my perspective.
"I still believe she can assist with your quest," Heloisa argued.
I glanced at my friend and then ahead.
"Alright," I conceded, the brown-haired girl. "Let's head back home."
Heloisa smiled at me and took my hand. We turned around, now making our way toward the village.
Palmeira Vermelha Village, a hidden city that few know of, nestled near the Amazon. It's a simple village, but one that's well-preserved, inhabited by people who cherish tradition.
The houses are constructed from wood, and the village's age range is around fifty years. Heloisa and I were part of a small group of young people living among Palmeira Vermelha's population. Everyone knew each other, and there were about two hundred residents in total—a small number, but they still had much wisdom to impart to the younger generation.
As we strolled through the village, observing each person engaged in their unique activities, some individuals stood out. Among them were me, known for sharing my photos with the residents; Heloisa, renowned for her crafting skills and the joy she brought to children by crafting wooden dolls; and Elizabeth, my grandmother, famous not only as the "photographer's grandmother" but also for her delectable cakes. She loved baking chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, claiming it to be my favorite, but there were other well-known figures in Palmeira Vermelha Village.
Then there was Vicente, Heloisa's uncle and the owner of a jaguar he affectionately called Mancha (Spot). Vicente had always been overly protective and could never have fathomed that Heloisa would venture into the forest with me. He had adopted Mancha when she was just a cub, recounting a tale of hunting a forest monster but stumbling upon the injured jaguar instead. He had cared for her ever since, and Mancha had become his constant companion. Vicente was a 42-year-old man with short, dark hair, a long but well-groomed beard, and a penchant for wearing a white short-sleeve shirt, black pants, boots, and a silver watch on his wrist.
Another notable figure was Cledir, an 83-year-old man who delighted in recounting stories from his life, most of which were fantastical, including encounters with the Three-Legged Horse, a legend that loomed large in our folklore. Cledir was bald, possessed slightly tanned, wrinkled skin, striking blue eyes, and a mustache with twisted ends that he meticulously maintained.
I passed by the people who were already awake. There was a lady tending to the vegetables she had planted, and when she spotted Heloisa and me approaching, she offered a warm greeting. Then Cledir appeared, extending his morning greetings. He used his trusty old cane, moving at a leisurely pace.
"How are you girls?" Cledir inquired.
"We're fine," I responded, wearing a smile.
Cledir smiled back at us and posed a question, "Did you find anything interesting in the forest, Maria?"
"Not yet, but look at the photos I captured," I displayed the multitude of photos on my camera's screen to Cledir, who was visibly impressed.
"That's incredible. Your skills are continually improving. I'm enjoying witnessing your growth!" the elder expressed.
I smiled in gratitude, and then Cledir mentioned something further.
"Well, I should be on my way. By the way, tonight, I shall recount a legend that will pique everyone's interest, especially because we're in 2020, and everyone should be aware of the event scheduled for tomorrow."
"An event?" Heloisa queried.
"Yes. There's an event scheduled for tomorrow, and it's essential for everyone to be informed, especially since what's impending isn't pleasant for anyone, not even for the two of you," Cledir divulged before sauntering away. "I'm off for my morning stroll."
Heloisa and I exchanged thoughtful glances, racking our brains to recollect what was slated for tomorrow. There was no better person to consult than Elizabeth, given her extensive knowledge of folklore legends, second only to Cledir.
"I believe your grandmother may hold the answers. Let's pay her a visit," Heloisa suggested.
I readily agreed, and the two of us retraced our steps, homeward bound.