5 Chapter 5

Growing up Neo had to face challenges of having other children tease her for not looking like her parents but she never suffered from identity crisis until she heard the truth about her origins. She spent the entire night up overthinking.

"Dineo, please eat something. You have to take your medication" Gladys said. It was typical of her to take sandwiches on trips even if they were just a few minutes long.

"I'm not human, Ma Gladys" Neo whispered while looking out to the semi-dark morning "So I don't need human medication, especially since I'm going to die anyway" she added and heard Gladys grasp. Gladys was yet to accept what doctors said about Dineo dying.

June held Gladys's hand "Let's give her space" June whispered and Gladys nodded. They were on their way to a river as advised by Vuyo. They'd been on the road for over two hours.

"We're here" Jack said as he parked the car. Dineo looked around but didn't recognize her surroundings. Her life began to feel more and more like chapters from a fiction novel.

"Dineo, let's go, Nana" Gladys affectionately said to Neo before holding her hand. Nana being the nickname she gave Neo long ago "This is important" she pleaded.

"Dee, please" June pleaded too. Dineo unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

"Do you need me to carry you?" Jack asked Neo "There are a lot of rocks around here and I know that you're not strong enough yet" he added.

Dineo placed her oxygen mask over her face and drew a breath "I should be fine" she said after taking the mask off.

"Let's go" Vuyo said after taking all that he needed from the car. They all followed behind him, making sure Neo stayed between them. Neo's body began to complain, forcing her to keep her oxygen mask on.

"I'm tired" Dineo said before sitting on the first rock she saw "My chest hurts" she added. June took water from her bag and helped Neo take a sip.

Jack knelt in front of Neo so she'd get on his back "Let us help you" he said. After Neo got on his back he rose with ease because she was no longer the curvy girl she used to be. The sicker she got, the more weight she lost. They stopped when they reached a cave filled with turquoise water.

"Is this the water that's added to the cream?" Neo asked as Jack gently put her down.

"No," Vuyo said "It's not so easy to access" he added "Are you all ready?" he asked. Everyone looked at Neo and after she nodded they nodded too. Vuyo wrapped his red and white cloth over his jeans before getting to work.

"What's he doing?" Neo asked Gladys. She considered herself too free spirited to have any beliefs but always respected the beliefs of others.

"Connecting with the water spirits" Gladys whispered before putting her finger over her lips. A single line of smoke went up as soon as Vuyo lit incense. Vuyo spoke while occasionally clapping his hands before giving an offering of fruit and honey by placing it on the edge of the water.

"They are happy with the offering," Vuyo said. The water spun around like laundry in a tumble dryer. Neo knew that everyone around her had experienced it before because no one flinched. Her own anxiety was replaced by unexpected serenity.

"We give thanks," Gladys said.

"She wants to see her," Vuyo said before standing to face them "That has never happened before. I don't know what the river goddess looks like yet I've been connected to this river since becoming a healer. It must be important" he added.

"No," Neo replied, "I'm not doing it" she added.

"Dineo, this may help us find your biological family" June said while cupping Neo's face in her hands.

"I don't want to," Neo said while crying.

"Nana, no harm will come to you by going" Gladys assured Neo "These are the spirits that have kept you protected from the beginning. No harm will come to you" she promised and wiped Neo's tears with her thumbs. Neo stood aside for a moment to gather her thoughts.

"How will I get there?" Neo asked after a while.

"You've got to go inside the water" Vuyo said and watched Neo shake her head.

"I don't do deep water" Neo made it clear to them "You know that I fear deep water" she added.

"You jumped into deep water to save that boy two days ago" Jack reminded her "This is to save your life, no one else's, yours" he looked at her. Neo buried her face in her hands while crying "Dineo, we don't want to lose you and we know that you don't want to die" Jack said "If keeping you alive means that you must return to your place of origin then we are willing to do what we can to help you get there" he added. They allowed her space to think.

"She's not going to keep the portal open much longer," Vuyo said. They all looked at Neo. Neo looked at the four people who were risking their own lives to keep her safe.

"What must I do?" Neo asked quietly.

"When you get into the water, you'll be led to her," Vuyo said. Neo took her jacket and shoes off before walking closer to the water.

"She collapsed the last time she held her breath for too long" June reminded them.

"She'll be fine," Vuyo assured. Everyone trusted him "The water is a bit cold" Vuyo added as Neo walked in. June and Gladys were anxious and afraid for Neo but they felt it was the right thing to do.

"It's warm" Neo said as she went inside the water "The water is warm" she said. The current began moving in circular motion once again and gently swept Neo with it until she was submerged in water. Her heart was racing. The water felt like velvet against her skin. When the spinning stopped, a beautiful copper phoenix floated in front of her. Neo's eyes widened when it spread it's gigantic wings.

"Welcome to the Zani river" it said. Neo nearly collapsed due to shock "I am Nafida, protector of goddess Thandi," Nafida introduced herself. Neo assumed it was a female bird by the softness of its voice "Follow me" Nafida said. She dived deeper into the river. Her tail feathers were long and magical. Neo instinctively followed. She was shocked by her own abilities to dive. The clear turquoise water turned darker the deeper they went. Neo's competitiveness kicked in and she swam faster until she was side by side with Nafida. Nafida twirled before picking up speed.

"Wait for me!" Neo said before laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she laughed from her core. Her phobia of deep water magically faded.