Chapter Thirteen

Upon returning to the village, and having gone their separate ways, Atohmma decided to tidy her room. In her mind, she was replaying having found Venomma's blanket a while ago. She tried to make sense of it, and noticing the journal on the table, gave her even more reason to suspect herself.

She opened the journal, went to the page, where she drew the angry face and had written her to wish toward Venomma's blanket. Atohmma wondered if it could have been possible, that her wish, might have come through. She believed it was just a thought. She might have written it down, but it was just a thought that she put to paper. It wasn't like actually saying it to Venomma's face. She was clueless about all her powers and any ability she might not have come to know. She wondered if was all just a coincidence. She decided to retrace her steps, to recall if she might have followed through on her wish. She wondered if she intentionally went ahead to lose Venomma's blanket at the lake. She tried to remember if she did this willingly. She had no recollection of it. She thought, maybe she forgot that she actually did it, as most children forget many childhood incidents. She considered that a probability. It could have been what actually transpired. Maybe she did throw Venomma's blanket into the lake, after all, she surmised. Atohmma was convinced, that she was the reason the blanket reached the lake. She concluded that, after writing her feelings in the journal, that she may have gone the following day to carry out her revenge on Venomma.

Atohmma wondered about whether Venomma suspected her. She tried to imagine what Venomma might be thinking, now that she has her blanket back. Atohmma, knowing that she may be guilty, was hoping that Venomma never finds out what she did. Although she herself is not quite certain about what happened, she didn't want to get blamed or have everyone turn against her for something like that, if they found out.

Over at Venomma's cave, she was washing the blanket. She decided to put it away and even though she may never use it again, at least she knew where it was. She washed it and placed it to dry. "Isn't it a bit strange that Atohmma, took us to the lake of all the places, and found the blanket there? Could it be just a coincidence?" Venomma assumed. She was always suspicious of Atohmma, and this gave her even more reason to be. She did not want to get into it deeper, as she wants to try to focus on maintaining camaraderie for the project at hand. However, Venomma found something to be quite fishy about it all. Many thoughts were crossing her mind, as she looked at the blanket as it hung drying.

Out in the village, Atohmma began spreading the word of a brief meeting she wanted to hold at dusk. She planned to inform everyone that the project for the well has been established and to notify them about the upcoming work to be done. The natives will be made aware and those among them suitable for the labor will present themselves. This will enable Venomma to prepare her list of names, matched with their skills and expertise. She will be better able to coordinate and organize the work that way.

Orgamma was in his cave, actively polishing up on his aspect of the workload for the project, when a native passed by informing him about the meeting. He did not expect Atohmma to have called it before they visited the proposed site. He thought she would have waited, at least until they checked it out, agreed on it and then have the meeting. He was not the type of person to make anything a problem. He was an engineer and he thought like one; problem then solution. In spite of his thoughts, he had to meet them there anyhow, so he knew he would be there.

Atohmma believed in herself and her decisions. She was the type of person confident enough to know that what she decided would be favorable. She knew the area and she knew the soil would be suitable for digging through easily because she observed the grass and the flowers. She did not doubt that Orgamma and Venomma wouldn't agree to it. She wanted to have the meeting before they flew there because she had already planned that they will go after the meeting. She intended to make the natives aware of the plan for phase one of the project and also to notify them of the time frame allotted for its start to completion. She had to consider taking advantage of favorable weather. This will also enable Venomma to get the information she needs, concerning the natives who will volunteer their expertise and skills for this phase. She will be able to get their names to make a list and to begin organizing and coordinating the labor. Atohmma always thought ahead of time on these projects. She believed in her choice and was confident to push through. She had no time to waste. Letting the natives know as soon as possible, was the best way to get them to be aware of the project for the well and of their progress with the plan. This was one of the reasons, some of the natives thought Atohmma was too arrogant and overconfident. She was not the type of person to wait for their approval as she trusted her own instincts. Atohmma had the attitude that made a leader lead.