Saying Goodbye

　　Daisymonia woke up to the noise of people banging at the door and shouting her name.... She murmured stretching her body, she had spent the previous night listening to moonlight story by Granny odeya, the oldest woman in her clan.

　　She got up feeling so lazy to walk, “If only dad was home” she thought walking towards the door, her dad Mr carter had left for hunting the previous day, although he had said he was coming home before sun down but he didn't... Daisymonia concluded that he must have decided to stat back at the forest to watch over his traps in case of thief's.

　　“Easy... Am coming” She said to the knocker whom was trying to break down the door with its repeated knocks,  she unbolted the door and saw Mrs Stella and some villagers from her clan.

　　Mrs Stella, one of the biggest customers Mr carter has, she sells meat at the village market and she usually buys in bulk quantity more than any other buyer.

　　According to Mr Carter, Mrs Stella was the one that nursed Daisymonia as a little child after her mum had died giving birth to Daisymonia.

　　Back then was Daisymonia was a child, she had wished that her dad would marry Mrs Stella but it just didn't happen as Mrs Stella married another man.

　　“Good Morning Mrs Stella..... Dad isn't back yet but am sure he is on his way” Daisymonia said beaming.

　　She noticed tears cluster in Mrs Stella's eyes likewise in the eyes of the villagers that came with her.

　　“Did anything happen” Daisymonia asked but no one said a word to her.

　　That was when it hitted her.... Her dad wasn't home yet, even if he sleeps at the forest, he is sure to return before sun rise so he would sell his meat to his early customers before leaving for his poultry farm.

　　“Dad.....” Daisy called and ran off.

　　“Wait Daisymonia.... Its dangerous” Mrs Stella shouted running after her.

　　Daisymonia didn't stop, she kept running to the old pent house in the forest where her dad and the other hunters usually sleep whenever they want to stay at the forest.

　　She got to the path that lead to the pent house and stopped, the road was crossed and only the strong village youths were allowed in.

　　“Dad......” She screamed but he didn't answer her.

　　“Daisy....” Mrs Stella called, Daisy turned and saw Mrs Stella coming closer.

　　“What happened to dad.... Where is my father” She yelled in tears.

　　“Calm down my child, let's go home..... I would explain everything to you at home please my child”.

　　“Am not going anywhere with you until you tell me what happened to my father”

　　Mrs Stella had no choice but to let the cat out of the bag.... She knew Daisymonia more than anyone else.

　　“Okay darling..... You see, there was an attack last night... The wild creature that usually attack every full moon attacked last night and killed every hunter including your father”

　　“Every full moon.... But there was no full moon, why did it attack”.

　　“We don't know yet... Words have been sent to the king.. Am sure he is going to do something about it”.

　　Daisymonia broke down in tears.... “No.....” She screamed her lungs out unable to believe it..

　　“You have to calm down my child.... we have to go home now, its not safe here” Mrs Stella said.

　　“Am all alone, my mom my dad... Everyone is gone.... No, this can't be, dad can't be dead.... He can't be dead” Daisy cried.

　　“His corpse is at home..... I already informed the priest, he must be waiting at home” Mrs Stella explained.

　　Daisymonia looked around hoping to see her dad but she didn't

　　They left the scene back home... The high priest was already seated doing some incantation while he waits for Daisymonia to return home.... Some sympathizers were also seated.

　　Mr Carter's body was folded in a white clothe, he hasn't been placed on the funeral Prey yet.

　　Its customary that his family members see his corpse before he is tied.

　　Daisymonia walked towards his father's corpse in tears, he knelt beside him crying.

　　“We found this in his pocket.... He must have bought it before the wild creature attached” Mrs Stella said showing her a little designed box.

　　Daisy collected the box and opened it, inside was a card and a locket.

　　Tears filled her eyes, she had remembered crying her dad few days back that she needed a locket.... Mr Carter did promised to buy one and he fulfilled his promise.

　　She picked up the card and opened it... It was a note from her dad... Tears filled her eyes as she read the very last note she was and would ever receive from her dad.

　　“We have to begin the funeral rites now” the priest said.

　　Mrs Stella took Daisymonia away from the corpse while the village youth tied the corpse and placed it on top of the funeral Prey.

　　“Goddess of the earth l, goddess of the wind, sun and the moon, cloud and stars goddess of the sea and the goddess of our clan, we present your humble servant whom you have called unto yourselves”

　　“Grant him external rest, protect him as he journey into the under world, give him the privilege that he may join our dead clan to have external rest.... Grant him the favor to watch over us and give him seat among our ancestors.... Hear our prayers” The priest prayed.

　　“Hear our prayer....” they all responded, the priest went round his corpse spraying him roses before Daisymonia was called to light up his body.

　　She collected the pot of fire from the priest, her eyes was filled with tears.... Even in her wildest dreams... She never imagined she would say goodbye to her dad that early.

　　She poured the fire and his body began to burn immediately.

　　They all stood there watching him burn into cinder... After a couple of minutes it was all over.

　　Mrs Stella and some village women packed the ashes into the remembrance pot and handed it over to Daisymonia.

　　“You can keep it at the family alter, beside your mother's” Mrs Stella said.

　　They all headed inside the Carter's little house to complete the funeral rites and pay their last respect to Mr Carter.