Part 1: Bumis

The chaos that Bumis could cook up in one afternoon was enough to send the cat away for weeks. She was the designated free spirit among her six sisters, a role she took very seriously. While her siblings thrived on routine and order, Bumis preferred to dance to the rhythm of her own heart so it makes logical sense to tell you about her first. Her days were often filled with unexpected adventures and spontaneous moments, and one chaotic afternoon was about to become a testament to her wild spirit.

That sunny afternoon, the girls, their mother and the cat gathered at the plot behind their house for their monthly picnic. They sat close to the well, as they did each time, and Sera sang into the well. Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness reverberated back to the surface, driving goosebumps up their arms. The air was filled with laughter and excitement as the sisters prepared the picnic baskets and laid out the checkered blankets under the shade of a majestic oak tree. Bumis, true to her nature, held a mischievous glint in her eyes that mother noticed, but dismissed because when did Bumis not have that look?

As everyone sat down to enjoy the feast, she suggested a game of hide and seek. Her sisters exchanged doubtful glances but eventually gave in. “Once that girl has an idea in that chaotic little head,” Zosa said to Pos, “all is lost.” They figured it would be a simple diversion to keep Bumis occupied for a while. They should have declined her request.

Bumis counted to ten, and as her sisters scattered in search of hiding spots, slipped away unnoticed. She ventured deeper into the man-made forest surrounding their compound, her heart pounding with excitement. The forest had been developed by their father, as Mother had told them before. When the young couple moved into the piece of land the girls now called home, there were just but a few hardwood trees scattered. Mother said father carefully selected the trees to fill up the space, and eventually created a forest before her eyes. It was these woods that Bumis now explored, having always been fascinated by the mysteries hidden within the woods.

While her sisters diligently sought hiding places, Bumis stumbled upon an old abandoned treehouse nestled high among the branches of an ancient oak. With a mischievous smile, she climbed up, marveling at the overgrown vines that enveloped the structure. The treehouse had an air of forgotten tales and whispered secrets, and Bumis felt an irresistible urge to uncover its mysteries.

Inside, she discovered a hidden compartment filled with dusty old books. Curiosity overwhelmed her, and she began leafing through the pages, delving into stories of far-off lands, mythical creatures, and extraordinary adventures. Time seemed to slip away as Bumis lost herself in the enchanting tales.

Meanwhile, chaos reigned back at the picnic. Bumis’s sisters had finished their hiding and were now frantically searching for her. Panic slowly crept into their voices as they realized she was nowhere to be found. They scoured the estate, calling her name, but all they received in response was the whispering wind rustling through the trees.

***

Okay, the sisters are finally ready, with Bumis setting the scene.

There has been what we can only describe as a lot, and we want to thank the heavens for the habit of journaling, which I also have a problem with now because why am I seeing all the madness plastered onto pages with my writing?