Marikit and the Ocean of Stars by Caris Avendaño Cruz

Author:Caris Avendaño Cruz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

CHAPTER 17

MEETING JUAN TAMAD

Tamad. Filipino. adj. Lazy. Doing nothing, wanting nothing, passing time with either unreasonable hours of rest or a lifelong curse.

Sangdaan stopped, stared at her, then let his shovel drop down to the ground with a loud clash, where it tumbled directly over his feet. “Ah! Ah! Ah!” He hopped painfully, crawling and curling to the ground until the pain subsided. He then rose weakly and focused on Marikit. “Okay, here is what you’ll do.” His bracelets twinkled as he began pointing in different directions. “Tread this labyrinth and exit on the first left bend. Go straight. Then turn another left. When you see a crossing—”

“I’ll turn left?”

“No. Turn right,” Sangdaan said smugly. “You’ll see a vast grassland. Tread that path. Quarts also travel that way, and the Aswangs won’t be able to trail your scent. But hurry! Until you’re out of this labyrinth, you’re not safe.”

“Thank you, Sangdaan!”

“No problem.” The Manggagawa smiled anxiously. “But remember, glass is a dead end for a Diwata, so avoid it at all costs!”

“What do you mean?” Marikit cried.

“It means you’ll learn along the way.”

Marikit had no more time to ask questions. She sprinted toward Sangdaan’s directions with one wave of goodbye, disappearing around the bend.

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