There Are Many Paths To Tread

Disclaimer:

The movie, 'Moana', is copyrighted by Walt Disney Animation Studio. It was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and the co-directors were Don Hall and Chris William. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2017.

I only claim copyright to the characters, and some of the elements of the story, that are of my own creation.

Chapter Soundtrack:

Tamatoa's Lair- Moana

Summary: 

A young woman, seemingly ordinary, is deserted on an island that is void of life but is then confronted by a man who completely baffles her with his words and actions. He couldn't really be a demigod now, could he? There was no such thing as real gods. Or was she the one mistaken? Could she trust in his friendship after all the heartbreak and disappointment in her life?

...

Chapter 9

'' Then your daddy must never have told you of his concerns towards the fact that I'm a monster of Lalotai,'' Peara said in a hushed tone as she pushed me towards the hide-out.

My world was suddenly brought to a crashing halt at my crab friend's words. Words I'd never expected to hear in a million years. It couldn't have been true, could it?!

...

'' W-what'? What do you mean my dad never told me of you being originally from Lalotai?'' I gasped out as I crawled inside the opening of the cavern.

'' It happened during the end of my first year at your house. You were at the store with your mother but you had let me out of the terrarium to roam the house and explore the different rooms. I'd wandered into your father's private office and found him looking at certain underwater pictures on the computer. H-he had underwater pictures of... Lalotai,'' Peara answered as she scuttled in behind me.

'' Of Lalotai?'' I gasped out even as I scooted out of the way to let the crab inside.

'' Are you SURE? You aren't lying?''

'' Have I ever lied to you? I saw him slip a small roll of camera film into that shell I gave to you!'' Peara snapped at me with upset and anger in her voice.

She paused for a moment to breathe in shakily, before saying: ''I cannot understand the reasons for his actions. Maybe... maybe he hoped you'd discover it and interrogate me about my origins. He interrogated ME when he happened to spot me frozen by the door of his office.''

Peara swallowed hard, eyes still filled with upset and anger that had risen at my doubt of her words.

''He never was physically harmful to me during and after he interrogated me, but there was certain wariness in his demeanour whenever he watched me interact with you. I don't know if you ever noticed but I could feel the weight of his gaze on me each time I playfully snapped my pincers at you when we played together.''

Peara's looked so miserable that I found my own feelings turning numb. I raised a hand to stroke the necklace around my neck.

'' I want to prove that I speak the truth but without the conch I gave you, I can't,'' Peara said quietly.

My breath caught in my throat as my wandering fingers opened the clasp on the side of the driftwood locket and felt around at the conch.

And as I did, I noticed there was a tiny fibre rope within the interior of the shell that I could feel with my fingertips.