[Avira]
We did not set out of the cave until four nights later, when Dylan was sure that the warriors must have relented in their guard in search for me. I was eager to leave the pack which now held nothing but sad memories and contempt for me so that when Dylan stated that we would leave tonight, I was overjoyed even though I had no idea where we were headed or how welcome I would be.
I had tried everyday in the last four days to not think about Beta Maverick or that night, or Alpha Demian, or the entire pack at large. Instead, I reminisced about Dylan's rescue with so much gratitude, and tried to imagine the life that awaited me. There was nothing or no one to miss in the entire pack, and that in itself was a relief.
"Eat this." The stranger called, stretching out a wrap of dumpling to me. I shook my head slightly, in a desperate attempt to hide the fact that I had completely zoned out. "It's the last whole dumpling we would be having for now." He said, and I shot him a questioning look.
"We are running out of food," He added, and I nodded slowly. I felt the urge to ask him just how long it would take to get to our destination which I suspected to be his pack but stopped myself from asking. I didn't know what his answer would be or how prepared I was to hear it. Instead I munched on the dumpling as fast as I could, enjoying the taste as usual. As I swallowed, my throat hit softly against the necklace, reminding me of my problem, and my inability to shift.
I soon finished eating my wrap of dumpling, and then waited for him to finish his, with my legs stretched out lazily on the rocky floor of the cave.
He finished eating a few minutes later, and led the way towards the cave's entrance. I followed him from behind, happy to leave the cave, moonfire pack, and every memory I had of it. He stopped moving when he got to the entrance, and I raised an eyebrow.
Please, let's not spend another night in this cave! I said in my head as he slowly turned to face me.
"Wait here while I survey the place." He said, and I nodded in relief. He carefully went out of the cave while I waited for him with my breath hitched.
I let out the breath I was holding when he came back a few minutes later, and after nodding slightly, he led the way out of the cave. This time I followed him out, and even though his nod was a confirmation that no member of the pack was around, I could not help but look fearfully around me. I looked at the trees which swayed from side to side, following the movement of the wind, I looked at every direction where the sound of chirping came from. I looked around, following the movements of animals as they ran in and out of the bushes in the dark. Each movement or sound scared the life out of me, and reminded me that the entire pack was on the lookout for me.
The half full moon shone from the sky rather lazily, casting shadows all over the forest, and somehow added to my fear.
"Stay close," he called quietly from a few feet ahead of me, and I increased my pace until I fell in place beside him. The night was cold, and the cloak was not helping much. Also I was scared, and not sure how to hide it. Initiating a conversation with him sounded like the best way around it but I had no idea what to say. I didn't know him enough to start up a conversation but then an idea hit me.
What if I get to know him now?
"What's your name?" I asked after a few minutes of walking silently beside him.
"It's Dylan," he said within a few seconds later, and then he added, "I thought you'd never ask." Our voices were low, and made only for each other's hearing.
"Sorry, these past few days have been…" I let myself trail off, only deciding at the last minute to not complete my statement. I wanted to say the last few days were the worst in my life but they weren't. They were bad days, or worse than most of my bad days but they weren't my worst days.
"I understand," Dylan, as he had introduced himself said.
"No, you don't!" I snapped without thinking, and immediately felt sorry. All he did was save me even though he didn't have to, and here I was, bitching him.
"I'm sorry," I said simply. Maybe striking up a conversation with him was a bad idea. Maybe I was better off in my head, turning thoughts and memories over and over.
"It's okay," he replied, and I felt even worse. He should get angry or something so I wouldn't feel like a bitch this much but he obviously wasn't about to, and I couldn't bitch him any more than I already have.
We went quiet afterwards. I let my thoughts focus on Beta Maverick, his false accusation, and the reason behind it all, and slowly my thoughts drifted off to the memories of that awful night. The worst moments of my life.
I could not stop myself from revisiting the memory of that awful night like I always did, I was too weak-spirited to even try, so I allowed it. Soon I was back in my birth pack, and on that chaotic night.
Loud screams accompanied whooshing and cracking sounds as the dry branches of trees were caught up in flames. Adult pack members screamed, calling on their young children and loved ones while some others searched frantically amidst the chaos for their loved ones. I belonged to this category, searching for my family, dodging the droplets of fire which rained down from the trees at intervals, half blinded by the sparks made by the flames, and half blinded by tears.
Our movements were swift, as we half raced past each other in our search until my human feet suddenly stopped moving, and my heartbeat accelerated. Just a few feet away from me were…
A sudden push forcefully sent me to the ground, pulling me out of the chaos, and back into reality. Dylan was on all fours beside me, and so was I. We were behind an overgrown shrub, and I couldn't tell why because I had completely zoned out.
"What…" I started to say but Dylan's palm came up to my mouth quickly, keeping the words in. Then I saw the warriors, led by Oliver, approaching from ahead of us, and my heart skipped a beat. My eyes were used to the darkness now so that I saw their images clearly.
"Don't breathe," Dylan whispered, and I nodded fearfully. The warriors had gotten close now, and I could feel myself on the verge of jumping out of my own skin. I watched them walk past the shrub where Dylan and I had hidden, and just as I let out a soundless sigh of relief, Oliver suddenly stopped moving, prompting the others to do the same.
His gaze was fixed on the shrub and so the others followed suit. I clutched my mouth with both hands to stop myself from whimpering or screaming. Dylan grabbed my upper arm quickly, and gave it a light squeeze just as Oliver took a few steps towards us, and then stopped to listen.
I got Dylan's message to be quiet, but I didn't see how it was possible. He may not see it that way but I was in much more danger than he was, I would be killed on the spot once I was discovered, and it was the last thing I wanted.
I shut my eyes when Oliver took a few more steps towards us, and when the sound of flapping sounded right in front of me, I thought I was being pulled out by the warriors.
"Crazy bird," Oliver cussed, and resumed walking away while the others followed. My strength gave way just then, and I laid down flat on the ground, breathing heavily but producing no sound.
"That was close," Dylan said after the warriors had gone out of sight and earshot, and I couldn't agree more.