??A Howl In The Night??
?She’s mine?
?Chapter 25?
?Runaways?
Our feet pound onto the dirt in perfect unison, each of us in sync with each other. Danae is next to me, having to take two strides for my every one, and Ray is on my other side. I can’t even see Xavier past Ray’s form, but I can sense his presence. His enchanting smell always tends to weave its way to my nose. It is so strong that it almost makes me fall out of step, invoking sorrow and regret through my blood. I can sense his anger, his frustration pounding against my defenses.
I shake my mind from him, focusing at the scene before us. An endless expanse of trees is ahead, making me wonder when it will end and I will finally get an unobstructed view of the thundering sky again. We are moving considerably slower than usual, since Danae and I are dragging the two werewolves down. I can tell this speed is bothering Ray, a frown gracing his features. He seems to be afraid as well as angry, fright in his expression.
For some reason, I can’t bring myself to possess that same emotion. For how am I supposed to be afraid of an invisible attacker that I have never seen before? Every step we take is one step farther away from the enemy, but how do we know the enemy is chasing us in the first place? I know this unseen villain is a threat, and I realize that we must run. However, I do not get the familiar feeling that I am running for my life, that all the stakes rest upon our ability to evade this problem. For some reason, it almost feels like a game.
So it is no wonder that I am not putting all of my effort into my actions.
In addition to my laziness, Danae seemed to be breathing heavily as she runs, sweat pouring down her tiny body. To keep up with the werewolves and I, she has to work twice as hard as us. I can easily see that she won’t last that much longer. But she is courageously gritting her teeth and continuing without a complaint. I soon realize that she wouldn’t speak a word even if she was on the brink of death.
Minutes stretch into hours, the forest ever continuing. I had no idea it was this big–we must be delving deeper into the sea of trees instead of trying to escape them. So many questions brim at the edge of my lips, then retreat as I unsuccessfully try to break the atmosphere of silence surrounding us all. The tension intimidates me. I am afraid that I may upset our steady rhythm if I utter a single word, and Xavier will be even more furious at me than he already is.
Every second becomes identical to the next, nothing changing as time slips on. Rain continues to pound at us, fiercely beating at our backs and soaking us to the core. The wind’s sharp claws further accentuate the bitter cold, gripping us and never letting go. It is a nightmare in itself, even my vision growing hazy in the downpour. If not for my silent companions, I would have given up already, crawling under some random tree and sulking.
I narrowly miss a branch, swerving underneath it with inhuman speed. The sudden movement seems to shock me into reality. I have been in some sort of trance, and this rude awakening also brings about awareness of the pains in my stomach. I glance over at Danae to see that she has almost collapsed, barely pulling herself along. Ray, on the other hand, is barely breaking a sweat, chugging along even quicker than when we started. I assume Xavier is in the same condition.
After a few more minutes, the pains grow past my stomach and envelop my whole being. I cannot take this any longer. I cannot abuse myself to this length just to escape the invisible enemy.
“Stop.” My voice is commanding, urgent. I finally pause my feet, and the rest of them come to an abrupt halt as well. Weariness creeps upon me, until I have to hunch over for breath. When I look up, I find Ray, Xavier, and Danae staring at me.
“Danae and I must rest,” I say firmly, speaking the words Danae refused to say. She looks at me with unspoken gratitude. Ray’s face is emotionless, and Xavier’s face is full of fear.
“We can’t stop now,” Xavier urges, “we must keep going!” His face is devoid of any redness or exertion, only occupied by the rain flooding down it.
“Well, can we at least have a bite to eat? I’m starving!” I beg, looking directly into his eyes. I am not afraid of him, even though he is angry at me. My hunger is changing me from an ashamed girl to a brave, yet desperate one. “It would also be nice to get some more clothes, or to get under some shelter and let them dry. Aren’t you guys cold?”
Shivers ripple through me as a strong burst of wind brushes past my wet skin. I am sure the two werewolves can sense my vulnerability, but strangely, I don’t care. All that matters to me is to get some food to grace my aching stomach.
“Okay,” Xavier immediately melts after my sad display, his expression still hard as a rock but his tone soft and gentle. I just gaze at his perfect form, missing the affection he used to lavish on me, the affection I hated with all my might. I can tell he is weary of this fighting also, but he is also torn by the sight he saw in the garden. How can I express to him that I can’t have just anyone?
Not that I’m going to start treating him with love if he accepts my apology. I still refuse to fall into that deathly snare of desire and passion, even though I can’t think of any reasons for holding back anymore. My lips beg to be touched by him, my eyes gravitating to him constantly. And his scent… exudes potently strong pheromones that disarms me completely. My entire body wishes to be embraced by him, to surrender everything.
“There is a fast food restaurant about a mile from here…” Ray says, checking his phone, “to our right.” He slouches against the tree, water running down his form. I almost forgot it was raining.
Lightning lights up the forest, golden whips of energy igniting the air. Thunder soon follows, its wail crackling through the air and hurting my ears.
“Let’s go.” I look into the sky, marveling at its horrendous temper tantrum. “Ray and Xavier, let us get on your backs so we can go there quickly.”
Without a word in complaint, they oblige. Ray gets to me first, smiling brightly. “My lady?” he bows, and I laugh at his weird fake accent. Xavier, slightly dismayed, lets Danae clamor onto his back.
Ray shoots me an encouraging smile, then charges through the forest. It takes a second for my mind to adjust to the speed, but then I am fully alert, looking around. There’s a fast food station only a mile away from here? Is it right in the middle of the forest? So far we have been traveling for almost fifty miles and I still haven’t seen anything.
I cast a quick glance at Xavier, which soon grows into a lengthy stare. I admire his muscles, which are bulging as he exerts them. His sparkling blue hair glistens as crystal droplets dance down each strand.
But what bugs me the most is Danae. She is clutching at his back, her youthful features matching his in beauty and gracefulness. For some reason, the way she is hanging on him annoys me. She really needs to get off of him.
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts. I can’t be jealous. I will not allow it.
I hug Ray’s chest, attempting to delve myself into someone else. To try and see if just anyone really is all I need. However, there is no spark. The warmth is missing from him, and as I pull him close, all I experience is bitter cold. I don’t feel excited, passion not arising between us. Even when I place my head on his back, I cannot hear the thump of his heart. It almost feels like I am riding a horse instead of a hot werewolf.
Light appears in the distance, finally flooding the forest. When I see it, my heart jumps in my chest. Deliverance, it seems, is finally here. We will finally see buildings instead of endless green. I wish I will never see another tree again. Maybe it is a wish that will never be fulfilled, but it is still one of my deepest desires at this point.
We are soon swallowed by the light, standing in an old and worn parking lot. It is strewn with gravel, few cars in sight. It seems to be the opposite side of town, on the very outskirts.
I slide off Ray, shaking the dust off my clothes and smoothing my hair. Danae follows suit, sweeping her black hair into a loose bun. I can see the wrinkles already creeping onto her face, multiplying at an alarming speed. At first, it seems alarming, but now I just look at her with interest.
“Hey,” she glances at her skin with wide eyes, “I’m completely dry!” I look at my own body to find that I am dry too, and that the rain has been reduced to a light patter, fizzling away by the second. The dark thunderclouds are retreating, traveling to wreak havoc on another unlucky town.
“Wow,” I say with incredulity, “If I had known this would happen, I would have asked for you guys to carry us much earlier!” The freezing cold has escaped me also, traveling behind the flock of clouds as they hurry to their destination. I hug myself with my jacket, delight filling me as warmth enters my body.
“Let’s hurry to the fast food place,” Ray says warningly, “we are still running away, you know.” He seems to be the most worried out of all of us, tapping his feet hesitantly against the gravel. I briefly wonder why he is acting this way, when he is usually so laid back and relaxed. Creases are in his face, worry afflicting his brow.
Xavier takes one glance at me, and then turns to follow Ray. Danae and I follow them both, still slightly weary from the lengthy run.
“Is this the adventure you wanted, Danae?” I ask her softly, not without a little giggle. She looks at me and shoots me a smirk.
“Maybe a little more exhausting than I thought,” she admits, “but for the most part, it is exactly what I wanted.” Her bright smile enchants me, and I admire her ability to hold her head high when she was almost reduced to tears in the forest. If I had not stopped us, Danae would have fainted within a few minutes. That would have caused endless embarrassment for her.
We reach the end of the parking lot, staring at the small brick building just beyond it. I can smell the food, lingering just beyond my grasp, beckoning me urgently. It intoxicates me, begs me to taste it. We spend a second staring at the posters of mouthwatering food and drink, and then I bend to my desires.
I snatch the credit card out of Ray’s hand, almost running to my highly anticipated destination. I slide through the doors quickly, and then focus on the huge menu hanging above the cash register. On it is yummy displays of hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers—all that greasy food that I love.
I edge in line behind three portly men, Xavier and the rest of our group following me. “Do I need to order for you guys or do you want to order on your own?” I ask them, my voice tinged with excitement. I have not been to a fast food restaurant in over ten years, so every action is an exciting adventure to me. It is almost like I am at Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon, my eyes open wide as I survey my surroundings.
Xavier looks at my expression and laughs. “It’s okay,” he says, “we can order on our own. If we order together, he might get confused.”
We are now second in line, and my stomach starts to get butterflies. How do I order my food? Is there some sort of special protocol for something like this? The cash register is a pretty cute teenage boy, who looks incredibly bored and tired. Everyone behind him, in the kitchen, is acting the same way. I don’t want to look like an idi0t in front of them.
I lean my head towards Danae and whisper, “you go first. I want to see how to order.”
She glances at me, and then lets a tiny giggle escape her. “Okay, Mona,” she agrees, then daintily steps in front of me. Xavier and Ray both shoot me an inquisitive glance, but I ignore them, focusing on my teacher as she steps up to the cash register.
We gave her some heels before she left, but even now she can barely reach the countertop. The boy has to look down at her, and is soon surprised by her beautiful, adult face. His eyes widen slightly, and then quickly readjust.
“What do you want?” he asks, back into his bored trance.
“I would like a kids meal with fresh fruit and a hamburger,” she says quickly, her words polite and fluid. As she speaks, the items she is requesting appears on a small, electronic screen beside the cash register. His hands move in a blur as he plugs in her order with a practiced hand.
“Anything to drink?” he questions, looking at the cash register with a dreary expression.
“A bottled water,” she smiles slightly, then reaches into her pack. Quickly she pulls out a ten dollar bill, handing it to the boy. He quickly gives her the change and then her order disappears from the screen. I walk up to the desk, nervousness pumping through my blood.
“What do you want?” he asks, not looking up. He seems to be playing with a broken key on the cash register, pressing it multiple times.
I stare at the menu once again, trying to make up my mind. “Is the hotdog or the cheeseburger better?” I ask him, staring at the plethora of pictures. He ignores me, just pressing the key over and over again.
Anger surges through me. “Is the hotdog or the cheeseburger better?” I ask in a slightly louder voice. He finally looks up, and his expression morphs into surprise once more. He scans me as I stand there, crawling over my face and body.
“I think the cheeseburger is better, honestly,” he says after he recovers, shrugging. He doesn’t look back at the cash register, but keeps his eyes on me.
“Well… then I want the number five super combo.” I continue to look at the menu, my brows furrowed in concentration. “And I also want a full-size house salad and a lemon pie,” I conclude.
His eyebrow rises. “A whole lemon pie or one slice?” he asks suspiciously.
I check my stomach… yup, still grumbling. “Yes, a whole lemon pie,” I confirm.
“Is this just for you?” he asks wonderingly. I smile at him, and the whole kitchen pauses for a mere second, their attention caught. I can’t believe this new appearance of mine can spellbind people so quickly, when my old skin did just the opposite.
“I eat a lot,” I laugh, merry pearls of amusement reverberating around the old building.
He pauses for a minute, then smiles back, unable to resist. “What soda would you like with your combo?” he asks, finally looking back at the cash register.
Soda?
“Um, what do you have?” I ask, trying to buy some time. I haven’t had a soda in my whole life! What do they taste like?
“The flavors are right here.” He gestures to a black machine with colorful labels dancing across it. “We have coke, sprite, mellow yellow, fanta, and root beer.”
I peer at each label, utterly confused on what I want. What if I don’t like the flavor I get? Anticipation races through me.
I give up after a few seconds of contemplation. “Can I just have a milkshake?” I inquire.
“For an extra price, yes.” He nods slightly. He has such pretty eyes, a crystal blue that looks like the sky. I feel myself being drawn into them, marveling at its depth and beauty.
“I want vanilla.” I shake myself out of my trance. He notices that I have been looking at him, and he smirks. He opens his mouth to say another word, but then I quickly swipe Ray’s card. I don’t want him to hit on me… especially in front of Xavier. Who knows how terrible that would be.
He shuts his mouth, then opens it again. “Do you want any condiments?” he asks, opening a small drawer. I know that’s not what he was going to say only a few seconds ago.
I have no idea what condiments are. Not again…
I cast a quick glance at Ray and Xavier behind me, sending them my distressed signal. Ray comes up behind me and whispers, “that’s a fancy word for ketchup and mustard.” His hot breath tickles my ear.
The boy stares at Ray as he comes closer to me, and then shifts slightly to the side to see Xavier. Envy radiates from him as he asks, “Are you with them?” I can tell he is jealous of their stunning looks more than the fact that I am probably the girlfriend of one of them.
“Yes,” I answer him, and then I quickly move away. The pounding of my heart slows down as soon as I am away from that cash register, steadiness now entering me. I never knew ordering could be so scary.
“You did well,” Danae smiles at me, magically appearing by my side. I grin briefly, turning to look at her small form. “I could tell you were nervous though,” she winks, and I blush.
“Well…” I lean against the wall, looking around the fast food station. Dingy tables and worn out chairs are scattered around the area, the floor dirty and made of old fashioned tile. The walls seem fragile, as if they may crumble to ashes in a few seconds, and the few booths they have are torn and stained. “It is just that I haven’t been to places like this before,” I confess, “I have spent almost my entire life, or what I can remember of it, in the orphanage. Everything outside of it is completely new to me. For me, it is like I have entered a completely different world.”
I wait a little while, watching the way the boy is drooling over Xavier and Ray. His face is full of admiration, studying them intently. Xavier and Ray, however, don’t seem to care, completely ignoring him.
They finish ordering and walk over to us, all attention gravitating to them as the light amplifies their perfect features. Girls that are scattered across the room turn their bodies so they can get an eyeful of pretty boy hotness. It seems as if everywhere we go they attract way more eyes than they should… it is a little annoying, honestly. Everyone seems to stare at them as if they are aliens–they really do possess an ethereal beauty that is almost unnatural. They all notice, I can tell, that Ray and Xavier are different from everyone else.
“Once we get our food, we need to eat it quickly,” Xavier cautions, being careful not to look me in the eye, “we can’t wait for the council to find us.”
“How would they know where to look?” I ask wonderingly.
“All of the council members tend to have excellent senses of smell,” Ray says, “if they get one item that has our aroma on it, then they can track us like a pack of bloodhounds. Of course, they cannot do that if we are several miles away.”
“Oh,” my eyes grow wide, “but then surely they will be able to find something! Especially if they take the mansion… my smell must be on everything I have touched!”
Ray looks at me, then surveys our surroundings. “It isn’t safe here,” he turns back to us, whispering softly, “we must find another place to finish our conversation.”
Xavier follows suit, examining the premises. “But where can we go that is completely private?” he expresses his concern.
But I am distracted by something much less serious. A delightful fragrance creeps to my senses as our food is placed on the counter. “Food!” I squeal with delight, nearly skipping to its location. My tray is huge, stacked with a full sized pie, salad, and super combo filled with fries. Xavier and Ray’s trays are even bigger because they both ordered two super sized combos. I lift the huge stack of food, laughing at how easy it is to do so. Before my transformation, I probably would have struggled to carry it.
Danae craftily smiles at us, holding her small meal. “I think I have an idea,” she winks. Gray hairs are already covering her head, her eyes bright and adventurous.
The eyes follow us as we exit the station, all of us wondering just what Danae has in mind. She leads the way over to the road, navigating around the line of cars waiting to go to the drive through. Cars whiz by us as we stand right before the highway, eyeing the gleaming shine that radiates off each one.
I lick my fingers, wanting to savor even the tiniest flavor of greasy fries. Everyone’s attention gravitates to me, Ray immediately laughing.
“You ate all those fries?” he chuckles, staring pointedly at the gigantic, now empty box in my hand. I smile, my teeth shining brightly.
“It was so good,” I laugh also, “I love greasy food.”
“Hey,” Danae advocates, “I ate all of mine too!” We all swivel our heads to Danae’s small, empty kids meal bag. I notice, suddenly, that the bag is decorated with fairies and pixies. It seems to suit her, the more I think about it. One of the black haired fairies on it looks almost identical to her.
We simultaneously roll our eyes at her miniature bag. “As if thats a big feat,” Ray says dryly, causing me to laugh. Xavier just looks at the ground, looking more out-of-it than anything.
“Well anyway,” Danae directs us back to the situation at hand, “what we need to get is a car. Look, just across the highway!”
True enough, a gigantic car dealership is less than a mile away. “Wow,” I comment softly, “that’s a good idea. Why didn’t we drive a car in the first place?”
“Because the council would immediately know we were gone and soon catch up to us with their super speed,” Xavier finally answers, shaking his head, “I don’t know if this is a good plan.”
“But this way we can confuse them!” Danae fiercely defends her idea, “AND we are right here next to the highway. We can go pretty much as fast as we want when we drive it.”
“Let’s try it,” Ray takes our side, “I think all of us are pretty tired from running.” Obviously he is just speaking about both Danae and I, but nevertheless, it is a semi-valid complaint.
“But… how are we going to cross the highway when cars are going so fast?” I ask, looking at the frightening buzz of the usual traffic. Danae’s eyes crease–I can tell she didn’t notice this problem until now.
“Ray! Xavier!” She whirls around and nearly barks their name. “Can you take us across the highway on your backs?”
“I don’t know,” Xavier answers, “we can definitely go through the traffic unscathed if we were traveling with the general flow of movement. But just zipping across the highway like this? I have no idea. A car might be able to hit us, especially since there are so many of them passing at one time.”
“But what else can we do?” Danae asks fiercely, “are we going to go back into the forest where they can find us?”
I look around the highway, hoping to find some other way we can avoid this problem. However, nothing comes to my mind. For as far as I can see, the highway extends in both directions.
“It’s just what we have to do,” I firmly say, “we have to take the risk if we are to escape the council. We can’t wait any longer, because we don’t have the time to waste.” I can tell they all realize this too by the way they stare at me, then at the road; all with a fierce look.
“Jump on,” Ray directs me, bending down into a crouch. I hastily obey, sneaking a glance at Xavier along the way. He is frowning, Danae sitting on his back peacefully. I can tell he is a little bothered that Ray, once again, gets to carry me.
We stand along the highway, looking for some sort of entrance, a break in the endless line of speeding cars. Danae and Xavier are in front of us, and we are lingering close behind.
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