Lake Of Sins: Escape

Chapter 2

TRINITY STOOD FROZEN IN PLACE, the Tracker towering over her. It was at least ten foot tall, standing on its back legs. Her breath came in short gasps, hands trembling at her sides. She should have picked up another stick. It wouldn't have been much but it would have been something. The Guards hollered in the distance, closer now. A minute ago they were her enemy; now, they were her only chance to survive. One of the Tracker's ears tipped back toward the sound, but its yellow eyes never left her.

All of a sudden, her lungs expanded and she opened her mouth to scream. The Tracker flew forward. Its large paw capturing her around the throat, stopping all sound as the long claws scraped her neck. It spun her around, yanking her back flush against its furry front.

"Shhhh," it whispered in her ear.

It loosened its grip and she gasped for air. The Tracker flung her over its shoulder as it raced parallel to the rock wall. After several moments it stopped and flipped her as if she weighed less than a twig. She ended up resting on its back with her face near its neck. The creature shifted under her, dropping to all fours and crouching, muscles tensed.

"Hold on," it ordered as it leapt upward, climbing the rock wall.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around its neck to keep from falling. It had retracted its claws and used its fingers to find small imperfections in the stone. If she let go, she'd fall to her death. If she held on, she'd be eaten alive when they reached their destination. The ground dropped farther and farther away. Her stomach flipped. She tightened her grip on the creature and squeezed her eyes shut. She'd worry about being dinner later. Right now, she'd concentrate on not falling.

They stopped moving. The Tracker, once again, stood on its back legs. She kept her arms tight around the creature, refusing to open her eyes or move. It couldn't kill her if she were attached to its back, right? It was a stupid plan but for the moment it was the only one she had. It rolled its shoulders, trying to dislodge her. She readjusted her grip. The Tracker yanked her off its back. She cringed, keeping her eyes shut. This was it, the end. Maybe, she should have dropped to the ground. It might have been less painful than being torn apart.

Nothing happened. No pain. No teeth and claws ripping into her flesh. She slowly opened her eyes. She was on a ledge, far above the ground. She inhaled and swayed. The creature grabbed her arm, steadying her. She'd never been this high up before; it was frightening and beautiful. The forest laid out below like a painting in one of her books. The Tracker nudged her toward some boulders behind them and then shoved her between the rocks. She wiggled backwards. The farther she could get from the Tracker the better.

It turned its back on her and squatted, focusing on the ground below. Three Guards scrambled around searching the woods. According to her dad, Guards varied quite a bit in appearance. If they hunted for the Almightys then they were long and rangy. If they guarded the Almightys then they were solidly built. These were definitely hunting Guards although one was quite muscular. That one raised his head and sniffed the air, exposing his clean shaven face. She stifled a gasp. All Guards wore facial hair, except Benedictine's Lead Guard. "The hairless Guard," she whispered.

The Tracker stood, its large, muscular back blocking her view. She swallowed around a lump in her throat. She should have kept quiet. The Tracker motioned for her to come forward. She shook her head. Maybe, it couldn't reach her between the rocks. She eased back a little more. The creature narrowed its eyes and in a flash pulled her from her hiding spot. She opened her mouth to beg for her life when the Tracker spun around so that its back was to her front and then leaned against her, smashing her into the boulder. It arched its spine, rubbing along her length. What is it doing, tenderizing me? She struggled to get away but there was no room to move. The musty, pine and herb odor of the Tracker transferred to her clothes with each rub. She turned her face, wrinkling her nose. It wasn't an unpleasant odor, but it was weird having this thing ooze scent onto her.