The Beast Within

Chapter 4

-Eli's Point of View-

I PANICKED ON seeing Emily in that state. There was bright red contents in the vomit indicating blood. That was never good. I scooped her up in my arms and slung her duffle bad across my left shoulder. I staggered under the added weight, but didn't give in. I looked for somewhere safe to lay her. There was a building in the distance. I sighed. No choice but to go to it. It would be better than standing out in the forest and letting Emily die. The place looked run down with weeds overrunning the garden and vires growing into the brick walls. Part of the roof looked like it had been smashed in by a tree, leaving a gaping hole in the ceiling. It would have to do for now. Emily was burning hot against my skin. Her face looked drained of color and her eyes were closed. I had to find something to help her and soon, even if it was just a herbal mixture to sooth her.

"Hang in there..." I whispered. "Please, hang in there..." My heart was pounding against my chest in rapid beats.

I banged desperately on the door. No response came from within. I kind of figured that since the house looked abandoned. I pushed the door open and entered, feeling around to make sure I didn't run into anything and drop Emily. I laid her on an old couch that had its interior sticking out in several places. I pulled a box of matches out of my duffle bag. I took a match out and struck the side of its box with it to light it. The little stick didn't produce much light. I could see an old wax candle lying on its side on an end table. I picked it up and used the match to light it. I could now get a better view of the room. The windows were barred up with planks of wood. I used all my might to pull them away and allow sunlight to seep into the area before turning back to Emily.

"E-Eli..." she coughed coughed."M-My... duffle bag... book inside..." she couldn't get a full sentence out. Her voice was filled with pain. Hearing it brought tears to my eyes. I grabbed the duffle bag, trailing out its contents until I came across the only book in there. It was intitled "Herbal Plants and Poison Remedies."

"You think you were poisoned?" Emily just nodded weakly. I flipped through the book matching her symptoms. I searched around, surprised to find a mortar and pestle in the house along with an alchemy lab. I was beginning to suspect what type of person lived in this building. "Emily, I will be back. I must get the herbs to help you. Please... don't die..." the last words were unnecessary but they just blurted out of my mouth. I luckily found the ingredients in the weed infested garden, adding a little mint in for taste.

I finished the antidote - now a brimming gold liquid - and made Emily drink it, helping her get it down by bringing her up in a sitting position. She still looked pale, but I knew with the help of the liquid she would be okay. I gently kissed her forehead and tossed out the tainted venison, making a note to hunt later for more food.

"A-Alpha... must have... planted... poisoned food..." Emily's voice was still a bit weak. "In case someone... were to... steal from the food supply at Camp... must have grabbed the wrong... one... sorry..."

"Next time don't make such hasty decisions and yank whatever food you see. That is an easy way to get yourself killed." I scolded. She sighed in response.

I kneeled down on my knees and buried my face in her soft cotton shirt as I hugged her. "Still, I am glad you are okay." I could hear my voice crack as I spoke to her. Through the years of being her partner, I had learned to care for her, learned to even love her, though the Group had denied us such pleasure.

"I-I love you." Emily whispered hoarsely.

"I love you too," I whispered back. "Now be quiet. Save your energy." I got up and cleared away debris from the caved in roof so that I had enough room to set up some bedding. I lifted Emily up off the couch and laid her down, pulling blankets over her. I had her sip some water I had gathered in a canteen and waited for her to fall asleep before staying up to keep watch.

We were stuck here until Emily regained her energy. I hoped she would soon. We were sitting ducks here. If the Alpha and his minions found us then we would be wolf chow, or worse. I looked over at Emily. She looked so peaceful sleeping. Pale rays of light trickled across her body, causing her brown hair to shimmer as though it held a thousand tiny stars. Her chest and stomach rose and fell with each slow breath she took.

"So beautiful..." I whispered to myself. How I was blessed with such a gem I did not know. I felt lucky to have her. I never knew what I was missing. I thought. To feel all this emotion... I thought back to when Emily said that she loved me. How I felt with her body pressed against mine. Then when I thought Emily was going to die from the poison. The pain I felt at the mere image of her dying. Emotion was a burden, yet it was a blessing too. In order to remain in contact with ourselves, I thought. We must feel the emotion. Without it, we are no longer human.

I watched Emily the rest of the day. By the time she woke up the last shades of sunlight were disappearing. I smiled as I saw her open her eyes. She sat up with my help.

"How long have I been out?" Emily asked.

"All day." I said, standing up.

"We need to get going! Alpha-"

"We are going nowhere." I cut her off. "Until your strength is back. I don't care if I have to fight the whole Clan to protect you, because I will." My main concern was Emily. My only concern was Emily. "I will be back later, my love."

"Where are you going?" There was concern in her voice.

"I need to hunt. You need something to eat in order to regain your strength back." I said.

"But... what if the Alpha comes..."

"Don't worry. I will make it look like there is no one here and bar up the place." I looked at the still burning candle. Half the wax was melted. I blew out the fire. "I will be back soon. I promise." I walked out without another word, not giving her time to even so much as protest. I drug some tree branches over to the door, propping them up against it before heading off into the forest. I had to find something for us to eat. Emily really needed to gain her strength back before the Clan caught up to us. Hopefully I could find at least some sort of small animal. A squirrel or a rabbit maybe.