(MxM)Tales Of A Shifter (P2) - The Clan Celebration

Chapter 43 - Worst Scenario

Chapter 43

OK....so far so good...." Brandon thought to himself as he gazed out over the expansive area and the mountains sitting like black and gray sentinels miles out in the dimming sunlight.

After a week of planning Brandon had come to the easy conclusion that the norther part of the Leopards Lands would be the best place to attempt his escape from. The entirety of the north was vastly wild brush, tall grasses, bodies of water and thick pine tree canopy's.

Brandon had picked the best time to make his escape. The mid-day. Knowing after weeks in the mansion that none of Ezekiel's family members were at home during the midday and were instead off in the villages healing the sick, or doing farmers work.

"Brandon stop!"

Brandon jumped and quicker than anyone would have believed possible, he had dropped his pact to the forest floor and pulled a long, slim kitchen blade out of the belt at his waist.

He had stolen the simple blade form the kitchen. "Ezekiel? No please dont do this now!" he breathed, his eyes darted around the area as he strained his ears and eyes for a glimpse of the Guardian. But Brandon searched in vain Ezekiel simply toyed with him from the tree tops his voice coming from a dozen different directions as Brandon tried to stave off the crippling disappointment that he had once more been deterred from continuing his journeys.

"I'm just curious....How far did you plan to run...? This forest goes on for miles and miles and miles." Ezekiel hissed down at him.

His presence in that moment made Brandon physically weak to his knees. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to fight with Ezekiel. He didn't want to hurt him, or attack him, or scream at him. Brandon was tired of playing mind games. He was sick of being forced to remain in the forest when he didn't belong with good people....or in a home. Monsters belonged alone. They belonged on the road.

Brandon couldn't let this chance be stolen from him, but how far would he really go?

And how far would Ezekiel go?

Brandon knew that all the Guardian wanted to do was help him and get the truth.....maybe the best way to handle this situation was to give Ezekiel one thing....and take away the other.....

With a mirthless smirk Brandon spun in his spot and took another step. His eyes scanned for attack "I know that the forest is wide to the north..." He replied. "I figured it was the best place to hide until I got to the mountains. Good cover away from you....and the Ghouls."

"So you admit you are running from the beasts now?.....But I've told you multiple times...You don't have to run. You're safe here..." Ezekiels voice slowly shifted to the far left, indicating that the Guardian was dancing on the trees like a bird. "And will running away even change anything...? Will running save you?" he asked softly.

"No, but right now I can't think about that." Brandon shouted looking up into the canopy, his gossamer gaze squinted as he tried to pinpoint Ezekiel's exact position in the tree tops. With a haunting smile he dropped his eyes and took a cautious step to the left.

"I wish you understood what I was doing....I wish we didn't have to keep doing this. You should just pretend like you didn't see me. If I just go it will be best for you..."

"You know I'm not going to do that...." Ezekiels voice echoed back from a different direction in the trees somewhere to the right of Brandon. Brandon lifted his blade with a heavy, but determined heart and glared into the empty area.

"I'm warning you blue boy..." Brandon said crouching slightly and setting his feet to prepare. "If you try to stop me..."

Ezekiels snarl cut him off. His voice coming from the front suddenly. "You'll kill me?" Ezekiel asked him on a silky growl, honestly daring him.