The Other Ones

Chapter 8

I felt a nudge on my cheek, the feeling soft like velvet. I open my eyes slowly, hearing the growling of the dog and then an angry snort of a horse, scaring the dog away. I blink a few times to clear my vision to see the unicorn, nudging my face with its muzzle.
I lift a hand and place it on the unicorn's muzzle while gently pushing its face away from mine. I wince as I sit up slowly, apparently the unicorn was letting me rest against it until I woke, and didn't let anyone near. I grab the unicorn's mane and pull myself up as it stood up. I patted its neck and then rested my head against its soft mane. I closed my eyes, unaware of the dog, Den, and Dustin watching from a few feet away.
"You idiot, what the hell were you thinking? Standing up to a fucking poacher like that?!" I heard Dustin snap, the unicorn snorted at him and the dog growled at it. I blink and pulled my head away and looked at its side, ignoring Dustin for now. I walk over to its side and put my hand to where the arrow was, but it was healed... "HEY! Are you deaf or something?!" Dustin shouted, I turned my head to look at him, petting the unicorn. "No, I heard you perfectly clear. I just chose to ignore you." I said, looking back at the unicorn. I moved to its head again and scratched it behind its ear. "You can go home now Dustin.... I'll be heading home as well. So I thank you for caring for me one last time." I said as I moved back, the unicorn trotted off.
I kept my back facing Dustin, I could just imagine a furious look on him, or a hurt one.... I stick my hand into a pocket and felt Den nudge my hand. I put my hand on its head and it turned back into a choker, I clenched it in my hand. "Get back to the cottage, Jinx.." I heard Dustin say calmly, the bark of the dog came and it ran off. After a silent moment I felt a hand on my shoulder, I started to pull away but the hand stayed on. Another hand grabbed the hand that held Den, the hand soon pulled Den from my grasp and gently put it on my neck. I lowered my head slightly, why was I feeling so upset?
I felt an arm wrap around my waist and a hand tilt my chin up a little, a soft and gentle voice spoke in my ear. "Roe... I can't just let you go... I know you want to go to your mortal home..... But this is your home, and I'm willing to have my arms that are wrapped around you be your shield... And I'll teach you everything you'll need to know, for I am here for you, with you..." Dustin pulled me closer to him in a hug and I listened quietly, my cheeks becoming wet for some reason. I turned in his grasp and he let go, but then re wrapped his arms around me as I hugged him greatly, my face in his chest. My shoulders trembled a little and Dustin's shirt started to become wet from my tears. He used his other hand to stroke my head. "It's alright Roe..." He said in a hushed voice, lowering his head to mine. "Don't let go...." I whispered, hugging him a little more. He hugged me back, a hand still stroking my hair. "I wasn't planning on ever letting you go... When I woke to find you gone I panicked.... It was a good thing Jinx led me over here..." He whispered in return.
He then lifted my head to make me look at him. His eyes were soft and caring. "Roe, I want you.... I want you to stay by my side and let me protect you..."