Mute

Chapter 23: Cringe

(Perrie)

My surroundings blurred around me as I ran through the forest, land passing by me in an instance. With each bound I felt safer but my legs began to grow even more tired. The miles my limbs had covered were far too many, especially to cross over about two or three different cities. But the more I proceeded to run, my heart grew lighter, Leigh was home with Jade and her mam, waiting for me. And home is where the hearth is, Leigh is my home hearth-she makes me feel wonderful inside, all warm and relaxed, content.
But the memory of those bright green eyes made me cringe slightly. And how they had shined with tears of terror, as well as fury.
"Greetings Perrie." I tugged the corner of my shirt unconsciously seeing Drew's strikingly hazel gaze. It bore into my eyes, as if he could see my deepest and darkest secrets. It made me uncomfortable, but then again, the alpha always had the upper hand. "Drew." I answered. He turned, having me follow his gaze to where a boy was seated, his arms tied behind his back. "He wandered into our territory again. This has to be the last time. I don't give a fuck about what he has to say." Drew's body flared dangerously, the other two boys snarled deviously at the green-eyed boy who gulped in fear, terror shone in his eyes.
"Look, I'm sorry! I wasn't trying to start anything, Dane said it was-okay if I took a shortcut t-to Wycombe." He stuttered. "Has he trespassed on my land?" I forced myself to ignore the terror-stricken boy in front of me, regarding the bloke in front of me. Drew. "Yes, he made a kill as well." Drew's tone grew cold. The boy held his head down. "God, look Fisher, I fucking hate Dane already-you've made it too hard to keep my anger level. Our little truce is over." Drew's comrades snarled in agreement, already in their animal forms. Fisher began to writhe in his bonds. "You can't! Or I swear-I already know about her!" He shouted to me before Drew could pounce on him. My heart stopped. "Who." My reply nearly sounded weak.
"I know about Leigh-Anne. And I told Dane." Fisher then seemed to have a steely sense of danger about him. "I see the way you look at her, I've been watching you for weeks." He snarled as the others began to take him away. My body began to flare with anger, watching us for weeks. Creep. But he couldn't touch my Leigh, I'd kill him. "If you ever touch her, or if Dane lays a fucking finger-claw, or whatever, I will end it." My words were stone cold but true. "You deserve a fucking hell of a life!" Fisher finally screamed, his anger getting the best of him. "You don't deserve her, or anyone, I'll make sure you suffer, she will run from you just like everyone else will!" He raged, veins pulsing from his neck. That put me over the edge, my vision went completely red with anger, I could feel my body shift into its wolf setting, I barreled towards the bloody idiotic bastard and launched myself onto him. Everything was a blur, the clawing, snapping, tearing, growling. Everything.
Finally ten minutes later I backed away from his bleeding form, collapsing in a heap on the floor-shifting back into my human form, Drew and his cronies then finished him off with a final blow. My heart pounded in alarm, he knew about Leigh and I. He knew I had found someone. But how? And if Dane was going to watch us, to try and take her away. I would have to be wherever she was, I needed to keep her safe. Slowly I caught my breath, controlling the anger as best as I could, feeling my wounds began to slowly heal. I had five gashes on my rib cage and a claw mark to my face. My shirt was torn, but no matter, I'd make do.
Soon I collapsed by the nearest hill I'd found, breathing heavily. A brief intake of my surroundings let me know I was back in South Shields. With a relieved sigh I let my body shift back into its human form. "Dammit." There was still one of my wounds which were bleeding heavily, and it's been a day so far. I definitely needed a new shirt. I began to walk slowly towards a small shop by the edge of the woods, covering the blood stain on my shirt. Thankfully the shop sold clothes, I headed inside without a second glance. The store was quite calm, silent. Rather nice to be truthful. I browsed through the racks, enjoying how the place was sort of rustic-looking, it had a nice vintage feel. It's hard to explain, but it's great. Soon enough I found a shirt with a tree and moon against a black background, needless to say I loved it the moment I came across it. The thing was so bloody simple, but it still looked great. I grabbed it off it's hangar and brought it up to the front desk. The cashier was eyeing me the whole time I advanced to pay, it annoyed me a bit so I stared him down with icy blue eyes, taking my shirt the moment he handed me back my money and darted out of the shop. I looked down in disapproval seeing my torn clothes. I actually liked this shirt, oh well. I stripped it off, switching into my newest attribute. The shirt was nicely snug, hanging loosely to my frame which was rather nice since the blood had begun to ebb. I continued on my way down the path by the woods. My legs were tired, anticipating the more miles I'd be walking to get back to Leigh and Jade, my body yearned to be with my best friends, and of course, my girlfriend, but it also told me that I should rest. I dabbed at my wound once more, seeing my old shirt slowly begin to turn red. Nearby there was rushing water, I could hear it, so I continued to walk onwards. Five minutes dragged my, rewarding me with a riverbank. The only problem was, since it was nearing the end of the winter, meaning the water was still bloody freezing. Something I didn't want to think about at all, even if my body has a naturally higher temperature, the elements around me still have an effect on me. So other than that, I'm never cold.
The woods were silent, only moving and crunching beneath my vans as I moved through the woods asides from the rushing water. No people were within my hearing range, I seemed to be alone. Completely. I stripped off my shirt, my leggings, my shoes, leaving me in my knickers. I walked up to the bank of the river, finding a secluded area just in case anyone decided to straggle off the main path, hiding my clothes beneath a bush. Soon enough, I made myself put my feet in the stream, crying out immediately from shock. This water was fucking freezing! My muscles tensed up automatically feeling the freezing water, but then again, it was still winter. Oh fess up already Perrie, you can do this. That wound will heal faster. That annoyingly persistent voice told me, refusing to leave me alone. Oh the hell with it, I decided and finally let go of the roots besides the river, sliding down into the cold pools of water. At first I screamed out feeling the wound burn in the water, I needed to resurface, air. I kicked blindly, feeling my fingers break the surface, propelling my body upwards. I gasped feeling air fill my lungs, it was a relief, but the freezing water hurt my head, as if my brain was about to freeze.
I ended up washing away the dried blood, the water bunched my muscles more, and then when I rolled out onto the bank, my body easily stretched, immediately going back to its warm temperature as my body slowly stopped shivering. The wound had stopped bleeding finally, leaving only an angry gash on my rib cage. I ended up waiting maybe fifteen minutes to shake away all the water on my body. That would have to do, I slipped back into my clothes feeling warm again, putting my wet hair up as best as I could. That quick dip in the river seemed to make my muscles stronger, I didn't feel very sore anymore. I took off jogging once I'd slipped my shoes on, looking for familiar land marks indicating where I was in South Shields. It wasn't long until I stopped, catching a whiff of my own scent. Two days old, which means it's from when I first left Leigh-Anne's house. My heartbeat pounded madly in my chest, home. I continued to run further, seeing the woods in which I had run to transform before Jade could see me. The jog slowed carefully as I could hear footsteps. I realized it was Jade. Seeing her blue hair on a rock. Maybe I should wait, she seemed to be waiting for someone. Me? Maybe. But she couldn't see me like this, she'd only question me why. I turned to pad away swiftly, and unfortunately knocked into a tree besides me. Jade swung around startled, I clutched my head. Of course, I had bad fortune to be clumsy. "P-per?" Jade stopped mid-sentence, a low growl sounded behind me, just great. Wait, shit, Jade. Without a second to spare I leaped forwards towards Jade. "Move Jade!" I yelled, she seemed to be in shock and didn't move, she was rooted to the spot. "Just-dammit!" I felt my wound reopen once more as I grabbed my best friend's waist and veered off sharply to the side. Then again perfect timing, a shadowy figure zipped past us both. "Wh-what the hell is going on?!" Jade was shrieking in my ears. "Just keep quiet and don't ask questions until this is over okay?" I sighed, quickly stripping off my top and throwing it into Jade's hands.
"B-but what the fuck are you doing pez?!-" poor girl was shocked beyond measure, but there was no time for that. "Biscuit, it's a lot to explain.-!" Another flash and I had a new gash on my cheek. A squeal of pain behind me let me know that whoever the bloody hell was messing with me tried to mess with my best friend. "Keep close to me." I ordered, feeling my body get hotter, my energy built up-and I landed back onto the floor on all fours. This time I caught the newcomer off guard. The figure was knocked out of the air, I swiped it down and snapped at the figure, a girl I think. I've got no idea what she is though. Then I zipped back to Jade and encircled her body with mine, growling lowly. Then the unknown figure stood at an alarming rate, I chased after it anyways, taking Jade with me. I tossed her onto my back and took off. The Geordie's arms were locked around my neck in a heartbeat, I didn't slow down, not as long as the thing was close to my loved ones. I would do anything to protect them, all of them. "P-Perrie. Perrie! Stop! We're almost to Newcastle!" Jade snapped her fingers in my ears. I whined in protest but she decided to dig her heels into my sides. "Perrie, stop!" Her ankles dug in more, I skidded to a stop, whining once more. The girl didn't turn back thankfully, I let it go and turned, snorting at my best friend. Suddenly she smacked me up the back of my head. "Perrie Louise Edwards! You're so going to explain all of this when we get back!" She declared firmly. I snorted in distaste, sleep and food was what I wanted. Another smack. "I'm bloody serious Perrie-I deserve an explanation!" She snapped. With that I trotted back towards Leigh's flat. By the time we reached the woods by Leigh's flat, Jade slipped off my back but walked relatively close to me. I whimpered quietly when she came in contact with my open wound. "Oh pez, see this is what happens when you don't go to Lilly's for two days." Jade saw the wound and moved to my other side. I said nothing, well, didn't snort or anything, just padded on in silence, keeping a lookout whilst staying close to her at the same time.
We had reached the edge of the woods when my energy was pretty much gone. I slumped onto the floor, shifting back to my human form.
"Perrie?" Jade hurried over, my wound was still bleeding. "I'm just a b-bit tired is all. Give me a minute." I sat up slowly, taking the shirt from Jade once more, thanking her and slipped it on. "Need help?" She asked seeing me twinge when attempting to stand easily. "No, I can." I tried to reject. But nope, my bloody legs gave out. "Right." Jade snickered and out of nowhere scooped me up off the ground. "Where did that come from?!" I nearly screamed in surprise. "I don't sit around all day do I?" She shrugged, ignoring her wound as well. I knew that Jade had dance, but, how does she have the strength to lift me? "Geez pez, ever hear of working out before?"
"Ohh, right." I groaned feeling my wound continue to bleed. Jade kissed my forehead and told me to close my eyes, but I refused at first. "Perrie. Whatever it was that was trying to attack us is gone, you chased it off. Rest. We're literally almost home." Jade ordered, continuing to walk forwards with me. "But J-Jade." I felt my side burn in pain and shut my mouth. "Rest." She shook her head.
With that I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the pain. As long as we were safe, I could close my eyes. "Leigh-Anne! Here. Come quick." I heard Jade call, shit, what would Leigh do when she saw me like this? Another pair of footsteps came running down the steps of my girlfriend's flat before skidding to a stop in front of Jade and I. "Is Deb home? Perrie's hurt." Jade asked. Apparently Leigh's mam wasn't because they lugged my body inside, locking the door shut quickly. "Jade. Leigh-Anne, what's going on?" Another new voice. The two set me down on the couch and dimmed the lights, Jade went to take Ms. Nelson-Jesy into another room. Leigh immediately took my hand when she sat back down. The first thing she did when I opened my eyes was slap my shoulder. "Ouch!" I yelled in shock. "What the hell Leigh?!" But then I realized she was crying, her eyes were watering. "Oh honey, I'm sorry. I told you I wouldn't come back in the most decent state." I wiped her tears away as best as I could, looking up into her eyes. She nodded, letting out a tiny sigh. 'I was worried sick!' She signed.
"I know, I'm so sorry beautiful." I breathed, feeling the blood flow begin to slow. She looked down at my torso, detecting an injury and questioningly pulled on my shirt, slowly pulling it up. "L-Leigh, it's not a p-pretty sight-" her eyes widened in shock seeing my wound. She stood, zipping inside the kitchen, coming straight back a minute later carrying a rag, gauze and tape. She frowned seeing my wound once more, before having me close my eyes and lay back as she started to tend to my wound. I don't know how long it was, but when Leigh finished I was feeling a ton better. "Thank you Leigh, you're my angel." I honestly couldn't have a better person to be mine. She smiled softly and gently repositioned herself on the sofa so that my head was in her lap. Maybe she hadn't forgiven me yet, but I already told her I wouldn't be back in the fittest condition, she probably did know that deep down anyways. Alas, she wasn't used to this, but I didn't care since she was safe.
As long as Leigh-Anne was safe, I could rest.