Ultima Book III

Owen? Is that You?

Art by Candice Dailey

                  Ellie's POV:

            I was staring into the wendigo's red eyes as it was studying me with curiosity. It had massive deer antlers that were attached to a deer skull that covered its face. It took steps towards me and reached out its emaciated arm and picked me up. I was paralyzed by fear of this creature feasting on my flesh while I am still alive but instead, it sniffed me then gently put me down. It knelt down like it knew who I was then I saw that it was wearing Owen's torn shirt, the shirt that he was buried in. "Owen?" I asked with tears in my eyes, "Is that you?" The creature looked up at me with soft eyes and I saw recognition in the creature's face. "Yes," The creature rasped, "Nice to see you again, Ellie." I took a step closer to Owen and I reached my hand to touch his cheek but he pulled away. "Not safe," He rasped, "Don't want to hurt you." I felt a tingle in my gills then I felt more energized and I realized that they were shocking me. Owen roared in pain and he backed up away from me then started to slash his claws around in the air. "Why is it not working on her?" I heard someone say through the walls. "I don't f*cking know!" Another voice said, "Send in the containment team." I ran at Owen and jumped on his back to avoid his claws, then I bit down hard on the collar around his neck then I ripped it off. Owen grabbed me then slammed me on the ground but froze before he could land another hit. "Go warn the others!" I said, "There is a mansion north from here. Find it and warn the people there about what they are doing." "What about you?" Owen rasped, "I can't leave you." "I will be fine," I said taking his clawed hands into mine, "They can't kill me. Also, you are a father." I saw a tear fall from his eye when I said this and the containment team burst through the door. Owen instantly charged at them and blew right through them. "Contain the shark hybrid first then go after the Wendigo!" The commander yelled at his men. They all pointed guns at me and I surrendered. "You have many secrets, little girl," The commander said after putting me in shackles, "How the hell did you reason with that beast?" "That beast," I hissed through my teeth, "Is my mate. You turned him into that monster, you a**hole!" The commander punched me in my nose and I blacked out.