The Heart Thief

Chapter Six

Two chapters today. I had a sleepless night last night xD masaya na ako :3

In just a few minutes, the sandstorm had already embraced the desert with its colossal power. From within, the dim light of night was suppressed, unable to enter the ongoing onslaught of the mighty storm. Vision was deprived inside the barrage of whirling sands and the wind became stronger with each second’s passing.
            Not only was vision deemed useless inside the storm. Other senses as well were nullified such as the sense of hearing which was unable to level and cope with the loud roar of the storm and the sense of touch which was numbed by speed and current of the wind.
            But despite the chaotic wrath of nature bestowed among Chase and Zuma, none of them were at their wit’s end. Chase was influenced by Ryder’s unquenchable thirst for danger and that honed his unchangeable will and dauntless nature. He didn’t fear a storm out in the open sea when it met them and he’s not going to forfeit on this storm in dryland.
            Zuma didn’t fear sandstorms for what they can do. He knows the strength and formidability of sandstorms. He was, after all, at a special seat where the view was clear when that sandstorm took his people. But that doesn’t deny the inevitable truth of his life’s foe. He did fear sandstorms but not for what they can do but for what they have done.
            The bitter mark of his loss was forever etched within the depth of his mind – embarked in his every action, mended in his every expression and synched with his misery that will never end.
            The wave of long and harsh winds stopped and eased the movement of the sands with each speck shaking for the next violent attack. Sandstorms in the Isolar desert isn’t that of a typical desert… they were like tsunamis; coming in waves with each wave stronger than the previous one.
            Zuma knew that which is why when the wind had settled, he frantically turned at different directions trying to find stone walls that will resist the killer winds about to hit them. He was right on finding a safe spot for them and when he just did, Chase stormed off back to the oasis where waves of sand and wind were running.
            Zuma ran after him as fast as he could. The next wave was about to reach the oasis and the stone wall he spotted was opposite the direction of where they were running.
            “Chase!” he called out as the sinister memory struck his mind – the memory of the people and beloved ones he lost to a sandstorm. After the death of his people, he became numb and selfish… only thinking about his self and thieved on travelers without thinking of the outcome. But everything changed when he met Chase and Ryder.
            He felt a familiar sensation that dated back when he was still with his home which is why he’ll do anything and everything to save them.
            Chase stopped on top of the slope where the oasis just lied below. He wasn’t moving and his tail was limp in between his legs. Zuma went to where he stood; ready to pull him down so they could sprint to the stone wall when he saw that Ryder wasn’t in the oasis anymore.
            “Where could Ryder be?” Chase asked. His gaze was directly at the seizing winds and thereafter he spoke no more. It was as if he was paralyzed in fear.
            Zuma looked to where Chase stared at and felt his legs tremble at the sighting. The second wave about to hit them was a mist of rushing sands flying with the wind. What’s more was its size which almost touched the sky. Any being to approach or be caught in that storm will be entombed by multitudes of sand.
            He forced his body to move but he couldn’t do so. He was petrified in fear and so was Chase but more than he already was. Their fur started to sway a little at the wind and Zuma’s pupil retracted – something within him snapped and he never felt more alive.
            Rushes of energy and strength powered his body and soon, he was in full control of every muscle he could feel. He ran below Chase and carried him on his back and he started dashing toward the stone wall he found. He was going at his full speed but the wave of sand was faster.
            Even with his adrenaline rush, it was impossible to carry Chase and run at a fast speed. He was a petite pup and Chase was a lot bigger than his size. It was no sooner afterwards when he tripped on the sand and sent them rolling.
            Chase was thrown off Zuma’s back, still unmoving and Zuma was fatigued. All the energy subsided quickly and he felt himself lose his breath. The wind got stronger and he finally thought he was gonna die.
            “Chase…” he called out as he groveled on the sand, crawling towards him. He covered himself and Chase with his cloak and spent the last few seconds without getting buried.
            “No…” Chase refused. Zuma stared deep into his eyes and saw his pupils retract. Did he feel the same way as Zuma?
            He bit the brown raggedy cloak that covered them and with the extra strength he gained from adrenaline rush, he was able to raise Zuma in the air and land him on his back with ease. With Chase’s size, he could have done it even without adrenaline but with that particular stimulant reacting for their survival, everything within him was doubled – his critical thinking, his strength and of course, his speed.
            “Are you comfortable?” Chase shakily asked.
            Zuma could feel his shaking body and recognized the same sensation running through Chase. He nodded his head and Chase started running at an incredible speed despite the weight on his back. He managed to outrun the slicing winds that were upon them when they lied on the sand but that was only the first part of the storm.
            Even with Chase’s speed, the sandstorm eventually caught up on them and once again, their senses were nullified.
            When their vision was deprived, Chase closed his eyes and didn’t move where he faced. Moments ago before the sand had reached them, he was staring straight to the stone wall. If he could run straight without getting set off course by the strong wind, then he’ll be able to reach it in no time.
            With the help of Zuma’s weight combined with his, he was attached on the ground without getting punched by the wind and with closed eyes; he started pacing fast, and then jogging until he was dashing. It was a glorified moment for both of them to be running with the storm. Although technically Zuma was riding Chase’s back but it was still legendary they might even get titles – Chase the Great Storm Runner and Zuma the Rider of the Storm Runner.
            The glorified moment had to end eventually when they reached the stone wall which by the way, none of them could see so Chase accidentally bumped onto it. Cupping the stone wall with his paws, he made his way behind it where the wind was resisted.
            They cleared the sand in their eyes and saw the dark structure – stone picks hung from atop and some other were on the ground pointed upwards. It wasn’t a stone wall it was a stone cave.
            As they scanned the whole place, the anguishing roar of the wind entered the cave and its sound was loudened to a hundred lions roaring together. Not only that, the strong punches of the wind from outside shook the cave, making the stone picks that hung fall down which is why none of them could feel secure.
            At one corner, Zuma cowered as everything that was happening was all sinisterly sentimental to him. Whenever he faces these storms, he always kept having recalls of what happened that night. The tragedy of Isolarians… all of them and the only comfort that he could find is when he’s cornered by rocks where every part of his body was touched.
            Having no rocks to huddle at all, he started acting like the whole tragedy was about to be repeated. He shook and curled into a ball with his back on the ground, rocking back and forth with his tail between his legs. He murmured words that were hardly understandable and he didn’t react to anything that was happening.
            Chase noticed the sudden change in his behavior and went to check on him. “Zuma?” he asked to gain the attention of the odd behaving pup.
            Zuma didn’t respond.
            When Chase walked over to him, he slightly neared his ear to Zuma’s mouth, trying to make up what he was saying. It sounded an awful lot whispers… gibberish whispers.
            Chase laid his paw on top of Zuma and gave him a little shake. He reacted bluntly at first and was startled at Chase’s action. He got up and started scratching his body on the walls of the cave and soon shook on the ground like a helpless insect that laid its back on the floor. He got up once more and roamed the walls of the cave and kept scratching the walls.
            “Zuma, what’s wrong?” Chase asked and tried to restrain the insane pup. He tried to stop him by lending a paw, blocking his way and forcing him on the ground to sit but he ended up getting pushed.
            He kept the cycle going and hoped that Zuma would subside but he could see that he wouldn’t and he doesn’t know what to do anymore. At his boiling point, he bit Zuma’s raggedy cloak and pulled him so he would stumble on the ground. He pressed his body against Zuma’s the moment Zuma was below him. He stopped Zuma’s head from shaking and that calmed him a bit.
            “Are you feeling a little better now?” Chase asked and his voice echoed throughout the cave.
            Zuma nodded his head. He looked fine and untroubled but moments ago he was losing himself. Chase knew there’s something wrong and he wanted to find out what.
            “What happened?” he asked directly on him, sharing his breath with the air Zuma breathed. In a way, it calmed Zuma and gave him a misty behavior which tempted Chase to do a lot of things. Zuma began acting like he was drunk and kept on seducing Chase but his motives are unknown.
            Chase swallowed a large gulp and continued to ask again. “What happened? Why were you suddenly like that?” he added another one to his previous question.
            Zuma gave a laugh, gasping hungrily for air with a large moan whenever he inhaled. It was all clear now to Chase. Zuma doesn’t want to talk about it.
            Having knowing that, Chase withdrew himself from Zuma and sat far across him as he waited for the storm to pass. A thought came up in his mind. Did Zuma just try to seduce him moments ago? He acted misty and inviting it almost worked… but Chase was disgusted to even think of himself accepting Zuma’s seduction.
            He was attracted lecherously to Zuma because of his innocence which made him wonder how he would react when done with this and that and he has this natural contempt on whores which is why when Zuma seduced him, he felt negatively anew.
            “Don’t you want me?” Zuma asked amidst Chase’s thought. He sounded tempting but no.
            At his answer, Chase was astonished. Was it really Zuma whom he’s talking to? He wore his tactical war face and answered coldly, “No.”
            Zuma walked over to him with wobbly steps. He started forcing himself on Chase, touching his body with his and dug his chocolate brown fur on Chase’s back.
            Chase moved away and Zuma fell on the ground. He gave a laugh and stood up once more, doing the same procedure until Chase got tired of him.
            Chase pushed him with one paw strong enough to make Zuma stumble on the ground twice.
            “What is wrong with you?” Zuma yelled as he shook his fur clean of the sand.
            “What’s wrong with me?” he asked in disbelief, “Try asking that to yourself,” he continued. “What were you doing?”
            Zuma snapped from his trance and he felt his pride take over. Mountains of shame dropped on him as he tried to deny the humility of his action he had done thrice. He only wanted to get a hug from Chase because he needed one and he didn’t realize he already seduced him.
            “I wasn’t doing anything wrong…” Zuma pouted. He scratched the sand with his paw and continued, “I just… wanted to get a hug.”
            Normally, Chase would laugh and insult him but hearing Zuma’s answer filled with honesty and sincerity, it made him feel the same way again when he first heard Zuma’s voice. It was so innocent he could feel a hot rush behind his ears.
            “Come here,” Chase called out and didn’t realize his action himself. “I’ll hug you,” he continued and awaited Zuma’s arrival.
            Zuma seemed reluctant at first but he really was in need of body contact from another being besides rocks. He walked slowly to Chase and first touched the top of his head below Chase’s jaw and he dug his face on Chase’s neck.
            Chase used his front paw to pull Zuma closer and tighter to him until they were locked with each other… sharing their warmth and forgetting every quarrel they had. They both shared their unrequited love to each other and it felt… nice.
            “Your heartbeat is odd…” Zuma spoke and looked at Chase in the eye, “… in a good way, that is.” He continued as Chase rubbed his Cheek on Zuma’s head.
            “Odd how?” he asked without looking at him. They spoke in whispers despite the noise outside but they heard each other clearly as their attention was to one another.
            Zuma dropped his head on Chase’s chest from his neck. “I could hear your heartbeat from your neck… it’s calm but strong.” He blushed slightly then continued, “Pretty much like you. I know how you’re always calm and strong. Oh… it got faster and louder.”
            Chase didn’t know what to respond. He felt awkwardly comfortable with Zuma. Just a few days ago, he hated him and now they’re beside each other sharing their contact and feelings and he didn’t care.
            He broke the hug and looked at Zuma solemnly before approaching him, about to perform a kiss. When he was near enough to enter, he stopped and focused on hearing Zuma’s breathing.
            Zuma was nervous and Chase could hear that. He kept Zuma waiting and he never performed the kiss. He withdrew his mouth and left Zuma awed in his place.
            None of them dared to speak a word.
            The comfort of their awkward silence vanished and they were left sitting across each other with nervous mannerisms. Even Chase wasn’t able to withstand the awkwardness. He pretty much showed Zuma his awkward side.
            Just when he was about to speak, a strong blow of the wind shook the cave making the stone picks fall from where they hung. They evaded each pick hysterically until a gigantic one fell and pierced the flooring of the cave. It created a crack that ran to where they stood and the ground underneath them crumbled making them fall.