Way of the Wolf

Chapter 11 The desperate search

I ran, to where Hansuke and the others waited by the carriage. They turned to look at me, and smiled, but their smiles faltered when they saw that my missing companion was no where within range.
"Where," demanded Hansuke as I came closer, "where is Wanderer? You were supposed to-" he stopped when he saw my face, which I would have bet was a sight, bloodshot eyes and tear strained face. I looked like I was in mourning for years.
"She...was taken!" I howled, sinking to my knees. I can't explain what emotions were running through my head. I was horrified, miserable, scared of Wanderer's fate, and I was angry at myself for neglecting our last moments together. I felt Hansukes hand on my shoulder,
"What did the being look like son?" I look up at Hansukes face. He wasn't angry at me for neglecting my duty as Wanderer's protector, he looked as worried as I was.
"I dunno how to explain it," I said, turning to them all, "it was like smoke, but solid. And it did something to Wanderer to make her out of my reach, like she was a ghost you know?" I felt sure they thought I had actually been knocked out whilst Wanderer was kidnapped, my story made no sense. But they were all muttering and planning strategies within seconds before my eyes. Hansuke clapped for silence, which everyone obliged to, and they turned to him, me still on my spot on the floor.
"We must complete our search discreetly without the notice of the humans. If they ask our purpose for our extra time hear, tell them we are looking for a comrade that has gone missing, nothing more. With luck, they'll assume it's the doing of the "being" who caused this destruction and will leave us alone. But I have a feeling..." He eyed me, and I felt sick to my stomach. As everyone grabbed their weapons and things they had loaded into the carriage, Hansuke took me aside.
"Perhaps, you should stay Ashiato." I knew from his stare, that what seemed like an option, was really a discreet way of saying "No". Perhaps I should've used that tact with Wanderer. But I felt pure remorse and anger in my heart, as everyone went their separate ways, some in pairs, whilst I was left to sit in my overwhelming sorrow.
I stared into the woods blankly, barely even taking in any of my surroundings. I was so turned off, it took me five seconds before I reacted to the sudden flash of light blue in the trees, the same colour as Wanderer's dress.
I sprung off my awkward position in the carriage, and ran like mad towards the place amongst the trees where I had seen the blue figure. I delve deeper and deeper into the foliage, and I start to smell just plain rotting plantation.
'Perhaps it was just my imagination.' I think, disheartened, my sudden hope ebbing away. Something vibrates in front of me, awakening my shutting down senses once more. I peer hard, at what seems to be a vibrating section of air. Like there was a invisible bubble in front of me, that was being hit at from the inside. I don't stop to think of consequences. All I want and think of, is Wanderer. Breathing in like I was about to dive into a freezing winter river, I launch into the "wall". And what I see, just confuses and makes me think thoughts that don't seem to be mine.
'Why should I save her? She said she hated me. Why should I risk my life for her?' I shake my head furiously to clear all thoughts of ever hating Wanderer. I could never hate her, never in a million years. Instead, I concentrate on the swirling black fog in front of me.