Gemoira

five

My grin was large as I stood among the people waiting for the fireworks. There were small fires lit around the plaza, keeping in the warmth from the cold, wintery air. I huddled into myself, making sure not to jostle anyone and risk getting reprimanded. I kept myself out of the centre and front, closer to the forest, just in case trouble came lurking.

Everybody here was with somebody, it seemed, and I couldn't help but feel a little lonesome as they huddled into each other. I eyed the mountain peak from where I stood, glaring at where I knew Neo would be. His eagle eye was literally so good, I bet he could see the annoyance I tried to send his way.

Suddenly, there was a large commotion before a crackling met my ears. My head spun around, my cloak shifting as a sudden flame shot from the ground and leapt into the shy. It went with a sharp shrilling sound before finishing with a huge bang that ended up in a thousand tiny flames.

I gasped as more fireworks started to fly. The warmth, the sounds, the smells were so different from when I watched from the mountains all these years. The noise vibrated in my chest, a deep grumbling. I watched in amazement as the sky transformed into a mesmerising tapestry of vibrant colours.

This beat witch-magic any day.

The roaring grew louder as bigger ones exploded with sharp blows against the dark sky. I looked around, my mouth parted with awe as the dark sky turned into a thousand colours. I laughed gleefully, my chest expanding with joy as the minutes went by.

I heard muttering come from behind me, followed by a few shouts of complaint that had me pause. My hands were against my chest, clasped in a gleeful embrace, and I slowly turned to see the commotion. Through the explosions of fire, a large, snarling voice echoed among the crowd.

"I can smell them!"

My eyes widened as I caught sight of the wolfman, and I spun back around. Lowering my hands to my sides, I quickly scouted a route out of here. The odds of them still being here were low. I thought they would have left by now. The fact they are still wanting their strange wolf broach back must mean it was worth a lot.

Even more of a reason to not give it back.

But curse them for ruining my night!

I muttered small pardons to the surrounding people as I squeezed forward and out of the hoard. I was smaller than everyone here and made light work of slipping into the trees. Not looking back, I quickened my pace once under cover and made a run for it.

"There!"

I cursed, sparing a glance over my shoulder to see them break through the crowds of people. It was the same wolf men as last time, and the one who shouted was the one I stole from. I quickened my pace, pushing my body to its limit. The fireworks continued on, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated that Neo was right. It wasn't safe.

My breaths were even as I pushed myself further, my arrow wounds burning. My cloak billowed behind me, surely slowing me down, but I couldn't lose another. I wouldn't have anything to keep me warm if I got out of this alive. I'd have to find another, and cloaks were hard to steal in the winter.

"Hey! Stop! You won't get away this time!" They shouted.

A fear started in my stomach, one that told me they were right. They were close, and they knew I was going to head for the mountain. Nobody from the crowd would come to my aid; I was doomed.

The mountain path was in my sight, the green, mossy rocks littered with fine dustings of snow. I was so close... if I could just fly, it would make everything so much easier. But I could only jump, and I would reach the-