The Last Hope

15~Echo

After minutes of near silence, barely able to hear my 'parents' yelling outside, there were loud ringing sounds mixed with wind smashing on the cabin walls above us. There was a deafening, beastly thunder before a windy bass sound, then nothing. No one dared to move, but I wanted to run. I wanted to shift into that wolf I was earlier and follow my nose in search for Aria; to see if she is alive.
"I think they're gone..." I whispered into the darkness when I couldn't stand waiting any longer.

"Me too, but maybe we should keep waiting?" Kota suggested. Some moments, I can't even recognize him. He is so tall and... handsome now. His eyes are the only thing reassuring me that it is actually him.
"What about Aria?" I asked as everyone settled into smaller, weaker positions as they considered Kota's suggestion. No one spoke up.
"Do we need him?" Auna asked weakly, "She was choking me against the wall earlier and had brainwashed Rae to hurt Alec..."
"She didn't know who you were. She thought you were working with the Dragon that was just here, and defending herself. And, she didn't brainwash me, Auna. I didn't recognize ether of you and I was scared." I looked to Alec, and saw his silhouette rub at his shoulder where I had hit him. "I am sorry about that, though..." I apologized to him. I just saw his smile through the darkness as he said;
"Don't be. That actually hurt, and it takes a lot to hurt me. I'm pretty proud of you." I smiled, but anxiety built up inside me; I really needed to find Aria.

"Why do you want her so badly? We don't need her. You've only known her for four months." Kota said, jealousy ringing through his voice.

"Actually, Dakota," I snapped, "We do need her. There is a group of Shifters that is waiting for us somewhere only she knows, and they are deeper into this world I never even knew existed until...."I paused. "Four months...?" I questioned. I knew it had been months, but I thought it was only two... the leaves haven't changed yet. It has been getting colder, though...

"Four months, Rae." I look up at him, he would have grown three inches per month... I look away from him as I feel his heart ache as he remembers those months pass by, probably feeling longer than they were.
I shake my head; we can talk about this later. Aria could be dying somewhere. I make my way to the ladder to pull myself out of this hole. I want to look back at Kota to tell him how I haven't only known him for these past few months; I've known and missed him my entire life, just without knowing what I was missing and why. I couldn't bring myself to throw that at him, though; it would break his heart even more.
I pushed the shelf, knocking all the bottles off of it, scattering them over the floor as I ran passed them. I feel like I can't run fast enough as I fly out the front door, so I lower myself to the ground and use my arms as well, and I could hardly comprehend my speed. Racing down the road, I could feel my heart flutter with adrenaline when the truck came into view, the driver's door wide open and no one inside. I smell blood. How can I smell the blood? I wonder, still two hundred meters away from the truck. When I get to it, it seems so much taller than I remember, then I see the blood I smelt. It is several feet further down the hill. Movement down the hill catches my eye; it's Aria! I dash towards her, the stench of blood overwhelming me. She blinks, disoriented before looking up at me, confused, then smiling big, blood leaking from her nose and mouth.

"Hello, Echo. Please, calm down, I'm just fine. Please, slow your heart beat." She whispered in a deep, calming voice. I close my eyes, and a tear leaks from my eye down my cheek. The smell of blood lightens up as the smell of wet dust becomes more prominent. The rocks in the gravel road dig into my knees. I open my eyes, releasing another tear. Aria looks up at me, now lying mostly on her back, her mouth hanging half open in an almost smile, amazement in her eyes.

"What?" I ask, a slight sob to my voice as I see the red coating parts of her face.

"You were a wolf." She smiled. I looked at her more confused. I look behind me and see claw marks in the dirt leading up to where I sit.