Twinkle Twinkle

Chapter Eleven

"What happened?" She asked when he grasped her hand again. "Star fell over the edge then supposedly climbed back to the top by the time I got there." He told her. Dayna shrugged. "Maybe-" a high pitched crow's call sounded from the trees all around them. Star stood up and peered at the treetops. "Run." She murmured quietly. She glared at them. "RUN!!!" and gave them a push as the line of trees burst to life. Monkey-like creatures emerged with six arms, three rows of teeth, and oily, black feathers. Star looked back and shook her head. They were corned. Behind them, the gorge turned back into the forest with more of the animals appearing out of the bushes. Star closed her eyes and started to change. First, white, silvery fur spread over her skin. Then multiple tails and large ears formed. Her nose and mouth grew into muzzle and her hands and feet became nimble paws. After she was done, she had become a white creature that looked like a fox but had eight tails. She opened her mouth to reveal many sharp fangs and roared. The sound was beautiful, but scary. The creatures screeched back and charged. Jack could've sworn he saw a tear slip down Star's furry cheek as she lunged for the first attacker. It screeched and tore at her fur, but she kept a firm hold. Going from one to another, she was badly outnumbered. That was when he relieved Dayna had joined the fight, punching and kicking everything that came near her. Jack tried to help, but he was pushed away by monkeys being thrown and Star's lashing tails. Star and Dayna had only three creatures left. They quickly got rid of them and let out a sigh of relief. Star changed back and inspected their wounds. "Ok. Let's get out of here." She panted and stated walking away. Though her eyes had calmed, they were dull, like she had just been scolded. Dayna opened her mouth to say something but she was interrupted by a black streak rocketing towards them. Star whipped around. "DAYNA!!" She howled. The last creature had come back and was pushing Dayna dangerously close to the edge. Right when Star got to them, it screeched launched itself at Dayna. She and the monkey went over the edge. All Jack could do was stare in shock as Dayna plummeted down towards the raging river way down below.
"NO!!!" Star cried and raced towards the edge. As she neared, huge white wings sprouted from her back and pressed close against her sides as she flew after Dayna. Star heard Jack yell her name in protest but ignored him. All she cared about right then was getting to Dayna before she hit the water. She stretched her arm as far as it would go and managed to grabbed Dayna. But when she spread her wings, she heard the sickening crack before she felt it. She cried out in pain and forgot to flap, causing both of them to crash into the water. Star flapped her wings furiously to try to get her head above the water. She grabbed Dayna and headed towards a red sand river side where the gorge sloped off. Jack saw Star struggle with Dayna against the current. He raced along the gorge in that direction and slid down the red sand slope. He dove into the water and got to Star, helping her hoist Dayna unto his shoulders. He grabbed Star's hand, despite her protests, and swam strongly towards the river side. He got Dayna up and listened for her heartbeat. Nothing. He started doing the closest thing he knew to CPR. "Come on come on come on come on" he muttered, pressing harder. He gave up and held her face between his hands. She was so beautiful. He had never told her, but he thought she was gorgeous, with her cropped black hair and dark tan skin. "Don't leave" he whimpered. Stars at beside him, defeated. Her head was low with shame and despair. Jack kept trying, but they both knew it would be useless. Dayna's heart had stopped beating forever.