Drea

Chapter eight: Thane

I stumble the few steps to Thane and throw my arms around him. His muscles tense in shock for a few seconds before relaxing and hugging me back.
I've never hugged Thane before. Even though we've been friends and neighbours for as long as I can remember I have never hugged him.
I can still feel his surprise about the hug and to be honest I'm just as surprised as he is.
This feeling just came over me, this extreme sense of happiness at seeing something other than snow, trees and bears obviously.
The next thing I know I'm clinging to him like a child clings to its mother.
I suppose anyone would feel the same, now that I think about it. I mean I did just almost die and he did just save me. I know I'm acting like a child and I know I should pull away from him, but his fingers start stroking through my hair and I just close my eyes and relax deeper into his arms.
His breath caresses my cheek as he speaks. "Are you hurt?"
To my complete horror my eyes start to water. Not because I'm hurt or scared, but because of how worried he is about me. Loneliness has been clawing at my insides for hours and now I have someone holding me and comforting me.
I take a deep breath and take in his woodsy scent. Pine needles, coffee, snow, and a hint of sweat despite the temperature.
His scent reminds me of the workshop where he and Cyan work. I yearn to be back there , sitting on the workbench watching them work as Cyan cracks stupid jokes and Thane and I laugh.
I blink away the tears and painstakingly pull out of his warm embrace.
He looks at me expectantly waiting for an answer. "I'm fine." I say with a sigh. "Nice shot by the way." I give him a slight smile.
He doesn't smile back at me. "You do realise you almost died just then." He says pointing at the bear.
"Thanks for pointing that out Sherlock." My voice portraying my annoyance.
He carries on talking, "If I hadn't have been here, you would be his meal right now." Again he motions at the bear. "Do you want a round of applause." I clap sarcastically. His jaw clenches and his brow furrows like that owl from earlier.
His eyes went from warm and concerned to angry and serious in a matter of seconds.
He looks pissed, but I can see the hurt under it. Guilt filters through me as I look at his face. He just saved my life and I'm being a complete bitch to him. I bite my lip awkwardly, "Ah, um thanks by the way."
He shrugs off his backpack and gun before giving a curt "You're welcome." He riffles through his backpack and pulls out a pair of dark green gloves and hands them to me. Their colour the same as the leaves of the spruce trees above us.
I'm suddenly completely aware of how painfully cold my hands are. I slip the gun into the holster and pull the gloves over my hands. I wince at the feel of the fabric against my blistered palms. "Why didn't you bring Mckenzie? You know it's dangerous out here in the forest! How the hell did you think a weapon like that would cut it out here!?" His voice echoes through the trees as he yells at me.
"Where the hell is Cyan! He shouldn't let you hunt by yourself! When I see him I swear to god I'm gonna break his legs!"
A laugh bubbles up inside me and bursts from my lungs.
I crouch down and laugh hysterically for minutes on end, while Thane stares at me in angry confusion.
I wipe tears from my eyes and say between spurts of laughter, "Well you're a bit late if you want to break "both" of his legs....." Another fit of laughter racks my body, "But I believe his left leg is still intact and ready to be broken if you really want to."
With every word I spoke, I could see his face getting more confused.
I sigh and grow serious as I get ready to tell Thane the hectic couple of days I've had.