The Guardians

Chapter 4: Reunited

Lilly and Avery ran over the top of the hill and found Drake next to the river, but the shadow kept following.

"What is that?" yelled Drake.

"I don't know, but it's big and it's coming after us!" cried Avery as they passed him and jumped the river with ease, but the chase was cut short as figure dived and landed on the stunned Drake and started wrestle him. The girls stopped in their tracks and raced back to help him.

Lilly reached them first and slammed into the beast. Instinct just kicked in and Lilly went all tooth and claw until she penned down the creature by holding down its arms and legs as it still struggled and stared into its eyes, growling. This is the first time Lilly got a good look at the beast. It was a creature she didn't recognize; it had feathers, fur, and a beak, it was also wearing a gray leather vest and shorts. It looked like it was a mix between lion and an eagle. Something was familiar about the way the blue eyes looked at her.

"Kole?" asked Lilly dumbfounded. She loosened her grip a little bit, but not enough to release him.

The beast stopped struggling instantly, the wild light left its eyes and guilt replaced it. Lilly took her eyes off it for moment and saw that Avery was helping Drake to his feet. He didn't look too hurt only a few scrapes and cuts here and there, but he seemed okay.

"I'm so sorry Lilly. I didn't mean to attack you guys. You looked totally different, so I didn't know who you were and I thought you could give me answers on where you might be. I guess force isn't always the answer." Kole explained putting his head to the side in defeat. Lilly released her grip and leapt backwards to get off of Kole. She helped him to his feet and led her friend back to Avery and Drake.

"Lilly, why did you let that thing get up?" asked Avery as she hid behind Drake.

"He isn't a thing, he's a who." Explained Lilly

"Alright then, who is he?"

"It's Kole."

"Kole?"

"What happen to you? Where have you been?" asked Drake as he came over to place a clawed hand on Kole's shoulder in a friendly gesture. Lilly nodded her head in excitement as her other friends realized it was him.

"I don't know, but when I woke up I was still human and then there was an excruciating pain in my stomach and I started to change. Next thing I know I'm a griffin. Well at least I'm not the only mythical creature here." explained Kole

"Oh, so that's what you are. I've never heard of a griffin before." Said Lilly amazed, but also wondered. Was she the only one with the changing pains in her head? Because she saw Avery fall to the ground grabbing her stomach.

That's probably why you can hear me, isn't it? Chuckled the mysterious voice again.

Who are you and why do you keep talking inside my head? Thought Lilly angrily, still trying to see if anyone was around.

But an answer never came. Lilly was furious with the voice that talks when it wants to and never answers her questions.

"Hey Drake, when you transformed did you have a pain in your stomach or head?" ventured Lilly.

"Stomach, why? Is something wrong?" ask Drake, concern creeping into his voice.

"No reason in particular." cringed Lilly.

"Okay, there is defiantly something wrong; come on you came tell me anything. You're my friend." said Avery.

"Can I tell you alone though? Please." Lilly looked hopefully at the boys. Kole looked like he was about to abject, but thought better of it and they nodded and started to walk away. Lilly took a deep breath; she didn't know how to explain it.

"It's okay Lilly you can tell me. Trust me I won't think your weird or anything." coaxed Avery as she place a comforting paw on Lilly's shoulder.

"Well as you saw as I was changing, I was holding my head and I think since I'm the only one who had the pains in my head I hear this voice. It gives me advice from time to time, but every time I try to speak back to it, it doesn't answer me." she explained. "Now you'll probably think I'm crazy or something."

"That is interesting, but that doesn't make you weird. That just makes you special; you have your own guide while Drake, Kole, and I have nothing. That could be useful." said Avery.

"No I think you do have a guide, just somewhere else." Chuckled Lilly as she pointed toward Avery's stomach.

"What, you suspect me to listen to my stomach? You're crazy; anyway we better catch up with the boys before they get too far." Avery said and started to walk away. Lilly nodded and followed Avery toward the river.