Hope

Chapter Eighteen: Drowning in Shallow Waters

At around noon, we were passing through a small town. It had a bustling market, being the only sizable town within a fifty-mile radius, and had several places that Tasha wanted to buy groceries at. Jing also wanted to restock up on herbs, especially aloe, since she was still using some on Zack's ears. Tornheart wanted to see if there were any shifters in town who may help us. The rest of us were just grateful to have found a place where we could stop the endless bumping and tension of the road trip, though Zack still couldn't leave the wagon.

"It isn't fair," he complained.

"We need you safe," Jing informed him as she readied herself to go to the market. "If you go wandering about, there's a good chance someone will see you and recognize you for what you are."

He rolled his eyes. "I may be safe, but I'm tired of looking at the same four walls all the time. I want to find something to do. I want to go and walk out in the streets. I didn't leave my home just to get cooped up in a wagon all the time!"

"You shouldn't have left your home!" Rebecca retorted. "Jírda informed us of that, remember?"

Zack winced at the memory. "Yes, I remember."

Tasha, Jing, and Tornheart left the wagon in different directions. I then quickly shifted into cat form and clawed my way to the roof of the wagon. We were parked in another alleyway, but the buildings on either side were too tall for me to jump on. And upon looking at the slimy walls, I decided that I didn't want to, either. The only way that I would be able to get a decent look at my surroundings was if I sat on top of the wagon.

On top of the wagon, I was able to see enough of the town to be fairly sure that if anything happened, I would soon know about it. The jail was in clear view and the marketplace was mostly in my line of sight. I saw Tasha clearly, even from that distance. Judging from the way she was moving in that crowd, she was passing through unmolested. After awhile, it looked like they weren't going to run into any trouble, so they wouldn't need me as sentry. I then jumped down from on top of the wagon and shifted into my human form.

"Rebecca, is there anyplace interesting around here?" I asked.

Rebecca looked at me from inside the wagon. "I suppose, but Stan will have to stay behind with Zack."

Stan turned around in his seat when he heard his name mentioned. "Huh? What?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Leaf was asking if there was anywhere interesting that she could go. I told her that if she wanted me to show her, we'd have to leave you behind with Zack."

Stan blinked. "Why me?"

"Because Leaf wants to go and she wants me to take her."

"That's not what I said," I added quickly. "I'm sure that there are interesting places around here, but I was offering to watch Zack while you two went and did something."

Stan and Rebecca looked at each other. "I don't think that's what you said," Rebecca started, but then Stan cut her off.

"No, that's a great idea. We haven't been anywhere really interesting in ages. Come on, let's go."

With that, he jumped off the wagon and walked down the alley. Rebecca followed him close behind, muttering something about 'keeping him out of trouble.'

I grinned at Zack. "Once they get lost, you and I could take a little stroll."

Zack shrugged. "I suppose. Isn't there a way to make the wagon secure? Part of the reason why I'm in here is so no one tries to steal it. I can't do it because my magic has been drained out of me." He stared at the ground forlornly.