Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 4: Cheshire Kitten

"Are you sure you're okay?"
I asked as we walked back up to the door.

"Y-yeah...thanks for coming with me, James. That was really...sweet. I'm so glad I got to see her one last time."

"No problem."

Lumai stepped inside but paused and turned when I didn't follow.
"Are you not coming?"

"Nah. I think I'll stay outside for a bit. I need to clear my head."

"Are you sure? I mean, it is your birthday party."

"I don't think anyone's sober enough to care. Or notice."
I chuckled, walking back towards the woods.

"Alright...but don't stay out too long! There's wolves all around these parts!"
Lumai called out before closing the door.

She wasn't joking about the wolves either.

I heard a long, smooth howl after walking for less than two minutes.

I wasn't worried about getting lost since Lumai had lanterns throughout the safer area of the woods.

It didn't take long for everything to feel ominous.
With only the wind and silence around me, I was completely alone.

Or so I thought.

Suddenly, a dark figure dashed behind a tree in the distance but didn't come out of the other side.
It was like it had just...disappeared.

I rubbed my eyes, deciding I was seeing things.

Until the same figure darted between two more trees.
But...in a completely different area of the woods, far back, on my left.

But it was just in front of me, at least fifty meters away.
How could it have moved so far in just a few seconds?!

I heard the dash again, behind me, and spun around to see it.
But of course, it had already disappeared.

Then it clicked.
Front, left, back...so next would be...

DASH!

It was...circling me...

My heartbeat increased as I took a ready stance.
I didn't even have my sword.

With each, new dash it did, it closed the gap between us.

It was getting closer, closer, closer until I could feel brush of wind from its movements.

As it blurred right in front of me, I closed my eyes and held my breath.

But nothing.
I felt nothing.

"Well, what's that face for?"
A girls voice chuckled.

Confused, I slowly opened my eyes and looked around.

But there was no one to be seen.

"Goodness, you really are quite stunned, aren't you? Come on now, catch your breath, little one. We don't want you fainting now, do we?"
She mocked.

Her voice was strange.
It seemed to have a natural echo or reverb. It was soft and smooth, like the howl of a wolf.

"Where...where are you?"

"Nowhere. Somewhere, perhaps. I'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure."

I followed her voice and looked up.

Sure enough, I saw her.

"Aww...you found me. Guess I really am no good at this game."
She smirked, staring down at me.