Moon Child (Complete!)

Chapter 13

The week had past by in a blur of preparing to leave. As much as Kira and Cole begged they hadn't been able to persuade me to stay. I felt bad leaving but I had to do this. It would be better for them as well. Valric was out to destroy me. He could track me down any moment and hurt the people I loved. He had already attempted it once. I wouldn't give him another chance. He may have killed Jared but if he as much as touched Kira or Cole. Gods help him if he did. 

Only Cole and Kira knew the truth to my plans. I had only told my parents that I would be leaving for a few weeks to a month. They didn't like it at first. They wanted me to stay with them and up hold responsibilities. But after a few days of probing they reluctantly agreed to let me go. I was thankful for not having to fight them on it. 

For the trip I had packed a bunch of freeze dried meats. Water bottles were also packed along with them. I had made a makeshift first aid kit equipped with bandages, herbs, and salves. With all that packed in my bag I was ready to set out.

"I guess this is where we say our goodbyes?" I nodded to Cole who stood beside me in the woods. He had accompanied me as far as the northern edge of our territory. 

"Thank you for everything." I embraced Cole remembering the feel of him as he hugged me back. I would miss him.

"There is nothing to thank me for." He said, pulling back from the hug, and shoving me towards the awaiting north. I indicated that as my turn to leave. I walked a few paces away before I heard Cole call after me. I paused, turning to look back at him.

"Kick some asses for me Lainey." I could only smile at him as I turned my back on him. Not daring to look back to see if he was still there. I kept walking until I was far enough away. With every step I took the ruby glowed a bit brighter. The bag on my shoulder was starting to weigh me down. 

I needed to shift if I'd make it to the river by night time. I stopped to set the bag on the ground, before I shifted. On all four's my senses honed in sharper. I could now smell every living animal around me. The sounds of a squirrel on the ground. I shook my fur out trying to get rid of any dust that may have settled. Picking up the bag in my mouth I continued North towards the river. 

The terrain was unsteady. I had to concentrate on not tripping over logs, roots, and large rocks. Once I had tripped loosing my paw hold as I nearly toppled over. I could have sworn I heard a caw from above as if a bird were mocking me. 

It was nearly night fall when I reached the rivers edge. Shifting back to human form I set about doing my tasks. The steady current was comforting as I rolled out my sleeping bag by the river bank. The woods were spanned out behind me. I gathered fire wood. Once a nice fire was going illuminating the dark I finally relaxed enough to sit down. 

Pulling back the wrapper of the jerky. I began eating, it's toughness making it hard to chew. The sounds of the river were soothing. Crickets filled the air with there own chirping language. Everything out here in the wilderness had a place. It was there home and I was just a stranger passing through. 

A familiar caw echoed from above me. I looked up just in time to see the Eagle swoop down and land in front of me.  What is wrong with this bird?.

"I'm not sharing my food." 

The eagle just cocked it's head to the side. This was unusual for a bird. Normally they'd stay as far away from humans as possible.  Even rarer it was an Eagle very few were left here in New Haven. 

I took another bite of the Jerky. It was so salty. Definitely not a 5 star meal by any means. A huge splash from the river had me turning my head in that direction. It was long enough that when I turned back around. I was astounded to find the jerky, which had been in my hand, was gone. My eyes landed on the culprit. The eagle had the jerky underneath its claw and was tearing bits of it off with his beak. 

"You devil!." I shrieked loud enough for birds to scatter from the nearby trees. It looked up long enough to click its beak at me, before tearing off another bite of jerky.  What a jerk. I swear this bird was the devil. First it followed me, then watched me in the bath, and now it stole my food.  

"Whatever." I mumbled deeming it useless. The darkness was now fully upon us now. Stars dotted the sky making it breath taking. The stars were accompanied by a crescent moon. The only light was from my fire. I gazed into the dancing flames. They licked at the sky as if to join the stars. 

I groaned falling back onto the sleeping bag. I had so much ground to cover. The only company I had was a food stealing bird. I spread my arms out to ether side of me. Trying to get comfortable. I failed miserably.

I felt a sharp pain on my hand. I quickly lifted it off the ground turning my head. Of course there was the bird staring at me with it's yellow eyes. I almost growled at it. What gave this bird any rights?.

"What's your problem?." I snapped. 

It spread its wings out flapping them, before tucking its wings against its body once more.

"You already ate my food." 

It just continued to stare at me moving it's head side to side. The white head seemed to stand out in the darkness. I couldn't tell if it were male or female. It looked like a male. It sidled up to me and leaned its body against my side. A sigh escaped my lips. He was rather cute. 

"I guess, if you're going to be staying with me, you need a name."

It seemed to click it beak agreeing with me. I thought for a few moments trying to come up with a few names. Thief, and Devil rolled inside my mind more then once. 

"How about Apex?" I asked him. The only reaction I got was ruffled feathers. Well it was the best I got so he'd have to take it or leave it. 

"I'm officially crazy, here I am talking to a bird." 

The only sound I was met with was silence. That's when I realized not even the crickets were chirping. I sat up straight not daring to move. My very being was pulled tight. Waiting. I heard the snap of twigs before I heard it's low growl. My blood turned to ice. I jumped to my feet grabbing a stick laying near by. I lit it with the fire. 

I didn't look back to see where Apex went. But I could here his wings beating over head. I stood still waiting. The fire brandishing stick felt slippery within my grip. A cold hand grasped my stomach in its tight grip squeezing it. I gazed around the tree line trying to catch a glimpse of the thing. 

Another deep growl sounded from my right. That's when I saw it, stepping out of the shadows. I almost dropped my fire stick in shock. Standing in front of me in the shadows of the fire was a mountain lion. It was enormous, the paws were the size of dinner plates. It stared me down. A predator assessing it's prey. I knew better than to run. Running would be automatic suicide. 

I tried to dig deep to shift into my wolf form. But I couldn't I found it to be empty inside. No sign of my wolf. Just a deep hollow feeling in my gut. Fear clenched down on me even harder.

I held my ground brandishing the stick a glow with fire. It opened its jaws revealing huge feline teeth. Made for cracking bones. It didn't move an inch, neither did I. It was like an ever lasting contest on who would break first. My blood roared in my ears. My heart threatened to leap out of my chest. I was staring down death itself. 

I watched with pure fear as it took a couple steps toward me. I had to fight my in stinks to flee. Its powerful muscles moved graciously underneath its golden pelt. It was so sure of it's kill. A true predator. 

It crouched down getting ready to pounce. I closed my eyes about to make a run for it. When out of no where a huge caw sounded. The sound of tearing flesh filled the air, followed by a painful yowl. I shot my eyes open in time to see Apex tearing at the mountain cats eyes with his claws. He was trying to blind the cat. 

Apex kept coming, dodging the strikes the cat made with his paws. He didn't give up until the cat retreated back into the woods. Blood soaked the ground as well as dripped from Apex's claws as he hovered in the air. 

He saved my life. That bloody bird saved me. For once I was grateful that he was here. I even forgave him for stealing my food. 

After that incident I tried fitfully to sleep, Apex snuggled into my side. I watched the dancing flames of the fire. Than finally after I was sure no more threats were coming out of the woods I let myself drift off into sleep.