The save.
I didn’t even dare to breathe at this point. I knew that whatever was on the ground making noises was something I didn’t want to encounter. I knew that it would possibly be one of THEM. I wasn't going to take my chances.
Silently I tried to climb back up the tree. I peered down at the ground in between the limbs; I could make out the shape. This one was familiar; he was one that I knew, Jason. Well, maybe this was Jason, out here in The Game they liked to use the things you love most and play them against you. Why did I have this odd feeling that was what they were doing now?
I still tried to stay quite because I honestly didn’t know whose side he was on. I didn’t even know if it was truly Jason. I couldn’t hold my breath any longer, I sighed.
He quickly turned around, and looked at the tree. He looked up. I was hoping he couldn’t see me through the branches. I didn’t want to bring him into this mess. We would both be goners, I wanted him to have that slim chance for survival, and he hadn’t passed the boundaries yet, so the game was still just focused on me. If I even tried to talk to him, he too would be playing.
He glanced up, and I thought I saw recognition in his eyes. Crap I thought.
He shook his head and walked a little further away. I climbed down the limb below me trying to keep very quiet. He looked so cute with the lost expression on his face. He looked around and shivered. I had just noticed this area of the woods was getting colder as I sat here. I looked off into the distance and saw why. The fog was roaming this way. The thick fog was followed by a cold front making things colder and making it more difficult to see things.
I turned back to see if Jason was still there. He wasn’t. I sighed; maybe, just maybe he had gotten away.
I sat up in the tree and leaned against the trunk. Danger seemed to reap in the air. Everything felt tense and disturbed. I had made it this far but I was going to have to try harder if I wanted to get home.
I started further down the tree. I went to grab the next branch and missed. I tumbled down to the middle of the tree and tried to grab another branch. I got it. I was now hanging from an exposed branch on the tree. Dang. I pulled myself back up onto the branch. I straddled the branch trying to keep steady and not fall again.
Suddenly I heard more movements in the trees. I was sure that it was the wind playing its dirty mind tricks.
All of a sudden a hand grabbed my arm and pulled. I fell off the limb and pulled at the hand. That didn’t help; we were both now flailing to the ground. I didn’t bother to look and see who it was; honestly I just wanted to get away.
Ummpp. We both hit the ground hard, me landing on my shoulder and the other on their feet. So much for what stamina I had. I turned over to see who it was; man I was sorry I did that.
The boy, the werewolf I had met earlier loomed over me.
“You need to be more careful, if I could sneak up on you like that than so could anyone or anything else.” He said.
“Well gee thanks, just what I need, a stupid pep talk while I’m running for my life…okay. You could have killed me though, why didn’t you?” I asked.
“Look Clarrisa I’ve already told you it’s not my job to kill you, it’s my job to catch you. In all reality I’m not a killer or really much of a chaser as you can tell. I am here to tell you, that you have about 13 hours left, and that you have a visitor. He is about 2 miles north of here. Closer to the town then you are. I suggest you get to him and shoo him away before he too gets himself into this game. Maybe if you get to him soon enough, you will both get out. I can’t make any promises though. I wish I could, it would be nice to see someone get out. I’m sorry for everything that has happened tonight. You need to go now. Get! There are ravens about 8 miles from here, and they are rapidly get closer. I can only help you so much before they will come after me too. I have seen how this game is played, I don’t like it. Leave now.” He said looking concerned.
Why was this boy letting me go? I was so very confused.
“My name is Peter. I am an extracter. I chase what they want, but on my own I extract what needs not be here. And right now that is you. Here have this.” He handed me a whistle. “Go to Jason, and if you need help, blow the whistle help will come. I promise. Now go before we all take the beating.”
“Thank you?!? I think….” I was shaken by this. I started backing away. He smiled slightly. He looked cute doing that, though I don't think there was anything about him that wasn't cute, well except the scar.
Smiling…. I don’t think many scented did that. He was different.
I gave a nod and ran off, north I thought. Dang, maybe I didn’t see Jason. I could have sworn thought, that it was him. I needed to get to him as fast as I could.
