The Truth about Griffin

Chapter 7

    

We heard the mob before we saw it. There was yelling and the flames of a torch. I heard Griffin curse under his breath. Sharifa stumbled over a fallen branch that I assumed she hadn't seen, because she had been looking behind her. I hissed in surprise. It's a good thing that cats almost always land on their feet because that could have been a nasty fall otherwise.

"Sorry." Blood trickled from Sharifa's knee. The appendage was quickly becoming more visible as the red liquid oozed down her leg.

Griffin was back by her size in a moment. "Are you ok, Sharifa?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine."

A rag floated out of Griffins bag and towards Sharifa's knee. The light, gray rag turned a brownish, red as it soaked up the blood. It moved down her leg until it was completely invisible again.

"Keep this on your knee; we need to stay as hidden as possible." Griffin tied the handkerchief tightly and the two stood up. "Now, let's get moving."

I ran between the gap between the two human's legs and led the way deeper into the woods. I flicked my ears again, listening for the mob. They were still shouting around the cabin. I was sure that, whoever they were, they thought we were still in the little house. I knew it would buy us some time, but I wasn't sure that it would be enough.

I fell in step behind the two and watched in confusion as one set of the indentations veered off behind a large tree. Sharifa's continued forward. There was a chocking sound, and Sharifa joined Griffin in his hiding spot.

"What was that for." Despite her fear, Sharifa growled angrily.

"This," Griffin sounded tense, "is where we'll be hiding."

"Why?"

"Because, I said so."

I curled up between their feet and waited. The moments stretched on. I could still hear voices coming from the cabin, but they were getting louder. My tail began to bristle as the time wore on. Then there was the smell. It was faint at first, but as the wind continued to blow the small of smoke grew stronger and stronger. I could feel Griffin and Sharifa grow more uneasy. I stood up. They wouldn't notice if I snuck away for just a few seconds. I made my way back to the house. It was a much quicker trip without the other two slowing me up. I froze at the end of the clearing. There was at least a enough people to make a small town. They were standing at the front of the cabin as smoke started pouring from the windows. Fur rose along my spine. Flames started to lick at the wooden beams that made up the house. My house. The people were yelling. I pressed my ears flat against my head to try and block out the noise. My nostrils flared as the chemicals in the lab began to burn along with the rest of the house. I had to get out of there, and fast. With that thought in my mind I ran.