Caidoz

Chapter 47

~Procyon

  "Why did you take me away?"
   I ignored his voice, keeping watch for any signs of life as we neared the sound of the rushing river. After we had dragged him more than a hundred yards away from the town center, Ursa Minor finally relented in his struggle. His impressive strength just seemed to suddenly desert him, and his arms had gone limp. After shooting numerous suspicious glances in his direction, I was rather convinced that he seemed to have abandoned all thoughts of fleeing. He just followed behind us, similar in that to a lost puppy. The entire time Cancer that led the way towards the river with me close at her side, he hadn't spoken a word. Until now.

   I guess all good things have to come to an end, I thought. I caught Cancer sneaking a glance at me and raised a brow. She looked down slightly before turning to face Ursa Minor. I clicked my tongue, shaking out my hair, crossing my arms as I stopped walking.
   "You can't stay here, Minor," She said, her tone soft. I refused to acknowledge his behavior, keeping my back to him. 

   "B-but --"
    "I know that anywhere in this world may be safer than being with me, but not at this moment."
   I quickly turned, catching her eye, nodding at her. "Well said, Ali." I look at Minor sharply, my eyes narrowing once my green-- no, blue now, lock on his hazel ones. "Do you want to die, Minor?"

   He bristles, unable to constrain his inner constellarmation, this eyes widening. "Crux Dodge, what are you inquiring?!"
   I frown, rolling my eyes.  "We are taking you away from Achird, who wouldn't hesitate to kill you, me, Ursa Major and Boötes as every Ursinian here. And Cancer would pay with more than just her life if they find her. So." I huffed angrily, intensifying my glare. "If you have any brains in that large head of yours, you'll keep that snout shut and just follow us. There's nothing more to say. Come on." I heard him begin to mumble something, but I just walked over to Cancer before shoving her forwards roughly.
   The anger in her eyes was almost terrifying. "Hey, what was--"
   "Move," I said, speaking over her. I conquered her outraged look with a stern one of my own.
   "He can stay here if he likes, but we're moving on, with or without him." I'm not losing you again. Not when I can help it. Ignoring her protests, I forced her to continue on ahead. I saw her shoot an apologetic glance in Minor's direction before continuing her march towards the river. For several steps, I didn't hear anything behind us.

   Then,  footsteps pound against the dying grass in a frantic rush behind us.

   We carried on through the woods, the air weighted with an eerie silence. No birds sang and even the mosquitoes abandoned us, though I didn't miss their company. I almost felt afraid, but the accidental brush of Cancer's hand against mine quickly sent my mind into overdrive. I was almost relieved for the distraction. The light now shone in rays across our faces from the left, the looming shadows stretching their claws in its wake. "I think this is the way," Cancer said, looking around her. She inhaled a large breath of air, pointing sharply before exhaling. "Yes, it's just a little more before we reach it. I can sense water."
   "I could have told you that," Ursa Minor said, crossing his arms. "I can smell water practically miles away, and I've lived here practically all my life."
   "And I can hear it," I said, shrugging. "But I do wonder why our own guide didn't take the initiative to make sure we were going in the right direction."
   "Hey!" Cancer glanced at me, placing her hand on my shoulder.
   My anger quickly fled to be replaced with nerves. I brushed them angrily aside.
   "Leave it alone, Procyon," She said, her eyes gentle. I couldn't comprehend her sympathy and I frowned at her.
   She shook her head, before sighing. "It's only natural that he wouldn't want to leave. This is home, and he feels he needs to stay and defend it. All the friends he made here, he probably will never see again."