The Marks

Prologue

The mountains...

A geographically sensitive ecosystem that shows no mercy to even the most respectful creatures who just want to live their lives in peace. But it's either kill or get killed, and if one doesn't have their wits about them then the mountains will gladly kill you slowly and watch you suffer. Even with the harsh reality of its nature, you can't help but take in the beauty of it all - the thick clusters of evergreens covering every inch of the steep, sloping terrain as a heavy, crystalline fog blanketed the trunks with a thickness that pea soup would envy.

Untouched, white snow covered the roots of the trees with smooth calmness. The crisp, clean air was abundant and filled one's lungs nicely without obstruction yet it held a chill that left one's nose burning with irritation if one's not use to it. Just beyond are countless gallons of clear droplets coming together and running down to the bottom of the mountains to gather at embankments, rivers and streams littered just about everywhere.

Aura looked up to the sky as if her eyes could penetrate deeply into the thickness of the fog but without luck. Looks like it's going to be another harsh winter like the last three, as there is barely any rustling among the trees even for just a drink of water. Good thing they hunted like crazy over the summer or they would have been starving by now in the middle of December.

Adjusting her backpack on her body and dusting her bear fur boots, she fixed her makeshift army green and grey face mask and goggles before looking back at her sisters just trailing behind. Dressed in similar attire, they kept an even pace as maneuvered along a path frequently traveled for the last twenty, nineteen and seventeen years respectively. Once satisfied with their closeness, she continued leading the group. They only have two more miles to go before meeting the family secret clearing and reuniting with their brother and parents.

A grunt was heard before the cracking of bones forcing Aura to look back again. Bonnie had slipped, and shifting a hand into claws, she managed to snag an uproot to keep her from sliding further. It pushed the other girls into action - Ann immediately got behind her to help push her back to feet, while Celeste - Bonnie's twin - hooked her arms inside her bag straps to pull her up.

With Celeste's back turned to her, Aura hooked her karabiner in two of the loops on her backpack then changed her hands as leverage in finding proper footing for everyone. They pulled and pushed until each were able to shelter a tree for stability.

"Is everyone okay?" Aura huffed as she did a quick head count. It's better than waiting for a response - to know who you came with are still there.

"Yup." Ann answered in muffled pants, tucking her bone straight, jet black hair into her heavy cotton face mask.

"Still breathing." Celeste said, dropping her bag between her legs against the tree.

"Fucking hell... That's never happened before." Bonnie did the same but it was to fish for a new pair of gloves and bandage up her exposed skin. She didn't respond directly to Aura's question but it was an answer nonetheless.

Aura looked down at her hands and followed Bonnie's lead. A bit of tattoo peeked through from where the edge of her already ratty sleeves shredded. "Five minute break to catch our bearings. I'm sure Mum and Dad won't mind." They grunted in response and did little things to catch themselves: have a snack, drink some water, fix their clothes.

Once everything was in order, they made their way to continue the two miles. They're all right, as long as they make it before nightfall.

*****

Just as the sky darkened, they reached the family secret clearing. All lined up next to each other, they quickly dropped their bags with a satisfying crunch of the snow and stretched their achingly stiff muscles and joints. While it would've been easier to trek the mountains in their fur, the skin side need to build a resilience to the elements and show their determination; after all, the skin needs to show their worthiness to the fur in order to create a cohesive bond and literally become one.

Out of all four, Aura's fur was the most stubborn and defied her every chance she got but she has been making progress in proving her self-worth since the day she came into her life. Celeste had it the easiest with her fur submitting to her within a year therefore she keeps the peace among the rest of them still struggling. It was odd for all of them to be completely immersed into their thoughts - maybe it had to do with their high level of comfort in the secret family clearing - when strong, beefy hands closed around each of their throats and slammed them each into a tree pinning them there.

Aura and Bonnie were the firsts to react where they wrapped their arms around their assailants' forearms and hoisted their lower bodies up and landed a heavy kick square in their throats. That caused their captors to easily let them go and check for possible broken larynges hunched over. Celeste and Ann dropped low into a sweeping kick, knocking them off their feet to which Bonnie and Aura pulled out their switchblades, straddled their attackers' shoulders and held their knifes neatly against their jugulars.

"I'm only going to ask this once," Bonnie started, "who the fuck are you?"

Her fur was pushing to the surface feeding off her rising anger when she's supposed to be calm - the way their dad taught them - and happy with her takedown. But no one said anything to her because they understood; their safe haven was infiltrated and could become a possible compromise if things don't get sorted out quickly. Their prey sucked in a breath before one chuckled heartily and the other wheezed. It was then recognition set in.

"Dammit Dad, Rex!" Celeste growled, "you scared the shit out of us!"

"And you guys damn near killed us!" Rex barked pushing Aura off him and getting up before helping her.

"You expect us not to defend ourselves?" Bonnie muttered coming off their father then helping him up along with Celeste's assistance.

"At least I won't have to worry so much after I'm dead." Their father croaked.

Bonnie must have kicked extra hard and shattered his voice box. The girls winced at the damage they done to their father but it was necessary; they were taught to survive. However, their father held no malice - after all - he was the one who trained and kicked their asses the second each of them, including Rex, could walk. Rex secured all of the girls' packs on his person, with Ann leading the way to the cabin. The cold was nipping hard at any flesh that became exposed during their fight and burning the back of their noses. It was understood among everyone to speed up on the short path.

"What took you guys so long?" Rex started, carrying the bags with ease, "You're usually up here before the sun could touch the horizon."

"Bonnie decided to create a makeshift slip-n-slide at Heisman's Gorge," Ann shouted to the back, "We had to save her. I don't think we'd appreciate losing one of our own just like that."

"I did teach teamwork in this family," their father garbled.

"Dad, stop talking. We're almost there. Mum will patch you up real good, and we can start things in the morning." Celeste chastised. He grunted his compliance and that's when the flickering candle lights came into view in the sizable cabin.

They were home; let's hope they can keep it that way.

_______________________

A/N: Hiya, everybody! Just hope everything is great, and I want to thank you for choosing this book to read. I will be giving out information on the main female protagonists in this book and reveal things about the plotline as time goes along.

Hopefully, I'll make it interesting to you guys because the "real world" is coming at them soon and there might be nothing to stop it.

I'll write for you soon

~Kimmie~