Light Guardian

Chapter 8

Light broke into the den, causing my eyes to flutter open. My mouth stretched wide in a yawn. There was a rustling outside of the den, and I got up to investigate. My eyes locked onto Rhea, packing things. She made a makeshift carrier out of wilting leaves, twigs, and plants. "I'll never understand how you can do that." I spoke.

    She jumped slightly at my sudden voice, "I watched Shirley when she was still alive." She must've taken my silence as confusion as she explained, "The old lady who cared for me." I nodded my head in acknowledgement. "She used to knit, at least, that's what I understood what she called it. She had these sticks and a soft strand that she would work with. I loved to sit on the back of her chair and just watch how she made things. It intrigued me, her craftiness. I guess I just picked it up."

    A loving purr sounded from her throat as the memories flooded over her. I smiled, "That sounds really fun." I trailed off before continuing, "I bet you miss her."

    Rhea went quiet, focusing on stuffing the carriers with moss, herbs, and anything else that may come of use to us later. Finally she spoke up, "I do. I've never stopped missing her." She looked up, "I looked up to her like she was my mother, and she was taken away just like that. How did you deal without having any parents... to care for you?" Her words were hesitant, yet they still made me flinch.

    "I just lived." I breathed out. Rhea looked at me with confusion dancing on her face, "I kept on fighting to survive, to prove myself. I never did, and I doubt I ever will no matter how much I want to-" She tried to cut me off but I shook my head, "No, I know I never will. They would never accept me even with the powers that I possess. Maybe if my mother, Willow, wasn't looked up upon they would accept me. But she warped their minds, made them strive for perfection. Yes, I just lived, I just lived."

    At that moment something tugged me. My body rose by itself and my paws yearned to move towards the waking sun. I muttered to Rhea, "Go get Amos, we need to eat now. Then we must go."

    She nodded her head, realization flashing in her eyes before rushing off towards the direction she must've seen Amos go hunting in. I watched her leave, her whip-like tail whipping behind her as she ran.

    I began to pace as the tug grew stronger. It felt like my heart was trying to claw out of my chest. I gritted my teeth and unsheathed my claws, sinking them into the ground. Soon the patter of paws filled my sensitive ears.

    I lifted my head up, and when Rhea saw me, she noticed the pained look that stained my face. "Varian, are you okay?"

    Nodding my head I rushed out, "Yes, let's eat. We need to go." Rhea turned to Amos, and he dropped two mice and one bird. My stomach rumbled in delight, and I grabbed one of the plump mice. Amos reached out for the other mouse, but Rhea snatched it before he could. He chuckled slightly, before grabbing the bird.

    As soon as we finished, we buried the remains under the ground. Rhea gave us each a carrier. Amos had the lightest, due to him being the smallest and the youngest, while I had the biggest because I am stockier than Rhea.

    Once we all had secured the carriers around our front legs, allowing them to rest on her backs, we took off.

    It had been a long time since I've traveled through the forest without the intention of hunting. The last time was when I found Rhea and Amos, and before that was when I arrived. The crisp snow crunched slightly under my paws, almost melted. Fallen leaves poked out from the white ground.

    Apprehension filled me as we continued to walk. Would we encounter shadows on the way? I was sure of it, but how many will we encounter? Will I be able to fend them all off? I glanced back at the two cats following me, my friends. As soon as Amos noticed the worry in my eyes he hurried over to my side. His pelt brushed up against me in a comforting manner, and Rhea rushed up to do the same.