Between Two Mountains

Chapter 11

This chapter contains depictions of violence that may not be suitable for all readers.

"Come out wherever you are you scoundrel."

I can see my breath outlined in front of my face as I try to calm my racing heart. Cold air forms a frosty layer on my cheeks, which quickly melts from the heat radiating under my skin. The footsteps near my crouched position. I need to move.

There's what, four...five of them? I can probably take them, I think to myself.

I'm a good fighter, but they have weapons. It would have to be a fight to the death and I value my life today.

"You think you and your buddy can cheat all those fights and make some quick cash. Not in this part of the world, boy." The crunching of leaves marks them at about thirty feet away from my current location.

I spot a large, hollow oak tree in the distance, slightly hidden among the flora.

If I shift, I can probably make it there and lose them through the clearing that leads to what sounds like a river.

I turn my head to focus on the hum of flowing water.

The current seems strong. It should be enough to take me downstream a couple of miles.

"Let me take that silver spoon out of your mouth, lad. You won't be needing it out here." The voice booms from over my left shoulder, too close for comfort.

Instantly pulled from my thoughts, I waste no more time and make a run for it, forgetting about my plan to shift. I hear shouting followed by rapid footsteps coming from behind me. There are a lot more men than I had anticipated. A shot is fired and something comes hissing past my ear.

Shit.

I quicken my sprint, dodging tree after tree, but the next shot sends a piercing arrow through my right calf. Groaning in pain, I lurch forward, unable to even think about the arrow until I reach the oak tree.

I can practically touch it; push it a few more feet.

Another arrow comes flying past my left shoulder as I dodge it just in time. A smile forms on my face when I reach the oak tree, but I am momentarily distracted by my accomplishment and fail to see the massive metal trap in the indented earth.

As I round the corner unaware, its jagged teeth hook around my ankle propelling me to the ground, face first. I grimace in pain and attempt to free myself, but it is no use.

The group hunting me surrounds the area within seconds and the smug expressions on their faces are enough to bring out my wolf.

Two burly men pick me up by my arms as the ringleader dismantles the trap, making sure to leave the head still attached to my throbbing ankle. My face contorts in pain as his oozes pure satisfaction. The mob begins to drag my beaten body in the opposite direction of the clearing.

I turn to look at the opening and realize that I was steps away from freedom.

They shackle me to the ring like a prisoner and the leader takes bets on how long I will remain conscious. A line forms next to the ring, each beast wanting to beat me lifeless while I am already down. My body is weak, fatigue setting in as I scan the room hoping to see the one familiar face.

The customers enter the ring one by one with wicked smiles plastered on their lips. Assessing the likelihood of a quick escape, I look down at my shackled wrists and realize that these are not my hands.

One punch.

My head snaps to the right in an unnatural movement as blood spews from my mouth. I stare at the ugly man in front of me with unwavering eyes, unwilling to let him see me suffer.

He leaves the ring and another begins to make his way towards me. I take a minute to look down my chest and realize that this is not my body.

Two punches.

The short, portly man lands two punches to my gut and the wind leaves my lungs as I fold over in pain. I begin to pull at the wrist shackles trying to gain some control over this body.

Three punches.

I hadn't even noticed the woman standing in front of me as she knocks me to my knees with three swift, dagger-like punches. I hear something crack and break.

Is that my leg? Or maybe my jaw?

I notice the pool of blood that has formed around me and feel this face swell up. Then, I see the woman pull out a needle from her back pocket and stab the liquid into my neck.

Everything blurs as my body goes limp against the railing. Darkness lurks in the corners of my vision and I am paralyzed, trapped in the confines of this ring.

As my eyes frantically dart from side to side, all I see are several hazy figures rushing towards me to finish what they have started.