The Hunt

[38] Yellow Eyes And Slow Reactions

Felicity's POV:-

"Felicity!" someone's shout echoed through the halls. I turned around to see who it was only to be met with Amelia as she ran towards me with Brandon right in tow.

"We need to go." She grabbed my hand and pulled me after her. It took me a while to steady myself since I was taken by surprise but I managed.

Soon, the three of us were dashing through the hallways, pushing a few wide-eyed humanoids out of our way.

I didn't know why we were running or who we were running from, just I kept hold of Amelia's hand.

The sound of a bullet getting fired pierced the air and I screamed, lowering myself as a reflex even though I didn't see where it came from.

"Stop them!" A familiar voice ordered and I frowned.

Our path began getting blocked by hundreds and hundreds of humanoids, men and women holding a rifle each but for some reason, Amelia didn't stop so neither did I.

"Don't go any further," Brandon yelled, pulling me back by my wrist. Too late.

He was too late.

Aiden's POV:-

Lost. I was lost... and it didn't surprise me at all.

Worst thing is, I didn't have anything to keep me armed, at least. But still, I'm lucky I'm still breathing. Lucky I still lived to see another day.

A squawk came from behind me and I turned my head to see what it was. Surely, it was that green and red parrot I noticed on Felicity's shoulder the day I last saw her.

I had definitely seen him with her in the village once or twice but I never really bothered to think about it. I mean, why would I? Just a pet... and an asshole.

He stood on top of my hair and I swatted him away but he didn't budge. "Get off," I groaned, pushing him lightly off of my head.

"Help, I've been turned into a parrot!"

I flinched at his voice. How awesome! An annoying parrot will become even more annoying.

I rolled my eyes, feeling his claws dig into my shoulder which made me cringe and glance at him. The sound of twigs snapping from in front of me made me look before me in seconds. My eyes went wide the second they were met with a pair of yellow ones that made my heart jump.

"Not that prick again." I shook my head, furrowing my eyebrows while I backed away from him.

Oryn didn't move though. He didn't even make a move to move.

That sounds silly, but it's not the time to laugh, Aiden. I reminded myself, contemplating whether I should or shouldn't run.

"Help, I've been turned into a parrot."

"Could you stop?" I whisper-yelled, getting frustrated at the sight of the two animals. The one on my shoulder and the one in front of me. Specifically, the one in front of me.

Oryn lowered his front, baring his teeth as he fixed himself in his fighting stance.

"Help, I've been turned into a parrot."

Reflexively, I raised my arms to my face only to realize it was the stupid bird next to my ear.

"Fucking shut up." I finally got him to fly off of me and sighed, turning my focus on the bigger problem.

Before anything could happen, a loud noise I couldn't describe, caught both of our attention. I looked up to see a flash of blinding light heading towards Oryn.

The jaguar pounced next to me just as something hit the ground causing flames to erupt. My eyes flew shut in response and I didn't even have time to process what it was. Not until I opened my eyes and realized that the same thing began happening all around me. Well, and Oryn whose fur rubbed against the tips of my fingers.

I didn't know what was worse. Me standing really close to a fierce animal or me hearing the screams of my friends.

As their yells broke through the jungle, I decided to follow up with them. Still, every single time I think I made it, I come to a halt because of those artificial flames.

"Fuck," I whispered, my eyes going wide at the sight of the fire that ate away at the trees, tardily growing with the breeze.

Oryn whimpered, causing me to frown and look at him. Never have I ever imagined, not even once, that I'd feel pity for the jaguar who tried to kill me.

His eyes were glowing with the fire's reflection, his whimpers being more of confused than scared. His home was burning down and possibly taking us all with it.

My heart was hammering in my chest and my throat seemed to block the air from leaving my lungs as I began to cough.

"Anyone, please," I shouted, looking up at the already dark sky. "Please," I said in a hushed tone, realizing that it's over. My eyes began to water and I sat down in the middle of the small clearing that was bursting with flames.

Fighting was pointless. I was trapped and there was no way out for either of us.

Somehow, I wasn't afraid of Oryn. I'm pretty sure he has other things to be worried about, like his death, that he wouldn't be thinking of a meal right now.

I felt the tears slide off my cheeks and with the heat surrounding me, sweat did too.

This was disgusting. Everything about it made me resent the fact that I was taken even if I didn't have anything to do with it.

While others think it's a game, we think it's madness.

Why would someone ever do that? Why would they be so vengeful because of something we didn't do?

"Damn it, dad! Why?" I cried, "I don't want to die."