Stolen (Book 1 of the Outcast Quartet)

Chapter 9 (Jadekit)

I stumbled to a halt by a tangle of tree roots, my paws aching from traveling for the majority of the day. Glancing up at the sky, which was easy to see now that the leaves were slowly falling off the trees, I noticed that by now the sun was setting. Not wanting to risk traveling at night, I scrapped together a pile of leaves for bedding. I paused while pushing together some more leaves, I felt like someone was watching me. Glancing around, I tried to catch the scent of whatever it was but all I could smell was the pile of leaves beside me. Surveying the area one more time, I came to the conclusion that the sensation was just my being paranoid. Shrugging, I continued to push together the leaves until I had an okay nest. Prodding it with my paw, I made sure no branches were hiding in the leaves before curling up and willing sleep upon me.

            I jerked awake, my heart pounding rapidly, as I glanced around my eyes wide with panic. Glancing around rapidly, fear shot through me when I couldn’t locate my sister. Where was she? I blinked as recognition slowly came over me, that’s right I left her back at the adoption center.

            I forced my bristling fur flat as I stumbled out of my nest, my legs shaking from fear. That dream… it was already a distant memory about some sort of… animal maybe? Shaking my head to clear away the rest of the dream, I stared up at the sky and frowned as I was greeted by numerous stars. I wasn’t tired but traveling right now would be risky, after all who knows what could be lurking about. Glancing back at my nest, I considered curling back into the leaf pile when a nearby bush started to rustle viciously.

            Turning towards the bush, I eyed it suspiciously as I backed away from it. There was something in there, and from the scent that came off of it smelled of death and carnage. Swallowing fearfully, I watched as a pair of gleaming amber eyes flashed in the shadows of the bush. A low growl emanated from the monster as it slunk out of the bushes, its teeth bared in a snarl.

            Taking in a deep breath I tried to stifle my fear and I let out a soft hiss, which didn’t even seem to faze the beast as it charged forward. I let out a stifled wail as its sharp fangs enclosed around my muzzle, my claws digging uselessly into the ground as it pulled lifted me up. My warm blood dribbled rapidly from the deep wounds and my consciousness started to fade. I lashed out blindly in hopes to free myself as I struggled to twist out of its grasp, it was useless. Was this how it was going to end? I don’t want to die… I don’t… want to…

            I was suddenly released, my limp body hitting the ground with a soft thump, as the monster howled angrily. Something leapt around the beast, planting itself firmly in front of it… was it trying to save me? I blinked, trying to focus, as my savior and the cruel creature fought.

            I couldn’t keep up as the protector and the monster fought, their strikes against each other too quick for me to follow. My vision started to blur again, I grew dimly aware of the puddle of blood starting to form from the heavily bleeding wound. I was fading and the last thing I saw was the monster lunging for my defender’s neck.