The Land Of Warriors

Part 10

Nathan POV

Dad was running, screaming at me to go faster. We couldn't shift, those idiots had put something in the water they gave us. My eyes were drooping already, my tiny, seven-year-old feet struggling to keep up with dad's large feet.

I missed a step and tripped, falling face first into the forest floor, filled with ages of rotten leaves.

My dad stops rushing to my side and helping me pick myself up.

My knees sting but I just dust them off and start running with my dad again.

The howls are closer.

Dad's face goes pale white. He grabs my hand and pulls me behind a tree. He then takes fistfuls of the rotten whatnot on the ground and rubs me all over with them.

My eyes widen. I might have been a seven year old, but I was quite smart. And I knew what Dad was doing. Especially when he didn't do anything to himself.

He bent down to my height and said,

"Climb the tree,bud. Don't look down. Just climb and sit still. Whatever happens don't come down until the sun rises again. And..and know that your mother loves you. As do I. Find Andrea. She will be your salvation." His voice broke in the end and he pushed me away, but not before kissing the top of my head softly.

I heard him mumble,"I am so sorry bud.." I climbed up the tree and sat still, tears leaking down my face.

He waved at me. I waved back, in farewell, and the howls echoed again, closer. So much closer than before.

I sat tightly, and held back my sniffles.

The hounds finally reached the bottom of my tree.

I wipe my tears, trying to tear my vision from the brutal sight in front of me.

But I couldn't. I watched as my dad was torn apart by beasts.

I started awake from the dream, barely containing my scream.

My heart raced but slowly calmed down at the sight in front of me.

An was sleeping on my hand as my breathing returned back to normal.

As if sensing I was awake, she fluttered her eyes open.

Beautiful.

Her lilac eyes were curtained off with black eyelashes which were startling against her honey skin tone. Her straight, silky, shoulder length black hair were framing her face.

I grinned at her. She rolled her eyes,smiling at me.

But her smile soon faded as she narrowed her eyes.

"Did you have a nightmare,Nate?"
She asked suspiciously.

I promptly shook my head. I really hoped that that was convincing enough.

She just raised both her brows as she look at me,unamused. Nope. It wasn't convincing enough.

I sighed and said,"Yeah, but it's not a big deal, so leave it."

She started to say something but I cut her off, "Leave it." I insisted.

She drew back, as if she was physically wounded. Her eyes flashed with hurt but she quickly covered it up.

Oh shoot, I shouldn't have said that.

But she just smiled at me,although it didn't reach her eyes, and said,