Fate

Thirteen

It was dusk when they finally left, the sun just beginning to set behind the Thomas house. Mrs. Lumen stood waving at them from the doorway, growing smaller and smaller in the distance. Matthew had managed to procure three horses from an old patient he had had long ago. Tonius and Ruby had taken two, with Ruby on her own horse alone and Elyssa riding behind Tonius. The four of them rode to the edge of town together, speaking briefly before parting ways.

"My son, last I knew, was living somewhere near the base of the West Mountain," Matthew said. "Should you see him..."

"I'll be sure to tell him to write home," Tonius assured his friend. Matthew smiled, clapping him on the back, saying one last thing before galloping off.

"His name is Nico." And then he was gone, riding away to find Ruby's family.

"Let's go," Tonius ordered, steering his horse in the direction they would have to travel. "We won't be stopping for a while."

They rode hard and fast for hours, tearing through the land. Tonius' muscles were stiff and aching, so he could only imagine how Ruby and Elyssa, both of which had never before ridden a horse before, were fairing. If the tight grip on his sides was anything to go by, someone was not having a good time. He laughed to himself at the thought of the verbal reprimanding he was going to be receiving later. She shifted closer as they speed by a cart and oxen, him leading and Ruby following behind. He laughed again, out loud this time and no doubt startling his riding partner, but the thought had just struck him.

Beast was right. He was faster with four legs. Beast snarled in his head, not appreciating being made fun of.

"Tonius!" Elyssa was yelling into his ear. "Can we stop soon? I can't feel my legs."

He grinned as he pulled the reins on his horse, bringing them to a stop. Ruby followed suit. "Why are we stopping?" she asked, maneuvering her horse to stand beside Tonius'.

"Elyssa needs a rest. And we should eat."

"We have food?"

He looked at the young girl flatly. "Do you honestly think Mrs. Lumen would let us leave without any?"

"Good point."

He got down and held up his arms to help Elyssa down. "Get a small fire started," he said as her set her down, hands still firmly fastened to her waist. "I'll go hunt us some meat." He looked sternly at Ruby. "Watch her. Call for me should anything happen."

"Of course."

"I won't be long," he said to her.

"Stay safe."

"Don't I always?"

He could feel her eyes on him as he ventured off. It was mostly fields around them, with very few sparse trees here and there. He scented the air. There wasn't much in the way of animal to hunt here. Perhaps they could go without the meat tonight.

You're a fool, Beast scoffed at him. We need meat. We will have meat. Use your nose, idiot. And find us some food.

"And just how do you expect me to hunt what isn't there?" He hadn't meant to speak to it, still choosing to ignore it, but what's done was done.

Let me take over. I can hunt better than you.

"How about 'no'? There's no way that I'm giving in to you anymore."

Beast didn't respond and for half a second, Tonius thought that he had simply given up. Then came the first push. It was clawing at his mind, trying to worm its way forward. He shoved back. The pain from Beast's claws was excruciating. He felt as though blood should have been running down his face. The very thought of the dark red liquid sent Beast into a frenzy, making him stronger. Tonius knew the fight was lost before it had ever really begun. He never had been able to beat Beast back when it truly wanted control. He collapsed onto the dry grass, clutching his head. His eyes felt like they were going to pop out of his skull and with a cold chill snaking down his spine, he knew what was happening, what Beast was doing. He was transforming him again.