Not That Far

Chapter 14-Cold As Ice

 

    I anticipated shouts to see us off as we clumsily winged our way upwards, but all was quiet and peaceful. Zurii heaved her wings double time to keep up with us. I felt a flash of guilt. She wasn't designed for this kind of exertion, but it couldn't be helped.

    We continued on like that for miles until Zurii gave out. We crash landed in a isolated clump of fur trees. I didn't know how far away we were, but it was safe to talk now. And as soon as we landed Shay turned to me expectantly.

    "Let's hear it." he was calmer now, which eased my conscious some.

    "There's not much to tell really. All I did was pretend to sleep for a few days and that doctor goes and tells Daichi I'm done for." I shrugged. What else was there to say really.

    "Wait, so that means Daichi's gonna be infuriated when he knows you're gone. Right?" Drayan butted in.

    "Yes, I would believe so." I said slowly, not sure what he was getting at.

    "Then he'll just track us down again. What's the point of even running if he'll be after you in a day or two?"

  "He won't be coming after me, or any of us for that matter." I assured him.

    "How can you possibly know that?" Drayan demanded doubtfully.

    "I left him something." I said vaguely.

    "And? What is it?" Shay pressed impatiently.

    "I'll never tell." I said, earning myself an good natured glare and shove from Shay. He hates it when I drag things out, but it's fun to irritate him. And there's not much fun to be had when you're constantly on the run.

    "Spill your guts already, Teirin." Drayan punched my arm playfully.

    "Fine." I sighed dramatically. "I made it look like someone came and 'disposed' of me." I told them bluntly. And I was rewarded with two unhinged jaws hanging open for several seconds. I just loved doing that.

    "You're insane!" Drayan shoved me for real this time. "He's gonna maul whichever poor idiot draws the shortest straw. I can already see it now," he spread his hands out in front if him, exaggerating. "The whole Sanctuary is domed." But he wasn't joking anymore.

    "Won't he think you're still alive if your body isn't found?" Shay asked, actually curious now.

    "No, I left a trail in the snow leading away from camp and into the woods. After that, it seems as if the killer disappeared into thin air." I made gestures in the air to better illustrate the story, and I was briefly reminded of Daichi. Guilt knifed through my chest, but I smothered it immediately. I couldn't go back and undo what I'd done now.

    "How exactly did you make it look like you were...killed?" Shay's voice caught on the last word.

    "I uhh...bloodied the blankets and left a trail of it leading to the woods to make it look like the killer had dragged me away." I elaborated. Shay didn't like to talk about stuff like this.

    "...Oh." Shay looked a little nauseated. I'd probably called some unpleasant memories to the surface by telling him that.

    "Won't they figure out its not your blood if they take samples to the lab?" Drayan pointed out. I shook my head.

    "I know that's the first thing my uncle will do, which is why it's actually mine." I explained.

    "How would you manage to get enough without...?" Drayan trailed off uncertainty. He cast a meaningful glance at Shay and then back at me.