The New Era

Guardian of the Second World

Over the few days, Helen and Jacob still contained to hunt, even when there was no need to hunt. Marijorie and some people protested, saying it was alright, and not to disrupt the nature's balance.

But Helen waved it off. "Oh please, you people worry too much. It's just a little hunt."

And no matter how many times people protested, Helen felt it was her need, and right of go into the Second World. She wanted to be known for something. She wanted to become famous: Helen, the Great (for hunting and giving the last of the human race food when food itself was scarce).

Even Jacob knew it was wrong to keep going but he didn't say anything, because he was scared she was going to make him angry and go ballistic.  Because if he did happen to get angry would be that then the rock would start glowing, and the flames would swell up from his palms. Then he would turn out just like Amy for a while.

Small, vulnerable, helpless.      

So over the days, Helen demanded they go hunt. "C'mon, kid," she said harshly, pulling his collar when he didn't feel like going. "We have things to do. I ain't wasting time."

Jacob was silent. And from then on he would always remain silent. 

The last time they went hunting, scarred them both. They would never forget that moment when Jacob was snatched by the bird, but then miraculously was given back to, by that same bird.

The day they went out of the dome, Helen, for a moment, was hesitant. She saw the bird flying over the dome, every now and then, giving it's unpleasant cries. Then it would settle for a meal, which sometimes it would catch, but mostly it ate what the beasts catched And while eating it would give the dome a powerful glare, as if to say "Look at how powerful I am, you don't stand a chance."

She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She gripped the reins a little tighter, and Galloway gave a small neigh. Then she turned to Jacob, asked, "You ready kid?"

Jacob gave a small nod.

She nodded, before turning back to the outside world from the dome. She drew her breath, let it out. Then she nodded one of the people to open the entrance. Then they rushed out.

The warm air greeted them warmly. It swirled around them, blowing over their face, ruining their hairs, making them cough abruptly. 

The bird was over a cliff, nestled in it. She watched as Helen and Jacob made way into the Second World, and then she became watchful. Her green, large eyes narrowed, and she only focused on the two people and the horse. 

She noticed that over the few days, the herbivores had largely declined. And while she was watching, she noticed it wasn't the beasts' fault. They were understanding that whatever nature offered them, they must take what they needed. Not go over the limits. But she realized that whoever did this, didn't know this simple, yet meaningful rule. And they were breaking it.

So when she saw the humans, and the horse, she squacked and looked and focused on them. She didn't lay her eye anywhere off.

Helen saw some moose, and she, feeling greedy, looked to Jacob and yelled, "Kid, there's some food at twelve o clock. Look!" She pointed to the cow, which was grazing and looking over her shoulder every now and then. She was alert. She knew this flame, and she knew it's powers. She had seen it take so many animals lives before her eyes, and felt scared, helpless. She stayed attentive, but took bites out of the grass.

Jacob finally saw what Helen was talking about, and he was hesitant.

"What are you waiting for, this is easy bait!" she cried, she looked at Jacob, awaiting his response to her remark.