King Chronicles: When Darkness Falls

Chapter 10, part 1 - Damned if you do...

Troubled by the events that plagued his mind, Joe could not have been more glad to see Grey Wolf emerge from the darkness. Frankly, he was just glad that his heart was still beating. Where was the delirious she-devil anyways?

Grey Wolf's companion, Killian, managed to lift Joe up with Apaa's help. He heard the call being given and the commotion that followed. The she-devil Jinkuw had gotten away, he was told. He shuddered at the thought of watching his back and wondering which girl was the Jinkuw in disguise.

"Joe!"

He looked up to see James walking over to him before he leaned his shoulder against the closest tree. "How are you doing?"

"Excluding the fact that I was kidnapped by my worst nightmare, a psycho bitch who wants to have my baby? Dandy," he said, lightly, before groaning at his throbbing head.

"That's the poison she gave you," James remarked sympathetically, "Hawk says the side effects will eventually wear off."

"Did she bite me?" Joe asked, fearful for the answer. James shook his head and Joe let a sigh of relief.

"Her skin excretes a potent anesthetic at the slightest touch. You were probably knocked out in minutes." James stated.

"A tiny light in my miserable turn of events," Joe said, laughing before turning serious. "Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the Jinkuw will give up on me? I'd like to know when I can have my bachelor life back."

Joe felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned around to see the small smile on Killian's face. "Jinkuw follow you for life, you must kill it... or at least enjoy the last crazy sex you'll ever have in your life." He patted his shoulder once more before turning away.

"Damned if I do and damned if I don't..." Joe replied, and then muttered under his breath, "that guy is seriously deranged."

James smiled, he was relieved that his brother was not affected. Now if only he could figure out about what to do about the situation with Savannah.

^^^

The stars shone brightly above despite the events that occurred underneath them. Each star shone clearly in the dark sky, some brighter than the others. Savannah tried to count them above her, but always lost her way because there were so many. She closed her eyes and instead tried to listen for the natural symphony of the night she found comforting as a child. Wolf or coyote song, crickets, owls... anything. But she heard none. The animals rarely made a sound once a Jinkuw made an appearance, even hours after it had gone. She sighed. She heard the rustling of silent movement behind her as the wind teased the strands of her hair. She wasn't alarmed, she recognized the way Hawk swayed when he walked, like a big quiet bear.

She and Hawk had been friends and hunting partners for as long as she could remember. Her big over protective brother, her best friend. They had been close until she took a hiatus a few years ago. When she returned, he never asked why she left. He may have known why or he may not have, but she relished in the comfort of their familiar friendship.

"It's unmistakable, the way your big feet clumsily pound the ground," she teased, turning to him.

Hawk grinned, a smile she was glad to see since they found Little Brook. Ignoring her remark, he joined her in looking up into the brilliant canvas of the night sky.

"The elders are out to hear your prayers, you can speak freely." Hawk said, his eyes matching the sparkle of the stars. He was a true believer of the spirit world and was adamant that, when in need of guidance, someone would always be listening.

Savannah laughed bitterly. "I doubt your spirits will want to listen to someone who believes in other worldly gods."

Hawk turned and Savannah found encouragement in his smile. "The spirits do not judge, they merely listen and guide. Besides, you have spent as much time in their presence as they in yours. You can open yourself in their land. Besides, I will gladly listen if they don't."

Savannah flicked her eyes to his in interest. "So you want me to talk do you?"

Hawk nodded. She sighed, not knowing where to start.

"Your accusation towards the Sheriff can be a good start," he commented, eyeing her. It was like she was an open book to him.

She shook her head. "I marvel at your abilities Hawk, how do you do it?"

He shrugged. "The spirits whisper things to me..."

Savannah snorted, amused, and then paused in thought.

"I know now that I was wrong to accuse him of anything, he was not at fault," she began. "I was just.... Frustrated. We lost so many to the Jinkuw."

Hawk nodded. "Yes, but they have lost many of their own too." He responded, his face emotionless.

"It is not the same! We are defending ourselves from being food, from being attacked, from surviving!" She said angrily.

Hawk shook his head. "I have been in your position once. I was in denial, I was angry and I felt defeated. We defend but they still come... however I argue that we are the same."

Savannah glared at him, not wanting to hear the truth she so venomously denied herself. "Don't you dare say it. Don't you dare agree with the Jinkuw!"

Hawk paused, looking into the sky for what felt like an eternity to Savannah before responding. "How are we different from the deer, the buffalo, the fox and the hare? We fight, we defend, we run, we hide, we need food to survive... as do the Jinkuw need us to sustain life. We are no different from them, we have just been replaced as the hunter. We are the hunted as they are hunted by us. We do what we can to survive as they will do."

Savannah knew the truth and she didn't like it. She could deny everything that was thrown at her, but she knew deep down that she couldn't hide from it.

"Think about it, sister, take as long as you like, but know that you owe the Sheriff an apology. You know very well why he did it."

She stamped her foot in indignation. "He..."

"YOU-know-why," he responded, firmly pointing his large index finger in her face before adding, "now shut up before you hurt yourself."

She picked up a rock and hurled it straight at him, but missed. She could hear his laughter boom into the night as he disappeared into the shadows. She sat down heavily into the tall grass, letting their tendrils surround her as she glared like a stubborn child after him. She was still angry, but she couldn't help but let in the thought that invaded her angry thoughts. There was a faint hint of a smile at the corner of her lips. 'Oh damn, I love him...'