OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

6. THE MASTER

CHAPTER 6.

I was being followed, not long after leaving the house, the scent was strong, and familiar.
But I wasn't sure if it was watching me or hunting me.

As I came around the dark street corner, I stood still blending into the shadows of the building.

All my sences were on high alert, as I slowed down both my breathing and my heart rate.
At this stage I could even hear the tiniest of insects scattering away.

Then I heard a familiar sound. Not unlike a serpent tasting the air.

" So what's it to be then Pet?" I asked , in a low voice, knowing quite well he can hear me. My unease got my adrenaline pumping.

"You want to talk, or just fight?"I asked, hoping for the former.
But before I knew it, he was right above me... literally. I looked up to see a dark figure crawling slowly down the wall.

As he growled, saliva dripped down onto my forehead, showing a wide open jaw with long teeth, ready to pounce and rip me apart.

I reached up instinctively, catching one of his legs, and threw him to the ground. A bellowing rage which was more of a shriek, came out of my mouth.

He made a squeal, landing on his back, but got up on all fours very quickly, his head bowed down , staring and growling.

I noticed the sole of his feet were flat and wide with some sort of sticky padding perhaps. Which I suppose would help explain how he crawled down the wall.

"Wait ... stop!" I said, putting my hands up in front, trying to stall a needless confrontation.
"Parissa is here...?and she's looking for you." So is Jake and Nara."

On hearing their names, he immediately stopped growling, and slowly lifted his head.
"You seeee... Pariiiissa..? hissss....where iisss sheee?" He said, a serpent voice, that would make even the most brave and fearless run, but here I was confronting him.

His reptilian tongue was long and thin, similar to a poisonous snake. " If you hurt...ssss...them, I will find you...sss...!"

"They are all fine, don't worry". I said, while lowering my arms.
"I left them back there." I said, turning my head towards the direction I came from.

I suddenly felt a strong sense of presence. Three figures just turned the corner, half running. The bright moonlight helping them navigate towards us.

"Here they are!" Shouted the leading man, followed closely behind by several more.
Their weapons clanging and banging loudly as they hurried to catch up.

In seconds we were surrounded by twenty to thirty soldiers, and from the sound of distant voices , more were on their way.

Pet started growling and hissing, all tensed up, ready to flee or fight, while I frantically looked around for a way out, before
realisation hit me...I was trapped.

Pet somehow managed to jump on to the wall, and in a flash had already crawled on top of the building, and disappeared quickly out of sight.

I froze and before I knew anything, a heavy net was thrown over me. It was made out of very thick rope, and spiked with sharp metal.

As i tried to free myself, I realised that the more I struggled, the more I got entangled in the ropes, and the deeper the spikes were digging into my hide.

Several soldiers holding some kind of round loops on long sticks, forced them over my neck. Then each pulled away, holding me tightly. There were too many of them, and well organized.

The net was then pulled from under me, knocking me hard on to the cobbled floor. I was caught like a fish in a net, my thick neck looped with several hangman's ropes, and I couldn't even move my feet.