The Last Alive

Chapter 10: Nickie

The wolf-men surrounded me. They took turns lunging at me but each time I dodged out of the way. I tired to fly but when I spread out my wings I saw that my primary feathers were clipped. I wouldn't be able to fly. A wolf man lunged at me I dodged out of the way and noticed an opening and immediately went for it. Clawed hands tried to grab me but I avoided them and ran into the woods. I could hear them chasing me but didn't want to look back and see how close they were. My legs and lungs burned and my heart pumped like a race horse in my chest. I kept running, it seemed, like forever. As I slowed I noticed that there were no longer following me. I kept going. I couldn't stop. As night fell I found my way to an abandoned farmhouse. I looked in the door, hesitantly. My eyes weren't adjusted to the darkness so I couldn't see anything. I decided it wasn't a good idea and turned around. I was met with a mouthful of razor sharp teeth and two glowing yellow eyes. I braught my hands up to block him but it was too late. His hot jaw clamped down on my face.

My eyes flew open. I felt an arm around my shoulder and jerked away. I scrambled back until I was at the entrance to the cave. Rain beat down on me, soaking me once again. Fralinn woke up and looked around, panicked. I felt tears coming to my eyes. He saw me and jumped to his feet. Before he got himself soaked again I got up and walked slowly into the cave. His eyes were filled with worry and I knew he would want to know what happened but I couldn't tell him at the moment. He didn't know that things like this happened every night and I coudn't tell him right now. I walked into the cave, trying to hide the tears that slid down my face.

I don't know why the nightmares devestated me so much. I mean, in every one of them I died but that shouldn't make me bawl my eyes out. I thought back to the dream and payed attention to the details. When I looked at my wings in the dream I realized that they weren't the color of my wings. They were white. The dream wasn't about me. It was Kindel. I thought back to my other dreams and realized that in each one it was never me. It was one of the others.

Fralinn reached out halfheartedly for my arm. His fingers just barely brushed my elbow. I walked over to the wall where we slept and sat down. He followed me and sat down right next to me. We just sat there for a while, staring at the fire

Finally I built up the courage to speak,"I had a nightmare. I've been having nightmares every night for the past few months."

He nodded and waited for me to continue.

I was grateful for his patience. It was comforting and warm in a way I didn't completely understand.

I took a deep breath,"Each time they're about me running from wolf-men adn each time.......I die. Except it's not me. It's never really me. It's one of the others. Kindel, Lego, Star, Moon, Bear." Me voice cracked and a silent tear fell off the tip of my nose.

Fralinn slid his hand into mine, brought it slowly to his mouth, and gently kissed it. We sat in silence for a little while then Fralinn spoke,"Are-are the wolf-men....Are they my group? Am I one of them?"

"No," I said,"They are different. Their eyes are a glowing yellow and they are uglier."

He sighed,"Good."

I suddenly felt guilty for making him feel bad for me and causeing him to worry.

"Fralinn, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be putting this on you. I shouldn't be making you feel bad for me. It was just a dream. I'm so sorry."

"Nickie, shut up. You are not making me feel bad for you. I feel bad for you because I care about you and don't like seeing you like this."

"I know but I can't help but feel guilty."

"Well stop. Because you feeling guilty can't change how I feel and my concern."

His reason made me feel better. I sat up,"Are my other clothes dry? These are soaked through," I pulled at my wet shirt.