Warriors: The Hunt Begins

Trauma

The sun has been up for a couple of hours by now, but it's been dead quiet and I'm still so tired, so I continue to lay here peacefully. A part of me wants to go find Kent and his friends to hunt, but a bigger part doesn't want to move. I hear some rustling outside and bury my face under my paws. Someone sniffs around, then pokes their head into my tent before they shift back.

"Mallory?"

I don't respond. I'm not really awake yet. I'm still half asleep. He shakes me and I groan.

"Kent?"

"Mhm."

I shift back, but keep my eyes closed and feel his hands on my side. They roam my body, but something about it feels wrong. I start to wake up more and try to move, but he pulls me closer. This was simple to him, but to me, it stirred the air and made me aware that whoever's behind me is not Kent. I try to move away, but he holds me tighter and I open my mouth to scream for Kent.

"Ke..."

He puts one hand over my mouth and the other tight against my throat, choking me.

"If you make one more sound, I will choke you to death. You going to be quiet?"

I nod slowly and he moves his hand off of my mouth. He keeps his other hand around my throat, but loosens up so I can breathe.

"You disrespected me and my pack and they were kind enough to save you."

"I didn't mean..."

He tightens his hand again, and I choke and try to pry it off.

"I said, be quiet. I don't like being disrespected and I don't appreciate my brothers being disrespected. I believe in hurting someone that wrongs me and it's time to pay up, sweetheart."

I try to scream, but he squeezes my throat so hard that it's impossible and I can't shift. No matter how desperately I'm trying to. I'm praying that Kent comes back or someone else, but no one comes to help me this time, not even Ghost.

He squeezes my neck harder and cuts off my air again, and I grab his hand with mine. I can't make them budge at all. He brings his lips to my ear as his other hand roams lower and lower.

"Are you scared?"

I nod and his hand tightens more.

"I asked you something. Are you scared?"

I try to speak, but obviously can't and I'm getting dizzy. I just nod again and clutch his hand.

"Are you scared?!"

He releases his grip just enough for me to speak, but I cough and gasp for air first.

"Yes! Yes, I'm scared!"

He tightens his hand once again as tears stream down my face.

"Good."

"Why are you doing this?!"

He picks my head up to slam it into the ground and I groan. I'm really dizzy now and his voice sounds echoed.

"Please. Stop."

"I didn't tell you to speak. Keep your mouth shut or I will kill you. Not a fucking sound. Last warning."

The next thirty minutes are a nightmare, and I repress it until the entire thing becomes a blur and I shut down. He leaves me where I am and goes on his way, but I stay frozen until I hear the others laughing. Finally back from wherever they went. Kent calls my name and looks in the tent, then smiles.

"Hey, Red. Still tired?"

I don't answer him. I just stare at the side of the tent, feeling completely disconnected from the world. He kneels down and laughs.