ALLETARE

12. What Did I Get Myself into?

Chituru felt himself sink deeper and deeper into the depths of sleep. The more he fought to stay awake, the more sleepy he would get.
He struggled to prop himself on his elbows in an attempt to sit up. From that angle, he looked at his legs and willed it to move but it was futile and as if his body had given up too, he felt his elbow give way as he slowly lay flat on his back.

Laying back on the grass felt so good, so comfortable, so relaxing. As if by just remaining there, every dream he has, has had or will ever have will definitely be amazing. The battle with his eyelids were almost over with his eyelids being the victor when he heard a voice scream.

'Get away from him!'

Chituru's eyelids flew open like a rocket taking off and was face to face with eyes as red as blood, a horn as sharp as steel and thick drool dripping out of razor sharp fangs that were bared at him. It stood on feet that were human and hooves for hands. It's torso was like that of a wild boar. He had never felt more terrified in his entire life.
Without thinking, he tried to stand up, his adrenaline pumping but felt something tighten around his legs and hands that held him in place. With much difficulty, he turned his head to his right to see what was restricting his movement and gasped in horror as the very grass he had loved were slowly creeping around his stomach to secure him tightly to them.

Chituru screamed. Luckily, the attention of the beast had been diverted. It stood and focused its attention on the voice that had screamed earlier.

'How dare you! How dare you interrupt my meal!'

The beast said it in such a deep and scratchy voice that Chituru just stared at it. He couldn't understand why such a creature would be able to speak.

'He isn't yours to feast on!'
'My territory, my meal that was the agreement or have you forgotten?!'

Tim hid behind a rock not so far away and listened to the terrifying exchange. He wondered again what he had gotten himself into and wished for the umpteenth time that he never listened to Chituru. The thought of escape had long since fled from his mind especially after seeing the creature before Allettare.

He carefully opened his palms that were tightly shut to check if his little glowly insect-like creature was still there. He sighed in relief. Allettare has warmed him to keep it trapped in his palms if he wants to remain safe and hidden from the view of the beast. Cautiously, he stole a glance at his friend lying helpless and trapped on the grass and wondered again,

'What the hell did we get ourselves into?!'

********

'I have not forgotten our agreement...'

Allettare said. Her voice a bit strained. 'At the same time, I can't help but wonder if you've forgotten what led to the agreement'.

The beast was silent.

'Good. Now, call off your "pet" and let him go.'

It hesitated. As if daring her to do her worst.

From his little hiding place, Tim felt the temperature suddenly drop. Goosebumps shot out of his skin like tiny fireworks.The tiny insect-like creatures that illuminated the air, vanished. Fear gripped him like a close friend. Slowly, Tim opened his palm. Half hoping, half praying that the insect-like creature was still held prisoner in it. Confusion marred his face. It was still there but, it wasn't giving off light anymore. It seemed almost dead. Quickly, Tim stole a glance at Chituru who was still held captive by the grass. He tried to signal him but noticed the look of pure terror on his face. Tim wondered what got Chituru so terrified. Following the direction of his gaze, he saw Allettare or what he believed to be her. She was floating in the air, her hair floating around her. The glow of the moon had dimmed everywhere else except on her. Even from where he was hiding he could see that her eyes had changed from its translucent violet blue to something darker, a lot darker. He noticed that there were things floating around her, things that emitted light but he wasn't quite sure what they were.
Speechless, his eyes remained glued on Allettare, glad that he was far from her and out of the corner of his eyes he noticed that the beast desired the same thing.

'You dare disobey my command you impudent beast?!'

Chituru lay on the ground stunned and scared out of his mind. He looked at Allettare and at the beast and instinctively knew who had the upper hand and who he must be wary of. He felt grateful for the first time since being held captive that he was on Team Allettare.
He watched in amazement as the beast moved away from her and suddenly felt the binds around his arms and legs loosen. Instead of getting up, every single cell within his body screamed at him to remain on the grass. He didn't even think twice.

'I've released him! Go away you witch!' The beast screamed.

Allettare looked down at Chituru and noticed that he had in fact been freed. Then slowly she floated down and in a flash was face to hideous face with the beast.

'The next time you try to disobey me, that'll be the last and worst action you'll ever take'.

The beast said nothing.

'Are we clear?'
'Yes.'
'Now get out of my sight before I change my mind.'

Immediately, the ground opened up and the beast climbed down the hole until he was out of sight and the hole along with it.
Allettare stood there for a while, staring at the spot the beast had disappeared into before she looked straight at Chituru and started walking towards him.

'Are you alright?' She said when she finally got to him. Her hand was extended in order to help him up.
'Yes.'

He replied cautiously. She had returned to her normal self and Chituru didn't know how or what to make of the entire experience.

'Good. Let's go get Tim'.