The Hunt

Chapter 15

I'm jolted awake at the sound of a loud bang. "Shit!" I feel Clio jump awake, probably from my sound of distress. "Huh?! What?!" I can feel her claws pressing against my stomach, at the ready to defend us in the case of danger. A loud thump emanates from outside the camper. "Alex? Are you there?" That voice is all too familiar. That's the voice of my brother's girlfriend. What could she be doing here in the middle of the night? Clio quietly growls in response to hearing her voice from outside. "Clio, don't say a thing." I feel her claws retract a bit, still ready to attack. I hear the door to the camper open, followed by footsteps on the linoleum floor. I'm praying she doesn't open our door and turn on the light. Thankfully, she continues walking to the rear bedroom. There is no way she can find out about Clio. She is a great person and all, but can never keep secrets. And trying to have her stay quiet about Clio will never be an option to her. I hear my phone vibrate, indicating I have a text. It's a text from my brother telling me to get us out of here. I'm glad he knows she can't keep a secret. I text back to him, telling him we need a distraction. "Clio, I need to get up. We need to leave." I can sense the confusion from her as she reluctantly lets go of me. "Leave? Where to?" I realize I've never told her I don't live here. I get up and start putting clothes on. "Leave for my actual home, love. I don't live here." She sits up and puts her clothes on before helping me stuff all my clothes into my suitcase. "Where do you live? I bet I can run us there quicker than walking!" I nervously glance at Clio, hoping she fits in my truck. My glance told Clio everything she needed to know. "How do we get there then?" I smile and hold up my keys. The ear twitch tells me all I need to know about her experience with cars. I finish packing my suitcase before looking at the time. I don't want to drive home at 2 AM, but I guess I have no choice. Clio slowly moves to the door and pauses, listening for any movement in the main part of the camper. She cracks the door and motions to me to lead the way. I slowly carry my suitcase out into the small living room, motioning for her to follow. We silently sneak out of the camper. "Where now?" I hear Clio jump and start growling in response to the truck lighting up suddenly and unlocking. I can feel her confused gaze on me as I carelessly walk towards it. "This is gonna get us home?!" I nod and open the passenger door and point. She starts shaking like she did the night before with the shower. "I-I don't wanna get in..." I put my hands on my hips and lock eyes with her. I think I've found a way to control a hellhound. It has to be two in the morning, cold, and I have to be in pain from burns on my hand. Reluctantly, she climbs into the truck. I carefully shut the door and walk to the other side, climbing in after putting the suitcase in the backseat. I look over at Clio after shutting my door and smile softly, attempting to comfort her. Her legs are crammed against the glovebox. I reach over and push her seat back as far as it can go, making her more comfortable. "Okay, you need to put your seatbelt on. Watch how I put mine on." She shyly nods, ears flat against her head still petrified of the truck. I slowly put my seatbelt on, making sure she copies my every move. I hear the click from her belt, indicating she's buckled in. "Okay, Love. Whatever you feel or hear, relax and stay calm." She nods and wraps her hand around my arm in an attempt to keep calm. I turn the truck on, the beeps singing to us as it gently shakes to life. Her hand tightens in fear. I slowly pull out of the parking spot and drive to the exit of the campgrounds. Clio looks out the window, watching the place she once called home pass her by. I hope she likes where I live. I turn on to the main road and begin driving home. I glance over, her eyes are the only thing I can see in the dark. She seems oddly calm, her grip on my arm no longer cutting off my circulation. "Clio..?" She jumps at looks at me, a smile on her face. "Sorry! I was in thought." I smile softly, the dashboard being the only thing lighting up my face. "What are you thinking about, hon?" I see her look back out the window at the trees passing by. "I don't know how to feel about leaving. I'll miss home, but I won't be near my mean sisters anymore." I have not heard of siblings before. "They all called me weak. They said I was too nice. They said I needed to be more fierce and dominating!" I quietly chuckle at that remark. "Well when I meet them, I'll be sure to tell them you nearly scared me to death when we met." I feel her hand tighten slightly then relax. "We are always supposed to be dominant and aggressive. We aren't supposed to be loving or kind a lot." I glance at her, trying to indicate I'm serious. "I rather like the loving and cuddly Clio." The heat coming from her intensifies when she hears that. "That's why I love you! You don't want me to change!" She squeezes my arm lovingly and squirms with happiness. I continue driving, occasionally looking over at her. She is fascinated by the lights and gauges on the dashboard. We finally pull into the garage at home. I turn the truck off and get out, grabbing the suitcase out of the backseat as I do so. I hear a yelp of panic and run to the opposite side of the truck. Clio attempted to get out of the truck without taking her seatbelt off. She is hanging by the seatbelt out of the truck, unable to move and helpless. I push her back into the truck and unbuckle her, showing her that she can get out now. We quietly walk into the house, Clio fascinated by everything she sees. "What do you think, Clio?" She turns to me with bright eyes. "I love it!"