New World Order

Chapter 38: Bloodclaw Territory Pt. 2

"We'll have to rest here for the night," John said stopping and leaning against a tree.

"Thank god," Katherine said, taking a seat beside John. Both of them leaned against the tree, eyes closed from exhaustion. Katherine then opened her eyes to the now setting sun in front of her. 'It had to be almost 4 or 5'o'clock.' Katherine thought.

Her raced in her chest not just from the exhaustion of running none stop, but the excitement of freedom and safety that waited for her. She just only hoped and prayed John knew what he was doing and where they were going.

"What do you think it's like?" Katherine asked out of the blue.

John opened his eyes and raised a confused eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the underground hideout. The safe haven." Katherine further implied looking at John.

John glanced over at her then looked at the afternoon sky ahead. "I'm not sure. I'm just hoping we get there in one piece." Katherine nodded her head in agreement.

"I just hope my parents and my brother are there," Kathrine said, voicing her thoughts out loud.

John looked over and gave her a curious look. "You have a family?" He asked her as if it was a foreign concept to him. Something he hasn't heard in a while. "I just figured your family was dead or something." Katherine looked over at him and John quickly gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry."

Katherine shook her head and sighed. "It's fine. Most people just assume that these days. Huh?" Katherine removed her back from the tree now sitting up straight with her legs cross. Her fingers grazed the dirty snow as she thought of what to say next. "I haven't seen my family in months. Well my sister I haven't seen in years, but then I saw her at the Winter Moon festival."

Katherine said as tears began to form in her eyes. John turned to her fully, watching her as she told her story. "I never got to say good-bye to my parents or brother, but I wasn't given the opportunity with her." Katherine then stopped messing with the snow on the ground and looked at John with glossy eyes. "Saying good-bye is the worst feeling ever."

John glanced over at her then at the ground. "I'm sorry." Was all John could say. "Why don't we keep moving." He suggested standing to his feet then held out his hand to Katherine. She nodded then took his hand standing to her feet.

"Where do you suggest we go now?" Katherine said, wiping tears from her eyes.

John looked around then back at Katherine. "Well according to what Henry told me-"

HOOWWLL!

John and Katherine froze in their place. Their hearts lurched in her chest. The breath felt like it was knocked out of Katherine's lungs. Her hand clenched John's arm in fear as she franticly looked around the woods surrounding them.

"I-Is that...oh god," Katherine whispered.

"It is...." John said looking around. "And it sounds close. We need to move. Now." John said, looking down at Katherine. Katherine nodded her head as she followed John through the trees.

John's grip on Katherine's hand was strong as he pulled her through the never-ending sea of trees. Their hearts raced in adrenaline as they ran for their lives.

HOOWWLL!

"Oh my god," Katherine said, looking back as she heard another terrifying howl. 

"Just keep running, Katherine!" John said, pulling her along with him.

Katherine continued to run until suddenly she felt something tug at her foot. Soon she found her colliding with the ground hard followed by a bone-chilling sound of a 'crack' and 'pop'.