The lost secrets

Chapter 22: Escape

Mary's fur stood straight up as she stared at Sasha. Sasha's fur had lots of dried blood stuck in it and Mary could tell she was in a great deal of pain. The two slowly circled each other and snarled fiercely. Sasha was taking in Mary's size and weight. Clearly she hasn't fought before, thought Sasha smugly as she noted Mary's sloppy footing. Sasha quickly knew she could take Mary on and kill her, even though she herself had been badly injured by Clive. She was grateful that her warriors stepped in when they did because she knew she would have been a goner if they had left her for a few seconds longer with him.

 While Sasha was briefly distracted in her thoughts, Mary jumped her. Mary recalled what The Boss had taught her in her last lesson, 'the element of surprise is the key to any kill,' he had said. Sasha was taken by surprise and knocked off balance for a few seconds. She regained her balance and clawed at Mary's face. Sasha missed Mary by inches. Mary once again took advantage and grabbed her other back leg, the one that wasn't wounded by the fight with The Boss.  Sasha's body smashed into the floor as she lost her footing. She howled in frustration at being taken down by this newbie. Sasha re-positioned herself and flung herself at Mary who was in midair and about to jump attack her. This time Sasha's claws collided with Mary's side and Mary hit the ground with enough force to daze her slightly.  

Sasha's fangs sunk into her side and Mary howled in pain and agony. Mary's blood stained the bear rug in Sasha's office. Sasha ran to the back wall and used it to spring off. Her wounded back leg hindered her slightly, giving Mary a chance to get out of the way. Mary panted deeply and bit Sasha's already wounded leg. Her blood flowed dark as Sasha screamed. Sasha swung round but she had been immobilized by Mary's bite to her wounded leg. Sasha knew she couldn't get out of the way of another attack so she bared her teeth and watched Mary sprint towards her. Sasha analyzed her moves and anticipated what Mary was going to do. Sasha swiftly ducked under Mary's sloppy attack. Mary knew Sasha was immobilized and wounded. Mary also knew she wasn't skilled enough to fully take down Sasha. Mary guessed that Sasha probably knew she was going to jump so she made it worth her while. As Sasha ducked, Mary tucked her head in and smashed through the window. It was dark outside.

What Mary wasn't anticipating was the 3 story drop out the window. She fell down the side wall of the building and the snowy ground rushed up to meet her. 

THUMP!

***

Meg woke up to find Liam and The Boss still sleeping. Jake was next to her but he was blinking slowly and starting to wake up. It was pitch dark outside. Jake motioned to a wolf sleeping in the corner. It was a she-wolf and probably one of Sasha's warrior wolves. She looked young and badly wounded. "Why is she here?" asked Jake in a wolf whisper as to not wake the others. Meg shrugged in response and immediately regretted it as pain shot through her body. She carefully stood up and motioned for Jake to follow. 

They left the house and stepped outside. A blanket of snow covered the battle scene from last night. Meg was grateful that it had stopped snowing. Jake walked a bit further and then dropped onto the snow and rolled around in it trying to rid himself of the blood smell in his fur. Meg did the same because the stale smell of blood on her fur was making her slightly nauseous. Jake stood up and Meg knew he was still in lots of pain. She stood up and her body cried out in protest as well. "Let's go find Mary," uttered Jake. "Yes let's go," agreed Meg. 

The pair walked on into the night. Meg created a mental map in her brain and followed it. She hoped her instincts were correct. Jake panted painfully next to her, his breathing was fast and labored. Meg knew this was tough for him and that he was doing it because he truly cared for Mary. Meg had seen it in his eyes when he saw her for the first time and when he was comforting her. She had also seen him pull the blankets carefully over Mary. Jake truly loved and cared for Mary and Meg knew it even if he didn't want to admit it. "Jake?" asked Meg. "Yeah?" he answered softly. "Do you truly like Mary?" she questioned earnestly. Jake looked at her and then at the snowy floor, eventually he answered. "Yes I really do, she means everything to me." His voice was soft and hurt. Meg knew he wondered if she was okay, Meg wondered too.  

Soon they arrived at the building. They stayed quietly in the bushes and watched. Meg caught a whiff of blood through her highly specified senses. It was Sasha's blood as far as Meg could tell. She glanced over at Jake who was also sniffing the air, he motioned for Meg to follow him. He rounded the building and came to the far side of it. Meg looked up and noticed a broken window above her. Suddenly Jake whimpered and nodded towards a limp figure in the snow. Meg rushed over to the body. It was Mary. Jake rushed to Mary's side and licked her head affectionately. Mary didn't move. Meg listened for a heartbeat. 

Meg looked at Jake and whined sadly, Meg hadn't been able to detect a heartbeat...