Shelter of Ice

Chapter 3. Ayaana: 'Run'

Within few minutes of walk from our burrow I almost reached Cupun. He is wearing a sand colour coat. And as always has his ropes and other gear for traps, besides the daggers and light axes. If we fail to catch something big, then at least we will eat some rodents. Probably...

"Morning" said Cupun. "So, it's just us this time" he smiled. That boy tries hard to be liked by us. Maybe that is his problem? I feel uncomfortable because his politeness seems a bit fake. Or maybe because he so often is nervous around us? Well, except around Mirain. He is one hard person to figure out... So I just nodded, agreeing to his statement.

Now we were both walking. Keeping distance from one another. He was about 100 meters on my right side. If one of us were to be attacked the other would have some time either to distract the freaks, or run away. Depending on the situation. Also, when we keep some distance, then there is less noise. And no talking! In this beautiful silence we move to west. For the past few months of traveling we are keeping range not too far from the river. Even thou it is dangerous to be close to it all the time (because not only animals, but the freaks also come for the water) about an hour walk from it seems to be safe for us so far.

But. The silence is different now... I slowly stop. Freeze, to be exact. Try not to make a sound while searching for any of them. The birds are quiet. That could mean a lot of things. But I fear only one. I slowly try to turn my head to the left side. Nothing there. Nothing is moving. I look for couple moment more and then slowly move my head to the right side. I see Cupun. He also froze in place but just a bit further than where I am. My eyes are tracking every tree, every bush and grass on the right side. And the I notice. It is it. CRAP.

In all it's glory. The freak. Standing maybe 800 meters away from us. The human like figure of what it was before. Tall one. Expressive rib cage. Muscular hands that end with sharp long bones as fingers at the end. And the mouth. That grotesque split from one ear hole to another, revealing all teeth which seemed to be longer than humans. I could not see all the characteristic features from this distance, but my memory painted pretty clear picture. My heart started pounding fast. You can never get rid of fear for them. I know what is the most logical action plan now, what I have to do... But what I want is to run away from here. I want it not to notice me. I want to be in a safe place... Damn it. Ok, focus... Is it alone?... Seconds pass painfully slowly while trying to see if there is only one giant threat or more... But I see nothing. Only thing I noticed is it's waist. Slim. SLIM. Means it is hungry. But it did not notice us. Yet.

Without making any movement I try to show Cupun with my eyes where is it. He noticed it. You can almost see how the gears in his head started moving – what to do? But there is only one thing to do and we both know it... We have to distract it and lead it further away from our hideout. The freak is too close. It will reach our family in no time. I see that my hunting partner thinks the same. We lock eyes. I slowly show him the direction where we will lead the monster – south. Cupun nods.

"A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A!" he shouts seeking attention and the freak immediately starts running his direction. But Cupun still stands his ground. WHAT IS HE DOING?! In a moment freak is near him, and Cupun strikes it with a light axe in the chest. Which did nothing... Freak grabbed him and opened its jaws for a bite...

"HEY!" I shouted and it jumped my direction. It's a good thing that they are easily distracted. The last thing I saw was Cupun climbing a tree using light axes. And then I bolted. No looking back. I ran straight were my nose pointed. Breathing of the freak behind me and occasional air biting nearby really gave me 'inspiration' to run faster.

Ok, let's give it some obstacles. I take off water bag and throw it behind me. It did not stumble at all. Not much of difference, huh? So I unfasten the belt vest with bigger daggers and two axes and throw it behind me. The freak shrieks in weird sound. But the steps did not fall behind. Ah, screw you! I take off my coat and throw it behind. It ,apparently, does bare minimum too. RUN! RUN RUN! At his point I do not know how or if I'm breathing. I can not feel my legs. Just know that they are moving... I need to make some distance with this freak now! With that thought I head to the fallen tree that is leaning on another tree and forming some sort of barrier. JUMP OVER OR SLIDE UNDER?! Damn it, I can not think properly. So I keep on running straight forward to it until the last moment... I jump over the fallen tree and right after me the freak crashes into it. Without looking back, I keep on running because this will win me only few seconds. RUN!

And here it is! The reason why I lead it to south. A strait. Some time ago I saw that underneath there is a river bend about 500 meters down. And the other side of the edge...probably 10 meters distance jump. If I'm lucky I will make it. And if I'm lucky – the freak won't. It is very close behind me again. Fast son of a... But the strain is near. Just have to push a little more. AND JUMP! –

Feels as if my stomach will fly out. The other edge is so close and so far at the same time. And I crash right into it. The air went out of my lungs. Gasping for air I try to grab anything to pull myself up. But that bastard yanked me by the leg and I almost fall off. I manage to pull myself up either way. And run again. Do not know where is it. Did it fell after grabbing me? Is it climbing back up? Doesn't matter. I keep on running...

I seem to be running forever. Even the scenery looks different – here are a lot more pines and moss. So much moss.... I do not hear it behind me since we passed river. I start to slow down. And in a moment, I'm already on my knees. Burying my hands in this soft moss. My lungs are on fire and freezing all at once. I try to catch my breath but all I can do is cough. I'm... so... noisy... Shut... up... Ayaana... My body tries to restart after all this running. As I still am catching my breath, I realize that something is breathing as heavily right near me. FUCK.