A heads up from Pure Set:
Minor OOC on the part of Ms. Marsh and slightly parodied.
Also I visualize my stories as though they are anime; Anyone who has watched anime may know about the sweat drop.
For those that don't know, its an anime expression of a fake droplet of water slipping down a character's head, usually the backs of their heads over the hair; applied during awkward situations, for comedic effect.
Anyway I will not use the sweat drop method often, only when I can not think of another means to express an awkward moment.
Warning: Some scenes may not be stomachable to certain individuals. I'm not one to skimp too much on details... Its not Saw level or anything, but I still believe the squeamish should have fair warning.
When Dusk Falls
Chapter 4: Distance
The Monday morning came, after a relatively uneventful night, since Chloe was up all night watching over Max's peacefully sleeping frame, next to the end of the mattress.
While Max still slept, Chloe worked on washing the blood out of her clothes in the bathroom sink. Her wounds had long since healed, but she didn't feel like fighting with the bandages.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Once Max was up they went downstairs and raided the pantry for left behind food; and Max made herself some canned soup.
"Hey you want some"? Asked Max as she finished making the soup on the stove.
"Appreciate the thought but, I'm kinda on a, high protein, diet currently", replied Chloe quirking a brow, with a small playful grin. She sat back in a table chair, with her arm draping the back of it.
"Oh, right...", replied Max with a half chuckle. She shut off the stove.
She poured the soup into a bowl and grabbed a left behind spoon and sat beside Chloe.
"So, specifically, what do you eat now ? How do you get it ? Something tells me the local grocery store isn't all that interested in keeping a deli open now..."? Asked Max.
She scooped up some soup, blowing on it, then eating.
"Specifics huh ? Well, I hunt for my food like any, normal, wolf , so that leads to any wild animals. Deer, rabbits, fish, you name it, except the birds...Too many feathers, not going there again...Anyway, unlike our wild counter parts; tames prefer the normal food chain. Wilds like humans and anything they can get their fangs into. Including, each other", stated Chloe.
"Wait, they're cannibals too"? Asked Max. She paused her eating hovering her spoon over the bowl and looking to Chloe.
"Yep, since tames have claimed most of the hunting grounds and humans are rarely stupid enough to be out after dusk, uh, no offense... Anyway they'll kill and eat each other for food, to survive. They're only wild animals, like I told you last night. Sadly it hasn't thinned their number all that much...", replied Chloe idly gazing up at the ceiling as she leaned back in her chair.
"Shit, that's messed up...", mumbled Max now reconsidering breakfast.
"Yep, but what can you do ? Now how 'bout a subject change before you lose your soup"? Asked Chloe a little teasingly.
"Yes please. Um, I was surprised to see the systems were still working here, considering it's abandoned. Unless you've been paying the bills", replied Max looking to the stove.
"Hell no, people are way too fuckin' paranoid to give a Were a job. They bring silver to the interviews. So I'm a bit of a jobless deadbeat", stated Chloe.
"But at the cafe, I thought I saw you pay", stated Max curiously.
"My money is kinda like a well fare check. No idea where it comes from, but every month in the first week, I find that someone has made a deposit into my account, banks won't reveal who, but claim its legit, so I've just accepted it", replied Chloe calmly.
Max was looking down in thought about it.
"As for the cabin being operational; the tenants left recently, near the start of the month, and had apparently paid their bills prior to the decision to abandon ship. Their water and power haven't been cut off yet. Another month or so and it will be", replied Chloe casually.
"I see", replied Max. She continued eating.
"Anyway I'll walk you to school, then I've got business to take care of. Now that the big reveal of what goes bump in the night has happened, I'll trust you , to stay in your dorm tonight", stated Chloe getting up from the chair and pocketing her hands.
She looked to Max.
"I'll stay indoors don't wor- Oh shit ! Its Monday now isn't it ?! I'm going to be late for my first class"! Stated Max.
She quickly scarfed down her hot soup and poured a large glass of water down after it to douse the flames; she pounded her chest to prevent choking. Then she jumped up and tore off to the bedroom to get her things.
Chloe watched her nervously with a sweat drop. "Don't, choke", She stated awkwardly.
Max came flying back down the stairs, dressed in both jackets, snatching Chloe's arm and yanking her along with her. Chloe briefly stumbled trying to keep up. Max dragged her out the door.
"Jesus woman ! I like having my arms attached ya know"! Called Chloe a bit defensively.
"C'mon c'mon ! Keep up Fido ! Didn't you say you'd take me to school"! Urged Max.
"Yeah but I think the word, walk, got lost in translation"! Replied Chloe a little desperately.
They raced down the sidewalk heading to the Academy.
"How the hell are you keeping this pace ?! You are the least athletic person I know for Christ sake"! Called Chloe.
"Willpower"! Called Max with a determined gleam in her eyes. Chloe, once more, sweat dropped.
"You know my bike is back at the cabin, right"? Asked Chloe gesturing over her shoulder with her thumb.
"Seriously"? Asked Max abruptly stopping looking to her. But the momentum tripped them both and they hit the grass by the sidewalk partially.
Chloe landing on top of Max, holding herself up over her.
After a brief pained groan; Max's eyes shot open and she grabbed Chloe's muscle shirt collar, and pulled her in close, their faces inches apart. Chloe briefly blushed.
"Why didn't you say so earlier"!? Asked Max angrily.
"You did kinda kidnap me before I could say anything, and its ten miles that way now. Plus I did say, walk, remember ? We've got plenty of time to get you there, on time, Quasimodo; so can we not kill ourselves please" ? Stated Chloe.
"Really"? Asked Max. She looked at her watch. "Huh, really", she stated. She released Chloe's collar and Chloe got up, and helped Max stand up.
"Sorry about that", stated Max. She walked on, tugging Chloe along by the hand gently.
"Wait, shit. I left Kate in the courtyard yesterday telling her I'd be back before dusk. She's probably worried and I don't have her number yet ! I've gotta get there early and explain"! Stated Max.
"Aw fuck...", muttered Chloe face-palming.
Max took off full sprint again, dragging Chloe with her. Chloe doing a better job at keeping up.
"Again with the bloody running ! You're nuts"! Called Chloe. "Like a fox"! Stated Max determinedly. "Like a squirrel"! Chloe deadpanned. Max laughed.
"Whats the matter Balto ? Can't keep up with a fragile little hipster"? Asked Max teasingly.
"Considering this, little hipster, has just forcibly dragged a werewolf for twenty blocks straight. I'd hardly call her, fragile. As for your challenge...", stated Chloe.
She sped up her pace and now dragged Max along with her. "Lets see you keep up with the big bad wolf, little hippie"! Stated Chloe with a smirk.
Max laughed. Chloe of course wasn't using her full speed.
By the time they arrived on campus, they slowed down to a stop and were bent over, hands bracing on their knees, panting; hearts racing sweat dabbing their brows a bit.
"Well...I can cross...walking the dog off my list of chores...to do today", panted Max teasingly.
"Bite... me... Now where exactly did the walking part... come in"? Asked Chloe teasingly.
Max chuckled.
Soon, they managed to catch their breath and straightened up.
Max adjusted the strap of her camera bag, the bag of film from yesterday, still stuffed inside it.
She looked to Chloe. "Thanks for everything Chloe. Text you later"? She asked a little cautiously.
"Sure", agreed Chloe with a smile; pocketing her hands. Max's eyes seemed to light up at the friendly reply.
"Sweet ! Thanks again Chlo. Um, take care", replied Max cheerfully. She ran off to the dorms, waving back at Chloe.
Chloe closed her eyes and turned her back.
"Yes ! She's starting to warm up to me again. Wait, play it cool Max, or, cool,-ish... Don't blow it", Max whispered to herself happily.
Chloe smirked slightly, her superior hearing picking up her words. Chloe moved to walk on, when her senses picked up something.
She frowned, her eyes narrowed sharply and she paused her walking.
She glared back over her shoulder at a guy with light brown, short hair, and a red jacket, leaning against the wall of the Academy, arms crossed. He was watching her coldly.
Chloe turned around, fists clenched and she approached. Chloe stopped a few feet from him and they glared daggers into each other's eyes.
"Prescott", growled Chloe. "What're you doing here bitch, this is my turf"! He growled back.
"Got news for you Nathan, the Academy is neutral ground; just because your sugar daddy invested the most, doesn't make it yours", growled Chloe.
"You're not even a student here anymore, so I definitely have more say in it, than you do", growled Nathan.
"I wonder who's fault that is... But if you really want to talk turf, I'd be glad to", growled Chloe.
Nathan smirked. "Alright, but I'm all booked up. How 'bout I fit you in Wednesday, after school ? Now excuse me, I'd hate to be late to class. I hear a new student is starting today...", stated Nathan condescendingly with a disguised threatening tone.
Chloe furrowed her brows, picking up the threat. "Ooh, struck a nerve did I ? Ha, later, loser", he smirked and walked off. Flipping her off in a wave, as he went. Then put his hands in his jacket pockets.
Chloe watched him leave. "Bastard", growled Chloe angrily. Once he was out of range, she took out her phone and dialed, then held it to her ear and walked off campus hesitantly.
"C'mon Max...", thought Chloe urgently.
~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
"Kate can I please dry off the holy water now ? Class will start soon, we've gotta get moving", stated Max boredly.
Her eyes sarcastic and nearly indifferent as she was semi drenched, sitting in Kate's room on a chair. Her legs spread slacker style, her hands gripping the wooden seat between them. She was partially slouching.
Kate capped the bottle of holy water, humming in thought; she put it down on her desk. Then went to a cage.
"Just a couple more tests...", she replied.
"I'm not a werewolf, I stayed with a friend last night", tried Max. "Uh huh", replied Kate, not really listening.
Kate spun around, holding her bunny out in front of Max, holding it around the stomach.
"What do you want to do to my bunny Max"? Asked Kate.
"Put it through therapy... Kate seriously, do I need to do a strip tease for you, to show I wasn't bitten ? Cause I don't think your holy book would approve...", sighed Max.
"That wouldn't help your case. It would've healed by now if you had turned", stated Kate putting her bunny back in her cage.
Max gave an exasperated sigh. She looked over to the door at a tall girl leaning against it, arms crossed. She wore a black sweater and blue jeans with a bit of fraying.
"Dana, can you help me out a little here"? Asked Max desperately.
"I'm not getting involved, I'd just get viewed as an accomplice; and holy water is a bitch to dry off. Good luck though", stated Dana with a smirk, giving Max a brief thumbs up at the last part.
Max narrowed her eyes. "Gee thanks", stated Max sarcastically. "No problem", smirked Dana teasingly.
Max faced forward and jolted slightly at Kate's close proximity, staring right in her eyes, very little space between them.
"K-Kate"? Asked Max nervously.
Then without pulling away, Kate held up a silver cross. "Hold this", she instructed.
Max blinked at her, then the cross. She took hold of it and Kate studied her reaction.
"Its pure silver, your demonic flesh should be sizzling when you get so much as near it...", stated Kate.
Max was quiet, looking sarcastic with a quirked brow.
"Hmm...Perhaps I should've just used this to begin with...", mumbled Kate cupping her chin in thought, looking serious.
"Ya think"? Asked Max sarcastically. Dana covered her mouth and muffled a laugh.
Max felt her phone vibrate and snapped out of it, glancing to her pocket. She took out her phone standing up and answering; handing Kate her cross back.
"Hey Chlo, whats up ? Miss me already"? Max teased.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Chloe breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the voice on the other end. "Oh yeah I couldn't bear a whole ten minutes without you dweeb. Now on to the threat", stated Chloe.
"Threat"? Max's voice questioned.
"Look, you need to be careful Max, theres a guy going to your class; short brown hair, light, white boy, red jacket, black jeans, white and black shirts, total asshole. Avoid him", stated Chloe.
"You know theres like a hundred guys going here, and brunette is a common hair color right ? Don't get me started on the clothing...", replied Max skeptically.
"Look, his name is Nathan Prescott, your friend, Kate or anyone else you've met will know him, he's-... Listen, he was a major asshole when I was going to this school; his dad practically bought the place. He got me expelled cause I wouldn't let him have his way with me-um not, like that...Shit, Max just keep your distance from him...", stated Chloe.
She trailed off a bit, and grew silent looking down, closing her eyes partially, she wasn't smiling...
"...And maybe... from me too...for your own good...", stated Chloe quietly. She looked away.
"Wait, what was that last-"? Max tried. Chloe closed her eyes and pressed end call, cutting the photographer off.
She held the phone out in front of her, looking down at it solemnly. She sighed and scrolled through contacts, clicking on Max, scrolling down the page, she activated the block contact option.
Then she clicked off her phone, pocketing it. She stuffed her hands into her pockets and looked back at the school toward the dorms; then closed her eyes again, facing forward and walking off.
"She's better off...Everyone that gets close to me dies or gets hurt...The distance will take her off Nathan's radar...", mumbled Chloe solemnly.
She crossed the street and walked into the forest.
Once hidden from view, she turned into her Dire Wolf form, briefly slowing to a halt, with one final glance back at the school.
Then she broke into a run, disappearing into the woods; the bushes rustling as she brushed passed them.
~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Max redialed Chloe's number for the third time anxiously. She held her phone in front of herself, checking her texts that read, message failed to deliver. Max looked at it solemnly.
"Maybe she turned it off"? Suggested Kate. "Wouldn't she still get voice mail though"? Asked Dana. "Thats...true...", replied Kate, she looked at Max sympathetically.
Max clicked off her phone, closing her eyes and slowly pocketed it. Her heart beat thickly in her chest and her stomach felt twisted with worry.
Max looked over at the couch in Kate's room, at the black leather jacket draped over the arm of it. She slowly approached and picked it up; holding it in her hands looking lost and sad.
"Oh...um here, Max", Kate spoke up. She went over to her dresser and root through the drawers, taking out a towel; she draped it over Max's shoulders, partially patting it down and rubbing it to dry Max off a bit.
"...Thanks, Kate...", Max replied quietly.
Dana approached, helping Kate. "Hey don't sweat it Max, maybe she just needs some time. Try and cheer up", encouraged Dana.
"How's five years for time ? ...Face it, its over...I screwed up...", replied Max quietly.
Kate and Dana finished up and watched Max sympathetically.
Max made her way to her bag and picked it up. She straightened up a bit and looked at Chloe's jacket again.
After a couple minutes of angst thoughts . Max narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
She half turned to look at Dana and Kate.
"Do you two know a guy named Nathan Prescott"? Asked Max.
Dana and Kate looked uneasy, glancing at each other, then back at Max.
~oOo~~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~
Chloe padded through the woods, looking down in thought; her pointed ears alert to every sound around her.
She paused and shook her long, golden brown fur out and dipped her head down, sniffing at some deer tracks.
Then she rose her head up and sniffed the air as she looked around.
She lowered her head suddenly, and crouched a bit, staring off to her upper left and slowly she quietly walked; wary of where she placed her massive paws.
After some stealthy tracking...
Chloe crouched low behind a wall of leafy bushes, completely concealing herself, despite being taller than even a tall, grown man. Her eyes narrowed, looking up a bit.
A rack of antlers rose up behind the bushes as a buck lifted it's head, chewing some wild plants as it's ear twitched and it looked around.
Chloe closed her eyes, steadying her adrenaline, then they snapped open and she lunged, clearing the bushes height with ease.
The buck staggered back a step in alarm looking to her, but the massive Dire Wolf landed on it's back with her fore paws, thrusting the large herbivore down on it's side. Before it could complain, jaws clamped around it's neck.
It gave a gravelly thick squeal of agony and fear. Chloe turned her head swiftly and a loud deep crack sounded and the buck fell limp and silent, eyes open and un-moving.
Chloe released it's torn throat, and pulled back, stepping back into her full dire height, looking at the lifeless beast below her; grass strands still around the edges of it's mouth, it's tongue lolling out slightly.
Chloe was panting, her shoulders heaving with each breath. Blood around her muzzle, slowly dripping.
Chloe's eyes closed partially. She turned back to her human form, getting off her hands and sitting back on the grass, one knee bent, an arm draping over it.
She looked stoic as she gazed at the lifeless animal before her, blood still sliding down her chin from her mouth, dripping on to her white muscle shirt.
She slowly reached her hand up to her beanie, taking it off and dropping it aside, so she could slowly run her fingers through her messy blue hair. Then she simply held her hand to her forehead, bracing the elbow on her bent knee.
She sat there quietly, watching the un-moving body next to her. She dropped her hand from her forehead, letting her arm drape over her knee again.
She looked up at the sky through the scattered leaves of the towering trees surrounding her.
She watched a blue jay fly over; wings flapping fast as it crossed the sky. Her thoughts drifting to Max.
Chloe looked down, then she got up, changing into her hybrid form and picking up the buck, hoisting the large mammal over her shoulder, holding it with the same arm it draped over. Her other hand grabbed her beanie and she walked off, carrying her prey easily.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Max walked to class with Kate and Dana, once more wearing Chloe's jacket. She still looked down, when Dana nudged her arm, she snapped out of it and looked to the cheerleader; who simply gestured to a guy across the campus, brown hair, red jacket, black jeans.
Max looked and registered his appearance. He was leaning against the railing of the entrance steps, talking to a blonde short haired girl, with a navy cashmere sweater. They were talking in depth about something.
"Behold, the King and Queen, Nathan and Victoria. Avoid eye contact if you want to keep yours in your head", whispered Dana warningly. Max instantly averted her eyes and swallowed nicely.
"Careful Max, they can smell fear too", whispered Juliet suddenly coming up next to her.
Max jolted slightly and looked to the light brown haired reporter, now next to her. Juliet gave her a teasing wink and pat her on the shoulder.
Dana snickered quietly.
"Be nice you two, you're going to scare her, saying things like that", Kate scolded gently.
The two taller girls chuckled lightly. "Yes Kate~ We're sorry~", they replied playfully.
"Thats better", affirmed Kate.
They got closer to the doors.
Max felt Kate nudge her arm a bit and looked to her. Kate casually slipped a silver chained necklace, with a silver cross on it, into her hand. Max looked at it and sweat-dropped.
Kate paley blushed in hidden embarrassment. "Just in case though...", she whispered.
"...Um, thanks...", replied Max. Kate gave her a thumbs up with a determined gleam in her eye. "I've also have an extra vial of holy water with me if you'd like it", she stated.
Max sweat-dropped again.
"I-I think I'm, good, thanks", replied Max awkwardly. Dana and Juliet laughed.
Max looked to the thick chained necklace and intricate silver cross that was the length of her pinky; an amethyst was in the center of the cross, with Austrian crystal circling the purple gem in a loop.
"It is really pretty though", stated Max with a smile. She offered it back to Kate, who took it and pulled her into a stop. Dana and Juliet paused and looked back at the duo.
Max was looking surprised as Kate brushed aside her short brown hair and put the chain around Max's neck and hooked it on.
"Then wear it Max, it will protect you", replied Kate cheerfully. "A-Are you sure"? Asked Max.
"Yes I'am. Now come on, lets get going", replied Kate. She walked on briefly pulling Max by the hand. The group continued on their way. Max tucked the necklace under her shirt.
"Thanks Kate", Max smiled. "You're welcome", Kate beamed.
They neared the entrance to Blackwell and climbed the steps. Dana and Juliet closed their eyes, looking irritated as they passed the two rulers. Kate looked down, eyes closed, with a non confrontational, but unfazed posture.
Max just kept her eyes forward as they passed the now, no longer conversing duo.
She stole a glance back at them and saw they were watching her, eyes narrowed. Nathan smiled at her, but it looked more threatening than casual.
Max looked ahead again, looking down as they entered the school. She still felt their eyes burrowing into her back; the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she placed a hand over them, uneasily.
They stopped in the main hall in front of the Principle's office. Max zipped up Chloe's jacket pocketing her hands; feeling a chill in the heated school.
She glanced to the side at Nathan and Victoria walking passed, watching her again; then closing their eyes smugly and facing away from her.
Max couldn't possibly explain why she felt cold so suddenly...
"Alright Max, whats your first class"? Asked Dana.
Max snapped from her unsettled daze and looked to Dana again. "World history", replied Max calmly.
"Same here, I'll show you to the class, come on", stated Juliet locking arms with Max and walking off, dragging her along.
"See you two at lunch"! Called Juliet waving back at Dana and Kate, who returned the wave as they watched Max being kidnapped and dragged around the corner.
"Ah ! Hey ! Easy on the leather"! Called Max as she disappeared from view.
"You say that like it's yours", replied Juliet. "It is until the owner comes back and takes it from me. Preferably intact", replied Max.
Juliet laughed.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Chloe was on the hunt again, stalking rabbits for a snack, since the buck was to be preserved for another time.
She was in dire form, crouching, hackles up, ready to sprint. Her tail twitched as she stared through a gap in the foliage obscuring her.
She watched the three rabbits hop around and sniff at the grass; one nibbling the green strands, another reared to it's haunches, front paws to it's chest, big ears erect and twitching.
After a moment the reared up rabbit settled and flattened it's ears.
Chloe's piercing blue eyes narrowed behind her blue tipped bangs of her fur.
She ripped through the bushes full sprint, the bunnies were alarmed and ran.
Chloe clamped her jaws around the closest's mid-section and stepped on the second's back with a light snap sound, both limp.
She released the one in her jaws and leaped over them cutting off the third's retreat, grabbing it's scruff and shaking it; then threw it to the grass. It lay limply next to the other two.
Chloe panted lightly, licking her chops a little. She shook her fur out and approached the bodies, laying down and pulling them apart with her fangs. Starting her breakfast.
Once she finished, leaving the bones. She got up and shook the grass and dirt from her under coat and walked on; padding through the forest, wary of her surroundings, ears twitching to all small sounds.
The birds tweeting cheerfully as though they hadn't just watched bunny genocide a few minutes ago...
She came across a small river and headed over to it, scoping out the area; then she dipped her head down for a drink, lapping up the cool, refreshing liquid.
Then her ears twitched at splashing sounds. She glanced up, raising her head at ripples in the water. The water dripping off her snout.
She saw a trout leap out of the water and splash back down, followed by a couple others.
Her cool blue irises fixated on the fish in the gentle river.
Chloe calmly walked closer to the trout, near the waterfall. She stayed on the dirt shore and stopped, sitting down; watching them swim around and jump.
She curled her tail around herself, listening to the pounding and spray of the falls alongside the splashing of the fish.
She contemplated doing some fishing and increasing her preserved food stock.
Though her thoughts were interrupted.
Her ears twitched at the rustle of bushes and she stood up, baring her fangs, eyes sharp, head lowered, ears back; body tense.
The sound of swift thumping from something heavy charging, accompanied the massive grizzly making a beeline for Chloe.
Chloe growled a warning, her fur bristled angrily.
It ignored her warning, continuing to charge her, closing the gap.
Chloe stood her ground and met the burly beast's challenge.
She evaded it's ram and bit into it's shoulder. It hollered out, pushing her back, lunging at her.
She ducked and dove her jaws at it's unguarded throat. She barely sunk her fangs in, before it's giant paw swiped her.
Chloe staggered back with claw marks on her cheek and attacked again. The bear followed and snapped it's jaws; she bit it's leg. It roared and reared up.
She released it's leg and snarled up at it, fangs bared, blood coating the tips of her front most canines.
It tried to slam it's body weight down on her and she agilely moved aside and lunged, throwing her own body weight into the bear's side; making it stagger back .
Then it swiped at her again, fast.
It caught her in the side and the force threw her to the ground in a roll.
She smacked into the rocky cliff side by the falls and slowly, cringing slightly, she stood up again. Shaking away her disorientation.
She heard it running and roaring at her. She looked to it in time to see it rear back, in a second maul attempt.
Chloe snarled viciously at it and speedily closed the gap between them, tackling the creature backward on to it's back with enough force, that they rolled together a couple times. Both ended up on the ground.
Chloe recovered first and jumped on to the downed beast, biting it's chest.
It roared and slammed it's paw into her hard, knocking her off of it. Chloe hit the ground hard but rolled back up to her paws instantly.
The bear charged her again, swiping with it's claws.
Chloe snapped her jaws on it's paw. It roared and swiped with the other.
Chloe changed to hybrid, keeping her jaws clamped on it's paw, and stopping it's other one, with her clawed hand.
She glared up at the semi reared bear from under her bangs.
She saw the hesitation in it's eyes as she began standing up, matching it's reared height and surpassing it slowly.
The bear looked as though it had figured out it had picked the wrong fight. Chloe glared down into it's eyes as though she was confirming, that it did choose the wrong opponent.
Her free hand came up fast as she released it's paw, and swiped it hard in a curved uppercut to it's maw.
The force threw the bear to the ground beside her.
She tensed her claws and faced it. The bear looked like it was caught in the headlights as it tried to get it's bearings, before it tried to roll to it's paws.
No sooner did it stand up, did Chloe ram into it's side in dire form and knock it over again.
It hit the ground hard in a brief slide and Chloe chased it down; stepping on to it's neck, applying pressure and pinning it.
The bear writhed a little and struggled. Chloe had her ears back and lowered her face to it's own, her fangs bared.
Their eyes locked and Chloe growled lowly and threateningly. The bear slowly stopped struggling, fear over taking it.
Chloe glared down at the helpless carnivore and moved to finish it off...
When she paused... Catching a strange scent on it's body. Chloe recognized that fish weren't it's only interest.
She growled at the bear and released it from the pin, stepping back from it; before shaking her fur out and calmly walking down stream.
The bear rolled to it's paws and got up slowly, watching Chloe leave.
Soon, a bear cub ran over and hid underneath the grizzly. The bear shook it's own fur out and nuzzled the cub, before wading into the water to go fishing.
Chloe had put a good deal of distance between her and the bears. She watched the water and saw more swimming fish as she padded alongside the river.
She slowed to a stop and sniffed the air around her, checking for more fish lovers nearby.
She only scented the pine on the breeze and damp forest soil.
Chloe sat down next to the river watching the fish, looking lost in thought.
She curled her tail around herself; and calmly listened to the gentle sloshing of waves folding into one another, and the birds calling to each other in the forest.
A soft wind combed her fur as she watched her reflection shimmer with tiny waves in the water below.
The drifting clouds reflected behind her...
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
~A note from Pure Set~
Okay chapter 4, done. Hope you enjoyed~
Let me know your thoughts in a review if you so choose.
Also, all credit of the wonderful cover image for this story, goes to AthenaAsa on . Please take a look at their art, you won't be disappointed~
Thank you for reading and for all of the positive feedback , its kept me going on the typing.
Chapter 5 will also be a long one, packed full of- Well, you'll just have to wait to find out, but you shouldn't be disappointed~
Also on a side note, yes I over-exaggerate Kate's religious side for comedy, I thought it would be better to have her happy and a tasteful form of comic relief, while retaining her sweetness, rather than...Not being so.
Hope you do not mind.
Also, sorry about the, detailed hunting trip.
This story is rated M for a reason, and that would be the somewhat graphical violence in it...
This is the tip of the ice berg my friends... Much more to come...