A Life Renewed
Chapter 4: No Longer Alone
By: Nevermore Raven
My eyes widened to the size of saucers as they rested on the stranger, burning red irises clashing with icy blue. For a moment the tall stranger stood still, glancing at my condition. No. I feared for the worst, realizing that he has found me in my weakened state. My new opponent was standing smack in front of me as I was on my back and partially crippled. I couldn't have been more vulnerable!
My mind raced with fearful thoughts and considered my options in my panicked state. A weak whimper squeaked from my throat as I tried to sit up and scoot away from the staff-wielding fighter. To my shock, the man's countenance softened, and his posture relaxed while he set his staff to the ground. Now. Get away! My breathing quickened as I braced myself for a struggle. He was briefly distracted. I saw that as an opportunity to escape, and I flipped onto my stomach and squirmed as he glanced up in surprise and reached out to grab at my foot with a startled shout. I felt fingers close around my ankle before I started to thrash at him, yet his firm grip refused to yield to my struggling.
"Wait! I'm not going to hurt you!" His voice was young and, in some inexplicable way, soothing as it reached my small pointed ears. I felt a hand grasp around my neck, and on instinct I placed my fangs on a finger and chomped down with all my might. My tongue was rewarded with the distinctly dry and subtle flesh-like flavor of leather as the man let out a cry in pain, discovering that I was rather determined to get away.
In one swift instant, I was flipped backwards, sending my head spinning briefly, before I became pinned to the ground by his knees and forearm. The length of his black cape covered us both, draping off of his shoulders. I let out more yelps in horror, expecting something bad to happen. I was done for. A goner. Finished. I deeply regretted my decision to permanently leave my mother and pack to satisfy my urges to explore and feed my curiosities, for that decision has ultimately lead to this!
I attempted desperately to wiggle lose, but to no avail. Gingerly, a hand reached towards me a second time, remembering my nasty bite it encountered when it wasn't careful the first time. The hand slowly reached for my head and brushed it, an action that seemed awkward and unexpeted. It happened to be unusual enough to interrupt my thoughts. The man caressed me with his hand, he stroked my forehead as he spoke softly to me. Wounded and exhausted, I stared at him for a moment as I was stuck beneath him, bewildered.
What in the world was he doing? I had no choice but to listen to his speech, although I couldn't understand a single word he had spoken. Yet I could understand his mood without doubt. His tone was calm and gentle, and my panicked panting gasps calmed to a more steady breathing. The stranger got off of me. The sudden absence of his weight was somewhat relieving on my sore muscles and I warily tried to sit up, but before I could I was suddenly scooped into his embrace.
No longer having the will to fight him, I leaned into his embrace as he wrapped his arms gently around me and carried me back towards his campsite. The steady swaying motion and gentle embrace of my captor lulled my tattered body to fall into a deep sleep...
