Characters: Elena Gabriella Véga, Julia Matthews, Blue Eyes, Ash, Caesar, Rory, Piper, Lorenzo, Milo, Cornelia

Rating: PG-13

Romance, Humor, Violence

The scene that the ending part is inspired from is from my original story that I wrote a year ago of an old concept of my story "The Cradle" of my character Malerie Anderson when she is in the outskirts of the Acres Asylum doing an investigation of her ancestors death. And Malerie is all alone and manages to make it to the asylum dealing with her own wounds before slipping off into sleep, and awakens of pure, worried eyes staring at her.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Never Wander

"So what do you guys do in your Colony?" Ash suddenly signed to us, it has already been three days. Three days of nothing uneventful, and a calm atmosphere. Today was our fourth day.

"Well, In two months I'll be at the schooling system and then as soon as I turn eighteen and graduate senior year, I'll be committed as a medic for the Colony, someone who aids people. Though I'll be a junior this year" Julia explained, Ash was in all interested in her, awhile Blue Eyes faced me, our relationship has gotten better in the course of four days, which I was surprised. Blue Eyes finally wasn't so tense anymore and on guard.

"What about you Lena?" He signed and I grinned, "I just finished the junior year of schooling system. I'll be eighteen next month, and then the next month January I'll be a senior. As soon as I graduate I'll be committed in security, you have to have good stamina, hand to hand combat, and experience with a gun" I explained, and Blue Eyes seemed intrigued.

"What do you two do here? To provide for your village?" Julia asked, and Blue Eyes explained, "Well both Ash and I are hunters, and soldiers, also council members. Also, already done with schooling which is a yay. Though as soon as I become a certain age I'll be next in line to be in command of the village".

"So your pretty much like a prince then?" I asked, and he nodded "You could say that..." For the past few days, Julia has been writing in her journal non-stop, about our experience here. And I finally gave in and decided to do the video document last night.

"Oh Blue Eyes! I can't believe I forgot this, but can I go see your father?" I asked, and he looked at me confused, "For what?".

"Lena and I want to thank him, for letting us stay" Julia pronounced, and Ash and Blue Eyes looked at each other.

"You can come to dinner tonight" Ash insisted, and Julia smiled at him, "Thanks, that'll be nice".

Later on, Blue Eyes and I walked along the lake. I was starting to feel not be so weirded out by the apes no more, they seemed normal.

"So what's happening in your village right now" I said to start a conversation, and Blue Eyes began to sign, "Alright, though a lot of the apes are not happy that you two are here, especially Koba. Also, both my mother and father have been bothering me if I found someone yet" I looked at him curiously "A mate?" He nodded.

I laughed quietly, "I think most parents are like that, wondering if there's a special someone in there children's life" Blue Eyes smiled slightly as he took a glimpse at me, "Well, to me when you find the one, the person you really like. Appreciate them, and don't take advantage of them, let that person know you love her everyday of your commitment to them...".

That made my heart skip a beat, and the sound was the waves from the lake. Blue Eyes knew how to treat a girl right. I turned to Blue Eyes as I grinned, "Guess your gonna have girls swarm all over you then" I joked, and Blue Eyes chuckled.

"I already do, but from the ones I met, they're not the one" He finished, as he stared at me with his ice, blue eyes. And I looked at his human like face, and I smiled. I was into him, which is odd, you can't start falling for someone in just four days almost.

I was hesitant to be in a relationship again though, after when Tanner and I broke up. We were both friends now. I was still stingy and stubborn about dating. That's why I focused on what the school offered in the Colony, and so I closed down my dating life. Though, even I promised myself that, I was starting to go against it. Since I was staring to fall for Blue Eyes.

He wasn't the little asshole he was. He actually had a pure personality that I found attractive. He made me feel that I didn't have to hide my heart no more from others. I blinked a few times.

Again, I didn't even know Blue Eyes for that long, and I'm letting him have such an effect on me. I was snapped out of my thoughts when Blue Eyes touched my shoulder, and hooted quietly as signed, "Also, there has been more recent activity in wild animals; Mountain Lions, Bears, and wolves".

"Oh my!" I said humorously, and Blue Eyes looked at me weird. He didn't get it of course since it was from an old movie.

Once we got back to the campsite, Ash and Julia were signing together till Ash caught sight of me, "Hey Lena Beana!" I rolled my eyes at the ridiculous nickname he gave me, so I lightly shoved him on his shoulder, " Sup' dork" I replied.

Then a young female ape came walking up. She was smaller than both Ash and Blue Eyes, light brown fur that was blended with black which made it look like she had an auburn fur tone. And her skin was light tan, and her fur was clean, and smoothed back. And her eyes were glistening with ivy green mixed with flecks of gold and light brown.

Behind her was a smaller ape, perhaps around Milo's age he had a chimpanzee appearance, but smaller than Milo. He contained light brown fur that was mixed with a dark brown, light tanned skin, and bright, curious green eyes that was a emerald color and flecks of light green.

The young ape stayed behind her shyly, peaking out every once an awhile.

"I thought your Dad said you weren't supposed to be around the humans?" Ash signed, and the young female smirked, "I'm a rebel!" She said clearly, which surprised me much. I thought Blue Eyes and Caesar were the only ones who could talk, besides Milo.

"So you must be the humans these two dorks have been talking about" She signed to us, and we nodded.

"What's your name?" Julia asked, and the female looked at her, "Rory, though...it's Aurora" I can see why she was named that, her eyes brightened in a way like Aurora lights in the night sky "My name is Julia and this is my friend Lena, glad to meet you" Julia said friendly, and Rory's gaze went to her hair, "Your hair is so..." Her hands trailed off, "Wild? though it looks neat with the light orange, and platinum blonde. It's like a golden sunrise of dawn".

Julia smiled at Rory "Oh, why thank you!" Rory faced me, "Blue Eyes have said a lot of lovely things about you".

I smirked as I looked at Blue Eyes, "Oh really and what was that?" Rory began to sign, "He said that the freckles on your face are beautiful and-" Blue Eyes interrupted "Rory!" He spoke, and she snickered along with Julia and I.

"Okay, sorry, sorry, so you you two ready for the hunt in two days?" Blue Eyes and Ash nodded, and Julia looked at them, "What game will you two be hunting?".

"Elk, we've been keeping an eye on a herd that is near the hunting grounds" Ash replied, Julia was actually interested. Believe it or not, but along with Julia's lighthearted and fiery personality that blended so well, she was an excellent Hunter. Better than me actually. Though her fiery personality only came along when she hunted...or when someone really ticks her off, which was rare!

Julia demonstrated her ability about two days ago when Ash let her borrow his weapon, and she caught a young buck.

"Anyway's whose the little cutie right there?" Julia pointed out as she nodded towards the younger chimp who squeaked in surprise and Rory giggles quietly.

"My little brother Lorenzo" She announced awhile smiling at the smaller ape.

As soon as Rory, Ash, Lorenzo and Blue Eyes left. Julia decided to write in her journal for a bit, awhile I caught something from the corner of my eyes.

The figure disappeared fast in the bushes, and out of pure curiosity which was stupid I walked to the brush that was deep in the forest. I started to feel uneasy and I looked back to the tent that Julia was in, and sprinted off in the brush, to see who was watching us, and it wasn't an ape.

I braced myself to whatever what was watching myself and Julia. Without even looking to what was behind me, I felt such impact as I was slammed into tree.

The impact was so terrible, that I felt immense pain on the left side of my body. I whimpered as I forced myself to sit up, and I couldn't help, but feel myself wanting to scream in pain as I saw the material of my shirt ripped off as it showed three slash marks on my shoulder. The blood was oozing and fresh, still bleeding. And it was such terrible pain.

I looked forward and saw a Mountain Lion. Pacing from side to side, as it hissed. I had two options right now.

If I run, it will kill me.

If I stay, it will still kill me.

I had to make the choice quick, I couldn't scream for help since the animal would become irritated and will attack me again.

I saw the tree I was slammed against, and trying to ignore the pain of my shoulder. I dug my fingers into the bark of the tree and began to climb up. Though I didn't even make it till I felt the predator slash its claws into the calf and tear the skin, and I couldn't help but scream this time. My scream echoed through the forest, hoping someone would hear.

I used my left leg and kicked the mountain lion in the face, as I made it up at least three branches. I didn't want to look at the fresh wound on my right leg. Though I began to shake real bad from the pain. I tore of a piece of my shirt to create a tourniquet around my calf to at least stop the bleeding.

The Mountain lion was pacing back and forth again, trying to climb up the tree. I should've stayed in the campsite, and not wander over here, which is what I seriously regretted considering the situation I was in.

No POV~

Blue Eyes heard her screams tear through his head in the village. He ran out of the home tree with his father as they both glanced around as every ape was startled by the blood curdling scream.

Without even thinking, Blue Eyes knew whose scream that was. So he mounted on his horse and rode off. With his father and a few other apes close by his side, the first place he stopped by was the campsite, and he saw Julia running. Though she saw him, "Blue Eyes! It's Lena!".

Caesar signed to one of the apes that followed him and Blue Eyes, "Stay here, with her" and rode off with his son.

As they continue to ride, the Mountain lion is what caught their eye. And the young girl who was up in a tree with her shirt torn, and had the look of immense pain.

Blue Eyes felt a sting of protectiveness. He didn't even hesitant as he leaped at the Mountain lion and stabbed it with the dagger he's made.

Lena's POV~

The pain felt like it dwelled away slightly. Though I was shocked and frightened at the same time as Blue Eyes massacred the lion in such rage, his face softened as he looked up at me, and quickly helped me down as I limped on my good leg.

"Didn't I tell you to watch for predators?" He signed sternly, and I signed annoyed "I know, I know Blue Eyes..." I wasn't in the mood for a lecture. He then helped me on his horse, and motioned it to ride off. Every few seconds he would glance at my shoulder and the calf of my leg.

Instead of going back to the campsite, he rode off into the village. I was confused, then I caught sight of Julia who was with Ash and she ran up to the horse I was on. Blue Eyes helped me down as he grabbed my waist gently and set me on the ground gently.

Caesar then came forward to us, I got a better look at him. His fur was indeed a dark brown, and there was bright gold flecks in his green eyes, and along with his age were gray spread along his face on his fur. And what seemed like a birthmark on the left side of his chest.

"The doctors we have, will help you. We have medicine for this kind of wound" Julia nodded and explained to him that she will help with my wounds, and I was led into a small hut with a thin fur curtain.

I hopped on my good leg inside and was helped to sit down by Blue Eyes. Julia got out the first aid kit that Hope packed for us. And speaking of Hope if she saw me right now, she would be lecturing me in Spanish that I shouldn't have wandered off.

A female ape walked in, with light brown fur. And emerald green eyes with flecks of light green, in the hints of her fur were a light shade of dark crimson, plus her skin was tanned. She seemed younger than Caesar by only a few years. And she contained a mask that contained thinned bones that were dyed to a crimson red, and orange, and had a wolf skin bag hung over her shoulder. And she looked an very much like Rory.

Julia told me to take of the torn shirt I had on, and I did as I was told too. It was embarrassing though since I was in my bra, though I didn't let it get to me.

Julia then threw away the torn piece of my shirt that I used for my calf, and replaced it with a belt. And she took out a small needle that was a shot to numb the pain in my calf and shoulders.

My energy died out from the shock as my shoulder and leg was slashed by the Mountain lion. And the pain numbed out more when Julia gave me the injection. And my vision blurred as the drug in the shot made me more tired, my head was pounding with a massive headache, and I was still somewhat sore from when I was slammed into the tree. I glanced at my thigh as more bleed was dripping down on my leg.

I heard Julia say something to me, but I couldn't make out what she said as I drifted off into sleep I caught sight of Blue Eyes who had his chin laid on my head. As I felt such warm fur pressed against me and a hand holding mine, though I wanted to savor the moment and stare into his eyes lovingly. Tried to fight the grogginess of the drug that was put into me.

I wanted to look at his face, and his eyes. Though I settled into his strong arms and my eyes fluttered as I tried to stay awake.

"Just relax" I heard a blurred, yet rough voice that sent such an electric vibe through me, and I complied.

Julia's POV~

Watching Lena trying to fight the medicine was reasonable. I could tell that she admired Blue Eyes and he admired her. Though I knew they would never admit it, but I had a feeling they would.

The female ape that walked in, sat next to me with a bowl of mixed herbs that were a gooey substance and it was green. She helped me clean the infection with water and rubbing alcohol as Lena was content in deep sleep.

Then the healer rubbed the gooey substance around the reddened marks of the claw marks of Lena's shoulder and calf, though before she could do that I got out a needle and thread. I knew as Lena would wake up she would feel the pain that she received today.

The healer faced me confused and begun to sign, "What is that for?" I then smiled softly at her, "It's to help close up the wound, and then we could use the herbs for her infection on the scars" She nodded and observed carefully at my work.

Back at the Colony I learned the technique from both Hope and Ellie when I was fourteen. And I actually look up to both of them as mentors.

Blue Eyes kept on glancing at Lena multiple times and then at me, "She'll be alright Blue Eyes" I said quietly, and he nodded. I understood why he was so worried, I became so fearful for Lena when I heard her blood curdling scream and was ready to find her till Caesar had me stay behind.

I looked at the young healer that was so interested in our I was doing Lena's wounds so carefully, "What's your name" I signed.

"Piper" She signed to me, and I smiled, "That's a lovely name," I continued working on Lena's wounds, and after half an hour I let Piper rub the herbs on Lena's wounds.

"Thank you" I said, and she looked at me with a sudden look, "For helping Lena" I signed to her, and I could tell she was smiling.

"I can see why my daughter Rory likes you two, your not like most humans" Piper then turned her back as she picked up the bowl and walked away. She was Rory's and Lorenzo's mother? That explained the strong resemblance.

For the rest of the day I stayed with Lena who was still asleep, and I offered Blue Eyes to get him some food and he thanked me. I made my way towards a surrounding area where apes were getting their fair share of food and I picked up of what looked like a wooden bowl.

The meat was shredded and placed on what looked like heating rocks. I placed a few stripes in the two bowls, along with fresh berries and other foods that were near the heating rocks. As I looked to my left I caught a glance of Milo who was chattering quite much and signing at the same time to two apes.

It was Caesar, but the other was a female and the first thing I noticed was her beauty. She contained such smoothed back charcoal black fur, with a tint of midnight blue like Blue Eyes. Her skin was a pale tan color, and her eyes were doe shaped that were such a breathtaking green, which blended well with the small twig headdress she contained of oranges and yellows. I smiled softly at the scene.

I bumped into Ash who was heading to the healing hut as well with a bowl in his hand of food, "Will she be okay" He signed and I nodded.

"Totally, Lena is a tough girl, though she'll be in pain tomorrow" Ash chuckled as he looked at me, and I laughed along with him.

Next Morning~

I woke up with the worst pain ever and feeling like crap. And it hit my shoulder and thigh, I took off the blanket and saw that I had a bandaged wrapped around my thigh and a bandage around my shoulder. I was still in my bra as well and I rubbed my eyes. Trying to figure out what happened and it hit me.

I was attacked by a Mountain lion, Blue Eyes killed it, I was brought here to the village, then I was injected with a drug that helped with the pain, but made me so sleepy. And I also recalled that Blue Eyes was close by my side.

I blushed at how he felt, his strong arms wrapped protectively against me. I tried to push the thought aside as I forced myself to stand up.

And man did I feel like shit when pain whiplashed through my leg and shoulder.

I hopped on my good leg as I pushed aside the thin curtain, and saw all eyes on me.

"Great..." I whispered to myself, I felt like the new kid at school. Though I saw pure, ice cold eyes stare at me with such worry.

It was Blue Eyes who rushed over to me hooting anxiously, and started signing "Are you okay? And Julia told me to make sure you don't move around so much, or your stitches will reopen" I smirked "Don't worry Blue Eyes I'm okay! and wow...there is a lot of apes here..." I mumbled and he huffed out laughter.

"Over two thousand actually, my father leads the village greatly" I stared at Blue Eyes, he wanted to be so much like his father. Though I could see he was, he had that proud setting, he was determined. I actually believe that he will make a great leader one day.

"Oh and Blue Eyes thanks...for saving me" I said, and Blue Eyes slowly smiled.

"No problem".

Stay tuned for chapter 5!

Mountain lions are the enemy in every POTA fanfic...