Chapter six

The Corals

We'll I've found out about three days ago that the raptors have finally come to an agreement. As long as I didn't bother them nor disturb their traditions they'd leave me alone. After our argument I decided I'd just eat what was left of the supplies in the truck and whenever it was really low I'd leave. In the truck I've counted up to thirty-nine days. In my other hideout it was a different number. Of course counting on me would be anyone's worse mistake. That and I'm not very good at math.

I only went to the plains a few times but I was careful not to lose track of time like I did last time. Looking at the map I decided that I would look near the coral reefs. I did so. At first I was real nervous about leaving the shelter of the forest. Could you blame me? The forest was where I could hide easily. After I gathered the courage to move out of the forest I realized that the beach wasn't so bad. But I made sure that none of the predators were nearby. Looking one way I spotted a cave.

Becoming curious I climbed up to the cave. I was so thankful that my grandfather was a military man and that he had everyone of his young relatives learn how to survive. Even though I failed a lot on some of my grandfather's tests. He used to tell me that I was more likely to survive in the mercy of Mother Nature considering the fact that I depended on myself for a lot of things. Before he moved away he said that he wished that most people had my heart and desire to want to learn how to survive.

The cave was a place where it would've been a house if not for the fact that it wasn't man-made. But still I took its charm to heart. There was fresh water near the corners of the cave. Looking in one tunnels there was a herd of bats sleeping. They were bigger than my fists but I don't think they're dangerous. But otherwise this place was lovely. I then scratched one of the walls to count as day one for being here.

I felt something behind me. I leaped away and saw a giant bat. It was the size of a man. When I realized that it saw that I was very amusing I started to relax. The bat moved towards where the water was. Then more giant bats came. When they saw me they started to hiss at me. The one that spooked me made chirping noises. I knew right away that he was telling them that I wasn't a scientist.

The bat that made the chirping noises moved towards me. Gesturing its head to the outside of the cave. I knew it wanted me to go outside. I walked out. The next thing I know I was lifted of from the ground. I grabbed at the claws that were holding me. The bat flapped its wings. It flew to the other island easily. The air currents were very cold. I tried very hard not to shake from the cold but my clothes were thin and nearly worn out.

Seeing that the bat wasn't going to drop me I started climbing onto its back. I felt better being on its back than anywhere else. I knew the bat was strong. Why else was it able to carry me so far away? I started looking around. I spotted an island that was miles away. Then I saw that there was a nest. The bat landed in the midst of the huge nest that would've been good for a court room.

I slid down looking around. I turned around wanting to ask why it brought me here. But where the bat was standing was a boy who was probably a year or two older than me. He smiled at seeing my shocked face expression.

"Did you think only Raptors were only able to shape-shift?" asked the boy.

I gave a nervous laugh.

"Name's Luis," said the boy. "And you are?"

"Lilly," I replied.

"So you're the one that everyone is talking about," said the boy folding his arms smugly.

"Everyone?" I asked.

"Which pack are you in?" asked Luis.

"I don't know. I only know their leader is called Jerkiko," I replied.

Luis started laughing.

"Jerkiko was never the type to tell what was going on. Especially to new members of the island."

Before I could say anything Luis raised his hand.

"Did Hethea tell you what scientists did to the raptors?"

I nodded. Luis then sat down. Patted the ground.

"I'm going to bite. Even though I'm a vampire bat I'm not all that hungry," said Luis.

I froze. That was really comforting. Luis smiled.

"Or would you rather stand all day?"

I sat down besides him. Well not to the extent where it was considered close but near. Luis laughed.

"Did I scare you all the sudden Lillian?"

My face went red. No one has called me Lillian for ages. I really didn't like being called that.

"Please call me Lilly."

"Lilly then," replied Luis. "How're you enjoying the island?"

"It wasn't my idea to come here," I said honestly. "Some storm destroyed the boat I was on."

"Always the storm that makes people stranded on some island or another," said Luis.

"I'll take it my story isn't interesting," I said trying not to sound annoyed.

"I'm afraid so. But I am surprised that you lasted this long on the island."

I wasn't sure what to say on the subject. Frankly I didn't want to talk about the island.

"So, what're you doing so far away from you're pack?"

"Traveling," I said calmly. "I'd like to know where I could get different types of sources of food."

Luis rolled his eyes. He then looked over my body. I knew better than to say anything about it. So we were quite.

"Would it bother your…family if I visited here and there or would they rather I stayed away?" I asked wanting to know how the bats felt about my being there.

"I don't think they'd mind. Most of them are gossipers anyways. They like knowing what's happening in the real world," replied Luis.

I looked around. It was clear that now Luis was completely bored. He started to cover his eyes from the sunlight.

"Is there a cave nearby?" I asked.

Luis nodded and headed towards one of the caves. I quickly followed him. He turned to me smiling warmly. Which made me feel nervous.

"If you ever get tired of being around that Jerkiko your welcome to come here for a few days."

I nodded not wanting to say anything dumb or offensive. Luis looked at me for a long time. Then as though changing his mind shifted to cat form and flew away. Before I could shout for him to come back he was gone. I was so mad at myself for going into the cave. I didn't know what to do.

I tried climbing down that cliff but it was…inescapable for mere humans. I climbed back into the nest. I'm taking a wild guess that I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow.

-Lilly Hunter

The next day did come. I'm so stiff from sleeping on sticks. Luis isn't here yet. I hope that birdbrain hasn't thought of leaving me here all week.

-Lilly Hunter.

It wasn't until afternoon the Luis came. When he went into human form he smiled at me.

"Did you enjoy your night here?" he asked sweetly.

I glared at him. He only laughed. Then he crawled towards me. The scary thing was that I couldn't move. I knew I was under some sort of trance. He bit me. But I didn't feel it. I tried very hard to stay awake but you don't know how hard it is to stay awake when you're feeling tired. He pulled away with a sigh. The type of sigh that people have after they've had a good drink.

"You're mighty tasty Lilly," said Luis.

I jumped away from him. Like lightening he turned into a bat and carried me away. Then I was dumped in a river. I swam out drenched from head to toe. I glared at the departing bat. I didn't want to stay around to find him playing games with me. I raced to the truck and locked myself in it.

I'm still feeling dizzy from what has happened. That's not really surprising. I mean when something has sucked a lot of blood from you yeah you'd be tired. I hope no one has noticed my disappearance.

-Lilly Hunter.

Today I wrote on the map to avoid going to the caves. I still don't feel comfortable going there. I can get my fish elsewhere. I just need to find where is all. For now I'm sticking to the forest.

-Lilly Hunter.