Chapter 9 Alliances and Comrades

I groggily opened my eyes and tried to sit up, but I found I couldn't move.I started to panic but then I heard a voice say, "rest easy friend. You've lost a lot of blood."I tried to turn my head but found the effort defeated me.I stared up at the ceiling and dimly realized I was in a cave.I lapsed back into unconsciousness and I heard the unknown wolf say, "That's it, get some rest friend."

I awoke a second time to see the cave was now illuminated by the sun.I turned my head and winced as the pain in my neck intensified.I tried to stand but managed only to sit.I tentatively looked around observing my surroundings.I slowly stretched my legs to check for damage but noticed only the wound in my neck was hurting. I trudged outside and spotted a small stream.

I slowly approached it and examined the wound.I saw a big gash in my neck that was partially healed but still looked rather painful.I heard a voice call, "I think it's a bit early to be up and around with a wound like that Comrade."I slowly turned around and saw a black wolf with some grey strips along his side approach me.I looked at him and asked, "Who are you?"

He laughed and replied, "The names Artyom." I asked, "Artyom, that's an interesting name."He nodded and said, "I wear it with pride." He then asked me, "What's your name comrade?" I replied, "Humphrey."He nodded and said, "The wound in your neck should heal completely in a week or so." I gingerly touched it and he said, "I found you bleeding out by the lake."I said, "Thank you for saving my life." He grinned and said, "It was my pleasure comrade Humphrey."I grinned and asked him, "You're not from around here are you." He shook his head and said, "Neither are you."

He then asked, "Come, will you join me and we can share our stories?" I nodded and we walked back into his sat down and asked, "So how did you manage to almost get yourself killed?"I sighed and told him about Kate and her arranged marriage and how I tried to stop them from taking her back to be forcefully stayed silent and said, "That's one hell of a story." I nodded and said, "I just wish it could have had a better ending."

Artyom looked at me surprised and said, "You're giving up?" I shook my head, "Not yet but there's really not much I can do."I continued, "I don't know where Kate is or if she's all ready been married or not."I then asked him, "How long ago did you find me?"He looked at me pained and replied, "Two weeks ago." I looked at him stunned, "Kate would all ready have been married."

I started to cry and Artyom said, "I'm sorry comrade Humphrey." "I wish I could have done more." he finished.I shook away my tears and said, "Thank you for saving my life, you did more than I could have asked."I asked Artyom, "So how did you end up here?" Artyom sighs and said, "I was brought here when I was very young, I don't remember my parents at all and have been surviving out here for the last few years."

I nodded and said, "I'm sorry."Artyom shook his head and replied, "No, it's no more your fault then it is anyone else's."I asked Artyom, "Where exactly am I?"Artyom replied, "A few miles from the lake where I found you." I sighed in relief glad that Jasper wasn't too far away. I asked, "can I stay the night, I need to get some rest and head out tomorrow." Artyom nods and say's, "I'm going to go get something for you to eat on your trip."

I nodded thankfully and just as I was about to pass out I heard Artyom say, "Get some sleep while you can, "You'll need it."I awoke the next morning to find Artyom waiting for me outside the den with a rabbit in his walked over and placed it at my feet and said, "You'll need something to get your strength up."I looked at him gratefully and said, "I'll never forget the kindness you've shown me." Artyom nods and said, "Good luck comrade."

I watched him walk off into the woods and I called, "Thank you!"I saw him vanish into the trees and turned my attention to the rabbit and vigorously tore it to shreds.I licked my lips and looked at the sun and deciphered that I had around ten hours until dark.I started walking in the direction of the lake and hoped that Kate had indeed escaped. After a half an hour I spotted the place where I had last seen Kate.

I ran over and sniffed the ground. I followed the tracks towards the lake and suddenly I spotted other tracks off to the side.I examined them and saw they looked like wolf tracks. I imagined the scene and deciphered that Cando or Hutch had tackled her half way to the lake. I saw the places where they had struggled and the others had joined up to drag her back to Jasper.

Rage lit up inside me and imagined what I would do to anyone that had harmed her.I realized now that I had to return to Jasper and risk death to save Kate from the one's that had left me for dead. My heart hardened and I trudged slowly back towards Jasper.


(The apocalypse reference was for you fun loving, I hope this new development has made the story more interesting so I hope to see you all next chapter!)