A/N:
Kydox - I'm probably going to sound stupid, but can you explain to me what you mean about submitting this to FictionPress? I'm new to this...
Hey, guys! Sorry for a few days of no updating, but thank you for the great reviews! I love to hear your comments; they seriously make me sooo happy! Love you all and hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Nine:
Luckily, we see no more cats. The sun is high in the sky by now; it's almost directly above us. It's hot on my back and my fur is beginning to feel clammy. My head feels clouded and my movements are growing slower, more lethargic, with every step. We've been on our feet for half a day– my paws are beginning to get a bit sore.
Chet still seems to be going on strong, although his pace has slowed a little. Although, I'm not sure if that's because he's tiring, or if he's compensating for me. Either way, we aren't as hard pressed to be quickly moving now, so it doesn't really matter. As long as we don't get caught, we are all set.
"Chet," I begin, "are we getting close?"
He takes a moment to stare at the seemingly endless field ahead of us. He squints, concentrating.
"We should be," he mumbles, eyes searching the horizon. "There should be a small patch of trees up ahead soon, and then we'll be close. I think I can see them..."
He turns his head to look at me questioningly. With a sigh, I consent and break into a trot. We stretch our legs back out, which have grown used to the slow pace. The long grass tickles my underbelly. As we race along, ahead of us a dark shape begins to take form. First simply a mass, it begins to spread and paint itself into branches with stretch into the sky. The tree wave at us, beckoning us to hurry. The sight of them give me a burst of speed.
A slight breeze blowing into my fur, the grass swishing around my flying paws, the sunshine beaming down: suddenly, I feel wonderful. For a moment I can let slip the fact that for the next three days I'll be fighting for my life. I can simply be happy and free, and sometimes, all you need is a moment to be just that. No matter what is coming ahead, everyone needs a little escape now and again.
A laugh bubbles up from my throat and I turn my head to look back at Chet. He snorts at my behavior, but quickens his pace so that we are running next to each other. We meet each other stride for stride, and I revel in the gleam held so carefully by his eyes. He deserves this moment of elation. I'm glad that I can be there to share in it with him.
The trees soon close over us, offering shade from the bright sun. We ease off our pace, coming back to a walk. The leave-strewn floor in cool and comforting to my paws. Birds chirp joyously from the branches surrounding us.
Ahead, I can see the break in the trees. I pull ahead of Chet, anticipating finally being able to settle, even though it may not be for long. As the trees fade away behind me, ahead opens up into a lake, surrounded by forest. It shimmers bright blue underneath the golden light.
"Let's get something to drink," Chet states from behind me, startling me a bit. "Then, we'll continue to the spot I've thought of. It's not much further."
"Sounds good to me!" I call back as I race down a slope and towards the water. Sliding to a stop at the edge, I bury my muzzle in it. I don't think water has ever tasted so good in my life. So fresh, so cool: I simply couldn't get enough! Chet slid next to me, gulping it in just as I was.
Finally, after just having let my muzzle rest in the pool for a while, I pull it out and wait for Chet to finish. He looks at me, breathing a deep sigh. I nod; I understood.
"Well, should we continue?" he asks, almost regretfully.
"We probably should," I agree. He dips his head and begins to lead me to where we'll be spending the night. A question arises in my head. "How close are we to the border?"
I try to make it sound casual, but he knows me to well to try and slip that past him. "We're not super close," he comments. "We'll be okay." I just take a deep breath and hope that he's right.
We enter into the forest a little farther along the lake. This strip is quite short, and we are quickly out of the other side. A small field separates us from the beginnings of small, rocky hills. Chet studies it with intense eyes.
"This is where I was thinking of resting," he tells me. "We can find a cave, and hide out here."
The path is a bit hard on my pads, but manageable. It's not too steep, but after so much traveling, the uphill climb and unevenness begin to take its toll on me. Luckily, we don't climb for too long before he detours onto a flat, side trail. We take that along and arrive at a large rock. The pass around it is very narrow.
"Be careful," Chet warns before starting forward.
I try not to look at the drop that would await a fall as I make my way around. Safely on the other side, I find it's a dead end. But, on the other side of the rock in a cave. Chet slowly makes his way forward and into the cave, muscles tensed. I'm ready to flee or fight on the slightest initiation, but no such arrives. His head pokes back out.
"It's good."
"Perfect," I comment, relief pooling into my tired and achy limbs.
I stalk inside, the cool shade adding to my happiness. Chet and I both settle down near the back, deep sighs escaping both of us. I snort with laughter and Chet's eyes smile at me.
"So," I start after a moment, "what now?"
"Well," Chet begins, pausing for a moment. "I've been thinking up a plan."
A paw nuzzles at my shoulder gently, and warm breath stirs my whiskers. "Wake up, Little Blue," Chet whispers. "It's time to keep moving."
My eyes flicker open. I can barely tell where he is in the darkness, save for the faint glow of his eyes. My limbs fight in protest as I stand, but with a little bit of persuading, they oblige. I follow him silently, almost as if I was his shadow, out of the cave. The moon glints at us from its position high in the sky.
The night is clear and crisp as we step out into it. The air runs up and down and across my body with icy tendrils that send a shiver rippling down my spine. I find it even more difficult to navigate the rocky path in the dark, even though I am now rested. The small ledge around the boulder is the worst. All I can do is hope that I'm setting my paw down in the right place.
We climb down the rocky hill and I'm silently thankful when we reach the grassy ground again. Chet in the lead, we stride opposite the direction we came, between the rocky hills and the forest that surrounds the lake. Stars glint down at us from above, winking and waving brightly against their dark canvas.
Our paws make no sound on the soft earth. The air doesn't move, except for our breath which slightly disturbs it. It's so quiet, so calm. Yet, it has me on edge. I almost ache for some noise to be made. Last night traveling wasn't as bad, it was only the prisoners. Now, the Maligni are on the loose and thirsting for blood. I now understand being afraid of monsters in the dark.
My stomach is turning and twisting itself into intricate knots. My muscles are so tense that I'm going to wear myself out quick if I keep this up, but it's hard not to knowing that someone could be hiding in any and every shadow. It's worse when you know they want to kill you.
I start at every little noise: a cracking twig, the rustle of leaves. I'm thinking about taking back my wish for noises. My eyes dart wildly about, looking for a hint of anything, anyone, who might be out there. Yet, all I can make out is Chet in front of me. Even he isn't too clear.
I try to let my mind wander. We'll be fine; Chet promised that we'd be okay. His plan sounds like a good one too. I can't imagine what this would be like if I didn't have him on my team. For one thing, I'd probably be dead. I'm glad to have him.
As I was attempting to distract myself, I hadn't realized that Chet had been slowing, I'd just been following him subconsciously. I look at him curiously and open my mouth to ask what's going on when his tail flicks over my mouth. I can feel the tension in the air and my heart beat rapidly takes off without me. I hope nobody can hear it; to me, it's the loudest thing I've ever heard.
A snarl rips through the air and Chet is swiped off his feet, sent flying across the dirt. I jump backwards in shock, a scream ripping from my throat. The cat turns towards me, and I can see the long claws glinting in the moonlight. I tense my muscles, ready when I need to be.
Chet leaps out of the corner of my eye, tackling the attacker. Hisses and growls shatter the previous silence. The cats wrestle and squirm, each fighting to get position. I don't know what to do. Blood sprays from the tangle, landing on the ground at my feet.
The cat pins Chet and I bunch my muscles to leap in and help. Chet throws that cat off of him before I have the chance, though. He has the attacker pinned now, although he's struggling quite hard to get free.
"Go!" He calls back to me, but I'm frozen. I couldn't move away from the scene if I tried.
Chet is thrown and I can see the faint sheen of wetness clinging to his pelt. He pulls himself back to his feet and meets the cat head on. They fling sharp blows at each other, but in the darkness, it's hard to keep up. I wince at the sound of a well-aimed strike hitting its mark.
Both cats are thrown back a bit, stumbling but managing to keep their balance. Chet finds his first and jumps at the other, getting position again.
"Lucille, go!" he shouts in a strained cry, pleading taking control of his voice. "Please, Little Blue!"