Chapter Ten

Run

Raven awoke coughing up river water and shivering. A green blur clouded her vision, and Raven instinctively reached for it. "Garfield," she gasped. She was shushed by the werecat, who'd pulled her into a gentle embrace.

"Shh, you're safe now," he murmured, stroking her wet hair. Raven clutched at Garfield as though her life depended on it, her lungs burning as she sobbed hysterically. Goosebumps danced across her skin, and Raven felt so utterly cold.

"Here, we need to get you warmed up. So you've gotta take these wet clothes off, okay?"

She peeked up at Garfield, her vision swimming with water and tears. She nodded shyly and let him go, her shaky hands working to unclasp her cloak. Once the water-clogged garment was a sopping pile on the ground, she allowed Garfield to unzip her leotard, as the zipper was on her back and she was shaking too hard to unzip it herself. Someone provided a warm strip of cloth, and Raven soon found herself snuggled up next to Garfield by a roaring fire.

She didn't speak once about her near death experience, and neither the werecat or the knight questioned her. Instead, the three sat in silence, intently watching the fire. Raven's mind wandered over the vague images of the vision she had in the river, another shiver wracking her body. Garfield's grip around her tightened, as though he could sense her discomfort.

A hazy tiredness fell upon Raven as she gazed into the swirling flames of the fire. Her eyelids were heavy and her limbs numb. She barely felt Garfield shifting around her, as well as the cool cloth dabbing at her rope-burned palms. It was as though she was entranced, locked in a staring contest with the flickering tongues of heat that crackled before her. The fire danced, taking shape in the form of a woman; a woman with green eyes and long, flame-colored hair.

"Raven of Azarath," she whispered. "You are in grave danger. Move, now!"

She jumped from Garfield's arms, as if she'd been struck by a bullet. "We have to move," she stammered, snatching her steaming cloak. "We have to go, now!" Raven fumbled for her shoes, tugging the near dry boots on her feet. Garfield's emotions crackled in the air around her, and he leapt to her side with his tail lashing.

"Raven, what are you talking about?"

Right on cue, the telltale caw of the Reaper's crows echoed along the riverside. The three travellers froze for a moment, before Roy spurred into action by kicking out the fire. "Go!" he yelled, snatching up his bow and arrows. "I'll cover you!"

Garfield balked. "Wait, Roy-"

"Just go, dammit!"

The sing of arrows could be heard as Raven snatched Garfield's wrist, dragging him away from the campsite. They rushed into the forest, the screams of crows, Reapers, and Roy fading behind them.


They ran.

It was becoming a common theme for the two, running through the woods as twigs and thorns clawed at their skin and clothes, as if the forest itself wanted to capture them. Raven had no idea how the Reapers had discovered them, but she was suspicious Jack had kept his word. Her only hope was that Roy had gotten away safely, as unlikely as that was.

The two runaways hardly stopped, only taking breaks long enough for the feeling to return to their legs. Between these stops, Raven had managed to slip the leotard back on, but it seemed that her clothes were forever damp. Sweating bucket loads as they blindly ran wasn't helping either.

There was little time for words, not that either could speak if they wanted. Air was now precious, any wasted breath could spell disaster for the two unlikely partners. So they did not speak. Instead, they stuck together like glue; helping each other up when they fell, collapsing in each other's arms when they paused their running, sharing glances of encouragement. Words were unneeded, they were one as they tore through the undergrowth.

They didn't even sleep.

Raven wasn't truly sure when the last time she had slept even was, but now that she was running for her life, sleep was a faraway dream. They never stayed in one place long enough to truly sleep; light, troubled naps were the only bit of rest they could afford. Even then, Raven couldn't find much solace. Terrifying shadows of evil beings skirted the darkness of her subconscious, and she often found herself jolting awake with a muffled gasp.

Images of a cackling, blood red lips danced at the back of her mind, whispers of promises to catch them haunting her waking nightmares. What Jack wanted with them, she knew not. Still, after such terrors, Raven found herself clutching at the worn stopwatch as though it was life itself, terrified of the prospect of losing it. It scared her, how much she needed that watch. Raven knew nothing of its purpose, aside from an invite to see Mother Time. Why this was so valuable to the people of this land, she didn't know either. It was a mystery that Raven feared she'd never know the truth to.

Garfield slowed to a halt beside her, his tail dragging limply on the ground. The two of them limped over to a fallen log and collapsed in a heap, panting and sweating profusely. Raven leaned back against his shoulder, glancing up at the werecat's face. It was haggard with exhaustion, and his ears drooped in an almost comical manner.

"Thank you," she breathed. Her whisper was like an explosion in their tired silence, and Raven was nearly as surprised as Garfield was to hear it.

"What for?" he asked. His voice was raw, as if he hadn't spoken in years. Raven reached up and lightly brushed his jaw, as if fascinated by its existence. She could feel the swirling pools of exhaustion and surprise bubbling up from his psyche, a strange and refreshing sensation; a reminder she wasn't alone.

"For coming," she said simply. Raven meant it too. Despite how annoying the werecat could be, she found that she truly enjoyed his company. They fell in step together as if they'd known each other for years, and while the thought should have terrified her, it didn't. She embraced this abnormality, as she was beginning to embrace the abnormality of this strange place she was in. Nothing made sense, and that was becoming okay. As long as she had Garfield, Raven felt that she could handle anything.

She felt a warm squeeze on her shoulder, and Raven glanced up to see Garfield's soft smile. "You're welcome," he said.

And once again, they were on their feet and running.


Author's Note:

Wow this story is just pouring out of me. Sorry it's a bit short, it's one of those chapters where I've gotta get them where they need to be. Hopefully the tension stayed high as it needed to be. Anyway, if you haven't noticed, we are steaming ahead to the climax! I'm not sure how many more chapters there are, I never fully plan these things, but we are close. As always, I hope you guys enjoy!

Thanks for the support!

-vixensheart