Last chapter. Reviews would be nice. Enjoy.
The Market: Chapter 12
Her body was wrapped in gauze as she was lowered into a pit. The last remaining members of the clan stood in a circle, their heads bowed as they buried one more friend.
Essy and Diego clung to Cora's leg, afraid she would disappear again. Clinging to each other, Lilith and Nora watched in tears. Ed stood behind them, placing protective, comforting hands on their shoulders. Dakarai and Mara supported Jasper's weight. The satyr had, tragically, discovered that his left leg was completely paralyzed. He would not be able to move around as easily.
He felt much older now because of his crippled state. He leaned on his crutch, his eyes wet, as he listened to Adric's soothing voice as he told the group what a hero he though Mariah was. Jackson, Isaac, and Clark sat on a log together, their heads bowed in both grief and guilt.
It had been a horrifically sad returning to Adric's place. Everyone there had been relatively safe, the hunters had never arrived and they didn't know about the battle that happened back at the organization. Adric had called in a favor from the local tribe. Their warriors had kept watch, protecting the youngsters under Adric's protection. He had kept to his word and took care of the two hunters the group had captured. According to Adric, they were long gone. He had called the emissary council who had taken them for their crimes against the supernatural world. Other than that, it had been quiet.
Everyone that stayed behind joyously ran out to meet the returned warriors, hugging Cora and telling her how worried they were. The reuniting between Cora and the pups had brought tears to everyone's eyes as they hung from Cora's neck, unwilling to let go. Cora had held the pups close, kissing the crowns of their heads over and over again. Their hair became wet from the amount of tears spilled.
But when Dakarai had arrived, Mariah in his arms, everyone went deadly silent. Unable to comprehend the death of a dear friend. Then the wailing started. Lilith covered her mouth, tears dripping down her cheek. Nora crumbled to the floor. Tears moistened Ed's eyes and even Adric had eyes were a puffy red. Jasper hobbled over, using his crutch, placing a gentle hand on the deceased Vetala's head. His jaw stiffened as he attempted to hold back, but failed. It broke their hearts when Cora had to explain to the pups why Mariah would never wake up again.
They told the group what had happened and how Mariah died a hero, protecting Cora from a vicious psychopath. They mourned together as they prepared Mariah's body for burial. Mara had been especially restless, considering everywhere she walked, she saw Mariah's ghost. And Mariah wouldn't leave until her body was put to rest.
Even now as the ceremony continued, Mara watched Mariah as she stood on the other side of the grave, listening to what her clan had to say about her. Dark circles sagged under the young raven's eyes as she cuddled close to Dakarai, the heat of his body warming her chilled bones. Everyone could feel Mariah's presence but only Mara could see it.
Adric glanced around the group of quiet supernaturals. "Would anybody like to say a few words about Mariah?" The group didn't answer right away but Lilith was the first to speak.
"Ye were like a Mum to me, Mariah,"Lilith sniffled. She rubbed her nose. "I didn' know me Mum, but I'm sure she would 'ave been just like ye." She hid her face in the palms of her hands. "I'll...miss ye."
"You kept us together,"Nora mumbled. "A group of supernaturals that would normally not get along. You made us a family...protected us-" Ed let out a bullish cry and Lilith patted his furred arm, comfortingly. "I...I" Nora couldn't finish her sentence as she broke down in tears, sobs wracking her body. If she went with them, she could have saved Mariah. Prevented this from happening. She could have torched Warren James before he even brutally shot her down.
"I'll miss our conversations,"Jasper said with a heavy sigh. "Your beautiful laugh and your wit. You became one of my best friends. Thank you for protecting us. For caring. Rest in peace, love. Soon I'll see you on the other side." He placed a gentle hand on his heart, his ears flicked. He closed his eyes, so much death and destruction had happened around them.
"I'm sorry,"Dakarai muttered. "I don't even know what to say-"He glanced at the last remaining members of the clan. "You've always been by my side with every fight. You calmed me down when no one else could. You were wise and patient-" He gulped, swallowing the lump in his throat. "You were my friend. My family." He rubbed his dry eyes. He had cried for far too long and now had no more tears to shed. "I'm sorry this had been your life. You didn't deserve it." Mara leaned her head against Dakarai's shoulder.
"No you didn't,"she whispered in agreement.
"I'm so sorry,"Cora cried, hiding her face in her hands. Isaac stood up, taking a spot next to Cora and wrapping his arms around her, protectively. The pups held on to her leg as the young she wolf let out dry sobs. Cora leaned into Isaac's embrace, placing a hand on Essy's head.
"You were an amazing woman, Mariah,"Isaac continued, giving Cora time to grieve. "I am honored to know you. The hero that you were. And to fight by your side. I just wish-" Isaac gulped, pulling Cora close. Her fingers grasped his shirt. Isaac wiped at his eyes. "I had the opportunity to get to know you better. That our friendship hadn't been cut short." The ache in his heart was back. An ache he hadn't felt since Allison's funeral. Since watching his friends back in Beacon Hills grieve for the beautiful warrior woman, he had fallen in love with. Everything about this hurt.
"Me too,"Jackson mumbled, simply. The other wolf didn't know what to say. He never handled death well. But, Isaac could tell by his smell that he was just as upset, he just didn't know how to express his pain. "Thank you for accepting us."Jackson finished.
"I couldn't have won this fight against the organization without your help,"Clark stated, bowing his head. He didn't know Mariah personally, but what he saw from the few moments of fighting side by side with her was extreme bravery, loyalty, and love for her people. Qualities that Clark would have befriended.
"We miss you,"Essy mumbled. Diego nodded, rubbing his nose. "I love you."
"Have safe passage to the afterlife,"Mara said, looking directly at Mariah. Mara closed her eyes, mumbling something. Mariah's ghost waved, a bright light engulfing her as she gazed up at the sky, peace washing over her. Mariah was gone and suddenly a strange peace washed over the group. They knew she had gone to a better place. "May God be with you,"Mara whispered, bowing her head. The group placed flowers on her gauze wrapped body before throwing dirt on top. Adric patted the new grave, whispering,"Rest in Peace, my dear."
Lilith stepped forward, planting a small seed into the grave dirt. She closed her eyes, whispering to the seedling before stepping back as a tree slowly grew in its place. They carved her name into the trunk and wrote a few words to remember her by.
The group slowly shuffled back inside, their hearts feeling empty because of the missing member. Isaac, Jackson, and Clark would leave in the morning.
They stood outside the tiny cottage, the next morning, hugging each other goodbye. Isaac pulled away from Jasper as Jackson quickly hugged Adric, thanking the druid.
Isaac had offered Clark the chance to travel with them, but the hunter again refused. Clark told him he needed to go undercover in other black market organizations and take them down from the inside. He had a mission to complete. Traveling with people would only make him emotionally connected, especially with friends. Isaac rolled his eyes, giving his friend one last hug. Isaac told him to stay safe and call him if he ever needed help stopping the bad guys. Clark agreed before running off into the jungle and not looking back. He had given the young hunter all the information he had on the ring leaders of this operation,which Clark was thankful for.
Now the two werewolves stood, looking at the people they had come to care about. That they called family. They had a long journey ahead and luckily they had one of the hunters' trucks, that they found abandoned, to get them at least out of the jungle and to the nearest civilization where they could get on a bus and head back to Ecuador.
"Well, I guess this is it,"Isaac started. He didn't know what to say. He had already pulled away from a teary eyed Essy and Diego. Cora had turned away from him, which had broken his heart. He felt like he was leaving pack again, but he couldn't ask them to join. What Jackson and him were doing was too dangerous. Jackson nodded his agreement. "It's been nice knowing everyone and seeing you again Cora."
He wished their newly developed camaraderie hadn't developed under extremely dangerous circumstances but such was life. He was just happy he could see Cora again. Jasper said his goodbyes and the two were about to turn away when a "Wait!" halted their steps. Isaac turned around and Cora crossed her arms.
"I'm coming with you,"the she-wolf stated. She picked up the pups and started walking towards the other two wolves. "And so are the pups."
"Cora,"Isaac protested. "It's dangerous out there. Raising pups while traveling is-"
"Risky, I know,"she stated. "But, plenty of packs do travel. And I want to get Essy and Diego as far away from Colombia as possible. I don't want to take the risk that the Market would revive and have them living in constant danger." Cora placed the pups down, holding their hands. "Beside they need other wolves to learn from. They need a pack." She shrugged, pushing some brown strands away. "Besides, maybe one day we will settle down." Isaac pursed his lips. While Jackson looked just a bit flabbergasted.
"Are you sure?"Isaac stressed.
"Oh, for the love a-" Cora rolled her eyes. "Yes, I am definitely, one hundred percent sure. Now, can we quit discussing this. I want to get to the nearest town before sundown. The kids will need new clothes." Isaac nodded, deciding it best not to argue with the she-wolf.
"¿Estamos realmente alojando con Isaac y Jackson?" Essy asked quietly, though she couldn't quite conceal the excitement she felt.
"Yeah,"Cora answered. Essy squealed as she ran forward, hugging the two other wolves. Diego soon followed after.
"We're staying with you,"She crowed happily. Diego nodded, clapping his hands. Isaac felt a sense of relief, hugging the two pups. Relief that he wasn't losing his family.
"Anybody else have a last minute decision to come with us,"Isaac asked, looking at the remaining members. Nora's hand peeped up.
"I sort of want to find my family,"she said, twirling a blond strand of hair around her finger. "Not my adoptive, but my biological." Lilith nodded her head.
"I'd also like ta find my family again too,"the young fairy agreed. She scratched the back of her curly hair. "I'm tired of Columbia. Too many bad memories."
Dakarai sighed. "You probably will need my help,"he stated with a huff. "I would like to come and assist you in the battles against evil." He paused for a second, his blue eyes studying the ground. "I'd also like to be reunited with my pride again. To see my mother and father once more...It's been too long."
"If Dakarai's going, I guess I'll be tagging along too,"Mara stated. She glanced up at the werelion with a slight smile.
Isaac's brows shot up. "Wow, a lot more of you than I expected,"Isaac responded.
Dakarai rolled his eyes. "Oh please wolf,"he quipped. "We'd be more help than nuisance. You'll need all our abilities in the long run."
"I'm not disagreeing with you,"Isaac responded with a small smirk.
"You'd have to count me out, lad,"Jasper said. "My legs don't work too well anymore." He paused, looking around at the wildlife that surrounded him. "Besides, I think Adric will need some company out here. And not to mention the other supernaturals, wandering alone, need a home."
"I'll be happy to have you stay here with me,"Adric responded with a grin. He had lived a rather lonely life, it would be nice to have the satyr's company. In the end, Ed decided to stay with Jasper and Adric as well. The Minotaur knew that he would never be able to shift into human form again and his massive size would startle the general public. He felt it best to stay with Jasper and keep the satyr and Mariah's grave safe. They would need help as more and more supernaturals arrived, searching for sanctuary.
The group once again hugged.
Jasper pulled away from Cora and looked the young wolf in the eyes. "When you do find that permanent place,"he said. "Let me know. Ed and I will come and stay with you. Don't be a stranger." Cora smiled, kissing Jasper on the cheek. "Of course, you silly goat,"she replied. Ed hugged Lilith and Nora. Lilith reassured the minotaur that she would be safe.
Pulling away, they left the small cottage. They got into the abandoned truck and drove towards civilization, knowing they will not be seeing the others in a long time. But, adventure called their names. Though sorrow filled their hearts for those that they had lost, excitement and anticipation swelled their very being.
Well, that's the end of the Market. Please review. Also, if you have ideas for our new group of supernaturals, please let me know. Whether it is finding family or different monsters that they will be facing or even cute moments between the clan of misfit supernaturals.