Matt's POV
This is stupid. I grumbled to the brown haired boy in front of me. I knew that it had to be done, but still, I could be practicing my music. Instead, I had spent the last hour walking in this dense wooded forest.
Then go home then. Tai turned around and glared at me. Do you think this is my idea of fun? He gestures around the fog. We were in another dimension some place. It wasn't the digital world. At least we knew that. Izzy wanted a sample of the dark water that had some sort of connection with Kari and Ken.
Just because they have these strange feelings about the water doesn't mean anything Tai. Its not like they are going to turn on us.
You of all people, should know how easy people can be tricked into turning against their friends.
I cringed. Damnit why'd he'd have to go and mention that. I would be paying for that incident for the rest of my life. What Tai would never know was that I still had nightmares. In my dreams metal garurumon destroyed him, under my orders. Or I ran to his side after his solo battle with piedmon, and find I was too late. I was a very conflicted child. It was easy for puppetmon to take advantage of me. And his plan almost worked. I shudder every time I think about how close I came to destroying Tai. How close I came to destroying myself.
He turned to me and his eyes were soft. Sorry Matt. I didn't mean to snap at you.
Its okay. I assured him. If it was T.K. I'd be a little tense too.
He regarded me with his soulful brown eyes. I should have been there for her Matt. What if she gets taken her again. What if...
What if there's an earthquake in Antarctica and the penguins do the marcena? Well that got his attention. He cracked a small smile. Encouraged, I went on.
Tai, you can't be responsible for everything, so stop playing what if, okay?
Thanks Matt. I'm glad that you're here.
Speaking of which, why did you ask me to come and not Izzy or one of the others?
I don't know.
Yes you do. I want to know why.
I just waited for him to continue. My eyes piercing, I crossed my arms in a defiant gesture.
He sighed. I knew that I was being stubborn, but he can be pretty stubborn too. That's why I feel so close to him. At least that's what I tell myself.
I wanted somebody I could trust along to watch my back. I needed somebody resourceful. And he adds grinning, If were going to be gone for a couple hours, I'd need somebody who could cook.
Ha Ha. But still I was pleased. But why not Sora? I hated to ask, but I had to know. It was a question that had been plaguing me lately. Why should I care about him and Sora?
Tai groaned. Matt, don't ask, okay.
Fine. I won't then.
Tai halted and I ran into him. I blushed and muttered an apology. I never realized that I was finally taller than Tai. Not by much of course, but I had a good two inches on him, that is of course, not counting his hair. I resisted the urge to smooth it down. Stop it Matt, Tai's your best friend. I've got to stop thinking like this.
Do you hear something.
No I see something. I stare in horror at the creature standing in front of me. It was a wolf I think. Black hair over its muscled form blew softly in the breeze. And it was big, damn was it big. It head was nearly to my shoulder, and its shoulders were as wide as Tai and I standing side by side.
Hey, Matt, I think that things on steroids.
It growled menacingly. I look into its pale yellow eyes, hoping that I can stare it down. I know a few things about wolves. They never attack a higher ranking creature. If I can't convince it that I'm an alpha, than Tai and I are as good as dead. There's no way that we can physically stop these creature from slaughtering the both of us. It continued staring into my eyes. It growled again. I returned with a growl of my own, it sounded strangely familiar and powerful.
uhhh Matt. This isn't the time to lose your mind.
I don't take my eyes off the creature. I continue to stare it down. Tai, I want you to very calmly turn around and slowly go back down the path.
Be careful Matt. It felt strange to be giving orders to him. I watch the creatures eyes shift to the retreating form of Tai. Damn. The creature wanted to kill Tai. It lunged toward him.
I yelled a warning. I didn't think, I acted. I sprang in front of Tai, and tackled the beast. I remember crying out in pain when it lashed my arm with its teeth. We rolled in the dirt, and then it bounded into the woods. I stood up on shaky legs, just glad to be alive.
MATT your bleeding!
I looked down. It had gotten me pretty good. The crimson stain was spreading across my torn green jacket. Tai ran over and helped me take my jacket off.
You idiot! What were you doing?
Saving your life!
Oh Yeah
thank you Matt.
your welcome.
He rolls up my shirt, and whistles. I watch him as he dips part of my jacket into the water. I'm glad he's okay. I thought that wolf was going to.....Matt, why are you thinking like that?
Does it hurt?
I started to say no but Tai begin to cleanse the wound with a wet piece of jacket.
I grimaced. My arm hurt even more than the time I slammed my hand in the car door.
Tai had finished bandaging my arm. He looks up at me, his brown eyes pleading.
you could have died Matt.
Really Tai, its just a scratch.
Matt, that was really brave, but stupid. Why'd you do it?
Because, I'm the man.
My hero.
Can we go now? I ask him.
Yea, lets go. He holds up a vial of the water. This place is starting to creep even me out.
But that bite was just the beginning.......