Author's note: Sorry for taking so long to post a new chapter, and I thank
you all for reviewing so far. I'll be putting up two more short stories,
telling about Hallie's past, and what happened between TJ and Aloura,
before she left.
Frost-Dragon
6
It was getting dark by the time the two made it to the cabin. As TJ had first guessed, the place was empty. Judging by the dust on the floor, no one had been here in months. There wasn't much to the cabin. Just one room, and no furniture. There was a fireplace, however, And TJ headed out to get firewood. "You want to stay here, Hallie? If not, I'll be right back." Hallie said she'd wait so TJ headed out to get the wood. There were a few dead trees around, within fifty foot of the house so he looked for some branches that fell off them, first. There were enough for a while, so he picked up all he could carry, and headed back to the cabin. After dropping off the load by the house, he went back to get another load. By the time he was done, he had enough wood for a couple days, though they were only planning to stay the night.
TJ drew his katana out, to cut the wood. He really didn't like using the weapon for this, but it was a very well made sword, so it wouldn't be damaged. He cut the branches roughly the same length. About a foot and a half long. Some of them, he cut in halves and quarters.
When he thought he had cut enough wood, he took an arm full and carried it inside. The floor was almost spotless. On the other half of the room, Hallie stood, sweeping the last of the dirt up.
"I found a broom in the corner," She said, like she needed to explain it. "And there was an empty box over there, so I was putting the dirt in it."
TJ gave her a smile and dropped the wood by the fireplace, then walked up to Hallie. "Looks good." He didn't know why, but he started to put his arm around her. It had been about five days since they started traveling together, and they had both learned a lot about each other. Hallie had learned about TJ's family, friends, and past, and TJ had learned the same of Hallie. TJ had grown to trust her, and hoped she had grown to trust him. He had completely dropped the idea that maybe she had a head injury, and that's why she had said she was from a completely different planet. He believed her story. If he was taking her to a doctor, it was for her arm, and not her head. TJ had his arm around Hallie, who stood in her human form, too. She had not been in her true form in days. There was always the chance that a human or something else would see her. The only cat people on this planet were Worrens. There would be many questions, and suspicions. The two had decided that for most of the trip, Hallie would have to stay in human form.
Hallie began to blush. "W-what are you doing?" Hallie asked.
"I-I'm.sorry." TJ took his arm from around Hallie then took a few steps back. Without saying anything else, an embarrassed TJ went to the fireplace and started loading in wood. There were a few moments of awkward silence, as TJ got ready to start the fire. Hallie was trying to figure out what had just happened. TJ had hugged her. It had been really strange. Hallie considered the two friends, but hadn't thought their relationship was any more than just that. Just for something to do, instead of just standing there, Hallie went back to sweeping the last of the dirt up off the floor.
She reached for the makeshift dustpan she had been using, to get the rest of the dirt up, and did so. When she finally had the last of it in the dustpan; she walked over to the box, where she had been putting the dirt, and tossed it in. Only, this time, a pair of glowing, red eyes opened. Then another pair. And then two more. All eight eyes fixed on Hallie. With a scream, she jumped back a few feet and watched the box. Long, hairy legs emerged and pulled the body up. It was a spider. A rather large one at that. The body alone was probably the same size as the bottom of TJ's boot. The body was solid black, with a few patches of black hair. The legs were also black, but it had a blood red line going the length of the legs. "Humans." was all it said.
Hallie let out another scream and ran toward TJ, who by now was standing, with his hand on the hilt of his katana. Without thinking, she jumped up at TJ, and by luck, he caught her. "K-keep it away, TJ!"
TJ held her in a bridal carry and whispered into her ear. "Stay back. No matter what." It wasn't that TJ was afraid that the spider could hurt him, but he was worried about it hurting Hallie. "You can speak?" he asked the arachnid.
"What do you think?" the spider hissed back. "You know, it has been a while since I've had human.I kind of miss it. I'll take care of you, and have her later!" The spider kicked off with its eight powerful legs, and sailed through the air toward TJ. The Dragon sidestepped, drew his katana, and slashed all in the same motion. Two legs fell to the floor. At the sight of this, Hallie let out another scream. 'Must really not like bugs,' TJ thought to himself. The spider cried out in pain, but turned in the air and jumped again the second its six legs touched the ground. TJ slashed again and missed. Pain shot through his left arm and blood began to flow, slightly.
"TJ!" Hallie cried.
"Don't worry. It's only a scratch," TJ returned.
"Oh, it's more than that, human! My poison will begin to affect you.your joints will begin to stiffen, and your organs will start to shut down! You're mine!" With that, the arachnid went in for the kill. One last jump was all it would take. The spider jumped as hard as it could toward TJ. Its intention was to knock the "human" down, and kill it. TJ saw it coming, and with the poison beginning to take affect, he couldn't move fast enough to get out of the way. He was quickly losing his strength, so attacking with his sword wouldn't work. He let his legs give out, so he fell to the floor, letting the spider pass above him, harmlessly. TJ turned to the only thing left to him. Magic. He called out the first spell that came to him. "Flare!" The spider erupted into flames, which died before its ashes even touched the floor.
"TJ!" Hallie ran up to him and tried to help him into a sitting position. "What can I do? You're poisoned!"
"I'll be all right." Breathing was coming hard for him, now. "H-Hallie. There's a small, green vile in my pack over there. Will you get it for me?" Before TJ had finished the question, Hallie was at the pack, going through it. There were a few different colors. Reds and blues. Yellows and oranges. She saw a green one and ran it to TJ.
"Here!"
TJ took it and drank what was inside. "I'll be fine. You'll see." He could already feel the antidote working. He just needed to rest. TJ, with Hallie's help, made it to his feet. Let's just get our stuff out so we can get some rest. What do you say?"
"Sure." The hug was forgotten for now by both.
Picking up his sword, he wiped the blade off on a piece of cloth he pulled from a pocket in his coat. He sheathed it, and set the katana next to where he was going to lay down. There was no bed, so the two would both have to sleep on the floor. They made their beds and Hallie stretched out on her blanket. Using a weaker version of the same spell he had used on the spider, TJ cast Burn on the logs he had stacked in the fireplace.
Once the fire was started, and going good, TJ began heating leftovers of their lunch.
"Tomorrow, we might be able to get to Wyndia Kingdom. After dinner, maybe we should try and get some sleep. There's a village up ahead called Mc Neil. We can stop there for supplies, then head out again. What do you think?" TJ was just trying to make conversation. The town was close and they'd be able to rest. Since they didn't have a time limit, they could rest for as long as they wanted. "We could stay there, for a while, though. Maybe pick you up some better clothes?" Hallie gave him a smile, and tried to hold back a yawn.
"If you want. I wouldn't mind resting for a while. I'd want to get cleaned up, too." She raised an arm to show him how dirty it was. "We haven't been able to even wash!"
TJ took the food off the fire and poured some of the old stew in a bowl for Hallie. "Yeah. Here, eat this." She accepted it and ate a little.
"TJ? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure.are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just." She sighed. "Why did you hug me?"
Great, he thought. She'd have to ask that. "I. well, it just kind of happened. I didn't know what I was doing, until you said something. I." TJ paused for a second. "hope I didn't offend you," he concluded. TJ bowed his head. "Forgive me."
Hallie didn't know what to make of it. She didn't know what to make of any of it. She ate a little more of her stew and then handed the bowl back to TJ. "I'm full." Hallie covered up under one of the blankets, and closed her eyes. "I should get some sleep."
"Yeah."
TJ remained awake for a few more hours, staring into the fire. His thoughts were going all over the place. Finally, he decided to lay down, and try and get some sleep. With a yawn, TJ covered up in his own makeshift bed. He looked over at Hallie who had fallen asleep not too long ago. She was laying about four feet away, curled up under the blanket. She had tried to make it look like she was asleep, but she hadn't fooled him.
TJ moved his katana so it was up above his head. "Night, Hallie."
Second Note: Sorry! I was uploading new chapters, and Chapter 7 was put in Chapter 6's place! Please dun be so mad...
Frost-Dragon
6
It was getting dark by the time the two made it to the cabin. As TJ had first guessed, the place was empty. Judging by the dust on the floor, no one had been here in months. There wasn't much to the cabin. Just one room, and no furniture. There was a fireplace, however, And TJ headed out to get firewood. "You want to stay here, Hallie? If not, I'll be right back." Hallie said she'd wait so TJ headed out to get the wood. There were a few dead trees around, within fifty foot of the house so he looked for some branches that fell off them, first. There were enough for a while, so he picked up all he could carry, and headed back to the cabin. After dropping off the load by the house, he went back to get another load. By the time he was done, he had enough wood for a couple days, though they were only planning to stay the night.
TJ drew his katana out, to cut the wood. He really didn't like using the weapon for this, but it was a very well made sword, so it wouldn't be damaged. He cut the branches roughly the same length. About a foot and a half long. Some of them, he cut in halves and quarters.
When he thought he had cut enough wood, he took an arm full and carried it inside. The floor was almost spotless. On the other half of the room, Hallie stood, sweeping the last of the dirt up.
"I found a broom in the corner," She said, like she needed to explain it. "And there was an empty box over there, so I was putting the dirt in it."
TJ gave her a smile and dropped the wood by the fireplace, then walked up to Hallie. "Looks good." He didn't know why, but he started to put his arm around her. It had been about five days since they started traveling together, and they had both learned a lot about each other. Hallie had learned about TJ's family, friends, and past, and TJ had learned the same of Hallie. TJ had grown to trust her, and hoped she had grown to trust him. He had completely dropped the idea that maybe she had a head injury, and that's why she had said she was from a completely different planet. He believed her story. If he was taking her to a doctor, it was for her arm, and not her head. TJ had his arm around Hallie, who stood in her human form, too. She had not been in her true form in days. There was always the chance that a human or something else would see her. The only cat people on this planet were Worrens. There would be many questions, and suspicions. The two had decided that for most of the trip, Hallie would have to stay in human form.
Hallie began to blush. "W-what are you doing?" Hallie asked.
"I-I'm.sorry." TJ took his arm from around Hallie then took a few steps back. Without saying anything else, an embarrassed TJ went to the fireplace and started loading in wood. There were a few moments of awkward silence, as TJ got ready to start the fire. Hallie was trying to figure out what had just happened. TJ had hugged her. It had been really strange. Hallie considered the two friends, but hadn't thought their relationship was any more than just that. Just for something to do, instead of just standing there, Hallie went back to sweeping the last of the dirt up off the floor.
She reached for the makeshift dustpan she had been using, to get the rest of the dirt up, and did so. When she finally had the last of it in the dustpan; she walked over to the box, where she had been putting the dirt, and tossed it in. Only, this time, a pair of glowing, red eyes opened. Then another pair. And then two more. All eight eyes fixed on Hallie. With a scream, she jumped back a few feet and watched the box. Long, hairy legs emerged and pulled the body up. It was a spider. A rather large one at that. The body alone was probably the same size as the bottom of TJ's boot. The body was solid black, with a few patches of black hair. The legs were also black, but it had a blood red line going the length of the legs. "Humans." was all it said.
Hallie let out another scream and ran toward TJ, who by now was standing, with his hand on the hilt of his katana. Without thinking, she jumped up at TJ, and by luck, he caught her. "K-keep it away, TJ!"
TJ held her in a bridal carry and whispered into her ear. "Stay back. No matter what." It wasn't that TJ was afraid that the spider could hurt him, but he was worried about it hurting Hallie. "You can speak?" he asked the arachnid.
"What do you think?" the spider hissed back. "You know, it has been a while since I've had human.I kind of miss it. I'll take care of you, and have her later!" The spider kicked off with its eight powerful legs, and sailed through the air toward TJ. The Dragon sidestepped, drew his katana, and slashed all in the same motion. Two legs fell to the floor. At the sight of this, Hallie let out another scream. 'Must really not like bugs,' TJ thought to himself. The spider cried out in pain, but turned in the air and jumped again the second its six legs touched the ground. TJ slashed again and missed. Pain shot through his left arm and blood began to flow, slightly.
"TJ!" Hallie cried.
"Don't worry. It's only a scratch," TJ returned.
"Oh, it's more than that, human! My poison will begin to affect you.your joints will begin to stiffen, and your organs will start to shut down! You're mine!" With that, the arachnid went in for the kill. One last jump was all it would take. The spider jumped as hard as it could toward TJ. Its intention was to knock the "human" down, and kill it. TJ saw it coming, and with the poison beginning to take affect, he couldn't move fast enough to get out of the way. He was quickly losing his strength, so attacking with his sword wouldn't work. He let his legs give out, so he fell to the floor, letting the spider pass above him, harmlessly. TJ turned to the only thing left to him. Magic. He called out the first spell that came to him. "Flare!" The spider erupted into flames, which died before its ashes even touched the floor.
"TJ!" Hallie ran up to him and tried to help him into a sitting position. "What can I do? You're poisoned!"
"I'll be all right." Breathing was coming hard for him, now. "H-Hallie. There's a small, green vile in my pack over there. Will you get it for me?" Before TJ had finished the question, Hallie was at the pack, going through it. There were a few different colors. Reds and blues. Yellows and oranges. She saw a green one and ran it to TJ.
"Here!"
TJ took it and drank what was inside. "I'll be fine. You'll see." He could already feel the antidote working. He just needed to rest. TJ, with Hallie's help, made it to his feet. Let's just get our stuff out so we can get some rest. What do you say?"
"Sure." The hug was forgotten for now by both.
Picking up his sword, he wiped the blade off on a piece of cloth he pulled from a pocket in his coat. He sheathed it, and set the katana next to where he was going to lay down. There was no bed, so the two would both have to sleep on the floor. They made their beds and Hallie stretched out on her blanket. Using a weaker version of the same spell he had used on the spider, TJ cast Burn on the logs he had stacked in the fireplace.
Once the fire was started, and going good, TJ began heating leftovers of their lunch.
"Tomorrow, we might be able to get to Wyndia Kingdom. After dinner, maybe we should try and get some sleep. There's a village up ahead called Mc Neil. We can stop there for supplies, then head out again. What do you think?" TJ was just trying to make conversation. The town was close and they'd be able to rest. Since they didn't have a time limit, they could rest for as long as they wanted. "We could stay there, for a while, though. Maybe pick you up some better clothes?" Hallie gave him a smile, and tried to hold back a yawn.
"If you want. I wouldn't mind resting for a while. I'd want to get cleaned up, too." She raised an arm to show him how dirty it was. "We haven't been able to even wash!"
TJ took the food off the fire and poured some of the old stew in a bowl for Hallie. "Yeah. Here, eat this." She accepted it and ate a little.
"TJ? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure.are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just." She sighed. "Why did you hug me?"
Great, he thought. She'd have to ask that. "I. well, it just kind of happened. I didn't know what I was doing, until you said something. I." TJ paused for a second. "hope I didn't offend you," he concluded. TJ bowed his head. "Forgive me."
Hallie didn't know what to make of it. She didn't know what to make of any of it. She ate a little more of her stew and then handed the bowl back to TJ. "I'm full." Hallie covered up under one of the blankets, and closed her eyes. "I should get some sleep."
"Yeah."
TJ remained awake for a few more hours, staring into the fire. His thoughts were going all over the place. Finally, he decided to lay down, and try and get some sleep. With a yawn, TJ covered up in his own makeshift bed. He looked over at Hallie who had fallen asleep not too long ago. She was laying about four feet away, curled up under the blanket. She had tried to make it look like she was asleep, but she hadn't fooled him.
TJ moved his katana so it was up above his head. "Night, Hallie."
Second Note: Sorry! I was uploading new chapters, and Chapter 7 was put in Chapter 6's place! Please dun be so mad...