Zelgadis shot up from his sound sleep. "What was that?"
"Wha..? Go back 'ta sleep." Lina mumbled.
Another cry was heard.
"That!" Zelgadis shouted.
Lina also sat up. "That didn't sound good. Amelia, are you- Amelia?" Lina looked to see a hole in the earth where Amelia had been tethered, and nothing else.
Just then Lee came crashing out of the brush and into the camp.
Lina was not happy to see him. "AH! Werewolf! Fire-"
"Wait! Your friend is in danger! You have to save her!" Lee cut Lina off.
"Take us to her!" Zelgadis demanded.
The trio followed Lee back into the forest...
"Hold still you little runt!"
Although caught by her leash, Amelia was doing everything possible to avoid Bayne's advances. Bayne just grew all the more angry.
"If you won't go willingly then I'll force you to!" Bayne lunged at Amelia, grabbing her neck in his jaws.
Amelia yelped in pain, but still fought to get away. Fortunately when Bayne had grabbed at her neck, her collar got in the way, so he only had the back of her neck trapped between his teeth. Although it was extremely painful, Amelia decided that being raped by Bayne was much worse! Amelia pulled with all of her might to break free, ignoring the burning pain as her skin tore. Freedom!
Bayne had had it by now. No way was some shrimpy little female going to get the better of him! He reared up onto his hind legs.
Amelia took this momentary pause to run in a circle around him, thus trapping Bayne's legs in the leash!
That was the last straw! Bayne easily bit through the leash, then lunged at Amelia! ...the only problem was, she was no longer there.
The second the leash was cut, Amelia made a mad dash for the campsite! It wasn't long before she spotted Lina and the others. She barked out to them, before dashing behind Lina.
"Wha-? Well that was easier than I thought-" Lina was interrupted by something crashing through the forest toward her.
"You'll not be getting away from me!" Bayne lept out of the brush in a fury! As he neared his target, he looked up to see a group of humans, and one was charging up a spell!
"Nobody attacks my friends and gets away with it! FIRE BALL!!" Lina released her spell at Bayne.
...after the smoke cleared, Bayne's body could be seen laying lifeless on the ground.
"Is he dead?" Zelgadis wondered.
"He'd better be." Lina replied. "Anyone that willingly attacks friends of Lina Inverse had better watch out."
"Who's Lina Inverse?" Lee asked.
Lina's eyes bugged out. "Me! She is me!"
Just then Amelia bumped against Lina's leg, causing Lina to look down.
"Amelia, what were you thinking? You could have been killed!" Lina scolded.
Amelia whined back.
"It's not her fault. Not really, anyway." Lee spoke up.
"What were you doing out there, anyway?" Zelgadis glared at Lee.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know! I thought you all had trapped her and were going to cause her harm. It's happened to so many others..." Lee trailed off.
"In any case, it looks like we found what we came for, eh Amelia?" Lina patted Amelia. She noticed that her hand became sticky after touching the wolf. "A-Amelia! You're bleeding! Just what did he do to you?" Lina cast a Recovery spell to close the large gash on Amelia's neck.
Just remembering what she had gone through made Amelia cry. (As in how a dog cries, not a person.)
"It's all right, Miss Amelia. I'll tell them." Lee spoke softly to Amelia, then turned to Lina.
"You see, that werewolf you just did in was something of a terror around here. He used to be a bandit, but after he became infected he terrorized our womenfolk. He tried to have his way with them, so to speak. But thanks to you, we can all live in peace again." Lee said.
"You mean he..?!? Amelia, he-you.." Zelgadis was too flustered to think straight.
Amelia growled in protest.
"Don't worry, she wouldn't let him." Lee translated.
"We can all be glad for your unbreakable will, Amelia. We don't need anything else to deal with right now! And there. You ought to be as good as new." Lina said.
Amelia wagged her tail in thanks, then barked to Lee.
"Oh, right! Amelia told me what you came for. Unfortunately I cannot help you, but I know of someone who can. She lives over on the other side of the mountain, about half a week's journey from here." Lee said.
"More walking! Isn't there a town anywhere around here?" Gourry sighed.
"Actually, yes. It's near the top of the mountain." Lee replied.
"Thank goodness! We need to get more supplies (and another leash!) Thank you for your help, umm..." Lina paused.
"Lee, Miss Inverse." Lee smiled.
"All right, Lee. As for us, we aren't going anywhere until daybreak, so we might as well get some sleep in the meantime!" Lina said.
"Right!" Gourry cheered.
As Lina and Co. turned to leave, Amelia looked to Lee. "Thank you again Mr. Lee, for everything."
"T'was my pleasure, m'lady." Lee bowed, then disappeared back into the forest.
Lina awoke to the sun shining in her face. Not a great way to be woken up, but much preferred to other weather hazards. Lina sat up and yawned.
"Everybody awake yet?" Lina asked.
"Quite a while ago, actually." Zelgadis responded. "Gourry was up, but he fell asleep waiting for you."
"And Amelia?"
"She's still sleeping as well." Zelgadis replied.
"Anything for breakfast?" Lina yawned.
"What am I, your personal chef? In answer to your question, no. Other than water." Zelgadis moped.
"What's with you, not get enough sleep?" Lina asked.
"No, it's nothing. Are we going to leave anytime soon?" Zelgadis replied.
"When I'm good and ready." Lina poked Gourry. "Gourry. Hey, Gourry! Time to wake up!"
"Huh, wha?" Gourry sat up. "Oh Lina, you're awake!"
"Hello to you too, sleepyhead." Lina grinned.
Gourry just yawned and blinked sleepily.
Lina looked over to Amelia. "Now to rouse Sleeping Beauty." Lina got up from her bedroll and walked over to the sleeping wolf.
"Amelia, time to rise and shine!" Lina cheered.
No response.
Lina rocked Amelia's shoulder back and forth gently. "Hey, you in there?"
Amelia slowly opened her eyes and looked at Lina.
"That's more like it. We're heading out soon, so you need to get up." Lina got up and walked back to her bedroll, packing it up for the day.
Within moments Lina, Gourry, and Zelgadis were ready to break camp.
"Hey, what's with Amelia?" Gourry wondered.
Lina and Zelgadis looked over, While she had woken up, Amelia was still lying in the exact spot. Lina walked back over to her and crouched down.
"Hey, were you ready or what?" Lina asked softly.
Amelia looked to Lina, whined weakly, before standing up. She took a step, then staggered and fell.
"Amelia!" Lina looked her over, trying to figure out what was wrong.
Zelgadis and Gourry rushed over.
"What's wrong with her?" Zelgadis asked.
"I wonder..." Gourry touched Amelia's nose. "Her nose is dry."
"Is that bad?" Lina asked.
"Usually when an animal's nose is dry, it means they're sick. You don't think she caught something from those werewolves last night, do you?" Zelgadis said.
"It sure hit fast, if that's the case. She won't get far in this condition. Hey Gourry, think you can carry her?" Lina asked.
"Sure!" Gourry hoisted the limp wolf over his shoulders.
"There's got to be a better way to carry her than that." Lina replied.
"Not without it being uncomfortable for both of us." Gourry said.
"Let's just go already. Standing here all day isn't going to help Amelia." Zelgadis said.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Sheesh!" Lina sighed.
Several hours later the group was still walking. Since they had no food, they had no reason to stop (much to Lina's chagrin), so they continued onward.
"Hey Lina, how much longer until we get there?" Gourry asked.
'Your guess is as good as mine, but since there's still a lot of mountain left before we reach the top, I say at least another half day's journey." Lina replied.
"Oh. Were we going to stop before then?" Gourry continued.
"I wasn't planning on it. Why do you ask?" Lina looked to Gourry.
"Well, it's just that Amelia seems worse." Gourry stated.
Lina stopped dead in her tracks. "Why didn't you say anything, Gourry?"
"I thought I just did." Gourry replied.
Zelgadis, meanwhile, walked up to Gourry and looked at Amelia. It was easy to see she wasn't feeling well, but now her tongue was hanging limply from her mouth.
"Here, set her down, Gourry." Zelgadis commanded.
Gourry lay the sick wolf gently on the ground. Amelia made no move to get up, or to get more comfortable. Instead she continued to pant weakly.
"Do you think she's thirsty?" Gourry asked.
"Let's see. Here, give her some of this." Lina handed a canteen to Zelgadis.
Zelgadis pulled a bowl out of his pack and poured water into it. He then offered the bowl to Amelia.
Amelia groaned quietly, turning her head away.
"Amelia, we're not going to let you get deathly sick on us! Either you drink it, or I'll have to force you to." Lina said.
Amelia looked back at the water, but felt too horrible to drink it. She knew Lina wasn't lying though, so she slowly lapped up some water, willing it to stay down.
"I don't think we can travel anymore today with Amelia in this condition, Lina." Zelgadis said.
"I know, but what are we going to do?" Lina patted Amelia's head, but stopped when the wolf winced in pain. "Okay, we'll set up camp here!"
"In the middle of the road?" Gourry asked.
"Of course not! We'll move off of it first. I hate to move Amelia, but we can't leave her here. Gourry?" Lina said.
"Got it taken care of." Gourry picked Amelia back up, and followed Lina off of the road into a small clearing.
"This'll do, after we have everything set up. Think you can handle that, Zel?" Lina turned to Zelgadis.
"Yes, but where are you going?" Zelgadis responded.
"Gourry and I are going to go get some firewood, and hopefully find something to eat as well. We'll be back later! C'mon, Gourry." Lina waved to Zelgadis as she and Gourry left the clearing.
"Why do I always end up doing all of Lina's work?" Zelgadis sighed.
Amelia whined her apology for not being able to help.
Zelgadis jumped. "Oh, uh, Amelia, I didn't mean to disturb you. Go ahead and get some rest." Zelgadis wasn't about to say anything, but he was very worried about Amelia.
"I'm worried about Amelia." Lina said, as she gathered wood. "I mean, what if she were to...die? What would we do then?"
"Don't worry, Lina. I'm sure she'll be just fine." Gourry placed a hand on Lina's shoulder.
"You're right. She's too stubborn to die that easily!" Lina smiled.
The two stood in silence for a moment.
"Hey Gourry? ...do you mind letting me go now?"
"Oh! Sorry Lina, I didn't mean to-"
"It's all right, Gourry." Lina continued gathering more wood, a small smile on her face.
"Is she doing any better?" Lina knelt down next to Amelia.
Zelgadis shook his head, afraid to speak.
"Come on, Amelia, you've been through worse than this! ...kind of. You can't lose to this!" Lina's voice was restrained.
Amelia gave Lina a pained look, then thumped her tail on the ground once.
"That's the spirit!" Lina turned away, not wanting Amelia to see her fighting back tears. Lina then got up and walked over to the campfire.
"You okay?" Gourry asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried." Lina looked behind her. "Hey Zelgadis, how're you holding up?"
Zelgadis was near the edge of the campsite, his back turned to Lina and Gourry. He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, not even turning to look at the two.
Lina and Gourry shared a look. Poor guy...
"Well, night's falling. All we can do is get ready for tomorrow." Gourry said.
Lina just nodded, lost in thought.
Suddenly Amelia let out a cry of pain as she stood up. Her head hung down as she gripped the earth, and continued to cry out in pain.
"Amelia!" Lina shouted as she, Gourry, and Zelgadis ran to Amelia's side.
Amelia didn't respond, instead she howled out her distress. Slowly but surely her features began to change. Her limbs grew longer, while her muzzle and tail shrank down and disappeared completely.
"...she's a werehuman!" Lina gasped.
The now human Amelia fainted, collapsing to the ground in a heap. Lina removed her cape and draped it over the unconscious girl.
"But how?" Zelgadis wondered.
"I'm not sure myself." Lina replied. "Gourry, do you have an extra shirt?"
"Yeah, why?" Gourry asked.
"I'm going to need it. Now help me move her..."
Amelia woke up to a figure hovering over her. As her vision cleared, she could see it was Lina.
"Miss Lina, what-"
"Shh. Take it easy." Lina applied a cold compress to Amelia's forehead. "You gave us quite a scare."
"What did I..." Amelia trailed off, realizing that she could speak again. Amelia looked at her hand and smiled to see five fur-less fingers. "What happened?"
"I was hoping you'd tell me. Did anything happen to you when you snuck off with Lee?"
"Well no, not until that other werewolf came along and..." Amelia grew silent.
"What's wrong, Amelia?" Lina asked.
Amelia began to get choked up. "He, he t-tried to..he tried to rape me! He was the one that bit my neck!" Amelia balled up her fists in rage.
"It's okay, Amelia. I took care of that jerk." Lina reassured her.
"I know, it's just that...I was so scared!"
"You're all right now." Lina soothed.
"Oh, so she's awake!" Gourry said. He and Zelgadis had just returned from getting more water and firewood.
Amelia smiled at them.
"Uh, Lina, could I, you know..." Zelgadis stammered.
Lina smiled a knowing smile, then stood up. "She's all your's, Zel. C'mon Gourry, let's go for a walk."
"But I just got back-"
"Let's go!" Lina pulled Gourry away.
Zelgadis shuffled around a bit nervously, before settling down near Amelia. (She was currently occupying his bedroll.)
"So, how are you feeling?" Zelgadis asked, although a bit shakily.
"Better, thank you." Amelia replied.
"Ah, Amelia? There's something I need to tell you."
"Yes?"
"Well, it's just that..I didn't mean to attack you!" Zelgadis blurted.
Amelia looked puzzled. "Mr. Zelgadis, what do you mean?"
Zelgadis cringed. He had hoped to bypass a complete confession! "You see...it was stupid really... I didn't know it was you when I did it!"
"It's all right, Mr. Zelgadis. I don't remember anything about it at all, but seeing how much it's hurt you shows you truly are a good person inside." Amelia smiled.
"Thank you. I just couldn't continue on as if it didn't happen because I knew it happened, and when I realized what I must have put you through... Amelia, I do...care about you, and I don't want to see you hurt. Especially by me." Zelgadis hung his head in shame.
After a moment of no response, Zelgadis looked over to see Amelia had fallen asleep.
"It figures." Zelgadis stoked the fire, waiting for Lina and Gourry to get back.
Finally, I am past this part of the story! (Incidently, the whole attempted rape scene is one of the very first scenes I thought of when this story got stuck in my head. Thanks to my friend Rocky it is a lot less graphic than I originally planned, which is for the better.) Lina will eventually figure out the huge mistake she made...
As for Amelia getting ill, I had originally planned for that to happen (you'll find out later why she got so sick), but I hadn't intended to have it be so serious. As life would work out, I was dealing with a very sick cat at the time (my beloved pet for almost half of my life), so Lina's reactions were my reactions dealing with the possibility of losing a close friend. (Although Lina was spared where I was not. Puff was my inspiration to the end. ...although I still hate that name!)
Anyway, things are going to be a bit happier for now, especially the next chapter (which I never intended to write, but I'm quite happy with it.) Provided I don't die slaving in front of my sewing machine, expect it by next weekend!