Chapter 17: Through the Rain

A week passed since we found shelter with the Bloodwings. A week in which Shade's belly wound healed with only a scar bearing witness to our daring escape from the Mayan pyramid. Much to our regret, the weather changed and heavy drops of water bombarded the dense green of the jungle. The rainy season had started.

Day and night, the water pouring from the sky, softening the ground and filling the river. Everyone got soaked as soon as they dared to step outside. But the vampires didn't seem to mind. They continued to fly happily, joked with each other, laughed and talked. Only when the rain became too much did they stay inside the temple. Adventurous pups who still wanted to defy the forces of nature were immediately brought back to safety by their parents.

Thus, my friends and I spent our time in the jungle. Although our hosts were kind to us and treated us like one of their own, we couldn't enjoy our time with them. We had to move on. We needed to find Orestes, who was probably searching half the jungle for us and head back north to Marina, Ariel, Frieda, Icarus, Mercury, and all the other Silverwings. I wondered what they were doing right now. Had Marina found a way to free the others from the research lab? Were they safe in the Hibernaculum, or had they gotten it into their heads to follow the plane and fly south? All these questions were buzzing through my head, and I couldn't find a suitable answer to any of them. All I could do was hope that our friends were safe and sound.

Peering through a hole between the rocks, I noticed that the rain was getting weaker than usual. Almost as if it was taking a short break. This was our chance. The best time for us to leave was now. After taking a last glance outside I turned away from my lookout and climbed down the rocks to return to our guestroom. There I found my friends roosting together with Tick in the middle of the room. Upon noticing me, Shade stopped their conversation and fluttered down to me on the ground.

''There you are, Vanessa. Where have you been?"

''Just checked the weather outside,'' I said ''The rain has stopped for now. Seems like the perfect time for us to leave.''

''About time,'' Chinook said, coming over, followed by Tick. ''We have been here way too long.''

''Need I remind you that we couldn't leave before Shade's wound has healed,'' I replied, frowning at him. ''Not to forget all the scratches we both got. Besides, the weather hasn't exactly been travel-friendly the last couple of nights.''

''And it's still not getting better,'' Tick interjected. ''Are you guys sure you want to go? The weather may be okay now, but it's still wet season. The breaks between rain showers are usually no longer than a few days. Sometimes even no more than a few hours.''

''All the more reason for us to leave.''

''And what if you wait until dry season?'' Tick asked. I shook my head.

''That would take too long,'' I said ''We are kind of in a hurry.''

''Uh, not that we don't like it here,'' Shade quickly added.

''We just worry about our friend and want to go home.''

''Don't worry. I get that,'' Tick said with a smile. Assuring us that he wasn't upset. ''But traveling through the jungle during this time of the year is not a good idea. Especially for strangers like you.''

I feared he would say something like that and exchanged a glance with my friends. Chinook looked displeased, as usual, while Shade seemed burning to move on. Watching us, Tick thought about something for a moment, then told us to wait and flew out of the chamber.

''What's gotten into him now?'' Chinook asked.

''Beats me,'' I said and shrugged.

'Well, he must have his reasons'', said Shade, ''But what do we do now? Leave or stay?''

I was for leaving, but Chinook seemed to have some doubts after what Tick said earlier. ''How long does this wet season last?''

''Months. I can tell you that much.''

He grimaced, not liking my answer.

''What did you expect? In the north, we have four seasons, and those don't last only a few days either,'' I said.

''I know, but ... .''

''It would take too long,'' Shade interjected, frowning a little. ''We should leave tonight like you said, Vanessa. Otherwise, we may never find Orestes.''

''I wouldn't say that. But on the other hand, you're right. Let's wait until Tick comes back and say goodbye to him and Umber.''

It wasn't long before the young Bloodwing returned and motioned us to follow him to Chief Umber's roost. Clinging to Chinook's feet, my friends and I followed him into the temple's main hall. From there we went up the old weathered staircase, and over to a crevice high up in the temple. Fortunately, it was big enough for the three of us to fit through. After a short path, we came to a small chamber that, like all the others, was filled with moss, vines, and even some large leaves. A large, almost round hole on one side gave a clear view of the clear starry sky outside. Chief Umber himself awaited us in the center of the room.

''Greetings,'' he greeted us with a warm smile as we entered his private chamber.

''Good evening Chief Umber,'' we said as soon as we landed on the ground before him.

''Tick here told me that you are planning to leave us today.''

Shade nodded and took a step forward. ''We're sorry, but we can't stay sir. We need to go.''

With a frown, the Bloodwing leader glanced outside. ''Not exactly the best time of year you've chosen for your jungle expedition. However, you are my guests, and as such, you are free to leave whenever you want.'' ''Nevertheless,'' he continued, raising a hand before even one of us could say goodbye. ''I can't bear the thought of you flying into the unknown. The dangers outside are far too dire.''

''He's not going to insist that we stay here,'' I thought worriedly.

''That's why Tick will accompany you for a while.''

Wrinkling my forehead, I looked over to the young vampire. He nodded confidently towards his leader who didn't seem happy about this. Yet Umber didn't retract his decision.

''Thank you but I don't think that's necessary,'' I said not liking how upset the chief seemed with his decision of letting Tick accompany us.

''Nonsense,'' he said. ''You three need a guide. And since Tick volunteered to be the one to lead you through the jungle he will go with you.''

The younger Bloodwing nodded in agreement. ''Further west of here is a human statue. It's been home to a bunch of northern bats since the beginning of the firestorms.''

''Northern bats? Like us?'' Chinook's ears twitched as he leaned closer, staring at Tick.

''I only saw them once a few weeks ago. I can't guarantee if they're still there or who they are exactly. But being around them might increase your chances of getting home.''

''After finding Orestes.'' I didn't say it out loud, but one look at Shade told me he wasn't leaving this place either before finding our feathery friend. Though this human statue was at least something we could work with for a start. Maybe we were lucky enough to find Chinook's parents among those bats living there. Judging by the gleam in his eyes, Chinook was thinking the same. Still, I didn't want to cling too tightly to this hope.

Once our issues were settled we returned to the main hall. Chief Umbra asked Tick to gather the rest of the colony, and a few moments later, everyone knew we were about to leave and wished us farewell. The little Bloodwing pup Feather looked sad about it and pleaded come with us like Tick. His mother immediately forbids it before either of us could say something, causing the kid to protest. Threatening him with nest arrest Feather stopped arguing with his mother and started pouting. We said our goodbyes to the Bloodwings and thanked them for their hospitality. Afterward, I took hold of Chinook's feet and flew with him and Shade out into the open lead by Tick. For now, the night seemed clear, and hopefully, it would stay that way for a while.

Less than two hours later, we were caught in another downpour.

''Guys, we should have stayed,'' Chinook said. ''There is no way we can keep going in this ... weather.''

''A little late for that,'' I mumbled, rolling my eyes at his complaint. Of course, the pleasant weather wouldn't last long. Yet couldn't it have waited until we reached a place to rest? Within minutes, we were soaked to the bone. I missed my white cloak. It would have given me at least a bit of protection from the rain. But now my wet hair was falling in thick strands into my face and my clothes were literally stuck to my body. But at least the rain was warm and not ice cold like in the north. At least something positive.

''We're not too far from the colony yet,'' Tick said, glancing over his shoulder. ''We could turn around and try it another time,'' he suggested.

''No, thanks.'' Shade shook his head, squinting his eyes as he struggled to keep up. ''We'll be fine. Let's just find a place to roost and sit out this rain.''

Tick gave a half-hearted laugh. ''Nice one. If you wanted to wait until the rain stopped, we really should have stayed at my colony. I warned you guys. Such breaks never last long.''

''Believe us, under different circumstances we would have stayed with you and your colony,'' I said, ''But we really can't wait until the dry season.''

The Bloodwing kept leading us through the jungle until we came to a hollow tree where we decided to stop for a rest. Inside we dried ourselves up as well as we could. Copying my friends, I wrung the water out of my hair and jumped, hearing a scream. Confused, I turned around and saw Chinook starring with wide eyes at a bunch of blue fur in his hands. ''Chinook, what...?''

''M- my fur. It's ... it's falling out! My fur is falling out!'' He was indeed losing a lot of his thick fur. And the more loosely hair he plucked from himself the more hysteric he became. Concerned, Shade plucked at his own mane and was horrified to discover his fur also falling out in tufts.

''Holy! Is this the reason why we should have waited for dry season?'' he asked trying his best to stay calm. ''Now I get why the Bloodwings don't have manes.''

''Actually, we are just born that way,'' Tick said, not getting what was going on.

I knew very well what was wrong and shook my head with a chuckle. ''Guys calm down. You're not losing all your fur.''

''Oh yeah!? And what do you say about this?'' Chinook demonstratively held his fur tufts under my nose.

''If I remember correctly, this is called molting,'' I said smiling. ''You just lose your winter fur, that's all.''

The two Silverwings looked at me, then at each other, and back at me.

''So... We don't have to worry about looking like newborn babies?'' Shade asked raising his eyebrow.

I snorted picturing this. ''No, you really don't have to worry about that. You'll only shed as much hair as you have grown in winter to keep you warm. Normally this happens in summer but with the temperatures around here it's no wonder it happens earlier.''

''I see''

Chinook gave a slight cough as if he felt ashamed of his reaction from before. A slight blush rose on Shade's face as well, but it quickly faded as he thoughtfully plucked a few more wet tufts of fur from himself.

''Now that you mention it. I have been feeling quite warm lately. A little less fur might not be a bad thing.''

''Agreed!,'' nodded Chinook. ''Still, I would have preferred if someone would have told us about that sooner.''

''Honestly, I'm surprised it didn't happen to you earlier. After all, we have been here for a week.''

''Doesn't matter,'' said Shade. ''Let's stop talking about this and think about what we should do next.''

''Before that, I would just like to know if this ''molting'' also happens to humans,'' Tick interfered, looking at me curiously.

''In a way, yes,'' I said, running my fingers through a strand and by that letting some loose hair fall to the ground. ''It's not distinctive as it is with animals, though.'' ''I see.''

Tick seemed eager to ask me more questions. But for the sake of my two Silverwing friends, I changed the subject and started asking him more about this human statue.

''I don't know much about it,'' he admitted. ''I only know that it is located on the top of a big mountain. Far above a city at the edge of the jungle.''

''Is that far from here?" Chinook asked. Tick shrugged.

''Maybe a night or two. Depends on how many stops we make.''

''Well, it's not like we get any faster flying through the rain,'' I said.

''True.''

''What does this statue look like?'' Shade asked. Tick thought about it, scratching his chin.

''Well, like a human. Gigantic and with its arms wide open. Like this!'' He spread out his wings to demonstrate the posture of the statue.

''I know which statue you mean!'' I exclaimed, slamming my fist into the palm of my hand.

''You do?'' Tick lowered his arms and looked at me dumbfounded. ''Have you been there before?'' I shook my head

''No, but I've seen it before in pictures. It is one of the seven wonders of the world and represents an image of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is also known as a landmark of Brazil.''

The three bats looked at me with big question marks hovering over their heads.

''Uh, never mind. Let's just say I know what we are looking for.''

Still puzzled, the three males glanced at each other and then just shrugged. There would be enough time to talk further about this one other time. For now, it was more important that we got there.

''How come Umber wasn't so thrilled about you flying with us Tick?''

After waiting about half an hour, the rain had eased down a bit, and we were able to continue our journey through the jungle until dawn. Constantly careful not to encounter any Vampyrum or other predators, we flew briskly along, sparingly talking.

''Well,'' he said, licking a drop of water from his lips. ''Our chief knows I do very well on my own. I've been on solo tours many times before. More or less at his liking.

''But isn't he, your leader?" Chinook asked, wrinkling his forehead. ''How can you disobey his orders?''

''I'm not disobeying him,'' Tick countered. ''I mean, it's not like he's ordering me to fly accompanied all the time. He'd prefer it, but knowing me, he lets me get away with a lot.''

''Sounds like you're his son,'' Shade said.

''In a way, I am.''

''Wait, what?!" dumbfounded, I looked up at him. ''You never told us Umber was your father.''

''He's not,'' he said, ''At least not my real father. But he adopted me after my parents died. He never had children of his own. Also, no mates. As far as I know, he is not interested in ever getting one. At least no one has ever heard of him falling in love with anyone before.''

''Oh, okay.'' For the moment, none of us knew what to say. We had been living with Tick for a week, telling him and the other Bloodwings half our life stories, and knew absolutely nothing about him in return.

''Uhm, sorry for your loss,'' Shade said, ''May I ask what happened to your parents? Did they get eaten by a Vampyrum or...?''

Tick shook his head and kept looking ahead. ''They got sick.'' That was all he shared, and neither Shade nor Chinook or I dug deeper into this topic.

Right before sunrise, Chinook's belly announced itself with a loud growl.

''Can we take another break. I'm starving here.''

''Patience, we will soon come to a swamp area. There are always numerous insects buzzing around. Enough to fill your bellies.''

''Hopefully,'' he said.

''Don't be like that, Chinook. You ate more than Shade and I combined before we left.'' ''Excuse me, I have to eat a lot,'' he complained, ''I'm still growing.''

Shade coughed up.

''Besides, how am I supposed to build muscle without energy? After all, I need them to impress Marina so she'll become my mate.''

Shade coughed again causing the larger Silverwing to turn to him in annoyance.

''Say, do you have something in your throat?'' ''No, just choking on the nonsense your babbling about.'' Growling Chinook pushed his nose into Shade's face. ''What's your problem?'' he demanded to know.

''Nothing,'' the smaller bat defended himself and moved back a wingbeat, ''I just can't believe you think Marina is so shallow and take you for her mate because of your muscles.''

''So?'' Chinook didn't care. ''She also likes my company. I make her laugh.''

''She's laughing with me too.''

Chinook snorted. ''Certainly not the way she does with me.''

''Well, maybe it's different but ...''

''Look!'' Chinook sighed and briefly rubbed the area between his eyes, scrunching his eyebrows together. ''I don't know what you had in mind but Marina is now part of our colony. She doesn't have to just hang out with you all the time.''

''Excuse me?'' Shade's mouth dropped. ''What's that supposed to mean?''

''Guys, I don't want to be part of this conversation. So could you please postpone it until later,'' I interfered. Tick also turned around. Asking what was going on. Unfortunately, the two quarrelers decided to ignore us.

''Are you saying that I think of Marina as my property?'' Shade asked, squinting his eyes.

''Well, you don't seem thrilled with her choice regarding her future mate.''

''She hasn't even decided yet!" exclaimed Shade.

''Shh, keep it down!" whispered Tick. But the two still ignored him. Instead, Chinook flew provocatively closer to Shade.

''Why does the idea of Marina choosing me, bother you so much?'' he asked.

Shade opened his mouth to reply, but decided against it and shut it again.

''Oh, now you can't think of something to say or what?''

''Chinook, let it go,'' I hissed. But of course, he didn't listen. Instead, he gave Shade a dirty look. Then he seemed to realize something. ''Wait a minute. Don't tell me you think Marina would choose you as her partner.''

Not giving him an answer, Shade looked to the side, avoiding his eye contact. His face turned slightly red.

''You've got to be kidding me,'' Chinook blinked at him for a second then burst out laughing. ''You? Marina's partner? That's hilarious!''

Shade frowned ''What's so funny about that?''

I narrowed my eyes, wanting to bite Chinook in the leg for exposing Shade like that. But I didn't, because I had no desire for him to let go of me.

It took a bit for Chinook to calm down. He was still wiping away tears as he turned back to Shade. "Seriously you'd do better to forget this idea.''

"And why is that?" Shade growled. "We're friends, after all.''

''So what?'' Chinook looked at Shade with a raised eyebrow. ''Doesn't necessarily mean the two of you will become more than that. Honestly, it's more than likely Marina sees nothing but a little brother in you. She's a whole year older, after all.''

''You're younger than me,'' Shade reminded him, baring his teeth. But Chinook just huffed.

''At least, I no longer look like a toddler.''

That was it. Without thinking, Shade pounced at Chinook and dug his claws into his fur. The latter whirled around to shake him off, almost losing his grip on me. With a yelp, I clutched tightly to him myself while Tick tried to stop the fight.

''Guys, stop it! This isn't the time for this.''

No one listened. Growling and snarling, both Silverwings whirled around punching, scratching, and biting each other in mid-air. I had trouble dodging their attacks as well as I could. As Shade struck again, Chinook ducked out of the way, causing the blow to hit me instead. Instantly I lost my grip on Chinook's feet and dropped to the ground. Unfortunately, neither of them seemed to notice my emergency. Not even Tick, who desperately kept trying to pull the two apart. Like a stone, I fell through the sky until I landed with a splash in the swamp.

Thanks to the force of impact, I was briefly knocked out and sunk deeper and deeper. Eventually, I got stuck and regained consciousness. I didn't dare open my eyes. There was mud all around me. I could feel it. It was plugging my ears and nose and made it impossible for me to breathe. ''Not again.'' Unwillingly I thought about how I almost drowned back in the sewers. Determined not to be overwhelmed by panic that arose in me, I began pedaling into a direction I hoped was upwards.

I needed to be quick. There was no way I could hold my breath for long. I needed air. Urgently. Now! I almost opened my mouth as my fingers poked through the last layer and a warm drop of rain tickled my skin. With the last bit of my strength, I dug myself out of my prison and burst to the surface. Coughing and spitting, I gasped for air and laid down on the mud. Not bothering to free my lower body as well. I was too exhausted for that. As the rain was washing the dirt from my body, I noticed that I was shivering. An aftereffect of what I just had to go through.

Moments later, I could hear my friends calling my name, but I still needed a few seconds before I pulled myself fully out of the mud. My mouth felt like it was glued shut, therefore I had to clear my throat before I called back an answer. The rain made it difficult for me to look up and spot even one of the three bats. ''Better I get on solid ground,'' I said to myself and carefully got up, not wanting to sink in again.

Squish! Splash! Squish!

Slowly I made my way through the thick grey mass. Eventually, I felt some hard ground under my bare soles and stopped. I was still in the middle of this muddy area and couldn't see any of my friends anywhere. I could only hear them. Again I called out to them, hoping that their sensitive ears would localize my call.

''Shade! Tick! Chinook! I'm here! I'm...'' Something in the corner of my eyes caught my attention. But when I turned around, it was gone. ''Weird,'' I thought and went back to calling for my friends.

''Guys, I'm down here! Here in the ...'' Again, something flashed up diagonally behind me, and this time I turned around faster to catch a glimpse of something yellow. ''What was that?'' Blinking I kept starring at the spot, wondering what it could be. A few heartbeats, nothing happened, and I began to think my eyes were playing tricks on me. I almost called out my friends' names again when it appeared a third time. It was a large round thing with a thin black line in the middle. Frozen on the spot, I stared at the thing, not daring to move a muscle. At First, nothing happened. But then the thing moved. A brief roll to the side. Yet that was enough to tell me what it was. The big yellow eye of a large crocodile, hidden under the mud.

''Oh, f***!''

Suddenly the reptile opened its mouth, and I got thrown back into the soft mud. Fortunately, I did not sink in this time. The crocodile, however, decided to choose me as its next meal and sprinted towards me. With a scream, I jumped up and made my way out of there, but I was too slow. With only a few steps it was over me and lunged at me with its huge snout. Quick-witted, I rolled to the side so that instead of a tasty snack it only got mud between its teeth. Furious, the reptile spat out the dirt and started another attack. I desperately tried escaping this situation but kept slipping and eventually fell face first in the mud. Laying there, I silently prayed to any god that might exist for a quick and painless death.

I already saw myself as a Croco snack, hearing it getting closer, and shut my eyes tightly awaiting the worse. Yet no sharp teeth closed around me. Risking a look over my shoulder, I noticed the reptile angrily snapping at something fluttering over its head. Squinting my eyes I realized it was Tick. Death-defying as he was, he distracted the beast from me. But instead of using the opportunity to flee, I stayed where I was, frozen in place.

''What are you waiting for? Run!''

''But...?''

Tick whirled to the side, barely dodging the crocodile's teeth.

''Just go!'' he screamed at me again. I got up and hurried away from this place. Constantly turning around to make sure Tick was okay, I stumbled forward until I felt solid ground under my feet. Initially, I was afraid to stand on a camouflaged crocodile again. But then I noticed a piece of root sticking out of the mud beside me and climbed up it to safety. With trembling limbs I clung tightly to the wood and looked in the direction where the reptile raged, hoping Tick got away from there too. Unfortunately, my vision was limited by the pouring rain.

''Vanessa!'' I turned around, hearing Shade's voice, and saw him landing on the root beside me. ''Are you alright?'' He quickly looked at me up and down, checking for injuries with his eyes widen with fear. ''I'm so sorry,'' he said trembling. ''I didn't mean to cause you to let go of Chinook.''

''I'm fine Shade, but have you seen Tick?'' He shook his head, so we both looked back to the area I escaped from. There was no sign of the Bloodwing nor the giant reptile who seemed to go back into hiding.

''I'm going to see where he is.''

Shade wanted to fly off, but I stopped him by grabbing his arm.

''Don't! It's too dangerous.''

He tried to protest but at that moment, Tick appeared before us. Seemingly unharmed but breathing heavily. ''What are you two waiting for? Let's move!''

I nodded and grabbed Shade's feet, who then followed Tick back up into the sky and to a tree where Chinook was waiting for us. As soon as we landed, the bigger Silverwing dashed towards me and grabbed me by my shoulders. ''Holy Nocturna! I-I don't know what happened, Vanessa. Are you ok?''

I lowered my eyebrows and brushed his hands off me. I wasn't exactly in the mood to listen to any excuses. I just walked past him and leaned against the trunk, my back facing the bats, and crossed my arms.

''Vanessa, what's wrong?'' Shade asked, trying to talk to me.

''Yeah, we just want to know what happened.''

''You two know exactly what happened,'' I replied, not turning around.

''Look, we are sorry that you fell,'' said Chinook, letting out a sigh as if I was overreacting here. I even caught him rolling his eyes as I peeked over my shoulder.

''Seriously?'' I turned around, glaring at him and Shade. ''I almost died. This wouldn't have happened if you two hadn't started bickering in midair.''

''It was just an accident,'' Shade looked hurt. ''Can't you forgive us?''

''No!'' I snapped. ''Not now. I told you I didn't want to be part of your quarrel but you two ignored me. Furthermore, you acted like I wasn't even there. You also didn't listen to Tick who kept telling you to stop.''

''Look, we...''

''No, she is right.'' Tick interfered, frowning at the Silverwings. ''The jungle is no place to act like immature pups. Did it occur to you that your bickering might have drawn the attention of any predators to us?'' Guiltily the boys looked down to their feet. ''I have no intention of getting caught by a Vampyrum because of you guys.''

''Honestly, Tick, we're sorry,'' repeated Shade, looking at us desperately. ''It won't happen again. I promise.''

Tick looked to me, silently asking what I was thinking.

''I don't want to talk about this anymore. It's nearly sunrise. We should find a place to sleep.''

''I know a good place not too far from here,'' said the Bloodwing.

''Alright, lead the way!'' He nodded and got airborne. Chinook flew over me, wanting to take my hands, but I walked away and let myself be carried by Tick instead.