Chapter Four:

String was awakened by the nurse that was checking on Cait. He looked at his watch, six am. He had fallen asleep in the Chair. Dom was in a reclining chair in the corner sound asleep. The nurse quietly preformed her job and left. Last night String had learned more details of Cait's ordeal when she was brought into the ER from Emily the nurse that worked with her. Since Cait didn't have anyone there at the time she felt they should know what happened. She was young for a ER nurse and small no more than 5'1" with short cropped hair and a pixie face. Cait's blood preasure was dropping dangerously low due to the internal bleeding. Emily stayed with her until they transported her into surgery. She was afraid that Cait would not make it and kept repeating to her to stay with them that she wasn't ready to leave this earth yet. String was trying to get the images of the ordeal out of his head. He hated that she was alone when she almost died. If things went his way from now on he would not let her out of his sight again. He chuckled at that thought, no way would Cait put up with him smothering her with his over protective ways.

He stood by her bed stroking the hair from her face when he noticed her eye lids were fluttering. He called for the nurse. She checked her over and told him she was fine but that it was a good sign. She was probably dreaming and that meant good brain activity. String hoped the dream was not a nightmare. She had been through enough.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

The fairy took Cait to the edge of Pope . "This is as far as I can go. You must do the rest on your own."

Cait looked to the small village below then back to the fairy. " How will I find my way back?"

"You already know the way. You just do not realize it yet." With that the fairy flew away leaving her at the doors to the village.

Cait entered through large wooden doors. She did not see anyone outside. Her attention was drawn to a small building made of stone. It had bars for windows which made her think it was a jail. There's where she would start. If she was looking for a sheriff that is where he would be. With caution she opened the door. The only light was from the sun entering in through the windows. She heard a sound and it startled her. It came from a cage made from iron bars. The creature inside was like none she had ever seen. He was a handsome man with wings like a hawk. He looked at her as if he knew her. He had steel blue eyes that held more compassion then anger but they were guarded.

"Who are you, and why are you locked in this cage?" She asked as she slowly moved to the strange man.

"My name is Hawke. Bogan captured me and locked me in here. I need your help to escape."

"Why would the Sheirrff lock you up if you have done nothing wrong?" She wanted to trust him and something inside her told her she could.

" He and his men killed my friend that I have been searching for. Now he plans to kill me."

Cait moved closer to the cage. She seemed drawn to him. "I believe you. I was warned that the Sheirrff is a very evil man. I was also told he has plans to harm me."

Hawke studied her as she stepped into the light. It struck him suddenly that she was the beautiful woman he had saved. "If Bogan wants you dead then why did you come here? You should have returned to where you came from." Already his heart was taken by her courage and gental soul.

"Because I need to do what it right." She replied as she took the keys from the wall and put them in the lock.

Hawke took her by the hand. "We need to leave. I have to get you to safety."

As they left the jail they were met by Bogan and his band of leprechauns. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here? Caitlin O'Shannessy. I do not even need to spend my time hunting you down. You came to me."

"How do you know my name and why do you want to hurt me?" Caitlin asked .

Bogan looked at her with pure hatred. He pointed a finger and jabbed it in her side causing much pain. "Because I hate your purity and your honesty. There is no place in my kingdom for anyone such as yourself."

The man called Hawke spread his wings. Ready to protect the women with a pure soul. Bogans men started to attack him. Before they could they heard a familiar screech from the sky. Looking up they saw the same big black bird that caused them to flee before. This time they would stand and fight.

The bird swooped down being ridden by a large man with gray hair. The bird flew to Hawke who swiftly took his place on its back. Hawke took the reins as the older man took his place behind him.

Cait tried to run. The leprechauns drew their arrows taking aim of her. Hawke commanded them to drop their weapons. They fired on her one grazing her side. She wenced in pain still trying to run.

Hawkes voiced thundered out again. " Remember that I gave you a choice. Now you leave me with none."

He decended down with all the power the bird had to give unleashing it on Bogan and his Leprechauns. It was over before Cait could make sense of what was happening.

She looked around seeing that there was no one left that could harm her.

Hawke and the older man hovered above her. "Are you hurt?" He asked.

"I'm fine." She replied. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He turned the bird to leave.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Perhaps I will see you again courageous Cait."

Hawke turned to leave. Cait tried to follow. Hawke pulled hard on the reins. The great black bird took off with such speed that in a moments time they were gone from sight.

Cait watched until they were a speck in the sky. "Hawke with wings and a great bird. Shouldn't be too hard to find."