Chapter Ten - The Hunter and the Prey

I swear my scalp itched for an entire month. My hair grew only slightly faster than the average. It took nearly two months for me to have a length to be able to style. About that time, my designs were being sold in Jackson. I felt so accomplished, and the only one that was not happy for me was Helen. She had voiced her disapproval of my freedom too many times to count. Griffen wanted to take me away because he was afraid of what she might do. I assured him I would see it in time to avoid disaster, but he was not convinced.

Griffen and I grew very close. Most of the time I called him father, and he enjoyed that immensely. Bonnie had a major breakthrough. She still had not spoken, but the canine behavior had disappeared. She helped me every day making dresses and seemed content. When she could communicate again, she would likely be released. Judith spoke to me only when she was sure no one was around. She was still afraid of Helen.

A few weeks into spring, I was sitting with Bonnie. We were eating breakfast which was edible for once. She had been finger waving her hair for several weeks, and I was admiring her work when an extraordinary thing happened.

"There are enough decent sized apples on that tree outside for a lovely pie," she said brightly as if it were a normal occurrence "Doesn't an apple pie sound delightful?"

I gawked at her for several moments and then finally said, "Yes that would be delightful."

"Do you think they would let me make a pie?" she wondered.

"The cooks are a grumpy bunch," I said sadly then inspiration hit me, "We should ask Dr. Kippes."

"I don't know," she said unsurely.

"I know," I reassured.

After breakfast, Bonnie accompanied me to my daily appointment. Dr. Kippes was more than receptive. The three of us picked a basket of apples while Bonnie chattered. It was if a dam had broken, and the doctor was delighted. The kitchen staff looked at us strangely, as we washed and chopped apples. I popped a piece of apple into my mouth and found it on the tart side.

"Mama grew special pie apples in her orchard," I automatically commented.

His head snapped toward me and he asked, "What else do you remember?"

I gave him a confused look until I realized what I had said. He listened intently as I told him about my mother's orchard behind our home. I could see her tending to her trees, but that is as far the memory went. He said it was a good sign, but it was a wonderful gift for me. I remembered my mother, and my heart warmed with love.

Thankfully, Bonnie picked up the conversation. I did not want to remember my mother's death, but she talked about the death of her baby. Her story saddened me. After years of trying, she and her husband were finally blessed with a baby daughter. Her happiness only lasted ten days. One of her husband's hunting dogs mauled the infant while she had been napping. She rushed in not long after the attack had started but was unable to save the child.

"I kept thinking," she sighed, "If I had been another dog, I would have been able to save my precious girl. I would have known the moment the dog came in the house. I would have sensed its malicious intent."

She and Dr. Kippes went on to discuss how she felt about it now. They adjourned to the table as I slid the pie into the oven. They became engrossed in their personal conversation so I was able to slip out without being noticed. I made my way back out to the apple tree. As I leaned against it, I could almost feel my mama there. I basked in the safe and comforting presence for several minutes. All of a sudden, a feeling of foreboding crept over me. No vision accompanied the uneasy feeling.

A cackling guffaw shattered the peace in the courtyard. A handful of patients were out enjoying the lovely day. A tall thin woman was laughing madly and looking directly at me. A wild look filled her eyes that chilled me to the bone. The other residents paid her no mind. I wanted to flee, but fear anchored me.

"Death surrounds you," she declared and dissolved into giggles.

Her hysteria intensified. When she doubled over with laughter, my paralysis broke. I ran and did not stop until I reached the mending room. I paced for several minutes hugging myself. Was she crazy or was she like me? If I saw someone's death, I would never laugh at them. After some time, I decided she must be delusional. I tried throwing myself into my work in hopes of distraction, but doubts still lingered.

In frustration, I made my way back to the dining room. Lunch service was wrapping up, and Dr. Kippes was cutting into the pie. Bonnie smiled brightly when she spotted me. I tried to return the smile as I sat down but to no avail. Bonnie asked what was wrong. My voice shook as I told them about the woman in the courtyard.

"That would be Susannah," he said sadly, "She believes she can see death."

"Wonderful," I said sarcastically.

"You know that it is just a delusion," he inquired.

"Of course," I said more convincingly than I felt.

We sat and enjoyed our pie. Judith and a couple of orderlies also partook of the delicious pastry. I wanted so badly to talk to Bonnie or the doctor about my uneasy fear, but then I would have to admit that I believed in Susannah's delusions. It had been several weeks since I had had to endure a shock treatment. I think Dr. Kippes did not want me to forget how to sew so he had spared me the pain. If he knew how afraid I was, he would surely put me back on the schedule.

Once alone in the mending room, I considered confiding in Bonnie. I decided against it as she might tell the good doctor during therapy. I would wait and discuss it with Griffen. He was my only true friend and confidant. Focusing on my work was tough, and time seemed to stop. Bonnie asked me about it several times during the afternoon, but I assured her I was just a little shaken.

After what seemed a year, I was alone in my room. Helen commented on my demeanor as she locked my door. I wished her a good night as sweetly as I was able. I was far to keyed up to prepare for bed so I put a few miles on my Mary Janes pacing back and forth. When Griffen arrived, he found me in a state of near panic.

I threw myself into his cold stony embrace, and gushed out my worries. He listened patiently and assured me everything would be all right. During the day he would stay within earshot so if I needed him, he would be nearby. I was telling him that it was much too dangerous for him when a vision came to me.

The hunter with light brown hair and red eyes paced in front of me. He inhaled deeply and told me that I had the most divine smelling blood he had ever tracked. Another stood in the shadows, but only bright orange hair was visible. When he turned his back, I tried to run. He caught me without much effort. His cold skin chilled me as he breathed in my scent. Then he waited no longer, he sunk his razor-sharp teeth deeply into my throat.

A cold hand was clasped over my mouth, and I tried to fight. I soon realized it was Griffen, and he was muffling my scream. I sobbed as I explained what I had seen.

"A tracker," he hissed and then asked, "Was he wearing a hooded robe?"

"No," I said shaking my head, "He looked destitute. His clothing was full of holes and he wore no shoes."

"Nomads," he mumbled and then declared, "I will take you away from here. We can leave now."

A fierce eyed woman snaps bones in my arm as the hunter taunts Griffen. I cannot cry out because I know it will distract my father. He calls him a feeble old fool as my beloved friend attempts to fight. The evil creature soon grows weary and rips Griffen's head from his body. I begin to scream, but am silenced in the blink of an eye.

"It will do no good," I choked out hopelessly, "He will find us and kill you in front of me."

"What if I make a stand here?" he offered, "In the solitary confinement room. There are no windows and only one entry point."

I am pressed into a padded corner as Griffen waits hidden just inside the door. There is a flash of movement too fast for my eyes to follow, and I am alone in the tiny room. I whimper as I hear a terrible ripping noise coming from the hallway. Suddenly the hunter is there in the doorway, and something dangles from his hand. He tosses it at my feet, and Griffen's eyes stare sightlessly through me.

"Again we die," I whisper.

"What if I carry you up the Black River to the Pearl River?" he suggested, "Then over to the Mississippi?"

The vision didn't come to me immediately as the others had. I started to feel a little hopeful, but my hopes were soon crushed. I saw the hunter catching up to us eventually, and again killing us both.

"Using the rivers will only delay him," I sighed, "He still kills us."

"How long of a delay?" Griffen asked hopefully.

"About forty eight hours give or take," I replied.

"What if I change you?" he wondered.

The hunter paces near me, but I am unaware of his presence. He screams angrily at Griffen that there is not near enough of my precious blood left unchanged. His feline female holds my friend as the monster rips both legs from his body. My adopted father screams out in pain. Then the hunter asks him if he has any last words, and he says 'I love you little bird'. In the briefest moment, the two of them finish tearing him to pieces.

"It will be close," I said sadly, "But you are killed because it will anger him."

"If there is a chance you will be saved then I will take it," he replied solemnly.

"Don't say that father," I whimpered, "I can't lose you too."

He stared at me for a few moments and then gathered me in his arms. Tears fell from my eyes and onto his shirt. He cooed into my ear as he rocked me back and forth.

"You are too important," he choked, "Now there will be much pain. Please forgive me little bird."

"I love you father," I whispered as he bit me.

At first, it was not so bad, but it was not long until the burning started. He held me close to him, and his cold skin lessened the burning-slightly. He picked me up, and the next thing I knew we were under the stars. I felt like I was flying and the world blurred around me. The scorching pain steadily increased until I could no longer hold on, and darkness swallowed me.

oooOooo

Thank you so much for reading this.

It's finally finished, and I hope you like it. I really enjoyed writing this. Please Review.

I am considering writing an epilogue from Griffen's point of view. If you are interested in reading it, please let me know.