Chapter 5 is up, please read and review! I hope you enjoy and stick with me!
Hontōni? = Really?
Ikou! = Let's go!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The howling wind awoke me from my frantic dreams, leaving me sweating and shivering uncontrollably. After a few minutes, my heartbeat finally slowed down and I found the strength to stand. I shuffled uncertainly towards the kitchen, flicking the light on and reaching for the tap. I splashed some water on my face and returned to my futon; my clothes were piled up neatly beside it, smelling lightly of lavender from Summer's latest washing spree. I pulled them on, collected all my belongings, and made my way toward the door. I cautiously stepped over the peacefully sleeping Red Wolf, looking down at him fondly before leaving the small compartment. I paused, rethinking my actions; backtracked and pulled the note from my pocket, chucking it carelessly onto my now abandoned futon. Then I left.
I was never coming back.
It was time to move on, to progress in my search for Paradise. I was going to miss Summers smile and Autumns sincere grin, even that stupid pups positivity. It wasn't fair, I had given them no warning of my sudden leave, but I always found saying goodbye was harder than just disappearing. That's why I never get close to anyone; parting has always broken my heart.
That Red Wolf was still lingering persistently on the edge of my thoughts, his depthless golden eyes, swirling auburn hair and carefree grin...no! He's just another boy...a boy with who cared and possessed selflessness unlike any I have met before. I can't...I can't love anybody!
"Alone in the darkness..." I whispered gently, my finger ghosting the surface of my left eyelid.
The stars glared at me coldly from their kingdom, and offered no comfort. The moon was overshadowed by a grim looking cloud that seemed to spread its tendrils of smoky grey over the entire sky. I sighed and began my meandering trek toward the cities gates.
"Damn it all!" An angry bellow rang throughout the rickety old bar, causing a plain, landscaped painted fell to the floor with a strangely satisfying thud. The bar was deserted; exceptions for two lonesome figures.
One of the figures was a burly man, cloaked in swirling tattoos and piercings, with a heavy lined-yet not unkind- face. He emitted a mellow kind of vibe, the kind of guy you'd open up and chat to; drunk or sober.
The other man had dark, wrinkled skin; no tattoos to hide his features; just a weathered auburn cloak and wide brimmed, Old Western style hat. His aura was strained, laced with pain, rage, loneliness, a burning desire for revenge...at least, that what I thought as I poked my head meekly through the door into the storage room.
Summer was crouched beside me, her hands clasped together and a slight smile tugged at her lips. She nudged me impatiently, and I withdrew slowly; so as not to attract the mysterious' mans attention. We retreated hastily to the kitchen, where the Red Wolf was bent over the sink, coughing violently. Summer threw me a 'we'll talk about it later' look and tended to the distraught pup. I turned away; content with rummaging through the cupboards for a cough medicine. It was-of course- human, but it worked relatively well when Summer became ill last snowfall.
"Here, kid. Drink this." Without waiting for a reply, I shoved the spoon in his mouth; and to my relief, he swallowed it. He coughed a few more times, but it was only clearing his throat. I could tell the medicine had soothed him.
"Don't die Toby! After all, we need to get outta this miserable town! Ne?"
"Toby? Really Summer? Kami..." I sighed; my sister was all too fond of the pup, spoiling him as though he was of her litter. "So, Toboe, she didn't wake you before she left?"
But the boy had shuffled away, collapsing on his futon; clutching the note she had left in his hand. We had presumed it was a note from Katia, but we couldn't be sure; he hadn't let go of the thing. I wasn't sure how to respond to this, I've never been...a people person, you could say. Summer had always dealt with humans; she could have been one herself. Or she's a really good actress. I glanced at Summer hopefully, but she shook her head. She wasn't going to bail me out of this one. I sighed and uncomfortably made my way over to the pup, crouching so I was nearly on his level.
"Toboe? I'm sure she's just gone for a walk or something, you know, to clear her head-"
"But she hasn't! She's gone!" He scrutinised me, his teeth bared in a wolfish fashion; his eyes glistening unnaturally with anger and pain.
"How do-"
"She said so! Its-it's in the letter!" He thrust the letter at me angrily, a fierce glare dominating his features. I accepted the letter, unfolding it gingerly and scanning over the elegantly curled writing:
Dear, whoever can read this?
Look, I'm not sure what to write...so here it goes. I've written it now and I haven't got any more paper; no turning back. Okay then, I'm really-I don't know... sorry? Sorry for leaving so soon, but I can't stay in this dingy city any longer. The scent no longer remains, nor will I by the time you read this. I can't even sleep peacefully here, and my dreams are troubled beyond anything previous; I'm sure it's a sign. We may meet again but the world and its unpredictable terms make everything a possibility and impossibility. I'm searching for Paradise, and if you want to pursue this task, maybe we'll cross paths again.
Summer, Autumn... thanks for looking after me and the pup; I feel guilty for leaving so suddenly but I'm no good at saying goodbyes! (I'm sure I told you last time) Toboe I- ...thanks for-you know, saving my life and that. Keep your chin up and I'm sure you will find what you're seeking. And never give up, okay? Promise me that at least.
Keep safe, Katia xxx
"Oh." That was all I could say. Nothing of comfort. Nothing of use. She was gone, and it had torn this young pup apart from the inside. I was shocked, but I shouldn't have been. She left like this last time, a similar note in her wake.
"She'll be back!" Summer interrupted the silence enthusiastically. She beamed at us, although her confident smile did not raise my spirits; much as was to my despair. Toboe said nothing; his head bowed, resting in his slightly trembling hands. Summer ran her bright blue eyes over the both of us, and I could see a sparkle in her eyes that signalled to me something was working itself out in her crazy head. And I think I knew what her hectic plan would entail.
"Summer..." I tried to warn her, I didn't want her to raise the pups spirits and then bring him back to earth with a heart shattering realisation it was impossible. She paused, but didn't meet my gaze. Summer you'd better pick your words carefully or I'm going to kill you!
"We'll go after her!" The pups head shot up, his golden eyes shining with excitement and shallow hope. I groaned inwardly, now we either had to trek after Katia, fail and return; or break the news that we couldn't possibly go.
"Hontōni? You mean it? Thank you so much!" He flew forward and embraced Summer in a tight hug. I could see he was brimming with gratitude, Summers hollow promise sparking a hope that burnt its way through his bleak solitude.
"Summer!" I hissed sharply; and she turned to meet my scathing glare, puzzled. I didn't have time to say anything though, because I was interrupted by an extremely over-excited pup.
"When do we leave? What do you want me to do? I can pack stuff; I'll go pack!" And he raced off without another word, hastily skidding around the large room collected things strewn everywhere. I angrily grabbed my sister's wrist and dragged her over to the door.
"What did you tell him that for? Now he thinks he's gonna see her again! Are you stupid, or just cruel?" I growled, frustrated; but immediately after I had insulted her, I felt a pang of guilt envelop me.
"But Autumn...I'm deadly serious." Her cerulean eyes had a steely glint of determination and her mouth was set firmly in her opposition.
"What?! You can't be...?" I was astounded, I really didn't expect her to be so ready to leave; especially since the conversation we had a few days ago...she sounded so sad to realise we had to leave. I suppose I am sad, but...there was a feeling of urgency; urgency for the escape of this concrete prison; surrounded by mindless humans that milled emphatically in this breathless city, choked by fumes of poverty and insecurity.
Without another word she slipped past me and strode to the kitchen, leaving me stranded; alone. I desperately wanted to shout, scream, anything to express this overwhelming feeling of being trapped in darkness. I growled violently under my breath, tensed up my left hand and punched the wall. With a cringing crunch and a sharp hiss of pain I retreated, clutching my wrist tightly. The wall had a fairly obvious hand-sized hole in it now, and the plaster was hanging miserably from the jagged edges.
"What was that?" Summer poked her head round the corner and spotted me glaring at the wall; a new hole evidently the result of the painful crunch. She rushed over and pulled my left arm gently. I pulled my right hand away and showed her my rapidly bruising wrist. She led me to the kitchen, pulling a medical kit from a cupboard; skilfully washing my hand clean and gingerly swathing it in bandages. I gritted my teeth when I felt tears in my eyes and a lump rise in my throat. She finished, neatly tucking the end of the bandage in a previous swathe. I examined my hand; the pearly white bandages covered my whole wrist and a little of the bruised skin above, blanketed the back of my hand and palm, weaving between my fingers and curling delicately round my pulsating thumb.
"Thanks," I cast Summer a grateful glance, dropping my injured hand by my side.
"Does this mean you're coming with us?" Summer asked nonchalantly, as though she already knew the answer.
"How could I let you two baka's leave without me?" This good-natured remark earned me a playful shove from my beaming sister. Toboe skidded toward us, tripping on the table leg and comically face-planting the floor with a small yelp. He looked up, his embarrassed laugh making us smile affectionately. Summer suddenly grabbed my right arm, scooped up Toboe's left and pulled us toward the door.
"Ikou!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well that's chapter 5 I hope you enjoyed it! Chapter 6 is going to include a little more action, there's gonna be a lot of blood, violence, fighting etc so I'm warning you now, not that I think you're all sissies or anything! Thanks for reading, review if you have to the decency or manners to mention your appreciation or even disappointment.
Oh yeah, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! \^0^/ Thanks so much, I wish you all a good day! Kabocha ni oshitsubusa shutoku shinaide kudasai! (Don't get crushed by a pumpkin!)