Ƭħє ŞąЬяє'ƨ Şħąmє

Chapter Five: Hypnotized

Ray paced relentlessly around the pack, his movements sharp and jerky with tension and hunger. All eyes were on him, and he didn't care. He was in a horrible mood, the result of him losing a gazelle earlier in the day after it had evaded him by leaping into a pool of water. Ray, along with some of the other sabres, had a deep terror of water, and had given up the hunt. Now furious at himself for his weakness, he was taking it out by driving everyone else crazy with his incessant pacing. Akira was gritting her teeth, Shi growling low in his throat. The twins didn't particularly care, as they were only semi-conscious, after one of their play fights that had turned serious all too fast. Silver was lying alone, watching Ray, as was Diego.

The young sabre turned around sharply, beginning to stalk in the opposite direction. Shi finally snapped "Do you mind?!", and bore the brunt of the glare he received from Ray, who snarled in return "I can't help it! I'm hungry, I'm stressed, and I can't see what we're waiting for!

Shi looked irritated. "Maybe the fact that Alexia has to build up trust with them first before we attack? Maybe the fact that Diego can barely walk? Maybe the fact that the twins are barely conscious?"

Ray let a low growl out. "I could take them down."

Shi gave him a withering look. "Really?" he asked, tone dripping with sarcasm. "Then why don't you?"

Ray fell into a hunting stance, baring his fangs for a second before an idea occurred to him. "Can I at least see what Alexia's doing?"

Shi and Akira exchanged looks, before mutually nodding. Akira told him "Tell Alexia to use the ambush tactic. And for the record… You're not strong enough to take them all down by yourself."

Ray winced, before glancing at the twins. "I'm stronger than them, at least," he muttered. "Weaklings…"

Lars looked up, the sting of the insult registering through the pain of the fight. "Hey!"
Damian added "At least we didn't kill our family!"

Bam. Ray was back in his hunting stance, and without a second passing, the twins were on their paws and mirroring his stance. Ray mocked, "At least I wasn't born a cripple!"

Lars fell back, outraged, but before the fight could continue, Akira commanded softly "That's enough. Ray, if you can keep yourself in check until Alexia's ready, you can start the hunt when it comes time for the kill. Alright?"

Ray's eyes opened wide, and he turned back to Akira, looking shocked. "Really?"

She inclined her head, and a look of fierce, wild happiness passed over Ray's face before he grinned, and launched himself into the night.

Diego felt like he'd swallowed shattered glass as he watched Ray leave. He didn't let any of his writhing emotions show, but he could feel them snaking through his body.

They know the way back to the herd. They're going to attack them, going to kill them, going to eat them… Would the herd even want me back, presuming I could warn them in time? As much as I hate to think it, they probably wouldn't. The look on Peaches face when I attacked her… The look on Manny's face… Crash, Eddie and Ellie must hate me. And Sid, I don't even want to think about Sid. He'd either hate me, or have forgotten already. He's protective of Peaches, but that's not to say that he's exactly good at remembering things.

I don't think I can go back to my herd. I don't think they'd want me back. Akira seems genuine enough, and she's only doing what all sabres have to do to survive; prey on the weak. Unlike Soto… the pack and I have been getting on fairly well… Why shouldn't I stay here? All I'd have to do would be to warn the herd, and then stay back and let my pack do the rest.

My pack. I'm even thinking as though they're mine. The look on Peaches' face when I attacked her… I can't get that out of my mind! I wish I could apologize to her, her and everyone else.

I feel so guilty, and yet, so justified. I'm a sabre. I have to kill to live, but I shouldn't have gone after my friends. Or the animals who were once my friends, anyway.

My paw hurts so much… I wonder how Lars deals with his twisted forepaw. I'll have to ask him… He's one of the nicest sabres I've ever met – in fact, all of them except Ray are, and I can understand why he's like that.

I'm beginning to miss the herd, but I'm beginning to feel comfortable with my pack. What am I supposed to do? My God, I'm so confused.

***

The moonlight shone down onto the land below, the light reflecting off the snow making it almost as bright as day. Alexia's eyes glittered in the darkness, their colour currently a dark sapphire to reflect the dark night around them. She wasn't tired at all, despite the fact that it was almost midnight now. She was slowly walking around the hollow, half-hoping for someone from the pack would show up.

"What are you doing, Alexia?"

The sabre didn't jump, instead coolly turning to face Manny. "I get nightmares, and I can't sleep," she lied easily. Manny seemed to soften slightly.

"I do as well."

Alexia glanced up, a questioning look on her face. Manny sighed. "I've never told anyone this before, but Diego and Sid ended up finding out anyway. When I was younger, I used to have another family. They were killed by humans. Sometimes, I dream of their deaths."

Alexia absent-mindedly started pacing again. "That's awful… Why can't those two-legged murderers just keep to themselves? They're worse than sabres!"

"Not all of them are that bad. That little kid we saved was fine."

"One kid can't change the future," Alexia reflected. "Look… I wanted to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"Diego."

"What about him?"

"Are you so sure that he's on your side?" Alexia prowled towards Manny, locking eyes with him. "I mean, he tried to kill your daughter."

Manny glanced at her. "I don't know," he admitted honestly, looking Alexia in the eyes, and then freezing.

Those eyes… luminescent, shining with the light of the moon, glowing in the darkness. He felt as though he was falling into their depths, as though they could see straight through to his soul. Alexia's purring voice seemed to be echoing all around him, sending him into a spinning delirium.

"Diego's scheming against you. He hates you. He attacked your daughter. He hates you. Don't you understand that? He wanted to kill your flesh and blood, the single most important thing in your life. No matter what he may have said or done in the past, that one act proves that he's your worst enemy."

"No," Manny tried to argue, but the enchanting allure of those gorgeous eyes stole his voice away. He couldn't think properly, he couldn't concentrate, he couldn't see anything but those glittering eyes.

"You still think of him as a friend? Why? He's probably laughed at you, laughed at your weakness, laughed at your idea of having a family. Why would he care about you? All he wants to do is eat. No matter who or what they are. Can you really trust him? Do you really think he trusts you, that he actually likes you? If you do, you're wrong."

Shining eyes, reflecting the velvet darkness of the night around them, the light of the stars caught and kept in their enthralling beauty.

"You're a smart guy, Manny. Work it out for yourself. Diego's just going to be a terror to your child, a threat to her health. If you keep away from Diego, you might just save her life."

Save her life… of course… he'd save her life… Diego didn't like him, Diego never had liked him. Diego was just playing on his emotions the whole time…

"You'd be doing yourself a favour. I can protect you there. I'm your friend. I'll look after Peaches. You can trust me. But only me. Remember, Diego only wanted to kill you. I want to help."

And with that comment, Alexia looked away, releasing Manny from her 'spell'. The mammoth blinked and shook his head slightly.

"What… What just happened?"

Alexia affected a confused, sleepy look. "Hm?"

Manny shook his head. "I must have imagined it. Don't worry."

"Sleep well," Alexia said.

"You too… My friend."