"The birds have agreed to keep watch out for this murderer." Lucretia said. "Hopefully, this makes us all feel a little safer."
Two nights since the last meeting and another one was called after the elders met with the birds to discuss the recent attacks.
"The birds said that they have not seen any giant bats lurking in the forest. Most likely, it is one of the Vampyrum Spectrum. However, it's quite shocking no one has seen the bat or bats, since the Vampyrum are such large bats." This time the speaker was Aurora, another elder.
"What if…" someone started but quickly stopped them self.
"Continue Jarod." Aurora told him.
"Well, what if it isn't the Vampyrum. What if a Silverwing did this?"
"No way, that's crazy!"
"What are you thinking?"
"Like someone from our own colony would…
"Enough!" Lucretia shouted. "Jarod only speaks of possibilities, I highly doubt someone from this colony would so reckless enough to commit such an act, and I do think the idea of someone from our own colony doing this very absurd. But, if it happened to be committed by a Silverwing, It would be a treachery. I can assure you though; this attacker will be caught soon."
After the meeting, Shade went out to hunt with Chinook, along with Jarod, Yorwick, Bledsoe, and Mandle. The colony was all told to at least travel in groups of five when leaving Tree Haven. Shade saw a tiger moth fly past his nose and quickly caught it and swallowed it whole.
"You really think a Silverwing is behind these attacks?" Yorwick asked Jarod.
"No, off course not! I was just speaking my mind." Jarod replied.
For a while, none of them said anything; echo vision used for carefully to detect any unfriendly bats.
"What does everyone think of the new girl, Ataria?" Chinook asked.
"She's nice, why?" Shade asked.
"I think she's pretty attractive, what do you think, huh?" Chinook asked.
"Fine indeed." Yorwick said.
"Beautiful." agreed Jarod.
"Just like Marina, huh Shade." Chinook said, playfully tapping him with his wingtip.
"Yeah, Marina is definitely one very fine young bat. Looking forward to…you know…getting a little closer to her, huh Shade." Yorwick said.
"You are one lucky bat." Chinook said.
"So Chinook, seems you've taken quite in interest in Ataria. Are you going to ask her to be your mate?" Bledsoe asked.
"Not now. I really need to get to know her first, and she's lost a mate already." Chinook replied.
"How'd you know that?" Shade asked.
"Marina told me." Chinook replied.
"So Mandle, what do you think of Ataria?" Bledsoe asked.
"I think she's o.k. but remember, I already have a mate. Also, I hear that Penumbra really has set her eyes on you Chinook." Mandle said.
"Oh yeah, she's liked you since she was a newborn." Bledsoe said.
Shade didn't need to hear that Penumbra liked Chinook to know that she did. Ever since they were newborns she had always followed him and admired him. And she was also with him the time Shade dared Chinook to see the sun.
"Yeah, she's pretty great. But I think Ataria is the one I'd like to have." Chinook replied.
"Not to get off topic, but does anyone want to race to the stream?" Mandle asked.
"Kind of childish, don't you think?" Jarod asked him.
"Never to old to be childish," said Shade, "You're on!"
"I'm in." said Chinook, and the others joined in too.
They took off dashing for the stream. Shade was way behind, not his surprise; he figured that would happen, it always did.
Chinook swooped down beside him. "Follow me, I know a shortcut."
He followed Chinook as he led him up and out of the trees. Shade had no idea what Chinook was thinking, this was certainly not a faster way.
"Why are we up here?"
"Just wait."
Suddenly the wing picked up; pushing him in the direction he was headed. It got stronger and stronger. Shade understood: s current, right above the forest that Chinook somehow always knew about.
They got to the stream, and the other weren't there.
"We beat them. How did you know about that current?"
"During a race as a newborn, I discovered it. How else did you always think I won?"
"Wow, you are smarter than I thought."
"Hey!"
They laughed together, and then Chinook suddenly stopped, looking as if he'd been struck by lightning.
Shade turned around to find another terrible sight. More bats torn up, and this time even birds were brutally killed. Shade thought he might be sick.
"We should go back and tell the elders." Shade said.
But before any of them could move they heard a startling growl that surprised them. It came from nearby. Shade and Chinook followed the noise, and came to an immediate stop when they saw a creature, almost bat like, feasting on a bird.
"Whaaaaattt….?" Chinook asked afraid.
"I don't know, but….
Just then it looked around and saw them. The creature was nothing Shade had ever seen before, and looking at it terrified him. This was no Vampyrum, it was viciously red in the eyes, with blood matted all over it's face, saliva dripping from its mouth. Its teeth were that of a tigers. Its body and wings were huge.
It hurled itself at the two, and they quickly bolted. The creature was quickly catching up to them. Within seconds it would reach them.
"What do we do?" Chinook asked panicking.
"Split up, it can't follow both of us." Shade said, breathing hard.
They split up, and the creature followed Chinook. Shade feared Chinook would get eaten, but knew he couldn't do anything to help him.
Panicking, Shade took off for Tree Haven to warn the others. Shade felt guilty for leaving Chinook, but also knew Chinook was the fastest flyer in his colony, and he knew he would out fly the creature, he had to.
Shade nearly ran into Jarod and the others.
"Where are you goi….
"Fly; now! Chinook's under attack, and we need to warn the others.
"Attacked by what?"
"Not now, just fly!"
Startled they quickly followed him. Shade would soon reach Tree Haven. He hoped he would make it in time. He also hoped Chinook was o.k.
End of Chapter 7