Book 3: Breaking the Ice
Me: Surprise! Before I begin to bore you with my day, yes, there will be a swear word in this chapter. Anyway, today at school was boring. My sixth period class is more fun. We play a game called Silent Ball at the end of seventh period. I was almost creamed by a ball the other day while sweeping the floor. I had to do the soldier crawl to avoid getting hit. I don't really play that game. I just read a book, chat with a friend, or do both. Okay, let's start the chapter before I start boring you more. Enjoy!
P.S: I didn't know what to name the chapter. So, my bad.
Chapter 14: What is He Doing to Me?
Jenna sprinted through the jungle. Her feet took turns hitting the ground as she ran from Ben, from danger. When she realized that the ground had stopped shaking, she stopped in her tracks, taking a breather.
All around her, she saw many different footprints of various dinosaurs. Some were deep into the earth. Some were shallow. The pterodactyls stopped their panicked screeching that gave Jenna a headache while she was running. There was so much debris littering the rough ground. Ferns, many sizes of leaves, and trees that have fallen surrounded her.
I've got to find Buck, but it is getting late. There's no way I can protect myself from danger. Wait! I almost forgot I taught myself how to fight. What good would it do if I tried to fight a dinosaur, or Rudy, in that matter? I'm pregnant! I can't endanger our kids! Then, if I want to find him, I've got to speed it up and pick up his scent. After thinking it over, Jenna began to run again, her nose trying hard to pick up Buck's earthy scent.
Silence filled the air. Buck was still reclining against the fallen wide branch, carving something with his knife. Chloe could hear the scraping noise from where she laid. Groaning, she held herself up with one of her elbows and stared at the male with a frustrated glare. "How can you be still awake? Are you not in the least tired?"
The one-eyed weasel was about to respond when he heard rustling of leaves from a distance. Getting in his defending stance, with knife in hand, he waited for whatever or whoever to appear. An eerie grin went across his face, making Chloe get chills down her spine.
Buck heard the mystery person whisper his name. It sounded afraid as well as familiar. At the sound of a swish, he lunged at the figure, the blunt side of his knife against the figure's neck and his other paw holding the person's paws behind their back. He heard a loud yelp come from whoever he threatened to kill.
"Buck, it's me!" The one-eyed weasel's blue eyed widened. That familiar voice belonged to his companion. He let his paw release his victim. He had attacked Jenna. Feeling embarrassed, he slowly lowered his knife from her neck, giving the female an apologetic smile.
"Jennifer, you scared me! I thought that you were some dino passing by. No' that I want you ta' be, but aren't you supposed to be with Ben?" The male watched Jenna's face fall with disappointment and sadness. She really didn't want to leave him, especially not without telling him about their first litter.
Buck noticed the bright moonlight beaming on the female, giving her an enchanting glow. Beautiful, she is. He mentally grinned. He was startled out of his thoughts by Jenna's gentle touch on his shoulder. Her light blue eyes were shimmering with nervousness and happiness.
"Jennifer, is everything all right?" Buck asked, concerned for the female's sudden change of mood. He didn't think he has seen her so happy since the good days. A wide smile was noticeable on her face. A laugh escaped her lips. It was an ecstatic, at the same time scared, laugh. The one-eyed weasel was growing impatient. He was almost going to say so when Jenna finally said.
"There is something I've been needing to tell you," before the female could say more, Ben came into view, his paws resting on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. No! Now, of all times! With Ben here, he can't know that I'm pregnant! Buck, sweetheart, I didn't want to do this, but I have to lie. I'll tell you when we cross paths again. If we ever cross paths again, that is. With a small giggle, she lied, "I'm…um…feeling better! I don't feel sick anymore!"
Buck replied with a hint of disappointment in his tone, "That's good, love! I guess it is time for you ta' go. I am gonna miss you, lass." Sincerely, he cupped Jenna's cheek with a gentle paw, admiring her facial features. He was going to miss her bright, baby blue eyes staring back at him, her small peach-colored nose, and her sweet smile he loved so much.
Knowing this would be his last time seeing her, the male leaned down to plant his lips against hers, wanting to savor this last moment with her. He smiled during the kiss as he felt Jenna wrap her arms around his neck and at the fact that she was standing on her tiptoes to reach him better.
The kiss was about to get passionate, but Chloe cleared her throat before they could get that far. They both heard her. They didn't want to let go of each other. Unfortunately, Jenna felt Buck's arm that held her against him lower back down to his side. He was still caressing her cheek with his other paw, though.
Ben glowered at the couple. I'll make sure she never sees him again. Tomorrow, I'm taking her back to the Ice Age realm where we belong…together. Even if I have to force her to come with me, we will still go. If that little brat, Celine, gets any ideas following us or using her sixth sense that I believe she has, I won't hesitate to feed her to the dinosaurs.
He watched jealously as Buck and Jenna both kissed a sleeping Celine's forehead and had a brief conversation with Chloe, probably introducing themselves properly. He couldn't bear to watch his rival wrap an arm around his mate's shoulders in a friendly way. Ben was going to give more affection to Jenna than Buck would ever give her. He was finally going to get what he thought was rightfully his.
"Well, I guess it is time to leave now." Ben said quickly, interrupting the couple's short kiss. Smiling with satisfaction when Jenna released Buck from her embrace, he came over to her, his cold paw resting on her warm shoulder. "Ready to go?" He flashed his toothy grin, giving the female uncomfortable chills, not because of his cold paw, but because of the creepy, low tone of voice he used when he asked. With a calm sigh, Jenna pressed her lips onto Buck's cheek before leaving. She looked back at him one last time with a tear sliding down her face.
Buck couldn't help but feel the same way: heartbroken and miserable, now that she was gone. "Buck, what was Jenna really going to tell you before that guy came in?" The ferret's voice made the male remember he had a female to bring back home.
Kneeling down to Chloe's level, he shook his head then raised an eyebrow. What did she mean by that? Why was Chloe listening in on their conversation? "I honestly have no idea."
"But didn't you see how the moonlight beamed on Jenna? Do you know what that means?" The ferret's sky blue eyes brightened like a Christmas tree, hoping he would take the hint. Buck shook his head again. She sighed in frustration when he said that the moon would almost always do that when it comes to her.
Come on, stupid! Well, he will just have to figure it out himself, since he doesn't understand what I'm trying to tell him. Blowing a strand of red hair from her face, Chloe whispered, "Never mind. Just get back to whatever you were doing."
"How can I, now that Jen is gone? That innocent, sweet female became my mate last night. Now, Ben's taking her away from me, from Celine and the twins! I might no' ever see her again!"
The ferret cowered slightly from the male's yelling. She wasn't expecting that from him at all. However, she somewhat understood how he was feeling at the moment. She missed her sister as well as the others. She was afraid that she would never see them again, but she was going to try to be determined that she will cross paths with them.
Hesitantly, she rested a paw on the male's forearm. "Hey, it'll be all right. Maybe, he'll let you…"
"No! He won't! He hates me! I know he's going to keep Jennifer from me longer than three days!"
"Then, why don't you be that crazy, Buckwild, swashbuckling, brave weasel you told me about in your stories and go save her!" Celine suddenly snapped. She watched their heads turn in her and Remy's direction. Their expressions showed nothing but shock.
Celine happened to have overheard Chloe's conversation with Buck and decided to say something. Her dark green eyes were watery with tears and her paws were balled up in fists.
"Celine, stories are just stories."
"No! The stories you tell me are true with a mix of fantasy! I know you are crazy and courageous! I know you enough to know that! If you really care about our safety, I say save mom from that dastardly man! Save her, daddy, save her!" The kit screamed at him, frightening Remy and Chloe. The tears that were threatening to fall were blinked back. Celine was determined to stay strong and not shed a single tear as she did when Buck and Chloe found her tied to a tree.
Buck placed a paw on his foster-daughter's shoulder. He sighed calmly, "If you really know about the deal, didn't you hear Ben say that if I tried to save her, I could get killed. Your motha' sensed that you overheard it. I didn't want you to be fatherless, Celine, no' again. I don't want that for you. There's nothing I can do."
"LIAR! If you truly love mom, you would risk your life saving her. It doesn't matter if you die trying, at least you would save the one you love! What happened to the old you? What happened to the insane, daring, and cunning dad I hear stories about, huh? Why do you not want to be mom's knight in shining armor when she is in need of rescuing? She needs you, daddy, now more than anything. Save her, please." The restrained tears finally flowed down her face when Celine was finished.
She's right. If I really love Jennifer, then I would be there. I said that I always would be, didn't I? Then, I need to keep that promise. Buck reached up to wipe away his daughter's tears. He lifted her chin to get her to face him. "You're right. Girls, we leave tomorrow. Chloe, we'll see into getting that branch off your leg. We aren't leaving anyone behind. Now, try to get some shut-eye, especially you, ferret."
The two females and the baby pterodactyl eventually went back to sleep, preparing for a long day of adventure ahead of them.
I knew I should have told Buck I told him so about Celine being held captive at Ben's, but it have been immature of me. Besides, it was a great relief to see her with him and Chloe. They must have rescued her during that quake. Bless them for doing that. Now, I just have Ben to worry about. No, not just him, but the babies as well. I've got to try to keep my pregnancy a secret for as long as I can. Ben cannot know about this. Oh, but he will soon enough.
Jenna was restraining herself to think about anything else. The journey back to Ben's cave was silent and still continuing. Not a word was spoken until Ben said, "You know, I've been dying to have you in my home. You'll love it there. I know you may miss being in that hermit's home, but mine is much wider-spaced, so you can do whatever you like. It'll be a great place for our children to roam."
The female choked up a sob when he mentioned about "their" future kids, which would not happen, over her dead body. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she quietly replied, "I'm sure you were waiting for this moment –to have me to yourself. However, I will not enjoy you forcing yourself onto me and touching me where I don't want to be touched."
Ben's hazel eyes darkened, his lips curled up to be a small smirk, and his grip on Jenna's paw tightened. "I can't say that I won't do those things to you. I'm going to shower you with affection unlike Buck, who shows little to none of it."
"Hold on a minute! It may not look like he shows me love, but he does! He comforts me whenever I'm down, he makes sure that I don't get harmed and protects me from danger, he kisses me with sincere love, he listens to me when I have something to say, and he is gentle and sweet. You, on the other hand, will start destroying me like the animal you are!" Jenna gasped as Ben pinned her against a tree, his arm on her throat.
The female found it hard for her to breathe. Ben's arm was preventing her from getting air inside her lungs, causing her to let out strangled gasps. Jenna's eyes widened in fear as the male leaned down closer to her ear. He whispered, "Say anything more, I'll crush you. Understood?"
Jenna glared at him angrily before biting down on his wrists, hard. While distracted, Ben was punched across the face. He quickly turned his head in time to see Jenna running away. You aren't going anywhere! The male began to give chase. Jenna kept on running as fast as she could. She ran through the jungle without any reminders that it was dangerous to be running amok at night. Dinosaurs also hunt in the night, Rudy, being one of them.
She suddenly felt something hard hit her in the back of the head. Jenna fell, unconscious from the hard blow. Ben lowered his fist back to his sides, lifted the female off the ground, holding her bridal-style, and walked back in the direction his home was.
Rosalina stared at her twin, who was sleeping peacefully by her side. After the crack separated them from each other, Roxanne managed to get across before it got wider. Maryanne, being the ignorant rodent she was, refused to leap to the other side. She said she didn't want her fur to get filthy.
If she hasn't looked at herself the other day, her blonde fur was covered with patches of dirt. Once again, Roxanne decided that they leave her behind again so she wouldn't slow them down.
Jason, who was still awake, watched as Rosalina got up from where she laid to give Roxanne a gentle hug goodnight. Then, she made her way over to Leah and Rico with a sweet smile on her face. Rico had a protective arm around Leah. Her face was buried into his chest, smiling contently in her sleep.
Rosalina smiled wider at the couple. Jason was too late to pretend to still be asleep when Rosalina caught his green eyes watching her. Rosalina got on he knees next to where he laid. "Are you all right, Jason? Do you need a drink? There's a stream up ahead with fresh water."
"Sure, I guess. Will the others be okay without us here?" Jason asked, unsure about them leaving the sleeping group alone.
"Of course everyone will be all right! I'll have Roxanne keep watch." The male watched Rosalina walk over to her sister again and explaining where they were going. I feel bad that she and her sister have to put up with us when they could be having regular days. I should talk to her about that. She did say that they were going to find their mates, but we just barged in and changed their plans. I'll talk to her about that, too.
"You ready?" Rosalina's voice interrupted Jason's inner thoughts. He looked up at her while slowly picking himself off the ground. At the nod of his head, the two began on their way.
There was a long silence between them. Rosalina finally spoke, "You know, when I was a kit, my mother used to take me and my twin to this quiet, peaceful place before my step-dad would damage us. I remember the first time we found that place…"
Rosalina's Flashback
A mother and her two kits were walking along the village, greeting a few mammals that stopped to say hello or compliment the mother's little girls before returning to their homes to sleep the night away. The cerulean-eyed one would blush while the hazel-eyed one would just shrug. As they got further from the village, the sound of their feet crunching the powdery, glittery snow was the only thing the three weasels heard as they walked in silence.
A gasp escaped the blue-eyed kit. Her mother and twin looked at her, worried something was wrong. They then realized that she was smiling widely at the fireflies that lit their way to their destination. "Mom, have you ever wished to live in a place where no one could hurt you and it would just be us doing as we please?" The blue-eyed girl stared up at her mother, waiting for an answer.
Her mother smiled slightly at this. "That would be nice, Rosalina, but it is life. Everyday, I wish it was just us. You two don't deserve the life you have now." The female knelt down to her daughter's level to hold out her arms to show their step-father's damage to the blue-eyed kit, Rosalina. The girls' faces fell.
Scratches, bites and bruises covered poor Rosalina's arms. As if it wasn't bad enough, the same things the kits mother and twin sister saw on her arms were also all over her back, sides, legs, and a few on her ears. "Mommy, it's not your fault I'm suffering. I'm still trying to be strong for you. Most of the time, I just want to run away, but I'm afraid to leave you and sis behind. I'm still here, mommy, and I will never leave you."
The mother's identical cerulean eyes watered with tears as she gathered her twin daughters up in her arms in a motherly embrace. "I love you two." The twins said the same before their mother released them. "I want to take you somewhere. You'll love it."
Rosalina and her hazel-eyed twin exchanged curious glances then looked up at their mother with excited smiles. They followed their mother until they reached a deserted cave. Lush moss grew inside the cave, as well as some snowbells, and the luminous moonlight that shone in the middle of the cave made the twins' curiosity grow. Their mother intertwined her fingers with Rosalina and Roxanne's as they entered the cave.
"What is this place?" The hazel-eyed kit, Roxanne, asked in an amazed whisper. Rosalina examined a snowbell, admiring the white flower's beauty. Never, had she seen a flower like this one before. It was shaped like a bell and was the color of the snow on the ground, thus that's how the flower got its name.
She turned her attention to her mother, who was now joining her on her knees, staring up at the moonlight. "Girls, from now on, if either of you feel depressed or you have news, we will come here to talk freely. Since this is the only peaceful place I know, we can come here anytime to get away from everyone and it'll just be us until time to go home."
"But, we could stay here! We won't have to go home to Tim! We can just stay here and start a new life here, together." Rosalina's little arms wrapped around her mother's waist, as did Roxanne's. Clarissa sighed, returning their hugs and kissing both of them on the forehead.
"I wish I could do that, sweetheart, but Tim wouldn't like that. We've got to stay with him, no matter how much we despise him."
"Who cares what he likes or dislikes, he doesn't love us! Leave him to die alone!" Roxanne shouted, her hazel eyes ablaze with rage. Clarissa and Rosalina gasped. They have never heard her say anything like that before. Rosalina calmly placed a paw on her sister's shoulder, calming her only slightly.
"Roxanne, I know you hate him just as much as we do, but don't you ever speak like that again." Clarissa scolded her as calmly as she could. To tell the truth, she felt the same way. She never should have given in to that male's "sweetness". Because of her, she thought, her daughters were miserable.
Another sigh escaped her lips as she got back up. "Girls, I didn't want to say this, but it's time to go." Disappointment was written on the three weasels' faces. Rosalina and Roxanne didn't want to leave. They were happy to be away from that monster they have to call their step-dad. Now, they had to return to hell.
Getting up from the moss-covered ground, the twins got up and followed their mother out of the cave, their paws clinging on to either of their mother's paws.
End of Flashback
"Ever since sis and I fell down here, I almost forgot about that place. I do remember it was one of the beautiful places in the Ice Age world I've ever been to. Part of me wants to go back, but I don't want to leave my family behind." Rosalina stared sadly at the ground beneath her and Jason's feet.
"Hmm." Jason didn't know how to respond or what to say. He remembered that he was going to talk to her. "I like that you are a family girl. I'm sorry you had to leave them partly because of us." Rosalina's gaze tore from the ground to Jason. She began to shake her head violently.
"No! Don't be sorry. I'm glad I getting to meet someone new!" The duo began to talk some more after that topic. Jason would smile every time Rosalina would laugh, and vise versa. "I like you, you know that? You are funny!" Rosalina grinned with sincere happiness.
Roxanne stared up at the "sky". So many thoughts were running through her head. Most of them were about her foster-family, some were about the new acquaintances, some were just random questions, and a few were about Ben. She shook her head vigorously. Why was she thinking of him when she should be worried about the remaining group members' safety while Rosalina and Jason were gone?
She was still at war with whether or not she should forgive her real father for leaving them. Her mind said no, but her heart told her the past was the past and accept him as her biological father. Roxanne growled in frustration, cradling her head in her paws. She definitely didn't need to be thinking of him, but it was hard. Thankfully, Lars awoke before she thought anymore of her father.
"Rosalina made you keep watch again? Where is she? Where is Jason?" He searched around for them.
"Rosalina is taking him to the stream for a drink. Now, go back to sleep. She and Jason should be back soon." Roxanne shooed the male away, but he did not cease walking over to her. Heat rose to her face as Lars took a seat next to her. For a half tomboy as well as a slightly girly female, she almost never blushes. What was this man doing to her?
She began to blush harder when she felt his breath near her neck. "She shouldn't make you keep watch every time she has to go somewhere." Lars smirked at her, seeing that he was succeeding in making the hazel-eyed female shudder. Roxanne was trying not to let his intense stare get to her. She wanted to look away, but his eyes were captivating so it hard to.
Regaining her voice, Roxanne pushed Lars away from her and snapped, "Stop seducing me, you jackass!" The male began laughing at her, causing Roxanne's anger to rise. Her paws were now in fists, preparing to punch this ladies' man. Growling loudly, she lunged at him, pinning him on the wide, flat-surfaced stone they were sitting on.
"Seduce me again, and I swear I will make…" Roxanne stopped in mid-sentence while punching the male's arms and chest as she felt Lars' nose pressed against hers. Afraid of what just happened, Roxanne quickly got off him, blushing wildly while doing so.
Lars finished for her, "You'll make me regret it. I know. I was just seeing if I could make you blush." He sat up, dusting himself off with a teasing smile. Roxanne didn't reply. She was remembering the nights when her step-dad would take her to his room to rape her. Ever since then, she was afraid to fall in love, fearing that that was what happens when a couple was in love. That explains why she had a hard time trusting Buck the first time she and Rosalina met him.
Roxanne quickly turned around at the tap on her shoulder, stopping her from thinking about her step-father. She faced Lars, who was concerned about why she didn't speak for several minutes. "Are you all right?" The female was startled out of her trance.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Now, please go to sleep and be careful with who you mess with. I won't go easy on you next time. That's a promise." Lars saw that Roxanne really wanted some time alone to think and did as asked, not knowing that Roxanne watching him.
Roxanne sighed. What am I going to do with that boy?
Me: Roxanne! We are going to have a talk about your language. Where did you get that word?
Roxanne: *shrug* I don't know.
Me: We are going to have serious talk about this. *turns to audience* Well, while I get on to Roxanne, feel free to leave a review. Bye!
Sweethalo90 :)