Chapter 13 What it takes to survive

Humphreys POV

A stalker, just a word yet it was a death sentence here. I had a family though so I was prepared to do whatever I had to survive the day. I was surprised that I had been chosen because I was a simple omega, yet I had been drafted to bring food and water back to the pack. What I had heard and seen about the stalkers scared me. They had been dragged off dead or bleeding and never heard from again. All of them had scars and wounds that refused to heal completely as well. Both wounds were mental and physical and I didn't want to watch a wolf that I had come to know well killed without a second thought. Artyom snapped me out of my thoughts by asking, "Humphrey, are you alright?" I wanted to scream at him, "No I'm not alright. You've just given me a death sentence!" But instead I just nodded and croaked, "I'll be fine sir." Artyom nodded and whispered, "I'm sure you will." I heard the doubt in his voice and I asked him, "But why me? I can't do anything to help." Artyom sighed and answered, "Because we need everyone we can get, the stalkers take care of one another and if you stick together you'll survive. No one had died unless they've been separated or stupid. At least unless night has fallen."

I nodded dully and Artyom called, "Kona, come meet the newest stalker."A brownish orange wolf approached me and I turned and winced at the huge gash in her side. She grinned and asked me, "You ever fought a lurker before kid?" I looked at her strangely and asked, "A lurker, what's that?" She tsked and told Artyom, "He won't survive a day." I shook my head and cut in, "I'll do fine, now what is a lurker?" Kona shrugged and answered, "That's the most common form of the beasts that roam the forest and the little brothers of the real monsters that if you're not careful will rip your throat out." I eyed her suspiciously and asked, "How many stalkers are there left?" I saw pain flash through her eyes but it was replaced by an uncaring light and she answered; "Now there's only ten or so still alive." I gulped and found the courage to ask, "How many do you lose usually?" Again I saw that flash of pain that was gone just as quickly as it had arrived and she answered, "If we're lucky then we lose only one or two a week. If not..." She shrugged and she finished, "We've lose about five on a bad week." My jaw dropped, "Five, that's half!?" I stuttered. She nodded and replied, "It's my job to make sure that doesn't happen." I was shocked that losses were that high here, it just didn't seem possible that so many would just disappear in the blink of an eye.
Kona grinned ruggedly and said, "Don't worry kid; the beasts won't get you if you're not stupid. But if you're out after dark…" She shrugged again and finished, "Then you're dead." I shook my head and asked, "So you just pick any random wolf to help because you end up losing so many?" I said the last three words as a challenge and Kona tensed and snapped, "It's not our fault, it's those damned beasts." I nodded and went to snap back at here but Artyom yelled, "That's enough!" He was breathing heavily and he yelled at me, "I sent my own mate out as a stalker and you expect special treatment!?" I stopped and saw the pain in his eyes and Kona answered, "She was a good stalker, the best." She added the last part gruffly and I saw that she was just as scared of going out there as I was. Artyom calmed down a bit and painfully said, "I'm going to check on her." Kona nodded and offered, "I'll come to if you want." Artyom nodded bitterly and they walked off towards the caves where Dawn lay healing. I sighed and walked towards my own den hoping Kate and Grace were waiting for me there.

I walked up the rugged path and approached the entrance and a brown blur hit me in the chest yelling, "DADDY!" I hit the ground with a wumph and Grace was standing on top of me smiling. Her eyes seemed to ask, "Why did you go and do a silly thing like that?" I couldn't help myself so I laughed and asked, "Can you please let me up Grace?" Grace laughed and jumped off me. I went to stand again but failed miserably as another blur hit me. Kate was lying on my chest sobbing miserably and asking, "Why, why, why!?" I saw why she was crying and wiped away a tear with one of my paws. She looked at me with absolute pain in her eyes and I told her, "Shhh, It'll be alright." She shook her head, "Artyom told me that you have to be a stalker. I saw what those things did to Dawn and I don't want it to happen to you." She continued sobbing uncontrollably and she kissed me fiercely. I broke the kiss and she pulled away whispering, "I can't lose you, not again!" I nodded sadly and told her, "You won't, I promise." She shook her head madly and said, "You can't go out there, with, with those THINGS."

I simply said, "I have no choice." Kate crawled off me crying to herself and I pulled myself up. I approached her pulled her close whispering harshly, "I will do what it takes to survive, but you need to take care of Grace and I'll do everything I can to get us out of this hellish forest alive." Kate continued crying to herself and I hugged her fiercely with everything I had and whispered in her ear, "I love you, but you need to let go." Kate cried even harder and I sat there awkwardly comforting her. I rubbed her back and said, "I'm sorry, but just know that I love you. The other stalkers will be there to help me to so I won't be alone in this." Kate sniffled and asked, "Why don't we just run away?" I sadly answered, "Because then we would all die." Kate turned and through tears snapped at me, "Do you even care anymore or are you dead already, have you seen the stalkers!? They have so many scars and wounds that most of them can never live properly after service!" I nodded and wiped away her last tear, "I do care, and that's why I'm doing this." Kate tackled me and said, "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault! If only I hadn't tried to leave you we cou…" I cut her off, "This isn't your fault, we have a beautiful daughter and I have the most gorgeous mate in all of Canada. I'm satisfied with my life and I will not die." Kate nodded again and I pulled her close and stroked her whispering, "We'll get through this, we can go back to Jasper someday and see your family someday." She pulled away and said, "We can't, they'll separate us!" I just shook my head and told her, "They can't, we've been through too much together for that." I dragged myself up and confidently said, "I'll be back tonight, it's time for me to meet the stalkers."

Kate nodded miserably and I left the cave but before I did I turned to Grace who had been watching us with clear confusion in her eyes. I whispered through my constrained throat, "I love you, and I'll be back before dark." Grace nodded smiling and ran over to Kate and tackled her. I smiled and left the den knowing that Grace would keep Kate occupied and from worrying about me while I was gone. Something told me to visit Dawn before I went to see the rest of the stalkers so I turned back towards the cliff face and walked up the small dirt trail that led to the medical den. I shook my head and observed the canyon. "Better then that cave, but I miss all the trees and hills of Jasper." I thought to myself. I reached the den and peered inside and saw that Kona and Artyom were gone. I saw Dawn curled up in the corner and I padded over to her silently. I reached her and saw the massive wound in her back legs and chest was partially healed but the white fur had yet to cover most of it. I winced and thought about the monsters that had done this to her. Dawn opened an eye and croaked, "Who are you?" I whispered breathlessly, "My name is Humphrey." Recognition went through Dawns eyes and she whispered, "Humphrey, my Humphrey!?" I backed up a little and asked, "What do you mean, my Humphrey? I only came to ask for some advice." Dawn tried to rise but fell to the ground groaning. I quickly applied more leaves to her wound and asked again, "What do you mean?" She laughed a little and asked, "You don't remember your own mother?"

I was shocked and I stumbled a little and fell to the ground whispering, "I have a mother?" Dawn laughed and stroked my mane and whispered, "Of course you do." I asked disbelievingly, "Then how did I end up in Jasper?" Dawns eyes turned distant and answered, "It's a long story my son." I saw she speaking the truth and I asked, "Does that mean Artyom is my father!?" Dawn nodded and winced as she said, "Yes, please fetch him. We have much to discuss, because you would be the first to escape the forest alive." I nodded and ran out of the den yelling, "ARTYOM!"

I saw a blur come running up the trail and Artyom stopped breathing heavily and he asked, "What's wrong, is Dawn ok?" I nodded and said, "Yes, she's fine but.." Artyom yelled, "Then why did you scream my name!?" I shook my head and continued, "Dawn wanted to get you see we could talk!" Artyom calmed down and asked suspiciously, "Are you trying to get out of being a stalker?" I shook my head and said, "No but this is.." Dawn limped out of the cave and groaned, "He's our son Artyom." Artyom froze and I saw his mind working furiously and he ran over to Dawn and gently helped her lay back on the ground. He turned to me and growled, "You can't be my son, I saw him dragged off by one of those creatures a long time ago." Dawn tried to stand again but fell to the ground and croaked, "Look him in the eye Artyom and see that our son has returned." Artyom stared at me intensely and his jaw dropped, "I thought you looked familiar when we met and you said your name was Humphrey... I wanted to think that it was you, but I was too scared to get my hopes up…. I didn't believe it but it was true, you have returned!" Artyom hugged me fiercely the way only a father could and through sobs whispered, "I'm so proud of you." Dawn smiled and whispered, "Do you know what happened after you were captured by those things?"
I shook my head and answered, "I don't remember living here at all." Dawn nodded and said, "You were very young and among the first to be taken. But memory comes back with time; you will lead us to safety." I shook my head again saying, "I can't, I just can't." Artyom whispered, "You can, if you made it out as a pup you can do it again as a stalker. I looked at him in surprise and asked, "I still need to be a stalker?" Artyom nodded, "Even though you're my son you still need to pull your weight." I nodded and replied, "Fair enough, but I don't know how I can get us out." Artyom nodded and told me, "I have faith in you. The nightwalker pack has lived in pain for far too long, you will save us." Dawn called, "Good luck!" I left the den and I heard them conversing in low tones but I saw the spark of hope in their eyes and the joy of discovering their son was still alive.

I walked down the rugged path and saw Kona approaching me, "She called, ready to be a stalker now kid?" I nodded and answered in the same gruff tone, "Of course, lead the way." Kona saw the determination in my eyes and whispered, "Good, we'll make a stalker out of you yet! So now it's time to get you trained." I asked her, "So what do the stalkers do when there not hunting or searching for resources?" Kona answered with a lopsided grin, "We train." I sighed and said, "I was afraid you'd say that." Kona chuckled warmly and said, "Believe me you won't regret it." I grinned as well and replied, "I wouldn't be so sure." Kona shook her head and told me, "I doubt that but the other stalkers are eager to meet you, there are only three here currently and the other seven are out hunting but there will be time to meet them later." I nodded and eagerly asked, "When do I get to meet them?" Kona chuckled and pointed behind me. I yelped and whipped around to face three worn wolves but they all laughed at my reaction. I regained my composure and told them, "You know that your only supposed to stalk prey right?" The middle one grinned and said, "That's why we're here, to make sure that when you're being stalked by one of those beasts it doesn't get to kill you without a fight." I comically said, "Oh goodie, I can't wait to meet them." Kona shrugged and said without a hint of pity, "you'll get to meet one alright; no stalker has gone a day without seeing or fighting one.

The grin vanished from my face and I asked in a serious tone, "How hard are they to kill?" Kona chuckled and told me, "It's not hard to kill the scouts they send out but their real warriors are sent out after dark. No one has been able to defeat a griever." The wolf that had mocked me clapped me on the back and said, "Don't worry about it, the only stalkers that are left out after dark are either stupid, or unlucky." Kona nodded and told him, "Except for Dawn, they ambushed her and I want to know why." "Drop it Kona, the beasts aren't smart enough for that." Growled the wolf on the right. Kona shrugged and said, "Fine, alright Humphrey the The gruff wolf here is Jasher, the jokester is Jake and the silent one is Leon." Leon looked at me and nodded. Jake snapped me out of it and yelled, "Alright stalkers, lets teach the kid here how to survive the day!" Kona shoved Jake away playfully and I saw they were more than friends, Kona growled, "Is everything a joke to you?" Jake kissed her and Kona pushed him away with a harrumph. Jake laughed and replied, "It's only a joke when you're around." Kona glared at him and Jake grinned and told me, "This is my mate, she won't admit it. But she is." Kona rolled her eyes and said, "Sure, when the beasts can fly." Jake kissed her again and said, "With our luck that's just around the corner."

Kona shook her head and motioned for me to follow. I heard her grumbling to herself and I asked, "Is he really you're mate? She nodded and told me, "Yes but he's a little too confident for his own good. She shook her head and whispered, "He told me the first day we met that he would get me and, well. You know the rest." I chuckled and told her, "I think I'll get to like him." Kona laughed and replied, "Nowadays he's the only one left with any hope or fun to share." I nodded and told her, "I would bet it's hard to keep morale here up." She nodded again and said, "It is, in fact I would bet that he's the only guy left that could keep this place going if Artyom was gone." Kona seemed to consider saying what she had on her mind and shrugged and continued, "I love him with all my heart but I just wish he could be a little more serious." I gave her a lopsided grin and said, "Nobody's perfect but he seems like someone who just won't give that up." Kona gave me a small smile and said, "You're right, I haven't been able to knock it out of him." I grinned a little and was unsure if she was joking or not. I looked behind us and saw the three stalkers had disappeared and asked, "Will they help train me as well or is it just you that will be teaching me?" Kona looked at me and said, "Just me, they have to make sure none of the lurkers or any of the "other" monsters can attack us unexpectedly." "Oh.. well… that's good then." I told her. She rolled her eyes and said, "Jake hates it, he constantly complains but at least he's good at his job."

I shrugged again and told her, "Well it looks like he really loves you." Kona nodded, "You have no idea." I chuckled and saw that we had emerged into a small clearing of trees inside the steep canyon walls. Kona sarcastically remarked, "Welcome to the training grounds." I looked around and saw that it wasn't much but Kona's next remark stopped me cold, "You better be careful, the lurkers like to try and snatch new recruits before they can defend themselves." I stuttered, "You're kidding…right?" I looked at her for reassurance but she only raised an eyebrow and said, "No, I'm not." I gulped a little and Kona asked, "When was the last time you fought?" I turned to her and said, "I fought some sort of mountain lion thing awhile back." Kona looked at me with surprise and asked, "You survived against that thing?" I nodded and Kona continued, "It's a nasty beast, killed two of my stalkers after they went south to look for fresher water. Only one came back alive and he's still recovering." I told her, "It almost got my daughter and my mate but I managed to drag them to safety." She looked at me with respect and asked, "So do you still want training?" I nodded and replied, "I got lucky, and I still need to learn." Kona nodded and I saw that she was glad that I hadn't boasted or used it to my advantage. She snapped me out of my thoughts and said, "Alright, now first thing about surviving is knowing what's beyond those walls!" She continued and said, "The most common beast is the lurker. Artyom said he killed one on the night he found you. They are slow and weak and merely scouts. The real monsters come at night and they can kill you easily." I gulped and hesitantly asked, "What are they?" Kona turned to me and said grimly, "There called grievers, and they are never seen. When they come out all you hear is their screams and they kill you before you even realize they're there. Dawn is the only stalker to have survived an encounter with a griever and even she doesn't know why she's still alive. I swallowed my fear and asked again, "So then is that why she has all those claw marks?" Kona nodded and whispered, "They usually leave only the bones."

I shook my head and said, "Then there must be a way to defeat them, if she survived then maybe it's possible to…" Kona snapped, "Those things aren't even alive, their evil and nothing can touch them. Not even Dawn was able to hurt them, she told me that night had disappeared she was almost back here when she heard those awful screams and then she said it all went dark." I shuddered at the story and visualized what horrors crept throughout the forest at night. Kona finished, "Dawn said the only thing she saw before she blacked out was a bony claw emerging from the darkness." Kona was starting to scare me so I changed the conversation by saying, "So the forest is completely different at night then?" Kona nodded, "It's more volatile and dangerous because it knows where here, and it wants us dead." I gave a small laugh and said, "You talk like it's alive." Kona nodded, "It is, but it exists only to kill anything that moves." Kona sadly finished, "That's why there are so few wolves here, eating is a rare commodity and its getting even rarer." "I'll get us out, I have to." I said. Kona gave me a strange look and asked, "How, you said that your only an omega." I nodded and continued, "I am but I've escaped before, but this time everyone makes it out alive." Kona nodded and said, "I sure hope so but lets get you're training started."

So what kind of training will Humphrey receive from Kona and how can he lead them out alive? Thanks for reading and what did you think of this plot twist? Anyway enjoy the next chapter guys :D