CHAPTER 4: LOST IN THE MEMORIES
Kalmar ran and ran as fast as he could. He noticed that when he ran he felt different. Everything seemed to go by slower than it used to be. He was used to having everything speed on by when he ran. He was used to running for a long time without running out of breath. But the burning in his legs and his shortness of breath was another reminder that he wasn't a Grey Fang anymore. He was a human. A boy. He pushed himself further and further only thinking about getting Janner back. He had to get him back. Kalmar didn't want to be alone anymore. Soon he stopped running and dropped to the ground laying on his back trying to get more air. He thought about all that had happened. One moment he was holding Janner the next he was gone. Now he was lost in the woods. Why Kalmar thought, Why did they have to take Janner? Why didn't they take me instead? WHY?! What could anybody do with someone who's dead? At the thought of Janner being dead, Kalmar felt tears filling his eyes. All of the trees and their many thick branches started to become a blur. "Janner's gone. For good." Kalmar started to cry. "He's gone!" He wailed. "I'll never see him again.
Kalmar laid there for a few minutes and felt the air getting cooler. The sun must be setting. It surprised Kalmar how much time can pass. After Kalmar had no more tears to shed, he slowly sat up. And out of habit, he sniffed the air and then realized that he wasn't a wolf, so smelling his way to the well would be no use. I can't go to the well. Kalmar thought, Without Janner, there would be no point in going there if we can't use it. But I'm all alone, so there is no we. It's just me. Kalmar didn't like this feeling. He's been alone before, but that was with the hope that he would see his family again. The hope of feeling his mother's arms wrap around him like a warm blanket. The hope of hearing Leeli's music and laughter. The hope of...seeing Janner smile at him and challenge him to a game of Zibzy. He remembered back when the Wingfeathers were in Skree and they were on their way to the Ice Prairies. Kalmar didn't want to be king but Janner comforted him by showing him a picture of Castle Rysen and promised him that he was going to wallop him in a game of Zizby. Kalmar smiled at the memory then stood up remembering again that he was alone.
He didn't know where to go. The only thing that he had on his mind was that he was lost and alone. So, he decided to go in the direction that he was facing. He squinted into the wood ahead and he found himself wishing that he had the senses of a wolf. Everything was getting darker and darker and Kalmar shivered at the thought that someone or something could be watching him. Soon he got lost in his memories. He remembered the times when they were in Skree doing toothy cow drills and Janner would be pulling him behind as they climbed to Artham's tree house. Or how Janner always held on to Kalmar not because he was scared but because he always wanted to make sure that Kalmar was okay. Though to Kalmar at first, it was annoying. But after Janner rescued him from the cold water in the Ice Prairies and refused to let go, Kalmar felt safe in Janner's arms. Like the night before Janner died, Kalmar slept in his arms. And despite the burden on his back and the pain in his heart, he felt safe with his Throne Warden.
Kalmar could almost hear everything happen all over again.
The song.
His heart pounding.
Kalmar!
His heart pounding faster.
Kalmar! Sing the song!
His own voice singing.
Kalmar!
Panting.
I love you.
More singing.
Then silence.
Cheering.
Sobbing.
Then screaming.
JANNER!
Kalmar stopped in his tracks. He realized that he was hugging himself. His face was covered in sweat and tears. He looked around to see where the screaming came from. It didn't come from his left or his right. Not from ahead of him or behind him or above him. Then he realized that the scream came from himself. He forgot that he was in a dangerous place filled with dangerous creatures.
"Moooooo"
Kalmar turned around quickly and was sure that his mind was not playing tricks. He heard more noises and they were getting louder. Kalmar ran to the first tree that he saw and climbed as high as he could. Then the toothy cow came into sight. Kalmar stayed quiet as a mouse but the toothy cow looked up and found him in the trees. It bounded toward the tree and rammed into it with its head. It had big scars on its back and madness in its eyes. Kalmar went to get his sword but didn't get anything. Kalmar looked around frantically and soon found his sword. On the ground. Behind the toothy cow. He was stuck and too tired to run anymore.
I wish Janner was here. Kalmar thought, But what would he be able to do? I don't care I just want Janner here! With me!. Kalmar found a place in the tree to sit down. He pulled his knees to his chest and put his face in his arms and cried. He felt himself drifting off to sleep still hearing that faint voice that said his last words.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you...
I love you.