"I would've been perfectly fine staying at home," Swiftshadow said as the the truck lurched over a rut in the dirt road. She clutched Wilson close to her chest to keep him from flying around the cab. He back pack lay wedged in between her feet. Thick underbrush walled in the road on both sides.
"The last time I left you home alone you were abducted by aliens," Swiftshadow cringed at her brothers words. "Besides Izzy wanted me to help with releasing a few wild animals."
"Who's Izzy?" Wilson piped in.
"She the resident park ranger and my girlfriend," Todd blushed a little at the last part. "She's the reason I got through the last few months,"
A tiredness permeated Todd's expression. The lost weight more apparent. Dark bags hung under his eyes. Swiftshadow could scarcely imagine the heartache and distress he felt waiting for her to come home. She could imagine him sitting by the window agonizingly wringing his hands raw hoping she'd come home.
"So how are we going to address Swift- I mean Kelsey's Disappearance?" Wilson asked.
"I'm still not sure," Said Todd.
"Could say that she ran away," Wilson suggested.
"Come on Wilson, that makes me look bad," Swiftshadow admonished. "So what else could we use? Can't exactly use the whole abducted by aliens thing. Could say I go lost or something,"
"Lost? For Three months?" Todd said Incredulously. "Kelsey we scoured that mountain top to bottom looking for you. We would've found you if you were simply 'lost',"
"We?…" Questioned Swiftshadow.
"Everyone. Half the town, the park rangers. The police had their dogs out."
"R-really?" Couldn't believe her ears. She had that had to be someone looking for her she hadn't imagined that large of a search party. She couldn't decide if she should be grateful for her community or if she should be penitent for allowing herself to get abducted. After a moment of silence she said, "Could say that I got abducted by some cult that took me across the country. I escaped and trekked my way home by foot."
Todd sighed, "I s'pose it'll have to do 'cause we're here,"
As the truck crested the hill a couple of other trucks came into view. Both truck had the parks services logos painted on them. In the box of one of them was a large wooden crate and a couple of pet carriers. A small group of people were talking over a series of clipboards. On Kelsey immediately recognized as Izzy. A tall slender woman with thick frizzy hair. Her green uniform complimented her earth brown skin.
Swiftshadow gave Todd the honours of departing the truck first. Izzy waved as Todd greeted her. Tucking Wilson away into her backpack Swiftshadow stepped out of the truck.
"Kelsey!? Is that you?" Izzy grabbed her shoulders and scanned her up and down. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, You know, here and there," Swiftshadow shrugged. She had partially dreading this moment for reasons she couldn't quite put into words.
"We were worried sick. Where'd you go? Are you okay?" She fussed.
"Izzy, quit pestering the girl," A large gruff man crossed his arms. "Why don't you and Todd check over the hawks one last time before we release them. And Kelsey. It's good to have you back." He gave her a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Uh thanks," Swiftshadow was thankful to not have to divulge her adventures quite yet.
"Alright team, lets get these birds in the sky. Then we'll see about getting that wolf running free,"
"Wolf?" Swiftshadow focused her attention on the crate on the ranger truck. A small part of her dared to hope that maybe Sky was in there. A silly and foolish hope that wedged itself inside her. "Could I look at it?"
"Eh, sure just don't stick you fingers inside the crate. Don't wanna have you lose any fingers," The man jabbed a thumb at the large crate.
"That shouldn't be an issue," She smirked.
An anxious rustling sounded inside the wooden crate. A series of holes lined the top. The wolf whimpered and growled inside. Swiftshadow couldn't blame him. She would be all riled up too if she was trapped inside a box. Lockdowns ship still felt fresh in her memory. She was lucky that Wilson was able to free her. Settling herself on the truck gate she peered inside the box.
Clearing her throat and spoke in the wolf language, "Hello. Who is in here?"
"Swiftshadow?" The wolf growled back. Chills ran down Swiftshadow Swiftshadow's spine. She knew that voice and the bright golden eye that peered back through the hole. This was someone she hadn't seen since she led the wolf pack through the inferno.
"Cliff?"
"Has she Told you what happened to her?" Izzy set the pet carrier on the ground. The hawk within squawked indignantly. Todd's own hawk shuffled quietly. It had taken weeks of care and rearing but they were now ready to be returned to the wild.
Todd briefly considered telling her the truth but stopped. Would she even believe him? If he hadn't seen Kelsey transform into a dragon he likely wouldn't have believed it either. The cover story didn't seem all that appealing either. So he went with a third option. "No she hasn't,"
Izzy frowned. "Is it because you haven't asked or she simply refuses to answer?"
"Right now I'm just happy she's home," He answered. Kelsey sat next to the crated wolf having a one sided conversation. Likely talking with Wilson no doubt. He couldn't begin to imagine what adventures she'd gone on. That dinosaur was one mystery among many. Along with why he'd called her Swiftshadow. "We can discuss such things later,"
Izzy shrugged. "I think we're set. You mind getting the camera?"
"Of course not my princess," He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Popping the trucks door open he rifled through the cluttered back seat for the camera case. Grabbing it from underneath the seat he turned to return to Izzy. A glint on the passenger's floor mat caught his eye.
Reaching out he picked up a rather strange high tech thermos. A glossy black casing was accompanied by silvery accents. A display screen with several data readings was installed on one side. What any of them meant he hadn't a clue. ENERGY LEVELS: STABLE said one line, CONTAINMENT: SECURE said another. Turning it over a beautiful stylistic wolf crest looked back at him.
'What was in there?' He wondered. Setting the camera down he fiddled with the lid. Discovering a button latch the lid popped of. The contents spilled out into his hand. A wolf shaped gem glittered alluringly in his palm. It hypnotic eyes enticing him further into its thrall.
"Could you believe it?" Swiftshadow listened intently as Cliff whined his story. "I get hit by a pair of blinding lights then the next thing I know i'm inside of some cage with my paw inside of some shell,"
"It sounds like you got hit by a car and broke a leg," She chuckled.
"Well it's not funny," He growled. "You try sitting in here while humans poke and prod you and strap a collar around your neck,"
"Collar?"
"Yeah, See?" The small hole made it hard to see but Swiftshadow could make out the thick band of the radio collar.
"Hey, Wilson could you lock on to that collars signal,"
"I can." He said, "Is this someone you know?"
"Remember that wolf pack I told you about?" Wilson nodded in response. "Cliff here is Sky's brother,"
"That a new friend of yours?" Cliff ruffed, "Sky's gonna be jealous."
"How is she?"
"Sky's been doing quite well. She's taken to the healer role like a fish to water. Though I think she misses you,"
"I've missed her too,"
"You can come with me to the pack. I'm certain I could convince Strong-paw would to accept you back,"
"Maybe,I have to ask my brother first."
"Brother?"
"Yeah he's right over-" A dark slithering presence cut through the air. The hair at her nape stood on end. Todd stood by the truck gawking. In one hand was the containment thermos and dangling from the other was the wolf gem. Its darkness leached out taunting her. "Todd!"
Her body went into overdrive. A momentary panic flooded her veins as she charged. Self control kept her from transforming. Ripping the gem and thermos out Todd's hands, she resealed the pendant. "What were you thinking?" She scolded.
"Kelsey?" He said perplexed. "Wha-"
"Don't ever open this," She shook thermos at her brother.
"Why? What is it?"
"Something I plan on burying somewhere and forgetting about. Something I highly advise you do as well,"
"Did you steal it?" Todd accused.
"No," Swiftshadow defended, "Just dangerous,"
"Dangerous? How could a gem be dangerous,"
"Trust me dude," Wilson spoke up, "We've seen some shit,"
"Todd! You have that camera yet?" Izzy called.
"Yeah give me a sec." He called back, "Why do feel like we should talk about that?" He pointed at the thermos.
"We'll see," Said Swiftshadow as Todd moved to join Izzy, camera in hand. She handed the thermos to Wilson. "Check the seals,"
Miles away inside a dimly lit hotel room Julien Meditated on the bed. Shadows frothed around like the waters in the jacuzzi. He stretched his mind far and wide. The Seventh and final gem still eluded him. It was if it it didn't exist at all.
"Where is it?" He growled to himself, "Has it been destroyed?"
'My talismans are not frail things. Their destruction would be all but impossible,' Malic Korvoth chuckled. 'It may simply be hidden from view.'
"So then how do we find it?"
'As much as I hate to say it. We may have to be patient,'
Julien cursed. He had feared that would be the case. He didn't have much time. His mothers life was draining away by the day. It wouldn't be long before he would lose her forever. Without her feared that his father take custody. He secretly hoped that murder charges stuck.
One me attempt for the day, he decided. Then he'll go to sleep for the night. Inhaling deeply he began to focus. Spreading out his awareness he searched for his missing piece. He could feel the darkness swirl and surge around him. He spread out his net further and further afield hoping to catch any trace of the wolf gem.
Just as he was thinking about giving up he felt it. The pendent. A faint glimmering beacon in the dark. He stretched himself out trying to link himself to it. It disappeared before he could get a good lock. He cursed in frustration. He was so close.
'No matter,' Slithered Malic, 'We now know where to go,'