Chapter 31: Bluffing our way out
"H-how did you find us?" I ask, try to speak bravely but my throat feels lumped with fear. Goth quiets his laugh and glances down at me.
"Senorita, you must know we vampryums have a strong smell that we use for hunting our prey." He smirked. "And," He lifts something up in his hand, I gasped. It was my bag that was lost back at the fire towers. It looks all scratched up.
"This pouch has given us enough instinct to find all three of you." He finished, I was stunned as he dropped the bag in front of me, gives me a cruel smile. "I thank you, for now. I can see how you might be something valuable, " He flew above the branch and Throbb put Marina down beside Shade and joins him.
I still stared at my bag, not even dare to touch it. I doomed us all. I led these giant bats to us! I breathed heavily and the corner of my eyes my friends have the same expression as me.
"Shade, Marina I'm so sorry," I quivered," It's all my fault I should've kept my bag with me this whole time..."
"Ashlie," I felt Shade's hand on my shoulder."We're the one that should be sorry."
"What?"
"He's right," Marina added."If we listen to you we would've been more prepared."I close my eyes, still, feeling the guilt of putting my friends in danger.
"Goth I'm freezing!" We hear Throbb complaining. We all look up at the giant bats as the chubby one was shivering uncontrollably.
"I want to go back to the jungle," He said. " I miss the hot sun, the hunting, and all my servants waiting on my claw and wings..." He stops and growled at us. "I saw we eat them now!" I gasped in fright to see he's going to attack us.
"Patience Throbb," Goth stops him, still smirking."Two small bats do not buffet make. However," He turns his head to us. "Spending winter, dining on silverwings, will hold us until we return to our warm jungle." I swallowed silently, when my nightmare replay in my mind when he mentions feasting on the colony. All of sudden he jumps from his branch and landed the front of us Without hesitating he grabbed Shade and pulls him up where he faces was and spoke lowly.
"Where is your colony, tell me!" He gripped his shoulder hard while Shade was shaking underneath his grasp. He scans around frequently to look for something to lie. About second he points his claw towards the other direction, trembling.
Goth hums and looks at the direction, almost snort amusingly. "You are pointing the opposite direction to where you flew." He shoves him back behind a tree stump back where we we're at.
"We, um, we-we're about the change direction when you caught us," Shade fibbed. I saw the giant bat not buying this he bare his teeth.
"You are lying!" Goth growled, raising his claw up. I almost jumped when he strikes it beside him.
Shade begins to panic when he slowly traced his claw down, leaving a bad scratch behind. "No! I swear!" Then Goth stops and looks at each of us for a second, and then out of the blue, he begins to laugh. And was laughing so hard it's like we just made a funny joke. All three of us look at one another in confusion.
"…What is so funny?"I asked.
Goth quiet his laugh and use his finger claw to catch his tears. "It's such...such a fever contentment deceptions señorita."He manages to bring it out and laughs more. Does he think that's hilarious? I raise my eyebrows for his strange humor.
Soon he calms himself and looks down at Shade. "Ah, you know, for such a tiny..." He smacks his lips. "Bat, you have caused me morcha problamas…" All of sudden we all hear something slimy squeaky sound near us. Goth look where it was at and smirked. Without warning, he snatches it fast making three of us scream in startled. I breathed and saw he caught a worm in his grasp.
I flinched when he took the worm in his mouth and slurps it. Ewwwwww. He sniffed before he speaks more.
"But no more, never again I underestimate you Shade Silverwing," He came close to us but he was looking at Shade while he speaks, made the young Silverwing nervous. But then he pulls himself away. " Since you've been pointing to your colony at the opposite of the opposite direction you must know I think that you are lying."
I just blinked of what he just said, and Shade raises his eyebrows in confused but Goth continues to talk.
You must hope that I will not believe you, and fly in the opposite direction, yes?"
"Huh?" That's all Shade can say which made Goth snicker and finished with achieve a smile on his lips.
"I will call you bluff, we shall fly at the opposite, of the opposite direction Si?" He has his claws tip each other after he finished. All three of us look at one another after what just happened. Even for me I clearly did not understand what he was saying that I couldn't help blurting out.
"Wait that doesn't make any sen...oompf!"Shade clasps his hand over my mouth before I can say more.
"Y-yeah, that's what I was saying the whole time we're going to the opposite. Your right."He forces to smile, still gripping my mouth and then we hear Throbb clearing his throat.
"But what if your wrong Goth?"
The giant bat turns to each of us and smirked evilly. "Then you'll eat the brightwing Throbb, that should change his mind." His companion forms a grin as well and licks his lips in hunger and we all tremble a bit. I made Shade let go of my mouth and gasp for air when his hand was holding too tight in my jaws.
"So amigos? Shall we get a move on?"Goth asked, still has that cruel smile. I realized that he was staring at me while he spoke as he did before when we first met. I force to look down at my worn-out bag. Then I add another idea to give us more time to spare.
"Hey, I need to get some stuff before we head out. Like finding some food and such. "I said. He hummed and looked down at my bag and I pray he agrees. Instead, he glances at me hard.
"You humans are weak to this nature? Its no wonder the almighty Zotz has turned away from your kinds after you betrayed him."
"Says the one that can't stand the cold." I find myself saying, feeling a bit insulted with my facial frowned. He pretty much heard it and uses his tip claw to lift my chin, which made me gulped.
"Watch your tongue human," He spoke darkly. "Very well, we will go and seek out what you need before we take off, but be quick about it." With that, all of us, including these giant bats swooped down to the ground so I can find any food source or hopefully Zephyr's miracle medicines. I took my bag before we go and the giants bats, make sure we didn't take off was watching us from above roosting on a branch. I did my best to keep it slow as I can to give us plenty of time to find a way to avoid meeting Shade's colony. My friends helped me as well to find anything I can use for surviving in this wild.
So far I saw my both hands trembling when I pick up the berry, unrealizing how it was shaking I almost drop one. But Shade touches my hand softly and I look over at him. Without the giant bats hearing us, he whispers to me lowly, putting another berry in my bag.
"We're going to get out of this mess. I promise I won't let them hurt you and Marina."
"But what if they hurt you?" I whispered back. He shook his head.
"I won't let them. Right now we need to figure out a way to escape, right now we need to keep bluffing."
"Hurry up!" We both almost jump to hear Goth's impatient booming voice above us. Marina flew over to us with some nuts in her foot.
"I found some small nuts hope this will help." She panted. I open the bag for her to drop some in.
"Thanks, come on I don't think Goth can wait long enough." They both gulped but what choice do we have? If we keep this up long these giant bats will suspect us. Marina lift herself up and I put the bag straps over my shoulder. I grab her feet and we all fly up back to the giant bats.
"We're done," I said.
"Took you long enough," Goth growled."Now let's get moving."All of us soared in the sky and head the opposite direction where Shade was fibbing on. Marina and Shade flew ahead of the giant bats again to watch us close in case if we do anything. We flew for more hours, and Shade begins to talk quietly at us.
"If I can keep bluffing Goth I can buy us more time."
"Are you crazy?" Marina hissed. "It was pure luck he thought he was bluffing in the first place."
"That's the thing. If he keeps thinking we're telling the truth it'll save his colony." I said softly.
"Exactly!" Shade grins, keeping his voice low. "Now I got him completely figure out..." All of sudden before he can finish they were both being grabbed and jerk up. I gasped and grip on Marina's feet for dear life and look up to saw Goth and Throbb were the ones that were grabbing my friend's shoulders.
"The hell?!" They push us down from the sky and they took us to a nearby cliff where the cave was opened. Goth throw Shade in first before Throbb did as well and I was crushed in between with my bag.
"We wasted too much time flying around!" Goth snapped. He was roosting the mouth of the cave and turn to his companion. "Throbb, eat the brightwing." The chubby vampryum grins with hunger and charged at us and snatch Marina before Shade can save her.
"No!" He cried. Throbb took her a little away for us not to get her.
"Shade!" She screamed.
"Marina!" I try to get up to rescue her but Goth's wings block my path. Instead, I crawl back by Shade.
"Where is your colony?!" He demanded, towering over us. Shade and I didn't speak, and we watch in horror of Throbb opening his mouth, getting ready to chomp Marina's head at any seconds. I panic and try to find the right word to get Marina out of her fate. Then my heart stopped when I heard someone shouted.
"Fine! Go ahead eat her!"I thought it was Goth who said it but I saw his mouth hung open, looking shocked. I turn my head and saw Shade crossing his arms, glaring.
He said it?!
"What?" Marina gasped. He didn't expect the little runt to say that he grunted.
"Huh?" Thobb pulls Marina a little away looking dumbstruck. Shade only shrugged his shoulder, act like he doesn't care.
"See if I care."
"Shade!" I hissed. I can't believe what I heard, he's letting him eat his friend with his permission! Throbb smiled and turn to Marina, she wimped when he opens his mouth once again and turn her head away to avoid looking at his teeth. Before the chubby vampryum could get a chance Goth picks up a small stick nearby and puts it in his mouth, to prevent him from eating. He lets go Marina in stunned and grasps his throat as if the small stick was choking him. The brightwing quickly crawl where we are at and grasp me in an embrace. I hug her close, and I can feel her trembling against me from almost being eaten.
"You are up to something marchoco." Goth chuckles darkly. Shade shook his head looking all serious.
"No, go ahead! I mean what's the difference your gonna eat us all anyway,"
"He does have a point there," I gulped feeling my stomach sicken of going to die here, letting Marina go.
"Ah!" Goth's eyes lit up and he grins, causing Shade to gasp. "So you prefer to be eaten now, so you may spare to your colony unless of course," He strokes his beard still smirking."You are thinking there is something in it for you."I didn't have any idea what Goth was talking about but Shade nod and smirked back.
"Yes. That's exactly what I was thinking."Goth spread his one wing out like he's making a grand announcement.
"A bat who betrays his entire colony to save his own hide!" He laughs,"I think the spirits of Zotz is alive in this one Throbb."He uses his one claw to stroke the young bat cheek making Shade wimp a bit. I let my doubt of him go behind me as I seem to forgot Shade was just doing more his bluff, he almost fooled me for a second. Throbb gets up with a stick still in his mouth and Goth clears his throat.
"What is exactly do you want?" He asked, smiling.
"I-I want." Shade begins, thinking.
"Yes?"
"I want you to take all of us to your jungle, and have Marina and I live like royalty. And make Ashlie as um..."
"Royal adviser!" I chipped. Shade turn to me puzzled. "A Royal advisor, you know where I do good to advise and make sure they both won't do bad things."
"Yeah, that's it!" He smiles at my approval and turns to the other giant bat. "With Throbb as our servant." Throbb gasped with confusion and Goth being to laugh on this. Marina looks over at both of us, having much-puzzled look.
"What are you two doing?" She spoke lowly.
"Shh let me handle this," Shade winked at her silently. Goth begins to quiet his laugh down.
"This is very funny, but," He looked at three of us." I'll have to think about it."
"Fine, you can think this until tomorrow, that's all you get." Shade replied.
"Wait what?" I looked outside and see the sun almost rising. "Its dawn already?" He nodded sadly.
"In case if you three decided to take off, Throbb take these two small bats. I'll take the human."My eyes went wide of Goth speaking and before Shade can do anything Throbb grabs them in both wings and roost them above the cave ceiling, leaving me alone. I swallowed hard when the giant bat turns to me.
"You seem to be smart enough to know what bed is like, make it for us to sleep." He ordered. I put my bag down and looked around to find anything to make a bed with, to my luck I manage to find some small mosses growing on walls and I did my best to puck some out. When I finally made the bed Goth tested it with his hand.
"It's not that comfy, but it'll have to do." With that, he lays down and spread his one wing for me to come in. "Come."
I stood still unable to move.
"Well?"
"I- I don't have any wings, what makes you think I can escape?" I said.
Goth looked at me dumbly. "You can find something useful to climb down señorita, or else you can easily sneak your friends out without us noticing." I shivered all of sudden from the cold and he notices.
He forms a sweet sickly smile and spoke softly. "My senorita you look cold! Why don't you come in my wings? I'll bring you much warmth."I blinked on his new attitude sudden changes. Wrapping my arms around me I still stood in frightening. Then Goth's voice turns to low, giving me his warning tone.
"Human, come and sleep." I looked at the sun and then I shook my head.
"No," His eyes lit up.
"Señorita..." Again I shook my head. He groans and grabs my arm, I gasped and he pulls me forcefully and my body crashed on his. He quickly wraps his both wings around me before I can get up, tighten me close to him. All I can do was put my hands on his mane and my face was planted in his mane, smelling his disgusting meaty stench and hint of the jungle. Despite the smell, he was actually warm. And I found myself snuggling close, want to feel more of it.
"See that wasn't so bad," Goth said, I can almost hear his sneer in his voice like he was making fun of me. I groan and bury my face in his chest, hearing his large heart beating.
"I hate you," I grumbled. He chuckled darkly.
"Have a pleasant dream, señorita," He whispered. I wimped and try to fall asleep, and try to imagine I was sleeping in my own bed instead of being inside in the beast wings. Soon my eyes were getting heavy, and I slowly was drifted off to sleep and heard the birds singing when I finally let myself engulfed in darkness.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: HOPE YOU ALL LIKE WHERE THIS IS GOING BUT IF NOT DONT READ AND REVIEW! SO SORRY IT TOOK A WHILE BUT I'M THANKFUL FOR YOU ALL PATIENCE. SOON I'LL GET ANOTHER ONE UP THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ;D I DONT OWN ANY SILVERWING CHARACTRS EXCEPT OC. ENJOY!