The Runaway Maverick

Chapter 2 -Fleeing

The first day was a burden alone as I marched endlessly south towards the treacherous mountains.

Wiping away the tears that had slipped past my dam, I attempted to ignore the aching grief that pulsated throughout my mind was beyond impossible but the hunger pangs that welled in my gut took first priority.

For once I was thankful for the numerous early morrows that Fa dragged me from my bed to train, to prepare.

I hadn't thought much of my family since I was shoved into that damned bush. "Get down Jess. Stay down. Stay quiet." I could still hear the rust of Fa's voice faltering at the end. It was his way of saying goodbye.

Looking back to that moment constricts my heart: I should of told him how much I loved hi- love him. Now I could never go back. He was dead. Ma was dead. Tanni was dead. Tanno was dead.

Dazed I dragged myself from my thoughts as the slight snapping of twigs alerted me to wildlife. "You can do this Jessie. No pine drape for you today" was all I could muster as encouragement to myself under my breathe before I completely returned to reality of my loneliness.

Snap. Crunch.

My instincts perked up as I began the process: Predator or prey? Listening to my surroundings the soft hum of a doves melody rung in the near distance, as well as the scuttering of squirrels and the continuous hammering of the woodpecker thudded clear.

All signs pointed towards prey. Definitely not a predator as it would have frightened the more peaceful creatures. I knew it was time to hunt.

Reaching for my bow strapped to my back I lifted my face to the sky that was shaded by pine trees and breathed in deep. I was ready.

Hiding in the shadows of the nearby shrubs I carefully trod in silence as I started tracking a young doe. Not long now till I would fill my belly.

I aimed my sharpened bow at the throat of the doe timing each moment for weakness. It had no idea I was there.

Umph.

I felt the impact to my core and new I hadn't made a clean instant kill. The arrow had struck the throat of the deer sending it into a fit of spasms as blood oozed from her neck.

Strangled whines echoed around the clearing as she thumped helplessly. Her gurgled cries sent me into auto-drive as I approached her dying form.

"I'm sorry" I mumbled jerking away as I thrust my flint blade into her heart. The sorrows of taking her life for my own was almost too much. I never did like this part.

After skinning her coat I stretched and cleaned the fur in the near river leaving it to dry. Next I set aside my meat for the night and sprinkled salt preserves on the remaining flesh wrapping it up in the spare cloth in my pouch.

That night as the fire blazed, I ate till my stomach cramped. A distracting pain from the grief... Every time i closed my eyes looming memories at the edge of my mind threatened to run rampant.

The afterimages of the Tanno burning taunted me from the shadows, luring me into the pits of despair. I let a stray tear fall as i relived his screams of agony; his pleas for mercy and the silencing crunch of- I had no time to be weak.

I had to focus even if it meant being devoid of emotion.

**********************************************************

Crack.

With caution I sat still maintaining my breathing as I listened... and listened.

Crunch.

I was being hunted. Every alarm bell in my head screeched to flee but i couldn't leave yet. Why was I so stupid? I knew the beast had sensed me and could have easily informed its master. Something even more vile could be hunting me.

A predator targeting its prey. The role reversal shook me to the core. Was I always going to be on the run?

Not only had I been an imbecile in that sense but my supplies were strewn about my makeshift camp. i***t! i***t! i***t! I can't even uphold my only purpose.

Protect the stone at all costs! With that I began to weigh my options in my head.

Either run to the nearby stream to cut off my scent but I would have to leave my pouch behind as well as my bow. Not only that but at night the rapid currents of the river would drag me down stream. No not an option.

What about climbing the tree my pouch is hanging on and hope it can't climb? No. Too risky with no guaranteed safety. My last option? No, no, n-maybe

It's my best chance."You can. do. this. Jessie." I twisted in my head. On the count of three:

One, two, three...

Launching from the ground, I swiveled my body round grabbing my pouch off the nearby branch of the old oak. Next I instinctively swung my legs up barely over the trees branch. I began leaping tree to tree heading towards the river praying no branch would snap under my weight.

Hurriedly I pushed faster and faster and faster to my limits to reach the river. For an instant my footing almost slipped back into the awaiting certain death but the lucky lurching of my weight in the other direction sparsely saved me.

My limbs burned as stinging pains spiked my legs. I had twisted my ankle in that brief second. Sharply in taking air I resisted the tears that splintered at my eyes.

A sharp deep grumble roared from behind me as a felt the heat of its putrid breath fanning my back. I wasn't going to make it...

"There is nothing more dangerous than cornered prey..." Fa's voice rung clear through my drowned out panic.

Despite my desire to identify what was stalking me, I knew I had no room for mistakes as I could hear its ominous thundering stomps following but a meter behind. Fumbling in my pouch I retrieved what I was looking for just in time.

Please, please let this work.

"Here goes nothing!" I wailed my voice rattling the stark night air.

*************************************************************************************

What do ya think? *Hehehe*

As said before this is my first story and is unedited. I will eventually get round to that task but first I gotta apologize for my terrible writing. All I can say is i'm trying as hard as possible. I do love creating stories...

Two chapters in less than a day and a third on its way. I can't say I'll be able to uphold this pace of updating but I can sure as hell try!