On A Wing And A Prayer [Nakaka 1]

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

“Petree, are you still with us buddy?”

Lying on the cold stone and dirt, Petree didn’t know a time in his life that he had experienced pain as intense as he did right now. Paranormals were not supposed to be able to get or give disease or illness, but since being tortured, practically starved for months now, and not allowed his time for fresh air and flight, Petree knew he was in bad shape, more than just sick. Heck, truth be told, Petree knew he was dying. He had to be since he had not healed from the last beating he received the day Chad, the raven shifter had escaped. When Drond had reported the raven’s escape and Chantal had discovered the extra plates of food only Petree could have given him, Petree had been tied to the wall and whipped with the silver tipped leather strip over and over, stripping him of his flesh. After every time he passed out, Petree would wake tied in another position and be whipped again.

Abe, a bengal tiger that had been a guardian of the gargoyle during their nestle, had tried to step in and help him, but Chantal had quickly subdued the shifter and placed him in a cell then moved Abe into Chad’s cell after the raven escaped to make sure Abe could hear everything Chantal was going to Petree.

“Damn it, Petree, talk to me!” Abe shouted once more.

“Is he alive, Abe? Is Petree still with us?”

Petree forced open his eyes, rasping, “I’m still here.”

Abe shouted out to the other prisoners, “He’s talking!”

“Oh thank god.” Spencer said with a deep sigh as did Bryant, Mason, and Elijah.

Spencer had been in this hell almost as long as Petree. He was a sloth shifter and had been visiting Nug when Chantal had taken over the clutch. He had successfully hidden from Chantal and his goons until he had become hungry and was captured trying to gather food from the dining area.

Bryant, an alligator shifter had been on a fishing trip with Mason and Elijah. They had decided to come out to the camp grounds Bryant and his father used to go to when he was a boy. Bryant had been shocked to see it abandoned, but he and his buddies decided to stay anyway and set up camp in one of the cabins. Chantal’s regent had discovered them. The regent had taken the three men prisoner and Petree had done everything he could to keep them protected from Chantal and his deviant ways. Somehow Petree knew he had not been one hundred percent successful, but it didn’t stop Petree from trying.

“Talk to me Petree. Come on, man. You need to stay awake. Remember, help is coming. Chad will come through for us.” Abe insisted.

Petree wished he could believe that. He didn’t know how long ago it had been since the raven had escaped, Petree had lost count after his tenth nestle. Gods, it hurt when he was forced into

turning to stone. Petree could feel every wound as if it was freshly inflicted each time. He knew his prison mates could hear his screams as he transformed to stone and appreciated them yelling out their consoling words until his transformation was complete. He remembered Spencer saying, “At least it gives you hours without pain.” Petree didn’t have the heart to tell his friend that his thoughts were not how it actually was. Petree hurt even more in his stone form than he did when not. At least when he wasn’t stone he could move and situate himself to take some of the pressure off himself from time to time. He didn’t even want to think about what kind of shape his wings were in at this point. The only thing that didn’t seem to hurt on him was his little pigs tail.

Petree quietly tried to uncurl it and extend it out, but his butt tightened in pain as the appendage lengthened. Not because of his tail hurting, but because there was little flesh left on his rear at this point and any movement hurt beyond belief.

“Petree, you’re not talking to me buddy.” Abe stated.

“Thirsty.” Petree whispered.

Abe quickly replied, “Then get up and go to the water basin.”

“Can’t move.” Petree whispered.

“Damn it, Petree, don’t give up on me. Get up and get a drink!” Abe shouted.

Petree didn’t move. He was exhausted. Gods, just let me die. I’m so tired. Please, take me to the light beyond.

Petree hadn’t realized he had spoken those words out loud until he heard Abe shouting once more, “Oh hell no! You will not give up now Petree. We are going to get out of here. You are going to be healed and you me and the guys are going to go dancing like we talked about.

Remember? You promised me a dance.”

Remembering the promise they had all made to each other not so long ago, Petree sighed. “I don’t know if I can handle another day like this, Abe.”

“You can and you will. Trust me, Petree. I can feel it. Help is coming.” Abe insisted.

Petree had no idea how long he had lain there quietly, when Elijah’s beautiful voice filtered into his cell.

Every day is so wonderful, then suddenly, it’s hard to breathe…

Gods, the man’s voice was so soothing… like a balm rubbed into his wounds. Petree took the lull in pain to try and move towards the basin where he knew the water he so desperately needed was located.

You are beautiful in every single way, yes, words can’t bring you down…

Abe must have heard Petree crawling towards the basin, because Petree could hear him yelling,

“Keep singing Elijah. It’s working. That’s it, Petree, go to the basin. Do you know the song Elijah is singing, Petree?”

Gasping for air, Petree rasped, “No.”

“It’s by this really pretty singer, Christina Aguilera. It’s called Beautiful.”

Snorting, Petree softly said, “No, I’m not. I might have been at one time, but not anymore.”

“Oh yes, Petree, you are one of the most beautiful men I know. You know as well as I that in the paranormal world we don’t see the outer skin. It’s all about scent and what you are on the inside and you, Petree, are magnificent.” Bryant said, surprising Petree.

Mason shouted out, “Don’t think we don’t know what you’ve done for us, Petree, because we do.

You did everything to keep us alive and kept from harm.”

“We are not about to allow you to give up, Petree. Now get your ass to that basin before I have Abe break in there and kick your ass.” Spencer shouted out.

Petree felt tears welling up and falling as he lay face first in the rocks and dirt panting. “I’m so tired.”

“We know you are, sweetness, but you can’t give up. We still need you, Petree. Please just get to the basin and drink.” Abe encouraged.

Elijah’s voice grew louder and Petree could tell he was not singing the same song as earlier, but it was just as peaceful. If Petree remembered correctly it was You Raise Me Up by Josh Borden, or someone like that.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains…

Petree looked up and was grateful he had made it to the small counter that held the decanter he was seeking.

Gripping the wall in front of him, Petree used his large claws to grasp the stones and lifted. His legs and arms shook like a new born foal trying to walk for the first time.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders…

Hearing the strength with each note Elijah sang, Petree dug his nails into the stone wall and pulled, twisted slightly, and gripped the counter holding the decanter. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to stand and hold the jug, Petree pressed his thumb over the top and allowed himself to slide down to the floor, gasping and gritting his sharp teeth from the pain of the rock on his back.

“Petree are you still with us, sweetness? Talk to me buddy.” Abe called out.

“Is he okay, Abe?” Spencer asked nervously.

Lifting the jug in shaky hands, Petree took a deep swig of the water, careful not to spill a single drop. Hearing his friends’ fear, Petree rasped, “I’m still with you.”

“Abe, do you really think help is coming?” Spencer asked.

“Yeah I do. I can’t explain it, but I feel it inside and my instincts are rarely wrong.” Abe replied.

“Do you think it’s odd that we haven’t seen any of the cell guards, Chantal, or his men in over a week?” Bryant asked.

Petree heard Abe’s long sigh, “I do, but I can’t say I’m not glad about it.”

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving. We haven’t had any food brought to us in just as long and even though Bryant has killed some of the rats, Elijah and I can’t eat raw rat.”

Mason grumbled.

Elijah let out a low groan, “When we get out of here I’m gonna get me one of the juiciest f*****g cheeseburgers I can find.”

“I’m gonna get a huge f*****g steak.” Bryant ground out.

“Oh, that does sound good. What are you gonna get when you get out of here, Petree?” Abe asked.

Petree was listening as he sipped his water, careful not to take in too much. The last time he had chugged his drink, Petree discovered that his stomach rebelled and he had vomited what he had drunk. That would be a waste of water and from the small drip that filled the decanter, actions like those were just as life threatening as his wounds.

“Petree, what do you want to eat when you get out of here?” Abe asked.

Knowing his friend was just trying to keep him awake and focus on something other than the horrid pain running throughout his body, Petree answered, “Eggs. I want bacon, eggs, fried potatoes with onion and toast.”

Abe laughed, “So, you can have anything in the world and you want eggs?”

“If I am eating that, it means I have found my Viata and I can shift into my human form.” Petree explained.

“What’s a Viata?” Elijah asked.

Abe answered, “It is the equivalent to a shifter’s mate or a human’s soulmate.”

“What does eggs have to do with a soulmate?” Spencer asked in confusion.

Petree actually smiled, “I have never eaten bacon and eggs when I come out of my nestle. I refuse to even try them until I meet my Viata. I have always wanted to wake from our claiming

with the sun rising in the sky, birds chirping all around me, and my Viata and I sitting in bed eating bacon and eggs as we laugh and cuddle together.”

“That sounds wonderful. How do you picture your Viata?” Abe asked.

Sighing, Petree closed his eyes once more, remembering a dream he had the night of raven’s arrival at the cells. Petree had been sleeping in his cell when the doors opened. At first Petree feared the shadow hovering over him, and then his Viata’s features came into view. He stood so tall and had the brightest most beautiful emerald green eyes he had ever seen. The man wore a beautifully made gladiator skirt with black leather strips lined with golden stars. It still amazed Petree how gentle his Viata’s touch had been when he ran his hands over Petree’s wounded flesh. The image of the man was so clear, and then he heard screaming and realized one of Chantal’s men had entered Elijah’s cell. Petree had come out of his dream so fast and purposefully started taunting the man until he left Elijah’s cell and entered his own.

Shivering, Petree did his best to put the memory out of his mind.

“Petree talk to us, buddy. Tell us about your Viata.” Abe requested.

Closing his eyes, Petree felt a depression come over him. He was so tired. He just needed to rest.

Maybe if he was lucky he would go to sleep and his Viata would visit him again. If not, then maybe if he was really lucky the gods would take mercy on his worn and broken body and soul and take him to the light beyond.

Gods, he was so tired not even Abe’s yelling could bring him back to wakefulness.