Aurora

The air’s breeze cuts into my raw skin as I stand on a mountain's edge holding my arms out with my eyes closed and head lifted to the sky soaking in the sun's morning light. My moment of blissful peace is broken by the sound of a lim snapping causing my adrenaline to pump. I frantically search for a quick escape all of which leads back to the edge of the mountain. I hesitantly peek over the edge as fear grips my heart whispering “You’ve got to be kidding me right now?” The sound of boots hitting the ground answers my sarcastic question. The moment men in military uniforms breach from the mountain forest a man calls out “FREEZE IT’S F.E.A.R AND YOU'RE UNDER ARREST…” without a second glance behind me I jump as the man starts to state cause of arrest. Refusing to get caught by those bastards I did the next best thing. No one and I mean no one wants to get caught by those guys. F.E.A.R stands for Federal Eratocation Artillery Rangers and man do they live by their synonym by inflicting fear. I cover my mouth with my right hand to prevent making any noise in an attempt to keep my identity hidden. I frantically search for possible areas to reach for as the bottom approaches quickly. Miraculously I spotted a ledge. I curse myself under my breath knowing the unbearable pain that’s to follow. Without a second thought I grabbed onto it screaming from the intense pain I glanced up to see I’ve fallen what seems to be several hundred feet. I grimace from the pain as I pull myself over the ledge groaning in the process. I use my legs to help lift myself up to only roll away from the edge grasping at my right shoulder. I force myself to my feet gritting my teeth knowing I’ve pulled my shoulder out of socket and that I’ve got to put it back into place before going anywhere. I step towards what appears to be an entrance to face the left corner where I find a decent looking stick. I grab it with my left hand and bite it, baring down with anticipation. I take several long deep breaths then use all of my weight to slam my shoulder against the wall screaming while biting onto the stick as my eyes glisten from unshed tears. My vision blurs then begins to darken with dots as my body suddenly feels drained of all energy. I slide down the wall to my knees fighting the overwhelming urge to rest. I spit the stick out of my mouth unsteadily getting back on my feet. I turn to face the entrance inhaling a deep breath then releasing it taking a couple of unsteady steps into the dark. My eyes change into its deep jade color quickly adjusting to the dark following the passageway until I pause when I hear faint voices in the distance. I slightly tilt my head to the side honing in on the conversation “Sir are you sure she’s one of them?” Another man pipes in behind the first one “Or if she even survived because of a jump like that no matter what she may be she’d definitely be a pancake.” The second her voice hits me I know my face turns pale white and God knows I was without a doubt petrified if my uncontrollable shaking wouldn’t be a clue. Her voice sounds like nails scraping against a chalkboard but what makes it overkill to my poor ears is how high of an octave it is. “I know she is boys, just like I know this one is special now, hurry up before she gets the chance to escape.” I brace myself against the wall behind me as my heart pounds from me hyperventilating. It just had to be her of all the people, it just had to be Jasmine. I take a moment to calm down enough knowing if I don’t then she’ll find me for sure. Get this Jasmine is an Alpha female yes you heard me right and if it wasn’t for my family being hunted down as though we’re the plague then my reaction would be more of a YEAY GO WOMAN POWER. But that’s the curve ball that’s been dealt oh and it isn’t uncommon for my kind to hide amongst the humans especially inside of FEAR. I mean I guess I should be flattered that I’m such an important target by being put on the most wanted list to shame. I’m the prime target for anyone and everyone only because of my bloodline being a direct descendant of the moon Goddess. I would love to know who and how this came to light for the whole world then shut them up before they destroy my family’s lives until the end of time. My eyes shoot open when I realize them getting closer to me. I make a split second plan with adrenaline pumping through my veins. I would rub my body against a branching tunnel racing down the opposite direction the troops are coming from. The whole time my mind keeps screaming the same sentence over and over “I should have kept falling.” I rush forward without making too much sound hoping for a miracle as I turn down another tunnel when I hear Jasmine muffle a growl then barking orders to her squad “Half take one tunnel and the rest follow me.” The men’s fear was evident but none dared to question her yet again. My eyes widen as I see light illuminate the far end of the tunnel indicating my one way ticket to freedom. Without a second thought I abandon my cautious jog to a full fledged run. The only thing I could hear was my heart pounding profusely, drowning out the troops footsteps driven by a primal urge to evade danger. Feet away from freedom Jasmine’s yelling barely registers in my mind and turned my head far enough to be able to view the scene that plays behind me. Jasmine and her small group reach for their holstered guns. unsheathing them with a single goal in mind and that goal was to end my family's line. My breath catches in my throat as the tunnel echoes with gunfire along with the sound of bullets ricocheting. A mangled cry leaves my lips as a bullet hits my left thigh causing me to turn as I fell on my butt immediately followed by another bullet hitting my right shoulder. Jasmine, and her goons drop their guns rushing to me. Their claws extended and eyes glowing, amping my fear to unchartered heights. So much for being discreet. My body screams it’s agonized protest all the while my lungs burn from heaving as I desperately escape my immediate doom. My eyes widen with a combination of shock and fear as the blinding light ebbs away at the exit revealing another cliff, but this one appears to be at the top of the trees. These clearly were not your run of the mill tree, no these were ancient. Oddly enough these enormously majestic trees aren’t found in various areas. To be precise the General Sherman and Hyperson trees are only located in California at the Sequence National Park. Besides that I have one other place I cherish like I do here. I gasp, refusing to stop or even slow down, so I do the next best thing…. I jump diving for the closest tree in hopes of limiting the damage. My mind races the closer I get verbally cursing sitting through the air “Shit..Shit..Shit!” I squint my eyes as my ribs connect with a large thick branch knocking the wind out of me. I groan knowingly that a couple of ribs have been fractured when my grip begins to slip. I frantically fight to regain my grip. The next thing I know I’m falling. My legs hit another branch making me flip violently hitting my head onto another branch that is slightly lower, but yet not too far away either. My vision blurs when the sound of bones breaking resonates to my ears and at the sametime pain radiates across my left side. At this point my whole body was screaming pain. Not long afterwards my entire body slams onto the ground surface just before blacking out. I groan, rouse and wince while attempting to get to my feet. The moment I do I instantly regret it. My back slams into the base of the tree. Before me stood a mid twenties man with a caveman look. He has a full beard and a mustache that's connected, and bushy brows. His eyes shining a blazing dark brown with golden like red flacks. Rage encompassed his whole dame series growling out his question “Who the f**k are you?“ his arm bracing across my upper chest with crushing pain. I stutter “N…nobody.” He roars into my face outraged. I simply frying fear which only enrages him more. He stares at me in wonder “You are either brave or extremely dumb so which is it girl?” I shrug and responded casually “I’d like to think brave but hey whatever floats your boat.” Curiosity swirls within his dark brown eyes. What occurs next throws me for a loop “You're clearly out here all alone, and I’ve got a hunch as to why.” I inhale sharply suddenly afraid. My voice wavers “P..please spare me sir.” He sighs, loosening his brace only for us to stiffen from the sound of her voice “Keep your sorry asses alert, there’s no way she’d escape that fall unharmed.“ The man quickly covers my mouth with his right hand then with his left raises it up to warn me to stay quiet. I slightly nod in acknowledgement he releases his right hand from my mouth stepping out into the open, speaking with his voice booming “You know you're trespassing even if you are F.E.A.R I still have the right to s*******r all of you.” All the thudding footsteps cease instantly. I smirk realizing that the man must be an Alpha which both calmed and frightened me at the sametime. Jasmine’s voice takes a calmer approach. “Forgive us we mean no disrespect.” The man says next “Tell me why you're here and I just might forgive your unwelcoming visit.” “My name is Jasmine and as for our visit we are on the hunt for the sole surviving descendent of the Moon Goddess herself. My heart bakers against my chest as I start to freak out. “I don’t see where that gives you the right to impose on my territory Jasmine.” Jasmine snarls in response “I suppose that makes you an enemy to your own kind then Lucian.” Lucian’s voice holds amusement “And what exactly is a bunch of entitled mutts gonna do about it?” Jasmine huffs in irritation “Back down men we’ll catch the b***h next time.” Two minutes later Lucian is back in front of me shining with unanswered questions as he gently supports me. I gasp from the feel of my pain from my ribs intensifying. Without further questioning He lifts me up into his arms bridal style walking quickly into the opposite direction further away from the cliff. Lucian speeds up when he notices me struggling to stay conscious. His smooth bass voice attempted to urge me along “Stay with me.” I lay my head onto his chest whimpering “I can’t.” The sound of leaves and twigs snapping along with crunching begins to fade away as I fall into darkness. Nothingness is all that surrounds me with an Erie air. I plop on my ass crossing my legs with my elbow on my knees and my head in my hands falling further into darkness. I don't know how long I stay like this, sulking well at least until my head snaps up from having a faint voice calling out “Please wake up.” I shake my head thinking I’ve just lost my mind. All of a sudden I feel like I’ve been grabbed by the color that’s yanked out of whatever hell joys hole I was stuck in. My eyes shoot open as I gasp Lurching into a seated position frantically searching my surroundings. His deep brown eyes are the first thing I spot ever so slightly easing my jumbled up nerves. Lucian has both hands gently placed on me. One is on my knee and the other on my forehead stroking my hair away from my eyes. Concern swirled in his eyes as he inspected my face for anything.