Dogfight

Life On The Run

~Jess~

We have now been going for six months trying to find a safe haven away from everyone who is after us. We just want some time to rest. After Azazel snapped at me we have taken our conversation into consideration and are trying to do things as a team which has actually helped us both out a lot. He is so laid back and care free though it makes it hard to remember that he really is stronger than what he seems to be. We have came across a few others who are in a similar predicament who are now traveling with us which there are pros and cons. When you travel in numbers you're stronger but also bound to draw attention to yourself. We are now twenty three strong and we have started a pack like system ourselves. There are only four children which I'm thankful for because no child should have to live like we are.

One child was wondering in the woods and Clara which has three of her own children decided one more wouldn't hurt. Clara is more of an optimistic but she also keeps my more animalistic side at bay. She is a very nurturing person something most of my family was not. They were all too scared of me. Then there is her husband Blakely he is my second in command. Don't get me wrong I really do enjoy the company but the chore of watching after so many is a headache sometimes.

The only one I'm really concerned in this group is our newest member. He is a middle aged beady eyed little dwarf who is too secretive for my liking but I promised Clara I wouldn't kill anyone unless given a ligitement reason. Keeping Cozbi held back though is rough. One of my abilities is seeing who is guilty and I can see their past sins but if they are honest about trying to start over and do things right I will allow them to try.

Right now we are camping out in an old abandoned one room church that conveniently had a wood stove in it. There is snow on the ground but it's finally starting to clear off. We have been here for about two months living off the beasts of the land. There is a human town about a two hour hike from here. We've only been a total of three times to get the essentials that I traded for the pelts of the animals that we fed off of.

Azazel and I had to come to town for things like flour, sugar, eggs... honestly I am fine with just the kill we bring in but Clara insisted it's not healthy. I try to stay to the edge and stay out of site I don't do well around others. People say I'm rude but I don't try to. I'm just quiet because I'm not sure what to say. Azazel is having a light conversation with an older man ahead of me. They all smell human so I don't worry too much. I see him look over at us with a worried expression when he sees I'm starting to shut down I do this when I get too overwhelmed.

I'm starting to breathe heavily as I start to feel as if the world is closing in around me. I'm starting to sweat and my world is spinning. Azazel rushes to my side and grabs both sides of my face making me look into his eyes. "In through your nose out through your mouth love" I watch him fir a few seconds then I follow his lead. When I start to come back to reality I hug him glad that he can bring me back to the present.

Azazel kisses my head and grabs my hand leading me back to the person he was talking to but something catches my eye. It looked like a mist that glided past the man's booth and could had easily been mistaken for a puff of mist but I know better. I used to see them before mother and father had me grounded. Azazel has my hand but I politely excuse myself assuring I'd meet him in an hours time at the edge of the town placing a chastised kiss upon his lips.

Azazel kissed me back and I waited for nothing more before I followed the mist behind the booth. There I saw a child with short blond hair that was shoulder length bobbing up and down as he ran down another isle of the market. He bobbed and weaved until he disappeared into a house which had an aura about it that wasn't like the energy around this place. It screamed witch but I had to feed my curiosity. It was an old A-framed house with a dark wood siding and thatch roof. What really caught my eye though was the oval red window above the door.

I knocked on the door but no one answered so I knocked again. This time the door opened slowly so I followed the door. The air was sour and cold giving me goosebumps. The cottage looked to be empty but after I shut the door the fireplace came to life and a fire started to roar and the air emediatly had a homey setting. "Come in dear you're letting in the cold air" an old scratchy voice called from behind a chair sitting beside the fire. A little old lady comes from behind the chair like she just came from thin air then it dawned on me. I'm in another realm.

"Where am I?" I ask

The old lady smiles at me and smiles you are much smarter than I imagined. That's good. You are in Palquate which is in the realm of philisfy and want to offer you and your group of people a sanctuary in return you defeat the council. They are now in the process of trying to conquer our world and none of our people are happy."

I sigh in relief it would be nice to find a peace even if it is only for a short time. "I would be more than happy to except"

"Good I will provide solitude until you are found but I can't promise anything after that"

"I will gladly except but how do I get my people here? They can't go through other realms as I can"

The old woman points to a stair case that leads to the red window. Well it was red outside but now that I look at it on this side there is a field with a castle in the distance. I say my goodbyes and go to grab the rest of my crew. I met azazel at the end of town and told him what had happened and he agreed to do as I asked even if he was a little reluctant. When we got back to everyone they were excited to have a safe place even if it was only for a little while. We packed everything and went to the cottage and as promised the window was still opened. I went through the barrier first to make sure it was safe and once I was sure it wasn't a trap I brought everyone else through.

After we all made it through the whole atmosphere changed. It was welcoming and not cold like the one we just came from. I could definitely see us getting comfortable here.

"Hello and welcome my name is Eloise we are so glad you excepted our invitation." comes a silvery voice.