Devoured by the Cursed Alpha Twins.

3. The marshes

Every hair on my hand is standing at attention. I am eager to find the herbs and haul ass out of here. If it were before, the whole waters became gator infested and the air turned ominous.

It was a beautiful place to be. I take a quick scan of my surroundings; my ears are plucked up to pick up sudden sounds and sudden movements. To be more honest, it is still very beautiful. If we can drive out the gators, I see this as a cool hangout spot for young men and women like me and the cubs can use this as a swimming s***h fishing hole, and it would be just wonderful.

But the men in the clan have no interest in frivolous things like that. Moreover, I do not have many friends to pitch the idea to, and it is so close to the borders that it might be a safety hazard anyway.

I hear a splash to my left and freeze. The soggy path that cuts around the swamp is so small, barely three feet, I have no room to run, it is either I run forward or I turn back the same way I came.

I square my shoulders and muster courage to continue on my way.

The small groove of plants is just up ahead. I sing a song in my head to distract myself from my deadly quiet the swamp is this morning.

The sky was bright and blue, the same shade of blue as Miss Revene’s eyes, the clan witch doctor has the bluest eyes I have ever seen. Silence is scary. No frogs croaking, no fishes swimming to the top, no birds chirping in these parts is not a good sign. The air is crisp, molding my shorts against my thighs and sending chills down my sides.

Dammit, I should have worn a longer top if I knew it was going to be this cold.

I want nothing more than to cuddle in bed and do nothing, I want to sleep for a long time but here I am trudging through murky waters.

I finally reach the groove and thanks to the goddess for the rain, the field is lush with herbs and flowers. I smile from ear to ear in appreciation of the beauty before my eyes. There are sunflowers, daisies, carnations.

I grab my tote bag and stuff it with the a few herbs and grab a couple of flowers. Not too much but enough to admire and put up in my room to brighten up my day.

I turn back around to head back home. Mission accomplished.

Perspiration sticks my tank top to my skin, my shorts mold my hips tightly, a glance at my reflection in the water reveals I am very flushed. I am happy my hair has not slipped out of the high ponytail I tucked it in.

I hear rustling to my left. My ears perk up.

My nose scrunch in curiosity, I sniff the air to pick up a scent.

The smell of blood, faint but there hit my nostrils.

My hackles go up. The tangy smell of blood grows stronger with every passing second, I can almost taste it on my tongue, I hold my breath, waiting and watching on high alert.

I gaze at the way out of the groove and nearly make a run for it but something, is it fright or worry that made me pause?! I shake my head, thinking of what to do next.

Wherever there is blood either there is a fight or a wounded prey, a predator is never far behind.

The tangy smell of blood, the iron component is growing stronger as the animal is running in my direction.

I seriously contemplate making a run for it, getting out of here and running home instead of waiting here for heaven knows what to reveal itself from behind the bushes.

The sound of nearing footsteps grows closer and then suddenly the air stills and the noise stop, the movements stop as if the animal halted mid-run or dropped dead.

Then the smell of blood is replaced with a strange smell and grows fainter.

My curiosity is piqued because, everything is happening so fast.

Some lose hair hit my nape, I freak out and swat my neck in fear. Silencing my frightened shriek out of fear of making too much noise. The marshes are very quiet with only the sound of screaming toads and even those are oddly silent.

My interest is piqued. What happened?

I take one step in the opposite direction. I know to never venture past the clearing into the taller bushes, but I have nothing better to do anyways. I planned to hit the watering hole, swim for a little, read my book and head on home but I guess we are going for an adventure today.

I tuck my tote back closer and venture into the tall bushes, pushing into it, I quickly find a beaten path and follow it, letting the stench of spilled blood lead the way.

The voice in my head screams at me to go back, this is terrible idea. I am usually not reckless, I am the good child that stays out of sight and out of trouble because I cannot stand being yelled out and here I am going into the unknown.