Chapter Three
1081 Words
Jade
“This is the closest to finding him that we've ever gotten”
“Where did you say you picked up the scent again?”
“The human territory”
“Human territory as in the big cities?”
“Yes”
“How did you lose him?”
“We didn't exactly find him. We just got to what was left of his presence. His scent has gotten strong. He must have turned already. He left that spot long before we came. He's a powerful one”
My dad didn't speak for a while. Then he did.
“Next time you pick up his scent again, do not leave until you find him. If he is discovered in his wolf form, he'll not be spared. Take two men. Head out to the city immediately. This time, bring him home”
The council agreed to this and began to head out. My sister nudged me immediately indicating that we needed to move before dad found out we were gone.
But that was the last thing I wanted to do. The only thing I was moved to do was to walk down to the chamber and convince my dad to let me go.
And that's exactly what I did.
We hurried down and when I headed instead to the direction of the chamber, my sister was panicky.
“I need to speak to him”
“Are you crazy? Dad will find out we were gone if you walk in there”
“I don't care”
She tried to drag me away from my thoughts and the direction I was headed. I didn't bulge. After a while she gave in.
I walked directly into the chamber, but instead of my father alone, I met him with one of his council members, Greg.
They were discussing something before I came in, and when they sighted me, they stopped talking. I could see from my dad's expression, he wasn't pleased. My sister lingered behind me.
“Is there a problem Jade?”
My dad had a way of ruining one’s morale. I immediately felt demoralized. I would have backed out if I wasn't in already.
“Well…I…uhm…”
I forced myself not to look but I failed. I looked up at my dad. His expression was fiercely probing. I regretted my actions immediately. But I knew I had to say something. Instead of what I had in mind, I said something else.
“I hurt my finger with my brush earlier, I wanted to come ask for your painkiller”
My dad looked me over as if he wanted to spot the wound. He almost looked like he didn't believe me. But after a while, he softened.
“You know it is rude to interrupt discussions”
“It won't happen again”
“Let's hope it doesn't. Go upstairs to my room, you'll find it there”
“Thanks dad”
My sister was more relieved than I was.
There was no need to tell him anymore. If two people were leaving, I'm leaving with them. Telling my dad will only make him be on high alert. He'll ruin everything for me. If they were leaving tonight, I definitely would go with them. I just had to wait and observe.
We headed back outside. I could see from the entrance that it was almost time up. I looked around for signs of the selected two. They were standby. Almost as if the conversation we evesdropped on never happened.
I quickly went upstairs to my room. The little things I packed already were on standby. I needed to have them with me in case they decide to leave.
When I came back, they weren't there anymore. I was devastated. The people who came for the meditation exercise were all gone too. My sister was nowhere to be found and the same goes for my brother. My dad included.
I wondered where they'd all gone. I knew I didn't' take much time upstairs. It was understandable though. My dad always made sure that immediately after the meditation, everyone must hurry home so as not to waste any second of the night. I realized it was time already.
Well, this was my chance. I tip-toed under the moonlight towards the first gate. Before I opened it, I took a peek. I saw some guards standing about. I searched with my eyes for an escape route. My eyes immediately fell on a ladder my brother had placed on a wall which he had used to pluck oranges from its tree.
I wondered why it wasn't removed yet.
I knew there was no way I could get on that thing without being seen. As if they read my thoughts, they walked towards me. I hid behind a compartment created from an extension of the wall beside the first gate. I watched them move across me.
I quickly took a peek again towards the other gate. All of them had moved. I quickly sneaked into the environment and started climbing on the ladder. I was at the last step when I saw from my height above, they, coming back. I sunk lower so I won't be seen.
I immediately looked down and saw the height to which I was to jump over. My heart sank. But I knew I had to do it. They were too close.
I jumped and landed with a cry. I paused to be sure no one heard that. I noticed they stopped talking immediately. I knew I had to move before I was discovered.
I made to stand and whinced from the pain it came with. But I kept moving anyway. When I had gotten far enough not to be seen, I stopped and nursed my wounds. Then I continued moving.
I needed to find the two who had left already. I had no idea how to get to the city. But for one, I was glad I made it out.
My pain had subsided. I walked better now. It didn't take long to come into view of the road. I walked with more confidence now. I was free at last.
My joy didn't last long. I heard rustles in the bush at the side behind me. I brushed it aside. It was probably a slight breeze or rabbit. It came again, this time, louder.
I knew then that someone was behind me. I didn't want to turn.
I was being followed.
- Writer
