Between Two Worlds

Chapter Seven

There was some sort of barrier blocking the magnetic fields predicted my Micah’s healing aura.

I didn’t sense the presence of an Outsider, but I knew this was something abnormal.

I peered outside the bush and sniffed the air cautiously, hoping to pick up an unfamiliar scent. Nothing.

I even peered around the perimeter of the house. Thorn gave me curious looks, but I didn’t dare tell him what was bothering me. It was too early in the adventure, and I didn’t want to set off false alarms.

Crack.

I pricked my ears. Thorn heard the sound as well. Cade had placed Brayden’s body back on the ground, and Nick held his rifle protectively in front of him.

Thorn took a few steps around the corner of the house, and I watched as he disappeared from sight. I could tell he was on to something, and I didn’t call out because if something was wrong, my voice would give us away.

Suddenly, I heard a loud screech as Thorn was thrown backwards. A massive, ragged dark blur had tackled him to the ground. For a split second, I made eye contact with the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.

With massive claws and jaws filled with sharp teeth, the Outsider was in it’s wolf avatar. It clung to Thorn’s side, and with a deafening roar, it sunk its teeth into the grey wolf’s shoulder.

Shaking off my terror, I leapt into the fray. I dug my claws into the Outsider’s hide, and I gasped as I felt a thick, warm liquid covering my paws. It definitely wasn’t blood, because it was black. However, my attack must’ve weakened it, for it helped and released its grip on Thorn and turned to me.

Immediately, I summoned a protective barrier around the trio of boys, and I prepared for a tiring fight. The Outsider lunged forward, its teeth glimmering.

Suddenly, I heard a sharp click, and I gasped as Nick stepped outside the barrier, aimed his rifle and fired shot after shot into the beast.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

After more shots, the beast slumped to the ground with a loud thud. The thick, oozing liquid poured out of a massive hole in its chest.

Silence. Thorn stared wide eyed at Nick, who wore a defiant and angry look on his face as he stared at the fallen monster.

I closed my eyes as a blinding light shone from the area the Outsider and Nick were. Wind blew from all directions, and I could sense that Thorn had dug his claws into the earth to keep himself from flying away.

I knew what was happening. I couldn’t believe a human could receive a crystal-

Suddenly, the light went away. Micah had covered Ryker protectively during the Gifting. They were huddled in the corner of the bush, staring wide eyed at the dramatic scene laid out before them.

The Outsider was definitely dead. What took its place beside it surprised me.

A white wolf was slumped on the ground, covered in small specks of grass. Thorn blinked several times, and he covered his mouth with a blood covered paw.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

The wolf grunted in pain as he struggled to get his balance. I remained still, for I was still overtaken by the shock and astonishment rushing through my veins.

It’s Nick, I thought, staring at the newly gifted animal.

The wolf had stood up, and blinked several times. With wide eyes, it searched the yard. We met eye contact.

Blue. It’s got blue eyes.

Nick was the white wolf.

A newly created royal blue crystal jutted out his chest.

With a huge sigh, Nick collapsed to the ground, and he immediately turned back into his human form.

Thorn broke the silence.

“...Nick?”

Suddenly, Nick raised his head, gasping for breath. Relieved of my shock, I raced towards him, and I looked around his upper body for signs of scarring, which usually occurs in Crystal Gifting.

I found none.

“Wh-what the hell just happened?”

Thorn and I exchanged alarmed glances. It would take a long time for us to explain what we just witnessed. Despite the sudden worry that washed over me, I took a shuddering breath.

“You got your crystal.”

“M-my what?”

“Your crystal, it’s what happens when someone does something heroic, but it’s never happened to a human before.”

“So, I’m special now?”

“Um, yeah I guess.”

Thorn shook his head and went back to the Outsider.

“We need to find out where it came from, and we need to get a move on. They’ll know something went wrong when it doesn’t come back.”

We all nodded our heads yes. I immediately made my way back to Micah and Ryker. I could hear the short curses as Cade lifted Brayden off the ground.

Micah had successfully managed to mend a few of Ryker’s fragile bones. However, since the Outsider’s barrier prevented the peregrine from healing for a long time, not all of his bones were mendable. On the bright side, he was feeling a lot better. He’s still fragile though, and flying is a huge risk.

“He’s feeling much better,” Micah proclaimed, as if he was reading my thoughts. “He’s safe for travel. No need to carry him.”

I nodded as I glanced at Ryker, who blinked up at me. His yellow eyes shined golden, and he winked at me in a reassuring way. We began our journey out. Walking outside the yard and out of the village or what the humans called a ‘neighborhood’. We had no idea what lay ahead, but whatever it was, we were determined to face it. With Nick’s Crystal Gifting and the defeated Outsider, we had no idea what was going to happen.

Whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t going to stand in the way of us finishing our mission.