Chapter 2

Flora

My eyes grew wide as I watched the beast jump, and I let out a terrified scream as I witnessed Baldon get dragged over the cliff along with it. The pleading look in his eye as he disappeared over the edge was heart stopping. Quickly, I raced over and knelt, looking down at the water below.

It was too late. They were gone. Tears began to well up my eyes as I sat there, useless. I gritted my teeth at the thought of his death. My one friend, dead. Gone. That can’t be how it ends. He can’t be dead, not now, not yet.

I realized that people were staring at me with a look of bewilderment, confusion and concern. Had I been saying all of this out loud?

“Flora... he’s gone. There’s nothing that we can do. At least the beast fell with him,” my pack leader said. My eye twitched at those words.  Was this my leader’s piss-poor attempt at comfort? Is this what my clan thinks of me? That I can’t do anything? No, fuck them! I thought angrily to myself.

“You’re wrong! He’s still alive, I know it!” I yelled back.

“Be reasonable!”

I turned to stare my pack leader in the eyes. Her deep brown met my bright blue irises.

She was standing closer than I had thought, her necklace gleaming in the morning sun. Draped across her shoulder was a bow, a symbol of power and the favor of Bastet. I towered over her in height yet she was still my superior, in more ways than one. She was a fearless and noble leader, wearing the scars of her past battles with honor. On her hip she wore a sheathed double bladed dagger made of carved bone; her signature weapon and most feared tool. My pathetic stone carved dagger paled in comparison.

Even with such an intimidating appearance, she was one of the only few people I could call a friend. She knew all about my feelings for Baldon and how much pain I was in. Yet, here she was, against me.

“Tavark! He’s alive! I know it!” I insisted.

Shaking her head, Tavark replied, “No one could survive that kind of fall. He’s gone, Flora!”

Closing my eyes in frustration I retorted angrily, “You’re wrong.” I looked back over the edge. All I could see was the ripples of water as it sped over the side. “And I’ll prove it to you. I’ll find him, and bring him back.”

“That’s insane! Get back over here! That’s an order, step away from the ledge!” My pack leader demanded.

I simply looked over my shoulder and glared. “Fuck you.”

Turning back around, I took a long breath, then jumped off. Suddenly enveloped by total darkness, all I could feel was the wall of water pushing me down stream. Having no air, I desperately fought to hold my breath. Blunt rocks bruised me as I was swept forward. No hope, as I closed my eyes and kissed life goodbye. Before I lost consciousness, I felt the sudden lurch of someone pulling at my arm, then nothing.

Groggily, I opened my eyes, only to find myself staring down the maw of...

The beast!

It pulled away and gave me a toothy grin. “Heeellllllooooo!”

Suddenly, a large object obscured my vision. There was a great pain, then I was out again. Nothing, but black.

Zack

“Did you really have to tie them up?” Colten asked for probably the thousandth time.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “What else would you have me do? It’s not like we can just expect them not to kill us in our sleep. Can’t be too careful.”

“I understand, but we don’t want to take it too far. I want to try and reason with these cats, and if you treat them like that, they’ll be unreasonable,” Colten stated.

I honestly couldn’t argue with that logic. We’d need some help if we want to survive out here.

Reluctantly, I caved. “Fine. I’ll untie them once they’ve woken up.” I was too tired to argue anyway. Had to drag those two for at least a couple of miles. Plus, had to find and gather wood to make a campfire. Saying I was tired was an understatement.

With a huff, I laid down on my stomach next to the nice warm fire. Sad thing is that even laying down has become a chore for me. While laying down, I have to use my front legs to support me. I can lay my head down and rest, but I still have to have my legs under me. So, I go for the most lazy position I can find, which is on my side.

Again, that comes with a problem, because soon I’m baking my own belly and have to flip over. Which then the same damn thing happens to my back. I just can’t seem to win.

After some more flip flopping, I find the perfect position. Not sure how I got it to work, but I’ve found a spot that is just far enough to not be too hot and just close enough to not be too cold. I’m about to close my eyes and finally get some sleep, when I hear someone stirring.

Sunava... I thought sourly.

I rolled to my paws, looking over to the two cats tied up next to a nearby tree. Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise, my guests are waking up. About damn time.  I walked over.

Our little archer was stirring. I was actually excited about this one. Don’t know why, but this guy just appeals to me more than the other. Maybe it’s because of just how gosh darn cute this little guy is. I mean, the best way to describe him is an anthro version of a Silver Short Hair. He’s a small little fur ball so I can only guess that he’s pretty young. I’ve always found it easier to talk with kids so this is more than likely going to be fun.

With a small cough the little guy opened his eyes and turned to face me. Now, I don’t know why I didn’t, but I should of seen this next one coming. He immediately froze on the spot. His pupils dilated, and he began to hyperventilate. His first instinct was to tried and get away, to run, but he quickly realized that he was tied up. He began to squirm in a feeble attempt to escape.

With a sigh, I stepped back away from him, crouching down onto my stomach to get on eye level with him. That always seems to work in the nature shows and stuff. Makes them feel less intimidated or something. I think it worked, because once I did that he seemed to calm down. He still had the fear in his eyes, but his face had a look more along the lines of confusion.

To try the nice approach I gave him a big toothy grin. That made him start trembling. Okay, maybe I’m not as good with kids as I thought.

“Well, good going, Zack, you made him wet himself,” Colten pipped up.

He was right. A small puddle was forming under the shivering cat. I internally slapped myself. Just great, scare the kid half to death why don’t you.

“Ugh, okay, enough of this. Kid, please calm down. I won’t hurt you.” I assured.

The small kitty did not look convinced. “A-Aren’t you going to eat me?” He finally stuttered out.

Colten and I just stood there with our mouths hung wide open. I didn’t expect this guy to even understand us, let alone know how to talk back.

I finally shook my head out of the clouds and found my words. “Of course not, why would we do that?”

“... Because you’re a giant monster, and I’m a small bast,” he explained. “Big creatures like you eat little guys like me for breakfast.”

Shaking my head, I smirked. “That’s ridiculous. I’d never eat you, if only because I would probably die of diabeetus. I don’t feel like taking that chance, so you’re safe.”

The bast tilted his head and blinked at me. “Dia-beetles?”

“Close enough, now lets get you away from that mess on the ground and out of those ropes.”

He blushed at that and looked away in embarrassment.

Walking past the embarrassed kitty kat, I bent down and grabbed the ropes that held the other cat with my mouth and picked her up. I then walked over, a little closer to the warm fire and carefully set her down. Turning around, I went back and did the same thing for the little guy. He squirmed around and whimpered a lot at first, but once I got him over next to the fire he’d calmed down quite a bit.  

Once I set him down I placed a paw on his chest and pulled at the ropes, snapping them easily and setting him free. It surprised the heck out of me that he didn’t get up and run away right there and then. Instead, slowly he pulled the rest of the ropes off and tossed them to the side, then he scooted closer to the fire.

We were sitting around the fire, the soft breeze making the fire crackle, a cool shade coming down from the palm trees as the sun began to set. I was taking all the questions I could, but this little guy was just firing them left and right.

“So, what are you?” The bast started out.

I arched an eyebrow and smiled. “Colten, what did you say it was called?”

“Chimera.” Colt stated simply.

“Right, we’re that.”

Tilting his head he asked. “You don’t even remember what you are?”

Smirking I replied. “Yeah, I think that fall rattled my brain a bit.”

That one actually made him giggle, well at least we’re getting somewhere.

“So, do you have a name?”

That one actually made me think. “Well, I have two now that I think about it...anyway, You can call me Zack, the snake back there is my brother, Colten.” I said as I Pointed behind me.

“What about you? You got a name?” I questioned.

“Baldon”, he mumbled.

I guess he’s still a bit shy around me, can’t really help that. Just got to keep talking and maybe he’ll warm up a bit.

“Baldon, eh? Cool name.” I complimented.

He seemed to like that as he smiled. “Um... thanks.”

“Hehe, no problem.” I said as I suddenly sniffed in his direction. ‘Big mistake!’ Phew, that smell is rank. Making a disgusted face I turned away from the stinky kit, so I could breath.

The kid just sat there, not even aware of how bad he smelled.

“Geeze kid, shower much?” I snarked.

I was suddenly hit upside the head with a stick. Through gritted teeth Colten said. “Zack, don’t be rude.”

“Ow!” I yelped. Rubbing the back of my head I replied. “What?! I’m just saying, it wouldn’t hurt for him to take a bath.”

There was a sudden squeak that caught my attention. I turned towards the source to find Baldon sitting there, looking down at the ground, cheeks flushed.

‘Oh my god, he squeaked...That’s adorable!’ I thought to myself. The only thing holding me back from hugging the little furball was that horrid smell. Yeah, it was that bad.

I started shaking my head, I’d made up my mind. Without warning I walked over to the small cat, picked him up once again by the scruff of the neck, and hauled his ass over to the river and threw him in. *Splash!*

“And don’t come out until the smells gone!” I ordered.

I was suddenly bashed upside the head once again with a wooden stick, notably smaller this time.

“Ow, Colten, that hurt!” I complained.

I glared back at him, slightly confused by why he decided to do that.

“Why’d you hit me?” I questioned.

Colten’s eyes were as wide as plates. “T-That wasn’t me...”

“...huh?”

Another Stick flew at me and bounced off my head. My eyes suddenly matched Colt’s. Following where the stick had come from I turned to see a very pissed off kitty, giving me the death glare as the last of her binding fell to the floor.

“Well............Shit.” Next Chapter: Chapter Three Estimated time remaining: 48 Minutes