Running with the Wolves (The Chronopoint Chronicles Book 1)

by J E Reed

“She has food.”

  “Maybe that’s because she worked for it.” The deranged man’s gaze fell on her again, and a desperate expression told her she needed to run. He lunged, but another male, this one younger, broke from the crowd to plant a fist in his jaw.

  “If you weren’t a coward you wouldn’t be starving,” he yelled. Another fight ensued that the older male quickly put to rest.

  Moments later the group turned away mumbling their displeasure, and warm brown eyes turned to her. “Are you all right?”

  She looked at his hand, her own shaking, before she took it. Once on her feet Kiuno nodded and wiped the blood from her mouth. He looked her over, and once satisfied, turned to his companion. She stood there for a moment allowing her heart to slow.

  Kiuno glanced at the gate, bewildered. Perhaps she should go back in the forest. She took a few steps before stopping again when the looming shadows reminded her of the fear. Kiuno didn’t want to face another night alone. She might be better off in a tree but…

  Kiuno moved toward the far wall and stomped the grass beside it. She’d be content there for the night. The grass would give some coverage, but hiding was out of the question.

  The man’s reaction surprised her. Were they incapable of gathering their own food? She licked her lip, the area already swollen.

  More fights ensued as the sun set, and she was glad to be away from their chaos. The cool wall eased her throbbing head.

  As the last bit of light faded, Kiuno shifted her position and the night sky made her still.

  Thousands of stars shimmered in their own wondrous glory, each twinkling against a vast expanse of blackened night. The Milky Way stretched across the dark void, giving it a soft glow. Though only half full, the moon shone brighter than any she’d ever seen. It was as if this land had never been touched by the modern age.

  “Something else, isn’t it?” Kiuno startled, looking down to find the man that helped her earlier. She guessed him to be in his mid-forties, a bit younger than her father.

  He threw her a soft bundle. “In case you need something to lie on.”

  A blanket?

  “Aren’t there others who have more need for this?” Her mind wandered to the young faces in the crowd.

  “There’s plenty, about the only thing plentiful in this place.”

  Kiuno hugged the blanket feeling as if it were the only real thing she could cling to. “What’s wrong with them?”

  “Hunger mostly.”

  “Are they incapable of gathering?”

  He chuckled. “They’re afraid to leave the wall.”

  “So, they’d rather starve?”

  He shook his head. “They’d rather someone get it for them.”

  He had to be joking. Kiuno sighed. “I guess there isn’t anyone that actually lives here is there?”

  “Afraid not. You’re the first new face we’ve seen in days.”

  Silence filled the space between them as she tried to wrap her mind around the situation. She thought he might leave, but he stomped the grass to her right.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Would you rather someone search your pockets while you sleep?”

  Kiuno chewed her lip. “What’s to stop them?”

  “I’m bringing in the little food they have.”

  “Thanks,” she said, shuffling her feet, “for before.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  Silence lingered around them again.

  “What’s going on?” she whispered.

  His smile shifted. “I’m not sure. Everyone has a bracelet, but there are people from all over the world.”

  “How long have you been here?”

  “A week.”

  “Do you know your name?”

  He shook his head. “Only what’s on the bracelets.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “How is that possible?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t worry too much. We’ll figure things out. What name are you going by?”

  She looked at her bracelet. “Kiuno.”

  “You can call me Elliott.”

  His eyes rose to the void above as he lay back and folded his arms behind his head. After a moment, she mimicked the action.

  A shooting star caught her attention, and it drew her into the captivating beauty of lights flying across the endless dark.

  Where am I?

  REALM: 1

  DAY: 4

  She wanted to go home. She wanted her own bed with new clothes and a warm shower. But most of all she wanted her husband. What did he think about her disappearance? How long had they been searching for her?

  Kiuno turned away from Elliott when the tears fell and fought to keep her sobs quiet. A deep shiver ran down her spine as she tried to take another breath. Her heart ached, and if she could admit it, she was scared. Not knowing what her future might hold was the most terrifying thing about this whole situation.

  She woke with sunrise and leaned against the cool stone, hugging her knees to her chest as she listened to the cries of others waking to this nightmare. They were all lost, hungry and afraid of what might come, or what might not.

  Elliott stirred. “Couldn’t sleep?” She cast a glance his way, but turned back to the gate, hoping someone with answers might walk through.

  “I did.” Silence stretched between them.

  He cleared his throat and stood. “Would you like to join me this morning?”

  “What for?”

  “Food, we can’t put it off anymore.”

  She wondered if yesterday had been the last straw or if he’d given up on the possibility of being rescued.

  “Sure.” Kiuno stood, wiping the dirt from her pants.

  “Excellent, I’ve already arranged for a meeting outside the gate. I have something to take care of first, so I’ll meet you there.”

  “Have you already gone out?” she asked looking at the iron bars and wondering what kind of history lay beneath the rust.

  “Not far. I had other concerns.” Judging from yesterday she could only imagine.

  “There’s a river just over the hill. It’s not far.”

  His eyes brightened. “Good, I was hoping there would be a water source nearby.” Kiuno nodded and watched him join the crowd at the water basin. She rubbed her sweaty palms against her pants, took a breath, and headed toward the gate.

  It felt as if a hundred eyes followed her every move. She risked a glance and found the one who attacked her yesterday glaring as if she were the cause of his discomfort. Kiuno ran her tongue over the tender part of her lip and picked up the pace.

  Outside the iron gate, a familiar green meadow welcomed her. The grass expanded on all sides, with the forest encircling it in a protective embrace. The wind shifted through the grass in waves, reminding her of the sea.

  Several people sat at the edge of the hill and waved when she drew near. She returned the greeting with an awkward smile.

  Instead of joining them, Kiuno opted to lean against the wall and watch their interactions. She wasn’t sure if any of them had been involved with yesterday’s events. Risking a glance to her left, her skin prickled when she caught sight of a young man glaring.

  Midnight hair hung over savage eyes that tried to bore into her. His right cheek appeared bruised, the area slightly swollen. He’d been the one who defended Elliott yesterday. She averted her gaze and sighed. First impressions were not her strong suit.

  Elliott arrived a short while later with four others in tow. Those seated stood to greet him, eager to get things underway. At least there were people willing to help.

  His gaze shifted over them, his eyes taking in each individual. “Thank you for coming. I’ll keep this short. Our survival will depend on us. We’re the only ones capable.”

  “You mean the only ones willing.” All eyes turned toward the one leaning on the opposite wall. His position remained unchanged, but that cold glare on Elliott caused her skin to crawl.

  Elliott smirked. “Yes, the only o
nes willing. At least for now. I know there aren’t many of us, but once we demonstrate our capabilities more will lend a hand.” The boy scoffed, but Elliott ignored him. “We’re going to split into teams. Some of you will set up snares while others scavenge. We’ll meet back here by noon.”

  When no one commented he continued. “Kikyo,” he indicated the one with the bruise on his cheek, “has experience with hunting and trapping. The two of us will be teaching you as we go.”

  Elliott’s gaze shifted to her. “Kiuno, you’ll accompany Kikyo today.” He looked back to everyone. “I found some knives in the corner of a storehouse. You should all keep them on you, just in case. Get as many snares up as materials allow.”

  The way Elliott carried himself spoke of prior leadership. No one questioned him even when he paused to ensure all agreed. What experience did he carry?

  Kikyo stepped forward to take one of the knives. “I’m not fond of this arrangement.” Elliott didn’t appear surprised. “Send me out with a group of boys. She should be—”

  “Not fond of working with a girl you mean,” she stated. Her face flushed when he cocked his head in mock amusement.

  “Look,” Kikyo said, “it’s not my intention to offend you, but I don’t have time to play babysitter to some girl who feels she has something to prove.”

  Kiuno clenched her fists and let her eyes trail down his frame. A head taller than her, lean yet muscular, but the same age as herself. He was in no position to judge anything.

  When he turned back to Elliott her temper flared. “I’m more than capable of learning.”

  His smirk vanished. “I beg to differ.”

  “Try me.” He shifted, pinning her in place with his icy glare, but she stood firm.

  Elliott laughed. “It seems things are settled.” He handed her rope and walked toward the others. It was only then Kiuno realized she was the only female among them.

  Kikyo clicked his tongue and grabbed two bows from the ground. He threw one to her, which she missed, and he shook his head again. She’d have to impress him if she wanted his help.

  As she followed Kikyo toward the trees Kiuno wondered why Elliott paired them together at all. If this Kikyo was so against teaching a girl why force him? It wasn’t as if someone else couldn’t do it.

  The air turned muggy as they entered the forest, and she noted the small animals that scurried through the underbrush. If they were setting up snares then they’d be catching several of them soon.

  “I hope you learn fast.” His tone made her blood boil, but Kiuno held her tongue. Don’t say anything if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything, don’t say anything.

  She let out a breath when he bent down to pick up a few twigs. Curious, she stepped closer to watch as he broke them into smaller pieces.

  It wasn’t until he led her to a sapling that the explanations began. The sapling acted as a spring to pull the loop tight and toss the animal in the air. With careful precision, he placed the sticks in the ground.

  Kiuno studied the contraption before he gestured her deeper into the forest. Kikyo picked up another set of twigs, this time showing her the exact length and how they were placed in the ground. The middle piece served as the leverage. Once an animal disturbed that particular piece, the tree would snap up, trapping the prey.

  The next snare was hers to set.

  Kikyo was awkward, shifting to avoid contact, but he wasn’t unpleasant. When she wasn’t certain, he instructed her where to move a piece and helped bend the tree so she could place her first trap. He smiled at her success, and they moved on.

  After monitoring two more, he let her set them alone, the two moving down different paths. Kiuno was sure she lost him a few times, but he always popped up just as she started to panic. It was as if Kikyo were reassuring her he was still around.

  When the twine ran out, she assumed they’d head back, but Kikyo kept walking. She opened her mouth once, only to stop herself. Kikyo seemed the type to get upset with questions. His determined footsteps told her there was a route in mind, so she’d wait.

  “This should be good.” Kiuno glanced around confused until he slung the bow from his shoulder and let an arrow fly. It struck dead center in a tree. She wasn’t even sure he’d aimed.

  “That’s only about ten yards. Don’t expect to make the first shot.”

  Her confidence crumbled as she pulled the bow from her shoulder praying she could mimic his action. How hard could it be?

  She tried to stand with her feet apart, but her positioning must have been off as he kicked her shoes until satisfied they were in the correct position. Her eyes were drawn to the arrow still firmly in the trunk. She notched her own. It was power evoking. Primal. She could do this.

  Kiuno took a breath, pulled back hard and released only to watch the arrow fly off at an awkward angle. It landed several yards from the intended target.

  Her face flushed, and the sting to her pride felt far worse than the sting to her arm. She tucked the injury close and clenched her teeth.

  Kiuno braced for the criticism. To be told this wasn’t worth his time, but slender fingers wrapped around her wrist and examined the area. He tied a piece of leather over the welt.

  Without a word, he repositioned her feet and gave her another arrow. Kikyo stood behind her and assisted in the draw back. He raised her elbow, pushed her right hand closer to her face and bent the front arm before indicating for her to release. It still missed, but at least it was straighter.

  “Better. Again.”

  She took another, feeling her confidence grow. Again, he moved her body and helped pull the arrow back.

  They continued until her arms were too shaky for the draw.

  Kiuno’s spirit soared as they made their way back. He didn’t talk much, but Kikyo had been more help than she’d expected, and she found his company pleasant. Maybe she’d judged him too soon.

  Elliott waved them over when they broke from the tree line. They were the last to arrive.

  “Finally, thought you two might have gotten lost.” Elliott looked between them.

  “We walked further than I planned,” Kikyo said.

  “I trust your student did well?” Elliott’s gaze appeared hopeful.

  “She’ll do.”

  Kikyo joined the others, and Elliott ushered for her to do the same. “We’ve done a lot already, but there’s still something that needs to be tended to. I’m sure you’ve noticed the water basin is running dangerously low. Thanks to Kiuno, I found a river. The land flattens on the far side of this hill and circles to the water.”

  “How are we carrying it?” she asked.

  “With those.” Elliott pointed to several large potteries hidden in the grass.

  “They just happened to be in the storehouse?” Kikyo asked.

  Elliott nodded. “Behind the last of the blankets.”

  “Convenient.” Kikyo’s tone didn’t go unnoticed. After several long moments, Elliott picked up the first and balanced it on his shoulder. She followed suit.

  Despite how dry her throat felt after trudging through a dense forest, Kiuno couldn’t convince herself to drink the stagnant poison within the walls. There were too many variables that might end her life. Contaminated water would not be her undoing.

  They followed Elliott along the hillside and into a thin line of trees. Upon seeing the water, everyone laid their pots against a trunk and ran to the edge, splashing the cool liquid over their skin. She wondered if some of them had refused to drink the basin water as well.

  Kiuno washed the sweat from her face and filled her pot.

  Without handles, it made the journey more difficult as she hoisted the heavy load over one shoulder. Walking back reminded her of a time in her childhood when she’d been asked to carry a bucket half her size to the horses. Her father had laughed endlessly at how soaked she’d been.

  Though not as bad as her childhood, Kiuno still spilled some along the way, leaving her shirt drenched before they made it back.
Each walked inside single file, and one would have thought they were bringing gold to the indigenous.

  Several of them stood to help, licking their parched lips. A child clung to an older woman’s skirt and backed away when Kiuno placed the pot before them.

  Deciding it might be better to give them space, Kiuno moved away from the crowd and took a moment to rest in the grass. Several people gathered around Elliott, and she prayed they were asking him how to help. Maybe he was right, they just needed to be shown all wasn’t lost.

  With the commotion dying down, Kikyo found Kiuno and extended a hand to hoist her up. His palms were rough and calloused, making her wonder what kind of life he’d lived back home. He didn’t speak, and they started back for a second load.

  After their fourth trip, the entire group collapsed by the riverside. It’d been a good hour of hauling water, and they’d filled the basin past the brim. This final trip was just to top off the pottery.

  Kiuno sat against a thin tree and felt the cool breeze brush past her skin. It grazed the tree tops, making the branches sway over the river. The steady flow of water carried her beyond this strange land and into a sea of colors. Only the occasional fish broke the slick surface.

  With the silence, birds came to join them in the trees, several she didn’t recognize. Vibrant colors of blue and green shown when they spread their wings. It was a perfect setting. If only she had a canvas to capture their beauty.

  With eyes closed, cold water shocked her senses, and she jumped in surprise spluttering to find her assailant in hysterics, Elliott’s warm eyes filled with mirth. Several others joined in his playful mockery.

  “Anyone up for some fishing?” Kiuno tried to make a stern face, but her stomach growled in response to his proposal. It’d only been yesterday that she’d eaten, but she had to remember that most hadn’t had a satisfying meal in days.

  Elliott instructed them on how to make a spear and where the best fishing grounds would likely be. He split everyone along the bank, and within minutes she heard shouts of victory.

  A little while later they sat around a fire with full stomachs. She voiced her guilt about eating when the others had nothing, but Elliott assured the group there would be plenty by tomorrow.