Skeeter sighed. “I really don’t know. That’s never happened before. I just had to save her — someway — somehow!”
He jerked his head toward the monitor with his eyes wide. “My sister! Is she okay?”
As the drone’s lens zoomed toward Hoot, he bit his lower lip.
A Second Later
Relieved but exhausted with her ankle on fire, Hoot scanned the area. “Someone! Help me!”
The pungent smell of the smoldering beast’s flesh invaded her nostrils. Ewww, that thing stinks.
Impatient as always, she snapped her head around. Where are those guys?
Hound Dog raced to her side and helped her sit against a nearby tree. He scrunched his nose. “You okay?”
She examined her right foot. “Hurts like the devil, but I’m alright — I think.”
With a broad grin, her new-found hero stared at her. She peered into his silver-gray eyes for an extended moment, then turned her head as if caught stealing cookies.
His firm hands grabbed her shoulders and lifted her upright. She gazed at him. “Thanks. Your sweet for a dog.”
Her helper’s lips parted to reveal his beaming teeth. “Any time I can be of assistance.” He winked, and her smile spread wider.
Storm held the reins and led Red to Hoot’s side. Her father looked at Hound Dog and frowned. “What ya standing around for, Doggy Breath? Help Tropokt load what’s left of that muclone up onto Terminator.”
At first, she was perturbed, but her mood flipped. Ah, Pa’s just giving the poor guy the treatment. She chuckled inside.
Hopping on one leg, she inspected her stallion. Blood beaded along a gash on the steed’s hindquarter.
She patted his neck. “You okay, you big brute?”
The steed snorted as she hobbled to his rear. When she lightly touched the wound, the huge muscle twitched as the horse bent his neck to peek.
Turning, Hoot stared him in the eye. “You were lucky, Big Boy. Looks more like a scratch this time.”
He vigorously shook his head and whinnied. Anytime her horse got so much as a bruise, he’d act as if the world was coming to an end. Such a baby.
She smirked. “Okay, it’s probably more than a scratch. I’m sure it hurts a lot.”
Hoot patted his chops and hugged him. “Feel any better?” Her stallion nodded.
Putting his arm around her waist, her father squeezed her. “I’m just glad things turned out the way they did. You gonna survive?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t anything, really.” With her eyes shut, she sighed. She believed in her heart that her beloved brother, Fox, helped her from heaven that day.
Slasher’s screech pierced the air as he fluttered above. When Hoot extended her arm, the bird of prey descended and softly landed on its perch.
Trying to soothe her feathered friend’s nerves, she stroked its soft crown. “I don’t know what I’d do without you always trying to protect me.”
While she thanked the Lord in her heart, something cold and wet lit on her nose. She raised both arms high and gazed skyward. Fluttering through the canopy of the forest, massive snowflakes plopped on her face and floated about her.
The first sight of snow since spring warmed her heart as she winked at Red. “Looks like winter’s here, and it’s early.”
The euphoria quickly faded when Hoot rubbed her tender ankle. She clenched her jaw. Zo’s begging for trouble again!
CHAPTER NINE
Winged Havoc
Before Sunrise on October 20, 2105
The Western Edge of Porcupine Forest
After camping overnight, Zo awoke his team of Skalags. He wasn’t sure he needed both of his guards but was glad he brought them just the same. The safety of his mate and siblings were always first and foremost on his mind.
While Kree tended to the food over the fire, Zo knelt and watched Gno sleep. The light from the flames flickered across the permanent shadow markings on his younger brother’s arm. The intricate design included the same green eyes and glaring, red pupils they both had inked into their biceps the previous winter. Gno’s more like a son than anything.
Zo gently nudged the young man and his sister, then whispered. “Time to get up, sleepyheads. Grab some chicksoy and smoked venison. We’ll be heading out in a few minutes.”
As the campfire cast its light across the autumn colors of the surrounding trees and brush, a whiff of the morning’s brew hit his nostrils. He drew a deeper breath. “Mmm.”
Stretching, Vra sheepishly crinkled one side of her face. “It’s too early.”
Zo grinned. “Come on. It’s best if we release your sting-suckers while they’re still dormant and not so angry.”
He pointed toward a large glass enclosure, covered with a blanket. “It’ll give us a better chance to escape without getting stung by one of those things.”
“If you say so. I didn’t sleep much. Heard that weird clicking sound again — not as bad as in the mountains but enough to keep me awake.” Flushed with rosy cheeks from the morning’s cool air, she stretched again.
Vra’s strong jaw and sunken cheeks resembled their deceased mother more with each passing year. She wound her long blond hair snug against her partially-shaved scalp in a side-knot like she did when readying for battle. Ma would be proud.
Noticing the curves of her lightly-muscled body for the first time while she swung her caribou hide coat over her shoulders, he choked. It had been years since they camped out together, and she usually wore loose clothing. Guess Vra’s grown up.
He glanced behind him and noticed both guards staring at his sister. He shot a glare, and they turned away. No wonder the warriors have been eying her lately.
Gno crawled from under a wolf pelt and pulled his tattered deerskin shirt down over his head. “I’ll be ready in a few, but I gotta pee before I get a shot of that wakeup juice.”
Zo chuckled. “We won’t leave without you.”
His brother jerked his head around as he ran toward a golden maple tree. “You better not!”
Grabbing a black pot from over the campfire, Kree lifted it. “Come on everybody. Get some grub while it’s hot.”
With his steamy mug in hand, Zo strolled toward his two brawny warriors who seemed a bit nervous. It was only natural for men to be attracted to the beauty of a young woman — but not his sister. He pointed at Vra’s mutants. “How did they do last night?”
The smaller of the two stammered. “Quiet so far, but don’t know how long that’ll last. Once they see the light of day and warm up,” he slowly shook his head, “their ornery disposition will return full force.”
The bigger brute smirked. “For sure.”
Zo peeked under the corner of the blanket covering the glass enclosure — nothing stirred. “We’ll release them quick enough before they get too excited. As soon as everybody’s had a bite and is ready to go, I’ll set ‘em free.”
He scowled at the guards. “I better not catch you looking at my sister again.”
They quickly lowered their eyes and nodded.
A little later, as dawn’s earliest light poked through the forest’s canopy, Zo and the other Skalags packed up. He motioned toward a thick cluster of elderberries. “You younger ones, get behind those bushes. Don’t want you getting hurt.”
Vra whined. “You’re kidding? We’re grown enough to have a little fun once in a while.”
He peered at Kree, who nodded and herded his siblings. “Come on you two. You don’t want to mess with these things — trust me. I’ve seen them kill bigger warriors than you.”
Zo reached for the latch to release the denamods, but the smaller warrior cried out. “Wait!”
He nervously danced in place. “Gotta take a dump!”
Zo rolled his eyes as the guard raced 30 yards and ducked behind a massive oak.
Eerie clicks drifted from near where the Skalag had just disappeared. The other guard glanced at Zo. “Hear that? What’s that noise?”
Putting a finger to his lips, Zo
whispered. “Not sure.”
From behind the bushes, Vra’s shriek startled him. “That’s the weird clicking sound! Where’s it coming from?”
Two strange beasts slowly emerged from the shadows between Zo and the man behind the tree. A pungent odor, much like ammonia, emanated from the creatures.
Convinced his vision was playing tricks with so little light, Zo squinted. Each of the monster’s jaws and teeth were visible through its facial covering. He focused harder. All their innards were visible as well.
His heart lurched. What in the world?
The guard to his side whispered. “They must have followed us!”
When the smaller warrior gingerly stepped from behind the large oak, Zo yelled. “Watch out!”
One of the beasts blared an ear-piercing screech and charged. The Skalag turned to face the attacker during the blur of its rush.
The creature galloped on six legs and rose to its hind legs as it neared. The beast slashed the warrior’s chest with its sharp forepaws. A coiled appendage emerged from the predator’s pouch and sprang open into an arm-length trunk.
Horror engulfed the Skalag’s face as he screamed. Something white and jagged protruded from the trunk and slashed through the helpless soul’s bones.
Blood sprayed across his face and arms as he shook and convulsed in place. A second later, one of the beast’s paws reached into his sternum and removed the dripping heart.
Teetering for a moment with a crimson stream cascading over his gut, the man toppled forward, smacking the ground with his face.
Stunned, Zo grasped his sword. What is that thing?
The hideous being placed the gory heart into its pouch and hopped on the back of the corpse. It pressed the end of its trunk against the base of the warrior’s neck.
A moment later, the monster lifted its head and tucked its coiled trunk into its pouch. The hellish being turned and stared at Zo with purple, segmented eyeballs.
Its soul-gripping peepers telescoped in and out as if measuring him. With its right eye still fixed on Zo, the left one moved independently and scanned the area. Distinct clicks pierced the air while its jaws and that of its companion incessantly snapped.
Having created the worst kinds of denamods over his lifetime, he had never stood before a monster as terrifying as this. Sweat dripped down the side of his face as a huge knot swelled in his throat.
Dare he lift his sword to give chase? Unsure, he remained frozen. His deceased ma’s voice wormed its way into his head. Think smart! Save Gno and Vra!
As the beast stepped off its victim and crept toward its partner, Zo looked at the other warrior and cocked his head toward the sting-suckers, then at the two creatures. The Skalag nodded.
Zo stripped the cover from the glass enclosure and slapped the top. A loud hum emanated from the prison while denamods smacked into the side panels. He and the warrior picked it up and heaved the container toward the freakish beings.
Quickly spinning toward the others, Zo pointed. “Take the horses! Get down the hill!”
When he looked back, the glass prison struck the ground and shattered. He raced after the others while glancing over his shoulder.
At first, the strange creatures stood motionless, confused by the commotion. Within a split-second, several of the sting-suckers took flight and landed on the backs of the tenacious beasts. They shrieked as the wasps’ stingers plunged deeply.
The more the adrenalin gushed through his veins, the faster Zo ran while snatching glimpses of the fight.
Suddenly, one of the monsters vanished then the other disappeared as well. The mosquito-wasps darted to and fro searching for targets.
Zo and his group hopped on the horses and galloped down the hill, out of sight of Vra’s tormenting denamods. He drew a deep breath as he tugged on the reins and peeked to see if any sting-suckers followed. No sight of them.
Wheezing, He bent over. What just happened? Where did those monsters go?
Zo gasped while closing his eyes for a moment. Where’d they come from?
After mulling it over, he furrowed his brow. The Ukes?
CHAPTER TEN
Ominous Premonitions
Later That Morning
Having delivered the latest muclone to Ukkiville’s lead scientist the previous day, Hoot and her brother sat on the porch outside Thoruk’s cabin. Voices of the village leaders from within grew louder as Hoot glanced at Skeeter.
“I meant to thank you earlier, but I was so shook up. I had to take care of Red.”
“Is he gonna be okay?”
“Yeah. It was more of a scratch than anything, though you’d think that horse was gonna die from the way he whined last night. He’s such a wimp.”
She rolled her eyes, then stared at Skeeter for a moment. His deep dimples accented his boyish charm. He meant the world to her.
“I can’t thank you enough for saving my life as you did.”
A broad smile parted his lips. “I couldn’t let anything happen to you. You’re my big sister! You woulda done the same for me.”
“For sure. Glad you reacted so quickly.”
Wound in a ball of energy, her brother constantly tapped his foot on the floorboard. He peered into her eyes. “How come you didn’t kill that thing with your powers? I was scared to death it was gonna get you.” His eyes watered.
She slid her chair closer and wrapped her arm around his shoulder. “It was behind me. I didn’t see it coming. I’m just happy you were able to help.”
Skeeter shrugged. “About that. I’m not sure what happened, but I think my brain interacted with the computer and told it what to do. I don’t even know how.”
“I believe you. You’ve got powers stronger than mine and even our parents — no doubt about that.”
As his face lit up, a pain tweaked her heart. Blazes. The older Baby Brother gets, the more he looks like Fox.
The sight of Skeeter was a constant reminder of how much she missed her deceased brother. After many years, the pain of his loss still clung with a grip so firm she’d likely take it to her deathbed.
Skeeter’s voice snapped her train of thought. “Whatcha thinking about?”
She sighed. “Fox. I miss him so much.”
“You rarely talk about our older brother, if ever. Tell me about him, pleeease.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s really hard.” She sniffled. “You’re his spitting image — same jet-black hair and dark tan. When I look at your face, I see him in you with the exception of your gorgeous aqua-marine eyes — similar to Mercy’s blue eyes but with a splash of green. Fox’s were amber like Pa and me, but more beautiful with incredible copper streaks that extended outward from the center like the sun’s rays.”
Her chest tightened as she wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled.
Skeeter reached over and hugged her. “Keep going.” He squeezed tighter.
“Well…,” she sucked a deep breath, “…Big Brother was a practical joker, always playing pranks on me but mostly on Proto. Those two never stopped goofing around when they were together — kids at heart — refusing to grow up. They were my best buddies, even though they drove me nuts with their jabbering most times.”
The more she talked, the easier words flowed while a chuckle escaped her. “Fox was always cracking me up. He’d use corny sentences and contractions while making up words from a dictionary only his noggin possessed. You’d think he’d never gone to school and learned English, but he was really a smart kid.”
She smirked. “He certainly took pleasure in butchering the language as a joke to be different — kinda like you. I wish you could’ve known him.” She cupped his dimples with her palms. “You would have loved Fox.”
Skeeter’s eyes glistened. “I’m sure I woulda if I coulda.”
She chuckled. “See, that’s what I mean. That’s something Fox would have said.”
Rising, the young man unbuttoned his wolf hide. “Whew, it’s starting to warm up.”
He draped his fluff
y, gray and white fur coat on the back of the chair and plopped onto his seat again. His head drooped as he murmured. “How did Fox die?”
“Saving me from the Skalags when I was a little girl. I hate them!” More than a decade had passed, but still, a massive knot swelled in Hoot’s stomach.
She paused as her tears welled. “It was my fault. I should have never been out there on that battlefield. That stupid cat.” A teardrop dripped down her face.
Skeeter patted her back. “I’m sorry. Let’s change the subject.” The hollows in his cheeks grew larger.
Hoot wiped her eyes. She loved Baby Brother so much, but Fox would always hold a special place in her heart which nobody could fill.
Skeeter cocked his head toward Hoot’s bow, leaning against a pine. “So, how are those archery lessons with Caru going?”
Straightening, Hoot smiled. “Great! She’s got me up to 200 reapers a day and firing three at the same time. I definitely need more practice in that area!”
Her brother’s eye widened. “Brutish! Maybe you can teach me someday.”
She chuckled. “For sure, but it’s a lot of work.” She extended her forefinger. “Look here.” The purple blister near the tip of her nail ached.
As the clamor from within the cabin grew much louder, Hoot crossed her arms. I should be in the meeting with the grownups.
Her father’s voice drowned the others. “We still need to track down that monster that slaughtered Bartuk’s cows before it kills something else, like a villager or one of our children!”
Seconds later, the front door swung wide and Storm appeared with a scowl etched across his weathered face. He glanced at her and Skeeter. “Come on kids. We’re gonna kill that monster!”
An Hour Later
Queasy’s Cabin
While his buddy’s team continued their hunt for the strange beast, Thoruk scribbled his final notes to discuss with the Texans. He turned toward Caru. “See here.”
He pointed to the top of the page. “I want to find out why they seemed to be hiding something toward the end of that last chat. Of course, I need to be subtle.”
The New World: Crimson Winter Page 5