“He said, let me see you, human.” whispered Serenata.
Like I’m going to let that happen! The Elite turned around and slowly went back to the ground. I took this time to put on a heavier coat for the cold. It’s not easy moving around the cabin in complete darkness. To get around, I have to map out the cabin in my mind. My only sense of direction is the moon’s light and Kinoki’s jingling bells. When I made it downstairs, the Elite is no longer in sight. The usual gust of wind picked up, trembled all of the windows in the cabin. Kinoki’s bell collar is now useless to me. I have to blindly decide which way to go. My only exits out of here, is through the front door and the kitchen door. The only deciding factor of which way to go is with the Elite’s location.
A very familiar sound of nails is scratching the front door. It’s Kinoki. She only claws the door, when she wants me to let her inside. The porch creaked, my suspicions are true—she’s not alone.
The doorknob is rattling. I ducked like I was dodging bullets, and huddled towards the kitchen. I unlocked the back door and waited for the perfect time. The rattling stopped, the front door knob creaked, and I equally opened the kitchen door. Our doors corresponded and opening at the same time. With a grace I never possessed in me, I slowly shut the door. Gradually, I went down the steps until I felt the moist ground. I backed far from the cabin and hid behind a honeysuckle bush. The fog from here is so thick, I can barely get a clear view of the cabin.
The cold isn’t helping the throbbing pain on my back, but I have no time to complain. The living room lights blink on, and suddenly went off. The lights in the kitchen did the same thing, they blinked on and went off. Every room in the cabin is systematically blinking on and off. He’s looking for us, but for what reason? Avalon was confident the Elite will not hunt us down.
“What are we going to do?” said Serenata.
I hushed her. All of the lights in the cabin blinked on at the same time and remained that way. Kinoki leaped on the kitchen window, her small face is looking towards me. She’s waging her tail sensing I’m nearby, she looks spirited, oblivious to my situation. Suddenly, she looks behind an approaching shadow, Kinoki’s ears flattened low. Her teeth chattered at the dark shadow. For some reason, the Elite has unexpectedly made Kinoki angry. The moment she hopped off the window, all the lights died, and every window shatters.
My fingers shook as I dialed 911, a monotone operator answered. In desperation, I gave her my address, and my early signs of premature labor. After every pause for breath, I’m trying to sound as calm as possible.
“911. What’s your emergency?” she repeated.
“I need help.” I answered. “There’s someone in my home. I live in the Okanogan—”
“Hello? Is there anyone on the line?” she said.
“Yes!” I replied. “I’m here—!”
The call ends. In frustration, I dial again, another operator answered, incapable of hearing me.
“Unless you have an emergency, do not prank call us!” she warned.
The Elite is intervening with my phone calls. I shouldn’t be surprised, this has happened before. After I called the Search and Rescue, Avalon prevented them for locating us. My icy fingers dialed anyway.
Dr. Graham’s cell phone is ringing without a break. His voicemail isn’t activating for me to leave a message. I dialed again, and nothing. The last person on my contacts is Jeremy.
A hissing sound rolled pass me, they’re the sound of wings flustering above. Jeremy’s line rang without limit, just like Dr. Grahams. Dozens of birds are flying pass me, completely engulfing the cabin. Their chattering cries are not just familiar, their certain. It’s a flock of crows. They propelled over the cabin, a few dove through the broken windows and out. Jeremy isn’t answering my call. Like Dr. Graham, I’m not even allowed to leave a voicemail. Suddenly, the ring stopped, and a tired voice answered.
“Jeremy!” I cried.
“Hello…” mumbled a sleepy Jeremy.
“Jeremy, its Lola please—come pick me up—call the ambulance this instant!” I begged.
“Hello?” replied Jeremy “Lola are you there?”
It’s just like the operator, he can’t hear me. I dropped my head in defeat. Tears welled up in me, and I sobbed.
“Are you okay?” he continued. “I think you hit the mute key.”
“I’m sorry.” I replied. “I’m sorry I didn’t go with you when you asked me to.”
I’m feeling more hopeless, that keep talking to someone who can’t hear me. At least he will be somewhat of a witness that I was once here. As I’m about to hang up, Jeremy didn’t finish.
“I don’t have a good feeling about this.” he paused. “I’ll be on my way.”
Hope has rekindled! I hanged up energized.
I need to come up with a getaway plan. The freeway is the safest path to wait for Jeremy. For that to happen, I need to walk along the dirt road. On foot, it will take me 15 minutes to make it to the freeway. Going now won’t guarantee that the Elite will be doing the same. Since Jeremy lives out in the country, it should take him about four hours to get here. Before I decide to plant myself in one location, I must first get as far as I can from the Elite.
The strain in my pelvic is pulsating, the good news is that I feel no contractions. As much as I want to go back inside the warmth of the cabin, I can’t put out lives at risk. I will hide inside the forest, until the appropriate time passes for me to wait near the road.
I found Kinoki on the porch rail, snarling at the crows. It looks like the dark birds are bothering her. She jumped off the rail and ran back inside the cabin. It won’t be a good thing if the Elite is controlling these aggressive birds. If I want to remain unnoticed, I mustn’t draw the same attention Kinoki did.
A dark roar resonated from the cabin and the crows began to fall into the ground like droppings. Their bodies thudded into the grass, the survivors flocked to regroup above the dark sky. Together, they soared towards the porch, where the Elite revealed himself. I’m wrong, the Elite doesn’t have control over these crows. Something must have gone wrong for them to behave in such an aggressive manner. One by one they swooped in to attack the Elite. In response to their attacks, he retaliated and knocked them down. It’s outrageous to think that these birds would do something so suicidal like ganging up on a Lenur. In packs, they fluttered to the Elite only to fall into the wet cold grass. Any animal in their right mind knows when to flee, but they keep pressing on. The unusual combat is moving, slowly shifting towards me. The crows hustled together following the Elite who is now heading my way. I left the protection of the honeysuckle bush and entered the forest, leaving the cabin and commotion behind me.
The further I ventured through the cold fog, the less I can hear the cawing and grumbles of a frustrated Elite. There is no darker place as the wilderness, the forest wipes away any light from the sky. When I reached a reasonable distance, I flipped the emergency flashlight on my cell phone. While the fog isn’t helping me clear the way, at least I can see how apart the trees are form each other and how steep the slopes are getting.
My water hasn’t broken, the pain on my lower back still hurts, and my bleeding has stopped. I should be fine, as long as I’m still capable of walking. I’m fine. I need to wait, and resist any more movements.
Chapter Twenty-four
Tainted Birds
“Why did they act so suicidal with the Elite?”
Fifteen minutes have passed since I left the cabin and entered the Okanogan Forest. I leaned over the stump of a pine tree to lighten the weight on my feet. Breathing in this dense fog is difficult. My hair is already damp and cold, the ends are starting to frost. My fingers are so numb the pockets in my coat aren’t conserving any warmth. I have lots of hot packets in the drawer of my bedroom, I’m stupid for thinking of bringing those with me.
“I know why he came for us.” said Serenata.
Her dry voice is worrying me, it’s sluggish, and barely audible. When I asked her what she
thought, Serenata explained it all. It’s exactly what Avalon said to me. My breathing is like scent to them. The Elite had no trouble finding me, to him, I stood out like a beacon of light. It still doesn’t explain why he’s after us. He should have left the moment he saw Serenata’s little body in Avalon’s arms. The Lenur has no innocent motive to nonchalantly check the place out, not when he wants to personally see me. Could he suspect that Serenata is with us??
“I feel strange.” sighed Serenata.
“What do you mean?!” I stressed.
“I feel…sleepy.”
“Serenata.” I called. “Serenata, talk to me.”
An eerie flutter flew by my ear. I promptly turned off the light. A dark crackle grew close, it’s creeping closer and closer. I need to run, but I’m too stun to do it. The dark figure is flying directly towards me, I swung my arms screaming. My fists swung at the air, whatever I touched, fell on the ground and cried—it’s a crow.
“Get away from me!” I shouted.
I left its yapping calls and fled, fearing the Elite will hear us. Instantly, another crow flew down and pulled my hair, strands fell on the ground. Another flew so close, it pinched my shoulder. I waved my hands around, and hit another that missed my arm. Within seconds, most of the crows in the cabin found me. Their interests in me, is a very aggressive one. Maybe they think I’m the Elite’s ally.
“Serenata.” I muttered. “Are you still there?”
“She’s asleep.” said a new voice, echoing in my ear.
“Who-who are you!” I exclaimed.
“Please. Do not be frightened, it’s just me, Ebon.”
His voice resembled a calm young man—too calm in this mess where’re in. So this is the entity Avalon mentioned countless of times.
“Why are these birds acting like this?”
I pressed my back tightly against a wide pine tree, the crows flew ahead. It won’t be long before they return.
“These dark birds are tainted.” said Ebon.
“Tainted?” I panted.
“Their beaks reek of Avalon’s blood. It appears they ate from her remains. It’s possible they drank the remaining life in her blood, just before it faded away. The birds that are chasing you are no longer in the form of their creator—they are altered, unnatural, and perilous. You must escape before a murder of them advance. I should warn you, they are after Serenata and your child. To them, you are just in their way.”
I pushed through the forest, twisted and swayed aside the countless trees. Thanks to my flashlight, I barely grazed through two birch tree. Ebon’s words echoed inside me, “their beaks” he said, they consumed Avalon! The only being who shared the same pain is no longer here. I should have expect it, but I can’t believe it. Avalon’s smile, her glowing eyes, and the gentle way she held Serenata’s premature body. It’s gone.
A dark cloud of flying reptiles grew heavy over my head. They multiplied in large numbers.
“First the Elite, and now these crows!” I complained. “Isn’t there anything you can do? Avalon said you’re responsible for protecting our children!”
I started zig-zagging through the trees and slipping through the narrow shrubs. The swarm of crows are unable catch up, but every step is ripping me apart.
“Keep going.” sparked Ebon. “Avalon gave us an advantage against the Elite. She took out his eyes, and put up a fight worthy of a true Lenur.”
“You saw?” I stated.
“Yes.” he replied. “I astral project. Your suspicions are true, we couldn’t fool the Elite as we planned, he suspects Serenata is alive. That is why he went to seek you. Do not worry. He won’t be here long, he must report back to the Emperor. Your new problem is not the Elite, but these crows.”
“Why did were they acting so suicidal with the Elite?”
“These crows ate from the flesh of Avalon, previously, they wanted to consume the Elite. That is why they followed him to your home. Somehow you are producing the essence of a Lenur. It took them long to figure out that you have the taste they desire. You must be as far away from them as possible.”
This essence must be the blood that has now streamed down my leg. I’m currently in premature labor, Ebon doesn’t know, but I think he suspects. The branches shook above me, the crows have returned. They’re growing closer, before I could dash out of their way, my foot twisted on an open root. I sprang to avoid the fall, but as soon as I landed, my knees gave out. It happened so face, I didn’t notice the tree and smacked my face right into the truck. The black forest, these evil crows, and the Elite, all of these awful things vanished in an instant.
Chapter Twenty-five
The Birth
“I need to return to the cabin…”
The pine trees are dancing, their branches are swaying under the emanating sky. The black woods are no more. A hint of gray is smudging the darkness, it’s fading from the arriving sun. My nose tickles, I wiped a thick line of crusty blood right off my nostril. I’m having a harder time rubbing off the cold mud that smeared half of my face. With my consciousness returning, so did my awareness of the merciless cold wind. Even with the few cracks of dawn, the fog doesn’t want to leave so soon. I pressed my jacket close to me and sunk my hands into my pockets. My mobile phone is missing. In anger I slammed my fist against the ground.
My throbbing headache worsened with the awakening pain of my arms and legs. My womb is fine, the contractions have slowed down and my back ache is gone. It’s a miracle that I sustained the labor. Now I need to return to the cabin, Jeremy will soon be here. By the time I get back, the Elite will be gone and this gloomy area will be full of warm sunlight.
“Don’t move.” said Serenata.
I didn’t. She startled me the moment she spoke, but her voice gives me great relief, my baby is alright.
“It’s nice to hear your voice.” I said.
“Ebon said they’ve been watching you for hours.”she continued, dismissing my concern.“They’re waiting.”
I looked up, and met eyes with one.
A crow.
The fog has concealed them well, there’s dozens in every branch. Their ominous presence shivers me to the core. Their black eyes and sharp beak are expecting me. Among them, a black shadow crept towards me, this crow is bigger than the rest, older perhaps. I recognize the scruffy feathers. It’s the old crow from my trip back to the cabin. Wherever he moved, the rest shifted to give him room. To think I would meet this large monstrous crow again. The group are showing a lot of respect to this particular bird, and that makes me feel very uneasy. I must leave—now.
My chilly bones cracked as I rose on my swollen feet. The moment I lined up my spine, an overwhelming sting pounded in my temple. I didn’t just bleed through the nose, I slightly open a tissue on my forehead. I took a step and I cried out. The crows jumped—others landed on the ground. A warm tangy smell leaked down my leg, the sizzling vapor left from underneath my night gown. As I leaned to reach down I felt a soft head peeking at my dilated cervix.
“Oh my God!” I cried.
“What’s wrong?” said Serenata
“Where is Ebon?” I shook.
“He’s here, but we both can’t talk to you at the same time.”
“Serenata, can I speak to Ebon?” I chirped, frantic.
“I-I can try—” Serenata’s voice faded.
My icy hair swung down when I leaned to grab the nearest rock. I pressed it on my chest. This rock is my only defense against these dark spiteful birds. Every step is making my baby’s head rub more pressure on my cervix. What I thought to be slow contractions is starting to feel stronger. With every force in me, I’m walking back home. The crows followed, gliding so close, they almost hit me. I want to swing my rock at them, but I held my anger.
“Keep going.” said Ebon, interrupting my second desire to stone a crow.
“What about the Elite, is it safe to return?” I asked.
“You came in contact with him from the kitchen window didn’t you? You kno
w the vital signs of death he suffered. He will not decide to die here in vain. His duty is to return, and report to the Emperor about Avalon.”
“So the Elite really did—and these crows actually consumed—” I choked.
“You’re barely accepting it?” said Ebon. “Avalon is no longer with us.”
My cheeks are boiling, the sweat on my forehead is melting my dry crusty blood. Each step is bringing me closer to the cabin, but another step is becoming harder to do.
“Serenata is waking up.” faded Ebon.
“Did I do it?”said Serenata.“Did you talk to Ebon?”
“Yes.” I replied. “I’m going back to the cabin now.”
“But the Elite—”
“He’s not around anymore!” I snapped.
I don’t want her asking about Avalon, I don’t want to tell her she is dead.
“Serenata, I think the baby is coming sooner than I thought. You must be strong for me, okay?”
“Y-yes—” stammered Serenata.
Some of the crows on the branches curved their necks, causing a bubbling chirp roll down their throats. It’s completely different from their raspy calls, they must be communicating to one another. When they stopped, they took off into the air. Ignoring them is no longer an option for me, they have resumed their attack. Their beaks tore holes into my coat, another tried to get scratch my face, and one almost plucked out my eye.
My arms folded over my head to shield me from these vicious birds that dominate every branch. They’re regrouping among each other, I have never seen so many at once. I know nothing of crows, except that their beaks are as sharp as a blades. The holes in my coat is venting the heat of my body. The sun has just started to peek over the horizon, but the crows chocked the light like a dark storm. Using my arms a shield isn’t helping and the rock in my hand is no better. Desperate, I pulled off my coat and swung it around me. My heavy coat made them back away.
The Birth (The Black Wing Book 1) Page 21