by Anna Hub
A whip cat screamed in the distance and I silently prayed for them to come to our aid, but now that we were leaving their Valley, perhaps they weren't as eager to help us.
A second reptile broke through the trees and sniffed the air in the clearing.
“The cats are lined up against the edge of the forest," Brayden whispered. "They're waiting for us to attempt our escape before they make their next—"
The reptile in front of him grumbled and we all froze. It moved from side to side, searching the air with its nose.
Brayden took a step back. "This might be the best opportunity to distract the cats and break out of the forest. I'll lead the reptiles into the cats' den. The rest of you can run east until you clear the forest.”
I wanted to ask questions. I wanted to know how many reptiles surrounded us and how he could be certain they were all going to follow him. But as a third one joined us in the clearing, I was too afraid to speak up.
Brayden stepped to the side. "Take the torch and as soon as I’m out of sight, you're all going to run.”
Matt took the torch and passed it to Nick. "The rest of us will need to focus on our shadows." He hoisted Tara onto his back as Nick adjusted his grip on the shadow sucker and managed to grab Rachel’s hand as well, leaving the two younger children for me.
There was no time to wish Brayden luck. He threw his shadow over a branch and flung himself into the darkness
The branch whipped back and struck one of the reptiles in the face. A fierce bark erupted but I didn't wait to see what happened next. I held the children's hands tight and bolted through the forest.
Chapter Seventeen
Nick and Rachel took the lead and even though Matt had Tara's weight to carry, he managed to keep pace with me and the children. Eventually Ellie shook my hand free and we both found it easier to run without the limitation. Ashley was younger and seemed so fragile. I wouldn't let go of his hand no matter what it cost me.
The forest grew thicker but Nick did a good job of navigating. The most challenging part was staying close enough for the torch light to hold our shadows in place. If he got too far ahead or blocked the light, I could fall easily and that might be the last mistake I made.
One reptile still followed us. Trees crashed to the ground behind us and although we had a healthy lead, there was no telling how long we could maintain it.
Eventually a stitch tugged at my side. My pace slowed and I feared the gap increasing between Nick and the rest of us.
I tried to listen for evidence of the beast behind me but it was disguised by cat shrieks pumping the air in the distance.
Nightmarish imagery filled my head, and once the reptiles roared their defiance, I knew the two species had clashed. The hoarse cries of the reptiles were balanced by the high pitched whining of the whip cats. Their tails would be working hard to slash their opponents and amongst all my other emotions, I was deeply afraid for Brayden.
“Hurry, Selena!” Matt struggled as Tara slipped lower on his back.
I turned to check on the reptile but the torch light only carried for a short distance behind me. Ashley’s hand slipped in mine as I squeezed tighter to counter my sweat. The boy’s eyes were so wide they seemed void of colour.
The thump of a heavy footprint sounded behind me. The reptile was catching up. The plants ahead seemed to thicken and we were forced to crawl through any gaps we could find. I picked Ashley up and threw him over a fallen trunk, too big for me to jump without both hands.
“Keep running!” I screamed and the little boy took flight as I jumped over behind him.
Seconds later, the tree trunk rolled forward and snapped smaller trees to the ground. I knew my shadow well enough to recognise when the light source was growing weak. If the reptile even managed to hook a claw around my ankle, I would be done for.
Rachel screamed from the front of the group as a whip cracked. Everyone stopped, unsure which direction to run. I caught up, desperate to escape the reptile. The whip cracked into the trees once more and leaves rained down on us.
"Where to?" Nick asked.
“Just go!” I managed.
“But the cats—”
“The reptile is seconds behind us.” I pushed him forward.
Nick’s round eyes searched behind me before he grabbed Rachel and shoved her in a new direction. We ran after him as a shadow rose above us. Matt ducked as a cat launched into the air and landed into the path of the reptile. Another one dove between the trees, snarling through the air as it crashed into the scaled flank of the beast.
The reptile staggered under the weight of the two cats before a third appeared behind it and sank its teeth into its leg. The monster rolled and crushed a cat as the tail of another feline curled around its throat. I pushed on through the trees leaving the wails of agony and destruction behind.
“I can’t keep up this pace,” Matt gasped for air as sweat ran into his eyes.
“Put me down,” Tara slid from his back and pressed all her weight on her good foot.
“We’ve lost them for now,” I said. Sooner or later one species would win the fight, but for now, it had bought us time.
“We can’t risk a break.” Matt gulped down water.
“Let’s go.” Tara snatched a stick from the ground and limped forward to join Nick.
Everyone was at their limit. We pushed on in the darkness but we could manage no more than a brisk walk.
The forest fell silent and my skin tingled with apprehension. The cries of the war had been overwhelmingly loud but now it was gone and the feeling of trepidation grew stronger.
“The fight is over.” Matt walked awkwardly with Tara’s arm hooked around his neck.
“We have to reach the edge of the forest before the cats find us.” I rushed to help them.
“Then we have to go faster.” Tara gritted her teeth as she hopped to avoid injuring her ankle further.
A bird chirped from the tree above. A sign that morning was near. It had been a marathon. Sometimes we'd moved in a sprint and other times slowed to a tedious walk but we'd spent most of the night on the run.
“The cats are low in numbers,” Brayden’s voice came from behind suddenly and Ellie screamed in fright. “But they're still coming for us. We have to get out of here.” He hurried to the front of the group and his urgency spurred us all on.
The trees became sparse and I guessed we were close to the forest edge. Brayden motioned for us to stop. A row of whip cats waited for us just beyond the trees.
“How many are there?” I asked.
“Ten,” he answered quickly. “Use your shadow.”
"Wrap your shadows to cover as much of your skin as possible," I instructed Tara and Matt. "We'll have to keep the new shadows in the middle."
Brayden jumped forward and the cats parted; half lined on either side of him. This time they didn’t snarl or hiss and their tails remained curled at their backs.
Suddenly their formation changed. Two turned on us while the others closed around Brayden. We froze as their tails turned over their torsos. One of them lashed forward and struck Matt in the stomach. He fell to his knees, struggling for air but at least the shadow had saved him from a laceration. Tara twisted to check him as the whip struck again, this time hitting both of us simultaneously. I nearly held my balance but Tara pulled me down with her, when her ankle gave way.
Brayden kicked a foot forward but a cat caught it in its mouth. He fell to his stomach before a cat whipped the air above me and stole my attention.
“We need to make them think we're going back.” I pushed myself from the ground and dragged Tara with me.
For each step we took, the cats matched us, ensuring the gap between us never increased. Brayden yanked his foot free and managed to right himself in the same instant. Three whips licked his feet, while another struck at his face.
The only way for us to escape the two that guarded us was for Brayden to beat the eight that stood around him. That was the fight I felt compelle
d to watch, but every time we stood still, the cats struck again to keep us in retreat. There was only so far we could go before I would lose contact with Brayden and the protection his Instinct could offer.
“We can't just stand here like this." Matt looked around desperately. "Surely we'd be safer in the trees."
Perhaps the cats could climb after us, but it was worth a try. Nick and the others quickly scrambled into the branches, the cats shrieking as they closed in. I suffered one last lick on my shadowed foot as I lifted myself up.
The tree creaked and swayed while the cats circled the ground below. Brayden fought behind me but judging by the wide-eyed look on Tara's face, he was winning. I'd been so worried about them seeing what he was capable of, afraid that they would fear him all the more. But now, with their lives in his hands, and the shine of admiration in Matt's eyes, I only felt proud.
Matt's jaw dropped open and I turned around. Brayden had hooked his shadow into a tree above and used it as a harness to spring himself to safety between attacks. He killed two cats easily and those who remained became more cautious with their tails.
Eventually the two cats guarding us, rushed forward to join the fight.
I grabbed Matt’s arm. “This is our chance. Let’s go.”
We used our shadows to drop silently from the trees and made our final dash.
We broke away from the forest, catching the set of six mountains, prominent in the rising light. Nick dropped the torch as he realised it was no use anymore and our shadows faded as we crossed into the barren lands.
I turned back as Brayden blocked the final whip tail. There was no way to be sure how many of them had survived, but they knew they were defeated. They disappeared behind the plants and Brayden burst out of the forest behind us. He lifted his head and looked at me with his ghostly hunter eyes, but for the first time, it seemed like he could see through them.
Chapter Eighteen
Nick cradled the sack which held the shadow sucker as we trekked across the barren lands. We were half a day from rest but somehow I felt sure none of the Valley creatures would follow us out here.
"How did you manage to keep hold of that shadow sucker this whole time?" I laughed as I wrapped a tender arm around Nick's shoulder.
He shrugged with a grin. "I forgot I was even holding it."
Matt turned back. "I saw you holding it while you ran with the torch. And you did a great job leading us at the same time. I think you'll make a great sentry one day."
"Really?" Nick's eyes brightened. "What exactly does a sentry do?"
Matt chuckled at his enthusiasm. "We work as guards for the village, keeping an eye out for danger. We're always looking for people who know how to handle themselves in an emergency."
Nick nodded; seemingly satisfied with himself. The children walked beside Rachel, her eyes dark with fatigue as she stared at the horizon before her. It had been a challenging journey, but someone we'd made it.
I turned back to check on Brayden. He walked at the back of the group; his eyes still grey, but gradually darkening. No doubt he'd struggle once the Instinct wore off completely, which only encouraged me to walk faster while he was still able.
The sun turned the clouds to a brilliant orange and as it rose higher in the sky, my feet itched and my shadow grew. I picked it up and asked Nick to hold it, while I straightened my skirt.
He agreed but as I turned away, a heavy sensation spread through my shadow. I looked back and found it sinking to the ground as Nick fell.
His eyes widened, catching my gaze as he struggled to catch himself.
"Nick?"
The pack in his hand landed with a thud and it took me a moment to realise, he hadn't tripped. His own shadow was taking him back to the Origin.
“No!” I reached out for him but it was too late, his body sunk into the ground and the void closed over him.
"No!" I grabbed at the sand and the shadow sucker wriggled free from its bag beside me and dashed back to the forest.
“What’s wrong?” Matt turned.
I covered my mouth with a hand, struggling to comprehend what this meant.
“Where’s Nick?” Rachel asked.
It took a moment for the reality to hit. Nick would be waking up in the Origin right now. Tara and Matt exchanged a look. We all knew where he’d gone but it was still a shock to lose him so suddenly. I tried to force calm breaths. He’d be in a hospital bed where he was finally safe. I should have been glad he was home, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of panic.
"Where is he?" Rachel asked louder this time.
Matt pulled her aside as she sobbed and Tara kneeled down beside me. “We knew this would happen eventually. He’ll be okay.”
I nodded. I knew that, but it didn’t help. She looked at me for a few minutes before she pulled on my shoulder and tried to make me get up. “He’s in the Origin. Come on, we have to keep going.”
I couldn’t make my legs work, the stress was finally catching up with me. Rachel's irate cries nearby only made it worse
“Come on, Sel. We have to go,” Tara said.
I tried again to pick myself up but it was no use. Matt told Rachel to keep going and turned back to help pull me up. ”Selena, let’s go,” he spoke more forcefully.
“We’ll meet you.” Brayden pushed Matt's hand aside and pulled me into his arms.
I cried into my hands. The emotion was completely beyond my control. Brayden gripped my jaw and lifted my face. “We have to keep going.”
The others had gone ahead, now there was just the two of us. He wrapped an arm around my waist. “Walk with me.”
My legs moved but my body felt completely numb. Brayden held my hand tight but didn't say anymore as we followed the figures in the distance. It wasn’t until he stopped and knelt down that I saw how his pallor had changed to an unhealthy shade. He tried to stand up but his legs faltered and he stumbled back to his knees before leaning to the side and vomiting. I pulled my water bag out and poured a little to wipe his face. I tilted his head toward me and I caught sight of his bloodshot eyes. There was no hint of the Instinct now and I knew that once he collapsed, it would take him days to recover.
This time, I urged him to get up. Dragging him until he stood on unsteady legs and walked beside me.
--*--
Somehow we made it through the half day journey to the forest beside the mountains. We were all numb and exhausted, struggling to keep moral going as the hunger became worse and our bodies grew weak.
Once again, Matt took charge, encouraging us all to push out our last reserve of energy to make it to shelter.
It was a huge relief to finally reach the shade of the trees and we soon found a small nook at the base of the mountain that protected us from wind too.
By the time I sat down, my eyes were already drooping. If I'd had food, I might have been able to stay awake longer, but my body was too drained to keep going. Brayden collapsed in a heap beside me and as soon as I rested my head, sleep took hold.
I slept all through the night and most of the next day. When I woke up, I saw Matt had scratched a message that he’d gone to the village to collect food.
“Tara just fell asleep.” Rachel stared at me.
I nodded and checked Brayden who hadn't moved from the position he’d collapsed into the day before. His face was still bruised but some of the welts were shrinking.
“What happened to Nick?” Rachel’s voice broke.
I still couldn’t believe he’d gone back. It had happened too quickly to make sense of.
“He's gone back to the Origin—the world you came from.”
“Will he be okay?”
It upset me that we'd lost him before our journey was complete but only now, was I beginning to realise exactly what that would mean for him. He was in the Origin, but when he passed to the Shadowlands again he would be taken back to the place we originally found him—right in the heart of the Valley.
I felt sick. All the distance he’d travelled with
us was for nothing, and the next time he returned, he would be alone again, surrounded by hunters. My eyes welled up. I should have thought about it sooner. I’d made a huge mistake. He'd asked me about the means of passing and I told him we would talk about it later. I could have given him the information he needed. Instead, I’d refused to share it with him for fear that he would use it too soon. At the time, I’d been thinking about how I needed him to come back to the village and prove Brayden's worth. Really, I should have been thinking about what was best for Nick.
I’d been caught up in my mission. I’d put my success before his safety and now he had no idea his shadow was an emergency escape. If Nick died, it would be my fault.
Rachel stared at me, the panic in her face growing as she watched my expression changing. I almost felt like I might vomit but I had to hold it together, for her sake. If I didn’t tell her what I knew, then I would be gambling with her life too.
“What’s going to happen to him?” she asked. “He’ll be okay won’t he?”
I wanted so badly to tell her he would, but it would be a lie. I swallowed my guilt. “He'll be in hospital, and they will care for him while he’s there, but eventually he’ll be forced back here.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Everything that’s happening to Nick also happened to me. There are patterns.”
“You’re saying it’s going to happen to me as well?” she realised.
“Yes. Eventually you will be forced back to the Origin. The same as Nick was. But you won’t stay there forever. Your shadow is the passage between the two worlds.”
Her eyes fell on my shadow. I took a shaky breath before I could continue. “Rachel, when his shadow pulls him back here, he’ll be in the Valley again.”
Her jaw shook. “I don’t want to go back there!”
There was nothing I could say to ease her distress. She was going home eventually and then she had two choices; stay with her family and end up back in the Valley, or find a place in the Origin that was closer to the village.