by Janet Durbin
* * * *
Shyanne bolted into an upright position, screaming at the top of her lungs, clutching at her neck. Drizzle materialized next to her in an instant. He crooned her name, trying to calm her down.
"Shyanne ... Shyanne ... shhhh, it's okay. It's me. It's Drizzle, shhhh,” he purred. This time she heard him. She focused her eyes on him.
"Oh Drizzle! I was so scared,” she sobbed as she hugged his tawny neck with her good arm. The injured arm was in a sling strapped to her body. “It was Drayco ... but it wasn't. Even though I knew it wasn't his fault, he hurt me.” She sobbed uncontrollably for a few minutes, her shoulders shaking. Slowly, the sobbing subsided and Shyanne slipped back into the land of sleep. The haunted look disappeared as she did. He laid her down and tucked the blanket over her. This time she looked as if she truly slept.
"Oh my poor Shyanne, everything will be better when you wake up. The nightmares are gone now, and you're safe with us."
Drizzle stretched out next to her. He was relieved that the land of lost souls was not going to claim another victim tonight. He lay on his side and slipped into a much needed sleep.
* * * *
The sun shining bright in her eyes brought Shyanne awake the next morning. Her throat was parched and every muscle in her body felt stiff. She looked around. Drizzle lay on his side, asleep, his ribs jutting out. “So thin,” she whispered.
She started to sit up. An overpowering weakness prevented it. Drizzle heard her move. He got up and sat beside her.
"Shyanne, I'm glad you returned to us."
Shyanne could tell by the looks of him that he was almost as exhausted as she was. “How long have I been out?"
"Four days."
"Four days! What about the rizbak? What happened to them?” She tried to sit up again, without success.
"There were only three in their pack. I took their bodies to the edge of the woods. The scavengers took over from there."
He handed her a cup with a small amount of water in it. The cup shook so badly in her grasp that Drizzle helped hold it. She sucked the liquid down with a thirst that seemed to never end. She was exhausted and sweating by the time she finished the contents.
Shyanne curled over on her side. In the blink of an eye, she was fast asleep. The cat knew she was going to be okay and decided it was time to go hunting. When she woke again, she would need something to eat to build her strength. So would he.
* * * *
Drizzle left the building, crossed the field, and entered into the woods. He passed by the bones of the rizbak on the way. Thank goodness only bones were left. No cat of his status would ever stoop so low as to eat rizbak, no matter how hungry he was. In his present state, he might have been tempted.
The cat continued into the forest. Pausing a short distance into the foliage, he held his nose up and inhaled the many scents floating in the air. A deer had passed by, but the scent was barely noticeable where it had brushed against a bush. He knew it was long gone so he moved on.
He soon discovered the fresh tracks of a rabbit. Looking around, he spotted it nibbling on some greens. Fortunately, he was down wind of it. He knew that once the rabbit caught his scent, it would flee. He did not have the patience or the strength to hunt for another.
As he crept toward it, the rabbit stopped eating. Drizzle froze, becoming one with the shadow covered scenery. His eyes never left the intended prey. His tawny colored coat allowed him to blend in with his surroundings. After a few wiggles of its nose, the rabbit went back to eating. Drizzle saw his chance and acted on it. He closed the distance between them quickly, and with one swipe of his clawed hand, brought the rabbit to a quick and painless death.
The one thing he had failed to take into account was the bush behind the rabbit. It was a Thornberry bush. His forward momentum had brought his upper body right into it. He yowled with pain and bounded back. Thorns stuck out in various directions from his nose, face, ears, as well as his shoulders. Anyone looking at him would have thought he was half porcupine instead of all humecat.
"How humiliating,” he growled.
He sat on his haunches and pulled them out one by one, a scowl firmly locked on his face. Thankfully, his fur hid any evidence of his run in with the bush. When he was finished, he picked up the rabbit with his mouth and started back to camp.
Shyanne was awake when he returned. She looked more alive than she had in the past four days. Dark circles lined under her eyes, but there was a bright, clear look about her. A fire burned and the pot of water was just starting to boil.
"When I woke up and saw you were gone, I figured you were hunting. Thank goodness the wood for this fire was close.” She reached over, grabbed another piece of wood, and worked it into the glowing mound. A look of pain flashed across her face as she moved.
"Man, this shoulder sure smarts. But, hey, I can move it better than when I first got up.” She raised her left arm to about shoulder level before wincing with pain and lowering it. The sling lay on the ground next to her, discarded.
"The leg is a bit stiff too.” She grinned at Drizzle. “I know it will hold me up without too much pain. I found out when I made sure Jack was okay."
Drizzle brought the rabbit over and set it on the ground. She picked it up and slowly skinned it with her boot knife, not to prevent damage to the hide, but to prevent excessive pain or lopping a finger off due to her growing fatigue. She saved a small portion of the meat for herself; the rest was thrown back to Drizzle.
"Here, you need this as much as I do. You look like a walking rack of bones."
"Thanks for the lovely compliment,” he said. “You make a great pile of bones yourself."
She looked down at herself and laughed. “Yeah, I guess you're right."
He ate the rabbit in three bites, bones and all. He knew the meal would come back to haunt him later. Right now, he didn't care.
Shyanne cut up her share and put it into the pot of boiling water. She tossed in some rice and seasonings and wished there were some vegetables to go with the meat.
Stirring the concoction, she said, “Drizzle, you need to hunt some more or you'll be of no good to the both of us. I'll be fine now.” The cat's situation was not bad yet, but it would not take long if he didn't find something else to eat. Drizzle rose and moved toward the door. She added before he ducked outside, “Thanks, Drizzle, I owe you ... again.” Her voice was full of emotion.
He looked at her and said, “Friends don't owe friends.” He left without waiting for a reply.
She stood up on wobbly legs, made her way to her pack and picked it up, then returned to her blanket. The effort left her panting. Her breath calmed after a few minutes rest.
She tried to forget her dream, yet was unable. The feeling of Drayco biting her neck had been too real.
Oh, Drayco, I know it wasn't you. You could never do that.
The fire sizzled as the rice bubbled over the edge of the pan, drawing her attention away from the dream. Removing the pot quickly, she stirred the contents. The smell almost made her gag. She forced herself to eat as much of the meal as possible, even though she didn't have much of an appetite. Water washed everything down.
Her shoulder and leg throbbed from the increased use. As she lay down and slipped back into the land of sleep, she hoped the nightmare would not return.
* * * *
Night was setting and a new day dawning when she awoke. Drizzle lay close, licking his hands with a contented look on his face. His belly bulged with his recent meal.
"Caught something good, did you?” She smiled.
"Of course."
The fire was almost out. Shyanne picked up some wood lying close and placed it on top of the glowing embers. Drizzle watched her.
"Thought I was going to lose you a couple times there to the land of lost souls. You really had me worried."
"It takes a lot more than a rizbak to get rid of me."
She flipped the blanket back and inhaled deeply while she stretched. The stench
of her body hit her nose. The breath escaped in a rush.
"Wow, do I stink.” Shyanne gingerly rose to her feet and walked toward the door. “Where have you been getting the water for the waterskins?"
"Close,” he replied with hesitation. “You should wait until you're stronger."
"Drizzle ... I'm strong enough to make flowers wilt. I can't stand the smell of myself any longer."
"Your scent is pretty bad.” He held his nose to emphasize his point.
"Then help me get there, silly! We'll both be a lot happier after I wash some of this stink off me."
He went to her side and insisted she lean on him as they went through the door. They crossed the clearing and entered the woods by way of an animal trail. The burbling stream was close, like Drizzle had said, but it was still far enough for Shyanne to be worn out by the time they arrived. She plopped down and panted like a gymnast after a grueling workout.
"Phew, I didn't realize how weak I was,” she managed to say after several deep breaths to help slow down her rapid heartbeat and feed her oxygen deprived lungs.
"I told you,” the cat said with a satisfied look on his face. She gave him a dirty look and stuck out her tongue.
After a few minutes rest, she walked to the stream's edge. Fortunately, it was not too deep. Rocks of various sizes were visible throughout. Shallow pools swirled behind some of the larger rocks. The current was lazy, not rushed. From the looks of things, she would not have to worry about being carried away when she entered in her weakened state.
She undressed carefully, making sure not to open the partially closed shoulder wound, and eased herself down into one of the pools large enough to submerge completely. The water was tepid. Fall may be around the corner, but the water temperatures had not dropped yet.
"Oh my, does this feel wonderful. You're missing out, Drizzle."
Drizzle watched her from the shore, disgusted. “How can you stand having all that water on you? I just don't understand the fascination."
"It's better than all this dirt I have on me now."
Shyanne scrubbed her body with as much vigor as she could muster. There was not a soap bar to be found, but the mere act of scrubbing the head and body made her feel better. Closer inspection of her wounds showed that the thigh had closed nicely. The shoulder still had a few open areas. After completing the scrub down, she stretched her arms out and floated with her nose barely out of the water.
After resting, she sat up. “Boy, do I feel better."
"You smell better, too,” Drizzle said under his breath. She heard his comment, though, and splashed water all over him. He leapt back, a look of shock on his face.
"How could you? You know I hate water!” he snarled as he walked away in utter disgust, shaking his legs alternately to rid himself of the excess fluid.
Shyanne laughed so hard her sides hurt and tears streamed down her face before she managed to sputter, “How could I resist? Especially with such an inviting target?"
"Great ... Are you happy now?” He shook his droopy, wet face, flinging water everywhere. He looked like a spiky, wet mop when he finished.
This brought on another bout of gut wrenching laughter.
Once she was under control again, Shyanne said, “Thanks Drizzle. I needed that."
"So happy I could oblige."
She crawled out of the stream and lay on a bed of soft grass in a small clearing to dry. The sun beamed down through the trees, making the job faster. Once dry, she dressed in the same dirty clothes.
"I can't wait to get some clean clothes on."
Shyanne checked on Jack upon their return. He stood in the field surrounding the building, grazing. As she walked up, he greeted her with a soft nicker. “Nice to see you too, young man.” She gave him a pat on the neck, then ducked inside. Seconds later, she emerged with two handfuls of grain. Jack munched on this special treat like it was chocolate to a chocoholic.
She changed as soon as the horse finished, pulling a fresh blanket out of her pack afterward. The soiled items were tossed into the furthest corner to reduce the torture of having to smell them any longer.
"Tomorrow, I'll take the blanket to the stream and wash it. Right now, I need something to eat."
Shyanne made sure the fire was still burning strong before sitting down. Her strength and endurance were returning, but she still tired easily. She reheated the leftover meal from the night before. After she ate her fill, she curled into her blanket and was quickly asleep. Drizzle sprawled out next to her, content to stay in for the night.
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Chapter Six
Drayco had walked through the night and the better part of the day after the vengeful encounter with the Wanderers. It was dusk when he made his way into town. The people went about their daily business, paying him no attention. They were used to seeing new faces. Travelers passed through on a daily basis while on their way to other destinations.
Life was different in the rural towns than the ruined cities. The people here had adapted to the changes that occurred after the virus had ended so much. They weren't trying to hold on to hopeless dreams, such as the return of lost technologies.
A store clerk swept the front porch of his business. A woman hurried home, her arms loaded with food purchased for her family. Kids ran around in the streets playing tag, their parents close by, keeping an eye on them while they talked. Life with his family had been like this, loving and caring. He felt a momentary pang of loss, but shrugged it off. He could not continue living in the past.
Drayco looked up and down the main road through town, trying to locate an inn. All he could see were shops and a stable.
"Excuse me,” he asked a passing woman. “Where might I find an inn to stay at?"
The woman kept her distance, clutching the bag she carried close. She wore a long, flowing dress that reminded him of an old school marm. A hat covered her brown hair.
"Keep going this way.” She pointed down the road into town. “You'll see it on the right. You can't miss it. Listen for all the noise.” She turned and hurried away before he could ask any more questions.
The dark twin looked where she pointed, then back to thank her. She was already gone. “Sure did leave in a hurry.” He wondered what had alarmed the woman so. Looking down at himself, he laughed. “No wonder she was so nervous. I would be too if I looked at me."
He was filthy.
The faint tracing of a beard lined his face and the dust of the road was all over him, turning his dark clothes a shade of gray. He tried to pat some of it off. All he did was smear it around. With a weary sigh, he gave up and started toward the direction she had indicated.
About a block down the road, he heard loud laughing and singing coming from the right. Drayco followed the noise until he stood in front of the inn. A banner with a rearing stallion on it hung near the roof.
He entered through the front door and looked around. A group of men were crowded around the bar, laughing and carrying on. He walked to a table in the back and had sat down when the waitress came over to him.
"Welcome! What'll you have?"
"A pint,” he said as he put his pack on the floor next to him.
"Sure thing, sweetie, coming right up."
She flashed him a smile full of suggestion and turned back toward the bar. She swung her hips to attract his attention, making her skirt sway with every toss. He watched her for a short distance before focusing on something else. When she glanced over her shoulder and saw her tease wasn't working, she pouted.
Drayco noticed a big, burly man with a bandaged arm standing near a smaller, shifty-eyed man at the far end of the bar. They looked his way several times, then at each other, moving closer to talk. Drayco ignored them. He was more interested in having his thirst quenched.
The waitress returned with his order and a wooden bowl filled with dried berries and nuts. She leaned over while putting the bowl on the table, allowing him to take a good, long look at her chest. A very low cu
t shirt with a rounded collar made it easy for him to see.
Drayco acted as if nothing had happened. He picked up the mug and took a long drink to wash away the dust in his mouth. He was familiar with her kind and wanted no part of what she had to offer.
She stood up, exasperated at his lack on response, and put her hands on her hips. “Anything else?"
"Have you heard of a woman around these parts traveling with a big cat?"
"She was here about five days ago."
"Is she still here?” He tried to keep his voice even. He succeeded.
"No.” She smiled and leaned over again, still hoping to attract him. “If you're looking for company, I'm free this evening."
Drayco doubted she was free. “Do you know which direction she went?"
"Sorry sweetie, I don't. I wasn't working that day. But I heard she had a bit of a scuffle with some gents and left in a hurry."
"Was she hurt?"
"Naw. I think the gents got the worst of it."
The waitress snickered as she looked over her shoulder toward the bar. Drayco wondered who she was looking at. She was in the way so he couldn't see. A man yelled at her, preventing him from asking anything else.
"Hey, Sheila! Get over here! Customers are waiting!” the man behind the bar yelled. “I don't pay ya to stand around gab'n!"
Sheila gave the bartender a dirty look after he turned his attention elsewhere. “He's such a slave driver."
Drayco slid two gold coins across the table toward her. “Thanks for the drink ... and the information."
"Anytime, mister. If you need anything else, just let me know. I'm always available.” She winked at him.
Sheila slipped one of the coins down the front of her dress and went back to the bar with the other. The burly man grabbed her around the waist, pulling her against him. She giggled and pretended to fight. Drayco could tell she wasn't trying very hard. Burly whispered something in her ear as he held out a coin. She whispered back, pulling the man's hand toward her exposed cleavage. He dropped the coin between her breasts and copped a feel before withdrawing his hand. They both started to laugh.