Nightfall
Chapter 44

They crowded me with their weapons. Guns of all sorts pointed at me. As they touched grueling scenes of my death passed through from them to me and it was all I could do not to scream in agony at the flux of images I was being bombarded with. My death. I was hung, burned at the stake, quartered, stretched, carved out, and shot all in the span of a few minutes. It became too much for me and I threw my hand out. Time froze. The people froze in place and I felt calloused fingers brush over my shoulders ugging me up and away.

“We’ve got to get away,” said Andromeda as she half dragged me through the garden again. We passed the Zinnias. Her hands brushed my arms.

Andromeda and I were running from a faceless crowd. Someone shot at me and she took the bullet. She was bleeding to death. She urged me to drink of her. I was overcome by bloodlust and drank her dry before she died so technically I killed her again but she died saving me. It wasn’t as scary and she wasn’t shaking I put that to the adrenaline, as we both ran through the Hopding enclosure and turned right this time to a cave enclosure.

“Andromeda, we’ll be sitting ducks in there,” I said as we neared the cave. The entrance was stalagmite free, but further in huge pillars rose to meet the ceiling of the cave making a maze of corridors.

“These caves lead to Ike’s rooms deep in Tierra Onda. If I can remember the right halls to take. They lead everywhere and are used by the cooks to get the Hopdings,” she said tapping her chin and pursing her lips cutely.

I chuckled and smelled the air. The far right corridor smelled most like Ike a soft minty flavor. I took her hand and pulled her toward it, ignoring the new thought that floated to me and the images accompanying it. As much as I wanted to kiss her I knew she was still frightened of me. Clasping her hand for a minute I wanted her to know what I’d really do in that situation were she bleeding to death in front of me and I needed to defend us.

I’d never done this but it felt right. I mentally ‘pushed’ the image into her mind and she gasped standing still, eyes wide. I made sure it was as if she had thought it. I smiled and grasped her hand tightly.

“Something wrong?” I asked mindful of what I said lest I give it away that I messed with her mind some. Was it unethical? Yes. Necessary? Depends. I wanted her fear gone. This was a step. I wouldn’t do this again. I only wanted her to know and feel safe again around me was that too much to ask?

She smiled. “No come on it’s the far right.” She led me to the corridor I smelt the mint from and we traversed through an archway before heading downward. It got progressively darker the farther down we went until we hit a spot where phosphorene fungi lit the passage. The fungi was neon green and stuck to the walls like leeches. It covered the oval rocks weathered by time and man that littered the cave. I picked one up and examined the polished surface.

“A long time ago a large river ran through here. It polished these rocks and these caves. It used to have several tributaries. One for each corridor. Those that lived here before this was a base, used to man this river.” She pointed to the walls. “See where the water met the resistance of the dam?”

I squinted but sure enough stress lines dotted the walls from the tons of water it must have held. “So what happened to this great river?”

Andromeda, who was busy looking at the rocks, faced me. “Hmm? Oh. The army dammed it and changed its route so it could use this part of the base. The river that runs through here is the tributary that they didn’t dam up.”

I nodded and we turned left before taking a sharp right and coming across an empty chasm We were to cross a natural rock bridge. I’d seen these in parks. Made completely of a hollow rock, we climbed it and crossed to the other side where the rocks were jagged. It seems the river never crossed here. Andromeda balanced like a ballerina on the thing. I wasn’t so graceful. I shuffled myself forward telling myself not to look down. Once I touched the ground again I patted it and sighed happily.

“No place like the ground,” I muttered.

“Scaredy cat,” Andromeda teased.

I growled playfully. “I’ll show you a tease…” I stopped when I noticed her fearful gaze and how she was quivering.

“A-Andy?” I stuttered taking a step back and looking around for danger. There was none. Once again she was scared of me, I guessed, and I swiped the hair falling in my eyes, showing my hurt to her.

She smiled weakly and reached out for me. “Sorry. Your growl brought back the settlement night to me.”

My eyes narrowed. I could never be so ruthless. Not to her or anyone. I wasn’t a monster. I wasn’t human but I wasn’t a soulless monster. I brushed past her avoiding touching her. Universe knew what she was thinking right now and I wouldn’t be able to take it. My hunter senses led me to a tunnel on the right and I followed it. Ignoring Andromeda was hard. Her hair was brushing enticingly against my arm and her scent always called to me as strange as it was. I took a whiff. Apples and cedar trees and if moonlight had a flavor she’d be it. No more wolf! I wondered why. I wanted to ask why but she’d probably be scared I could locate her wherever. Instead, I kept half a step between us.

Soon Ike’s form came into view. He turned to us and stepped aside. “Well, are you coming in? The blood won’t keep forever.”

My stomach rumbled and I nodded entering the room. Andromeda hesitated by the door for a minute but passed the thresh hold. She sat next to me and made to hold my hand. I evaded her grabs. Ike looked on amused. I stretched back and held on to the couch cushion.

“So what’s that about blood?” I asked. Andromeda seemed to whither while I grinned at Ike.

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