Beasts and Savages (The Beastly Series Book 1) (13 page)

“And the dancing.” Beth added.

“Don’t they line us up and announce us one by one so people can ogle our costumes?”

“What’s your problem, Lea?” Rally glared at me.

“Nothing, I just-” The stress of pretending I was all right while planning to run away was wearing on me.

“Leave it, Rally,” Beth interrupted, “She’s just having a bad day.” Beth had noticed I’d become irate lately; she chalked it up to not wanting to hunt.

“Thanks, Beth.” I forced a smile and touched Rally’s arm. “I’m sorry. I’m tired. Didn’t sleep well last night.”

Rally beamed at me. “It’s okay. You need a hug.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me to her.

***

I tried to act natural when I left for the party. My bag was overflowing with extra clothes and some fruit I took from the kitchen. Mom didn’t question me this time, which made me feel even more guilty for what I was about to do. I gave her a hug and a kiss goodbye. She didn’t question me, but I thought she could tell something was wrong. I hope it had to do with champagne at the party.

I'd finally finished my plan. When I left Beth’s in the morning I wasn’t going to come home. I'd decided that if I could get into the woods before I changed, I could wait out my changing among the trees before continuing. From there, I would keep traveling until I was clear of any civilization.

Rally was ready when I got to her house. She chattered the entire way to Beth’s. Her continuous talking was comforting. It allowed me to forget my plan of escape and enjoy my last moments alone with her.

Music was already blaring by the time we arrived. Rally dropped her bike and ran to the door. I walked my bike around the edge of the house and leaned it close to Beth’s bedroom window. I wanted to leave early, under the cover of darkness, and I didn’t want anyone to notice I was gone.

We found Beth and most of the other girls in the backyard. The twins had already poured champagne. Beth was in a deep conversation with May near the edge of a garden. Tables were scattered around the edge of the yard. They were filled with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats. They surrounded an open area with a stage set in the middle.

A live band was on the stage, the lead singer bobbing her head as she belted a popular tune. She wore a bright pink tunic with shredded sleeves over orange leggings that stopped at her knees. Her short hair was streaked with glittering green, red, orange, and blue. Girls surrounded the stage, clapping and singing along. Everyone was flushed with excitement.

“Great party!” I yelled to Beth over the roar of the music.

“What? Oh, thanks.”

By the time the band packed up, many girls were curled up in various corners of the yard, either asleep or having intimate conversations with friends. The summer air had cooled in the darkness, yet the heat of the sun still lingered.

I sauntered up to the fruit table, carefully watching for people. I picked up a couple of apples and an orange. I slipped into the house and headed toward Beth’s room. My bag was sitting directly under the window. I knelt and dropped the fruit into it.

“What are you doing?” Rally startled me. I hadn’t seen her on the bed.

“Nothing. Just checking my bag... I forgot my pajamas.”

“Why do you have fruit?”

“Oh that,” I said, “I get hungry in the middle of the night, and I didn’t want to go back outside.”

“It’s the middle of the night.”

“What time is it?” I spread out on the floor, using my lumpy bag as a pillow.

“Almost two.” She yawned.

“We better get some sleep. Ten is going to be here pretty fast.”

“I know.” Rally rolled to her side. Soon, I could hear her slow, even breaths.

“And Rally.” I waited, hoping she was asleep, “I’m going to miss you.”

I waited a while longer before standing. Once I was absolutely sure she was sleeping deeply, I opened Beth’s window and tossed my bag to the ground. I took one last look at her before sliding out and closing the window behind me.

At first, the bike ride was nerve wrecking. Every time I heard a noise or saw a shadow move, I jumped. My heart was pounding. Once I was out of Beth’s neighborhood, I began to cry. Leaving was harder than I thought. I would miss Nana, and my mom, and Rally and Beth.

When I got to the intersection that led to my neighborhood, I stopped.  For a moment, I considered going home and telling mom everything. It wasn’t too late to turn around and go back the Beth’s either.
You can’t do that, Lea. You’ll have to hunt. They’ll make you hunt.
I shook the idea from my head and turned toward downtown, away from my home.

The tall buildings loomed overhead as I sped through an empty street. This section of town was eerily quiet. The clink of my chain echoed up the buildings. Though I knew no one would be in the government buildings this early on a Saturday morning, I still strained to see in every alley as I passed.

I saw a red flash reflect off of a window up ahead. Slowing, I focused all of my attention forward. The red light flashed again. It was a police woman patrolling. I jumped off my bike and pushed it into a nearby alley.

The flash now reflected off of every surface of the building. She was coming closer. I hid behind a dumpster and held my breath. After a few seconds, I could hear the clink of her bike chain. The clicking grew fainter and the red light dimmed.

She spoke into a radio, her voice too far away to understand. My heart jumped into my throat. No one could know that I was already gone. Police couldn’t be looking for me already. I reasoned with myself that she was just patrolling. She didn’t even stop to look down alleys.

***

The edge of the sky was gray when I finally reached the park district. No one was around, but I was still cautious. I stayed off of main paths and snaked my way to the nature reserve. Beyond the reserve was more forest. Beyond the forest was my freedom.

I pedaled along the high fence that led to the nature reserve’s gate. The sky was beginning to pink with the sun’s morning rays.

Not stopping, I steered my bike to the gate. I screeched to a stop just before ramming into it. Thick chain wrapped around links and was held together by a heavy lock.

I pulled myself onto the fence. The wire pinched my fingers and my legs wobbled.  Scaling the fence wasn't an option. I jumped down and rode further into the countryside.

The tall fence went on for miles. Farmers drove tractors through their fields. A woman waved at me as I rode past her. I waved back and smiled. I knew this wasn't going to work. Soon, if not already, someone would know I was gone.

Escaping through the nature reserve was no longer an option. I followed the road until it came to the split. I could turn back into the city and try to make it home before I begin to change, or I could follow the country road past the farms until I reach what's beyond.

The sun was now bright overhead. I could see trees far off into the distance, past the farms. The freedom they represented was calling me.

Farmers were in every field now, most on brightly color tractors. A few waved at me and I smiled back, trying to appear nonchalant. My heart was pounding and I couldn't tell if it was from my speed or nerves.

I had to slow for a woman driving her tractor into a field entrance. She stopped and watched me for a while, her eyes following my bag. I wasn't sure if they were curious or suspicious.

The tractor lurched and she motioned me over. “A little far from home, aren't we?” She narrowed her eyes as she studied my clothes, my bike.

“Just out for a morning ride.” I used my best sing-song voice.

“Well the road ends in about a half a mile little mama, so you'd better turn around soon.” The woman jerked her head in the direction I came.

“Okay, thanks!” I was sure she could hear the falter in my voice. I pedaled past her and continued on my way.

When I glanced back, she called out to me, “Don’t do anything stupid, city girl.” I went forward a few more feet before making a show of turning around. Her eyes bore into me as I rode back by.

My heart sank, and I was running out of time. I could all ready feel the pangs of hunger that marked my changing.

Disheartened and out of options, it occurred to me that leaving this place was much harder than I imagined. It could take months of exploration and planning for a successful escape.

Once I rounded the corner, I dropped my bike and sat on the edge of the road. I studied the skyline of the city I grew up in. I didn’t want to live here, raise a daughter here. I thought I could escape and had overestimated myself. I knew I would have to go home today, train one last time with Mom, yet I wouldn’t give up.

I would stop running, for today, but when they released me to hunt, I’d keep going and never look back.

Chapter 9

~Feast~

Neighbors milled around our street, loading carts and baskets with food prepared for the feast. I weaved my bike around women toting pots, pies, and other dishes on their bikes. Most families knew someone participating in the hunt and some came to every feast whether they did or not. The feast was our only celebration and excitement and anticipation hung in the air.

The aroma of meats and vegetables cooking met me when I walked into the house. I dropped my bag and headed to the kitchen. Nana was slicing carrots and dropping them into a boiling pot. I opened a skillet and a pork sauce bubbled out. It smelled delicious, so I grabbed a spoon from the nearest drawer and dipped it in.

Nana slapped my hand and took the spoon. "That's for the feast!" She reached for an apple and tossed it to me, "Here. If you're so hungry, eat this. It will hold you over." She turned to add more vegetables to the pot. "Oh, and your mother's upstairs waiting to dress you."