Black Moon (18 page)

Eh. Easier said than done. What if I trip and shatter a tendon or bone? I won’t be able to continue then. I shake my head. There’s no use thinking like that; I need positive vibes right now. As I pick up speed, they synchronize their steps to mine. I wish at least half of them would wear out and stop the chase, but I can keep dreaming.

The forest seems endless; it doesn’t matter how many trees I pass, they never cease.
With out
knowing where I am, or where I’m headed, I might be running into a trap. At least it won’t be the first time today. Maybe I’ll actually be prepared for the next.

Hang on, Candra.

Wait for us, Candra.

We’re almost there, Candra.

A choir of anonymous voices, who I presume are Watchers I’ve never met, echo against the inside of my skull. Other than vigorously sprinting, I can’t do much of anything
except
hang on and hope this ends well for me, for all of us. And it seems I won’t have to wait long—a strong defensive line emerges from my left. So strong, in fact, that I’m dazed by how many there are. My new Follower BFFs behind me are in for one rude
awak
—

Thump, thump, thump,
thuuuuuuuuump
.

The whacks, smacks, and splats continue until there are so many of the same sound they all resonate as one. I don’t dare stop, not when I’ve come this far. Peeking back over my shoulder, I realize I’m no longer being pursued; the Followers have turned their attention to the Watchers, who made a hefty dimple in the mass of opponents. Though I should hang back and fight, I need to press on. My family will be waiting for me.

They’re here, and just in time,
I advise.

We know; we’ve been watching,
Beth says.
Stay put, Candra. Find a place to hide. We’re on our way.

Hide? Stay put? If they want to protect me, this isn’t the way to do it. There’s a nagging spasm in the back of my head, and it refuses to leave me in peace. It takes only a moment to process what, exactly, that annoying sensation is. I circle around, facing the massive encounter. No great warrior ever sat on the side, watching his comrades fight for him, watching his comrades
die
for him. So, why would I step aside and let the Watchers do the same for me?

Ahead, one Follower catches my attention. Out of the numerous hundreds before me, he grabs hold of my ethics and won’t let go. I scrutinize the way he snubs fighting alone; he helps his fellow pack members take down Watchers, two against one. A damn coward is what he is. Just wait until I get a hold of him.

I move forward; unhurried at first, then faster and faster, until I slam into
into
his side, ousting not only him but also a few others. The sudden jolt sends him skittering for solid ground as he cries out from the scare. I
savor
his fear, which causes my mouth to salivate. What would he taste like? Just one bite—no, not even that—one
nibble
and I’ll be sated. My inner beast is ravenous.

He stands, shaking off fright, and blood from those he’s already disposed of. Head lowered, his lips draw tight, presenting sharp teeth. The blame is intended for me, and I snarl guiltily. He moves, I move. We meet in the middle, amid the turmoil surrounding us. At the last minute, I jump over his head and clamp down above his neck, where he can’t turn and reach me. A thunderous cry rings out from his throat, but our friends don’t seem to notice; they’re preoccupied with each other.

Hurling me off his body, he’s more agile in snapping to attention than I am, even when injured. He also doesn’t show reluctance on whether he’ll be returning any favors; the moment I get into position is the moment he chooses to fling me several more yards. I land on my shoulder, which fractures upon impact. I cry out in pain.

As he leaps through the air, aiming to jump on me, he’s taken out of flight by Blake, who has now arrived with the others. They wrestle, rolling over each other, snapping and gnawing. Blake lands a mark on the Follower’s side, ripping away at his flesh. The Follower jerks back as a reflex, triggering Blake to shred extra skin and fur. Then, with one final blow, Blake plunges his incisors into the Follower’s neck and tears his head clean off.
 

Blake turns around, facing me.
You okay?

Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll heal soon, so no worries.

The rest of our pack has formed a protective circle around me.

I thought I said to hide somewhere?
Beth’s clipped tone angers me.

I’m not hiding from anyone anymore
, I say.
I think it’s time we face our own battles. We can stop with the secrets and lies, and face the truth, even if it hurts. On that note, Ben and I are marked.

All of Kodak’s marketing for priceless moments pays off when I see their expressions. If only I had a camera available . . .

What? Why didn’t you tell us?
Mom asks.

Because on a grand scale of one to ten, this is on the low end of things that matter.

Jana steps forward, scowling.
I told you what would happen if you two were marked. How could you have done this?

I didn’t mean to! It was an honest accident.

For how long?
Blake’s voice is as tight as Beth’s.

It happened before my birthday. Ben kissed me and forced me to kiss him, to start the process. But when we were joking around, I threw my pillow, he caught it, and now the rest is history. Simple mistake.

Simple? SIMPLE?
Jana overreacts.
There’s nothing simple about this, Candra. They can now see what our next plan of action will be.

No,
I retort.
Ben hasn’t used me for that. He hasn’t used the gift except to explain how to escape their basement. He told me about the secret passageway out, and how I needed to wait a few days to make it look like I found it on my own. Other than that, we keep the conversations to a minimum.

And what does he say now?
asks Blake.
Useless information? Or how he can’t wait to see you again?

Neither. They’ve silenced him.

Feels like a minor weight is buoyed from our tight circle.

It’s still wrong,
argues Blake,
no matter what anyone says.

So, you and Jana can be marked, but I can’t? How’s that? Just because he has Conway attached to his name doesn’t make him as bad as they are.

Whatever,
Cee
. I think you’ve slipped-up this time.

And what was he doing your
room
?
Jana questions.

Don’t worry about it,
I snap, because really, it’s none of their business. I thought the courtesy of informing them of my secret was the right thing to do, but now it seems wrong. I turn my attention back to what’s at stake here, what
truly
matters, not some dumb tiff between family and friends.

The battle-wounded stragglers unite for one final assault. Many more lay injured or dead on the forest floor. I step through my family’s tight-knit ring and meander to where my allies stand. Nodding to them, we face our foes situated together on the opposite side. The scene reminds me of soldiers lined up during the Civil War, shoulder to shoulder, until the very end.

My family and friends amble to where I am, a bit reluctant in joining the conflict. They need to learn that we’re in this together, that no matter what, we have to fight for each other. We lost a lot of people today, people willing to die for our cause.

Don’t let them die in vain,
I advise the others a second before I charge. A gust of wind lifts a new aroma to my nose . . . clammy fur and shadowy magic. The Followers we’re fighting now weren’t scented, which means extras are on their way, and close by. Will this never end? Seriously.

I glance at those by my side before we impact with our enemies; their faces all carry the same confused look.

There are more approaching,
I say, to be blunt. It’s pointless to lie.

Dodging trees, roots, and bushes, we collide with the last of the previous group. In my mind, I zip across the wavelength my pack and I share, always knowing where and what’s happening to one another. Everyone is tied up with an opponent.

Jana says,
We have to hurry, you guys. It won’t be long before they get here.

One down. Two, three, five, nine. They drop like pins in a bowling match.

Finally, when we’ve had a minute to catch our breath, the scent of new Followers becomes stronger. I don’t know about the others, but I haven’t seen one yet. I just hope this isn’t another trap, one that has us secluded in the middle of the woods.

Follow me,
says Beth.
Quietly, now. I know a place better suited for combat.

We trail Beth until she stops at the edge of the woods, where a clearing lies before us. It’s wide, and long, perfect for viewing all sides of the forest. The grass is a little overgrown, but not so much that someone might hide and ambush.

I like this place,
I say.
 
Never knew it existed.

That’s because it’s too far from home,
Beth responds.
 

Above, the clouds split open, followed by a crack of lightning and a grumble of thunder. We settle down as the rain drenches our coats. Then, as if we’ve planned this for months, we all noiselessly sit so our backs are aligned to the middle of the circle and our faces are watching every inch around us. I admit it’s hard to see through heavy wind and rain, especially with trees obstructing the view, but this beats being apart so we can get picked off one by one.

Ten to fifteen minutes pass calmly, and then the Followers appear from the north, one at a time. They hesitate at the first row of trees, curious if we’ve set a trap for them, or maybe waiting for a signal. It’s not long before they’re howling, snarling, ready to dart.

Lightning flashes brightly as it claims a tree, splitting the top. As its crown falls, the tree groans. The opposing side seizes the distraction to begin their attack; the primary defense of the Followers sprints toward us, and then breaks into a full run.

On your mark,
taunts Jana.

Get set,
Blake adds.

We brace ourselves instead of meeting them head-on. Developing a row, we remain strong, preparing for the first wave. They attack at full force. So much so, in fact, they knock us off our feet. There are too many of them. With what little Watchers we have left, we won’t survive past the third wave.

I no more finish off one than another takes his or her place. My strength is not what it was an hour ago, and I don’t know about the others, but I’m fighting with everything I have just to stay animate.

Three down. Countless left.

Candra, watch out!
Jana screams.

I’m blindsided by two Followers who have emerged through the chaos. The first topples me. My teeth latch onto him, and his teeth onto me, as we roll down a steep bank beside the clearing, thumping into trees and bushes along the way. The second waits for his chance to attack.

Blake, do something!
demands Jana.