Chapter 2
The Run


On all fours he ran. He knew that not killing the hunters would probably be the biggest mistake he'd ever made. But, would killing them set his mind at ease? Or would his conscious be burdened with guilt? Either way, he had made his decision and he would have to deal with it. . . Whatever it may bring.

Over the fallen trees, and past the creeks and streams, this young lycan ran. He realized that the moon had almost fallen from the skies. His den mother surely would have been worried sick. He could hear her now. "Now Rand, I told you about staying out past the fallen moon. Especially for you. Remember, your not like me. You are half of what I am. I am wolf. . . and so are you. But, at the same time, your not like me. Your human too Rand. If others were to find you, who knows what could happen. You wouldn't be accepted by them. They would label you as a freak or some kind of monster. You have to be careful and not let any of them see you. And remember, your not just keeping yourself secret, but all of us wolves."

Already 17 and Rand could not stand being nagged by his den mother. He stopped for a moment. Realizing he was close to home, he took a moment to catch his breath and think. An old tree had fallen over due to a lightning storm a few months back. Not rotten. Good to sit on. As he sat there, the words of his mother rang through his head. "Your not like me. . . You wouldn't be accepted. . . A freak. . . A monster. . ." Those words, which wasn't meant to sound like they did, as much as they hurt, rang in his head like hells bells. Metaphorically, the words were killing him. He couldn't help thinking that he didn't belong. But, where was the question.

"Whats the use of being two halfs of a whole when neither side will accept you?" He said to himself. He looked up at the moon. . . how beautiful it looked up there in the azure sky. "Please Night Mother. Please send me a sign. A way to tell me where I belong, and why am I like this." He waited for a moment. Hoping a sign would appear. "Tsk. Nothing." He mumbled as he hoped down off the log. "Maybe next time."

"And what were you expecting? Her to send a flashing star show and light up squirrels to bring notice that she heard you?"

Almost instantly, Rand turned around. And there stood a woman, maybe ranging from her mid-30's to early 40's.

Rand braced himself and growled at the stranger. "Calm down." She said with a fearless tone. "I mean you no harm." "Then why are you here. Why are you in my forest, near my home. LEAVE. . . NOW!!!" Rand howled at the woman. "I shall leave, but listen well yo-" Rand cut her off by pouncing at her but found him hitting nothing but the ground and turning to face the woman. But almost instantly, she was gone.

Looking around, he saw no one. "Listen well Rand." Looking up, Rand noticed her sitting on a tree branch. "How do you know my name?" Rand asked. No longer was he going to try and attack. He knew it would be worthless. "That will be answered another time. For now, I bring a warning. It is no mere coincidence that you are what you are. You are special. You will realize this. For now, return home and sleep. Tomorrow you will start your new life." She pointed in the direction toward Rand's home. Rand turned his head and could hear his den mother calling him. Then, something unexpected happened. Rand lost the woman's scent. He turned back to the woman to see an empty tree with something carved into it.

Rand turned and went home. For an hour, his den mother nagged Rand for being out so early, but Rand wasn't hearing it. He was in his own little world. He thought about the mysterious woman. And his so anticipated "New life."

Finally, his den mother let him go. He went to his room in the cave they called there home and layed down. Tired and worn, Rand slowly drifted off to the forest of his dreams, but one thing remained on his mind. The word carved into the tree the woman was sleeping in. . . "Carson" he said. And not long after. Fell asleep.


***
"I know, I know mom. Be careful. I use to go hunting with dad remember? I know how to handle myself." "But your a girl. Girls aren't supposed to be hunting." "Mom, don't start that with me please." Oh, alright. Be careful sweetie." "Alright mom, I'm leaving now." "Oh and hun?" "Yes mom?" "I love you Vipra" "Yea, yea, I love you too mom"


Chapter 2. . .End