Page 74 of Ruby
There are feathers everywhere, some belonging to Szhe’ka while others are unrecognizable. The trail of blood and pink slime lead everywhere, melting into the forest like a nasty paint trail.
“Need to eat?” I sing to him, looking around for fruit.
“No. Find shelter,” he chirps back. I nod and allow him to carry me where he thinks best.
My endless wriggles of discomfort draw Szhe’ka’s attention.
“Too fast?” he asks, concern in his beautiful song.
“Just itchy.”
He just grunts and continues running. I see more feathers and something like a broken eggshell. I really want to ask what happened, but I hold my tongue.
We keep running until he slows down and places me on the ground.
“I gather this time,” I say, pushing him to rest against the tree. He tries to protest but I’m already walking away.
My body still itches like crazy and I know it means more change is coming. I let out a long huff. Losing my humanity is something that’ll take me time to come to terms with. If I grow into a size that can barely fit through my apartment doors or become a spectacle for the tabloids, I think I’ll need at least five therapists.
I tear my eyes away from my reflection and start walking back to Szhe’ka. I grip the comb tightly in my hand, as I did curled up in that cove. I might not be able to do much but I can take out an eye or two. Other than the sound of my feet crunching leaves and the flowing river behind me, the forest is silent.
Too silent.
It’s an eerie feeling that makes me quicken my step. I felt it earlier when we hid within those trees. There’s a predator more dangerous than the hunters hiding within this forest. We’ve been lucky enough not to encounter any, but it makes it a lot scarier if we haven’t encountered any because of this creature.
Be calm, Ani,I tell myself.You’re almost back with Szhe’ka. There’s probably nothing in this woods. You’re just freaking out all by yourself. Just stay cal—
A flash of movement catches my eyes, and I resist the urge to scream, brandishing my comb in that direction. It was too fast to see but I’m not taking any chances. I start running in the direction of Szhe’ka, hoping to catch a glimpse of him before whatever is in the woods catches up to me.
I catch another flash very close to me and see a blur of white. I don’t slow down and continue running until I’m reunited with Szhe’ka. I run straight into his arms breathlessly. But what he says next shocks me.
“Azoeul. You have returned.”
I spun back around to see our friend leaning against a tree. If I’m not mistaken, he looks impressed and amused.
“Did you chase me back here, Azoeul?” I ask, pointing an accusing finger at him.
“I did. I knew you would lead me back to him,” he responds, tone as flat as ever.
However, I can still tell he’s amused. He walks across to sit beside us, placing the fruits I forgot to pick up at Szhe’ka’s feet.
“You look rough,” Azoeul says to Szhe’ka.
“I ran,” Szhe’ka responds in Azoeul’s tongue.
“I saw. However, how do you explain the feathers?”
Szhe’ka recounts his run in with the hunters without sparing any details. From tossing branches to throwing the egg at them to distract them, each detail adding more. I really wish I was there to see it. No wonder he’s so exhausted.
“You did well,” Azoeul praises.
“Yes, that was amazing,” I add, stroking his hand. He visibly recoils right in front of us, shaking his head in disapproval.
“I did not do much. I just ran.”
“You saved my life, so it clearly was something,” I argue, annoyed at his continual focus on running away.
“I vowed,” he responds, his grip tightening around my hand.
