Chapter Eight: A Chase
Gasping, Olivia summoned whatever strength she had left to run. In fact, it was as though the energy to run had been sent from above.
Adrenaline pumped through her veins, her legs shooting out behind her in a way she could have never imagined. The wind that whipped through her hair seemed to become stronger each passing minute. She could feel a few raindrops on her skin but that did not matter.
Usually, Olivia would have stopped to enjoy the serene feeling that came with rain, and take deep breaths as she loved the scent the rain had when it hit the earth. Now, survival was the only thing on her mind.
She stumbled a little bit but picked herself up. Olivia knew that she dared not to look back at her predator as that would only slow her down and send more fear into her heart.
The forest was getting thicker by the seconds that flew by. The branches of trees scraped at her skin and clothes- adding more pain to her already wounded body.
From a distance she could make out the figure of a man standing in the dark, not bothered by the rain he was drenched in. The man seemed to be observing her intently.
She looked back; Olivia could not hear the footsteps of the predator chasing her as the sound of everything was drained by the crashing rain. Ahead of her, she could see that the man had moved closer towards her- he seemed to be running towards her.
The realization that she was no longer chased by a predator made her feel a sense of relief. She glanced over her shoulders one more time to be sure that she was not being chased any longer.
Slowing her steps down to a walk, Olivia could feel a painful sensation wash over her and fatigue rested in her legs. She felt as though the weight of her body was too much for her.
Nonetheless, she pulled on, shivering in the rain that seemed to freeze her blood. Dizziness overpowered her senses and before she could process anything happening, the world turned blank before her eyes.
Pain was the only thing she felt as her body hit the ground; and then all was void.
++++++++*
Harris had wanted to know the exact place his cousin usually went to whenever he disappeared. A few minutes after Josh had left the pack house, he did the same, hoping to track his cousins scent.
He knew he had to shift into his wolf form in order to do so. He began to sniff the ground but it was almost impossible- Josh scent seemed to be have masked.
The only thing that Harris could perceive was the smell of a rain about to fall. He took in a deep breath and ventured into the opening of the woods.
The forest appeared inviting as he took his first step in. The dim sunlight that slowly disappeared behind the horizon was still able to filter it's way through the woods. It cast shadows of the trees on the floor which mesmerized Harris.
He had been so used to the urban side of the town.
The gentle rustle of the leaves of trees and the singing of birds were like music to his ears. He had never heard something more pleasant.
No wonder Josh comes here often. He thought to himself.
The beauty of the forest had even made him temporarily forget his mission in the woods.
The trees seemed to be evenly spaced that he could easily see what was ahead, but as he moved in deeper, it was different. The trees became closer together and had several of their branches intertwined, almost like a canopy.
The sound of leaves rustling became louder; the birds seemed to have disappeared as a strong wind accompanied by very minute droplets of rain began. The floor of the forest had numerous fallen leaves and moss and felt like a pad beneath his feet.
Under his feet, he could feel small rodents run about. He didn't have to see them but the occasional soft vibration told him that they were there.
Feeling hungry and tired, he decided to walk over to a rock he had seen. The surrounding area was not as thick and the rest offered him a little bit of strength.
He looked at the rodents; the rabbits, squirrels and rats but none of them appealed to him. He wanted something better than that.
Something like venison but he was too tired to hunt and he knew that most animals would have taken shelter in this rain.
His prayer for food however seemed to be answered as he spotted a like and weak figure in the distance. He could not tell who it was as fatigue and tiredness made his eyes almost useless in the dark but with his last energy, he jumped from the rock and began to chase whatever it was- hoping that it was food.
As he grew nearer, the rain became heavier. It almost blinded his vision due to the speed at which he ran. Nonetheless, he pushed through- intent on capturing something for a meal. His wolf was tired but he forced it.
When he was just burns few steps away from what seemed to be food, his sense of smell and sight kicked in.
It was a girl who was running away from him; a werewolf girl. He could tell it from her smell. He slowed down his steps when he realized it. He could smell her fear and that made her seem pathetic to him.
However, there was something about her that drew his attention. He stood, observing her from a distance as she slowed down her steps. He knew that she couldn't see him and he liked it that way.
Her run slowed into steps and he could make out the figure of a man who ran towards her. He furrowed his eyebrows to decipher who it was but the rain blinded his vision.
Just as the girl approached the man, she fell to the ground and then Harris eyes were opened.
The man was none other than his cousin; Josh.