Page 33 of Outcast Fae
I scanned the hillside, searching for them, but they were nowhere to be seen. Where had they gone? Hopefully to find food and water. Maybe our captors had left more MREs in the same place where Elon had found them last night. They were probably fine. We haven’t been attacked during the night, and we hadn’t heard anymore howling. Maybe our counselors had secured the perimeter so they could go about our punishment without interruptions.
My stomach growled at the thought of something to eat. Yesterday had been a long day, and I needed to regain my strength. One packet of slop wouldn’t carry me for very long.
What should I do? Wait for the others? My exhaustion was bone-deep, and I could definitely do with more sleep, but no, there was no rest for this weary soul. If the others were out foraging, I could do the same.
Grabbing the empty water jug and Vaughn’s spear for good measure, I took to the air in search of more eggs and water. My back muscles ached as I flapped my wings and rose above our camp. If I wasn't careful, I'd collapse from exhaustion. And who would take care of me? No one, I suspected. Vaughn certainly couldn’t.
The sky was clear, a pristine shade of blue. A few clouds drifted lazily overhead and seagulls flew in circles.
The fresh breeze coming from the sea felt wonderful on my face. I hovered midair for a moment, eyes closed, enjoying the briny scent that tickled my nose.
Flying even higher, hoping Meadow Song and Silver Bear were still distracted, I went as far up as I dared. Below me, the island spread in all directions, revealing its magnitude. I had imagined a small section of land, surrounded by the ocean, but the only water I could spot was due east toward the sun. Further west, north, and south, all I could see was thick vegetation and tall mountains. It seemed I would have to fly much higher to find the limits of the island.
Off in the distance, toward the sea, gray clouds loomed, the water churning beneath them. A storm was coming. We would need to prepare for it. Add another item to the long list of worries. Resigned to the storm and my inability to escape this place, I flew down, following the hillside and keeping my eyes open for signs of the others.
When I reached the tree line beyond the small valley at the bottom of the hill, I fluttered amongst the tree branches, searching for nests. Robbing them of their eggs made me feel terrible. Each time, I asked for forgiveness under my breath and left an egg behind when there were more than two. Carefully, I stuffed them in the pockets of my pants, embarrassed to admit that they came in handy for storing things no matter how awful the garment was.
As I went, I constantly scanned my surroundings, hoping to spot a stream, a waterfall, or even a puddle of fresh water but saw nothing.
Highly aware of my dry mouth, I had started to fly back to camp when I thought I heard a small trickling sound. Landing and folding my wings, I listened carefully for water.
Birds chirped, and small animals scampered over dry leaves. I followed the excited birds' song, stepping across the jungle floor as silently as my clunky boots would allow. Past a tightly-packed set of trees, a small stream trickled, the little birds taking baths in its shallow shores.
Fresh water.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, punching the jug into the air with excitement.
I ran forward, scattering the little birds and spraying pebbles with my boots. Setting the jug aside, I fell to my knees and cupped water into my hands. It smelled fresh. Safe. I drank greedily and splashed my face, laughing like an idiot. I had never been happier to find water in my entire life.
After I drank my fill, I submerged the jug, wondering if I could take a quick bath, but quickly decided it was not the right time—not with an injured Vaughn back at the cave and the others out and about on the island.
Reluctantly, I jumped up into the air and flew upward. After making sure to mark the spot in my memory, I headed back west.
A few moments later, I came to the line where the jungle and our valley met. My back and wings protested as I went, deeply making me miss the comforts of Alanthyl. What I wouldn’t give for my feather-stuffed bed and the soothing creak of our ancient trees.
Veering north, I turned toward our camp. I had only made it halfway up the hill when, behind me, I heard a scream.
Daniella.
Panicked, I whirled, eyes darting in every direction, then I spotted her, several yards behind Elon and Wally.
They were running for their lives.
Behind them, two large creatures ran on all fours at full pelt.
Oh, no!
Dropping the water jug, I held Vaughn’s spear with both hands and charged forward. My wings protested, but I demanded all they could give. Those creatures would tear Daniella apart if I didn’t get there in time.
The animals were huge. They bounded on tree trunk-sized legs, advancing ten times the length of one of Daniella’s steps. Their heads were massive with large pointed ears and protruding snouts riddled with teeth as long as my fingers. Black, matted fur covered their bodies, thicker around the chest and sparse in their mid-drift. Their paws were enormous, with long, humanoid-looking fingers and sharp claws.
How could I fight them with one flimsy wooden spear? Any hope of survival seemed to wither and die, but still, I flew forward, the wind pushing my hair back. Could I even get there in time?
Without looking backward, Elon sent a burst of electricity that flew above Daniella, narrowly missing her. The bolt struck the ground nowhere near the pursuing beasts.
“Turn and fight, Elon,” I shouted as I flew above him.
His head jerked up. He spotted me but ignored my advice, and instead, continued running. Wally was doing the same. Anger flared inside of me, reminded of something I’d heard from a human before.
