Fight By My Side

He showed up the next day and I met him at where the gravel turns to tar. We went back to the outcropping and continued to have the same one-sided conversation. The only difference was, today I sat a little closer.

We met the day after that, Tuesday. He smiled when he saw I met him at the same time at the same place. Our conversation grew as I edged a little close. The more our trust grew, the closer I sat, thinking he wouldn't betray our growing hope.

Wednesday was the same and I looked forward to meeting him each day. We went back to the same spot, the same rocks. There were grey clouds in the sky that rolled over our heads. Ever since Sunday when Mike, Vic, and Jack confronted me about Austin, Mike decided to always be flying overhead. I was pretty sure Jack was somewhere in the area, keeping an eye out on me.

"So my little cat, Ashton, he's been doing pretty good. Mom and Dad haven't found out yet, which is nice. I don't know how long I can keep this up. Alan hasn't texted me back at all. He might have had to go out of town." Austin shrugged. I sat next to him, just inches apart. The sun was starting to set on the horizon. Austin sighed next to me, seeing the time.

"Well, it was fun hanging out with you again. I guess I should get back." Austin said. I whined a little. We were just in the middle of talking about his cat! He chuckled and I looked up at him. A sudden movement at the corner of my eye caught me off guard and I leaned back.

Austin stretched his hand out, slowly, as if to touch my warm fur. I hesitated for a moment. Could I really trust this boy? Should I really put enough effort and emotions into him just to possibly never see him again.

I could always try. Leaning in, I touched my muzzle to his warm fingers. A jolt of electricity that flooded my blood with tender heat flowed through me. He gently rubbed behind my ears before standing up. All I could see was the joy emanating from his smile.

"I have a feeling you're not so animal as you seem." He whispered. I froze from the suddenness of the comment. Did he really know? He walked back, a skip of excitement in his step. When he disappeared from my sight, I went back to the Sanctuary, feeling better than I had in many months.

Thursday at four, our usual time, I waited. The afternoon was cold from winds that had started yesterday and hadn't stopped. It would probably rain soon. I waited, and waited, sitting in the middle of the road. The few people that lived around where I sat watched me, like usual.

At four thirty, I continued to worry. Austin was never this late.

At five, Mike flew over, landing near me. It was time to come inside. His sad calls tried to console me, but I walked back with my legs like cement to the ground. Vic and Jack didn't say anything as I came in. That night, I went to bed early.

Friday, I went back to the same spot. Maybe I he would show up today? At 4:10, he showed up under the veil of grey clouds and light drops of rain. His face was low to the ground, refusing to meet mine. His hands were clutched inside his jacket pockets. He didn't radiate his happiness like usual, but a deep sadness.

"Hey." He whispered softly as he met me. Walking side by side, we went off to our usual spot. Austin fell onto the boulder, head bowed into his hands. I nosed up to his side, curious to what was wrong.

Pretty soon, I heard the quiet whimpers as tears leaked from his eyes. Austin slid down the rock to sit on the ground next to me. I whined, trying to communicate a sympathy for him. He looked up, the tears sliding down his cheeks.

"Mom, mom." He kept saying. I nudged him with my head, wanting more information. He looked at me with tired, forlorn eyes.

"She was attacked. A Shifter killed her." He cried out in anger. I rested my head on his arm, my own way to hug him, to try to console him.

A Shifter? We hadn't seen many Rogues over the past few weeks. It must've been a Rogue that killed his mother. My heart went out to him, but I couldn't help but think: What's his attitude towards people with the Gift now?

"Are all Shifters evil? How could they do this? What made them take her?!" He cried out in rage towards the sky. A boom of thunder echoed his anger. I nudged his side. He wrapped an arm over my shoulder as I touched his face gently.

It's okay. I know what you're going through. I thought over and over. I howled to the wind, letting out my own fury towards the Rogue that hurt my friend so deeply. He continued, tears streaming down my eyes, to rub my fur, stroking down the clumped bristles.

An unfamiliar scent tinted the wind as it blew into my face. I stood up, looking around. Did Austin know my secret? Did he bring someone else to kill me, a way to avenge his mother although it wasn't me? My mind was being filled with both irrational and rational thought, but the one thing that dominated was fear.

That familiar metallic smell was back. This time it had gun powder mixed with it. I barked to Austin, warning him to get up. He looked to me oddly.

The the pain exploded with a BOOM! The warmth leaked from me as blood puddled on the ground. I fell to the side with a whimper. A gun had sounded off and caused me the pain. Looking up, I saw Austin staring down at me and past him, two boys run off with a gun. They looked about ten and twelve. They were young, but must've been just playing around with the gun.

Or did Austin get them to shoot me?

Did I really want to trust him? He could have reasons for wanting to kill me, especially if he knew I had the Gift.

Austin got up, reaching down to me. I snapped back at him, threatening to attack. I just wanted to get away from him, from here, I needed to do anything to get out of here. I felt where the bullet hit, just on my right shoulder. I scrambled to my feet, anxious to get up. I started to run away, Austin calling for me, calling for the wolf to come back.

I kept running, wanting to get away. When Austin was far in the distance, I collapsed, the intense pain blinding me. I howled loudly in the agony. Was I to die from the blood that seeped into the earth, out of my body?

Through the pain, I Shifted back to a human, crying out in torment. This was worse than any physical pain I'd endured before. The only thing I did was close my eyes and wriggle in the dirt like a worm drying on the cement.

"Wynter!" Vic called out. Mike screamed above me, the hawk alerting him to my location.

"Vic, please help me!" I cried out through tears of pain. Vic stooped near me, assessing the rip in my shirt where the bullet punctured my arm. He looked at the blood and my fading eyes. The darkness was already starting to cover them.

"Wynter, it'll be okay." He replied, terror flooding his voice as he picked me up. I could feel him clutch me tightly, then take off towards the Sanctuary.

At that moment, I blacked out.

Notes

O.O What'll happen to both Austin and Wynter??

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