Big Bad Wolfie

The footsteps got closer fast, and I could tell some of them are on four feet.

The scent is jumbled and bloody, so I can't tell if it's hybrids along with warriors on our side, or just hybrids.

I really don't want to stick around and find out, but I can't just leave all these people.

I panted heavily in anxiety as I gazed at all of them, trying to figure out a solution. Something finally came to me when I saw Desi consoling I crying child.

My stomach churned at my own thoughts, and I immediately started wracking my brain for other options, but the approaching footsteps were reminder enough we didn't have time for such pleasantries. I swallowed the painful lump in my throat and called out to Destiny, "Desi!"

She glanced over, her hand still rubbing the child's back comfortingly. I went to proceed but her wide, innocent eyes made me change my course.

I shook my head, angry at myself for even thinking of putting so much responsibility on her fifteen year old shoulders. It just made me think of myself two years ago, or even now, swimming in sky-high expectations I either kill myself to meet or never will. I can't do that to her.

"You," I called out to some random wolf with a child on his hip instead.

"I need you to lead all the children and pregnant women to the eastern hideout while I, and whoever is willing to help, distract the hybrids, do you know where it is?"

The man shook his head.

My eyebrows drew together. "How do you not know where your own hideouts are?" It came out more aggressively than I wanted it to, but we're wasting time having to move so slowly to figure this out.

The man looked alarmed and shrugged skittishly, "We learn the ones closest to us. The eastern hideout is all the way across town."

I sighed, "Does anyone know where it is?" I rushed out to the group.

"I do from taking inventory of the buildings," Destiny jumped up from her place kneeling down next to the child.

"Great," I nodded, "Desi will tell you," I said to the man.

I ignored the slight frown that dawned Desi's face at my response.

"So, what you have to do is--"

"Wait, I'm sorry. I don't have any sort of training," the man stopped me.

"That's alright, I'm assuming none of you do," I glanced around at the group.

Everyone with military or fighting training is already outside getting ready for the hybrids.

"I do!" Desi spoke up again.

I ignored her. Again.

"No, no. I really think you should pick somebody else," the man disagreed with my statement about his lack of experience leading being alright.

"I can do it," Desi exclaimed.

"Yeah, let her do it," he agreed.

"No," I said succinctly.

"What?" I heard Desi cry sharply.

"C'mon man, You've got this," I tried to encourage the guy.

"Maria!" Desi called to get my attention.

"No Desi, you're not leading," is all I told her.

"Why not?!" She started getting aggravated. "What, you don't think I could do it?"

"Of course I think you could do it, it's not about that."

I promise Desi, it's not.

"Then what is it about?" she yelled as we kept making our way away from the sound of the hybrids.

"It's about how they kill the leaders first, and I'm not going to put a target on your head!"

The guy I had talked to about being leader blanched at me.

Sorry dude.

"I'm okay with that!" Desi protested.

Of course she's okay with that.

And why did she have to chose now to be independent and stubborn?

"Well I'm not, so the answer is no."

She practically growled at me.

The man looked between us with bug eyes. "Well I'm sure as h3ll not gonna do it!"

I frowned at him.

"You do it!"

"What?" I asked her, starting to get a headache from this conversation.

"You lead even though there are risks," she explained stubbornly.

"That is true--"

"Shut up, old man!" I exclaimed. "And you're not like me Desi."

You're so much better.

"But I can be!"

"Yeah!" The old man hollered and a chorus of agreements followed.

That mixed with the sound of speeding footsteps in the not so distance is what finally broke me.

I stormed to stand right in front of her.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

"You know what you need to do?"

She jumped in surprise at my giving in and gulped. The weight of what she volunteered for probably settling on her shoulders. She still nodded, "Yeah."

"Okay," I nodded along, but then felt another wave of dread wash over me as I realized all over again I was setting her off on her own into this mess. I gripped both sides of her slim and young face to make sure she looked me in the eyes as told her the most important part. It was also to remind myself that she

wasn't gone yet and was unharmed right in front of me.

I'd give my life ten times over to keep it that way, but others' lives are at stake here, and she's up for this. I know she is. She's fast and smart and will try her best to keep the group safe. she can do it.

I brought her closer to me and

locked eyes, You be careful, alright? Run as fast as you can with the group and don't, under any circumstances, fight with the

hybrids. You will lose and dielnet

if

that ever happened," I gripped her face tighter, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

There was tense silence between us.

"Understand?" I finally asked.

"Yes," Desi whispered back.

If she were anyone else, I'd be concerned she didn't really mean it with how little determination was behind her voice in the statement. But this is my quiet, timid, and peaceful Desi, and the fire behind her eyes says it all.

"And one more thing," I said before I

let go of my hold on her. "You stay safe. If things start to go south," I gave the rest of the group a glance to indicate what I meant by that, "your keep running, you make it to where you're going," I instructed

I

seriously.

In fact, this is the most serious I've been about anything I've ever said.

And she was silent.

This time I was a little concerned.

"Promise me," I demanded severely.

She looked torn.

No, no. This is not a subject to be torn about.

Her hesitation scared me enough to let the panic seep into my voice and actions as I moved my hands to her shoulders and shook them to catch her attention. "Promise me!" I nearly screamed.

I need to hear her to promise she will try her best to keep herself safe.

She's too good for this world, but she's far too young to be taken out of it.

She's far too young to be fighting for it too, but good people always tend to find a way to put the world on their shoulders, and as much as I would like to deny her of it, this is war. And not even innocent angels like Desi get a pass.

She finally nodded her head, and the second I got any sort of confirmation I sent them on their way, "Go! Quickly! They're nearly on top of us," I yelled shoving most of my weapons into her hands. She needs them more than I do.

I'm sure I heard her mumble something while I watched parts of the group choose to leave or stay, but I just assumed it was words of encouragement to herself.

Destiny's POV

"No promises," I mumbled.00000