Corrupted Redemption

I don't know how long I've been running but the sun has set, risen and set again. The sound of flowing water carches my attention. So I run towards it. I come upon the stream and quickly fall to me knees. Greedily taking a drink in my cupped hands. The cool water soothes my dry throat.

An owl hoots in the distance. I look around but everything is cast in shadows. "Lilly I'm scared." I whimper. We've never been this alone. Lilly purs in my head. "I know Lexi, don't worry I'll protect us." I rise to my feet and begin walking through the woods.

"How? We can't shift. I'm just luck you are an alpha and give me strength and healing." I am terrified. Lilly purs to clam be but doesn't say anything else. After walking for about an hour it feels. Before I come up on what seems like an abandoned barn

"I don't smell any new scents." Lilly states and I nod. I creep up and open the door. Immediately the dust hits my face followed by the smell of old hay. "At least it's somewhere safe." I mumble to Lilly. I step in and close the door. I find a large piece of wood and bar the door shut.

Thank the goddess for my heightened vision. Nothing has lived in here for a very, very long time. I wrap my arms around myself and slowly walk deeper into the barn. I find a latter and climb it cautiously. It leads to a loft covered in hay. Sleep hits me hard.

I lay down some hay and find an old sack to use as a blanket. Before long darkness took over. My nightmares are of Harris, My father amd my poor mother greyish skin.

*******************************

I shoot up and look around. The sun now filters through a small window at the high point of the barn. "Good morning Lexi." Lilly yawns out. I want to be happy to be up but we're still here. Alone. The unknown gripping at my chest.

"What are we going to do Lilly?" Tears spring to my eyes. "Why don't we stay here." Was she crazy! We can't stay here....could we? I make my way down the latter and look around. There is one window, the frame of the barn is in pretty good shape. I find three flannel shirts and two paris of muddy slim mens jeans in a stall.

Good thing i grabbed a good amount of clothes. There are several stbale blankets I wish I'd found last night. And what seems like a hose system that leads to a sink in the back of the barn. I find several pieces of spare wood and grab along piece. I set it on a discarded trough..a table I guess.

I pull a hay stack to the other side and make a makeshift couch. In one stall I find a pair of work boots. At the end of the barn there is a plastic mirror. Of course I'll have to relieve myself outside. I open the door and circle the barn.

There stands an outhouse. No thank you. I squint my eyes and see nothing but masses of land. We are truly alone out here. "We'll always have each other." Lilly states. I smile, yes we will survive... together. I look aroudn the land and see a garden. Green tomatoes, carrots and onions grew wildly.

I don't have the ability to shift yet but Lilly's speed and direction help me hunt. I remember Aunt Laila teaching us how to make traps too. Small game will do until I get the nerve to hunt bigger. I return inside with a few tomatoes and go to the small sink.

I pray to the goddess and turn the knobs. At first it sputters and creaks. Then like rain on a hot day, water shoots out. I clap my hands and jump around. Yes we will definitely be ok.

After I tidy up the barn a little it felt clean but not quite home. I slump onto a hay stack and allow my tears to finally fall again. I miss my brothers. Even if Sinead is over protective and Jara is almost , always silent. I miss Ana and Ilad. Lilly whimpers when I think of Ilad and it confuses me. I miss my bed,my pack and the pack pups who fillowed Jara and I everywhere.

I take out the picture of my mom and let the tears fall on the frame. "I wish you were here. You'd help me...right?" I hug the picture to my chest and I sob. Lilly whimpers in my head. I know she wants to be strong but I can feel shes also scared. We are only 12 even if Lilly has lived many lifetimes. We are alone and packless.

We aren't old enougg to know any packs to run to. And even if we did the fear we'd be found or they'd tell Alpha. Stopped us from looking for anyone. What if they didn't help? What if they we're worse? I wipe the tears from my face and curl up around my mom.