Chapter 2 Years Later
The sport of “Tabby Hunting” had not abated in the slightest. Once Brad and his band of bullies had discovered Tabby’s new “features” it only fueled his hate of her even more. Even more was the fact that word had gotten out about Tabby’s heroics at the Wickelby farm all those years ago.
Brad’s band of bullies had grown to about ten in number and he had the aid of hunting dogs to help him in his search. It was something that had been going on since they were kids. No matter how he tried, he could not catch her.
Today was no different from any other day. Brad and his gang were on the hunt. Thanks to her wolf senses, she could smell them coming and could easily avoid them. However, she found it fun to lead them on a merry chase and always be just out of his reach. Just what the heck was he going to do to her if he ever caught her? Well, he’d never know now, would he?
Tabby could see them coming from her perch high in the tree. The sun had just set. Brad led the way as usual with his blood hound straining at the leash. It was an old dog. It relied on its nose anymore since it was half blind. And this time she took note that he was armed with a crossbow. So now it was getting more dangerous.
Tabby carefully leapt from her perch and purposely lingered for a few minutes before taking off into the forest. Right on schedule, she could hear the howl of the dogs as they proclaimed that they had picked up the scent they were looking for—hers.
“Took ‘em long enough,” she muttered and continued on her way. It was easy for her to make her way through the forest quickly as she could see in the darkness as if it were day. Using her nose she found Brad and his gang with no trouble at all. She tailed them at a distance, watching them to see what they would do. It appeared that they were relying on the dogs to try and root her out this time.
Brad’s bloodhound had found her and with a short “Rowf!” the chase was on. Tabby laughed.
Why do you laugh? I am here to hunt you down for my master and I have found you!
Tabby laughed out loud again. Your master has no idea what he hunts, and neither do you, Blind One.
Tabby turned on the speed and so did the bloodhound. Just before she reached the gang of boys ahead of her she stealthily leapt into the nearest tree. The bloodhound, relying on his nose, was charging after her. Aware only that his quarry was just ahead of him and he lunged, latching onto a backside…
“Yeeoowwch!” Brad screamed out. The dog instantly released, realizing his mistake. “Blind, stupid dog!” The other boys were laughing. Tabby couldn’t help but join in. She had to admit that it was a good trick—one of her better ones.
“Look! Up there!” one of them finally noticed her.
“Oh, that’s too funny!” Tabby was nearly laughing herself out of the tree. Her laughter was sounding a lot like howling.
“Hey, Brad! I think your dog’s broken. You need to get a new one!” she howled again. Some of the others were laughing with her. Brad glared at them.
“Sorry man, but you gotta admit that was a damn good one! I mean your dog really is stupid—” one started.
“Shut up!” Brad cut him off, nursing his wounded pride and took aim with his crossbow. Tabby still had the presence of mind to duck and he missed.
“Oo, touchy!” she giggled. “Face it Bradley. You’ve been chasing me since we were kids and you’ve never come close. Just what the heck were you planning on doing once you got me?”
“Come down and I’ll show you,” he growled.
“Nah. You’re not man enough,” she shot back.
“And what are you? A freak! You’re not even human!” he yelled.
“Might be so, but you just couldn’t hack the fact that I’m better than you,” she taunted back.
“Better! Never!” he howled and let loose with another crossbow bolt. Tabby snatched it out of midair just before it hit her in the chest. She snapped it in two like a twig and let the pieces fall to the ground. The boys closest fearfully backed away from the pieces on the ground as if they were poisoned or diseased. Tabby leapt down next and was now standing among them, tall and exuding poise and confidence.
They were giving her an even wider berth as a pair of large, fuzzy ears appeared and a long, bushy tail that was wagging lazily.
For being seventeen, she really had grown into quite an attractive young woman as compared to the gangly teen just years before. Her gold eyes were quite a contrast to her raven hair she wore pulled back into a simple pony tail. She was tall, slender and athletic. As she stared the group down before her they seemed to quail under her gaze.
“Woof,” she said casually with a hand on her hip. The crowd backed up a couple of steps. The dogs were simply sitting there, staring at her with open admiration, tongues lolling, tails wagging.
Brad threw his crossbow down and advanced upon her, ready for a fight. Tabby took up a defensive stance, revealing her claws. She was smiling in anticipation, her teeth bared, a growl barely audible.
“Don’t do it man,” one of his cronies warned. “If the rumor is true…”
“Yeah, man. C’mon, let’s get out of here,” another one entreated. There was a pause as they stood there, seeming to take a moment for Brad to make up his mind. Tabby rolled her eyes at him and muttered something that sounded like “Why do they bother?” as she took a step back, reached over her shoulder and body slammed one of the bullies—one handed—as he tried to sneak up to her from behind. This sent the crowd retreating further. The poor unfortunate squealed in terror as he was looking up at Tabby to see what she would do next. She only stomped a foot in emphasis and made what sounded like a barking noise. It was enough for the boys to disperse in fear and take off running.
Tabby made a sniffing noise. “Boys,” she muttered out loud with a smile
You are far too bold for your own good, a large grey wolf came out from behind a tree and trotted up to her.
Oh, come now, Lobo.
You can’t deny me a little fun, can you? Tabby smiled at him and
took a moment to concentrate to put her looks back to normal.
You’d do the same if you were me.
Perhaps, if I were
human. But doesn’t it get old?
He is such a weak adversary. He
hides behind others.
I am the hunted. He hunts that which he cannot understand and looks to destroy it. That is the way of man, Tabby crouched next to him now.
Yes, it is. He
paused to sniff the air. There
is a full moon tonight.
Do you hunt tonight? Tabby was stroking his fur now. She waited patiently for his response. She was getting the feeling that he had something else to tell her and he was going in a roundabout way of telling her.
A full moon holds potential for changes. Walk with me, Sister, he began to lead her into the forest. Tabby knew better than to ask him where they were going. Wolves were not necessarily a talkative race. As they got deeper into the forest Tabby was aware of other wolf presences.
Welcome, Sister.
They didn’t stop until they had reached a clearing of good size. Tabby did not recognize it. She was sure that she had never been here before. Her wolf guide had bounded up onto a fallen log to where an old woman was sitting. He sat down beside her.
"Good evening, Tabitha," she greeted.
Tabby sniffed before replying. "Okara. What brings you out on a full moon? You have come to bask in the moonlight with us?"
"I asked Lobo to bring you to me. You are in need of my help, I am thinking," she replied.
"And what help would that be? I seem to be doing alright in keeping alive and out of trouble," Tabby replied.
"And keeping out of town and out of sight of most people," she replied.
"And what have you heard?" Tabby found a stump to sit upon.
"Plenty," Okara replied. "The men fear you. Lobo is right. You are far too bold."
"How about something I don't know?" Tabby was scratching behind her ear. "Anything to keep Bradley and his gang away from me--if that means intimidating the hell out of them, then so be it."
"I have been doing a little scrying on your behalf and I have seen your future, Wolf-child. You will be returning to Amber," Okara stated simply. "Your time with me will be coming to an end--besides that, you're old enough to be going out on your own. I have given you the skills and know how to survive out in the world if you had to."
"If I knew where this Amber was and how to get there, I might have gone a long time ago, don't you think?" Tabby shifted on the stump, her tail in her hands.
"Amber is where you are from. I'm hoping it is more than clear to you that you do not belong here," Okara said patiently. "I may not know what or where it is, all I know is that it is where you are from. In my long life, no other has ever exhibited traits such as yours or has ever shown such a penchant for conjuration--it takes the normal person many, many years to achieve the level you have."
"Well, I kind of had to," Tabby muttered. "Still wasn't enough--I can't do a thing about my eyes!" Tabby was staring up at the moon that was now nearly overhead.
"So what else have you seen, Old Woman?" Tabby asked.
"It is not very solid. It was like gazing into the shadows, but it held no evil omens. Someone is coming for you. You might be leaving us one day soon," Okara said softly.
"Now that would be something," Tabby murmured as she got up and sat down next to Okara on the fallen log.
"That was all I had for you this night," Okara got up and began to walk away into the forest. She was not necessarily one for small talk or long conversation as she chose to live alone in the forest. Tabby was left alone with Lobo, who was already basking in the full moon that was now overhead.
Bask with me, Sister, he invited. Tabby gave him a smile and sat beside him in the moonlit clearing, not saying a word, contemplating Okara's words.