NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: 72 hours and counting
I cover my ears as the loud sirens blare, it seemed like forever the alarm was going off but I know for a fact it wasn't more than a few minutes. The sound abruptly stops giving me Meer moments of peace before the door starts to clank. I quickly shove my belongings in the duffle bag and zip it up. Just as I finish zipping away my belongings the door slams open to reveal three huge armed guards with a full suit of riot gear on.
Geeze, what did they think of me to assume they needed all this. The largest of the three men steps forward and throws what seems to be a stop watch on the ground in front of me. I stay frozen, not knowing if moving would provoke a response out of them. The man motions to the device on the ground signaling for me to pick it up.
I pick up the stop watch and notice it is counting down.
"what is this for.." I say meekly
"it's how long you have to get off pack lands. Grab your belongings and follow me." he all but growls out
"The council woman said that I would have 72 hours.. this is only showing 42 hours 47 minutes.." concern laced in my voice
"you had 72 hours starting from your 17th birthday, you're wasting time. MOVE." agitation clear in his voice.
I could feel Akela's anger brewing in me at the way he spoke, yet the only thing she did was sit vigilantly listening to what the man was saying. I was praying she wouldn't fly off the handle and get us killed, and she seemed to take note of my concerns.
"I'm not 17 for nearly a month, I should have more time.." I pleaded
"Your wolf has been in control for over 3 weeks, they were finally able to sedate the savage to get you back to consciousness. Now move, or we will take your defiance as a threat towards the pack and eliminate you." he growls
I cringe at his words knowing that Akela would force control any second and rip all of their throats out. Time seemed to freeze, nothing happened, not even a growl came from me. Normally Akela would have challenged them for back talking, but they just threatened my life and nothing. The man must have seen the concern on my face and he busted out laughing.
"can't reach your wolf huh?" he chuffed
"what's wrong with me.. why can't I reach her?"
"you have yourself a strong wolf there, but not strong enough to withstand concentrated wolfsbane. How do you think you got back control? lucky the shipment came in as quick as it did, otherwise you'd be running out of here with hours to spare." they all burst out laughing at the concern etched in my features.
"look kid your wolf will be back in a couple days, it's a two day walk for someone in decent shape. You on the other hand.. three or four. So unless you want to be hunted down 2 miles from the pack house I suggest you get moving." the second man stated.
They talked to me like I should be starring in the show "my 600lb life" and my wolf was one of those overweight beagles that the family fed ice cream and cheeseburgers. Yea I know I'm fat, sheesh, but not so big that I can't get out of bed or go for a hike without dying. They hadn't seen my wolf, she rarely made an appearance in her form in front of anyone. If they truly saw what she was capable of they would be thanking the moon goddess that I can reach her right now.
"fine, lets go." I say as I snatch my bag off the ground.
One guard led me out of the building as the other two followed, I silently wondered if they were going to escort me off the territory. If they didn't, I was going to try to sneak and speak to the only other family member I had here. I needed to figure out what happened to my mother, her blood curdling screams still echo in my head. We head down the corridor, passing by dozens of doors like mine.
I wonder if anyone is in these rooms, stuck and unable to reach their wolves or family for help. As I look down at the ground thinking about what all has happened I mindlessly follow the sounds of footsteps and they abruptly stop. I prepare to take another step just to get yanked back. I jerk my head to the side where the hand had grabbed me.
"watch where you're going Mutt" the large man growls
"call it in, we don't have time to stop." he continues.
I look down on the ground to see a large puddle of what I think is blood flowing out of under one of the cell doors. I take a step back to bump into one of the other men, for a growl to emit from him. I quickly step forward away from him and look away, not even making eye contact. Without my wolf I have no way to defend myself, I refuse to die when I'm so close to escaping... well being exiled.
"we have a code 851, clean up crew needed." the leading man says over a walkie-talkie.
"Roger that" a voice responds
"Move" the large man states as he shoves me forward, making me suppress a growl.
It seemed like forever we were walking, the puddle playing on my mind. I wonder what code 851 meant.. I continue to walk a few steps behind the leading man when we reach the exit. The door was huge, it looked like a bank vault door from the humans western movies. I admired the door, just to realize that it was what was keeping me and everyone else from escaping.
I stopped admiring the door quickly after my realization, the leading man unlocked the door yet it was hard to not admire what a fortress that door made this place. We continued through the door just to be met with another obstacle, the door opened up into a cave. My mind went crazy wondering how many people have died here, and how close I was or I am to death. The cave itself was beautiful, it had a sparkling pool of water and stalagmites hanging from the ceiling.
Some so big that it could easily knock someone out if it fell, if not kill them. Suddenly a large stalagmite came smashing down between me and the leading man. I let out a loud yelp, only for a large hand to be smashed over my mouth. I try to calm my breathing, I almost died...it could have killed me.. My yelp echoed in the cave, causing several more to drop in the distance.
"Shut your mouth mutt" the large man growled glaring at me.