20. RUN

Tha-THUMP-Thump! Tha-THUMP-Thump! Tha-THUMP-Thump!

Jun 07, 2024

When the Gem awakens to call a Hero, the world is ill prepared...and its fate is placed in the hands of a 17 year old boy, named Wendell.

Some will say this is nothing but a tale of fiction.
Let them think as they may.

After all...I can't fix stupid.

Previously: Our hero and his companions make their way towards Til-Thorin. They stumble across a battle raging among the Tilliman Highlands. They are caught before they can escape notice.

<— Read Previous Chapter | Read Next Chapter —>

Life may force you into situations to hone your survival instinct, which is inherent in every living creature. This is a rare opportunity for you to asses the situation, dig deep within yourself and call upon your inner strength and courage.

If that doesn’t work,…run like hell.

Chain mail clinked and scraped against the boulder as the second giant stepped from the shadows.

Tha-THUMP-Thump!

“Now boys, don’t be hasty,” Chuck stammered. “My, what BIG ARMS you have!” The giants converged upon him, laughing. The wizard shook his finger at them. “I’m guessing neither of you boys were breast fed as babies…?”

Tha-THUMP-Thump!

We were going to end up like the men slaughtered on the battlefield below. I promise you, I fought with all my might NOT to scream in terror.

It didn’t work.

On the other hand, my impression of a high school girl terrified of a three inch spider on her blouse was quite impressive. It pierced the air, grabbing the attention of the two aggressors on the ledge. Problem was, it also caught the attention of the beasts in the field. Those same beasts, I might add, which were feasting upon the flesh of the dead.

The good new was, it was just the kind of distraction Chuck needed.

Before I’d finished exhaling my female rendition of distress, a light blinded me. There was no sound. No warning. No pain. But no sight, either. An instant later, I heard a crack…then a grunt. It was a deep grunt…followed by a distant thud. The same sounds were repeated…and then a moment later, hands grabbed at me aggressively. I screamed again and swung as hard as I could. Blind or not, I was NOT going to be a cannibal pop-tart.

“Would you STOP THAT!??” growled Dax. He jumped up and slapped me across the face.

“OW!”

“Well quit fightin’ me, ya idjut — we gotta GO!”

Yanked forward, I was shoved, prodded, kicked and pulled up the hillside.

“You couldn’t have told the kid to shut his eyes?” Dax complained.

“Oh, like I have to think of EVERYthing…” Chuck weezed.

“We’d be moving faster without him blind, old man.”

“Thank you would suffice, monkey.”

“…sigh…thank you,” Dax said.

“Welcome. Where’s the gnome?”

“Here!” Alhannah called out. I felt a small hand slip into mine. “Come on, Wendell, let’s get you out of here.”

“Where did you go?” I hadn’t recalled seeing Alhannah when the giants burst into the clearing.

She giggled. “Gnomes don’t have to be seen when we don’t want to be. I was about to jump off the rock overhead and skewer one, but…”

“But the old man got to them first,” the wizard cut in, “Oh, yeah. Chuck-fu is da-bomb.”

“Then Dax threw them off the ledge,” I finished, “got it.”

“No,” Chuck said, sounding a bit hurt. “I played a little baseball with my staff. Took out a fat one below, poor fellow — he didn’t realize it was raining ugly.”

Ithari was already healing my vision. Shapes formed across the white landscape. Alhannah guided me around obstacles, adding verbal prompts as we went. “Step up — boulder to your left, run your hand along it as a guide,…that’s it.”

Tha-THUMP-Thump

Tha-THUMP-Thump!

A howl erupted from behind us.

Blurs became shapes with shadowy blurs attached.

Again, a howl…followed by a second. I could hear the rattling of metal in the distance. The clanging of weapons.

“I don’t know what that was,” I trembled, puling my hand free from Alhannah, “but I want to go faster!”

Dax hopped over rocks and stumps, as the morning light crept through the trees. Over the ridge we ran. Weaving through the brush and sliding down the rock embankment to our camp. We didn’t stop. Once we reached the valley’s floor, Dax dropped to all fours — swinging across the ground at top speed.

“Keep up!” he shouted. “If we can find a big enough clearing, we might be able to port!”

Alhannah’s armor clinked as she sprinted, while Chuck held his robe up with both hands, running as fast as his boney knees could take him.

Another howl ripped through the silence. It sounded so loud now, I looked over my shoulder and nearly face-planted from tripping on a rock.

Tha-THUMP-Thump!

The hair on my neck rose and I bit my own tongue in panic as I ran. There was no where to hide! Didn’t I say that this was a bad idea? The low hum of…growling caught my attention. A brief glimmer of movement, pacing us, along the ridge to our right. The sounds were followed by snapping branches and sliding rocks to his left.

They were blocking us in!

“Hounds!” Alhannah shouted. “They have our scent — MOVE IT!”

Stop.

My vision cleared. The valley ahead bottlenecked into a grove of trees. They sprouted from the ground like hairs on a giants face, evenly spaced. If we attempted to weave through those trunks, we’d get caught. My mind raced, frantically searching for a place to run. Hide. Escape.

The wizard wheezed, his pace slowed.

We couldn’t keep running like this. Chuck wouldn’t be able to keep up.

“I hear the river,” Dax shouted back. With a leap off a fallen tree, he took off through the dense forest incline. “If we make it to the water, we have a chance — they can’t track what they can’t smell!”

Stop.

The pain in my chest lessened. The panic I felt…dissipated into a warm, calmness. I looked over his shoulder, then at the wizard.

“Did you he…” I started to say.

“Move, boy!” Chuck snapped, shoving me through the edge of the grove.

The trunks had grown so tight, so interwoven, we couldn’t walk side by side. Spaced slightly wider than the shoulders of a man, I was forced to sidestep to navigate through. Roots rose from the soil, a sea of lifeless snakes, making it almost impossible to find sure footing. We hopped and jumped over the obstacles, trying to put as much distance between us and our pursuers as we could.

It was worse for the wizard. The brisk run had worn him to the point exhaustion and Chuck was already gasping for breath. His face looked horribly pale. Before he could get more than twenty feet into the grove, his hand slipped against the smooth bark of a tree, the flat of his sandal catching on a shoot. Chuck tumbled forward and slammed, head first, into the roots below.

“Chuck!” I cried out.

Without warning, a hound lunged. It slammed into the outer trees of the grove. Saliva foamed over rows of jagged teeth that snapped incessantly. The trunks creaked and moaned as the beast frantically pushed, reaching, clawing at the air and raking the ground. I nervously pulled Chuck deeper into the grove, until I could lay him down. The monster kept making twisted noises, like barking mixed with roars, low and guttural, while biting and clawing at the plants in its way.

The light of dawn now gave me a clear glimpse of what was chasing us…and it terrified me. The thing was the size of a grizzly bear. It wasn’t a dog, not a cat, or even a reptile, and I know that sounds almost stupid. But the thing had both scales and fur. Its two paws desperately reached for its prey…while four hind legs pushed its barrel chest against the barrier of the grove. The jingling and clinking of metal rang again through the forest. It wasn’t until the beast turned its head in the light, that I noticed the crude, rusted chains dangling from rings piercing the things face.

The creature was so big, there was no way it could get through the wall of plants. Even if it could tear the first layer away, the hound would be met with another layer of trees, then another.

I set Chuck down between the roots, and propped my back against a trunk. Dax was by Chuck’s side in moments.

“He ok?” Eyes and hands quickly scanned for wounds.

The barking increased, growing louder as the gnome approached. Her size provided a definite advantage. Alhannah could walk normally through the grove without having to turn her shoulders. The hound snapped its jaws, steel traps with strings of saliva flinging about wildly.

Alhannah found a hefty rock and threw it — striking the beast square upon the nose.

It shrieked and reeled its head.

Chuck’s head flopped forward, his gnarled hand clutching his chest. His face was pale, his lips a powdered haze of blue. Dax lifted the wide brimmed hat off his head. Blood immediately trailed down his forehead from under his hairline. It ran across the hunched bridge of his nose, and branched across both cheeks.

“Aww hell,” Dax cursed.

“Here,” said Alhannah, “let me.” Her small fingers gently searched through the tuft of hair. “He’s going to have a nice egg, but the cut doesn’t look too bad. We’ll need to wash it to get a better look.”

Chuck pushed her hands away.

“Fly you fools!” he gasped dramatically. With a last cough, he slowly closed his eyes.

“We’re not going anywhere without you, ya decrepit old twit,” retorted Dax. “And you’re not done for—you got clocked by a tree.”

Chuck peeked up at me. He frowned. “Just a tree?”

I nodded.

He leaned forward, glancing at the Hound. The beast continued to attack the grove with tooth and nail.

“It didn’t get me as I used my body as a barrier to save Wendell’s life?”

Alhannah shook her head sympathetically. “Sorry.”

“Ah, well,” grunted the wizard, “I shouldn’t be too disappointed…” he winked at me. “I was rather fond of myself, you know. Would have been a terrible waste of wit and charm.”

Unfortunately we discovered the wound to be more real than imaginary, when we got him to his feet. Chuck stumbled along with great difficulty. Dax and I helped him, with his staff as the main crutch. It wasn’t long before we could all hear the rushing sound of the river, echoing through the grove. At the same time, a second hound made its appearance along the back side of the grove.

"Oh, crap," I said.

"What?" Dax replied.

Alhannah drew both swords and spat on the ground. "Look."

As the second hound paced along the outer rim, it revealed the grove to be a pocket of trees. There was a clearing between the grove and another patch of trees where the sound of the river rumbled.

Both hounds ran along the outer rim, looking for a way to take advantage of their breakfast.

“We’re trapped,” cursed Dax. “The river is up and over that next ridge.”

Wendell.

“Can’t you port us out of here?” I asked. He watched the hounds sniffing along the edge of the trees, looking for a wider opening to gain entrance.

Dax shook his head. “I don’t even know if I got enough strength yet — but even if I did, I gotta have open space. Otherwise I’d port the mass o’ trees with us. The more mass, the harder it gets…and I ain’t that good.”

“But even if we get to the water…we still have to ditch the puppies,” Alhannah added.

The grove, Wendell.

The Hounds paced back and forth within the gap, waiting.

“Can you use that clearing to port?” I asked.

Dax considered. “Yeah, but…”

“But what?”

“It takes a minute or so for me to carry this many people. Have to concentrate. I can pop outta here myself just fine, maybe with two…but not four. That takes time—and those pups ain’t gonna wait. Plus, if we do this wrong, it could be a couple days before I can even try it again.” He patted Chucks hand tenderly. “The owners of those hounds’ll be here soon, too. We got one shot at this. We need to make it to the water.”

“We have to run,” Alhannah finished.

Chuck coughed and sank down on a root, panting. Blood ran down over his beard. “Joy. More running.”

A thought kept tickling the back of my mind. Something big. Something crazy.

“I have an idea,” I said.

“Kid, we don’t…” Dax started, but I held up a hand, cutting him off.

“Here me out. The water’s over that ridge. We need to get there — and I’m assuming to douse ourselves in it, to…lose the hounds, get rid of our scent. Is that right?”

“That’s the plan, yeah,” said Dax.

“So we need a diversion. Something to lure those beasts away while the others make a break for the second tree line. Am I getting it so far?”

Dax frowned. “Yeah, but…”

“Look,” I cut in, “you have to get us to safety. You’re the only one who can port. Alhannah can fight and Chuck needs protection more than I do right now. I can heal, he can’t. The best option is to get you three over that ridge, through the water and find a clearing. You need to be ready to port all of us away...”

Alhannah reached up and squeezed my hand. Her look was stern. “And where does that leave you?”

I almost laughed. Crazy as that may seem. It was right then that I realized my idea wasn’t crazy at all…it was just completely stupid. “As bait,” I gulped.

"Yup, that was you. You actually said it out loud," moaned Doubt. "Ohhh…I hope this works.

Dax and Alhannah looked at each other. Chuck moaned and fell back into Dax’s arms.

“Trust me,” I assured them, but there was a creak in my voice. “If there’s one thing I know how to do…it’s taunting bullies.”

“Wendell,” Alhannah protested, but I smiled and knelt down in front of her.

“I can’t fight, I know that. You know that too — so I’m still depending on you guys to be ready for when I come running.” I’m not altogether sure why, but the words came calmly to my lips. My breathing became steady. “I…trust you. I’m going to trust Ithari now…so, please, trust me, ok?” I gave her the biggest grin I could. “I have good feeling about this. It’s…the right thing to do.” I stood up and gave Dax a nod. “Just stay low and when you see an opening, make for the water.”

Without another word, I ran along the roots…straight for the pacing Hounds.

"I hope you know what you’re doing, Wendell," Doubt grumbled.

"Not a clue," I said out loud.

The grove was oblong in shape. As I ran and hopped between trees, I turned my shoulders, gliding along without much resistance. I soon noticed something useful. The trees were more dense at the outer rim that they were at the center. Even the roots were less dense near the center, allowing me to sprint from one side to the other without much hinderance.

It’s you and me Ithari.

Tha-Thum-Thump.

Let’s help our friends.

Tha-Thum-Thump.

I’m going to take that as a ‘yes’.

The hounds had been pacing, watching our party, but as soon as I sprinted away, they followed me. Just like excitable dogs from my own neighborhood, they wanted to chase. They both growled and barked, snapping their great jaws at the moving morsel, bouncing and hopping like a rabbit through the trees. Every so often, one of the beasts would jump at an opening in the grove, desperately trying to get at me. It would reach and stretch, pawing at the ground, biting at the bark.

When either of the Hounds turned away or looked uninterested, I jumped closer, laughing and yelling just beyond reach. It had its desired effect.

They tore at the trees, possessed.

More than once, smaller plants were ripped from the ground and thrown aside…but they couldn’t quite get to me. That’s when I would toss small pebbles at them. Nothing to actually hurt them, but large enough to keep them focused on me.

It wasn’t long before I realized the flaw in my plan.

I had no idea how to get out of here.

The pause in my stride was just long enough to give me the answer.

Pushing and clawing, one of the Hounds managed to get past the first set of trees…then a second. It twisted and wiggled, but it was unable to stay horizontal.

It didn’t care. The prey was near.

Near.

“Alright puppy dogs, let’s play.” I looked around and snapped off a thin branch, the length of my arm. Pulling the leave off, I gave it a few good swings.

Doubt started laughing. "Now this you can do."

“Come on ugly!” I taunted. The creature struggled to get through the grove. Mouth open, its giant, pink, forked tongue flicked at me, followed by chomping teeth.

“You want me, boy? Then COME AND GET ME!” and I whipped at a flailing paw with the stick. Right as the creature lunged, I weaved my way along the tighter set of trees.

There was an explosion of movement. I wasn’t sure if the hound was shaking with anger, desperation, or having some kind of seizure. Leaves fell to the ground all around, but the beast couldn’t move. The barking slowly reduced and subsided.

Barks suddenly changed to whimpers.

I sprinted away.

The second hound paced its movements, lightly trotting along the clearing. Unlike the first beast, this one didn’t make a lunge at every taunt I made. Even changing my tactics, I couldn’t get the same reaction.

So you’re the smart one.

At the far side of the grove, I discovered the perfect spot. The trees opened wider near the outer edge. A virtual maze of roots and other plant life made it the perfect net. All I needed was a willing participant.

The creature watched my every step, pacing back and forth at the mouth of the trap.

So I stood in plain sight.

Positioned in the opening, I gave the animal an unobstructed view of the potential meal. I could feel the sweat trickling down my brow. One wrong move, or bad timing on my part would change everything. I wondered if the Ithari could grow back a limb?

Wiping the moisture from my eyes, I wondered if the beast could smell the sweat.

The thought made me nervous. Especially since the creature was at the opening, down on all…sixes? Whatever. It looked like it was ready to pounce on me, eyes pinned to me.

Why won’t you take the bait?

I took a step closer.

Nothing happened. I gripped the stick tighter in my hand.

…and took a step closer.

The hound made no sound, but it slinked back and forth. Movement was good. Again, it reminded me of a giant cat.

I took a step closer.

Tha-THUMP-Thump!

I took a step closer.

Tha-THUMP-Thump!

Was I experiencing what the human soldiers had back in that valley, when the hounds darted onto the field?

The blur of shadow solidified into teeth and claws.

Fire shot through my face and collarbone.

Blood sprayed.

My blood.

The animal writhed in frustration among the trees. It had lunged at such an angle that the cluster of plants now held it fast. A single paw clawed the air in desperation.

Yearning.

That paw sent me flying backwards with a torn shirt, chest, and cheek. When I landed, I did so hard, the small of my back slamming against a rooted snake.

I moaned out loud…the taste of blood in my mouth.

"You did it," Doubt gasped.

“I freaking DID it!” I laughed, then flinched at the pain in my cheek. Slowly rising to my feet, the glee on my face vanished.

“…and no one saw a thing,” I sighed.

Picking up the stick, I crept closer to the hound. It too, was whimpering — but I didn’t trust it.

“You really are an ugly sucker, aren’t you?" I said. "Not that you can say anything back, of course, but…”

I paused.

“What did they do to you?”

Its face was covered in sores and boils, trailing down its neck. Rusted chains dangled from rings piercing its eyelids, nose, and lips. Puss oozed from wounds unattended to. The skin around each of the piercings was bloody and swollen.

Even with the pain I was in, this was wrong.

Tha-Thump-Thump.

“You’re only doing what they taught you to do, aren’t you?” I cocked my head to the side and took a step forward. Then a squinted.

Protruding from the side of the hounds nose, near the ring piercing, was what looked to be some kind of clamp. Tiny, thin arms…holding a small three inch knob against the skin.

Tha-Thump-Thump.

The closer I got, my stomach twisted. A nausea, deep down in my gut. Curious, I reached out, hand open…and that sick feeling grew intense.

So I grabbed the handle…and yanked.

The howl was deafening.

I stumbled backwards against a tree, tripping over my own feet.

Palm open, I looked at the object in my hand. It looked like a small dagger. Metal, the blade not more than four inches in length, but instead of a hilt, it had claws. Four curved, barbed claws, now with small pieces of flesh attached to them.

“What the crap did they do to you?”

Blood poured from the open wound, but the incessant barking never resumed. Instead, huge eyes watched me and whimpered.

"You’ll be okay now," I said softly. "Can’t say the same for me."

Through the trees, I saw more than a dozen soldiers running towards the grove.

I gulped air.

Tha-Thump-Thump.

Tha-Thump-Thump.

Tha-Thump-Thump!

My hopes all rode on Dax getting Chuck and Alhannah to the other side of the river. My lungs burned, but I knew, now, that I could maintain this for hours…if not indefinitely.

It was hard to hear the shout above the roar of the water. My hair was already wet from the mist in the air and I brushed back my bangs so I could see. If I was struggling, there was a good chance my friends were struggling to find a crossing as well.

They had to be warned.

Tha-Thump-Thump.

Tha-Thump-Thump.

Tha-Thump-Thump!

“RUN!” I cried out. “Guys!! They found us!”

Flinging branches aside, I leapt into an opening, tripped over the prone wizard…and plummeted over a cliff.

Chuck’s bushy eyebrows poked over the lip of the cliff looking at me in complete shock, as my scream followed my vanishing body into the mist. The last thing I remembered hearing was the wizard cough, followed by a gasp as he said…

“Well that’s not good.”

END Season 2

Author Notes

Thank you for reading Wanted Hero. I hope you have enjoyed it thus far.

Season 3 is already crafted and being segmented into Episodes which will start at 5pm, July 5th, 2024.

I will see you in a month.

Jaime

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