wolf in the head with as much strength as she could muster. Clarissa repeatedly hit the wolf until the vise on her shoulder slackened. She squirmed out from under his heavy body and quickly got on her feet. Her one arm hung slightly limp from the shoulder wound, she found it hurt to move it. Blood, her blood, dripped down her arm. As the wolf staggered towards her, she growled and kicked him.
Her father had made sure his children knew how to defend themselves. She always thought carving wood with him was more fun than practicing kicks and hits but she was never more thankful he had encouraged she learn.
Once the wolf was back far enough, he took a running leap at her again. This time she caught the beast in the chest with the pointy end of the crowbar, using the metal rod to flip the wolf alongside of her, unmoving other than a twitch or two as he expelled his last breath. She sank to her knees as she let go of the bloodied instrument. Having taken the life of a living creature, she felt she should be remorseful but she wasn’t. That creature helped to kill everything she loved. Everything which made up her life was now all gone. Shakily regaining her feet, she ran to the bike, rolled it out and revved it up. Jumping on it, she sped as fast as she could to get away. A few wolves tried to chase her. A couple of them even materialized in front of her but she skirted around them and kept driving, never looking back as she knew she couldn’t afford to. She was blinded mostly by the tears that streamed down her face, but she did not stop. She just kept moving with as much speed as she could and prayed they wouldn’t find her. Yet, a part of her hoped they would catch her so they could kill her also and she would once again be with her loved ones. Her life was destroyed in a matter of minutes.
She never thought in her wildest dreams she would have the chance to see her family again, even if only for a few swift moments. It was enough, though, for her to apologize and beg forgiveness of her brother, Johann. It was the time she needed to make sure he knew she never meant those last words she spat at him. She had walked among her family, clearing the air, so to speak, of the ills which haunted her throughout the days following their demise.
Mel had seen how her anger at the world for her family’s loss, of being alone and given a responsibility she was ill-prepared for, took its toll on her. He realized she needed to control her anger, her feelings derived from the murders of her family. Her enemies would use it against her and to their own benefit. He trained Clarissa, not to fight but to forgive herself and to love again. Mel didn’t need to teach her to fight. Her skill was excellent as is.
So why, she wondered as she stepped into the shower to wash off the grime of the swamps, why had she not done the same for her own daughter? If she had taught Trinity how to fight, how to protect herself, maybe her youngest child would not be missing.
Clarissa washed and dried herself before slipping on a pair of pajamas. She couldn’t remember the last time she was this exhausted and hated she had to stop looking in order to get some rest. Truth was, she had been searching non-stop for over a week with no results and little food or sleep in the process. However, every minute she was not out there looking was another minute her daughter wasn’t home, so Clarissa continued to press on until exhaustion overcame her and she finally returned to recharge her batteries.
Clarissa pulled the covers back and was about to crawl into bed when the door opened and Mel walked in. The smile Clarissa gave him instantly disappeared as she saw his countenance. Rushing to his side, she grasped his arm in fear.
“You found her? She is not, I mean, she is okay? Please, tell me she is okay.”
Tears sprang to her eyes as she waited for Mel to speak. He didn’t say anything for several minutes, peering down into those green orbs he fell so deeply in
Her father had made sure his children knew how to defend themselves. She always thought carving wood with him was more fun than practicing kicks and hits but she was never more thankful he had encouraged she learn.
Once the wolf was back far enough, he took a running leap at her again. This time she caught the beast in the chest with the pointy end of the crowbar, using the metal rod to flip the wolf alongside of her, unmoving other than a twitch or two as he expelled his last breath. She sank to her knees as she let go of the bloodied instrument. Having taken the life of a living creature, she felt she should be remorseful but she wasn’t. That creature helped to kill everything she loved. Everything which made up her life was now all gone. Shakily regaining her feet, she ran to the bike, rolled it out and revved it up. Jumping on it, she sped as fast as she could to get away. A few wolves tried to chase her. A couple of them even materialized in front of her but she skirted around them and kept driving, never looking back as she knew she couldn’t afford to. She was blinded mostly by the tears that streamed down her face, but she did not stop. She just kept moving with as much speed as she could and prayed they wouldn’t find her. Yet, a part of her hoped they would catch her so they could kill her also and she would once again be with her loved ones. Her life was destroyed in a matter of minutes.
She never thought in her wildest dreams she would have the chance to see her family again, even if only for a few swift moments. It was enough, though, for her to apologize and beg forgiveness of her brother, Johann. It was the time she needed to make sure he knew she never meant those last words she spat at him. She had walked among her family, clearing the air, so to speak, of the ills which haunted her throughout the days following their demise.
Mel had seen how her anger at the world for her family’s loss, of being alone and given a responsibility she was ill-prepared for, took its toll on her. He realized she needed to control her anger, her feelings derived from the murders of her family. Her enemies would use it against her and to their own benefit. He trained Clarissa, not to fight but to forgive herself and to love again. Mel didn’t need to teach her to fight. Her skill was excellent as is.
So why, she wondered as she stepped into the shower to wash off the grime of the swamps, why had she not done the same for her own daughter? If she had taught Trinity how to fight, how to protect herself, maybe her youngest child would not be missing.
Clarissa washed and dried herself before slipping on a pair of pajamas. She couldn’t remember the last time she was this exhausted and hated she had to stop looking in order to get some rest. Truth was, she had been searching non-stop for over a week with no results and little food or sleep in the process. However, every minute she was not out there looking was another minute her daughter wasn’t home, so Clarissa continued to press on until exhaustion overcame her and she finally returned to recharge her batteries.
Clarissa pulled the covers back and was about to crawl into bed when the door opened and Mel walked in. The smile Clarissa gave him instantly disappeared as she saw his countenance. Rushing to his side, she grasped his arm in fear.
“You found her? She is not, I mean, she is okay? Please, tell me she is okay.”
Tears sprang to her eyes as she waited for Mel to speak. He didn’t say anything for several minutes, peering down into those green orbs he fell so deeply in
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