away from the valley and make the journey home on foot. His wounds would simply have to wait. In a moment Gabe was gone and all that remained were the bodies of the Wintoks and some fading smoke.
When Gabe transported to the desolate hillside he quickly took the time to wrap the wound on his arm. He had however, underestimated the wounds on his hip. They were not easily accessible to him so he was not aware of the amount of blood he was actually losing. It became quite clear to him, however, after about two miles into his journey. The dizziness disoriented him immensely and he had to take a moment to rest. Soon enough, however, he realized the severity of his wounds and knew he would likely lose consciousness. If he did not make it to the valley before this happened, he would not be protected by the copper in the walls of the mountains. The trackers would pick him up an in instant and he would be in Baal’s custody by nightfall.
Gabe stared at the ground which seemed to be shifting under his feet, planting one foot after the next. He thought of Rachel, alone in his cabin. If he were discovered, how long would it take them to find her? He had to get back to her. He did not know how. At this point he did not even have the power to transport, much less hike the remaining couple miles home.
CHAPTER FIVE
Rachel had even surprised herself when she spouted off to Gabe. She never realized she had so much rage in her. “It’s not my fault,” she muttered as she walked in the open cabin door. “He is so infuriating, pushed to the edge on purpose. He gets off on pissing other people off.”
Rachel blushed, realizing she must look like a mad woman talking to herself. The isolation was driving her crazy and she wondered how Gabe had done it all this time.
Returning to the argument with Gabe that had been haunting her all day, she began asking herself random questions. How was she to know those carvings on the trees had been done by him? How was she to know discussing them would infuriate him so much? How was she to know he hid his belongings in a cave like some savage? I mean, who does that? All of the things she had done that seemed to enrage him had been simple misunderstandings. There’s absolutely no excuse for his behavior, she told herself. I was completely justified in my reaction.
Yet here she was, at his cabin, doing as she had been told and feeling guilty for what she had said. What other choice did she have though? She had no idea where Uri was, or how to contact him. For that matter, she didn’t know where Gabe was either. Scenarios flew through Rachel’s head of the two men lying dead somewhere. Perhaps she would remain in that valley forever until she grew old and died there alone, or worse, grew bitter like Gabe.
“Stop it, Rachel! Gabe hasn’t even been gone a day. You’re over reacting.” she scolded herself.
No sooner than the words left her mouth, Rachel heard a booming siren fill the valley. Rushing from the cabin, she saw nothing but darkness. Rachel searched for the source of the sirens in vain. No bull horns, nothing. Realizing the source of the noise was hidden, Rachel decided the prudent thing would be to hide. Clearly the sirens were a warning of some sort and she did not want to wait around to find out of what.
The cabin was too obvious. If the valley was being invaded by someone, or worse, something, they would find her in an instant. Running to the dark and shadowy tree line, she weaved her body between two massive roots, pressing her cheek against the bark in an effort to conceal her pale flesh, which seemed to glow in the moonlight.
Initially the siren had made her heart race and pound, but so much time had passed since it sounded that she found herself becoming used to the noise. Every few minutes that passed, Rachel would peak out from her hiding spot, verifying no monsters were lurking nearby. She couldn’t believe she found herself here, alone in the dark woods, hiding from creatures she had no idea even existed six months ago. Rachel pinched herself to ensure the time since she had met Uri had not in fact been one long nightmare.