Elfrea
I ran as far as I could before I fell to my knees while I cried. My actions run over and over in my mind of what I had done to Alea. The taste of her blood still tingled on my tongue, wanting more. It tasted so sweet, and I felt her magic with each lick I took. I would have taken more if Alea hadn't headbutted me with the force of a bull.
So I ran away so I could no longer hurt her, and I was sure she didn't want me around after that display. I got up and headed to the manor, grabbing my bag before heading back out. I would try and find shelter somewhere else and give Alea some space. I also didn't want to be around her until my thirst was taken care of.
I took my chance and headed to a small cabin that wasn't too far away from the pond. As I approached the cabin, I made sure to listen more carefully to my surroundings. If three of the creatures showed in one night, there was no telling how many more there were. So far, I hadn't heard anything other than the insects.
As I make it through the thick vines, I find the cabin, seeming less disturbed than the manor had been. The window glass was still intact, not even a crack in it. I test the bottom step of the stairs that lead up to a small deck in front of the door.
Feeling that the wood still holds, I head to the front door. With my hand on the knob, I turn to find the door locked. I frown. I think about what to do when I remember that my father loved to hide keys nearby. I turn to look at the small angel statue, now faceless and chipped from the many years of weather. Picking it up, I look at the bottom and sure enough, as I reach in, I find the key.
I head inside the musty air that hits my nose as I open the door. Everything inside was untouched by time; it was like the safe I had.
Could the cabin have an inscription in the wood? I thought. At least it had let me in without any magic.
I think about my fight with the feral and how I had won against it. I had wanted to tell Alea all about it. How the feral tackled me to the ground, slicing my hand. Pinning the hand I had holding the dagger down with its mouth on my arm.
Seeing her begin to run to me to get taken down herself because of the distraction my yelling had caused. The anger that welled up inside me as I panicked for her safety, sending my blood rushing into the palm I was using to push the beast off of me. The feeling that reminded me of my magic traveled through my palm, and a blood red spike pierced a large hole into its chest.
That would have to wait, but I would try to test the potential power out. I had some strange new power, and I was determined to figure it out just like the rest of my abilities.
I dropped my bag off in one of the bedrooms, which, even though covered in a thick layer of dust, seemed insect-free. The whole cabin was insect and animal-free; the place had truly been trapped in time. The blankets that still covered the bed were dirty, but no holes in sight. I would have to let Alea know this would be better suited for her. I wish I had thought of the cabin before, but I had thought it would be worse than the manor.
After I made sure all windows were covered in thick curtains and blankets, I grabbed the dagger and headed out into the woods in search of something to hunt. I lock the door behind me and re-hide the key. Looking up at the sky, I see how far the moon has moved. It would be sunrise soon, so I had to hurry.
Walking amongst the trees, I honed in on any possible animal movement nearby. I was looking for something much larger than a bird or rabbit. The thirst began to burn more in more in my throat, my mind going back to how Alea's blood had tasted. I shook my head to try to remove the thoughts.
My head snaps as I focus on the sound of leaves crunching, thinking it could be another feral. I duck down and slowly move to the sound. With my enhanced sight, I see the large stag grazing in a patch of grass. It had large, strong antlers and a very muscled body that said it had years of fighting for territory.
I licked my lips as I silently moved closer, moving to pounce when I had the moment. This stag would sustain me for a while, at least that was my theory, having only drained those few small animals to go off of.
Once I feel close enough, I focus on my movement, placing my feet for me to pounce. The deer whips its head around at me, my arms already wrapping around it before it can run. The action caused us both to fall to the ground, and I slammed the dagger into him as I buried my teeth into his flesh.
The stag kicked its legs and waved its head, trying to strike me with its antlers in a panic. I don't let up using my overpowering strength to hold it down. With each gulp of blood that rushes into my mouth, the strength grows.
Soon, the stag stops fighting, its body twitching before growing still. The gulp soon runs dry as I finish drinking.
Getting up, I look over the stag's large body, bewildered that I took it down as if it were a small rabbit.
Raindrops begin to fall all around me. I looked up to the sky and saw that as the sun was going to rise, dark clouds began to fill the sky. Even if the sun was covered, I couldn't risk being out during the day.
I hoisted the stag up onto my shoulders and marched it to the manor. Even if my thirst was sated, I didn't want to wake Alea. I leave the stag in front of the manor's open front door for her to see.
Leaving the stag felt like a nice gesture, a way to pay her for my actions. If I had paper, I would have left a note, so I hoped that she would see it that way.
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I lie down in the dark bedroom staring up at the ceiling. My body has been growing tired since I hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours. I was a little afraid of closing my eyes.
What if all this was a dream? I think as my eyes close. But something in me reassured me that it was all real. That Alea was real.