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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 18: The Ram's Tale

Sir Ram's chest fur was very soft for an evil beastial. The Knight of Wundagore and the High Evolutionary's chief scientist surprised me today by apologizing for trying to dissect me the week of my arrival on this world. Despite that apology, I still considered him an evil being and hadn't quite decided if I would forgive him.

However, one thing was very true in all this - he and I were on a dangerous mission for the good of the empire and we would both need to trust each other and work together despite our own biases and preconceptions. So I let go of the animosity, hatred and fear I felt for this individual as sleep claimed me. But I was still a little afraid of him. I guessed that notion plagued my subconscious too.

Day 77

Sometime during the cold predawn hours the he beast shook me awake.

"Wha? What's going on?" I asked at the abrupt awakening.

"Shh.. be quiet and don't move!" The ram warrior whispered to me as he reached for his fire arm.

I looked at him and then to entrance to our tent- where he was starring. In the predawn light I could just make out a silhouette of a dark quadrupedal something moving back and forth just outside!

"Friend of yours?" I asked nervously.

"No." He replied.

Sir Ram mashed me to his chest with his left paw while he fired his service weapon with his right. The discharge went through the tent grazing what ever was skulking around outside. It shrieked and ran off. True to his word, the evil beastial had protected me from our visitor.

"OMG!! What was that?" I asked horrified.

"I am not sure." The ram warrior said. "But your mumblings woke me up."

"I don't remember talking in my sleep?" I said to him.

"Yes. you were!" He responded in a whisper. "You were saying a whole bunch of things- beastials and humans must live in peace. You and I must become good friends for you to ever trust and forgive me...."

(I said that?!)

"But mostly that we are not safe! We are not safe! Something is coming! Something is coming! After you woke me up, it was then that I noticed that thing outside lurking."

Sir Ram rolled me off of him and went to inspect the entrance of the tent.

"It's gone now." He said checking his tracker. "I don't think it was our prey- the werewolf is still deep, deep in the forest." The ram warrior told me.

"So now what do we do?" I asked him shaking.

"We go back to sleep little human, it is too early to be up and about."

"You want me to go back to sleep after that?!" I exclaimed still unnerved.

"Or we can talk in detail about your peaceful coexistence theory you were babbling on and on about in your sleep." He said returning to his thermal unit and pulling me back on top of him.

"Ah, sleep is good." I said adjusting to his chest fur again.

Eventually Sir Ram did return back to sleep, however I couldn't. I was still disturbed by our predawn visitor. Sir Ram gently massaged my back with his paw while he slept. Like I was his significant lover or something. I still couldn't go back to sleep. Not long after that. Dawn came and I was tired. Sir Ram noticed it.

"I thought I told you get a good night's sleep?!" The beastial warrior said scolding me.

"I am sorry Sir Ram. I was sleeping well before our night visitor. After that, I haven't been able to get back to sleep at all."

"You are going to have a tough, tough day then. You may even be a liability to me." He said sternly.

"I will try not to be sir." I said to him meekly.

"Well we better get the day started, but we need nourishment first." He said handing me a pouch of rations. He was about to open his pouch, when I had and idea.

"Here."

"What's this?" He asked.

"My rations." I replied as I held them to his snout. "Here, take them- from my hand."

"What?! You are now feeding me like a common barn animal?" He asked alarmed.

"Consider it a trust exercise between us." I said. "You eat from my hand and I will from your paw."

"You mean the bonding we did last night wasn't enough?" He asked annoyed.

"No, it wasn't." I replied.

"Boy did I not keep you warm during the cold night? Wasn't that enough?"

"No." I replied. "Now hurry up and finish. I am starving." I told the he beast.

"Next you will be leading me around the forest blindfolded!" Sir Ram huffed and continued feeding.

"You know that isn't such a bad idea...."

"Boy do you want me to feed you to the animals out here? I can do that quite easily you know!"

"I will be quiet now sir." I said to the irritated ram.

(Just don't head butt me.)

"Good." He replied. "Now it is your turn." Despite his initial resistance he did like feeding me from his paw. I think it made him feel very powerful.

After breakfast we got dressed and prepared to spend the day hunting our prey his genetic werewolf. Sir Ram decided to leave his chain mail back in the transport and chose lighter flexible clothing. He had hoped to capture our prey while it was sleeping and then transfer it back to his lab before nightfall. To that end he brought a variety of tools and devices and was preparing them for our hunt as I stepped out of a our tent. What I saw on the ground sent chills down my spine. I called Sir Ram immediately.

"What's wrong?" The he beast asked.

"We have a big problem!" I said pointing to the ground. "This mission just became a whole new level of dangerous; our predawn visitor was much more than it seemed." I said to the ram warrior starting to shake.

"Those are just wolf tracks." The ram said.

"No they aren't. Sir Ram please stand next to them."

He did as I requested.

"You are about six feet tall right?" I asked comparing his hoof prints to that of our night visitor.

"Yes. What are you getting at boy?!"

"Sir take a closer look. The paw prints are too large for a wolf. In fact they are larger than your prints."

The tracks that were made by our night visitor were singular but ranged from bipedal to quadrupedal. Despite what Sir Ram's tracker had said. We had been visited by our target during the night.

"Sir Ram-" I looked at him with terror in my eyes. "That thing was watching us. Why it didn't attack I don't know." I told him.

"Great observation and deductive reasoning- for a human." The he beast said condescendingly.

"All joking aside sir, this thing appears to be exhibiting signs of sentience as compared to being the traditional blood thirsty and pure instinct werewolf of lore." I said as I grabbed his paw- he looked at me weirdly when I did. "Sir Ram I am scared; we are walking right into a trap. I can infer one thing further- this were-beast has it in for you."

"We best be prepared then boy- for anything and everything." He said staring at the paw prints. "Come! It is time we begin the hunt."

We broke down our camp and started to head further into the Great Forest.

"Alex, I want you to take the tracker and lead. You are to stay in front of me and within my sight at all times. I will follow from the rear." The ram warrior said to me.

At hearing that, I pulled out my PDA to check to see if it was working. Yup, he was speaking english to me not Animalian; what I heard him say was what I had heard him say.

"Something wrong boy?!" The he beast asked me.

"I thought my PDA and my own ears were malfunctioning, I thought I heard you say that when we find this thing I will be attacked first?! No way you are throwing me to the wolves!"

"Don't concern yourself boy, if you are a good clairvoyant you should see it coming." The evil beastial responded with a grin.

"Did I mention that I am only a partial clairvoyant?!"

"Don't worry little human, I will protect you with my superior intellect, power and might."

(Gee, I heard that line before.)

"Yeah, right...." I replied skeptically.

"Besides, this is better than me leading and having the creature attack us from behind which would put you at a great disadvantage if I became incapacitated."

We pushed even deeper into the forest as the morning wore on. I marveled at the mysterious beauty of nature and its wonders which started to make themselves known.

CAW!! CAW!!

"Yikes!! What was that?" I said ducking behind the ram.

"It's a crow." The he beast replied.

"Oh." I replied.

He pulled me out from behind him and pushed me forward to continue our trek.

Hoooo!!! Hoooo!!!

"AHH!!!" I screamed leaping into the beastial warrior's arms.

"That was a owl boy!" He said dropping me on the ground. "Alex are you shaking because you are scared or just sensing something?"

"No I am just scared, very scared." I told the ram warrior.

"What's that?" I said pointing.

"A woodchuck." The he beast replied.

"And that?"

"A mink. Alex, how long have you been living among us?"

"Three months." I replied.

"In all that time you still have not made the transition." He replied condescendingly.

"What transition is this?"

"From terrified refugee to citizen of Counter Earth." He said assuming an accusatory tone.

"That is not the point!" I shot back. "I am out of my comfort zone and completely out of my element! Sir."

"Boy, you need to push your fear aside and focus on the task at hand. I seem to recall you found your last few missions challenging as well. Consider this another challenge- one which will make you stronger- if you survive." The evil beastial cackled.

(My last few missions were child's play compared to this!)

"What was that great warrior?" I asked turning to face him.

"Do not move!" Sir Ram ordered me. His face had assumed a great deal of concern on it.

Of course I didn't listen and turned around to stare face to face with a moose who was equally startled. I had just interrupted his feeding and he was going to express his displeasure by trampling or impaling me or worse.

Sir Ram quickly approached the two of us and spoke to the moose in bleats and grunts.

The creature raised his antlers which were pointed at me and returned back to eating while Sir Ram spoke to it further.

"You know moose?!" I asked the beastial scientist.

(Weird my PDA failed to translate that language.)

"That and a few other languages." He replied.

"What did you say to him?"

"I told him the truth, that you didn't mean any harm and that we were on a mission hunting a dangerous creature. I also asked if he had seen anything." The ram said to me.

"Well?" I asked.

"That way." The he beast said pointing.

"That confirms what the tracker is saying too." I replied. "Say do you want to lead for a while?" I asked the knight.

Gently the knight turned me toward the direction the moose had indicated and kicked me in the butt.

"Get moving!" He ordered.

As we pushed even deeper into the forest morning passed. I also got to see many, forest critters. Foxes, raccoons, otters, squirrels, deer and even another ram- the four legged type. Sir Ram promptly asked if it had seen our quarry as well.

"Hey Sir Ram!" I said stopping so that he could catch up.

"What is it boy?"

"I was wondering- do you ever miss your former life, you know before you became a beastial?"

The beastial warrior didn't say any more- he just pushed me onward.

(So much for the art of conversation.)

Sir Ram did not say anymore as we proceeded further into the forest in pursuit of his quarry. It was around 2 in the afternoon when we finally appeared to be closing in on the werewolf because it looked to be stationary on the scanner. We closed within a 1000 feet of it. The scanner had indicated he was in a thick line of brush right in front of us.

Sir Ram pulled out his weapon and was about to clear the brush when the signal disappeared.

"Hmm, false alarm." I said.

We continued tracking it for most of the afternoon and early evening seeing even more of the forest but we never seemed to get close to it after that. At times the signal on Sir Ram's tracker would disappear and then reappear suddenly in a different location- quite weird. As we were about to quit for the evening, we stumbled on something interesting.

I dove into some large brush in an area surrounding a clearing. Sir Ram soon followed.

"What do you see boy, is it him?" He asked.

"My name is not boy. It is Alex." I said chiding him. No, but something just as interesting." I said to him as he crouched next to me.

In the clearing were two hikers- both foxes both naked and in deep discussion about something.

(Was naked hiking a sport on this world?! No their clothes were nearby.)

"Damn. I wish I could find out what they were saying." I whispered to the ram.

He didn't say anything, but took the tracker from me- pushed a button on it and instantly we were listening to the couple's conversation!

(Nice device!)

"I don't know about this Fushia!" The male fox said to his companion.

"Zed do you love me?" The female asked.

"Of course I do- with all of my heart. But I don't think I am ready to be a father of anything let alone kits! Besides I know you will get the back end of the deal- you know, having to carry them to term, then the horrible pain of birthing them, then feeding them and caring for them I couldn't put you through that."

"Now Zed we talked about this! You are the kindest person I know. You are young at heart, funny, tolerant, patient and you love cubs. Sweetie you will make a wonderful father don't doubt yourself! Besides I am up to the challenge." She said to him.

"Really?" Zed said the she fox.

She nodded in response.

"Well we are surrounded by nature what better place to start our family." The male said. "Promise me one thing though."

"What is that sweetie?" Fushia asked.

"I want to be by your side when you bring our young into this world. Not in another room, not on the porch pacing back and forth, but at your side." Zed said to Fushia.

"Zed..."

"Fushia..."

Now this was getting interesting! The mating habits of the beastial fox- very nice!

"Aw!" I whispered to Sir Ram. "That is adorable."

"What's adorable about it?" Sir Ram asked in a huff. "I can smell the stench from the female over here- she is in heat."

Sir Ram started to leave from our hiding place. I quickly pulled him back down. There was no way in hell I was going to miss any of this!

"You really aren't a romantic are you?" I said looking at him. "They are creating life Sir Ram, the old fashion way. They couldn't have picked a better evening either- after a warm spring day in the middle of the Great Forest surrounded by majestic nature."

Sir Ram just looked at me.

"Sir Ram?!- come on? You don't get it? These two lovers entered the forest as two and they will be leaving the forest as three or more- new subjects for your master the High Evolutionary." I told the confused ram.

"I guess so..." He said indifferently.

By that time the fox couple was um, enjoying each other's company very very much. The female was crouched straddling a fallen log. The male's torso was splayed out on top of her- his paws holding her in a most intimate embrace. His lower half thrusting into and out of her cub tunnel- doggie style most likely enjoying her warmth.

(Damn I need to try that position with my mistress!)

"So, so good murr!!!" Zed said to Fushia. "Baby I am getting close. You sure you want to go all the way?"

The female stared back at her lover. "Um Hmm."

"Get ready then love, here come our kits!"

The female fox then crossed her arms rested her head on them as the male fox started to finish the deed.

Zed then started spurting into his lover while making thick grunting noises.

Fushia for her part started commenting on each one that she received!

*spurt* "Boy."

*spurt* "Girl."

*spurt* "Boy."

*spurt* "Girl."

*spurt, spurt* "Twins."

"Oh! I really felt that one! Quite long lived too. May be one of each..."

"FUAH!!!" The male fox said collapsing on her. "How could you possibly know any of that?"

"Just a FEELING?" She said turning to nuzzle her lover.

"It doesn't work quite that way my love." Zed said to her.

"Really? We better try just a few more times to make sure...."

"Well, I do love your ass..." The male fox said to her.

The pair mated again, again and again that evening. Wow, Zed must have been saving up a lot for this moment! I made Sir Ram watch it all. When they had consummated their love one final time, there came some yipping noise from both of them as the male shot his 'life fluid' right into his lover's womb for the fourth time that evening.

"A bunch of little foxes will be coming in a couple of months now. I hope they have much joy and happiness." I said to the ram.

He said nothing and left. When I caught up to him he was at the base of a large tree a mile away.

"Let's make camp here." He said.

We spent the remaining hours of the evening assembling the camp and making provisions in case we had more night visitors. The tent-like structure was surrounded on three sides by brush and the large tree. The only entrance was from the front.

"That should do." Sir Ram said.

In a way I was glad that we didn't encounter the werewolf today. It meant that I could get a decent night's sleep. Sir Ram also had an opportunity to refine his plan of capture when we finally did corner our prey.

As night came and temperatures fell, Sir Ram was watching the High Evolutionary's broadcast and laughing maniacally when I crawled into his thermal unit.

"Here." I said as I gave him some rations.

He gingerly took them and ate still watching his communicator. I watched the broadcast as I ate my daily portion, watching his reactions to the question and answer period and the segment with the man we had seen a day earlier.

A question burned through my gut that I could no longer resist, I had to ask the evil beastial.

"Sir Ram, could I ask you a personal question?"

"What is it?" He said.

"Have you always hated humans?"

"Mostly- why?" He replied.

"What about me?"

"You I simply tolerate. Because you are not like the rest." The beastial warrior said looking at me.

"How so?"

"You are shy, insecure, timid and submissive- and are a fellow coworker's pet." He said to me.

(That was why he tolerated me?!)

"Was there ever a time you didn't have that view toward humans?"

(Come on dammit open up to me!)

Sir Ram huffed and was quiet for a moment as he thought it over- then spoke:

"Since we are bonding." He started. "I will answer that question with a story." He told me putting away his communicator. "However, since I am very uncomfortable telling you this story, you are going to be quite uncomfortable while listening to it."

The ram said as he pulled me on to his stomach while he fished through his supplies.

Apparently he had found what he was looking for- he shot me with the clothes removal device like I had seen Lea, Lady Ursa and Lady Vermin use. My clothes were transported from my body and I was naked laying on top of this evil beasital. Very uncomfortable mind you.

He placed a paw tip on my lips to silence me as he said:

"Listen well boy, for I will only tell you this story once and then deny I ever said it to anyone." The he beast said. "It took place over thirty years ago just before the High Evolutionary came to power on the hills east of here. This was before I became a beastial. At the time I had just become an adult and decided to leave my group to explore the world. I guess I desired more than the standard life of a big horn sheep."

"I began roaming the mountains and hills seeking a mate that shared my ideals and basically trying to find my place in the world. Eventually I found a mate, a beautiful ewe with a wondrous brown pelt, sleek snout, gentle loving eyes and a cute rump. I had to fight hard for her against many rivals and even harder to win her heart and even harder than that to convince her to leave her group and travel with me. Eventually, I did."

"We traveled the wilderness together for some time seeing much of the beauty of this world together. In time, we mated and she became pregnant with our lamb. One spring morning we were exploring a beautiful countryside close to the site of what is now World Three, when we chanced upon five humans who were out hunting."

"Unlike most animals that hunted for food, these damn humans hunted for sport. They pursued both of us throughout the countryside hell bent on getting some prized trophies. I realized the danger that we were in and decided to separate from my mate to have the hunters follow me and to allow her to get away. It didn't work. She was pursued, cornered shot and killed by three of them. I managed to outmaneuver the two that had followed me killing one and maiming the other. I then doubled back and found them and her. My mate and lamb lying dead in the field- one of them had cut our unborn lamb from her womb."

"When I arrived to see the hunters standing over her lifeless form, I went into a blind rage, I charged the three. I managed to injure all three of them. But I was shot twice and left to die beside my mate. The last thing I saw before I passed out was the face of my attackers. For some reason the hunters did not take us for trophies perhaps it was because I had injured four of them and had killed the fifth, I am not sure even to this day."

"That same day the High Evolutionary had been in the area looking for candidates for his new race of sentient beings. He happened upon the kill site only hours after the hunters had left. Realizing what had transpired, he could do nothing for my mate and our lamb. But he took me to his lab, healed my wounds and nursed me back to health."

"When I was well enough I became a candidate for his program- and was genetically reimaged to the sentient being you see today. I also swore vengeance on those who had wronged me."

"And so I became a Knight of Wundagore and one of his proud warriors. I used my authority to hunt down those who had killed my mate. It took me some time, but I determined their whereabouts- Three had died in the war before our master came to power. The fourth, Christopher Sine, had started a family and was living in a modest home on the outskirts of World One."

"I visited that man one evening with the intent to kill him for the wrongs he had committed years earlier. At his house I met his wife and two children and informed them of the great evil that her mate had committed. To my surprise, the husband did not deny it- he admitted that he and a few friends had hunted for sport and had killed my mate and attempted to kill me during their expedition years ago."

"Upon hearing this, his wife dropped to her knees and begged me not to kill her husband; to spare his life for the sake of their children. She reasoned that if I was an honorable and proud knight of the new ruler, I would not reward an evil act her husband committed with another evil act. Despite my blind hatred for that human, I honored her request. I told her that I would spare his life. BUT he would be taken away from her and she would never seen him again. That human became 001, my first test subject for my human/beastial experiments a year later."

(OMG!)

"I am so sorry Sir Ram!" I said. "I was never aware that you had suffered such tragedy and pain!" I said hugging him.

It explained why he did what he did in the name of the empire. It didn't make it forgivable, but it did explain a lot.

"I don't need or want your pity Alex." He said annoyed.

"Shut up! Because you have it anyway- sir." I said.

In that moment I started to understand this evil beastial whose thermal unit I was sharing.

"Based on your story, I can fill in the rest of the blanks- It was a direct result of that incident and your loss that you started viewing human beings in a negative light and eventually learning to despise humanity altogether and only loving your own kind."

"That is exactly right." The ram warrior said in agreement.

"Sir Ram you are a person of science are you not?" I asked.

"What are you getting at?" He asked.

"Do you know how illogical it sounds to hate a whole species for the actions of a few? That's like me being scared of all beastials everywhere because I am scared and intimidated by one of them who tried to dissect me."

"I don't have to be logical or analytical all the time boy." The ram huffed.

"As a result of the actions of these five hunters countless others have suffered as victims of your experiments over the years. It sounds like to me that you were never able to move past that day of your mate's murder. That also explains why you were disinterested in the fox couple today as well." I said.

"So what are you getting at boy?" He asked me.

"You know, a wise person once asked me that if our dearly departed were watching us from a far how would they want us to remember them? Would they want us to shut down and spend the rest of our lives grieving their demise or grieve for a while and then move on?"

"Who in the world told you that drivel?!" He asked.

"My mistress, Lady Ursa. She has been helping me deal with my loss. You weren't the only one who has grieved at the loss of loved ones. I know mine died before I ever came to Counter Earth, but I also lost friends after Gaia's destruction."

The ram grew silent as I said this.

"Sir Ram." I continued, "This is only a suggestion, but after 30+ years, don't you think it is time to move on with you life past that point? I think it is time you find companionship, perhaps a lover or mate. At the very least you need to get laid. You saw how happy that fox couple was...."

"What makes you think I am not now?"

"Sir Ram, I can tell." I replied gently. "If you found love, real love it would mellow you out and cause you to change your ways- well some of them."

"And you know this how little human?"

"Because I have seen it in others, like your assistant Lea. She is very perky and very much in love."

(And very hot too.)

"Really?" The he beast said. "I hadn't noticed."

"I also have seen it in myself as well; I found love- and it has stabilized the chaos in my soul, mellowed me a little and allowed me to obtain a sense of inner peace."

Sir Ram was quiet for another moment then said:

"Alex let me see your PDA!"

"Uh, ok you thinking about a plan to catch the werewolf?" I asked.

"Not exactly." The he beast replied. "I am turning it off!"

"That won't work sir. I am quite familiar with English I countered."

"You may be but how about Animalian?" He said pressing the off button.

"Sir Ram don't..."

"Good night Alex." He countered.

"We will speak again in the morning."

With that he turned off the PDA and his words instantly transformed into unintelligible grunts, bleats and groans was he cursing me in Animalian or was he just grumbling? That WAS evil. I hoped If my words hadn't upset him that much, they had at least given him much to think about. Regardless he didn't give me back my clothes after the story either.

Apparently Sir Ram hadn't been that bothered by our bonding experience that much the evil beastial scientist/warrior snuggled me tight that night as the temperatures dipped below 40 degrees. Although it was off putting, (I was still naked.) he did keep me warm and I slept ok. It wasn't as quite restful as sleeping with my mistress but it was satisfactory. I was more concerned by an uneasy feeling I felt all night not a premonition mind you, but a feeling that we were being watched again- all night.

Day 78

"Good morning- boy. How did you sleep?" The ram asked loosing his embrace and returning my clothes to me.

Apparently at some point during the night he had turned my PDA back on.

"Are you bright eyed and bushy tailed? That's right, you don't have a tail, disgusting." He said.

"I slept ok Sir Ram much better than the night before. How about you?"

"Like a new born lamb!" The warrior said.

Apparently our talk hadn't upset him that much.

"I had an uneasy feeling all night." I replied. "Like someone or something was watching us."

"Well, this time you didn't say anything about it in your sleep." Sir Ram said while looking at the current location of our prey on his scanner. "The beast is still miles away." He replied. "Most likely sleeping since it is daybreak, we will have quite a hike to reach him." The he beast replied.

"I don't think so Sir Ram, I think that tracker is broken. Several times yesterday it seemed the werewolf disappeared off it only to appear elsewhere."

"Do you want me to turn off your PDA again boy?" He responded harshly.

"I am being serious sir, I don't think the tracker is working. Did you notice that we are deep deep within the Great Forest miles from civilization and help if we run into problems? I think that is by design." I said to the ram warrior handing him some rations.

"I was thinking about that while drifting off to sleep last night boy." The ram said eating. "I have an idea, but you won't like it."

I looked at him directly.

"Perhaps your silly breakfast exercise yesterday morning was beneficial."

"Huh?" I asked.

"Boy, you are going to have to trust me." The he beast said. "No, you are going to have to take a leap of faith." He said. "This is the plan..." Just as the he beast started to display its details, I started trembling violently.

"What's wrong?" The ram asked alarmed.

"WE ARE NOT ALONE!" I screamed. "IT'S HERE!!!!"

RRRRAAARRRRRWWWWWWWW!!!!

It was an ambush, the werewolf had been hunting us while we were hunting it! A huge black blur burst through the tent interrupting our morning breakfast. Neither of us had time to react. The black blur clamped down on my midsection and pulled me from the tent.

Sir Ram grabbed his firearm and exited the tent just in time for the creature to hurl me into him. We both fell onto the forest floor as the were-creature charged.

"Get off!" The beastial warrior said pushing me to the side.

I landed on my side staring as this black blur charged toward Sir Ram at incredible speed.

Sir Ram fired a volley of shots as the creature charged at him. It dodged all of his shots almost majestically- right, left, right, left as it continued to make its way towards him. It was about 500 feet from Sir Ram when the beastial scientist shot at him again.

The were-creature anticipated the ram warrior's move and somersaulted over the shots and promptly struck him down- a pool of blood appeared from where the proud Knight of Wundagore had fallen.

"Sir Ram!" I screamed.

The black blur didn't stop for a second- it then moved toward me at blinding speed knocking me head first into the brush.

Groggily I stood up PDA at the ready to make one last stand as it charged at me.

"RAWWAARR!!!!"

The creature clamped down on my arm with its massive maw. I started pounding on its head with my free hand as everything went black.

When I came to. I awoke to a tongue licking my face and a raspy voice- "Wakey wakey!" it said.

"Ugh." Morning had turned to night and I was bound.

"Here, take this." Another voice it was female, said.

I was handed back my PDA which thank God was still in tact. I turned on the display which illuminated my surroundings. I soon realized my left shoulder had been dislocated, I had bite marks on my stomach, arm and chest in addition to numerous scratches. I was banged up some- but still intact.

As I came to, I realized that I was in a dark cave with three others- one of them the werewolf was looming over me. The creature was easily seven feet tall. Had Jet black fur, huge paws, sharp claws and fangs, one hell of a bushy tail and had an incredible lean body quite a magnificent specimen of genetic manipulation. Sir Ram knew how to make them and make them big. Too bad I was scared out of my mind so much so I struggled not to pee myself.

"Say thank you!" The creature demanded.

"Huh? What? Why? Why should I say anything to you? You kidnapped me, separated me from my colleague and brought me deep into the forest. Why should I thank you?" I asked.

"You WERE colleagues?! You two bickered like a mated couple. You should thank me though because unlike your friend..." the creature said. "You still draw breath...."

(Oh no! Sir Ram! He killed Sir Ram!)

I was numb from his admission so much so I forgot to say another word until the werewolf growled at me.

"Th th- thank you kind sir for not killing me in cold blood." I said. The creature said nothing and went back to the far corner of his cave. I soon heard a scream from the were-creature's direction.

"Get away from him! What are you doing! Get away from him!"

It was the female voice again. When I shined my light in that direction. I realized it was the fox couple (now fully clothed) I had seen the day before. The female was punching and kicking the creature as it fed on the remains of something. Damit! it was her companion! It appeared that he caught the couple earlier today, killed and started eating the male for lunch and the female was forced to watch as he continued to feed on her lover for his dinner as well.

The male fox's eyes had a look of sheer terror frozen at the moment of his death. The were-creature had split open Zed's abdomen and was eating his insides.

The creature looked up from his meal and swatted the she fox across the cave. I caught her. Like me she was bound and helpless.

"Delicious!" The creature belched in-between bites.

"Fushia, attacking that thing isn't going to get us anywhere." I said solemnly.

"How did you know my name?!" The she beast sobbed.

I turned her to look at me. "Uh well, I was with a party tracking fuzzy over there when we stumbled on you and Zed yesterday evening in that clearing."

"You saw us?!" She sobbed.

"Um, yeah we did. We weren't trying to, but it was very hard to turn away. I mean, what I saw was one of the most beautiful declarations of love I have ever seen in my life." I said to her trying to backpedal. "You two make a great couple."

"Zed!" Fushia sobbed looking at his remains the were-creature was feasting on.

"Fushia I am sorry about all of this. We had hoped to catch it before it caught anyone."

"Well you screwed that up! Yesterday evening as we were making camp we were attacked. Zed tried to fight it off but was killed. He was no match for it. We both weren't. It tied us up and brought both of us here." She sobbed. "It started eating Zed early this morning before it left to hunt again. Then it continued this afternoon after it brought back you."

Watching that scene before us- that evil, horrid thing just feed on the male fox as he was nothing caused me to lose it. The were-beast was saving the female fox and myself for tomorrow's breakfast, lunch and possibly dinner. The creature didn't have a discerning palate; it liked beastials and humans equally.

"Fushia we have to get out of here now before it is too late!"

I held up my bound arms to her mouth and she bit through the vines. I then untied myself and then her while the were-creature continued to feed on poor Zed in the corner of the cave.

We tried desperately to get away- to go anywhere but here. We didn't get far Fushia was pulled back into the cave by her tail and me by my legs.

"Where do you think you are going meat?" The were-creature said staring at the both of us.

"Any where but here?" I bleated shaking.

"Aw don't run away, I was about to have dessert." He said looking at me and then to the she fox and then back to me and then her again.

"You're next!" The creature said pouncing on her.

"Get away from her!" I yelled as I bravely tried to fend off the creature who was now on top of her.

The were-creature flicked me with his paw and I was thrown violently back against the cave wall hitting my head. The creature seemed to be doing that quite a lot.

Fushia started screaming.

"What did you do to him?! What are you going to do to me?!"

"Who cares? Because it a moment it won't matter!" The were-creature responded.

I started blacking out again from my injuries my head hurt, as did my arm and torso very very much. I was in bad shape.

As I passed out I heard the she fox scream very loudly. That horrid sound was followed by a loud *CRUNCH*. Then the she fox fell silent.

To Be Continued.....