It’s been a week since I’ve been planning Jerry’s birthday. Jerry never really liked attention which is why I just organised a small get together in a secluded area in the forest. Alexis had taken the role of decorating, so I let her do her thing. There were only a few of us attending. Alexis, I and a few other friends Jerry made. That’s all.
“Jerry. Hurry up” I yelled from the door.
“Don’t shout at me! It’s my birthday.” He yelled back. I had told Jerry to get ready, so that I could take him out for dinner, as a birthday treat. Little did he know, though. Jerry walked out of his room all dressed and began to follow me down the stairs.
“Why are we going into the forest?” Jerry asked confused from behind me as I continued on my trek.
“No questions please” I waved my hand at him. He sighed continuing to follow me. After a five minute walk we finally entered the designated area. The tress was all decorated with fairy lights and there was also a huge round table placed in the middle, holding the cake and plenty of snacks with the same amount of tree stump stools scattered around the area. Alexis did a great job.
As soon as Jerry arrived a dozen heads popped out from behind the trees yelling surprise, along with myself.
“Holy shit” Jerry screamed scared by the sudden noise. He placed a hand over his heart trying to slow in down by taking deep breaths. Looking around all I could see were smiles. Jerry was huddled in a group with a couple of his friends while Alexis was handing out some drinks. Never had I imagined that I would ever feel so peaceful in the Moon Dweller Pack. Never had I imagined that I would be so comfortable. It’s true. Life does begin when you are at the end of of your comfort zone.
“You coming?” Jerry asked looking back at me. I smiled.
*****
“Best. Birthday. Ever” Jerry exclaimed as we walked back to the Pack house.
“Obviously. Who planned it?” Alexis teased, bumping shoulders with mine.
“You know, I al-” A growl from the trees interrupted us. We all froze in or steps slowly turning around immediately taking up a defensive position. Jerry was instantly in front of Alexis and I, ready to shift. There was rustling in the distance and then nothing. Absolute silence. Staying where I was, I inhaled the scents surrounding the area trying to figure out if the danger was still around.
“It’s gone” I whispered to Jerry. He nodded taking my hand walking towards the area.
“Where are you going?” Alexis asked following us, her hand firmly gripping my shirt.
“We need to figure out who it was. If they were Rogues, how the hell did they get in here?” Jerry explained giving me a look. I knew what he wanted to see. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t in any sort of danger. He was scared that I had been found.
“Stay here” Jerry pushed me back into Alexis. He slowly walked towards the bushes quickly pushing them apart. He let out a sigh of relief when he didn’t find anything. After a few seconds, he took a long sniff before freezing.
“Blood” Is is all he said before running into the bushes. I followed behind with Alexis on my heels. Jerry was stood looking at the ground, fists clenched by his side. Walking to stand beside him, I looked towards the ground. A message was written in blood.
We found you. You can run but you can’t hide.8
Underneath the message sat a puddle of water. Next to the water was a pile of mud. After that there was a burning leaf and finally a diamond was drawn in the mud – which was the common Native American Indian symbol for wind.
They found me.