I'm On My Way

Chapter 26

AN:

Well aren't you lucky! Another fascinating *cough cough* instalment. But seriously why do people even read this is doesn't have a proper plot or anything: no obvious challenges or goals or anything. I also feel like I'm scared to get to the end as it might be hard to write. Idek. Anyway things are only just getting interesting and there's only gonna be like two or three chapters left I guess!

Anyway thanks to all my lovely readers! I'm intrigued to know your ages as yk...well idk to tell how good it is for a different audience I guess.

/end/

"I don't trust them Maddy!" Jana's eyes frantically searched Maddy's, her face far from joking.

"Why not?" Maddy hadn't been angry with Jana in ages - she didn't want to be annoyed - but things like this could manage to wind her up; different personality or not. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself as Jana replied.

"They said they visited you every night, right? That they were near by?" Maddy nodded.

"But I can't think of any packs near us except one which is really strict. Like, REALLY strict."

"How d'you mean?"

"They're really territorial. We couldn't hunt anywhere near them, and they hated humans, and tames."

"Maybe, but these guys might not be from that pack!"

Jana raised her eyebrow.

"And, even if they are" Maddy continued, slightly uncertain as she held out her hands in a few wild gestures, "they seem different! Why'd they talk to me, a tame, otherwise?"

"I don't know Maddy, but I don't wanna find out."

"I'm going, Jana; this could be my chance to find out everything!"

"Like what?!"

"Well, what we did all that time, why I did Eolas without meaning to - I don't know! But they're wild, they know lots of stuff!"

"It's dangerous!"

"I can protect myself!" Maddy sighed, running a hand over her face. "Look. We will be near the village, and I'll be careful. If anything dodgy starts happening, I'll run like hell, yeah?"

Jana just stared at her sceptically, eyes twitching in internal monologue.

"Fine." Maddy grinned thankfully at her and pulled her into a half-hug.

"Great, thanks! And I PROMISE that I'll see you tomorrow!"

Jana smiled and watched as Maddy raced off to her house.

It was the day after the full moon - the date the Wildbloods had agreed - and school couldn't have gone more slowly for Maddy. She had sat twitching in her seat, her eyes had continuously been dragged to the window; she had earned a few weird looks from Rhydian, that's for sure.

They hadn't talked about her meeting; in fact, no one had mentioned it until Jana had grabbed her at the school gates.

Maddy returned home, yelled a greeting to her parents, and disappeared into her room. Annoyingly for her, she had to pretend nothing was going on; the excitement was bottled inside her, fizzing rapidly. It was another few hours until she could go, and Maddy couldn't stay still. She didn't stay in the same position for more than five seconds as she browsed the internet, and it was hard to watch something when you kept looking at the clock.

Her room had almost returned to normal. She had found that most of her furniture hadn't moved: the old, musty scented wardrobe; the mirror, which she had found covered in dust; and her bed, still made from when she had left. The first thing her family had done was move everything to clean her room, and they had rearranged things slightly. It was mildly painful to pretend nothing had changed from before.

When it was finally time to leave, Maddy practically ran through the house, before remembering that she had to remain calm. Creeping past her parents, she snuck out the door, into the blanket of the cool night air.

Once the blanket had smothered her - which wasn't as chilling as it seems - Maddy felt safe enough to breathe again. Setting her feet down lightly to avoid sound, she crept away from the golden light of her home, towards the moor.

"Maddy?"

She stopped.

"Oh, hi Rhydian." She spun round and smiled at him. His face was painted with shadows by the fading light, the dark patches stretching and churning as he grinned at her.

"You going to meet those friends of yours?"

"Erm, yeah, why?"

"Just checking."

"Well, I've gotta go now, so-"

Turning to go, Maddy felt panic rise in her chest when she felt his hand on her arm. She relaxed as he pulled her into him and kissed her, allowing herself to melt into him before pulling away calmly.

"See ya, Mads."

"See ya."

She focused on walking slowly: one foot; then the other. As soon as she had vanished round the corner, and Rhydian was definitely out of sight, Maddy let her speed unravel.

She sped down the lane, the moon, curtained by mist, to her left. The paved path was harsh on her feet, but as soon as she entered the woodland, she could pick up even more speed. She suppressed a childlike laugh as she leapt over logs; the feeling of flying before tumbling to the ground was a feeling she had missed.

After several minutes, there were heavy footsteps, and she looked round to see that the Wildbloods were cantering by her side. They continued to run. The moon was hidden, but they could feel it coursing through their veins.

"We have a serious issue to discuss."

"What?"

It was ten or so minutes later, and they were perched on a log. Maddy's face fell as Ian turned to her. A panicked glance at Renny confirmed her fears.

"Well, the pack found out about you and your...correspondents."

"Human and tame friends." Renny explained from behind him; a glare silenced him.

"And let's say that, well, our pack doesn't take kindly to the human world. And they're definitely not happy about this."

"And what do you suppose I do about that?" Maddy struggled to pull her voice above a whisper.

"The nicest option would be to take you with us. They're not impressed with your other friends mixing with humans either, but having you would be sufficient."

"I'm sorry?"

Ian rolled his eyes.

"You. Come. With. Us." He aggressively explained. "Tonight."

"Tonight?!"

"Yes. Now. Problems?"

"Well, I, er, several...how do I say goodbye?"

"Simple." Ian stood up, and he reminded Maddy of a creaking chair. "You don't." Maddy turned to Renny with pleading eyes, but all he did was shake his head slightly, the apologetic look in his eyes not enough to hush her fluttering heart, which was flapping against her rib cage - enough for it to break, thought Maddy as she stood on shaking legs.

She would be brave. They wouldn't hurt her. She would be safe. She wouldn't be thwarted.

But what would happen when she got there? How would they treat her? And it wouldn't be possible to just run away; they would just go after her and her pack.

"You'll be treated well." Renny answered her frantic thoughts. He threw a glare at his companion. "I'll make sure of that." He grabbed Maddy's arm - a bit too violently for anyone's liking - and pulled her along with him. She didn't even try to struggle.