I entered the half-burnt hall which was the hall where Ethan and his pack gathered for events on the days they weren't using the plain field. My senses are on high alert. The inside just like the outer part of the building was in shambles, everything reduced to rubble. I was scared but too determined to go back at this moment.
I crept into the building, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. The musty smell of decay filled my nostrils, and I wrinkled my nose in disgust. I could feel my claws extending as I prepared for a fight. As it normally does when I am feeling anxious or sense dangerI search the interior, my eyes scanning through every corner of the building for a sign of the attacker, my heart beating faster with every step I take into the building.
As I made my way deeper into the building, I saw a glint of light reflecting off something on the ground. I approached cautiously, my eyes narrowing as I realized what it was. A footprint.I examined the footprint carefully, noting its size and shape. It was a man's shoe, and it was still damp. This person had to be close.
I followed the trail of footprints, I could hear the sound of shuffling coming from one of the rooms inside the hall. I approached the door cautiously, and with a sudden burst of energy, I pushed the door open and lunged inside. The room was empty, but I could feel the presence of someone nearby. I quickly scanned the room, it is a small empty room with almost nowhere to hide except for some rubble gathered at one side of the room's wall. It must have been rats as I could see holes drilled by rats.
Feeling a little disappointed, I turned around and left the room, still wary of the intruder. I returned to the hall and continued my search. For what seemed like an hour, I kept on scanning through the room and challenging the person to show himself.
"Show yourself coward," I said.
I almost gave up on the search when I spotted something move sharply towards the extreme of a dark corner at the other extreme of the hall. I rushed towards it and pounced on it almost at once. The figure and the rubble he was hiding in, including myself, fell and rolled on the ground.
"Argh" I let out a painful cry when I hit my knee on a metal. After some seconds, we regained ourselves and stood up almost at the same time. We came face to face. The person was wearing a hooded cloak and was armed. That was when it dawned on me how foolish I have been all this while.
For months I have been coming to this dangerous place alone. But it had never occurred to me to come along with a weapon to defend myself in case the need arises. Now, I'm just a few steps away from getting my answers but I could lose this chance just because I am not armed.
"Damn it Alyssa" I cursed. There was no way I was going to let this person escape. Whoever, it was. I tried to approach him but he drew his sword and pointed it at me.
"I have always known you to be weak but I never knew you are this foolish". Coming in here alone and unarmed?" she laughed hysterically I was shocked. This person is a woman and she knows me. Who could she be?
"Who are you? " I asked.
"Your worst nightmare" she snarled.
"You are becoming torn in my flesh and seeing you here makes me happy. I will kill you and feed your worthless body to the vultures. " she rushed towards me with her sword aiming for my stomach.I ducked but her shoulder brushed mine and I lost stamina and fell. I sprang back on my feet immediately. I could hear my heart pounding inside my chest, my breath heavy. That was close.
The weather was very cold but I was sweating profusely. This was not the first time I was being attacked but it was my first time alone. The first attack was nothing like this one. I wasn't alone and the attack was not directed towards me. Besides that was years ago. I removed the thick cardigan I was wearing to enable me to move faster. I made an effort to disarm her but she is quick. and agile. I was also not doing badly on my end because I was also giving her a hard time. Dodging every blow she strikes but I was getting exhausted.
"I have been investigating this case for 3 months, now that I'm finally getting somewhere no one can stop me," I said panting.
"Shut up" she growled clearly irritated. She rushed at me flinging her sword carelessly and shouting. That was sudden so the tip of the sword niked my chest and blood oozed out. I laid flat on the ground but before she could pounce on me, I dipped my finger into the earth, luckily for me I was able to fetch a handful of fine soil. With all my might I threw it at her face and she staggered back.
Seeing that she had lost her stamina, I stood up and punched her as hard as I could.
"Argh" she let out a cry, letting go off her sword as she struggled to regain her stance but I didn't give her the chance.
Seeing that she has lost her weapon I pounced at her at once.
"She is on the ground, and I am standing over her. My heart is pounding, and I can barely catch my breath. I reached out to pull off her hood to finally see her face, I used my claw to try tearing off the hood but the leather was strong. I punched her severally to weaken her but she was as determined not to reveal her face as I was to reveal her face. I am not sure how she did it but like a flash of light, she held back my hand and kicked me in the chest, sending me flying.
By the time I recovered, she had already fled. I could see her from a distance, running away. "Oh no! Oh no!" I wailed as I tried to stand on my feet. I felt a sharp pain around my neck region which made me sit back but I couldn't afford to lose her.
An opportunity like this might never present itself again so I tried to stand up again. This time it was a bit slow. As soon as I was on my feet, I tried to catch up, but she was too fast for me. She disappears into the woods leaving me with more questions than answers.
Who was she? Why did she attack Ethans's pack? Is she a part of them for real or could she just be a thief trying to find something to steal?
No!" I shook my head off that thought. It doesn't make sense. This place has been condemned for months. What can she possibly hope to steal from here? I may never know. But I do know one thing is that I will not rest until I find out the truth.
I went back to pick up my backpack and headed into the woods to find my way back home.