The Cave

The wind howled through the rugged forest, carrying with him a sense of unease that matched his dark soul. The Alp, a fierce and mysterious creature with his thick leathery skin, moved with grace as he navigated the forest. Thoughts of Rachel with her beautiful mane of hair, his anger kept rising from the loss of mating with her again. The taste of her when he spread his poison on her pink folds between her legs made him want her even more. His primal desire to have her again once the poison was licked on her made him grow with an anger and want that no one else can put out except her.

Seeing the shallow cave on the side of the mountain, he stood, holding his side breathing heavily, anger making him go mad he lifts his face towards the sky and lets out a guttural growl, holding his arms in the air with his hands fisted. His growl was heard all over the mountain. After letting out the angry growl he crawled under the overhang of the rock and inside the shallow cave.

Finding the dryest spot, he could his body collapse on the cold hard ground. The dark eyes closed, and he gave away to sleep so his body could heal once again.

Alexios and Kalisto were following Jed’s directions up the mountain to the old homestead when they heard the guttural growl of a very angry creature. Stopping they looked at each other, holding onto their guns the Queen gave them just to kill that creature with.

“He’s pissed.” Alexios stated to Kalisto.

“Yeah, I heard, fuck we might be fucked.” For the first time Kalisto was worried they might not be able to kill the Alp. The Queen wanted just the heart, but they just need to kill it and if that means the heart gets blown to bits in the process so be it.

Walking over stumps and branches that had fallen, they started to see foot imprints on the soft ground. Holding his arm out in front of Alexios “Look, we must be on the right path.” They both looked around to make sure the Alp didn’t go in a different direction other than the one they were on. Once satisfied at the direction they started to walk again following the prints.

While they walked, they heard different birds and sounds of other animals in the forest. “Hey Kalisto, do you remember the taste of fresh squirrel?” Alexios couldn’t help but think of his past life and the mountain animals reminded him of his past.

“Yes, I hunted squirrel, fowl and fished. I miss fishing with my dad every week we would go to the river and fish.” The thoughts of their past lives made them sad but also made them more determined not to go back to that dry baren hateful place, it’s called The Forbidden World for a reason.

“I hope the Queen fixed the membrane that broke, what if other Alps slipped through the opening Kalisto? The human race will be killed off.” Alexios couldn’t help but think while it was so quiet in the forest of the possible consequences of having Alps in this beautiful world.

“I’m sure she did Alexios, but you should be thinking of how our life will be staying here, having a family. Think of the good and not the what if bad thoughts.” Kalisto was still looking for broken limbs and footprints as he talked to Alexios.

They made it up the mountain to the abandoned old homestead. There was only a fireplace still standing, they could make out parts of a foundation and an old barn half falling down. Standing in the clearing they looked around trying to see where it was hiding. The wind started to blow a little harder, Alexios gave Kalisto a quick glance “hey do you smell that stench?”

Sniffing the air Kalisto shook his head “Yeap, he’s around here somewhere. The wind is blowing from that direction.” Pointing to the East “Let’s scout that area.” Alexios agreed and they took off walking while holding their rifles with both hands, ready to shoot if they saw him. Hoping if they both shot the Alp at the same time it would just blow into pieces.

They had to walk down the mountain, trying not to slip on the wet leaves and moist dirt. Alexios slid onto a rock formation that stuck out from the side of the mountain. They could smell the Alp; the stench was stronger. Kalisto put his finger to his lips to let Alexios know to keep quiet. Each one took a side of the rock formation and silently made their way to the bottom, trying to stay hidden on the corners of the rock.

Kalisto put up his hand, counted down with his fingers to Alexios. Three fingers were held up, slowly he lowered each finger for the countdown. Three, Two, One…. They both swiftly rounded the edges of the rock with rifles raised. The cave was dark inside and they could only see a foot inside. Trying to silently walk into the cave moving the rifle with their face, but up against their cheeks. They had to lower themselves down on their knees at one point because the cave had gotten lower in height.

Walking in further, they heard rustling sounds. Stopping to try and sense where the sound was coming from. Something was moving back in the dark corner. Pointing their guns toward the corner, they both shot in the dark hoping the Alp was there. The futuristic power rifles shot and hit the cave’s wall. Small rocks started to fall on top of them. “Alexios get out now before it’s caved in!” Kalisto shouts at him.

They both walked on their knees as fast as they can until they could stand, as soon as they walked out the cave collapsed, sending rocks falling and closing the entrance of the cave. Kalisto looked up and a boulder was rolling down heading for them. Kalisto ran towards Alexios and pushed him away from the entrance of the cave. They both slid further down the mountain.