Encounters

When we start walking again, I fight against the need to rest. It was so hot and there wasn't a single tree to hide under. They were all dead! Nothing but sticks! I look up at the blood-red sky, looking for the source of evil when a large hand suddenly covers my eyes.

I freeze and reach up to Thane's hand as he says "Don't look at it... it messes with your eyes." I feel my heart skip again as I slightly nod. He slowly moves his hand away and I'm left looking up into his eyes.

He looks into my eyes as he says "There's no sun, I've checked." My eyes remain locked on his, feeling myself grow numb. How many horrible things have happened to this man? I feel his fingers tracing my jaw again as he softly says "You always did show your emotions in those grey eyes of yours..."

My heart kicks up another gear but for entirely different reasons. When Thane's pupils start growing again, he slightly frowns before stepping back and repeating "Don't look for the sun." He then turns around and starts walking again.

I try to calm my heart as I struggle to start walking again. What just happened? CheeChee pulls my hair, making me turn. He bares his teeth at me before sticking his tongue out and crossing his arms. He turns his head away like he's pouting, further confusing me.

What now!? I poke his side but he continues to ignore me. I sigh and focus on Thane's back but when I look down to step over a large root, I look up to find him gone once again. I freeze, not knowing what to do as I silently start looking around.

CheeChee moves closer to my neck, instantly forgetting that he's mad at me when we hear something behind us. I quickly turn around, scanning the area around us as I open the bag of metal balls.

I look around, trying to hear or see anything but my frustration only grows when I don't hear or see a thing. Why can't I sense these things!? After watching and waiting, I sigh and turn around. My heart nearly stops when the head of the monster in front of us gets ripped off.

Hot blood hits me, nearly soaking my shirt as its body falls over and lands next to my feet. Thane throws the head with ease and tries to wipe the blood off his chin but his entire hand and arm was currently covered in blood.

I struggle to breathe again as he steps closer and lifts his clean hand. Well, semi-clean hand. He lightly wipes a spot on my cheek before saying "You can't trust your eyes and ears here." He then lifts his bloody hand and lighting taps the end of my nose and says "Learn their smell."

I take a few deep breaths before reaching out and grabbing his arm. I lean over and let out a deep breath, surprising him as I say "You're gonna end up giving me a damn heart attack, popping in and out like that without a sound. Holy cheeseballs..."

When I stand back up, his eyes are on my hand that was still holding him. When he looks back to me, the confusion and hesitation were still seen in his eyes as he says "You just have to pay closer attention..."

I smirk at him in disbelief before saying "I am Thane, more than you know. I just really can't hear or see these things. I can't even hear or see you unless you want me to." Shock flashes in his eyes before he frowns.

I don't think he realizes just how much higher his senses are now. He said he could hear when my heart races and can even smell my fear... That's not normal. When he looks back down to my hand on his arm, I clear my throat and remove my hand as I say "Thanks"

He nods but he doesn't look me in the face. He turns around and starts walking again without another word. I sigh and follow after him but after a few hours more, we come across another clearing. This one was much larger and had a large pond or possibly a lake.

After checking if the coast was clear, Thane gives me the signal. I was so thirsty, I was turning into a raisin! I nearly skip to the water but as I squat down to get a handful, Thane grabs the back of my shirt and quickly pulls me back.

I stumble into him and turn to look at him in shock. He points to the water with his free hand and says "Large bodies of water like this usually have large, dangerous creatures lurking in them. They wait for people like you to come along and eat them."

I swallow but because my mouth is so dry, it just goes through the motions. I slowly nod my head as CheeChee shivers. Thane releases my shirt and says "I'll get you water. Just wait here." I don't want to be a burden but that's all I've been since being here!

I awkwardly wait, not wanting to make things more difficult for him. I glance around, trying to see if anyone or anything was sneaking up on us but it seems to be clear. When I hear the sound of water, I turn back to see Thane standing.

He turns around and walks over with both hands cupped and holding water! Panic and awkwardness hits me full force as he stops in front of me and says "Drink" I look up to his blue eyes with shock. He was serious!?

He lifts his hands again, proving his point. I awkwardly lick my lips and say "Are you sure I can't just get it myself? I really don't mind." He shakes his head and gives me a pointed look, waiting. Sighing in defeat, I lean forward and start drinking the water out of his hands.

I try to ignore the feeling of his hands on my lips as he tilts his hands to allow me to get everything. He then turns around and gets himself a few handfuls before coming back to give CheeChee some. CheeChee doesn't hesitate to drink everything with a satisfied smile.

I want more water but I'm not going to ask. It was awkward enough... I can't help but feel slightly tricked. Nothing has jumped out of the water and attacked him! Why does he think it will attack me!?

..... Okay, he might have a valid reason to think that....

When he walks back over to the water, he washes his hands again before turning around with another handful. When he walks back over to me, I can't help but lick my lips! More water!! When he lifts his hands, I reach out and lightly grab them before drinking the water again.

When I finish the water, I look up to him to find him watching me with dark eyes. My heart skips a beat as he stands in front of me without a word. I release his hands and go to step back but he immediately follows with a step forward.

CheeChee quickly jumps down and watches us with wide eyes from the side. I nervously lick my lips as I look back to Thane but when I see him watch the movement, I can't help but freeze. He slowly lifts a wet hand up to my jaw once again as he steps even closer.

His voice is low but soft as he says "I can hear your heart racing again, little bird but this time I don't smell fear..." I think about pushing him away, running away, or even yelling at him about smelling me like that but I come to the sudden realization that I don't want to do any of those things.

It's true, my heart was racing but this wasn't out of fear... I look into his solid black eyes with an almost helpless feeling. I really did like him... even like this. Thane leans down, watching me closely with those dark eyes the entire time.

My grey eyes watch him just as closely but I don't stop him. If anything, I find myself leaning in closer. When he's just centimeters from my lips, he pauses. As if waiting for my reaction but I don't move. We just stare into each other's eyes but when his lips gently touch mine, my eyes flutter shut.

It was tender, almost as if someone was touching something delicate like a snowflake. It was just the barest of touches before he slowly pulls away but he doesn't back away. When I open my eyes again, I see that he's trying to hold himself back.

I reach out and pull him to me. As soon as our lips touch again, whatever was holding him back before, disintegrates. His hands snake around my waist before pulling me against him and deepening the kiss.