Page 52 of Solivagant

26

JOSIAH

For the first time in a long time, I woke up exactly where I’d fallen asleep. There were no sleepwalking, no paralysis, no nightmares.

My mind was rested, even if my body was stiff and aching from the cold.

Morning light streamed in through the gaps in the vines as I tried to stretch out the stiffness. My stomach rumbled angrily. I really had to leave here today. I needed food, and water, and then a lot of fucking alcohol.

I brushed my fingers through knotted hair, tying it out of my face and tearing off the rest of the poor excuse of a shirt before standing.

From the bedroom, I couldn’t see Tusks. I made my way back to the main living room as quietly as possible, peering through all the gaps and scanning the surrounding area, but there was no movement beyond the wind through the long grass and gentle sway of small white flowers.

The door creaked softly as I opened it. The first thing I noticed was the deer carcass. It had been skinned and portioned out into smaller chunks, left to hang from the porch roof.

I was careful not to touch it as I stepped out into the grass. There was still no sign of him.

Stay.

No.

Rather than bolting for the wall like I had in my previous attempts, I was cautious. Moving slowly and quietly, listening for every broken branch and footsteps beyond my own as the birds sung from high up in the tall trees.

I was probably about halfway there when I noticed him. He kept his distance, though. I turned just in time to see his large form darting behind one of the thicker trees. He was almost hidden, if not for the long tail that swayed from side to side on either side of it like a playful kitten.

I sighed, turning again and continuing on my way.

He followed, keeping a short distance away and darting behind trees every time I turned to look at him, though part of him was often still noticeable, usually the tail. Still, he wasn’t trying to stop me.

I was beginning to think he only had previously because I’d tried to run, and maybe it triggered some predatory instinct in him that made him want to catch me. Maybe if I was calm about it, I could get myself out of here.

Wrong.

As soon as the wall was in view, he gave me a growl as a warning.

I took another step closer and the growling got louder.

This time when I turned, he didn’t try to hide.

“Stay,” I warned him.

I took another step, and his top lip curled to reveal sharp teeth as he snarled at me again.

“You can’t keep me here,” I informed him, because I knew by now he could understand me, even if he was unable or unwilling to speak back to me. “I’m going over this wall, and you’re not going to stop me.” I spoke calmly but firmly, with a tone of authority I hardly felt.

He didn’t feel it either apparently, because as I took another step toward the wall, he decided he was done stalking me and pounced.

“Why are you keeping me here?” I shouted at him.

He didn’t respond, just carried me all the way back to the house and set me down on the porch.

“I have to go!”

He hissed.

I groaned.

He retreated back into the tree line.