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Chapter Nine
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2021-11-01 22:17:31The one bright spot in my life was still gymnastics. I loved everything about it, from the sore muscles to the blistered hands, nothing could compare to the joy I felt doing what others feared. Back flipping on a beam, no problem.....just don't ask me to talk about it in front of the class.
Most days, our workouts were silent as Coach asked us to focus more, talk less. This was a bonus in my book. Other than the stereo that always blasted, his voice was all there was to hear. The girls on my team had been together for so many years now, they were more like sisters to me. We shared clothes, make-up, and music. I had more leotards than I did school clothes, but I shared what I could. At the gym, I actually fit it.
Even the years that Dalya had joined the team didn't lessen my joy. She was in a lower level than I was, and we worked out with different groups. She had tried to turn Coach against me, but it had backfired on
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The school year finally ended and it was all I could do not to cry. Nothing could be said that day to change my elation. I did a little hop skip combination as I neared my house. I was free of these stupid humans for three months. No more looking over my shoulder fearing the next attack from Dalya's crew. No more waiting to see what she had in store for me next. When I burst through the front door I was still feeling like a prisoner on his first day out of jail. I found Darrius packing food into a box. In went bread, peanut butter, chips, and little cakes. Talk about carb overload! The cheery look on his face mirrored my emotions. Derrick came in with his fishing gear all packed and a ratty backpack dangling from his shoulder. Typically, if the twins are this happy it's because of some girl. These two had make it their mission this year to date every girl in our small beach town. "Where are you
Last Updated : 2021-11-03The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Eleven
We all huddled close to the fire and told the horror as we recalled it. The entire group had been brought back to Grandfather's estate and parents had beeen called. No one wanted to leave, we were all in some stage of shock. I felt so foolish for endangering my family and friends over some ice cream. The whole trip to town had been my idea. I never wanted to believe that someone or something would actualy harm me, or harm others trying to get to me. Now two of the local kids were dead and guards were fighting for their lives. Grandfather either read my mind or sensed my mood. He came and sat down with me, pulling me into him on the beige leather couch. He smelled of cologne and salt water, and I inhaled it anxious for comfort. It felt so good to held. I put my head on his shoulder and let the tears flow. I was trying so hard to be strong but with his arms around me I let down my guard and sobbed.
Last Updated : 2021-11-04The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Twelve
With no further attacks everyone began to relax a bit. Life went back to somewhat normal except for the training regimens. As a whole we were improving daily. Our problem was we were only good in the training yard with controlled circumstances. None of us had ever had a real fight. Plans were made for more practical experience. We formed two teams and met on the beach. Each team picked a color and we slipped on a scarf in that chosen color, that way there would be no mistake between enemy and friend. The game was as old as time, get the other teams flag and be pronounced the victor. Each team could strategize where to hide their flag. In this version though, there were no rules. Human form or feline form, magical powers and straight combat, all were on the table. We split our team into sections, offense and defense. I was sent to defend our flag. With my love of tree climbing I was a natural for flag
Last Updated : 2021-11-05The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Thirteen
“On your left.” I heard Maggie say in my head. I couldn’t see her but I immediately turned right into the nearest classroom. “Thanks again.” I messaged back, glad the classroom door was unlocked. “Wait about two more minutes before you come out. I think they are looking for you. They are walking slowly.” She was speaking rapidly. My guess is she was late to class. I peeked from a corner of the little window in the door and I could see Dalya and her crew lazily making their way sown the hallway. Thank the goddesses for Maggie, my phone was on silent and I hadn't heard the alarm. Maggie, Dak, and her youngest brother Aran were my eyes and ears at the school now. We worked out an elaborate plan when we got back from Egypt two summers ago. Dak had managed t
Last Updated : 2021-11-06The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Fourteen
"Your spells sound like a kindergartner on the first day of school," Dakari raged at me, "When you try to conjure a weapon you get a triple scoop of ice cream???" "I swear I am trying, my magic seems to have a few glitches," I look at him sheepishly, "I will keep trying." I don't mention that I had been just daydreaming about running out for a frozen treat later. "And Maggie," he says whirling on her. "What is the hell is that?" We all stand looking at the puddle of yellowish muck in the middle of the floor. "I was trying to conjure a bobcat to help me fight. I think I need to stick to smaller stuff." She sighs, it's all I can do not to bust out laughing. Dak rolls his eyes skyward and snorts, "Ya, like insects." I had to chuckle. He can be so cruel. Being the bratty little sister that she can be Maggie instantly conjures a small swarm of flies that go about attacking his eyes and ears. One look and they
Last Updated : 2021-11-07The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Fifteen
Nationals this year was in Utah. To win here could lead to an international assignment. Every gymnast dreams of not only making the national team, but getting sent on assignment abroad. I was now old enough to vie for a spot on the senior squad. The juniors could only do dual meets, and meets between just two countries often took place within the United States. As a senior I could hope for the World Championships, or in three more years, the Olympics. I just had to stay healthy and focused. I had my nerves in check as my roommate and I got ready for our first day. Coach was already at the venue as our gym had a girl in the junior session earlier in the morning. Today was actually just a training session to let us all get used to the equipment. I was excited to see friends from other meets that I havent's see since last year. I was looking forward to showing off my new skills. Mom was with me as always,
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Subtlety was not an issue for whatever was rampaging my way. It wanted me to know it was coming. Perhaps it got a thrill from the pungent odor of fear. I scented sulfur and ran away from it, towards the scent of water. Ahead I saw a small ravine, man-made near the highway, one of those built to keep it from overflowing in severe weather. I could use some severe weather right about now. I thought of the drawings I had done as a child. I have loved weather catasrophes for a long time. The thought of a violent storm had not been relevant for so long but maybe I could use those thoughts now to my advantage. I picture one of my favorite drawings of a tornado, the details becoming clearer as I lose myself to the memory. The murky clouds clashing together, causing thunderous booms and formidable lightning strikes. Wind so fierce the trees were bent in arcs or snapped at the base and tossed heavenward
Last Updated : 2021-11-09The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Seventeen
Reminiscing was fun, and all these childhood memories had me nostalgic for the care-free days of my youth. In a few short hours I would be officially eighteen. High school was a distant memory having graduated early. I still trained with the local werecats here in California, until the school year was done. In a few short days we wold all be making the permanent move to Egypt. On my eighteenth birthday many things would take place. I would take over the Pride as Alpha, I would be crowned Princes Katalea, and as the werecat world had not had a princess in thousands of years, it would be quite a celebration. I would also be eligible to find my mate. This thought excited me and terrified me at the same time. We would celebrate at home here in typical human fashion. Music, food, friends, and more food. Many of the kids from the high school actually had become decent people in the last year and all were invite
Last Updated : 2021-11-10
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The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Sixty
The Hunt for Knowledge“The journey is the treasure.” Lloyd Alexander~~~“The true secret in being a hero lies in knowing the order of things. Things must happen when it is time for them to happen. Quests may not simply be abandoned; prophecies may not be left to rot like unpicked fruit. The happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story.” The Last Unicorn~
The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Fifty Nine
As they unpacked the helicopter, Dakari noticed a backpack wedged in the corner of the little cargo area. It was old, and filthy, and had the stench of the dragon lair on it. He called to Paolo and his team. “Did anyone grab this bag from the caves before we left?” He questioned. Each man shook his head, looking just as baffled as Dakari. “I had this area pretty packed when we left home, with all the blankets and medical necessities. It had to be put in there while we were down with the kids.” Paolo advised. Dakari knew he had to open it, but the thought of finding those disappearing embryos caused him to hesitate. What would they do then? He reached to undo the zipp
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Dakari and his team took off at first light. The air was crisp and cool, visibility at its best. They gratefully accepted another boost from Mr. Toma, and they arrived back in Ireland in less than an hour. Penny had wanted to join them but her body wasn’t up to the task yet. The blast of electricity had done far more damage than anyone expected. Without Penny’s invisibility cover, they actually flew the helicopter right to the cliffs. They pretended to be watching the ocean churn below, when in fact they were watching to see if there were still dragons about. Thirty minutes later, Dakari was satisfied that eve
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After the coroner arrived, they trudged back inside Grandfather's house. They needed to see to the living, mourn the dead, and find a way to celebrate the victory.The leaders from the different groups gathered, ready to put a plan into action.It was hard to concentrate on all there was to do when Kaya, her panther, kept screaming about their mate inside her head. She looked over shyly at Dakari. He was looking at her too. The look he was giving her made her insides turn to mush and her mouth go completely dry.Grandfather came to them both, put his hands on their shoulders. The corners of his mouth turned up in a way that let you know he completely understood what they were feeling. “Why don't you two see to what needs doing, then
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Katalea stood, her heart in her eyes, looking at Dakari. Grandfather smiled when he recognized the look. “Dakari, welcome to the family. You two found a hell of a time to find each other.” He chuckled at the irony. “You will have time to develop your mate bond later. Now, we need to see to our injured.” Dakari only had eyes for Katalea. She was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. How had he missed it? He thought back to her school days and laughed at her early attempts at conjuring.
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“Hold On!” Penny screamed as they soared into a cloud of dragons.“Where did you come from?” Katalea screamed back, trying to be heard over the endless noise.“Just be glad we came in time!” She said in her mind. Why in the world were they trying to speak over the Armageddon surrounding them.Katalea thought flying would be smooth. This was like trying to ride a rocket hurtling through time and space. The charred air was so hot, and they moved so fast that everything was blurred. Katalea called a tornado, a steel grey funnel reaching from the churning clouds, reminiscent of days long gone. She directed in with her mind, a heavenly vacuum capturing countless dragons in its downward spi
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The emergency meeting on the beach was in stark contrast to the one the day before. Gone were the happy feelings and hopeful outlook for the future. Those feelings had been replaced by dread, fear, and anxiety. Katalea stood before the Pride and delivered the premonition. Somber faces listened as she told what transpired in her dream. The weredragons would be attacking by nightfall. It was time to come together and make sure everyone knew the plan. They had been over this scenario so many times before, the difference was, this wasn’t a drill. Some of them wouldn’t see the sun rise in the morning. Others would lose a loved one. No one questioned the authenticity of her dreams, she had never been wrong before. It was time for the prophecies to play out.&nb
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They took off with bombs exploding all around them. Blinding streams of blue, flashing lights of red, and once an explosion of diamonds that glittered and flittered down to the sea. The fireworks display was breathtaking to behold and a fitting send off to the little girl they had all come to love. Maggie was pretty sure she never wanted to be this close to a firework again.Dakari thought of Lainey, and knew her bracelet would be glowing red. She wouldn’t know what that meant yet, but he had charmed her memory enough to enable small bits of him to filter in as the years went by. For now, he would be happy that she would sleep without nightmares. It was the least he
The Hunt For Freedom Chapter Fifty Two
They brought the sandwiches back to happy soldiers, who were content to eat before starting out. The park was full of people anyway, out enjoying a rare warm day in winter, so there wasn’t any rush. Children played football, couples shared smooches on blankets, and students studied out of doors in groups and by themselves. As the day wore on, more people began to arrive. They came in groups, with heavy blankets and looked as if they meant to stay awhile. Dakari, bewildered by the behavior, gave up and went to take a nap under a tree. Curious by nature, Maggie set out on
