DREAMS OR REALITY.

Chapter: 6

*****

TALON:

Young Talon stood amid the ancient standing rocks, his small palm gliding smoothly along the stone edges. The moon, in the early stages of its full glow, cast its light upon the four stones surrounding the boy. The moonlight danced upon the peaks of the rocks, cascading down each one like a white veil being draped over them until they all shimmered in white brilliance before Talon's amazed gaze. His mouth agape, he observed the rocks' transformation under the moon's gentle radiance.

His hand, which had paused against the rock, began to tremble slightly before resuming its movement. Talon traced his hand up and down the glowing rocks, touching each one in succession. After encircling the stones and touching them all, he returned to the center, sitting cross-legged with his eyes lifted to the beautiful moon, its light bathing him in recognition. The stars twinkled brightly above, and the tranquil forest whispered gentle breezes against his skin. Despite his mother's disapproval of him wandering alone, especially at night, Talon found solace in the night's beauty, revealing the world's splendor and the forest's wonders when all creatures, save for the nightcrawlers, slumbered.

Growing weary, Talon realized he should return to the cave before his absence troubled his mother. She fretted excessively, a trait that puzzled him. Anxious for the day when he could protect his mother, alleviating her fears, Talon rose to his feet. Dusting sand off his shorts with a smile, he traced a path around the rocks once more, his hand lightly grazing each one as he passed.

Just as he reached the final stone, a flickering light akin to sparks began to dance across the stones. Startled, the boy swiftly withdrew his hand from the stone, stumbling a few feet back in astonishment. He watched in awe as the sparks erupted from all the stones, a mesmerizing sight that would have captivated him had fear not gripped his heart. As he attempted to flee, the lightning-like energy left the stones and surged towards him. A jolt of electricity pierced through his core, causing him to collapse to the ground, convulsing violently as if struck by a powerful current. His teeth clenched, his eyes rolling back in his head, he trembled uncontrollably, his fingers clawing into the earth. He feared for his life, but the shocking ordeal eventually subsided, leaving him breathless and weeping on the ground.

The wind stilled, the stones lost their radiance, the moon concealed behind clouds, and the once serene forest cloaked in an unsettling darkness, devoid of any sound—a silence so profound it struck fear deep into his being.

Struggling to his feet, Talon stood unsteadily, gazing at the now dimmed stones, their former glory extinguished, now appearing as mere ordinary rocks amid the forest. Turning toward the path leading back to his cave, he took a tentative step, only to freeze as his eyes locked onto a pair of glowing white and blue orbs. A menacing growl pierced the air, followed by the rustling of bushes as the creature drew near.

Realizing the reason behind his mother's constant worry, the boy cried and darted in the opposite direction, the creature hot on his heels. His desperate screams for help echoed through the night. Unable to discern the nature of the pursuing animal, he knew it harbored no friendly intent. Should he falter, it would devour him, leaving nothing but his small bones behind. Tears streamed down his face, his hands futilely attempting to clear his vision as he ran, the tears refusing to cease.

Feeling the animal's breath near his feet, he knew it had caught up to him. The boy halted his escape and pivoted to confront the pursuing creature head-on, resigned to whatever fate awaited him. Heart pounding courageously in his chest, tears streaming down his cheeks, he wiped them away with a swift motion of both hands, clearing his vision to face the beast.

Before him stood a magnificent white wolf exuding the most captivating scent—a blend of freshly plucked apples and the earthy essence of rain after a storm, sweet, invigorating, and comforting. The aroma filled his senses, causing his heart to race with wild intensity.

In time, Talon would discover that this scent would hold the key to his very existence.

With the return of the moon to the night sky, the boy saw the beauty of the white wolf before him. The wolf, with its deep white and blue eyes, regarded him intently, letting out a low, menacing growl and licking its lips. Though petrified, Talon somehow sensed that this creature did not intend to harm him; it desired him alive. Had the wolf sought his demise, Talon knew he would have died the moment it closed in on him. Unable to speak, consumed by terror, he stood defenseless against a creature that could easily overpower him.

Born of a human and a vampire, Talon knew he would never possess the power of his mother or their clan members. This understanding kept him under strict protection, shielded from potential threats, like the time the Lycgers had arrived.

Lost in a tumult of memories and present danger, a sudden searing pain tore through his skin. Glancing down at his left arm, he discovered four distinct marks etched into his flesh. The wolf had marked him and vanished. Clutching his bleeding arm, tears streaming down his face, the boy scanned the unfamiliar forest, searching for the vanished wolf. Realizing his solitude and disorientation, he cried even harder.

As Talon struggled to retrace his steps through the dense foliage, the once-crushed bushes now stood undisturbed, disorienting him further. Lost amidst unfamiliar sounds and shadows, the young boy's fear escalated, prompting him to call out for help, his voice echoing through the eerie silence of the forest.

Without anyone coming to his rescue, Talon felt his consciousness fading. Having no will to fight it, he let his eyes fall shut, embracing the waiting darkness.

Talon awoke with a start, his body bathed in sweat. Warmth had crawled up his legs and over his hands, a strange sensation. Looking around, he realized he was back at the Standing Rocks, the moon casting its glow around him. Wondering how he had ended up at the same spot he had fled from, he heard the familiar rustling of bushes, his heart thumping loudly in his chest once again.

With bated breath, he watched as the foliage parted, revealing the white wolf standing before him, now in human form. Talon recognized him by his scent and the unique hues of his eyes. In the wolf's hand was a root of some sort, and though Talon was afraid, he knew he couldn't move from his spot. His eyes remained fixed on the wolf as he approached him gently as if to assure him he meant no harm. Sitting beside Talon, the wolf slowly handed him the root.

Without a word, Talon took the root and brought it to his mouth, starting to chew. The bitter taste of the plant hit his taste buds as he stared blankly at the wolf, unable to speak.

"I was starting to wonder when you would wake up," the wolf spoke first.

Talon continued chewing on the bitter root as if his life depended on it, which, at that moment, it did.

"I tended to your wounds," the wolf spoke again. Talon looked at his body, finding no trace of the wolf's previous bite or the blood he had shed.

As he swallowed the last remnants of the root, the wolf rose and retreated into the forest. Bewildered, Talon watched him depart, yearning to speak, to unravel the myriad questions swirling within his mind, yet his voice remained stifled, imprisoned within his throat. After a brief distance, the wolf halted, casting a quizzical glance back at Talon.

Talon shook his head, trying to convey his confusion. The wolf chuckled softly before speaking, "Time is running short, Virgil. You must awaken." And with that, he was gone.

********

Startled awake, I sat upright on the rocky surface, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar cave illuminated by dancing candlelight. Suddenly, feeling thirsty, my throat is as dry as the desert sands. I rubbed the sleepiness from my eyes and glanced around once more, spotting a backpack leaning next to a toolbox.

A tattered blanket draped over my body emitted a putrid odor, prompting me to pick it up and toss it aside, then noticed my naked form, devoid of any imperfections, a stark contrast to my memory of floating on the sea, charred and on the brink of death. No, not on the brink—I had been dead.

And that dream, that wasn't how I remembered that incident happening.

What was happening to me?

A soft scraping sound drew my focus to the cave's far end, where a figure crouched, his muscular frame engaged in digging.

Digging a hole?

For what purpose?

The activity had his blood pumping loudly and his heart beating irregularly, even better, he was shirtless. His bare torso accentuated the lines of his neck that beckoned to me, fueling a primal hunger. Oblivious to my awakening, I sensed a gnawing emptiness consuming me, a yearning for sustenance and vitality.

Driven by instinct, I lunged forward, sinking my fangs deep into his neck, sating my hunger with his lifeblood. A surge of strength coursed through me, propelling me into a frenzied state. Yet, as swiftly as the exhilaration enveloped me, it shattered when he unleashed a piercing yowl.