Chapter 6

Freya couldn't breathe. The coughs kept coming, one after another, relentless and unyielding. She had predicted her own death—the flames, the canines. Why didn't she make them see? Why didn't she show them? She felt pathetic, useless even. Jumpy, fragile, just nothing at all. She couldn't bring herself to speak; all that escaped her mouth were endless coughs and wheezes, a haunting memory of the smoke seeping into her nose, her ears, her skin. The burns, the screams... oh, good Life... Her eyes began to water, her body convulsing vigorously as Brenna beckoned Chris to come. She was coughing too, wasn't she? At least she was someone everyone respected. At least she was a leader. At least she could fight.

 "Chris... Freya needs—" Brenna struggled to get the words out before the coughs overtook her. She spat quickly onto the ground, soaking a small patch of grass. "—her water."

 Chris seemed lost in thought, staring at Freya as she lay there. She peeked at him, trying to think through the fogginess in her mind. Maybe he's trying to find ways to get me water. But another thought surfaced, one that made her face droop: why would he? I'd be better off dead, made into fertilizer for his plants.

 After a moment, he nodded slightly to Brenna and took off into the distance. Freya could have sworn his eyes shone when he looked at her. He was... sweet, just pure. Something like that, she was absolutely sure. Just like those apples he grows—sugary sweet, scrumptious. He was like the brother everyone wants and needs, with his little chats and goofy smiles. She gazed in his direction, her lips lifting into a small smile. If only...

***

 Landing on top of him, his warmth comforted her, making her forget everything for just a moment. Laughter filled the air around them as joy returned. She felt alive again, with his arms around her and hers around him. Gasping for air, she wiped away her tears.

 "I thought you were gone, Chris!!!" Eve screamed, clutching onto him as if afraid he would disappear again. "Did you see the fire?"

 "Yes... yes... I did, Evie. Now... if you would let me, I am dying of thirst," Chris paused before continuing. "All of us."

 "Us? Is Mom with you?"

 Pushing her off, his gaze softened. "Brenna's fine, kitty. The smoke did some damage, that's all."

 "You can join us, Chris. We have almost everything in store," Eve fell on her back with a quiet oomph, the grass around her swaying. "Moonblooms, poppy seeds, mint... I can't name them all."

 "Great. Just superb. Listen here, Eve, this isn't easy for any of us but Freya... Freya's really sick. She's been having a fever, coughing, wheezing... we need a healer."

 Eve's ears drooped. Freya was sick, and from what she heard, she wouldn't be in any condition to move. "I can ask for some honey... and catmint, if you'd like."

 Chris smiled and patted down her fur, brushing the dandelion seeds out of her pelt. "Water would be nice also, dearie." He sucked in some air and continued. "Thank you."

 Eve smiled painfully, swallowing the throbbing disappointment stuck in her throat. But he was alive and well, wasn't he? Her mother was still up and going, and Freya... well… was still breathing. "Oh... okay..." But what reappeared in her mind wasn't the disappointment from the beginning, but fear slowly welling up inside of her. What would he think of her if he knew? What would he do if he knew about the monster inside of her?

 He'd hate you. 

 He'd hate you. 

 You are nothing.

 "EVE!!!" A voice called her name, and she whipped around. Chris glanced at her, then at the shadows where the supposed stranger was lurking. A pair of amber eyes glared at her from afar. Apollo. She recognized his voice, even though they'd only been together for a few days. A few days of sorrow, guilt, and anger. "Where have yo—you."

 "Hey champ!" Chris waved a paw hello, then rose to his claws. "Still up and running, I see."

 "You don't say... bastard." Apollo snarled, taking a step into the light. Eve could feel the tension between the two toms, and she backed away. They wouldn't fight, would they?

 "They aren't coming." She tried to resolve the problem. "The others I've been talking about."

 "You mean Brenna, Freya, and him you've been sulking about all night to imaginary creatures."

 "Why do you hate me so much? Do you despise me to the point where you have to emphasize my very pain for everyone to hear?"

 "You were wasting your time..." He mumbled. He was close to the edge, trying his best not to snap.

 "Y'think? What would you do if your only family were hanging by a thread?" She gritted her teeth, claws digging into the soil. "Oh, I know. You would 'leave them behind'."

 "Eve... You don't know everything." Chris held her down, but that irritated her, and she hissed.

 "I DON'T HAVE A FAMILY!!!" He yelled, his eyes furrowed and his claws unsheathed. Anger had taken over him. "I never did, from the moment I was born and until the day I die. No one will be there for me like they'll be there for you. Because your life is so perfect all the time, why don't you have a taste? Eh? A taste of all my pains throughout my whole life, not a single one of you cared."

 The silence was deafening. Even the wind stopped abruptly. She never noticed anything wrong. He had been respected for his bravery, for his sacrifices. She wouldn't have known…

 "I'm sorry."

 But he had already walked away.

 ***

 Apollo had stopped talking to her and moved on to take care of the Elders. It was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Ha… I'm…

"I'm… lonely." At least Eve was sure about one thing. How many days had it been now?

 Two. Only two.

 She spent her days lying lazily in the endless fields of grass and mindlessly hunted for things she didn't need or want. Her claws had dulled from the continuous stone scratching she'd been hooked on. The sounds were satisfying, like screams of the—ugh.

  You're here again, aren't you?

 Miss me? 

 I do not miss you. 

 Oh darling, but you do. Without me, you are nothing…

 And the voice was gone, like a breeze floating by.