CHAPTER 3

Anne's POV

Saving Father

It was faster than I could comprehend. I was at the verge of going to help him when I saw the axe flying towards my direction. Was I seeing something else? Gunnar's axe, headed for my head at a speed faster than I could dodge? No, the axe was not targeting my head…impact.

The weight and speed of the axe sent me sprawling back to the edge of the cliff, and beyond. It sent me clear of the floor I was standing.

The water roared beneath me as I fell, the air slapping my face and the necklace dangling on my neck as I fell into the water. My brain recalculated and I saw the reason why he pushed me off the cliff. He was simply pushing me into the water. I hit the hard surface with a big splash and the rapids did the remaining job, sweeping me off to another surface.

Reacting instinctively, I gained balance and grabbed on to an extended branch sticking out over the surface of the water and I climbed up, my entire body drenched in the water.

The water on my body did not stop the tears from flowing or the anxiety in my heart; I had to go back to save dad, it was really important to my own survival because never in my wildest drunken dreams or in my Sunday trances did I envisage a life without Gunnar in it. Not in this life.

Looking up at the cliff in front of me, I remembered how me and Gunnar had come here to check the traps and fetch mushrooms and it was usually a two hour hike, despite his speed.

Calculating it, I knew it would take me probably half a day to cross the river and get back to the edge and I really hoped he was still there, but I was not thinking straight, all I wanted was to see Gunnar, my father.

The sun was already up and doing its work when I got back to the top of the cliff, the heat almost unnoticeable. I looked around the hillside and had almost given up when a writhing polka dot sized person attracted my eye. It was moving and I could see him - 'my father'

The assailants had gone and I rushed to his side, trying to see if he was still conscious. He was perfectly still, lying in a pool of blood that seemed like his own, his body filled with cuts from claws and a very big bite mark that would have properly killed a bigger organism, his axe lying some feet away from him.

The other guys must have left with the dead bodies of their guys and I looked around, trying to find tracks. Rushing to Gunnar's side, I placed his head on my laps, patting his hair as the tears flowed uncontrollably from my eyes. Without warning, the only thing I cared about in the world and cared about me had been taken from me by some unknown men.

Flashbacks from different memories rushed into my brain all at the same time and I almost went crazy from the thought, my hands running over his almost-cold body, shaking him vigorously.

"Father! Father!! Please come back to me," I pleaded, shaking his body more vigorously. No response.

Finally unsettled, I landed a hard blow across his chest in frustration and I heard a wheezing sound from him. I was shocked and looked at him, as he struggled to lift his left arm.

I could not believe my eyes and ears when he coughed. I snatched up the hand and brought it to my face, caressing and kissing it.

"Hey peanut butter, I told you to run as fast…as you can," he said very slowly and weakly.

"Dad, why did you do what you did? I almost thought I would die."

"It is called saving you. I don't want you to be here. These guys can be here anytime soon and I want you out of here before that happens."

I looked around, unsure of what I was looking for. "I will stay by your side, no matter what happens."

He coughed again, followed by a wheezing sound and I could notice how much pain he was in, blood oozing out of his wounds. "Help me…to that rock."

Gunnar obviously had more weight than my tiny arms could handle but I didn't know where I found the strength to pull him to a little rock, using it as support. I saw down by the rock and dragged Gunnar close to me, his head lying on my chest, his ragged breathing causing vibrations in both our bodies.

He looked up at my face and smiled, another cough erupting from deep inside him.

"Father, just stay still. I will get you home and treated."

He mustered the last of strength in him, even though I could see the impact it made on his body. "There's no need. Warrior wolves know when their end is near and my time is now."

"Don't say things like that. You scare me."

"Before I pass, there is something I want to tell you," he said and tried to sit himself up so he could look at me directly in the eyes.

"Don't worry dad, rest up and don't try to say a word. When you are fully recovered, I will hear everything you want to tell me."

I took off the thick sweater I was wearing and laid it on him, my hunter senses activating. My eyes scanned the surrounding for nearby plants or flowers. He had taught me to make medicine from the things I had around and I instantly put my skills to use.

The most dangerous ingredient to get was the white hibiscus flower that grew only at the steep side of cliffs. I went to the edge of the cliff and looked down, seeing it grow some feet down.

I didn't need further encouragement or training and I went back to the hillside, going down the mountain to the ropey trees that grew there. I cut some off and tested it, my heart beating at a high speed. I had never done this before and definitely not this extreme.

"Father, you are wearing a belt, right? I need to borrow it," I announced it to make sure he was still with me and he simply responded with a labored nod of the head.

I tied the belt to the ropes and to my leg and proceeded to climb down the edge, the waters raging below. I looked at my mission again and the jagged side of the rocks seemed to be warning me against any tiny mistake.

My face turned back to my father lying down by the rock, fighting for his life because he had chose to protect me. I didn't know the context of the story or whoever the attackers were, but I knew Gunnar could have saved himself by surrendering me and he didn't do it.

It was enough evidence to show that he would do anything for me, and in other ways I was prepared to do the same for him.

I checked the endings of the ropes and belts and when I was sure, I gently went down the edge, grabbing the sides of the mountain.

As I tried to grab another edge, I miscalculated and I could not grab it in time. And way down I went.