Audas inspected the bow with a practiced eye, running his hand across its wooden limbs. He pulled a small smile; the smoothness of the weapon reminded him of the workshop he had worked in back in Manchester. Sanding down whatever materials came on hand, turning it into tools and…

  Feeling a new sense of melancholy, he pushed the old memory aside and lowered the bow. “Should be pretty helpful if push comes to shove.”

  “You know a thing about bows?” Alika asked.

  “You… could say that.” He sheepishly replied.

  Audas, Alika and Everest had walked down to one of the ranges in the training yard. But as they walked through and past the Nyúlfur training there, the former couldn’t help but not the absurd variety of firearms on their person. Some were crude and old fashioned weapons that wouldn’t have been out of place from the Second World War, no to dissimilar from the Sten gun he once possessed. Others held more modern weaponry that were still in common use today.

  But it wasn’t just guns though. Every single one of the wolven beings seemed to carry a melee weapon on hand, mainly swords sat within their scabbards but he could still spot the axes, knives and shields on hand. And that was before even considering some of the other weapons hidden amongst them.

  He didn’t give it much thought though, that mixture of weaponry was fairly standard, instead his eyes remained fixed on the bows present at the ranges. He could have asked for a gun, there were plenty of rifles on hand. But his intuition pulled him back towards the former. Besides, he didn’t want to start giving off the wrong impression on wanting to get away from the Hub and taking a firearm with him.

  “I would still be careful.” Everest stated, “There is nothing particularly dangerous in the forests here, but you wouldn’t want to overtax yourself.”

  “I’ll stick to checking those spots out.” Audas replied, pulling a leather sack and quiver onto his back. “Just stick to the trail, right?”

  “Of course.” The elder Nyúlfur confirmed, “Just make sure you reset anything that might have been set off. They might be off the path but you won’t miss them.”

  Audas slung the bow over his shoulder, “I’ll make sure to do that, I won’t be long.”

  Alika frowned. “Take it easy, alright?”

  Audas couldn’t bring himself to reply. Instead, he could only nod as he departed, ready to complete this seemingly simple task.

  *****

  Alika watched Audas go, as he cut across the yard towards one of the outer paths. She rolled her shoulders, the tension draining away from her. “He’s still uncomfortable…”

  She glanced towards Everest; his arms crossed as he watched Audas in the corner of his eye. “Given what he may have gone through, I’m not surprised.” He replied, turning round to face her. “Just give him time.”

  The younger Nyúlfur frowned, “I know… maybe I was just hoping he would relax more.”

  “It’s rare for anything to meet all our expectations.”

  “Like being a bit too rowdy as a kid?”

  The white furred Nyúlfur chuckled in response, “Amongst other things.”

  With a grin, she directed her gaze back towards the newcomer, now stepping back onto the same path they had used to work their way down to the Hub. “Maybe I should tag along… “, she said softly, “He’s just woke up after all.”

  Everest rested a hand on her shoulder, “I can appreciate that, but that might not be ideal.”

  As she looked back towards him, his green eyes flicked between her and the path. “I wouldn’t worry.” He added, “I do have someone on hand to keep an eye on him…”

  *****

  It didn’t take long for Audas to reach the beaten trail that ran deeper into the woods, with thick grass and evergreens bordering that path. He worked his way in, out of sight of the valley, keeping his eyes fixed onto the path ahead for a minute and trying to widen his stride to put as much distance between him and the town as possible.

  Only after he allowed an extra minute to pass did he finally slow and look over his shoulder.

  No one was there.

  He slowed to a halt, sighed and rolled his shoulders back.

  Finally…

  A part of him was glad to get some fresh air, even if had very nearly died in this very same environment. He huffed to himself; he can’t have been that unlucky to be put in that position for a second time?

  In truth though, Audas just wanted to get away from them all.

  The Nyúlfur.

  The leaves rustled above him and birdcalls reached into his ears. A fresh change from the chatter of Nyúlfur talking around him. He unslung the bow; I could still go… try and make it out there.

  He dismissed the thought, rubbing his thumb against his fore finger. What was the point? He could run into the same issues and risks he had already considered, on top of only getting the Nyúlfur to come looking for him. He was committed to staying here for now anyway. And what better way to get a lay of the land than to explore the surrounding valley of the Hub?

  There was something else though as he started to walk again, trying to let himself get lost in the life of the trees. His skin crawling at the thought.

  The trust that they had left in him.

  Was it even trust at all? Or were they merely testing him? Seeing how he would react?

  He frowned as he walked onwards. Is it trust? And are they just giving me space?

  He had no way of knowing. Not without pulling a Nyúlfur aside and demanding an answer. But even if they took it well… something inside quietly begged away at him not to just toss that trust away on a hunch.

  He tightened his grip, pushing the thoughts aside as he pressed onward, following the trail and sticking to the right-side path whenever he came up to a fork along his way. The flora continued to grow around him, the trees becoming that little bit taller and the surrounding foliage beginning to scatter under their cover.

  The first marker, little more than an orange flag, appeared out of the greenery. He peeled off the track, and a few metres into the trees, he came across the item of his search.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  When Everest had started explaining what the trail was, Audas had suspected snares and pitfall traps, animals kicking and screaming as they were strangled or crushed where they lay. Some kind of sick prank or joke.

  He still didn’t quite believe it when the old werewolf had told him most of the spots held cameras. But yes, as he stepped into a small clearing his eyes settled onto it. Dangling from a tree was a single swaying camera, contained within an armoured green housing.

  Audas puffed a breath of air, Telling the truth on the camera at least.

  Laying the bow to one side, he took hold of the loose camera. He looked down at the black lens, a faint green light blinking back at him. What did this really see? Animals? Or something the Nyúlfur don’t want me to notice?

  Beginning to let his mind wonder again, he started to fiddle with the strap connecting the camera to the tree. It was supposedly for observation or research, to keep an eye on the local animal population.

  Or perhaps-

  Oh fuck it.

  He yanked the strap back, the camera snapping back into place. Alika and Everest… they didn’t seem half bad.

  But is that just because I’m a Nyúlfur too? Or is that really what they are like?

  His mind ran back towards his last encounters with the Nyúlfur. Travis killing the guard? Relishing in his own suffering? The team on the train, eager to kill the humans that leapt its defence? That day…

  He shook his head, all he had was the bad. He had nothing that could have even offered an indication or offer a complete explanation…

  ‘I know it hurts just hang on!’

  Audas frowned, eyes narrowing at the memory. That Nyúlfur from the train. The brown furred one, Cray… the one who tried to kill him only to get a bullet in his neck, courtesy of Jack in his last moments.

  And Cray’s companions! Dragging him back to the helicopter. At that moment the very thought of the humans was eradicated from their minds, their focus fixed on that single wounded Nyúlfur.

  Did they care for him? Because if that’s actually the case…

  Alika’s smile as Everest arrived on the scene…

  Maybe these Nyúlfur will care-

  A snap rang through the air. His ears spun round and his fur shot erect. Is that…

  Another snap, leaves rustling… a gasp?

  The track!

  He snatched the bow back up and bounded back onto the trail. But as he swiftly scanned the path, nothing moved. Nothing even breathed.

  Even the birds were silent.

  Another crackle reached down his ears, bringing his gaze back down the trail… deeper into the forest.

  Audas narrowed his eyes, catching the odd rustle through the trees. You’re not sneaking away on my watch…

  With a fluid flick of his arm, he slid an arrow from the quiver hanging from his shorts… and began to creep on forward.

  The path twisted and turned, the trees only breaking up to allow for a fragment of sunlight to pierce through to the ground. He nocked the arrow as he peered through the thick foliage, ears pricked for another sound. Almost without thinking of it, his senses began to shift and reform. Overlaying leaves became sharper, and contrasted against each other as if he were in a 3D cinema. Every little whisper on the air scratched at his ears too. Even the odd animalistic scent flowed down his nose. Wait, an animal?

  Round the bend, a fallen tree blocked his path, whilst a bread trail of broken branches and battered bushes ran towards it. He tensed, ducking down behind the tree. Something crackled again, closer now. Just in reach. He slowly lifted the bow up, the wood creaking as he pulled the arrow back…

  His eyes cleared the top of the trunk… to settle onto a single deer standing amongst the trees, it’s head down to the ground as it nibbled away at a tiny patch of grass.

  The Nyúlfur relaxed, seeing the arrow tip go still.

  Something rustled, and a small tan shape leapt from the brush. Audas flinched, arrow swivelling to f-

  The fawn bounced next to the mother, brushing past its legs and bleating away, begging for attention.

  He narrowed his eyes, a grumble starting to rise. Great. I freak out at a b-

  The little creature cried out again, tugging at their mother’s ear. His thought was silenced and a new smile formed on his lips. An innocent being, trying to drag another into a moment of fun. His gaze settled back on the arrowhead.

  As the soft sigh flowed out of his jaws, he lowered the bow. Do they even know what the world is like?

  Something crunched behind him.

  The two deer sprang up, all innocence lost as they bolted into the trees. Audas spun and yanked the bowstring back.

  A pair of furred hands snapped up from the foliage. “Don’t shoot!” The Nyúlfur cried out, withdrawing back into the leaves, just enough to become somewhat hidden from view.

  “How long have you been following me!?” Audas snapped, arrowhead pointed at the newcomer’s chest. At least, what he guessed was the centre mass.

  “Not long-“

  “I don’t like being followed.” He interrupted, motioning with the bow as he bared his teeth. “Was this Everest’s or Alika’s idea?”

  “Look… well… yes…”

  “They don’t trust me?”

  “They’re just worried!” His target barked back, teeth flashing through the greenery. “They asked if I could follow you in case you ended up hurting yourself!”

  “I can look after myself.” Audas snarled back. This had only proved it, they never trusted him fully at all. The risk of injury was just an excuse.

  “Seems like it.” The Nyúlfur’s mouth twisted into a frown, “Do you really want to shoot me?”

  Audas blinked, the bow twitching at the Nyúlfur stared at him. Hidden head cocked to one side, as if questioning him. What?

  He hesitated, a part of him demanding he let the arrow fly. Kill the damned freak now…

  But once more logic won out. If I shoot him now, I’ll have the whole town coming down on my head…

  And something else. That trust… that hidden urge not to fire.

  Shakily, Audas lowered the bow.

  With a faint whistle, the Nyúlfur let his hands drop and stepped forward into the clearing. His entire body covered in dark brown fur and hair, and his eyes were like chestnuts. Albeit, his ‘head’ hair was longer, and swept back to keep it out of his face. He was dressed like the others, this time in grey shorts, white t-shirt and a green jacket. And further still, he had a bow of his own slung over his shoulder.

  “I’m Dryston.” He said, tugging at the weapon. “But everyone calls me Dray, it’s Audas right?”

  All Audas could do was nod back.

  Dray frowned at him, “Look.” He said, spreading his hands palm-first towards the former human in a peaceful gesture, “I’m sorry for shadowing you like that. But they just wanted someone on standby in case you fainted or got injured again. I volunteered.”

  “Well, I’m not dying.” Audas replied with a steely gaze, “You don’t have to keep an eye on me.”

  The Nyúlfur’s eyes flicked away, stiffening at the words. “You hesitated on the deer?”

  Audas blinked, “What?”

  “I saw you freeze up when the fawn came out. What stopped you from shooting?”

  It was his turn to frown now; the question wasn’t malicious sounding. It wasn’t soft in tone like the one Alika had used. In fact, his tone sounded more intrigued, and whilst the brown furred wolf was fidgeting with his bow, it was more from discomfort than aggression. Audas shook his head slowly, “There wasn’t…wasn’t any point. Why even ask?”

  Dray’s lips twitched, almost moving into a tiny frown. “Because it looked like you were out to kill someone.”

  Audas’ heart missed a beat and the fur at the back of his neck rose once more. Did I actually look like that?

  “You don’t have to say anything.” Dray replied, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Besides, you didn’t end up creating an orphan there.”

  Blinking, Audas let his bow drop to his side, “So… not shooting-“

  “Was the right thing to do.” Dray confirmed, “And it’s technically a crime around here anyway to shoot families. Affects the population, you know?”

  Audas’ eyes flicked back towards the limp bow, Illegal to shoot deer mothers and their kids huh. Not what I expected. Trying to keep his face neutral, he slipped the arrow off the string and back into the quiver. “Well… thanks for the heads up.” He replied hesitantly.

  “Don’t mention it.” The Nyúlfur replied, stepping forward again, “By the way, you did miss another one of those camera traps back there while you chasing the little one.”

  That got through his defences, allowing a low chuckle rumbling out of Audas’ mouth. “I suppose I was oblivious.”

  “I checked that one earlier anyway. Come on, I’ll tag along… if you don’t mind.”

  He wanted to move on, get away from Dray and strike out on his own again. But once more, he couldn’t help but wonder about how everyone was acting… amongst a whole list of other things. This was far different than what he was expecting. Even if Dray was lying about his reasons, then it seemed pointless to try and fall back onto the same reasoning Alika and Everest had offered.

  Besides… I’m going to have to talk to the Nyúlfur one way or another. If I’m careful, I might be able to find out snippets about the Nyúlfur around here, get a better idea of how I should react… Dray might be a good starting point.

  So instead, he shrugged, “Sure thing.”

  The two began to walk back to the track, with Audas pulling in alongside Dray. “You don’t mind if I ask a stupid question?”

  Dray raised a brow, “I doubt it is! Go ahead.”

  Good point… I hope.

  Audas nodded, rolling his head round to loosen up. “In that case… what other… laws are there around here?”