The Tiger Within Chapter 36

The Stained Lands

Not far from the Silver Falls, the sun coated a small valley and a log home . The wooden cabin's windows dark and void of life . From a distance the weary traveler would think this a good place to rest . Firewood on the porch, and a stone chimney protruding from the well kept roof . The gra.s.s was green and shade fell from the trees cast over the home to keep it cool . From a distance, this was a perfect, cozy home… but things are not always what they seem .

If one was to walk closer, they would notice a few things that would be unsettling to one who did not know the story of this abandoned cabin and heart breaking for those who do . The windows were coated with dust, one cracked as though struck with deep brown stains on the edges of the broken gla.s.s . The door, though closed, had a mangled hand print, half paw half hand in brownish red smelling faintly of metal . A doll on the porch, left as though a child had dropped it . was dirty and worn from the elements as if she hadn't been touched in a very long time . Her dress and porcelain smeared with the same reddish stain .
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Within the house however, there were even more signs of this cabin's gruesome history . Broken furniture, stained bed rolls and gashes in the wood . With a single look one could tell lives came to a end here . More than one judging by the size of the nearly black blood stains faded by time and sunlight through a single open window in the ceiling . A window left uncovered because nothing could hide this from the sky above . Dark energy twisted and curled around the house, though shadow spirits kept the darkness contained .

In the garden behind the home, 4 stones stood . The 4 were split in two pairs, standing directly across from their partners but beside the mirroring pair . Together, they formed a 'x' on the ground, each angled so the flat sides faced each other . In the center of these four stones, lay a woman .

On her side, she lay on the earth . Her cloak beneath her for comfort and a thin blanket over her form . The young lady used her arm for a pillow, white hair streaked silver sprawling over her arm and standing out against the emerald gra.s.s . The four stones seemed to be guarding her as she slept nested among them . Kyera's ever vigilant brothers watching over their troubled little sister .

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The Forest Nearby

Talis followed Verone as they moved through the forest and down the small, but well kept trail . This was a part of the forest Talis could never recall being in before . The trail had a cold, sad feeling though, with a glance at his brother beside him he wondered if the land was truly the sadness he felt .

They moved in companionable silence, the younger focused on following the elder's path . Soon the cabin came into view and Talis grinned, realizing what he believed to be the situation at hand . He knew Kyera couldn't stay forever in the Tent . However, as he went to Comment, Verone glanced at him, the look of burden in his eyes made Talis think twice before speaking . For once, he knew this was not the time to joke .

"What is this place?" Talis asked and Verone offered a sad smile .

"This was once the home of The Shade Of The Moon family . A mother, four sons, and a daughter . " Verone whispered and Talis' eyes furrowed in confusion .

"I don't understand . " Talis replied honestly and Verone waited patiently for a moment . Expecting his brother to elaborate but when he didn't Verone sighed and leaned on a nearby bolder .

"And why would you? You were only a little cub still on your back when the brothers were taken . " Verone replied, his blue eyes glazed over as he thought of his old friends . His mentors and the little girl he had failed to protect .

"Taken?" Talis asked a light bulb going off in his mind . "You mean by the Hunters?" he asked and Verone laughed . It was not a happy sound . The pain and malice in that soft laughter made the hairs on his brother's neck stand on end .

"We only wish it were so . Instead they were slain . In that very house . " Verone replied anger carefully controlled in his heart .