Chouette Book 2: Part 2

Instructions

Looking back, she saw that the being was catching up, so she kicked the cow’s side again, giving it a burst of speed. They ended up racing in a gloomy forest. They zigzagged through the trees hoping to get rid of the imposter. When the creature was out of sight, they continued on for a few minutes, but soon the cow got to tired, and stopped. Then she realized that Griffe Noire was nowhere to be seen. Lady Chouette got off and inspected the beast’s hip. She found that there was a bruise and small cut there, so she untransformed and ripped off a piece of her jeans and turned around to put it on the wound, but couldn’t see it. She reached forward and touched the pelt of it. “Wow, you really blend into the trees!” She pressed the fabric to the gash and then said, “Maybe that’s what I’ll call you! Darkpine!” He snorted and flicked his ear in acknowledgement. “I’m sorry for doing this to you,” Ella continued. “You see, my life depended on it.” Once the bleeding stopped, she started to brush him with her hand, taking off the dust from running so much. Doing so, she pondered what Mythique had said to them. “Technically if I always travel on Darkpine, I will be following what he told us… ‘Free cows’... So he was open for anyone to take…” She thought, her mind wandering in between. She continued to pet him, and then asked, “Are you okay for riding once more?” He lowered himself a bit. “Thanks.” She got on, and patted his flank, making him go forward. He trotted forward slowly, then casually gained speed to a sprint. Forest views rushed by in a pretty green blur. “What’s happening?” Ella asked, out loud when she realized the forest was getting darker and darker. “It’s the middle of the day, and yet the stars are coming out!” She continued. Suddenly a growl that sounded like thunder and lightning clashing against a sea of water. Bright red eyes pierced the blackness of the mystic night. Suddenly it leaped forward with a rush of speed. Some black blur barely able to be seen grabbed Ella with a sudden shove of speed, making her screech. “Sorry if that hurt a bit, M’Lady!” He shouted above the growls and barks, holding her in his arms. “Looks as if I’m no longer the cat!” He laughed. “Griffe Noire?” Ella said, finally finding her voice. “Is it seriously you?” “Yep! Tail n’ all!” “And my lollipop seems to be Ella, correct?” He asked, diving deeper into the midnight woods. “Uh! No! I mean… yes?” She stuttered. “And by the way I can walk!” “But I like it better as this, so you’re just going to have to deal with it!” Griffe Noire said, glancing down at her. She rolled her eyes lightly smiling. He slowed down and sat her down on the ground, the beasts gone. He stood there panting for a few seconds and then suddenly Ella shouted, “Where is Darkpine?!” “Who now?” “Darkpine! My cow!” She pressed her hands against her temples. She stood up and spun around in circles, thoughts racing through her head. She suddenly sang in a wondrous voice, “How can this be? How can I live now? Forever guilty, Forever, but how? He suffered too much or ready! And my fault too! I can’t be steady! There should be a clue, A clue to find him!” Griffe Noire looked at her thoroughly surprised. “You have an amazing voice…” he said, stunned. Suddenly a loud thumping sounded behind Ella, and then a black blur went past her and into the center of the space. “Darkpine! I was worried!” She hugged him around his thick neck, then whispered, “I could have never lived with myself! I hurt you, and… I felt I needed to make it up to you.” Griffe Noire reached his hand toward her shoulder, then stopped himself a few inches from it, his claws almost touching her. He looked down and let his arm fall. “I am sorry for not going back for… Darkpine. I did not know he was so important to you,” He said softly, then turned and walked away. Ella did not realize he left and continued to hug her cow. She released, and petted his muzzle. She leaped on his back and said, “Hey, Griffe Noire! Get on, He can hold both of us!” When no one responded, she looked around the dark space. She patted his hip, making him move forward. “Griffe Noire!” She shouted. “Where are you?” They wandered into the forest shouting his name, including Dorian too. Suddenly a thundering roar sounded, more of fear and surprise, than trying to threaten something. Darkpine reared backward, scared. A gigantic beast came out; Two copper eyes on each side of its face. It was covered with orange-like, grey colored scales, and with a long, lush golden mane with black at the tips. Fur came from the scales along the spine and then to the tail, a tuft of fur on the tip. Fangs as big as her ankle poked out of its large mouth.