Hunted

Ashkort frowned as the blizzard raged.

His wife squeezed his arm.

“There’s no way we can travel in that storm.”

"We can't just sit here, Lephisto. The humans are out there.”

“I’m scared, Daddy. Are they going to find us?”

Ashkort knelt down and pulled his son to his chest. The boy’s wings were barely strong enough to carry him on a clear day. Today, he could be blown off the mountain.

He rested his chin on the boy's head.

"I know you’re afraid, buddy, but your mom and I are soldiers. We'll keep you safe."

His wife glared at him, then turned and walked away.

Ashkort followed her.

He gently squeezed her shoulders.

She pulled away.

“I have to go out there, Lephisto. I need to know what our situation is.”

“I can tell you what our situation is,” Lephisto snapped.

“We are stranded in a blizzard with a group of humans hunting us.”

Ashkort inhaled through his nose and closed his eyes.

He knew she was feeling powerless.

He exhaled slowly.

“I need to see how close the humans are. Once I know their location, we can figure out our options.”

Lephisto's shoulders dropped.

“I know you're doing what’s needed, Ash. Just be careful.”

“I will.”

Ashkort pressed his lips against her forehead.

He left the cave.

The storm buffeted fiercely.

He unfurled his wings.

They caught the wind, and his body shot into the air.

Ashkort fought against the crosswinds.

He corkscrewed down the slope, searching.

The humans must be waiting out the storm somewhere.

A gunshot cracked.

He raced to his family.

A scream.

Another gunshot.

“Lephisto!”

Humans in the cave.

Ashkort leaned forward.

His wings dipped then righted themselves.

He scanned the cave.

Four humans stood at the mouth of the cave with their backs to him.

Two were holding long nozzles.

Flame throwers!

Ashkort roared.

He rocketed forward.

He hurled one man against the wall.

The pack exploded.

Fire singed his skin.

He felt no pain.

His talons ripped open another man's throat.

A gunshot cracked.

Ashkort felt a sting in his right leg.

He lunged at the man holding the rifle.

They tumbled into the storm.

Ashkort's grabbed the man's face.

His arms flexed, then twisted.

The man stopped moving.

The fourth man was fleeing down the mountain.

Ashkort spread his wings.

He flew after the man.

He hooked his hands under the man's arms.

The man struggled.

Ashkort tightened his grip as he flew away from the mountain.

He let go.

The man dropped.

Struggling against the wind, Ashkort flew back to the cave.

He knelt beside his wife’s body.

“I’m so sorry, Lephisto,” he whispered.

Tears stung his eyes as he held her hand and prayed.

He kissed her forehead.

He limped to his son's small form.

His arms trembled as he picked up his son.

Unfurling his wings, he soared into the sky.

Higher and higher he flew.

Through the storm.

Through the clouds.

The air was too thin to continue climbing.

He kissed the top of his son's head.

“I love you, buddy.”

Ashkort folded his wings.

He plummeted to the ground.