© 2002-
2024 Rochelle Simpson
Part 2
Destiny remembered
this moment in his life clearer than any other; for it was
the last moment he ever saw his mother, and the first moment
that began the falling of his family. His mother came out
of the den, her long onyx hair pulled back into a low ponytail
than ran down her back. Her two swords fastened safely to
each hip. She ran to her life mate, as he set down Dawn
for a second to receive her embrace. They talked, standing
in each other's arms for a few moments. His father running
a hand down her hair every once in a while. Destiny figured
they discussed where she was going. Then they kissed, passionate
as all their kisses before, and she ran off with one last
wave to join the gathering hunters. **Be good!** She sent
to all of her beloved family.
They would never
see her again.
It drove his
father mad. They hadn't worried of course, until the other
hunters had come back. They had looked and not seen Dusk
among them, and then Wildlight had pulled Destiny's father
to one side.
Destiny watched
yet another conversation he couldn't hear, as his little
sister sat in his arms. Little Dawn seemed to be understanding
that this was a grave time where her little games wouldn't
be appropriate, because she was still and abnormally quiet.
Wildlight looked
downcast, as if he were breaking bad news and Destiny's
heart sank. Was mother killed? After a few moments Wildlight
patted Shallowshade on the shoulders as if reassuring him,
and his father came back to them.
"Your mothers
missing. They say the hunting parties split up…and
that she fell back in the group… they heard a cry,
but they couldn't find her anywhere… not a body, not
a struggle. They say there may yet still be hope she's alive…
Wildlight assured me he wouldn't give up on her." But Shallowshade
sounded like he might have. His voice was strained, and
near cracking. He didn't look his son in the eyes, resorting
to starring at his own feet instead.
"They'll find
her father. Don't give up." Destiny assured him gently,
simply because he didn't know what else to do.
"You're right…
yes… you're right…. Let's go home…"
