Legend of the Black Claw - Chapter 8 Part 2

“Carter, I don’t know how to thank you enough, I mean, you are putting yourself in danger…” I murmured trying to ignore my reaction to his presence. I felt hot suddenly and really far too aware of him. I didn’t know him at all and I wasn’t about to make some insane hormonal mistake like I had before. He was silent for a moment then pulled another bag closer to him, pulling out a shirt and a pair of…boxers?

“We cannot go back to the cabana for your things so please put on my clothes for now. This will also help to mask your scent from Rollo and his kin. My pants are far too big for you so perhaps you can wear these as shorts. They are all clean.” He assured and offered me the clothing. A red flannel shirt, not unlike the one he wore and black boxers. Well, it was better than wearing this bikini-dress thing, though I had to admit, it survived the turning. Carter stood with his bags and walked out of the barn without saying another word. I took that as a cue to change.

I removed the skirt and pulled on the boxers. They were clean at least and fit like a very baggy pair of shorts. I kept the shirt part of the outfit Rollo gave me and tied it higher in the back so it acted like a bra. My breasts were too big to be free for however long we might be running. I needed support. I put the flannel shirt on over it and then met Carter outside. Kraki had vanished.

“Where did your grandfather go?” I asked, joining him. The morning was beautiful and clear. I could tell it wasn’t much past dawn from the position of the sun and the wet feeling to the air. I breathed it in, appreciating it on a whole new level.

“He must return to my body to rest after he has been out for awhile. He was helping me to see your bones all night.” He said and offered me a smile.
“See… my bones?” I asked, bewildered.

“Just an ability he offers. He must rest now though because we will need him later” Carter explained and started walking. I wasn’t wearing shoes so walking was going to be quite a pain, literally. I hobbled over stones and fell behind. Carter finally turned and looked down at my feet.

“I forgot you are newly made… your feet are still soft, aren’t they?”
I nodded. I could tell he was thinking about how he could carry me but with his bags and lack of arm, he couldn’t.

“You won’t have to walk for long.” He said finally and started moving again.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I slowly followed.

“We must leave this place and get to Petroșani. There, Rollo will have a harder time tracking you because of all the smells. But we must hurry.” Carter said. I looked around and saw that we were on a dilapidated farm, though in disrepair it did seem to still be in use. He must have traveled quite far while I was out because there were no farms except near the outlying villages. Carter walked to an old, beat-up blue truck and quietly opened the driver side door. He leaned inside and I saw a flash of blue light before the truck roared to life. He motioned for me to come and climbed in. I ran over as best I could and climbed into the passenger side.

“Carter, we can’t steal this truck!” I gasp but I was grinning.

“I will make sure it gets returned to them. We are only barrowing it.” He said and the old gearshift wrenched into first gear by itself! The truck pulled away just as people came running out of the main house. I covered my mouth and laughed as the gears shifted of their own accord and the tires sprayed dust up as the truck transitioned from the sandy drive to the main road in a fast turn. I looked back, hoping they didn’t follow, though I hadn’t seen another vehicle there.

“So, you know how to hotwire cars? And here I thought you were so innocent, Mr. Hiddenwolf.” I said teasingly. He smiled slightly.

“Actually, I don’t know how to hotwire a car, Kraki did it.” He said. I raised a brow at his admission.

“Your dead bird-grandfather knows how to hotwire a car?” I gave him a disbelieving look.  

“Essentially he bypassed the key mechanism and kick started the ignition with his energy. You’ve heard of how the dead can turn on lights and such? It’s similar. I can’t tell you the science behind it because I am more versed in the spiritual side of things.” Carter explained. I nodded and rested back in the worn leather seat; it was scuffed, cut and creaked but there was something comforting about it. As the car heated up from the engine and the rising sun, the smell reminded me of my grandfather’s old truck and I smiled a little. Though, I did feel guilty we were stealing someone else’s memories, I believed Carter when he said he’d make sure they got it back somehow.

“So, we have quite a drive ahead of us. How about you tell me a little about yourself?” I asked, turning to look at him. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“There is not much to tell I am afraid. I just travel looking for more of my kind.” He said dismissively.

“What about before? You know, before Ulveress and all the trouble? Or were you even alive then?” I asked. His expression grew solemn and I instantly regretted asking.
“I had a family.” He said. His smile faded.

“I do not wish to talk about it.” He said, putting a period on the subject. He glanced at me then.

“What about you? What brought you here?”