The Healer: First Touch by Amy Clapp

Author:Amy Clapp [Clapp, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Published: 2012-12-09T06:00:00+00:00

-Seventeen-

We hurried toward the parked motorcycle. But before we reached it, a loud growl stopped us in our tracks. The guttural growls came from behind us. Varick stopped and turned to face the noise. He pushed me behind him and I cowered at his back, grateful for his courage.

"Too late," he muttered wryly.

Varick's stance was rigid. He had one foot in front of the other and his legs apart for balance. His tattooed arm he held out in front of him, hand flat as if to stop whatever was coming for us. His other arm was back, holding me behind him, his body shielding me. He was so still, he barely seemed to breathe. His head was cocked slightly toward the direction of the sounds. It snarled again and Varick tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me closer to his back.

I peeked over Varick's shoulder at the wood line butting up next to the sand dune we had been sitting on. It sounded like the growls and snarls came from there. The snarling and growling became more intense, more fierce. I felt Varick's body tense, prepared to react, to protect. I felt as if my heart would burst through my ribcage at any second. More snarling could be heard from the trees, but nothing emerged. The woods were dark. I shook with fear, burying my face in Varick's back to steady myself. We waited for the creature to show itself, me shaking uncontrollably and Varick stiff and rigid, poised to fight.

I took a chance, lifting my head to scan the area, looking for anyone who could assist us. But we were completely alone. The parking lot was empty except for us and Varick's motorcycle. Even the ranger booth was empty. How convenient. Too convenient actually. The snarling turned my attention back to the wood line. The sounds were louder, closer. Varick remained still.

I saw the yellow eyes of the beast first, glowing in the shadows of the woods. Varick saw them too and I thought I head a rumble reverberating through his chest, an answer to the beast's call to fight. At the sight of the yellow eyes, my heart raced faster in my chest and blood pounded in my ears.

The creature stepped out of the shadows, its large, furry paw crunching the stones and sticks on the path leading to the parking lot. The creature took another step and its massive body came into view. It was larger then a dog, but smaller then a grizzly bear. Coarse black fur covered the beast down to its large paws, where long shiny claws protruded. It snarled, exposing sharp yellow fangs. It slowly approached, one slow step at a time, growling and snarling angrily.

"Varick..." Fear tightened my chest, making it difficult for me to breath.

Varick's arm tightened around me, keeping me pinned behind him. The muscles of his tattooed arm tensed and flexed. "I won't let it get you." His voice was low, but the fierceness of it could not be mistaken.

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