Chereads / Beasts / Chapter 10 - The Kenya Massacre

Chapter 10 - The Kenya Massacre

Mouse couldn't stop his pacing. Justin had gone to speak to Scarlett, but instead of moving both units only hers went off. The generals had decided to have her patrol the area and wait for Alec before they moved again. Thus, a messenger had been sent. It was not the news he wanted. The male had been on edge ever sense she left. He could not understand why they had to be so stubborn. Why could they just listen to him, for once? Just once! The male snarled and kicked to send a rock flying into the bushes before throwing himself back against a tree. His head leaned against the bark before closing his eyes. A deep breath burned through his throat before he forced it out. Clenching his hands to calm himself, he parted his eyes to watch the dark sky. He could see the slight flicker of the sun that was starting to paint everything in color.

Maybe he was overreacting. That was when the scream started. Mouse jerked up as he glanced back towards the camp. His eyes widened at the smoke that begun to rise above the trees, and the ash that burned through his nose. For a moment, he remained shocked, unable to move, and his whole body turned to ice. That was until the flames begun to rise and consumed the surrounding area. The glow of flames begun to sweep, devouring the grass, and claiming the tree. Birds screeched as the fled, and the woodland creatures ran with all their might. A fire that consumed so quickly could only mean one thing. This was an attack.. and his fears were coming true.

"H-Help... m-me." A voice choked out. Mouse turned his widened eyes in the direction of the sound as he watched a fellow pack member reach out to him. However, he was unable to recognize the sight of the male as he was covered in scratches, deep wounds, and blood that painted him from head to toe. His stomach was now ripped open allowing intestines to flop from the gore to the ground. The male spat up crimson and it dribbled down his chin. With an outstretched hand, he tried to speak again only to trip over his own organs. Falling to the ground, the male whimpered and groaned. Soon, the green grass turned darker as the liquid flooded the scene. The smell of it was sharp, thick, and choked Mouse as he placed a hand over his mouth. It was not long before the male's heart took its last breath. It was then, the body twitched and jerked before resting. Lifeless eyes stared at the coyote with his hand still stretched out and lips still parted to beg for help that would never come.

Mouse felt the burn of the bile as he stepped forward slowly to come to kneel beside the body. His hands trembled as he moved to slowly push him over. The smell, once more, assaulted his senses. The flesh was already decaying, and he knew soon insects would be here to dine on the flesh. He did not wish to be there, however what sickened him more were the clear slash marks of claws. Someone had toyed with him... scratching here, ripping flesh there... bruising covered him. His rib bone had burst through his flesh and laid there sharp as a knife. It sickened the healer. The war had come to them, and this was the pay out for it.

Turning his head, Mouse covered his mouth once more as the bile rose. It burned along his throat as sweat beat down his brow. His body trembled. He had to lean down while clenching his eyes to keep himself from being sick. That did not stop the pounding in his ears though or the way he begun to pant. He could not even think about the idea of rushing back to camp. Mouse feared for himself. He had begged them to move. He had demanded it, yet no one had listened to him. No one had taken him seriously. Why should it matter to him? Why would he die for them? Yet, the coyote pulled his lips back to bare fangs at the thought of Alissa. Alissa was there. She was in danger. She could be dying. That was what made his head snap up. His pink eyes searched, and without further debate he shifted. The shift came over him like silk. It was as if he was shedding his skin for a new form... a form that laid dormant inside himself. After all, they were animals... inside and out that took on a humanoid shape.

Thus, when Mouse landed on four paws he threw his head up. His maw parted, and he sang. Mouse sang the cries of battle, the cry of his anger, and the cry of his frustration. He called to Scarlett, to Alec, to the main force... to anyone that could save them and anyone that was close by to be safe. He howled to them, before he too rushed to the front lines. Healer or not, he would play in this battle today. If only he knew what would come of it.

Within moments, the albino coyote broke through the underbrush to stop dead in his tracks. His body arched in shock. His ears pressed against his skull, and his tail tucked between his legs. The strength nearly left his body as the smell of burning flesh assaulted his senses. His entire being trembled. The entire camp was a sea of red. The smoke removed all ability of vision, but his nose and ears found it all. The smell of burning bodies, the helpless screams, the pain, the agony, and the whooping laughter. He could hear the snarls of his brothers, and the yowls of the enemies. The shadows of bodies moved in his eyesight. They fought, tooth and claw, in hopes of surviving the night only to have their hope ripped away. This was no battle, but a massacre.

Mouse forced himself from his fear. He took a step forward against the ashy ground. His body remained lower, however that one step was enough to catch the attention of another. A yelp ripped from his throat at the pain that erupted from his body. Fangs snatched into his back, but he rolled to throw the attacker off. Both came to their feet, and they faced each other with bared fangs. The coyote's hackles rose while a loud booming snarl vibrated from his chest. Narrowed red eyes faced the black creature before him. To his surprise, it was a puffed up black serval. It was no mere force that had attacked the camp, but an elite force. The Seven Ravens. It was not a crow Mouse had seen. It had been a raven.

The coyote snarled louder at the realization just as the black serval kicked off. It pounced towards him with a screech, but he was quicker. Jerking to one side, the feline missed him while he twisted to snap at the creature. The feline twisted to dodge him enough before leaping to sink its fangs into his face. He yelped out while the cat's claws found their way down his down his flesh. He slammed, head first, into the ground making the feline screech out. It released him, which was the first mistake. His fangs found its throat and sank deep into the black flesh. Blood gushed onto his tongue while the cat's back claws shredded into his chest. The front clawed at his face, yet he refused to let go. Yowling, screeching, and crying the cat continued to color him in red. He did not let go. He refused to.

Yet, finally, a claw ripped over his eye. Mouse yelped out and threw himself back. He rubbed his face against the ground and then shook his head back and forth. The feline laughed against the crimson that choked it before getting up slowly on shaking legs. The feline begun to circled the canine while it watched him with delighted pleasure. He, unable to see past the red, twisted his ears... listening and waiting as his maw parted in a pant. He was growing tired. He was not meant for fighting, but it was the feline's next move that would cost it. The black serval suddenly leapt again towards the canine's throat. Mouse, in desperation, turned in the direction of the sound. He parted his mouth and snapped onto the face of the feline. It cried out and clawed at him again, yet this time he threw his head downwards. Mouse shattered the feline's skull on the ground causing brain matter and blood to fly from the body... covering him and the ashen ground around him. He cared little though as he slowly released the now lifeless body.

Mouse did not even look at the body, but instead turned away to start limping further into the camp. He had no idea what he would do, but he prayed he could do something... anything. The coyote found himself at the healer's tent. His eyes flickered about as he looked at the bodies ... torn, bruised and bloody. Each of them were mauled beyond all reorganization, but he knew their scent. His heart nearly broke though at the sight, but not all of the healers were here. That meant there was a chance someone had escaped.

Taking a step, he stopped at the sound of a low purr. His entire body tensed up, while wondering eyes peeked around in the darkness. His eyes searched against the roaring flames and bodies to find movement. Once more, he stepped back as a black serval emerged. The feline held a small fennec fox in its mouth. Its mouth was parted as it coughed and wheezed through the blood that was choking it. One eye hung from its skull, yet still attached by a single muscle. The other eye was budged out and rolled back in the skull. It was milky white with splashes of crimson here and there. One ear had been ripped away, its back was clearly broken, and its once golden fur was mattered in red. It simply hung there... only able to wait for death. The feline parted its mouth, and the poor creature fell to the ground. Its body twitched before finally mercy took its life.

"You bastard!" Mouse cried out. His voice breaking into a sob. The fennec fox had only been fourteen years old. He was a healer's apprentice. To have his life taken in such a brutal fashion... unforgivable. The serval chuckled as it stepped forward slowly. It smiled and tilted its head. It parted its mouth to speak, yet a blurr of movement ripped the cat from its feet. Mouse could only listen to the screams, until they were silenced a second later. It would be a husky that emerged this time. Justin limped towards the healer. Each step he let out a whimper until Mouse realized why. A huge chunk of flesh was missing from his back, his front leg was clearly broken, and his side was in tatters.

He should not even be standing. Yet, the creature came to his side and buried his face in Mouse's fur. He did not miss the sob from the creature. "Thank the Gods.... you are still alive." His head bowed as he nearly fell to the ground. The coyote could only watched, unable to process the sight before him. "Please... please save her. Please Mouse. I can't lose her!" The husky cried out. His ears pressed against his skull. Before Mouse, stood a defeated broken man. His whole entire being had been shattered. He knew they had lost, but Mouse knew it was Justin who may lose the most. His unit... and now her. He knew what that meant. Alissa was dying.

"Take me to her." Mouse whispered softly.

The husky forced himself to nod as he turned. Mouse came to his side and did his best to help the male along. Each step was painful to watch, therefore he glanced away to the battle around him. Most of it had died down. To many, they looked like walking corpses. He could only pray that soon Alec's unit would be here or better yet... the main force. Turning away though, they moved away from the battle... into the woods, and soon another horror was found that night. As soon as Alissa was in sight, the husky collapsed on the ground, but Mouse abandoned him. Transforming, he fell to Alissa's side and hovered his hands above her. He watched her helplessly, unable to process what to do next. He had no idea what he could even so. Her chest had been ripped open. Her rib bones had been pulled apart to reveal the muscle and organs underneath. There was so much blood, she actually looked black. There was no way he could save her. Lowering his head, he looked for something to cover her with, but there was nothing.

Lowering his head some, he moved to brush his finger along her cheek... down her neck as he watched this angel. This beautiful angel that had been turned to a cold corpse... or at least soon. Her eyes had parted to show unfocused pupils. The color and life in them had long leaked away. Black circles had formed under her eyes as her pale skin begun to become sunken in. Her golden hair had been ripped, and now it laid in a mess around her. Slowly smiling, she revealed bloody teeth and crimson that dribbled down to her chin. "Mouse." She choked out. He breathed in deeply as tears collected into his eyes and slithered down his cheek. "Is that you Mouse?" She mumbled out.

It was only then he realized she could not see him. His hand reached out and gently he wove his arms around her. Cradling her, he pulled her close to him and nuzzled against her neck. He breathed in her scent, yet all he found was that of death, despair, and smoke. No longer did she smell sweet and innocent. No longer was she untouchable. No longer was she just a little girl. Soon... she would find rest with the Gods. "I'm sorry. I'm.." He felt the sob break through.

"Please... save... him." Alissa forced out as her eyes begun to close again. Her strength was leaving her, and her body only continued to grow colder. "You both... must live."

It was that day that Mouse lost his heart, but it was only by holding Alissa did he have the strength to go on. Only by hearing her words did he allow himself to live, thus he forced himself to lay her down. He placed a hand onto the ground and shoved himself up. Every single fiber of his body screamed for him to return to her side. Mouse's whole being begged him to not give up on her... to find a way to save her, but her words remained echoing in his head. Her final words... It killed nearly killed Mouse to sit by his delta's side, and do nothing for the girl he loved. With tears streaming down his face... with stringing red eyes, he raised his hand and allowed the warm energy to spread through him like a virus. Thus, he watched as the warm glow begun to heal the man... the man he had been told to save by Alissa as she died in his arms.

"Did...you save her?" Justin whispered, hopeful.

"Yes." Mouse choked out as he bowed his head.

"Then why are you crying?" Another sob broke through Mouse, before finally he heard the roar of voices. The main force had arrived.

The battle ended when the main force had arrived. The Seven Ravens fled in knowledge they had completed their mission. Bellaroos would soon lose a second battle in their attempts to reclaim Kenya which would result in 506 lives and over 200 wounded in their mere 1,500 troop army. Thus, a barrier would be created instead and soon a wall was built to create a new boundary between the two clans. It was ordered to be guarded by an elite private force.

As for the massacre, it would later be called the Kenya Massacre. Only Mouse and Justin survived the attack by the Seven Ravens, while Alec's group only had three survivors including himself. They had been attacked by a second force after they received the messenger. As for Scarlett's group, it is unknown what happened to the unit. It was only later confirmed that they had all died in the attack with the only witness being the beta, Alec. Despite several investigations, he refused to speak on the matter. Soon after, the alpha grew ill out of depression due to the loss of his wife. This left his son, Alec, to take on most of his duties, and soon after Justin stepped down from being a general. However, the mysterious attacks lead to questions about a traitor in the mix due to all three units being attacked at once. The investigation has been left open, despite there being no evidence.