With a slow, deliberate movement, I allowed my heavy eyelids to flutter open and greeted the warm embrace of the sun on my face. As I sat up, the room was bathed in a strange red light - a gentle reminder of the setting sun outside my window. I stretched my arms and legs, wincing at the dull ache in my muscles from sleeping in an unfamiliar bed. But as I peeled myself away from Treyson's comforting hold with a groan, a wide smile spread across my face. For the first time in eleven long years, I had slept soundly, undisturbed by haunting memories or fears. It was a feeling that had almost become foreign to me but one that I knew I would cherish for a long time to come.
With a languid stretch, Treyson sat up and wrapped an arm tightly around my waist, effortlessly pulling me onto his lap. The warmth of his skin against mine sent shivers down my spine as he pressed his lips hungrily against mine. His free hand found the back of my head, tangling in my hair as he deepened the kiss with a fierce passion.
As our bodies pressed closer, his wandering hand found the exposed skin on my waist where my cami had ridden up, igniting a tingling sensation that spread throughout my body. I couldn't resist wrapping my arms around Treyson's neck, desperately trying to get even closer to him. The taste of this man on my tongue was like a potent elixir, one that would indeed become a delicious addiction.
A thrill of anticipation ran through me as his rough and calloused fingers caressed my bare skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. I couldn't resist him any longer; I wanted this man with every fiber of my being, and I wanted him now! My breath hitched in my chest as he continued to explore my body, his touch sending shivers down my spine. I was lost in the moment, ready to give myself entirely to him, I started to pull my tank top over my head when the sound of my brother's voice cut through the haze like a bucket of cold water.
"Bree!?"
My body froze, my camisole suspended halfway off my shoulders as I let out an exasperated groan. "Damn it, JR!" I muttered, frustration boiling within me at the interruption.
"Bree, are you down here?"
With an angry sigh…pulled my tank top back down before sliding off of Treyson's lap as the fucker started to chuckle…Then stomped over to the door.
"I'm over here, fuck face!" I growled with my hands on my hips.
JR's brows rose in surprise before scrunching in confusion, "What the hell has your panties in a twist?"
Treyson sauntered into the hallway, his deep laugh still echoing through the air. His bare chest glistened in the dim light seeping in from the window, casting a warm red glow on his dark skin. He leaned nonchalantly against the doorjamb, exuding an effortless sexiness that made my heart race. I couldn't help but admire the way his muscles rippled and flexed with every movement. He looked like a powerful demon standing there, tempting me to give into my desires...damn...
I ran my hands through my hair with a sigh, then pulled at the ends with a growl before making a shooing motion at JR, "You should come back in like an hour or two," I muttered as I tried to shove the sexy ghoul back into the room.
JR ran his hands over his face with a sigh as he looked from me to Treyson, who was still chuckling as he cupped my face between his hands to lean in and press his lips to my forehead, "Just an hour or two?" Treyson teased, "I feel offended."
I threw my hands in the air with a sigh, "Well, we do still have people to cure and a world to save…"I explained with a shrug, "So an hour or two would have to suffice for now…"
My brother sighed deeply, then said, "Which is exactly why I was coming to get you, Bree; we need to get going."
"You know what, you are such a wet blanket," I mumbled as I crossed my arms in frustration.
Treyson chuckled as he cupped my face in his hands again, "No need to be so upset, Coacoochee; we can always wait for another day."
"Coa—Coo—Chee what?" I asked with my hands on my hips, "What the hell does that mean?"
"An elder in my village once shared the tale of a fierce warrior, known as Wild Cat or Coacoochee, who became the legendary leader of the Seminole tribe during the tumultuous Second Seminole War in the early 1800s. As I look at you now, with your strong presence and determined eyes, I can't help but think that this name suits you well... but let us not dwell on stories now, Wild Cat. We must prepare ourselves for our journey ahead."
"Okay, fine, you guys win… I will get dressed and meet you in the kitchen in thirty minutes," I said to JR before skirting around Treyson to walk into the room.
I know I was a drama queen, but I finally had an excellent good sleep and had a gorgeous man who made me feel something I have never felt before…I just wanted the moment to last just a little bit longer… but I know that the fate of the world depends on me finding this cure…
I ran a hand through my hair with a sigh, cringing in fright as two strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I leaned against Treyson's warmth as he snuggled his face into the crook of my neck. I laid my head against his as I reached behind me to place my hand on his scruffy cheek.
"I'm sorry for being such a drama queen," I mumbled as I twisted around to wrap my arms around his neck.
"It's alright, Coacoochee," he says as he pulls me in for a kiss, "I want to spend more time with you too. As long as you permit it, I will be standing right next to you the whole time."
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I smiled up at Treyson, "With you standing next to me, I feel that I could achieve anything."
Treyson smiled as he leaned in for another kiss as his hands wandered down and grabbed two handfuls of my ass with a growl, making me gasp. "That should satisfy me for a little while, " Treyson said with a crooked smile, then stepped away to start getting ready to head out.
I shook my head with a smile plastered on my face as I pulled on new clothes and geared up for the battle ahead; who knows what awaited us when we got to the lab…
"Isn't your village going to worry when you haven't gone home all this time?" I asked as I snapped my bag and slid my arms through the straps.
"No, " Treyson says as he wraps an arm around my waist, "They are used to me wandering off and not returning for long periods of time."
"Hmm, okay," I said with a nod, "What about your mom? Doesn't she worry?"
Treyson shrugged his shoulders as we made our way down the hallway, "I wouldn't know; I have never met my mother. Like most ghouls, I was dumped as a child and was lucky enough to have been found by Lakoda, who had been out foraging for food, " He explains, "I don't know what would have happened to me if she hadn't found me."
"Oh, wow… I'm sorry, Trey… I lost my mom when I was five. My father says that she died due to complications during the birth of my little sister Zoey, who also died."
Treyson pressed a kiss to the top of my head, then said, "Well, now we have each other."
When we stepped into the kitchen, everyone turned at the same time… some had raised brows, others shrugged, and one looked absolutely pissed… But I didn't care…
So not giving a damn about what they thought about my choice of men, Treyson and I joined Izzy and JR before heading out into the dark forest once again…
Treyson entwined his fingers with mine as we trekked through the remains of the once bustling city, now reclaimed by nature. My steps faltered as I caught sight of a group of mutated creatures grazing on the overgrown grass just a few feet away. They were unlike anything I had ever seen before.
Their bodies resembled that of a graceful deer, but instead of fur, they were covered in a coat of shimmering golden and feathers dappled in white spots, each one unique in its pattern. The most mesmerizing feature, however, was their long feathered tails that swished back and forth behind them like living ribbons. As they moved, their hind legs ended in delicate hooves while their front legs boasted sharp talons that glinted in the sunlight.
But it was their faces that actually captivated me - large, piercing eyes that belonged to an owl, with a sharp beak jutting out from their feathery faces. In total, there were five of these extraordinary creatures in front of us, four of which appeared to be females. Their darker feathers and fluffy leg plumage gave them a distinctly feminine appearance. And then there was the male, standing tall and proud among the others. He was larger in size and adorned with lighter feathers, a striking white face, and an impressive set of antlers that demanded respect from the rest.
"What are these creatures called?" I asked Treyson.
Treyson took a deep breath and inhaled the scent in the air, then turned to me and said, "The animals in front of us are most likely Deowler's. They are known for their calm temperament, but be cautious around the females as The Bucks are extremely defensive of their female counterparts and could become hostile if they sensed any threat."
As Treyson took my hand and led me forward, my eyes caught sight of two tiny Deowlers with white feathers and golden brown spots. I was surprised to see them, as I had heard that mutants were not able to reproduce. I stopped in my tracks and pointed towards the baby Deowlers, calling Treyson's attention to them. He turned to me with a shrug and spoke, "The world is constantly evolving to sustain itself. The birth of these little ones is a sign that even the mutants are adapting and finding ways to survive." Hearing this, I felt a sense of awe at the resilience of these creatures and the power of nature always to find a way to thrive.
"Aren't they beautiful?" asked Izzy.
I nodded as I wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"We need to keep moving; the lab shouldn't be much further," says JR.
Izzy rolled her eyes, then walked beside me as we made our way through the maze of trees and the skeletons of old crumbled buildings.
"Hey, Bree?" says Izzy.
"Yeah, what is it?" I asked as I scanned the trees that were now illuminated by the silver glow of the full moon.
"I just wanted to say that you deserve to be happy just like everyone else, and I won't judge if the one who makes you happy is a ghoul," Izzy explains, "I trust you enough to believe that if you trust Treyson, then I will too."
I smiled at my bestie, "Thank you, Izzy."
Izzy's face lit up with a smile as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder, "Anytime, my friend."
Izzy and I leaped in terror as a screamer suddenly emerged from the shadows. My hand shook as I lifted my rifle, sweat beading on my forehead. With a single shot, the screamer's head exploded into a gruesome mess of blood and brain matter. It was a constant fear, living in a world overrun by these mutated creatures - knowing that at any moment, they could attack. But I held onto hope that soon we would find a cure and put an end to their suffering before it was too late. Until then, we would have to continue fighting for our survival, one bullet at a time.
"Nice shot!" shouts Phoebe, who I noticed was walking next to Carmen…I was curious as to what had happened between the two of them.
"Thanks!" I returned as we continued on our way.
The closer we got to the lab, the worse the zombies and screamers got; Treyson stood at my back as we worked together to make it through the massive horde. I eventually ran out of bullets and had to switch to my machete, slicing through the mutant's heads as they moved in closer. The sight of their half-rotted corpses and the smell made me gag, but I just kept pushing forward.
I snuck glances at Treyson, totally in awe at how he moves and how well he can use his scythe, almost like it is an extension of him.
"I'm gonna have to get me one of those!" I exclaimed as I took out one zombie after another.
Treyson's lips curved into a crooked smile as he took out a zombie that had been ambling toward me,
"The scythe is my trusty companion," he declared a glint of pride in his voice. "Guns are useless to me with my lack of vision, so I was trained in the art of wielding a scythe. It has become my weapon of choice, and I have honed my skills with it ever since." The curved blade gleamed in the moonlight as he spoke, its sharp edge reflecting the determination in his eyes. He handled it with ease and grace as if it were an extension of his own body. From years of practice, he had mastered its deadly capabilities, and now it served as his most valuable tool in battle.