The gray skies had darkened still, giving way to a star less night, brightened only by the intermittent flashes of lightening brought on by the storm. The accompanying thunder acted as a sort of timer, counting down to a still end for the night.
Ironically, the rumblings outside had no effect on the slumber of the sole occupant of the erstwhile abandoned building complex, it was his inner turmoil that proved to be the end of a erstwhile fitful slumber. A flash of thunder coincided with his awakening, illuminating the contents of the room and revealing the heavily breathing, wide eyed occupant of the room.
Now, that the adrenaline had done it's work, the boy had lost any inclinations of slumber and arose, checking the barrier field and moving to the window for a view of the storm outside.
'I wonder what they're up to back home' Axiel thought about his family as he reached out a hand to catch a drop of rain.
He'd always projected a strong front to his father as he had always looked up to him, but he had to admit that he was already feeling a bit homesick. This was his first trip without being accompanied by his father as his sister had fallen ill as soon as spring came up. As the only parent, his father had to stay behind to look after her.
It was not that he was scared, his father had been using this trail even before he was born, and most of the dangers could be easily avoided with appropriate preparations and timing. He just felt a bit lonely due to the monotonous atmosphere of his journey. He missed the company of his father and had even taken to counting the number of landmarks left on the trail as he passed by. At this point, he even wished to see any other living being regardless of their origins.
'The weather doesn't help either'. He eyed the clouds tepidly. A passing flash of color caught his attention as he watched on dreamily. He stood immediately, a glint in his eye and an increased heartbeat, the other signs of his unease. If there was one thing his father had taught him in spades, it was caution.
Kree
It was the sharp cry that spurred him into action. He quickly moved to turn off all sources of light in the room and loaded the bundle over his shoulders as he slowly moved towards the entrance of the room even as he kept his sights trained on the open window in front of him.
As he reached the corridor, a bird flew into the room. It had a azure blue color with wing tips that were almost transparent and feet covered in sky blue fluff. It looked cute as it surveiled it's surroundings curiously. The look of horror on Axiel's face though, told another story.
'Please don't see me' Axiel prayed to all the religious figures he could think of. Alas, it was not to be as the creature sighted him and crooed in recognition.
Woosh
He felt the pain even as the bird vanished from his sight and a muffled grunt sounded out through his lips, even as he fought to stay silent as he ran down the corridor to an exit he had already marked out for a quick escape. The sound of objects clattering and crashing down behind followed him even as he made his way down the flight of stairs, two steps at a time.
'I was feeling lonely, not bored. If the universe chose this moment to listen to my thoughts, I'll have to reevaluate it's sense of humor'.
As he cleared the building complex, Axiel raised his sights once more to the sky, scanning the grey clouds for any signs of activity. The lack of any brought a sigh of relief to his lips, even as he proceeded to shut the steel door of the exit behind him.
He then ran as fast as his legs could carry him, propelled by his second adrenaline shot of the night as he made his way to the nearest landmark, an abandoned cave that his father had recently marked out as a safe zone.
As he caught sight of his destination, the pain and fatigue slowly caught up to him. On his entrance into the cave, he took a moment to catch his breath letting his bundle slide off his shoulders onto the floor. After a moment, he then made sure the cave was secure and proceeded to attach his barrier lantern.
He retrieved some wound dressing from his bundle and took care of his cut while gritting his teeth in response to the pain. As soon as he was done, he slid his back down the walls of the cave as his eyes slowly closed for the night a second time. His final thought being that he wasn't feeling blue anymore after all.