86 No! No more!

We left the open fields and walked the short distance, through the town gates and into the central square. I looked around and was surprised by the lack of people. Xin was looking too and seemed as puzzled.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say this is becoming a bit of a ghost town. Where is everyone?"

I nodded. Apart from some women and their gaggle of small children, few were left.

"I suspect as the trouble arrived, the people departed. Question is, where to? And are they safer there than here?"

"Well, we won't have difficulty finding an empty building," she wafted her right arm around, "it's more a case of which one do you fancy?"

"None of them." No. I didn't want to  stay here, there was a definite feeling of unease permeating the air; then my hackles twinged, someone was stalking us and not to smile and say hello. . "No. Xin, we need to leave now but do it smoothly and purposefully. Imagine a stalking wild cat just out of view. We're in trouble, I suggest we just move out."

Xin laughed casually, and holding a sing song sound to her voice I knew only too well, " that sounds delightful, I really do fancy something to eat, perhaps over there?" With that, she pulled my arm feigning a change in direction and I followed.

"How many?" Xin spoke very quietly, "I'm sensing three, maybe four?"

"Agreed, shredded chicken sounds great. I want four drumsticks, nice and juicy to cut into." I grinned and in our coded language, I continued, " so if I have the shredded chicken, what you having? Or do you prefer gutting your fish first?"

She grinned, " I want two, but will descale and gut my own, thanks." She grinned. She never lost the edge however she felt inside.

We carried on walking, leading the men to a spot were we were in control.

When we arrived, we stopped and turned. I was wrong, there were five in total. 

How I hate this endless, mindless game, all in the name of greed, desire and avarice. I just wanted my little home, some good fishing and hunting and most of all, just my pack around me, no-one else.

"Playtime," was all Xin said before she walked forward and began her routine of "chatting the men" and distracting their physical brain.

How many times had I heard this banter? Every time it sounded fresh and genuine. Every time it followed the same pattern. Every time it reached a level of playfulness which was my cue to begin. 

I didn't banter. 

I didn't flutter my eyelashes.

I killed.

Five men discovered what there was awaiting them after death. Each was gutted. Each had their throats cut to the bone. Each was left dumped where they fell. We didn't care if they were friend or foe, come up and challenge us? Discover how quickly Death comes walking around the corner.

"I'm ready to head back to where we camped " I said with total purpose in my mind. "If we do an evening meal then go. I'm sick of this already. I'm not staying and that's that."

Xin looked both surprised and relieved. " It's really time to go home. I've had it too. I'm tired of the nightmares, the flash backs, the terrors when I see groups of men. I dearly want out of here." She looked haunted. I did too. We’d been here a month and still Băo and his men hadn’t returned. I know Xin was getting nervous, she needed to see him, she needed the comfort and the peace just his presence gave her. Inside I suspected she was rapidly falling apart.

"Let's go back, speak to Second Master and then leave. If we gather some basic rations and a large oil skin, we'll be fine. We can agree to work around the town, but no, not in it any more!" I shuddered. Enough. That was twice in this town. Well beyond enough. I was resolute.

Second Master worked his persuasion techniques on us and we stayed that night.... in the barrack block.....on the floor.....well away from everyone.

The morning couldn't come soon enough as far as I was concerned. My head was screaming, 'let me out' and the body pain which came from holding back, was excruciating. 

We went back to Second Master's quarters and said our farewells. 

He had already given us access to provisions, a pass to get in and out, plus direct access to him should it be needed.

We'd heard Bǎo's cat call earlier that morning so we knew he would be back shortly. 

Hopefully if we were quick enough, we'd catch up with him before he entered the town. Maybe sit down as a group and enjoy a tea and swap of information. 

I missed that.

Xin was excited. Her mate was returning and she wanted to connect. Things were up in the air as to how we'd work from now on but I hoped we'd still be the pack we'd been for so long.

Xin began walking at a brisk pace, resolute in her decision to reconnect. I followed, watching our backs as we left. Our pace attracted attention but little else.

As we emerged the other side of the town gates we saw them in the distance. 

Xin took to a jog covering the distance surprisingly quickly. She dropped her bundle and ran the last few meters. I carried on walking but kept a close eye on her; she was acting out of character. Picking up her bundle, I continued at a steady pace.

I watched as she wrapped her arms around Bǎo's neck and promptly collapsed. 

He grabbed her as she began slipping, and lowering her to the ground, I realised just how badly everything had affected her. 

She was collapsed, out cold, and shaking uncontrollably. 

Everyone gathered round and looked in my direction. I was......she needed protecting from all this and I had exposed her to it all. I felt incredibly guilty. I'd not realised just how bad things were.

"Let's get her off the main thoroughfare and find a better place, for all of us to stop a while." I knew this area fairly well and knew we were near some market gardens and some stands of trees. I began walking in that direction. "Come. Bǎo, lift her up, I'll take her bundle,  I think I know somewhere we can rest and spend some decompression time together."

"She's really bad isn't she?" Bǎo looked very worried. He cared deeply for his mate.  It was both beautiful and tragic.

"I didn't realise, sorry Bǎo. I knew she was feeling it," I shook my head, "but I didn't realise it was this bad."

"It's not your fault Niao. You do your best looking after all of us and we look up to you as our Alpha. You've kept us all safe. This is," he paused, and looked down at her, "this is one side to the aftermath of war and killing."