Neema shook off the eyrie feeling the wolf's eyes had left over her body. Her frame trembling as she realised how close they had been to meeting their demise.

So close

Her lip bled deep as she gnawed away on it in an attempt to gain control over her emotions. She hadn't felt such profound fear in such a long time, the type of fear that settled heavy in her bones making movement impossible. Her brain turned to sludge and her limbs had locked up. That type of fear was crippling, so crippling it left her hating herself in its aftermath.

A smooth arm glided over her shoulder and gripped her free hand, rough fingers meeting rougher, stronger ones. A quick squeeze was given before it disappeared as if it had never been there. Like a ghost's breath whispering along her fingers. A lover's touch by the hands of a friend.

Neema eyed the broad back of Victus as he marched away from her, her fingers twitching with the need to chase after him and grab his hand again in comfort. The need for comfort that she hadn't craved for years overwhelmed her being until she stood quaking with the need to go to him. To ask him to give her some of his strength. Strength that was evident in his broad shoulder and the thickness of his thighs and beefy arms.

In a world of gaunt people, he was rippled and chiselled with muscles that could tempt the dead. His dark auburn hair was cropped short to his head in jagged strands and his skin was almost transparent. She ached for him to turn around so she could finally catch the colour of his eyes.

He was strong and all man compared to her scrawny femininity.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she gripped Caillum tighter and moved further away from the still thumping door

The wolf was persistent

The section of the cave they stood in had high ceilings that were dripping with water, the smell of damp was so strong she felt herself gag at the stench. Bile rose in her throat but she swallowed it down. She was used to stenches just as she was used to tamping down her bodies reactions. She could not be weak or show any weakness.

Glancing down at her siblings to see how they were fairing, she noticed that Jana had managed to fall asleep in all the havoc. Her baby cheeks were ruddy with heat and her little fist clasped around a lock of her golden hair whilst Caillum's eyelids were drooping over his violet eyes, his face streaked with dried tears. Neema felt her heart quiver at the innocence of her siblings, hoping against all odds that they would remain as oblivious as she was at their age. Stroking Caillum's hair she whispered calming words to the little boy, promising him she would keep them safe. Though she knew any innocence he had left had vanished before it had ever really existed.

At the realisation that she could see her siblings features clearly Neema looked for the source of light. It had been so long since she could clearly see anything. The gods had surely blessed her this day, first granting her with moon light and now the red hue of the rising sun.

Only the hunters of the village were permitted to go outside and feel the light along their skin, see life that existed outside of the cave. Though it was mostly at night because that was the safest time to hunt, they were sometimes permitted out in daylight. They were the only people to constantly see light but here Neema was seeing natural light twice in one day. Surely life could only improve from here. She could not believe the gods would bless her and curse her in the same day.

The struggle for life was a hard one, but humans for centuries had remained resistant to the lure of the money and wealth the wolves and their mates had. They had forgone all items of luxury for their humble lives of freedom. They were an emancipated people but at what cost. Neema could only hope that this token of light would lead them into a better life. One where she did not have to scrounge for meat in order to feed her siblings because her pride refused to let her lay with a man for food.

Though Victus had often given her food when he could he had to remain discreet about it, less they think he was grooming Neema for the taking. Her small family went weeks without proper food, gnawing on the tiny bars for food. Or using weak old bones for broth that was flavourless and even rarer. Water was controlled as was every other aspect of their lives.

Politics underground was almost as hard as it was above ground, especially for a woman but at least Neema could choose her fate. Many women did form relationships with hunters in order to survive but Neema had found other ways. What difference would survival make if she became a prisoner to a man in the same way she would a wolf.

Maybe she wouldn't have been expected to carry a baby right away nor would she have been forced. But she knew that food would not be given if she did not give in return. Hands that had no right touching her.

She could not relinquish her rights because then she could not control what happened to her siblings. Giving her body meant she gave over everything to a man, and though Victus was the only man she could imagine doing that with there were still politics to consider. Victus was a nice man but the society had demands and he would have to follow them no matter how he felt. Neema would bend to his will and he could force her if need be. The possibility was too much to bear.

Clutching Caillum's head to her hip she surveyed their surroundings wearily, this village was not her home but it had become a place where she had begun to rear her siblings. She would miss this place even if she was glad to finally be leaving.

Stepping further into the room Neema glanced at the front of the cave where water gushed out through some gates, dropping down into what appeared to be a stagnant stream of sorts. To the side of the stream there was a cluster of chunky rocks, with a large opening which allowed the orange light to splash through. Neema ushered her siblings awake and swung her bag from her back, rummaging inside she came out with three protein bars. Giving them one each she encouraged them to eat quickly and wash the food down with a gulp full of water from a small flask. Placing half of her protein bar back inside the bag she placed it back on her back.

A slither of warmth from the sun shone through one of the beams, kissing her ashy skin with its healing energy. Though it was still dark outside the sun had begun to rise and the moon was going into slumber. The two fighting their battle for dominance over the earth.

"Listen up everyone" shouted Stephen, he was one of the many leaders of the underground village. His tall body still carried some of the lithe muscles of his youth, but his greyish beard gave indication to his age. Harsh lines were around his mouth and eyes making him look miserable and depleted. His face held no hope.

"Outside of this gate there will be nothing for miles, until we reach the river where we have hidden boats"

Everyone began cheering as hope was restored among the people, their ears taking in his words and ignoring his forced expression. Their joy overriding all caution they should have held onto.

Neema felt a small smile growing on her face as she knew that they would evade the wolves for another day. However, this thought was crushed when Stephens's brief smile disappeared and was placed by a frown. His brows furrowed deeply into his skin forcing Neema to search the crowd for Victus, hoping he would give an indication of what was going on. Neema could not find him anywhere but she saw Stephen turn his back to the oblivious people whilst he and the other council members discussed in hushed whispers. For minutes they stood there discreetly arguing as the crowd cheered on in relief, as if their noise could not be heard through the bars. As if the wolves had been out smartened by them.

Meagre little humans

Neema's pessimistic attitude began to build as she noted the tense faces of the other members, she caught a glimpse of Victus towards the side of the council men. Lingering into the discussion but not quite present. His eyes flickered to Neema's quickly as he nodded his head slightly, gesturing for her to make her way towards him. Beautiful blue eyes, eyes of what the sky would look like in the warmer months. Bright and so blue, they looked like dripping water. They looked like home.

Slowly walking through the elated people so she wouldn't jolt them out of their celebration, she made her way towards him. Her eyes trapped on his as she shuffled Caillum forwards.

As she reached the front, Stephen slowly turned his body to face the audience whilst grasping his fierce eyed wife's hand, her lips wobbling from the strain it took not to cry.

"The boats are very far and the wolves will invade before the sun rises therefore so we have to leave now but uhh, I'm sorry but not... Not all of us will make it"

At his statement the rage of the people manifested into loud shouts, the anger they felt at possibly leaving behind anyone dear to them. People began pushing towards the council whilst men began climbing up towards the gates in an attempt to break the bars to their freedom. Their prison.

Neema stood by watching the enraged crowd, her hand instinctually gripping Victus' and her free one pulling Caillum closer to her body. They had to get out of here. Victus clasped her hand tightly and gave her a last squeeze before he let go and made his way forward.

"That's why we have to leave now!" Shouted Victus as he pushed his way before the council men.

"We need to leave everything behind and make our way through the forest as fast as we can, will provide us with a slight advantage as their power will be weaning"

He glanced around at his people, seeing the faces of fear among many while tears streamed down mothers faces who clasped their young children to their chests. His eyes bled into Neema's as he took in her unhealthy brown skin, her chapped lips and frizzy brown hair before he faced the front again.

"There's still hope for us yet. Open the gates"

At his prompting men and women began prying open the heavy metal gates. When they were pulled as far as they could go the villagers ruched through and began climbing up the rocks. There was a small steady flow of people running through the gates towards the stream. Hearing the pattering of the people before her Neema clasped her hand tighter around her brother.

"No matter what happens, you don't let go of my hand" she whispered to her brother.

Caillum realising the peril they were in began crying, his small frame trembling with fear. Stroking his hair with her free hand she mumbled words of praise. She told him how proud she was of him, how strong he was, how brave he was. She stroked his hair until his tears dried up and his body stopped shaking.

"We'll make this little brother; we'll survive"

Victus made his way back to her and wrapped her body in his arms, his rough lips scraped over hers as his tongue flicked out and pushed inside her mouth. His thick fingers stroking her back before he propelled her and her family through the gates and towards the rock wall. Lifting Caillum first he handed him to the man who stood on top of the wall and then he faced Neema one last time. Placing one last kiss on her lips, he lifted her in his arms and handed her to the man who stood by Caillum.

Looking down at Victus Neema whispered her final goodbye before she gripped Caillum's shaky hands and pushed him through another set of gates. These ones were jagged and rusting from the weathered elements. With her feet numb from the cold water streaming through the gate Neema climbed through after, clasping Jana's lolling head in her arms as she crouched through the jagged poles of the bars.

Inhaling the fresh air, her eyes adjusted to the sharp light of the dwindling moon and the rising sun as they began their sprint towards the boats. Running through the forest with the grass clinging to her feet was a luxury Neema hadn't felt in what seemed like centuries. The fading moonlight glimmering off her skin a reminder of a life her and her people had unjustly missed out on. The brutal reminder of a life that would forever be denied to her, her family and people. The anger swelling in her heart fuelled the power her body needed to endure the long distance to the boats.