THE GUARDIAN

Day Two. Still...

We moved out, but this time there was no running, just a long walk in the seemingly unending grassy plain. It was boring and tiring, yet, I was grateful... because walking meant less huffing and puffing for me. 

"Stay close and be quiet. Make sure that you don't stir the grasses much," he instructed me. His stern calm face has not change its expression as he continued, "We don't want any attention from them."

There goes that baffling word again. "What do you mean them? Who are THEM?" I asked... but, he did not answer and quicken his pace, so I followed. 

I knew that talking to strangers is dumb, and that it's dumber and more dangerous to go with them. However, he has already saved me twice, and if his intention for me is bad, why didn't he do it when I was unconscious? - I reckoned; set my doubts aside and focused my attention to him. The grasses in the area were tall and crowded and it's easy for someone to get lost in there.

Neal Gordon was wearing a worn out jerkin made from a thick animal hide. Stains and some dirt covered it which made it difficult for me to figure the color. Underneath was an old worn out tunic which sleeves were jaggedly ripped off, exposing his well toned muscular arms.

The tip of the metallic handle of the knife that took the black mamba's life a while ago protruded from the back of his right boot. Another knife with a leather sheath was clipped to his loose-fitting belt. He was also carrying a timberman's ax on his back and a staff-like wood held in his left hand. He was using it to warily part away the grasses that were blocking our path.

I tilted my head slightly as I examined him from the back. What a sexy ass - I thought and made a brief smirk. He looked like a nerdy lad who's about to attend a Comicon in Atlanta. Only this time, the props were real and the situation was dreadfully serious... and everything was a puzzle to me.

Then, our surrounding became brighter. I looked up and noticed that the sky had not change. It still appeared dawn, and that the light showers continued.

The mud covering my face and arms had dried and cracked. Some had even started to peel off. Instinctively, I glanced at my arms, then uttered a hasty cry, "Uhmmm.... Mr. Gordon... Stop!"

"What?" he hissed while he turned at me.

I was about to raise my hands to let him see but I froze in fear. The grasses behind him bent and something huge slithered inches away past him. It was fast! The elongated and scaly body was like that of a snake. It was unquestionably massive. I figured it was 10 times bigger than an anaconda!

Gordon quickly signaled me to stay put and get down. I took a mouthful of air and held my breath as if I was about to take a dive in a pool, then, hunkered down.

We remained still until the serpent like creature was gone. I waited until I couldn't hear any creeping sound before I was able to bravely ask, "What the fuck was that?"

"You were exposed that's why they're here!" he grumpily uttered. He tore pieces of clothes from the hem of his tunic and hastily wrapped my hands. "We need to get away from here before they find us."

I wanted to freak out so bad, but restraint myself because it might just make matters worst. "What's happening to my hands? What is this place? What are those things?" I rapidly compelled him to reply. 

"Listen, I'll explain later, but first, we have to go to a safer place," he whispered while giving me an anxious look. "We have to cover you before they sense you again," he said gesturing all my body.

I stared at my hands and arms, then, I saw the lights emitting from the cracks of the dried mud on my body.

I was glowing ! ?