Other Kind Of Love

Other Kind Of Love: Prologue

Dani sighed, looking out into the forest with almost fearful eyes. Her brother has a fever and she needs to fetch water from the river. She was scared because she didn't want to leave her family alone. "I-I can do this." She had no other choice. She got her father's sword and put a gun in her bag just in case. "Can't be too careful during these times." The creatures were usually around during this time of the year. "The war is almost over. Our people are working an agreement and Dad will come home soon." She took deep breaths, clutching the sword tightly to her chest. They had needed every man and woman available. Mom had agreed to watch over us so we wouldn't be put into a home. Dad, even when he was blind, signed up since he was one of the best archers to ever exist.

Dani still decided to hurry. She grabbed her water satchel and went into the night. Her family needed that water. She couldn't let them down! She hurried down to the lake a mile out, getting there in 13 minutes. As much as she knew the woods, it was hard to see and she had to make sure nothing ripped her satchel. She finally got there and quickly began to fill it up. She was crouched down low in between bushes, careful of predators nearby.

While filling up, she noticed a wolf with bright blue eyes. Dani slowly reached for her gun. It was a Creature! Sure, it looked like a wolf, but maybe it was deformed or a midget? The runt of its pack of Beast-Man? Dani wasn't sure but she didn't care. From the way it smelled to the way it smoothly drank from the river upstream, she was sure it was some kind of animal... whether that animal is a Creature or not, it was an animal to her.

After what seemed like forever of quietly and slowly reaching, she got the gun. She imagined all the money she could get from the pelt. She licked her lips and thought of the food she could buy with the money. Maybe even a new coat for the winter. She targeted in on the creature and aimed, ready to fire the shot.

Thankfully for the Creature, and unluckily for her, its pack was near and an older one jumped her, making her miss and only hit the creature's paw! Dani quickly turned over and kicked the beast off her and she ran, making sure to grab her water. She quickly ran as she heard howls and growls in the woods behind her. "Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh, SHIT!" She jumped off small hills and slipped through the trees. She ran as fast as she could, desperate to get back.

After what felt like an eternity she made it back to her small little city and burst through the doors. She dropped her stuff quickly at the door and rushed to her brother and mom in the back. She gave them the water they needed. Her breathing was harsh and she felt her head spinning.

Verdi looked up at her, slowly reaching for her hand. "Everything ok?" He asked. Dani just nodded and quickly put a towel on his forehead. She leaned against the wall and watched as they began to sleep almost peacefully. Dani stayed up the whole night, holding her father's sword in one hand and the gun in the other, scared of what would happen if those damn monsters found her.

A few days passed, her brother was feeling better. Her mom still was bad since her situation was sadly... more permanent. Luckily it couldn't spread from person to person so they had no chance of getting it. Dani still was hesitant about everything. She loved her mom dearly, but she also cared for her and her brother's health. She limited spending time between the three of them to only 2 hours a day.

Verdi, being super close to their mom, hated this. He wanted to spend all day with his mom. He didn't care about his own health and cared more about his mom. Dani always had to convince him that she needed her rest. Their mom usually slept for 10 hours a day. They had to feed her so that took around an hour since she hated to eat food and always wanted to give it to her kids. She so sweet and they both loved her.

Dani sighed. "Verdi, now that you feel better, can you chop some more wood to warm the fireplace? It's getting colder every day and mom won't survive if we don't have heat." She looked at him sadly.

Verdi nodded. "Alright." He grabbed his ax. Slowly over time, he was growing some muscles. He went out back and grabbed the chopped trees they had chopped during the summer to chop in the autumn. He was supposed to do it last week but he had gotten sick.

Dani went to the back room and grabbed her mom's hand. "Mother, be safe while I'm gone. Verdi will care for you. Just ask anything if you need it." She rubbed her hand gently.

Her mom smiled up at her. "Darling..." She started before going weak. Her hands and entire body were cold. She had no fat on her bones. Dani started to panic and quickly ran out and got some of the wood Verdi chopped and put it in the fireplace, lighting it as fast as she could.

Her mom came close to the fire and started to warm up. Dani almost cried at seeing her sick poor mom. She pulled her blankets and pillows closer to the fire and made her comfy. "Mother please rest. The doctor says you shouldn't talk unless it's important. Your throat is too sore." She rubbed her mom's forehead. "I have to go now and catch dinner. I'll be back." She smiled sweetly down at her before getting her gun and bag. She grabbed her sword and headed off back into the woods, unaware of the danger her family would be facing once she left.