Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Taron gave him a quick kiss, as if they were the most regular of couples, and he wasn’t about to risk his life but climb a small tree to retrieve someone’s pet.
Colin froze, still clutching at Taron’s clothes even when they too were discarded. “No. Don’t be stupid. We need a rope to secure you. Either of us could run home and get it,” he said, following Taron when he entered the stream.
Taron made a gesture with his flat hand, stopping Colin from going any farther.
Taron stepped farther into the freezing stream, holding the jacket above his head with one hand, and Colin knew there would be no talking him out of it. All he could do was follow instructions, so he dropped into the mud with his knees and held on to the narrow trunk, desperate to keep it stable for Taron’s use.
The current reminded Colin of wild rapids, but despite all the dark scenarios playing through his head, Taron emerged from the water victorious, and moved through the mud on his hands and knees. Relief overflowed Colin’s chest, and he hugged the broken tree, yelling his support as he watched Taron pack all the cats into his jacket.
Lightning kept blasting in the distance, sending sparks and thunder rolling across the sky, but in the streams of rain, kneeling in the cold mud, Colin’s focus was entirely absorbed by Taron entering the river again. In the surging waves, even his tall and broad form seemed like a dry twig, but he remained firm and withstood the current, his eyes focused on the foaming water. The bundle Taron carried above his head remained still, as if the cats were too fearful to present any signs of life, so he trudged on, undisturbed.
Something dark flashed in the corner of Colin’s eye, but when he noticed the thick branch carried Taron’s way, a shout of warning was all he could do. Taron stared back at him, but the piece of wood smashed into his side before he could try to avoid it. The scowl twisting his face spoke of agony, but the cats remained above his head, even when he lost footing and hit the trunk, Colin still tried to keep still. It moved under pressure but didn’t dislodge itself, offering Taron much-needed support.
The moment Taron’s bare feet stepped out of the water—so cold they looked gray—Colin rose and tugged him away from the river, his arms circling Taron’s hips so securely he wasn’t sure if he would be able to let go if he had to. The firm muscles that usually felt so warm had now turned into ice, and Colin helplessly rubbed at Taron’s sides in the hope of making him that little bit warmer, despite the downpour and the wind that made the damp fabric of Taron’s undershirt stick to drenched skin.
“You did it! You have her,” he whispered with disbelief, still shocked by what had just transpired.
Taron flinched away from the touch. He was soaked from top to bottom, and couldn’t communicate well without his hands, but he still held on to the bundle of meows he’d risked his life for.
Colin shuddered when he spotted blood on his fingers and on Taron’s top.
Without hesitation, he pulled up the garment, and in the sparse light saw the wound. It was a cut—ragged and bleeding, but it was not an immediate danger. Exhaling with relief, Colin kneeled and grabbed Taron’s boots to help him put them on. Above him, everything was subject to the harsh wind, and even Taron stumbled, leaning on one of the trees as Colin pushed his icicle-like feet into the boots so that he could walk home without injuring himself any further. His brain was a chaotic mix of anger and protectiveness, but by the time he stood up and pulled Taron closer, he no longer held it against him that he was so stupidly brave when it came to the animals.
Getting home was all that counted now.
The soaked shoes were an obstacle too, but at least they provided protection from rocks and branches. The bundle in Taron’s arms mewled, but he didn’t loosen his hold on the cats for a second. Not to check the bleeding wound that had opened on his side, nor to wipe the blood from a cut over his eyebrow.
Colin didn’t attempt to talk to Taron, watching the road for him instead, and guiding him along, toward the house which he’d so desperately tried to run from.
When thunder rolled above them again, following the bright lightning by mere seconds, Colin sighed with relief at the sight of their home. It was within reach now, and the memory of the slow, never-ending trek in constant discomfort dispersed in favor of absolute focus.