The Prisoner

[Gretchen Thomas]

Gretchen finally reached the den, still half-carrying, half dragging the girl in front of her. The "den" as she called it, consisted of two small caves, a tiny waterfall and creek that led to the nearby river, and several tents that she had set up to sleep in.

She didn't even bother to look and see if any of the other pack members were around, she just walked over to a large tree and tied Ashura to the tree, with her hands behind her back. "I hope you're comfortable," she said harshly. "You're going to be here for a while." Then she walked over to the tent she had sent up for herself to get changed.

[Kris Lupin]

Ashura hung her head, she hoped her brother wouldn't come. Her hair fell and hid her face, she was glad it did as she felt tears fall from her eyes. If Sully did come she wouldn't have any family left, and she would be alone again.

[Dawn Meade]

Dawn was cooking over an open fire, trying to get breakfast ready for the rest of the pack. A few members were still sleeping in the caves, but she had no idea where Gretchen, Korbel, and Quinn were. She was worried. She had noticed some tension going on, but no one ever told her what was going on. They always felt they had to protect her.

As she was getting some water to boil the oats that Ike had stolen from town, Dawn heard someone coming. Quickly, she ducked behind the cave and watched as Gretchen arrived, pushing a young girl in front of her. As she watched, Gretchen tied the girl to a tree, then went into her tent.

Dawn hesitated a minute. She had no idea what was going on. Normally she trusted Gretchen, but something didn't seem right about tying a girl to a tree. She took a deep breath and ran over to the girl. "Are.... are y-y-you all right?" she asked in her soft voice.

[Quinn]

Quinn stalked into the camp, still fuming. Her face was blackened and swollen where Ashura had punched her. She didn't really pay attention to who was around as she entered the camp and headed toward the cave. Her head hurt and she just needed to lie down.

[Kris Lupin]

Ashura said nothing only shook her head no. Why would a member of Gretchen's pack even care if she was alright. She made one mistake in trusting someone from her pack but never again.

[Dawn Meade]

Dawn frowned and worried tears filled her eyes. "Your shoulder is bleeding," she said. "I... I could bandage it for you. It really needs to be tended to. I... I don't know what's happening, or why Gretchen brought you here... but I'm sorry." She felt bad for the girl, she looked like worn down and beaten. "My name is Dawn. I'll help you if I can. Just..." she laughed nervously. "I almost said wait here, but I guess you aren't going anywhere, are you? Um, I'll be right back. I'll get some water and bandages."

[Kris Lupin]

Ashura didn't care if she was hurt or not, she just wanted to be free so her brother wouldn't come for her. She would gladly take the place of her brother if she could, but Gretchen seemed bent on killing him. Ashura stared at the ground almost wishing it would suck her in and free her from all of this.

[Dawn Meade]

Dawn gathered up some old rags and a basin, which she filled with water from the waterfall. Then she walked back over to the girl and smiled sympathetically. "Please don't look so sad," she said softly. "I'm sure everything will be all right. Now, let's clean that shoulder." She dipped one of the rags in the basin, then wrung it out. She used it to clean the blood and dirt from the wound. Then she dabbed it with an herbal remedy she had developed that helped promote healing. Finally she wrapped up the wound with bandages. "There now, isn't that better? What's your name?"

[Kris Lupin]

"Ashura." Ashura said quietly. She couldn't believe this girl was being so nice to her.

[Dawn Meade]

Dawn smiled. "Ashura. That's a really pretty name," she said. Something about it sounded familiar and faraway. "I'm Dawn. Oh, wait... I said that already, didn't I?" She laughed nervously. "I forget things sometimes. Um, do you want something to eat? I'm making breakfast, anyway, I could make you something."

[Korbel]

Korbel made it to Ashura's cave, but he didn't see anyone there. They must have kidnapped Ashura, and he didn't see them head back. He headed back towards the caves where they stayed, figuring that that's were they were heading back to. Once he made it back, he saw Dawn talking to a woman and then realized that it was Ashura. He felt bad and that it was his fault that she was tied to a tree. Although, he started to thinking about their 'argument' and sneered slightly. "Hey Dawn," said Korbel, not looking at Ashura. "Where's Quinn? I need to speak to her."

[Dawn Meade]

Dawn turned to look at Korbel. "Oh, hi, Korbel," she said. "Um, Quinn walked through here a little while ago. She's in the cave. She looked really mad." Noticing the sneer on his face, she frowned. "What's wrong with you, Korbel? Do you know Ashura? Why did Gretchen tie her to a tree?"

[Korbel]

"I'm just angry," said Korbel. "There's been a lot of things going on. You see, that girl there," he said pointing to Ashura, "is the sister of the hunter that killed Buck. The two of us are not getting along that great right this second, it's a long story, and I'll explain it to you later. I promise. I'll come back out a visit with you again in a little bit. I've got to take care of something first." Korbel walked slightly angrily towards the cave and walked in. "Quinn," he said shortly. "What's going on?"

[Dawn Meade]

Dawn listened to what Korbel had to say, then frowned as he walked away angrily. "He has a bad temper sometimes," she said to Ashura. "I will try to calm him down later. I don't think Quinn will help. Her temper is even worse." She tilted her head and looked at Ashura. "Is that true? Your brother killed Buck?" Her voice was not harsh or accusing, just quiet and curious.

[Quinn]

Quinn turned around to show him her bruised, puffy face, where Ashura had punched her. "I told Gretchen about Ashura. I thought... I thought you chose her, after last night."

[Korbel]

Korbel frowned when he saw Quinn's bruised face. "What happened to you," he asked. Soon his frown turned into anger. "You know what Gretchen might do to her right? She doesn't deserve it, but actually, I don't care anymore. You know, that's typical of you too. Just jump to conclusions. I stayed last night, because I didn't know the extent of her injuries. I didn't want the hunter to come back and become angry and decide to come after us again! Sure, he's with Rochelle, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't come after us if something happened to his sister. Did you ever really think about that? I didn't chose her anyway. She made me too soft. I can't stand being too soft."

[Quinn]

"What do you think happened to me?" Quinn snapped. "The little wench punched me. I think my nose is broken." She touched it gingerly. "I know what Gretchen wants to do, and I don't care. I couldn't care less about the brat. Especially after she punched me..." She sighed. "Korbel... what else could I think last night? I mean, after I attacked her like that... I shouldn't have done that. I really only meant to give her a message, I didn't really intend to hurt her. But in my wolf form... you know sometimes I can't control it."

[Korbel]

Korbel shook his head. "I'm still disappointed in you," said Korbel. "You shouldn't have done anything. I can fix your nose if you want. Well, put it back into place, but you'd have to ask Gretchen about fixing it completely," he said. "Look, it's basically my fault that you attacked her. I shouldn't have been messing with her in the first place."

[Quinn]

"Yeah, well, I couldn't help it. The kid makes me so mad." Quinn frowned. "To have her talking to you like she knows you or something... I couldn't stand it. I don't care what happens to her or her brother." She reached up and put a hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry, Korbel. I was ready to turn you in, too."

[Korbel]

Korbel sighed. "Gretchen is going to nail me for this," said Korbel. "Did you tell her about me being there last night or anything?"