The Fox and the Pigeon hole Chapter 20

20. The Meeting

Cold rays of sharp sunlight cut through thin gaps in the closely grown tree’s. The wind whistles menacingly, as if some villain is taunting the forest but lurking out of site. But then there is a real noise permeating the forest, the crunching and rustling of a man hurtling through the trees. Ordinarily this wouldn’t be so strange but anyone watching wouldn’t have thought he was a man at all. More likely a great bear lumbering through the forest on all fours, white tufts of hair waving wildly over his head. This, also, could be believable if the bear wasn’t wearing a rather expensive looking suit and muttering nervously to himself in a maddened rage.

Fortunately for him nobody was watching, not that he would have noticed. Corporal Thorne was afraid, not of the forest and not even of what might be lurking within. He was afraid of himself. Something deep inside him had been awoken but he couldn’t fully remember how. The only things he did remember were terrifying him. He saw himself kill officers of the government and then take delight in almost murdering his own son. He was not a kind man, and what was more he knew it. He loathed himself so much that he loathed everyone else even more. But not Jackson, never Jackson. Thoughts were banging around inside his head and he wasn’t having much success deciphering them. What was he, he had no idea. One thing he did know was that whatever had happened to him, it turned him into something unnatural, something dangerous. A rabbit darts across the forest clearing and without thinking he leaps for it, pinning it to the ground and sinking his teeth into it, again he has lost himself. Looking down at the ravaged and bloody carcass he stumbles back, what is he?

Suddenly there is another noise, the crunch of leaves underfoot and the soft voices of people. By the sounds of a great many people, making their way through the forest. He feels the animal rising up within him and even thinks he can smell the flesh and blood of the travellers. A part of him wants to run away, to protect them from himself, but another , much stronger part wants to get closer. A hunger and craving for meat overwhelms him as he crouches down and makes his way towards the only sounds in the forest.

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Lance and Sergeant Hourne are leading the insurgo army through the forest, behind them the long line of soldiers stand out with their black armour. One of the snow hounds is walking purposefully ahead, scouting out the area for Hourne but the other is carrying the small, sleeping form of Dawn on his back. “We’re close” shouts Rafiel as he runs to the front of the line, “Just over this ridge and we’ll be able to see it. That means no more fires” Hourne grunts in agreement but Lance can’t bring himself to look Rafiel in the eye, his betrayal, along with everything else is painful. He was too quick to trust, but now there’s no way out.

Suddenly a great beast leaps out of the trees on all fours and lands in front of them, the sound of guns being raised simultaneously makes the animal stop and stand on two legs. Then Lance realizes it’s not an animal but a man, a large man wearing a torn and bloodstained suit. He looks at the man’s face; it’s a face he recognizes. Then it hits him like a hammer “Father?”

“Jack?!” Gasps Hourne

“Adrian!” Shouts Rafiel, stepping forwards in shock.