A human voice.
A bunch of them. Men.
I gulp trying to wet my throat that went completely dry. What am I going to do? I mean this is good right? These people can help me find my way back home and maybe also help me understand how I even got here.
But my feet wouldn't move from my spot, gripping the dagger till my knuckles go white. I can't bring myself to move. What if I'm wrong and they are here to hurt me? And who were they looking for? Who is "her"?
I realize I'm running out of time, the footsteps of multiple people getting closer and closer to the entrance of the cave. I step back deeper into the cave, stumbling over myself, unsure of what is unfolding.
I faintly see the silhouettes of multiple people entering the cave confidently like they knew what was inside making their way deeper into the cave. They were all huge both in height and bulk with the one in the front being the biggest man I have ever seen.
As they get closer I watch the front man signal to the others, stopping them in their tracks and making his way deeper into the cave. I am sure I'm well hidden behind a boulder surrounded by animal bones and meat but it was as if this man could see right through the boulder and into my eyes.
I stay frozen with dread when he speaks "I know you are here. I'm not here to hurt you, just come out. I'm trying to help you."
I flinch at his words realizing that he knows I'm here and he is here for me. But how?
Panic sets in but I stand my ground without moving. He takes a few more steps before I jump out dagger in hand ready to defend myself.
"Don't move! I will not hesitate to use this if you get too close!" I yell, flashing my dagger at him.
Everybody freezes for a second before a few people at the entrance move forward. I brace myself trying to look more ferocious when the man in front of me raises his hand signalling them to stop.
"I'm not here to hurt you" he says, his voice strained, taking a step towards me.
"No!" I yell, stepping back. "Who are you people? And how did you know I was here?" I say, trying to make my voice sound imposing.
"Just put the dagger down before you hurt yourself and let's talk it out okay? I will tell you everything you want to know, just come with me" he said, like he was chastising a petulant child, which rubbed me the wrong way.
"I know what I'm doing. I don't need you to chastise me! Just answer my question if you want me to follow you" I say a bit of frustration in my voice.
" My name is Kael. And I want to help you. I can't tell you how I knew you were here but we need to leave! Now! So come with me!" He said gritting his teeth, moving a few steps closer to me.
I flinch, backing away before shouting back "Don't! Stay back! I'm not going anywhere without you telling me how you know me!"
He clenches his jaw "This is not the time Elara!" He yells. "It is not safe here anymore and we need to leave now!"
I stare at him wide eyed before stuttering "how? How do you know my name?"
Surprise flashes in his eyes before he composed himself, sighing he replies "do you remember Gray? That's me Elara! The wolf u told your name to?" He looks at me searching any signs of recognition in my eyes.
Gray?
"How- what? But..." I'm at loss for words when it suddenly clicks, the same amber eyes looking at me, once as a wild animal and now a human.
I remember the one sided conversation I had with Gray, telling him my name as a jest, introducing myself. He was the only one around and I would talk out of boredom and loneliness when I would feel like I was going crazy without having someone to hold a conversation with. Oh, how I hated the fact that I missed the annoying, loud chattering of people in the university cafeteria, the constant banter with my family that I missed so much.
I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that the companion I thought was just an animal who couldn't really understand me was a man who never revealed about himself to me until this moment.
Everything seemed so confusing, like I was being swept up into a tornado with mysterious creatures and unanswered questions.
Why? How? Who?
I stared at the man in front of me in disbelief but I know he can see it my eyes that I believed him no matter how absurd it sounds.
My legs felt numb, spots appearing in my vision which was slowly turning dark, my body swaying as I felt myself drop the dagger and my knees buckle under me.
"Elara!" I could hear the same voice shout my name when I felt a huge body pull me into it before I was engulfed in darkness.