Memoirs of White Owl
By J. Todd
Copyright J. Todd 2012
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Chapter One
The war had begun in 2012, the year the Mayan calendar said the world would end. I was a child then, about five years old, rather small but very resourceful. Now, it is 20 years later in the world as we once knew it has been completely destroyed. The governments, once so powerful, now a shadow of themselves, controlled by a corporate entity that has taken over the world. During the war many things happened, people disappeared, monsters emerged, weapons evolved. With the world the way it was terror filled everyone's souls. Few survived the final onslaught, those that did retreated to the once beautiful mountains and lush forests. The bombs had come in destroyed every city man had once built, the only places left were the wild mountains and forests, but these too were not what they once were.
I grew up in these forests, and knew everything about them. I knew what the monsters have done, what they have become. They hunted humans, I hunt them. I also saved as many people as I could. I lived in the northern forests, what once used to be northern California and Southern Oregon. These forests were wild and untamed, as if something had thrown a jungle onto the ordinary forests and fused them together. There were still a few spots untouched which had remained the same as they once were. These were where the people now dwelled. Villages and small towns were now in these plain familiar places. The monsters filled the jungle areas.
Most the monsters were developed in the East, but some were developed in Los Angeles. The ones developed in Los Angeles were worse. Maybe it was because at one time it used to be at the epicenter of imagination throughout the world, where Hollywood used to stand now stands a factory where monsters have been developed, where monsters still are developed. Nobody won the war, it still rages even now, the only difference is who was fighting what. Those of us humans to have survived call it the Monster War. Calling it the Monster War did not necessarily mean we fought monsters, for the monsters we did fight were humans like us. These were the ones in charge of the corporate entity, it had no name, none that we knew anyway. It was just the corporate entity that’s all we knew, it created the monsters hunted us, and we hunted those monsters to save ourselves.
Who might I be, you ask, well I will tell you as it is important for you to know. With this knowledge you can piece together my story. After all what I did was legendary. I am called White Owl, but that is not my real name. I am Ariana, at least this was the name that I was known by from my parents. Ironically, no one else knew this name. I had been trained to hunt and to fight. I could track, gather food, and survive. My parents and grandparents made sure of this. Especially after I was almost hunted by the monsters, I was saved and I vowed then I would save as many people as I could. Little did I know what my vow would mean in the end.
It seemed I was always running through these forests, hiding, hunting, trying to survive. Usually, I would find someone who had escaped the corporate entity, I would help them, I would take them to a safe haven. One day my journey really began. Whenever I can find it and someone had it, I would trade for white cloth whenever I could. White was a color that was rare, you only ever found colors that were faded, old clothes. I guess that was why people began to call me by my name, White Owl. I was a solitary as the night owls and I love the color white, I would wear it whenever I could. Even with the village that I have helped create, Sanctuary, I stayed aloof, alone, a solitary figure only ever seen in the distance. The protector, the person who they were happy to leave bits of food and supplies out for, but never to talk with. I rarely used me voice, it became gruff and cold.
That day was no different than any other day, I would hunt and bring back food for the village. Thanks to my grandfather, I knew more about these forests than anyone else in the village. I sprinted through the forest. I was headed towards my usual hunting grounds, when I stumbled upon him. I had slowed to a walk, I was at the meadow where the best game was. There I found him, he came up the other side of the meadow as I came to its edge. I could see him from there. He was not a monster, but he was not entirely human either. He looked different. I could not identify him, or the type of creature he was. He was beautiful though, his hair was silver, even covered in filth I could see that much. There was a hint of pointed ears peeking through his hair and his eyes were almond shaped. He was also half naked, only some tattered cloth wrapped his waist and privates, covering them. I did not know what he was, I only knew two things. One, he was beautiful, and two, he was hurt. I could see the wound on his torso, it was bandaged in bloody rags, it had been done roughly, just enough until he obviously got to safety.
He looked around, dazed. He did not seem to know where he was, I believe he may have been lost. Could this be one of the creatures that the corporate entity had created, I did not believe this would have been completed though. He leaned against a tree, the pain must've been a terrible. I don't know why, but I did not string arrow to my bow. I stepped out from the shadows of the forest, my hands spread wide. I approached slowly. He caught sight of me and straightened up, he looked like he was about to flee. I was not sure of how fast he could be, or for that matter what he is capable of while he was wounded.
"It's all right, I won't hurt you. I can help," I said just loud enough for him here. As I got closer the litany continued, but my voice grew softer, to barely a whisper. He remained still, watching me get closer.
He seemed uncertain, he looked around. I think he was trying to see if there were others beside myself there. I approach slowly, watching him carefully. He eyed me warily, but still, he did not move. When I was within five feet of him, I stopped. I did not know why I stopped, but something told me that I must. Maybe it was his stance or the look in his eyes, but I knew he was scared.
"I am a friend and I will help you." I soothed, my voice a scare breath whispered through my lips. He seemed to realize that I was sincere. I took another step and he leaned back against the tree. I reached out and brushed his arm with my fingers, he did not move, he did not even flinch, he just stared at me.
I moved closer and placed my hand on the bandage, he winced but did not move. I carefully checked the bandage, the wound was fresh, and he’d obviously lost quite a lot of blood. Despite that, he had managed to stay on his feet, he had great stamina, I could tell. It did not matter that he was not a human nor exactly a monster but he needed my help. I reached for his hand and he pulled away, uncertain of my intentions.
"I can help you," I said. "I need to get you somewhere else, somewhere safe, where I can help you." I reached for his hand again, this time he let me have it. I pulled his arm around the shoulder and wrap my other arm around his waist. I tugged lightly so I would not hurt him. "Come with me, I'll take you to my home." I lead the way and he stumbled at my side.
We got to the other side of the meadow barely. That was when we both heard noises coming the other end of the meadow. I did not know what caused these noises, I only knew the creature next to me stiffened at the noise, and he was scared. I knew what I had to do, after all this is part of the job too. This creature made by man but it definitely was not a monster, and therefore I would protect it. I pressed him against a tree. I am unslung my bow, checked the string, and put an arrow to the bow. I then placed myself in front of the creature and waited. The noises came closer.
Three other creatures came out of the forest from the side we had just vacated. They were grotesque, twisted, malformed parod
ies of men crossed with animals. These were new. Usually, they were just animals mixed with other animals to give form to creatures similar to those of mythology. One man creature had the feet and claws of a lion and feathers covering his body. His head was scaly like that of the snake with eyes to match, and when he opened his mouth fangs protruded, dripping poison. The second man creature only differed by having scales all over his body instead of feathers. The third was even more grotesque. It had horns protruding from its head, and instead of claws for hands here the pincers of lobsters. Whipping behind him was a rat like tail. These monsters were hunting something, by the look of it they were hunting the creature behind me.
I pulled my arrow back, aimed, and fired. I hit the first of the creatures in the eye, my arrow sunk into the creature's brain with a sickening crunching noise. It collapsed next to its fellow monsters. The other two looked at me and started towards me. I took another arrow from my quiver and aimed at the second beast, I shot it directly in the heart. Before the third had it chance to decide what to do, I shot him. I slung my bow back up onto my back and turned towards the creature behind me. He was holding a dagger, my dagger, and he too was ready to fight. Although he stood barely holding his weight, he had remarkable courage to stand up against the monsters that were obviously hunting him.
"Come on," I said. "Let's get out of here. I need to get you somewhere safe. The monsters have come far into the forest, something they have never done before." I was not sure if he understood me at that time he did not seem to talk, nor did he seem to understand me. He was like a feral creature not quite sure himself, or even if he was himself. It didn't matter to me much, I still was going to take care of him. I again pulled his arm around my shoulders and lead him away. He continued to hold the dagger. I don't know why I did, but I let him have it.
I lead him to the West, away from my village, to some caverns I knew. If any monsters came, I knew this would be the best course of action, I could not lead them to the village. The creature next to me needed help. After mile of hiking I came upon the old canal that had a little bridge that lead down to the creek. I turned onto the bridge and crossed, I lead the creature carefully down the steep hill, around the boulders and through the brush, avoiding the poison ivy. I could hear the waterfalls ahead and knew shelter was not far away. I lead him down the paths that lead to the base of the waterfall and there turned towards the waterfall following the rocky wall carefully. The path was slippery with moss and slick from the water.
I got him into the cavern behind the waterfall and lead him down to the back of the cavern. There, the usual supplies and living utensils were arranged upon rock shelves carved into the cavern walls. I left him leaning against one of the walls and went to a shelf, I pulled down a bed roll. I spread it out near the fire pit, I then went o the creature and lead him to the bed roll where I indicated he sit. He did so. I went to a box carved of stone into the wall, and pulled out wood and kindling.
I placed the kindling and smaller pieces of wood into the fire pit to make a good warm fire. Then I got a pot of one of shelves and went back up to the waterfall where I filled it with water. I then placed the water on the edge of the fire to boil. I went to another shelf and took down a satchel, this was the cave's emergency. Emergency caves like this one were set up throughout the forest and the mountains surrounding our village. Out of the satchel I withdrew bandages, needle and thread. I was not sure what I would see when I took the bandage off of the wound.
"All right, let's get started. I need to take off the old bandage and clean your wound." I said carefully pointing at the wound. He seemed to understand. I reached for the bandage and pulled it away. The wound was vicious, it was a bite, but not from one of the animals I had killed. This one looked different, it looks like a large bird had taken a chunk out of him. I carefully examined the mangled flesh, and decided I did need to stitch up some of it. Into one of the new bandages got wet in the warm water from the pot and began to wipe away the blood and dirt and grime surrounding the wound. He flinched a few times but otherwise sat still. It looked as if the bite was from one bite, but it had three connecting scratches through it. I had never seen such as this before. Making sure that I did not miss any grime I continued to assess the wound. Stitches were indeed needed.
I threaded the needle and looked carefully at the creature. "I will need to hurt you a little bit to make you feel better. I do apologize for this. But if I don't close the wound it will just get worse." I said indicating thread and needle. The creature seemed to understand this as well, so I began, I only planned to sew up the worst of the three gashes. The creature moaned when I pulled the first stitch through. "Can you talk?" I asked. He didn't seem to want to answer me. I waited a few seconds, but no answer was forthcoming. "There's so many questions I'd like to ask you, but if you can't talk how will I get the questions I ask answered."
I finished with the worst of the gashes, and turned to the second, it would need a couple of stitches, so I set my needle to the gash. I soon had it sewn up. I then turned to the third. After all the gashes were stitched, I took a roll of bandages wrapped around his torso. I had carefully pulled his arms over my right shoulder and let him rest his weight across my shoulder as I wrapped his wound tightly.
I carefully helped him to lay down. He watched me as I dumped the bloody water into the pool under the waterfall. It was swept away in moments, to diluted to be tracked. I then rinsed out the pot and cleaned it carefully. Filing it again I put the pot onto the fire to warm again. I then pulled dried herbs out of the emergency kit for healing tea. I threw a handful into the pot too steep while it boiled.
I went to the crate at the back of the cave and opened it pulling out the wild onions and garlic stored there. Leathery and musty, but still good they would help him if used in a broth. I grabbed a small box from a shelf and opened it. In it was dried and salted meat. I was not sure of the origins, but I knew it was good. Popping a piece into my mouth i grabbed two more and carried my bounty to the fire. I filled another pot with water and shredded the dried meat into it. I then peeled and chopped up the garlic and onions into the broth. I let the food cook for a while. I grabbed a cup and dipped it into the tea. I then took it to the creature.
He still watched me, although I knew he was in pain. "What is your name?" I asked, hoping he would talk. He never answered me that day. I somehow knew he would not talk to me. I shook my head. "If you will not give me your name I will just have to give you a name instead." I frowned. "I think I will call you Arian, after my grandfather. There you have a name." He just stared at me. I sighed and helped him to drink the tea. After I laid him back down I went to the soup and threw in some herbs to flavor it. I turned to look at Arian and he was sleeping.
I decided he was probably tired after his exertions and the tea helped him to sleep. I will say this about Auntie's teas, they did their job almost too well. Auntie was the healing woman in the village I had founded. She was once a doctor who knew many herbal remedies. She had several children learning her trade, she had even taught me a few things. Mainly about the emergency kits so I would stop bringing people to her in the middle of the night. Although I still brought those who were so badly injured they were beyond my minor skills, I did all I could to get them to her alive though.
I thought about all of this as Arian slept and the broth cooked.
When the broth was done I spoon out a cup and took it to Arian. He woke with my approach, much like that of an animal. I knew he wasn't human, or at least not the same as me. I wondered what had happened to him. I carefully helped him to sit and helped him hold the cup to his mouth and let him drink it.
"I am sorry." I said to him. "I am not the best cook in the world." I joked. I was good, but it helped people to trust me enough to try it. After all, I did not look like I even knew how to cook. He sipped the liquid carefully, probably expecting what so many other people did. He smiled when the cup left his lips. It was a beautiful smile. I liked it. "Are you ready to trust
me with your secrets yet?" I asked, half joking. He just smiled at me and sipped more of the broth. It took a couple of cups for him to be full. Only when he turned his face away from the cup did I set it aside. I then helped him to stand. He seemed to want to do his business. I lead him to the edge of the pool where he could take care of things. When he was done I helped him to the bedroll again. He lay down and went back to sleep.
I ate and cleaned up. I left the soup by the fire to keep it warm through the night. I then grabbed a blanket and sat next to Arian's head. I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and watched him sleep. I do not know when I had fallen asleep, but I woke up staring into the face of Arian.
He had been shaking me awake. I think I had dreamed and it had scared him. I smiled up at him. I was glad he was alright, but he shouldn't have been moving around with his wounds like that.
I got up and indicated he lay back down. He shook his head, frowning. He pointed to the waterfall and I knew he had to do his business again. I helped him and when he was back in bed I dished him up the remaining broth. He drank it while fresh tea brewed. I then gave him to tea. He was able to drink the liquids without my help holding up him or the cup.
Arian watched me clean up the area where I had made the tea. I do not know what he was thinking but he watched me work. I started a new pot of broth for later. I then checked Arian's bandages. He seemed to be alright. He went to sleep after that. I decided to scout the area for more monsters.