Do you hear what I hear?

Continuing to follow the bird would not be Beatrix’s issue. At this point, he was the closest thing she had to any sort of semblance of safety. It was obvious he didn’t like the squirrels any more than she did, and was leading her in a much straighter path than the rodents had. Stupid, stupid squirrels! Stupid, stupid Beatrix for listening to the stupid, stupid squirrels! She continued running in the direction that the hawk led, but it was getting increasingly difficult. Her lungs burned, her legs felt shaky – she was exhausted. There was only so far that a burst of adrenaline could get a young girl after all.

As the pathway opened she continued to push her physical limits, spurred by her fear and anger at the situation she had gotten herself into; knowing it wouldn’t be over even if she got out of this because her mom was probably going to ground her forever at best. But she had to focus on getting out of here, which was becoming less and less likely the longer this chase went on.

Remi

Remi could see the exit now. It was perhaps 30 more yards, but of course the alchemist had no way of communicating that to the child. Still, on the off-hand that she was in fact a shape shifter like he was, he did his best. just a little farther! He mentally thought towards her, though given her utter lack of comprehension or recognition, Remi knew almost instantly that his efforts had failed. Torn between trying to dissuade the rodents from following and guiding the girl, Remi instead flew in circles around her. If the talking beasts got too close, Remi would dodge lower and scrambling their efforts with his body and his talons. Their small thorns poked painfully against his softer belly, but Remi tried to pay it no mind. It hurt, but they couldn't really hurt him (so he thought). Thorns were one thing, the safety of the child another. With piercing cries Remi tried to encourage Beatrix as much as he could. They were so close now. She just needed to push a little farther. remi the alchemist

The hawk’s attempts to say something to the girl fell on very deaf telepathic ears. She was definitely no shifter, or she may have shifted in an attempt to defend herself or flee with greater ease. As it was her magic was worthless here and so weak (because she was nine years old) that it probably wouldn’t have helped even if it could. Emotions she didn’t quite know the names for began bubbling up as she thought for a moment that she was going to die in this stupid maze with the stupid squirrels.

But then she saw the exit. The power of self-preservation knows no bounds, and with renewed energy she pressed forward, sprinting like her very life depended on it because it did. And when she passed through the opening, back into the outside world that was still very new to her, she didn’t stop. She kept running because those little bushy-tailed monsters might try to drag her back in! Only once the maze was well in the distance behind her did the girl’s legs finally give way as she collapsed on the ground. Beatrix fell on her side, gasping for air.

Remi