A Lone Note Stanza

The community started traveling north through the Ancuram lands to head to the coastal town we’re hoping to procure rides on a ship to the Vertigon Isles.
I couldn’t bring myself to travel with them. The sea water Bruzog gifted me helped my mind for a few days but with the lucidity came realizations and with realizations came fear and shame. Shame of my weakness. Fear of the unknown someone who is tracking us, studying us, and trying to harm us.
With my self-isolation came an idea. Perhaps the unknown being might follow me instead of the community if they thought they could catch one of us alone… justification.
So, I took a different approach to the north, following the scent of the sea. Staying away from towns and well-traveled routes.
I felt someone following within half a day.
I changed my tempo a few times; speeding up to see if I could lose them with some distance, slowing down to see if they’d reveal themselves. Neither worked.
As the night fully embraced the land and with the feeling of salt water in the air, I went on the hunt.
I sang.
“Come to me, out there, the light is fading
Don’t you see the evening star appearing?
Come to me, and rest against my shoulder
How fast the minutes fly away and every minute colder.”
Their steps met the rhythm of my chords, crescendoing with my voice as they grew closer. With my scythe held high, I sang them into the light and swung to maim.
Rook!
The blade stilled as a circle of blood began growing on her pant-leathers.
Heal!!
“Rook! It was YOU following me?? I could have killed you!”
“Raine… danger… alone.” She said.
“I needed to be alone.” I responded. “I’m trying to keep our people safe and me alone felt like what would be best.”
“Or… easiest?”
(Intake of breath.)
“Ok, Rook. Ok… Did you see anyone else out here or feel like there was anyone following our trails?”
She shakes her head “no.”
“Ok. Let’s make camp a bit and rest?”
She nods her head “yes.”

In the morning we traveled together. I kept hearing Rook’s blood pounding through each heartbeat. Saliva pooled out of my mouth multiple times. I kept trying to keep at a distance where the wind wouldn’t send her scent my way. The primal hunger was out of control. Each step was a war with myself. I kept moving, faster, further away. I heard noise that was probably Rook calling after me as I ran. I dropped my pack. Threw down my weapons. Tore my cloak off. Had to get away. Further. Faster. Climbing up a hill, grabbing small trees to keep going forward. The only thought in my head, “I don’t want to hurt her!!!” Tears streaming down my face, I crested the hill coughing and heaving and stopped dead.
For the first time in two years. The longest I’ve ever been. Twice as long as my kind can handle. There she was.
The sea.