Finding Solace (Ancient Origins Book 2)

by C. L. Scholey

  As the rebuilding and new building of their lives unfolded, each person was necessary for survival. Other villagers visited, no longer separated from others by the Neandersauri. One other village was expecting a human child to be born and those visiting were relieved to find a plan of action could be initiated. The only problem was Bubble-gum was unique. So too were his offspring. The visiting village lost its last bulwark to old age.

  Muffin’s cubs were too young as yet to be taken from their mother but in a couple of months the village could return and adopt one of the males. Clarity wanted the only female. She planned on breeding more of the massive creatures. With any luck after the cubs were weaned Muffin and Bubble-gum might be tempted to procreate.

  The small bundles of fur were a favorite. They played with the children inside and out. Already grown to the twins’ height they were gentle while tussling but their mother was teaching them to be watchful. The cubs would prove to be invaluable with their parents’ gentleness, intelligence, and protective nature.

  “Do we gotta give a baby away?” Blue asked Menace.

  “The other village needs a bulwark for safety. We have many,” Menace said.

  “Are you going to give us away now that you’re having your own baby?” the boy was solemn when he asked.

  “I can’t give away a child who is like my own,” Menace said. “You’re stuck with me.”

  Blue smiled and wrapped his arms around Menace’s neck.

  ****

  Time for the villagers flew by. There was much to do. Hunting for hibernation was paramount. The new safe room was finished. Solace grew larger and Menace found he wanted to keep his hands on her belly. So did many others. She was good natured, but there were times he could see her lips pressed together and Menace did his best to take away from the hustle of so many often.

  Today was one of those days Solace needed to be free of the numerous questions of how exactly was she feeling. Once weaned, Muffin and one young but large male walked to the village expecting the new baby with Menace, Doom and others. Solace insisted seeing where the cub would live so Muffin would be able to visit. They entered the villagers’ home area. Immediately the bulwarks were wary.

  There were no villagers to greet them. Inside told of the disaster. The Neandersauri finally found a way to enter what was deemed impenetrable. The male villagers were dead, their heads split. The females gone.

  “If we don’t find those females fast and the hybrids have more of their own females those women won’t last long,” Solace said.

  She was petrified and Menace was furious with himself for bringing her. Farther along in her pregnancy she was still able to move comfortably but the distention in her belly was clearly noticeable. He wanted to run to her and lift her into his arms. Instead he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Her concern was for the others.

  “Muffin, find them. Find the humans,” Clarity demanded of the beast. A trick Clarity had been working on. If the children were ever forced into hiding the adults wanted to be able to find them once the danger passed.

  Both Muffin and her offspring set to work. Soon all were following a path. One by one the females were found dead. Their bellies left alone the hybrids wanted only DNA and stem cells from brains.

  “Does this mean there are no more hybrid females?” Clarity wondered aloud.

  “Maybe the female’s screams were too much. The face of this one has claw marks where a hybrid tried to silence her. She was killed by accident. The hybrids hunting are yearlings. Another pack must have formed,” Menace said scanning the area.

  “Where’s the expectant mother?” Solace asked.

  A scream from the foliage had them all running. Muffin was the first to attack. Swords were drawn. The pregnant female was alive but unconscious. Muffin and her baby stood over her, growling, making lunges with sharp claws. Swords were slicing at talons. An arrow pierced a hybrid under its nose and Menace turned to see Nick. The boy came and went as he pleased. Comfortable with the planet and surroundings. Kiki had been teaching him to use new weapons. A sword his size and lightweight, hung at his belt on his hip. For now the teen and Doom gave one another a wide berth. Before his anger for Doom came the hybrids, a being Nick loathed with his heart and soul. With skill Nick managed to fell three from his high advantage point.

  Nick was the only young earth human with the group and they didn’t know he’d been following. The children said a tearful goodbye to Muffin’s baby before the group set out earlier. The cub was never given a name; he was supposed to be given away. That was no longer the case. One by one the hybrids fell until they fled. Doom picked up the pregnant female, who appeared to be as far along as Solace. They carried her back to their village, a lone survivor.

  When the woman woke she sobbed uncontrollably and explained they were sitting down to lunch when the attack occurred. They were stormed by a pack of fifteen. Without an adult to supervise the young hybrids were running wild in packs. They wanted to start their own breeding but there were no females. It became apparent the village females would fight and many did to the death. Until she, Amy, was alone.

  The hybrids used clicks and whistles to speak but there were few words as well. Amy realized they were taking her to keep until her baby was born. If there were no Neandersauri hybrids left they would cultivate their own humans. Starting with her. They planned to capture humans and breed them.

  “Astute, really,” Clarity said.

  “Scary as shit,” Solace said.

  “I think your idea to mass produce bulwarks is a good one,” Doom said to Clarity.

  “Since they’re weaned and grow at a fast rate we should have a number of them by next spring,” Solace said.

  Doom jumped on a table in the main hall. “We killed at least ten hybrids. Three thanks to Nick.” Menace saw Nick’s head snap up at the praise. The normal scowl softened for a brief second especially when Kiki and Nina hugged him. “We can’t allow what happened to those at the other village happen to us. We need to hunt for hybrids as much as for food.”

  “That’s going to be hard,” Menace said. “Why not two hunting parties? One for hybrids and another for food and plants? Before, the hybrids left us alone when we hunted, because we were keeping their sacrifices safe. They wanted us alive so the decrease in sacrifices wouldn’t happen. Not anymore. It’s every villager and hybrid for himself.”

  “What about home?” Aba said wringing her hands. “The safe shelter is ready, but we need to add dried foods. Everyone must help to find all that we’ll need for the great sleep. When we waken, we must gorge or die. That means leaving many women behind to care for the children. Packs of desperate hybrids will do anything. Before, they didn’t go after our young, which may change.”

  “You’re right about that. These young hybrids have no direction,” Doom said.

  “I’ve been working with Bubble-gum and his cubs.” Menace reached to pet the dog’s head. We need to change the locks on all outside doors today. No one gets in without a cub or Bubble-gum. Every damned hybrid can cut off its mangy hand for the one inside but they will never get in.”

  “We’ve been reduced to being let in by a dog. What’s that the kids sing? Who let the dogs out? Well now it’ll be who let the human’s in,” Edge grumbled.

  Luke howled with laughter, which made Rex chuckle.

  “Starting today,” Doom said and cocked his head. “We will sleep with no fear.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Solace grumbled. “You never gave birth. Try popping a watermelon out a vagina.”

  “Look out,” Luke yelled. “She has that look. Run and hide. Duck for cover.”

  All of the kids screamed in mock horror and raced under the tables. Including the cubs and Bubble-gum. Edge gave a wry smile to Menace.

  “Well I’ll sleep tonight. Solace is scary when pissed.”

  Solace snapped her teeth at him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “How are you feeling?” Clarity asked Solace.

 
“Better since starting my third trimester. I’m not fat, yet. I think my mood swings are under control, for the most part. A certain smell doesn’t send me running for a basket to puke. Why these people insist on having outdoor plumbing is beyond me.”

  “Doom is hilarious when I mention an indoor toilet. He gets all offended about shitting inside the home. I remind him we have night baskets.”

  “Menace is the same way. Although I think he likes having to come with me when I go out to the caves. That wasn’t so in the beginning when I had to pee every five minutes. I’m glad that’s over, at least for now. I’m worried about being outside with my pants down when I’m too fat to see my feet.”

  “Did you talk to Menace about what we spoke of?” Clarity asked.

  “I know I should. I wonder what the village women did during pregnancy if any gave birth during hibernation. Or what I’ll do if Menace is hibernating when I give birth. Amy mentioned she’s afraid of the same thing.”

  “I did sort of mention it to Doom, about their females, not you. He said their females never gave birth during that time. Shortly after, but not one case did he remember where a woman emerged from the big sleep with a baby, mind you he was the last born he reminded me. As for Amy I noted Heath and Lochlan fussing over her. Neither of them have to hibernate.”

  Solace and Clarity were trailing behind a search party. Menace and Doom were in the lead with Muffin followed by Lochlan, Edge, Nick, Kiki, and Luke. Rex had been left home much to his annoyance. Bongo trailed Solace and Clarity. Nick was a necessity. He was adept at finding caves and places the hybrids might be hiding. The teen seldom smiled and maintained his hatred of Doom but was quick to see the advantage of living in a large group.

  “Here.” Nick was pointing.

  The others ventured forward. Inside a large cavern was filled with baskets of roots and other edible vegetation. A storage area for when hibernation set in. Solace knew it wouldn’t be touched, for now by either human or hybrid. When the heavy snow hit earth, humans would be back to poison the food. During the big sleep the hybrids slumbered as well for weeks until rising once to gorge. They would return to their hide out and sleep again until the worst of winter and heavy snows passed.

  “I wonder if they’ve started storing meat,” Menace said.

  The cavern was only in the midst of being stocked. If the food was close it meant the hybrids were. They ventured from the cave to return home.

  “Doom,” Solace said. “Instead of poisoning the food why don’t we send our people in to kill the hybrids before they wake and take their food?”

  “I thought of that,” he replied. “What if these are decoys and already poisoned?”

  “With food so scarce do you think they’d try it?” Clarity asked.

  “Yes. We are. Plus they’re young and second guessing more than we are. Instead of taking the food and leaving them to starve it’s safer to poison the food. They may think we’re stupid or too afraid. They’re cocky little bastards,” Menace said.

  “Menace is right,” Doom said. “I know it looks like we don’t have much but tomorrow we’re headed to where the milk creatures give birth. The hybrids will be there in force wanting to kill and eat the creatures and store them. We won’t attack the creatures but if the hybrids have killed we will take the meat for ourselves.”

  “We’ll have to be diligent then. Those who stay behind will be in as much danger.” Menace gazed at Solace. “I want you in the safe room with the youngsters.”

  “But…”

  “It’s all right Solace,” Clarity interrupted. “I’m staying behind too. At the first sign of trouble we can all wait it out until the hunters return. We can pack up a few essentials to tide us over if we need to hide.”

  Solace gave her a fast glance. Clarity had a tendency to do things when Doom wasn’t underfoot unless there was another reason, Clarity seemed tired as of late. Her friend said nothing to indicate if she was sick. Their trek back to the homes wasn’t in vain. They scared up a flock of small chicken-like dinosaurs and killed eight. Other gatherers had been fortunate as well. After dinner Menace and Solace retired for the evening.

  “How do you feel?” Menace asked.

  “Fine. A bit worried about tomorrow.”

  “The hybrids can’t get in. Muffin and her cubs are staying behind with the other female bulwark and Bubble-gum. Bulwarks are loyal beings and the hybrids have no use for them. Rex will come with us and Bongo. You’ll be safe. I don’t think it’s occurred to the hybrid youngsters to band together. They live in groups but in each group there is one leader. All the leaders are dead and no one has direction. I’m guessing there is huge dissention amongst them.”

  “I suppose.”

  Menace kissed her. Solace melted against him. Chest to chest they roamed their hands over one another pulling at clothing until they lay naked. She wanted him fast and he sensed her need. Solace lay back and Menace plunged into her heat. Swift movement had her breath catch. He was powerful when filled with passion.

  She lifted her legs to wrap around his waist and when she came her body trembled. Solace shivered when he roared. Menace collapsed beside her. Solace cuddled next to him. It was a long time before either fell asleep.

  ****

  When morning came the hunters gathered in the main room and checked weapons. Heath and a few others stayed behind. Solace knew Menace was torn between staying and going. She promised him she would be safe. After they left, Clarity gathered everyone around. They were soon doing various tasks previously overlooked. The children made new matches, while others began the tedious process of making paper for balloons.

  Bombs were assembled. Clarity and Solace wanted to make certain if when they were outside everyone would have access to easy weapons. Solace heard giggling and watched the twins crawl over Muffin. Headfirst Blue slid landing on outstretched hands, his twin laughing. The child was up and waved his hands in the air.

  “I’m starving to death,” Blue whined. The female cub had attached her teeth to the seat of his pants and was pulling.

  “Me too,” Cole concurred, he grabbed the cub by her short tail, trying to aid his brother.

  The smaller of the two male cubs grabbed Cole’s hide pants and pulled. Em knew better than to pull a tail but wrapped her arms around the male cub’s hind legs. Muffin lolled on her side at the commotion.

  “Nina will you help me get some lunch ready for this boisterous bunch?” Solace asked.

  “Sure.” The teen was chuckling.

  When the largest male cub began growling everyone stood motionless. Muffin was on her feet. Her teeth bared and her cubs were soon behind her. All passageways from each sixteen rooms were sealed off from the main room. Solace ushered the children into the safe room as quickly as possible, a twin under each arm. As she set the boys on their feet a door slid open. No one moved, or breathed. A female hybrid stood smiling at them. In her arms was a child hybrid cub. It was the most bizarre thing Solace had ever encountered. The smell of the little being must have confused Muffin because she stopped growling to sniff the air.

  The hybrid stepped back and male Neandersauri spilled into the room. Solace and Clarity drew swords. Chaos ensued. Heath attacked with a vengeance Solace didn’t know he possessed, while Amy fled to the safe room. His sword raised and clashed, Heath smashed repeatedly into hybrids until he went down from a hard blow sending him crashing into tables and chairs. Heath lay still. The female hybrid squealed and whistled orders. The beasts wanted Clarity and Solace. Two cubs tore into the hybrids, felling the beasts in a frenzy, but there were too many. Muffin was fighting three. The hybrids weren’t after a fight but trying to keep the others from getting between them and the prizes they sought.

  The room Solace pushed the youngsters in was sealed. Aba went down followed by another and another. Blood was flowing in their home. Solace was grabbed into powerful arms. Muffin was enraged and ripped through the three on her to aid Solace. Muffin attacked and ripped the hybrids throat out,
Solace slipped to the ground and crawled for a sword. Three more hybrids went after Muffin. Solace was yanked into powerful arms again and the creature began pulling her from the domed home. Bubble-gum grabbed the hybrid by the ankle. The beast smashed the dog over the head and sent him reeling. Last moment Solace saw Clarity yanked into the safe haven by Nina and Em. Em cried out for Solace but Solace screamed at them to close the door.

  Solace knew if the hybrids took her away they would leave the others alone. Too many of theirs were down. The arm around her waist was hurting her and she tried to shove it down off her middle.

  “You’re crushing my baby,” she cried out. The hybrid lowered his arm.

  The other hybrids followed the one carrying Solace. She didn’t struggle for the baby’s safety. The young hybrids weren’t gentle with humans; it wasn’t bred into them. Any wrong moves and she would be ripped apart. They traveled fast. Her weight was of no concern to the one who had her. The cave in the hill came up quicker than she expected, it was so close to the domed homes. From there she had an eagle’s eye view of their village. They were being watched, studied.

  Set in a corner on furs Solace waited. A male bulwark beast was tethered, snapping and snarling. Solace gazed at the baby. The child was Neandersauri but covered in fur throughout most of its body. The female holding the baby laughed.

  “It takes little time for a hybrid to have offspring. Especially when another beast begins the process. We killed the female for her eggs to mix with mine. Three were born, we kept the lock that works, ugly as it is.”

  Solace understood her. Her speech was clipped, deep and words were a hiss and whistle, but she was wide-eyed.