The Woods

" Yet like little red riding hood you always seems to run into the wolf don't you? " Miles gave his most wolf like smile. " Or rather cat " He laughed at his own pun. Sometimes he just wanted to be normal but now wasn't one of them.

"Sometimes." Marina smiled. She carefully maneuvered down to the ground. "But so far so good on avoiding trouble."

" Than allow me to reintroduce you" Miles said as he reached for Marina's hand, many ideas crossed his mind but only one adventure called to him.
" Shall we go exploring a cave? "

Marina considered for only a few seconds then nodded. "Sure."

Still holding her hand, Miles lead Marina to the cave. But as he got slower the scent of someone else or two others a vamp and a wolf was near. Not sure whether Marina could pick it up or not.
" Seems we aren't the only ones. "

Leta felt others near the cave. Daylight was just hovering at the entrance and the night was over. Looking around Leta found her clothes, her head was spinning and her hands were bleeding. Claw marks covered the walls of the cave, explaining her hand hurting.
Blood pooled in a dark corner. Walking forward, Leta found what she consumed for dinner. The poor elk had no chance. Still naked Leta collapsed and felt the need to shift consume her again. Always after the full moon, Leta had this nearly overwhelming sensation to morph again. This time she fought it for the sake of those near the cave.

"That is... rarely comforting. Or a good thing to hear." Marina responded to his statement.

" Sorry didn't mean to frightened you. " Miles stepped protectively in front on Marina. He barely stood within the cave when his kitty senses went off.

Marina shook her head. "Well, you couldn't not tell me. That's worse."

Something about what was in the cave started to bug Miles, his animal instincts told him to run while the stupid and human side of him was curious. Or maybe that was also part cat. After all curiosity killed the cat.
Glancing at Marina the best choice would be to run, hide her up in her castle and pray prince charming had a silver sword to slay the beast.
" It's up to you, your highest." Miles said already backing up.

Every part of her said it was best to head closer to her home. It was most likely safer, and it would make her feel more at ease. "Let's go back the way we came."

A growling started up and Miles grabbed Marina by her delicate hand.
" Don't let go. " Miles looked her dead in the eyes when he spoke, already his animal was aching to get out and protect.

"I won't. But we should go." Marina stated calmly, looking up at him.

Miles let the creature inside spring forward as he held tight to marina. While his natural shape wasn't large enough to hold her, he could still tap into his cat like relexes and speed. The one thing they needed now more though, was a silver bullet. Miles now reconized the scent, raw, terrorized and beast like. A wereshifter. But not just any were shifter this was a true beast, a wolf. While the underlying smell of undead lingered in the cave wolf was stronger and more primal. What ever the hell was hiding back there Miles didn't want to meet face to face.
Miles ran and ran with Marina's hand still held in his own. Branches cut his face, and bared arms. Adreniline pushed the pain away. He glanced back at Marina as they neared a cliff edge. Just like pulling the emergancy brake in a car, Miles came to a skidding halt.
" Crap...Now what. "

Marina looked around. "We should have went back the way we came." She didn't know what to do. Her suggestion only worked if she had cell service out here. Damon was old enough to deal with whatever they ran from, if need be.

" Well...Let's focus on what we can do now, not what we should have done. " Miles said he looked down ward before saying, " Um...can you swim? "

Marina flinched a little. She then glanced over. "You want me to jump?" That worried her a bit. Along the prospect of ruining her sketch book. Her cell phone was water proof.

At that precise moment, a howl sounded from where they came.
" Well I mean I can always have a go with that.." he could hold back the cringe as he peered over the edge again " But that water is looking mighty nice right about now..." Mile stripped off his shirt hardly minding the scratches he received running through the woods. Miles looked over to Marina. She stood indecisive while holding her sketch book .
" We can always come back for it, hell I'll buy you a new one if that's what's got you worried. "

"I have several. I just don't want to lose this one." Marina sighed. She glanced around then walked over to set her sketch pad in a tree. She would ask someone to come back to get it for her.

" Decided? " Miles asked not wanting to force her to do something she doesn't and possibly can't/
" And you never answered, can you swim? " Miles shed his shoes, still staring at Marina.

"Yes. I practically live in the water."

" Great now, I mean this in mostly a professional way...Marina I need you to take off your clothes."
The weight of them would make it hard to swim, especially if there friend were to follow them. Just as he was going to remove his jeans he heard the sound of twigs snapping.
" crap. "

"That is not going to happen." If Marina had been wearing something heavy, she would have. But her light pants and t-shirt weren't heavy at all. "I'll take my chances."

Miles didn't even hear her response as the hairs covering his body reacted. Something emerged from the woods.
" Fuck "
He charged towards Marina. No more time for second guessing. With a tackle any football player would be proud of, Miles held onto Marina as they went over the edge.

When Marina surfaced, she wanted to hit him; however, she was a bit busy coughing up water. As soon as her breath was caught, she looked for the shore then began swimming.