~The humans are fragile, delicate.~ Izaya had missed the voice. It was the part of him that was strong. ~How did you allow them to control us?~<br/><br/>“You forget that we are part human too. It was the human within us during your absence that became subservient to them.”<br/><br/>~The humans hinder our progress. We will not catch her if we continue to wait for them.~<br/><br/>“I know. I am counting on it.”<br/><br/>A voice came through on the communicator. It was the voice of the commander. The fierce winds and sub-zero temperatures would allow them to communicate no other way. “Who are you talking to up there freak?” Izaya smiled a smile that could not be seen. “We are referring to you human. We are counting on the fact that you are not capable of keeping up with us. We are counting on the fact that you will have to turn back soon or die because your fragile human bodies are nothing but a hindrance to us, a burden. She will escape and it will be because we have been forced to wait on you; forced to travel at your snail’s pace.”<br/><br/>Izaya had come up the spot of her trail where she had started transforming. Izaya could see the difference in the tracks and their depth into the snow even as the blizzard erased their presence. He had no idea what she had transformed into but whatever it was, it could fly because the tracks just stopped. He mentioned nothing to the squad of mercenaries about the transformation. Izaya was still on one knee in the snow when the humans came up behind him. “Why are we stopping freak? Needing a rest already?”<br/><br/>~Kill him now. Kill them all and be done with them. Why do we wait?~<br/><br/>“Not yet. Her trail has faded. We have been moving too slow. Now we can only make a guess, an educated guess.” This part was the truth. He knew what he would do in her situation. He would seek high ground. “She will be going to the mountains. It is what we would do.”<br/><br/>~Why do you lead them to her?~<br/><br/>“Because she must see.”<br/><br/>“Because she must see? See what, freak?”<br/><br/>~We do not like that word freak or his tone. We should relieve him of his tongue.~<br/><br/>“She will be able to see us of course. Once this blizzard passes, she will be able to see us. This is why we must move faster towards the mountains.”<br/><br/>The commander had seen the recordings and was considering the ramifications of the female getting the jump on them. He shivered just a bit and it wasn’t from the cold. “If she did go to the mountains, she would have high ground. If we attack that freak while she has high ground then we will be slaughtered. We should back off and call in air support when the blizzard dies down.”<br/><br/>~Can you smell his fear. Even the extreme cold and ferocious winds cannot wipe away the scent of his fear.~<br/><br/>“If you fear her, and you should, we can continue on our own while you wait for someone to come and give you a ride back. We would completely understand your reluctance to concede to her superiority over your frail species.” Izaya already knew the mercenary’s pride would get the better of him. He was counting on it. She must be present when the humans were slaughtered. He needed them to gain her trust.<br/><br/>“We don’t fear her freak. We fear nothing. Lead the way, we are right behind you.” The disgruntled mumbling of the squad could be heard over the communicator. The commander spoke up immediately. “Stifle that shit ladies. We’re pressing forward. We still have us a freak to bag.”<br/><br/>~Ah. We see what we are thinking now. Very cunning but will it be enough to win the confidence of the female?~<br/><br/>“Only time will tell. First we must make it to the mountain to even know if our speculations are accurate. Hopefully the humans don’t die from the elements before we reach her; it could complicate matters.”<br/><br/>A familiar voice came over the communicator. “Its nice to know you care freak. I’m touched. Now let’s keep moving before we are frozen in place.” Izaya did not reply but instead ceded to the request of the commander and pressed forward toward the mountains. At least the forest would give them some relief from the blizzard and possibly give the humans a better chance of surviving long enough to make themselves useful.