Hidden Within

Chapter Four

~Oxen didn't look like anything Athena had imagined. She pictured this hulking mass of man flesh but he wasn't like that at all. He was quiet handsome. His body still held a nice build and his short jet black hair framed his golden eyes beautifully. He was tan skinned like her as well. Scars kissed all up and down his forearms and hands, each one at different stages of healing. He wore a simple grey t-shirt that stretched a bit over his upper arms, a pair of what looked like older basketball shorts, and socks. She was surprised that he had normal clothes on...and socks. She easily forgot his clothes when she looked up at his face. It was his eyes that entranced her, but then he smiled. A real, happy, genuine smile. His sharply pointed canine teeth catching her eye.
Then she felt it again. The same feeling as before, her heart beating hard all she could say was.

"I appreciate you sharing this with me."

She watched him nod looking away. The feeling gone again, it was almost like a dream now. Came and left within seconds.

"We even bathed for this."

Athena laughed then, feeling a bit more relaxed.

"Well that's good. So, will I continue to speak with you, Wolf, or is Oxen going to make an appearance?"

"He is not quite as ready as we are."

He said meeting her eyes. Athena nodded and stepped a bit closer to him, testing his boundaries.

"What if we all could speak?"

"How?"

"I could enter your mind again...like before."

She watched him mull it over in his head with Oxen then let out a sigh.

"Just for a short time. He is growing tired."

"That's fine. Come sit at the table."

Athena watched him sit his hands rubbing together under the table. He was nervous again. She came over and sat beside him and looked him in the eyes.

"Hey...it's just me. It's okay."

"We are ready."

He answered nodding. She took his hand in hers and closed her eyes.

"Just relax big guy."

She felt him go still and the world fell silent.

:=Wolf <=Athena "=Oxen

<Wolf?>

:We can hear you.:

"So can I..."

<Alright Oxen...tell me what's going on.>

"I'm alright...slowly right?"

<Right. Doing alright with all this...I know you were nervous about Z.>

"I was. She is kind like you said she would be."

:We trust you.:

<I know. I wanted to do this so we all could talk. I want to know how you both feel equally. Oxen you are just as important as Wolf. And Wolf you are just as important as Oxen.>

"The city noises worried us for a bit but we are doing well with them."

<That's great. What about you Wolf?>

:Happy we met someone. Did well, no anger at all.:

<See you two are doing great and I just wanted to let the both of you know that I am very proud of you two.>

<Normal>

~Athena was shoved from Oxen's mind with such force that she let out a grunt.

"Ouch."