Book 1- Notes From A Long Island

Chapter 4: Mutual Induction

As I approached the reception building, I saw that most of the adult male humans were outside with a few female humans. Normal, mostly human, and a few superhumans were talking to each other. It seemed that most of the human women and children were inside. They were having a heated discussion about something with Firestarter, Moriko Kitsune, Conor, and Louis. I stood back just enough to take in the energy, emotion, and aura of this vivacious crowd. Even though I was standing right there, no one paid me any heed or mind. I found this interesting because due to my empathic powers, most people notice me right away. This could be something that I could investigate at a later time. For right now though, I needed to get these people under control. Using my magic, I inundated the whole area, including the reception building, with as much positive emotional energy I could muster. I almost passed out from the effort but Firestarter held me steady. At least everybody calmed a bit and stopped arguing, more or less. Now everyone's attention was on me and I felt like a naked kid in front of the classroom. Slowly, I could tell that a lot of those men in front of me were unhappy with what I did. Oh well.

"What is all this commotion about?!?" I said as loudly as I could. Since we were a group, I wanted everyone's attention and input. When everyone started talking at the same time, I put a fist up. With just that motion, and little to no magic and emotion, they shut up again. "One at a time!"

"The non-humans all went to Fort Terry", Dom, a father of three started,"They said they found something there pertaining to this mission of ours. We wanted to know what it is. Us normal humans wanted to know what was found!" He looked at the people around him as they made noises and nods of agreement.

Charles, another family man elaborated, "We know you guys protect us, especially since you rescued most of us from what happened in Salem." He paused to look at those around him. "I don't know if I can speak for everyone, but my family and I are eternally grateful for you keeping us mandanes around even though it would slow you down and possibly hinder you." A few people murmured in agreement to that. "But, I still think we should not be in the dark about what you guys find, plan out, and decide to act on!" A few more additional people than before whooped in recognition. "We also are still risking our own lives," he went on, "just by being with you all..." He paused for sec, remembering what his family went through, and who they lost, before they joined the convoy. I felt his mixed emotions. He stared at me almost knowing that I was intruding. I have to remember the two way street to my abilities. After a bit of a stare down with me, I pushed some emotions and thoughts his way for better clarity and understanding. He nodded. "Even though we are still better off being with you..." On that statement, some of the men in the back who had families, and some who did not, turned to walk away, but they did not venture far.

"Honestly, I am okay with following them and being in the dark." Said Zack, a young man who was with the convoy from the very beginning. He came from War's hometown. He looked at the people directly. "Look, I have been with them since the beginning. I grew up in the town with werewolves. My best friend was a werewolf! My family were werewolves! Before... before... " The emotions coming off him hit me like a wave. I stumbled a bit from that unexpectedly. Looking away, he wiped a tear off of his cheek. Zack lost his family and his best friend during the conflicts that occurred 7 years ago in War's hometown. Even though he was younger at that time, Zack was still missing them and in mourning. The werewolves had that much of an impact on this normal human. I soothed him a bit but did take away what he needed to process, and grieve.

"I trust them, okay? I trust them and love them. I was adopted into a werewolf family — and by extension, the pack — when my human family abandoned me. They saved me and raised me and treated me like I was one of their own. I understand the need to keep secrets and hold back information. Sometimes, it's for the greater good!" Zack walked out of the group of mostly human males and stood beside us. He stopped beside Conor, the skinchanger who decided to mostly use his wolf body instead of his human one. Zack stroked his hand through Conor's fur and scruff, nostalgia flowing from him. He missed the physical touch wolves give each other. He missed the closeness and tight family unit the wolves provided. He mostly just missed the feeling of fur and wolf on his hands. Since he was a kid, that was his normal. Everyone had stayed quiet during his whole exchange and I could feel that a lot of them did not know how to respond to that.