𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧

.𝟎𝟔 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

Dustin Henderson; March 2023

Steve rubs his hands together as he tries to contain some body heat as he sits under a handmade shelter. A tarp that his wolf stole from god only knows where with a rather disgusting blanket had been included. He had been in the boy scouts when he was younger, something his father forced him to do to get him out of the house. Now he regrets not taking it seriously. Instead, he had been grouped up with the boys that nitpicked everything the older councilors did. In hindsight, he was a little shit and he doesn't understand how no one has tried to murder him yet on that alone. He's taking certain things a little too far. Such as dumping a bunch of random trash in some kid's locker, filling it to the brim so that it would dump all over the poor guy who had pretty much done nothing. Except walked in at the wrong time when Tommy was doing something stupid.

Now Steve has a lot of time to think about what he wanted to do with his life if he ever returned home. A huge part of him wanted to stay out here and run free. Not having to worry about the stress of humanity, all he would have to do is take care of himself and not have to worry about others' feelings. Though even that wasn't too hard. His stomach was beginning to growl, the moon was starting to go down being replaced by the sun. He should have gone to the side of the Quarry and watched the sunset but he was too busy staying in his makeshift shelter. That he had to move when he let Eddie in. Afraid that the boy would try and return to find it.

The other spot had been more ideal, this one was a bit of a hassle. Only placed there to give him a spot to stay while he gathered his thoughts. Spring was finally here, even though snow was still on the ground. Most of it beginning to melt as the grass starts to poke out. A full season passed since he started to shift into whatever thing this was. Something that he has slowly begone to gain some sense of control over, a bit of a relief now. A bit of trust was there as well. Knowing that the wolf that was inside of him wouldn't harm anybody. In fact the complete opposite. She was completely infatuated with Eddie Munson it was ridiculous. There was something there that he as a human couldn't understand.

There were very few things that the two could hide from each other with the whole being in the same body situation. But somehow the wolf was fully accomplishing something that Steve had deemed impossible. The animal knew everything about him and he was starting to learn things about her as they began to bond during the colder months.

Sighing, he could see his breath in the air as he crawls out of the shelter. Dropping the blanket and tossing it back inside as he stretches his limbs out by standing. Preparing to shift, it wasn't ideal to be naked in the woods but here he was. He could feel the itch, the craving to change. Something that has become easier to control but still needed time to perfect. Which was his flimsy excuse for not heading home. Cracking his neck and popping a bunch more joints he could feel the wolf begin to get ready. Eager to run and fly through the woods.

Something that he wanted just as much as her, what he didn't want though was to stop near the trailer park. A daily ritual that was probably going to end with their demise. The animal just wanted to make sure that the boy was okay. Though never getting too close, not wanting her human to get in trouble. Hearing his Uncle going on numerous rants on how Eddie should stop befriending random animals. (this being after he left food out for the random stray cats who didn't like Steve)

Today, Steve just wanted to head to get breakfast first. His stomach was growling and he was sure she was hungry as well. That being with them both sharing the same stomach. "Come on." He groans out tossing his head back when he hears the decision that had been made. "We are both starving, we could both at least drop at the kid's place first. I think his Mom is making cinnamon rolls this morning." He whines out into the woods. Only getting a response from the wind, the wolf refusing to argue with him. Staying stubborn and in control over their plans. Which sucked.