The Far Away Bear (mxm)

Chapter 15: Truth

POV: Jaden

I froze up as the three sets of eyes landed on me. It was odd to feel so cornered and judged, I didn't even really know what I was being judged on.

Arlow got to his feet and tilted to a  bow, his hand in the shape of a claw that he ran from left of his upper chest to the lower right.

Each of the Elders made the same gesture back to him, Peat standing up to do a curt nod. They didn't return it.

Maybe they didn't like Peat much?

I found that kind of crazy, Peat was really friendly.

Or maybe it was because he hadn't done the gesture...

The woman stepped up between the group of men, Arlows nervous eyes wandering back towards me again as he backed off, staying standing.

"So Jaden, you've come here this evening to tell us your choice." She smiled. It was a kind of warm smile, at least. So maybe she wasn't so bad. I cleared my throat and sat forward, hands on my knees.

"Yes, though it's kind of hard to give an answer when nobody will tell me anything about what I'm agreeing to." I crossed my arms, raising a brow at the woman.

The group of Elders grinned, the two men glancing at one another and back. The women let out a soft laugh. "Yes, I suppose that doesn't really help the situation does it. I apologise for our secrecy. You will understand why it must be that way soon."

She raised her hand out for me to take, and my chest tightened, but I took it, getting to my feet with her help. She moved away from me back toward the double doors, followed by her two side men. "This way, if you please, we will begin the ceremony."

Peat smiled and gave me a pat on the back, Arlow simply looked concerned. He wouldn't meet my gaze, but when I began to walk toward the doors, I could feel his eyes burning holes in my back.

This was happening, I had made my choice. Nowhere felt like home, nowhere but with Arlow and Peat. I wanted to keep life that way, I wanted to be with my friends.

I wanted to be with Arlow.

The room opened up into a beautiful  large space, decorated with wooden ornaments. The walls were what you'd expect in a log cabin, and a huge stone fireplace was gracing the far wall, lit with bright flames.

There was a circle of wooden log benches and a large circular area in the middle of them, almost like a wooden stage platform.

The Elders lead the way to the benches where they sat down, gesturing for us to follow. We sat in a circle around the platform, a tension rising as it became serious.

"Jaden, what you are about to learn is the truth, but first we must know your decision. Will you stay and join the Sleuth, or will you leave us. Once you have made this decision, it can not be undone."

The air became thick, my throat closed in and dry. All eyes were on me now, and I couldn't help but look to Arlow, connecting with his.

It was silent, watching each other. We had never said the words, but I knew I felt something for him. I knew I liked Arlow a lot. His expression was coming across as hidden desperation, pleading. Though I couldn't tell for which choice.

Maybe our connection was all in my head, but I didn't care.

I kept my eyes on him when I said it.

"I choose to stay."

The relief washed over me. It was instant, full of calm. Arlow on the other hand held a mixture of expressions, pain, fear, relief...

My brows furrowed in confusion, but my concentration on him was ripped away and back on the Elders as they stood up.

The woman stepped up onto the platform and sat down in the center of the circle facing me, slowly she began to remove her jewelry, placing each piece on the floor infront of her.

I glanced around at the others but nobody seemed to find this weird, so I just watched as she set the final piece down.

"Jaden.." Arlows voice snapped me back to him "this might be frightening, but I'm telling you, you're safe." His hand reached for mine, my own met his in a daze of confusion and he squeezed his grip "Don't be scared, its going to be alright."

The hell-?

Suddenly there was a loud snap sound, my head spinning to the source, my eyes bulging wide at the woman sitting on the platform.

The room filled with the blood curdling sounds of cracking bones, flesh ripping apart.

Panic was rising in my chest and my breathing staggered, I began to scurry backwards from the bench, but a set of arms wrapped around me and held me close as I let out a horrified scream.

The woman on the platform had buckled forward and from her back exploded the massive body of an animal, frayed dark brown fur was followed by a sound I knew too well.

The roar of a grizzly bear.

I was frozen in terror, the massive body seemed to step out of a human suit, leaving the remnants of clothing behind. I couldn't tell you what was left, I couldn't take my eyes off of the huge creature that stared me down. Its hot breath fanning my face.

I'd forgotten what breathing was, even my blood had stopped moving through my veins, my face had gone ghostly pale.

"...-aden.."

..Jaden!"

I blinked and came back to the world, hearing my name, my whole body shaking. Inside my stomach was churning with fear, nothing made sense, this was breaking my mind in two.

"Jaden please listen to me..."

Arlows voice.

His lips were by my ear, he was the one holding onto me, the one my fingers were gripping with such intensity I swear my nails were cutting into his skin.

"...The bear won't hurt you, I promise. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...this is what I couldn't tell you..."

Arlows voice cracked, my body frozen in place, horror keeping me grounded as the huge bear stared down at me from the platform. I could feel his arms around me shaking, the tremble in his words.

"This is what we are, this is the truth."

What we are.

Words weren't processing properly as the huge bear let out a grunt, laying down infront of us. It's dark brown eyes ever watching, placing one paw over the other and resting its head on them.

"A bear" I'd finally whispered out.

What we are.

My head turned and I looked into Arlows watery sorrow filled eyes in despair "You're a bear too..."

He choked down a sob, breaking my gaze in what I can only describe as shame "yes, I am."