A Reason For Being

Chapter Six

Sora

My eyes twitch open as I hear the quiet mumbles of the patrol. I watch them as they walk through the woods. They hold AR-15's and wear bullet proof vests. Ted leads the march with his dog, Ginga. The dog wags his tail, sniffs and scent marks the plants.

The patrol doesn't see me. They keep walking. The perfume has worked to make my scent hidden. I've won the game of hide-and-seek. I smile cynically then close my eyes as my body sinks into the branch.

I smell a scent. I haven't smelt a scent like this for a long time, the scent of a wolf. I quickly untie the rope around me and put it in my bag. I perch on the branch and spot the wolf. The wolf devours a dead macaque. Its auburn fur allows it to blend in with the autumn leaves.

"Another wolf?" I say to myself. My eyes look back to the patrol that's heading in the wolf's direction. They're going to see him if he's not careful. He keeps eating the dead macaque. He is oblivious to the danger ahead. The dog will pick up his scent if he's not wearing any perfume or he will see him. I only saw the wolf first because I have a better view. I have to do something. My fingers tap against the tree, then I remove my boot and throw it in the opposite direction.

The patrol pauses at the sound of my boot crashing into the bushes. Some of the patrol grab their guns and aim them randomly. Ginga runs to investigate the noise. His noise is down and his tail is up. I feel so stupid. What the hell am I doing? What if I get caught while trying to help the wolf? I shouldn't get involved. I remind myself the boot was covered in the perfume. Ginga want be able to sniff it out, but what if he sees it poking out of the thicket? I can't be selfish. I can't not do anything. I have to help. I haven't seen another wolf since the Okami attacks.

The patrol pauses while they investigate the noise. I sling my bag around my back and climb down from the tree. I run as fast as I can towards the wolf. The patrol has lost interest in the noise as they see a group of macaques fleeing from the trees and presume it was them. They're now heading back in the direction of me and the wolf. I reach the wolf and push him into a ditch.

The wolf instinctively shifts into his human form. I hold my hand around his mouth to prevent him from making a sound. He tries to break free and bolt. I get a firm grip of his coat. I hush him and use my finger to indicate the danger. He stops struggling. I use my spare hand to quickly spray him in the perfume. I think it's too late as I hear Ginga barking. I can feel the wolf breathing onto my hand. We both hear the patrol and Ginga barking. What if they see are footprints? I hear the patrol yelling that there heading back to the Sector for lunch. Bird song resumes when they leave.

I groan as I realize I've stood in water. My thick socks are soaking wet, and feel cold. I look to the wolf and remove my hand from his mouth. I get a better look at him. He looks around fourteen or fifteen. His eyes are amber and his hair is messy auburn. He has freckles on his face. He is skinny and his clothes look to big on him.

"You OK, kid?" I say. I look towards him as my heart is racing and brush a strand of hair behind my pierced ears. I've never been good at making friends. Probably because I don't trust anyone.

"Yeah. I think so," he says.

"Good." I bite my lip as my hands slip into my pockets, and I walk away. I can't stand awkward situations. I always bite my lip when I'm nervous or in awkward situations. That or I pinch myself. It helps me deal with the situation better.

"You saved me," the wolf says.

"I didn't save you. I was just looking out for myself, and the patrol caught me in a bad fucking mood," I say in a cold tone. I bite my lip harder. If I bite my lip any harder, it might bleed. I hope that he'll leave me alone, but instead, he follows like a shadow.