The Book Of Life

Chapter Eight

He's flopped on the deck by the stairs as if he has climbed them then given up. Huffing like a dog on a hot Summer's day as he tries to fill his lungs with air. I growl, nudging his side and flopping down next to him. Soon Zoya and Alyx join us. Later Nik comes along with the last of the pack in front of him.

It's like a honeybee hive buzzing in my mind. I'm about to fall asleep when Alyx's voice invades my mind.

'The sun is about to rise soon.'

Arron's next to invade my mind. 'We should get you back.'

'Quick to the basement.' Zoya's voice says.

She comes over and nudges my side. I growl, in annoyance but don't ignore her order. I don't think I'm going to be sane again.

Shock Horror.

Alyx randomly decides to join again, 'Even though the sun isn't up it's still light enough outside for it to be considered morning. Twilight. That means the full moon is over for tonight.'

'Alyx. You keep her company; I have to help your farther. Katlyn just imagine all of your bones cracking and reshaping back into your human body. Gruesome, I know.' Zoya adds.

It's creepy. But I take her advice, I have a feeling letting my body do it naturally is going to hurt worse. And I don't have much time till sunrise. I imagine what she said. Almost instantaneously my bones begin to snap, pop and reshape themselves. Alyx stays by the door but she never dares to poke her head in. She respects my privacy, even going as far as to move up the staircase.

Once all of my bones and muscles are back in place, I gingerly walk over to the slightly ajar steel plated door and snatch my clothes. I quickly put them on, rushing as fast as I can.

"I bloody hope this pain isn't going to last every time." I mumble.

"It won't. Now that your first shift is complete. First time shifts, are always the worst." Alyx's voice sounds from the end of the hallway.

"What happened to not watching people naked?" I snark, raising my eyebrows.

"I came back to check if your clothes were gone. In no way was I looking for you, naked or not. I was only going to glance around the corner and keep my eyes on the spot where your clothes were." Alyx defends herself.

"So, how do you deal with this all at school...." I ask, pretending to be curious.

"Excuse me? I don't. Normally, both sides of my life stay separate enough. But that's nothing to do with why I'm popular." She snarks.

"And It's not my fault that my mother trues to control my life. That I'm stuck with whoever would have the mental fortitude to stay with me." I sass.

Alyx raises an eyebrow.

'Come on, time to get you back home. Are you all done.' Arron says through our mind link.

Alyx sighs, "My brother being a pain. Isn't he?" She says heading for the steps, looking over her shoulder.

"It's all over your face. Confusion and annoyance."

"This is going to take a hell of a lot of time to get used to." I sigh as I climb the steps after her.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow. And every next full moon!" Alyx smirks.

I reach the top of the stairs and walk out through the backyard doors to the deck where Arron waits. Only to be pulled into a bone crushing hug.

"Be safe, be careful. Those two are not the first and definitely not the last that will come after you and or the book." Zoya pats my shoulder.

Indy and Andy gang up on me, giving me nowhere to go as they both hug me. I splutter as Andys' sandy blonde ponytail makes its way into my mouth. Her green eyes are filled with humour. Indy only laughs; bright blue eyes glistening in the twilight light with laughter and dark raven hair jolting with every chuckle.

"Call us if you need any help. We'll do our best to get you. Or help you out." Indy chuckles as the two girls release me.

Leaving an opening for Brandon, who replaces them with a hand on my shoulder blade then a handshake. "We have to teach you dome martial arts skills if you're gona bee the keeper and protector of the book. Drop by whenever you want, we're the only martial arts place in this suburb."

I smile. Arron's V8 engine growls to life on the side of the house.

"See you next time. Remember if there's any trouble, let us know." Nikolai says as he pulls me into a hug.

The black Commadore purrs as I open the passenger door, and Arron drives out the gate. Now that I'm not withering in pain, I can finally admire this car.

"Don't you ever get rid of this gem of a car."

"Wasn't planning on it." Arron grins, "Not since they stopped making Holdens."

We fall silent again and I watch the scenery pass outside as it gets lighter by the second.

"Here you are." He says once we pull up in the street across from mine, "Call me if you need a ride anywhere or anything. Although, you'll see me at school. If you need mum, dad or the rest of the pack you can just link them."

"Thanks. I'll try to remember. See you soon!" I shut the black door and sprint off down the pathway.

Sticking my hands in my hoodie pocket and making sure my hood is up when I jump over the fence and speed past a camera to avoid them all. I slip past my parents' window, now the only problem is getting inside without dad and the dog hearing me. Plus, another camera.

The dogs collar jingles and I freeze, the bedroom door opens. Dad comes to the backdoors and unlocks them as he lets the dog out to go to the toilet. The dog slowly saunters out of the house and past me, through the gate (to the fence which is to keep the chickens off our patio) and out on to the grass to do her business.