Collar the Wild

Chapter 22 - Shopping

As they walk out of the house, Cal starts planning the route to accomplish all their tasks. Ember looks up at the grand house, marvelling at it while they make their way down the path to the drive.

"We're going to go to the DIY shop first so I can give them Voigt's specifications. I imagine they'll have to cut the pipe which might take time. So while they're doing that we'll go and get you sorted with some new clothes. There are two shops we'll try, one for a couple of sets of casual, and one for formal." Cal pulls open the gate at the end they walk through onto the road. "Then we'll pick up Hess' veg and the pipe on the way back."

Ember nods. "Sounds good."

"Oh by the way, you're going to start feeling the effects of the collar soon. It'll be weak at first, but the longer we stay out the more homesick you'll get. So we'll try to be quick."

"Oh, yeah. Thanks for the warning."

As they amble down the street with sparse trees on either side, the black wolf thinks about how glad he is to be going with Cal. At the junction, the signage for the town centre stokes the smouldering pit of concern in his belly. He gulps and looks over at the other wolf who smiles back at him.

"Don't worry, they're all pretty used to us by now, but you may get a few startled or scared humans. Just be friendly and try not to interact too much."

"Do I look frightening?" Ember forces a half-laugh.

"Oh yeah. The jeans alone make me quiver," he smirks. "For real though, how do you feel? It was only two days ago you killed a human."

Thinking about that night causes a rush of anxious energy to course through him like a cold draught. He doesn't feel the effect of the bloodlust anymore, but he still remembers what it felt like to hunt, and the thrill that comes with it. He shivers.

"I'll be fine," he replies stiffly, nodding to himself. "I only ever hunted humans by circumstance. I never went looking for them specifically, doing so would remind me too much of my family."

"Good. Use that to your advantage. Remember, I'm going to be right by your side the whole time, so if you feel like you're ... getting hungry," Cal grimaces at his poor phrasing, "signal to me and I'll take you away."

"Heh, ok. Thanks Cal."

They get to the crossroad and turn towards a series of buildings in the distance. Before they get onto the main street, they get honked at by a couple of passing cars. A group of male youths even find the spare time to roll the windows down and howl at them. Cal flicks them the Vs.

"I should mention, just in case we come across any. There are some people that ... disagree with us more aggressively than others. I hope nothing bad will happen, but we've had to endure our fair share of abusive behaviour."

"So I see. Nothing physically abusive I hope?"

"The occasional projectile. They don't get close enough to attempt battery."

"I remember people around the town where my tribe lived who would always talk shit about the 'beasts in the woods'. I always held my tongue. Not to defend them of course, more to avoid being in any way associated."

"Hardly surprising, considering what your family were doing. But I wanted to make you aware that there could always be trouble. I can spot the usual suspects a mile off so I can veer us away if necessary. I wouldn't want you to have a experience here, it really is a lovely town."

"Thanks. Again"

"Don't mention it."

They manage to get to the hardware store without incident and walk in. There is another patron looking at paint swatches who doesn't seem particularly bothered by the two wolf men who just entered, but he does his best to avoid eye contact. Cal walks up to the store owner nervously gripping the counter top.