The Hunted

Howl

Andronika

My mind had been split since I had fallen asleep from the first night here. A battle that I have enough balls for me to say I had been failing. Now though, I have come to the realization that it isn't insanity, but rather a supernatural entity in my mind that hadn't been on my side. One that had been just as unhappy with this new arrangement as I am. Only the difference is it knew all my weaknesses and had woven uncertainty into my once confident core.

As I look into the eyes of a bloody white wolf that was once someone I could at least look toward as a protector, I have come to the realization that I am not alone. They've all had a thorn in their side, an infected wound that spread and throbbed to the point where all you could think of was the suffering you were going through.

I think I now have more of an understanding of what I am now. I am not one but I'm not two, I am the line in the sand that separates one grain from the other, the grey when white and black clash, and I am both of the cloth that had been cut in two. My voice seems to understand this to... I think. A sense of calm has washed over me that I hadn't had since my family had broken up.

We are our home now. I am sorry....

My eyes welled up against my own accord, and I quickly wipe them before they can fall. A soft hand touches the back of my arm, jolting me out of my emotional cognizance. I glance over to see Philia just as emotional with a look of understanding in her eyes. We are our home now....

"I am so sorry." I whisper.

"Theres no need to be." She replies just as vulnerable as I feel.

Lyra takes a deep breath, stealing mine and Philias as a deep howl slowly emerges from her soul. The ground seems to shake from the impact that is Lyra's howl, like a wine glass when you rub your finger along the edge of the brim. I feel the presence of my wolf in our mind, beckoning the transformation and for a split second I worry. But as I glance over to Philia and see not only the same thing happening to her, but the trust she has in herself and Lyra, so I accept it without a second thought.

We stand together in pain, but side by side. Lyra has seemingly gotten used to her form and is standing watch as Philia and I work to stand on our paws for the first time. Senses that were overwhelming before are now tumultuous. My eyes are unfocused no matter how hard I try and concentrate on a single thing. I can taste the air around me as my bloodied tongue dangles numbly out my mouth, and the sounds... dear Lord these sounds are blending together into one loud screech.

FOOM!

The sound of a step towards me, I know, but sounds like one of the giants from Jack and the Giant Bean Stock took a close step towards me. I glance up to see lyra's wolf in complete serenity. No war in her eyes as she gazes down at me. It's almost as if I can hear the words in her mind she's trying to tell me. Telling me to remember who I was, to get a grip on who I am now, and to come to term with what will be. I see it all in her eyes.

This won't conquer me. Nothing has and nothing will ever break my heart or my mind, no matter how close this situation got to breaking me. I am here, I am ok, I will always be ok in the end. It is in this moment that I realize I need to give up my rein and let Lyra take the lead, her head is far clearer than mine will ever be. As if this was her destiny all along, I will be the right-hand man for her. There is something more at foot here, I can tell Lyra knows this, so all I have to do is remain present.

Remain ok.