Animal

.:6:.

Quick A/N:
I know that the songs don't always match the "theme" of the chapter. That's because they're songs that I feel represent the whole book. Things that haven't been introduced yet go with some songs, later.

'Kay, I'm done for now lmao. Enjoy reading.

-:-

I watched the soft white bundles of air leave from between my chapped lips, my brown eyes watching them bellow into the sky and disappear completely.

After I finished the pancakes Gale made me, I attempted to pay for both the coffee and the meal, but she refused to take my money, saying, "Put that away, you won't get me to take it." She smiled at me understandingly. "Save your money, kid. You're going to need it more than right now."

When she said those words, I had leaned over and placed a kiss on the soft skin of her cheek. There was no other way I could express my gratitude towards her. She was the first human being I've talked to since the shift, and she gave me confidence.

She waved me off when I tried thanking her multiple times, though her cheeks were pink.

When I had gotten up and pulled my small duffel over my shoulder, she ran from behind the counter and approached me. "Wait, wait," she yelled, pausing in front of me.

I blinked at her, noting that she had something wrapped in a plastic bag and a note on top. She removed the note and handed the bag to me. "This is for you. Don't you dare try to refuse it," she added, giving me a stink eye when I parted my lips to kindly decline it. I instantly locked my lips shut again and smiled at her.

Gale smiled again and handed it to me, and I caressed it in my hands as though it were delicate. It didn't smell like food, nor was it warm like freshly made food. Whatever it was, I would probably be grateful for in the long run. I gently set my bag and the package down on the counter and shuffled some clothes to the side and set it in the middle, then covered it with the clothes again to keep it safe.

Zipping my bag up, I turned back towards Gale who was watching me carefully.

"I don't know where you're headed," Gale began, looking down at the slip of paper before continuing while reaching it out to me. "But if you're wanting to disappear for a while, go here."

I blinked, surprised by the sudden statement. I took the slip of paper and looked down at her handwriting, furrowing my eyebrows.

Story, Wyoming. See librarian at the edge of the town, she goes by the name of Honey Herring.

Honey Herring? I stared skeptically back up at Gale who crossed her arms. "I know her name sounds ridiculous, hun. But if you want to disappear and stay gone for a while, Story is the place to go. The citizens will keep you secret, let me promise you. You'll be protected there."

"H-how do you know this?" Really, McKenzie? Did you honestly just ask a question as stupid as that one? "Wait. Don't answer that, please, stupid question."

Gale laughed, shaking her head and patting my shoulder. "Please. That isn't a stupid question at all," she responded, releasing my shoulder moments later. "I ran away there for a while. I kept to myself, but everyone was so nice to me," she explained, leaning back on the counter and cocking her head to the side thoughtfully. "Honey and I met, and she said I could have a place at her house for as long as I needed. No charge."