Pawprints in the snow

Chapter 2: Let it go

It has been a long and rough journey...

After a few hours, I am actually glad that Radvolf decided to help me. He is as strong as an ox, as graceful as a mountain lion and faster than any horse. Radvolf can leap over 3 meter cracks; hold himself on the most slippery of grounds and run through the strongest blizzard (which we have encountered on our way).

Hours pass, and yet we stay quiet. Maybe too quiet...

"Are we close?" I ask.

"Very." I hear myself answer. "Few more leaps and we will be on the top of the world."

"Radvolf, can you please, stop?"

"Yeah, sure. Why?" Radvolf slows down, until he comes to a stop.

"I just want to stretch my legs." I slide off his back. "Let's walk up there. You don't mind, do you?"

"As you wish."

And we advance up to the mountain in awkward silence...

"So... Radvolf... How long have you been in wolf form?"

"Eighteen years."

I gasp.

"How?! How old were you when you were cursed? Do you even remember yourself as a human?"

"That's a lot of questions." He snarls.

"Sorry." I apologize while scolding myself. "If you don't want to talk about it, I understand."

"No, no. It's fine. I was ten, when I first turned into a wolf. I was in wolf's skin for a full 16 years by the time I managed to break the curse, partially. But now I take turns. Half the year I am a wolf and another half I am a human."

"And when do you turn into human?"

"In spring and summer."

"But now it is summer, isn't it?" I reply. "So why are you a wolf?"

"I don't know." I continue speaking for him. His gaze shifts to me. "Maybe the curse got messed up?"

This is when another question pops in my mind.

"May I ask how you managed to get cursed?" I study him carefully.

He stares into my eyes for a little while and then sighs.

"It is an ugly story to tell. Ask me this question later... I just don't want to talk about it now."

"I understand." I lightly touch his neck, which causes one of his neck muscles to twitch. "You can tell me later."

After a few minutes of silence, he asks, "What about you? How did you earn your curse?"

"I didn't. I was born with it."

Radvolf stops abruptly.

"Wait, you said that you are born with it?"

"Yes, why?"

"Then it doesn't make any sense." Radvolf shakes his massive head. "It is not a curse then, it is a GIFT!"

I scowl.

"It is not as simple as you think."

"Then tell me!" he roars, while I shout out these words. "Stop feeling guilty and scared! What is it?! Spit it out!"