Prints on our hearts

Chapter Three

        

        As the children began to pile into the large room, they began to pull beanbags and large fluffy pads to lay on. Peter ran to a large sliding door at the right wall and slid it back. Aaron and Jackson stood there waiting. Claire ran in and sat beneath Alma on a large cushion. The sun was setting as everyone got comfortable. As Peter picked out a movie, Alma adjusted herself more into Alex. Alex turned away to hide her smile. Peter looked to Alex for permission to cut all of the lights. "Alma is everyone here?", she asked the woman relaxed against her. Smiling at Jake and Emma cuddled together, she nodded. Alex nodded to Peter who cut the lights. He got situated as the movie began to play. Alex could not focus on the movie. Alma snuggled herself more into Alex, whose heart beat a little harder. Her soft warming scent filled Alex's senses. Alex gritted her teeth. It had been so long since she had Alma so close to her. It was almost her undoing. Alma began to drift into sleep. A soft murmur from her sent Alex over the edge. Quickly but carefully, she separated herself from Alma and practically ran outside. She ran out to a fence and leaned over it panting hard. All attempts to control herself slipping away. She growled loudly and tightened her grip on the post. She looked back to make sure no one followed her out. Feeling her body tensing and convulsing she crawled behind the stables. Once she gave into the beast inside, her flesh ripped and her bones changed instantly. She stood tall and shook her black fur. She glanced around the stables once more then took off across the island. Her paws pounded hard against the earth. He ran as hard as her muscles allowed. She ran to clear her mind, to be free. All the animals ran in fear as she passed by. She slid to a halt in the sand. She could just barely see the roof of the house on this side of the island. She let out a loud huff as her body collapsed to the ground. Her muscles ached and burned. She listened to the calming waves and night creatures around her. Her large dark body stood out against the light sand. She was 4 foot tall and 6 feet long. Twice the size of a typical wolf. She hated being this way. When she was younger she could handle her beast inside. It seems Alma has broken her. She slowly picked herself up and shook off. Sand flew from her fur. She caught a scent of a lone rabbit close by. The hot scent filled her nostrils. She turned away from it despite the nagging pull to hunt. She took off down the beach running as hard as she could in the sand. She would not give into her wild side. Peculiars like her belonged to families. She had been rescued at birth by the Ymbrynes who raised her alongside Alma, Jack, and Myron. Despite keeping a friend relationship, she grew close to Alma. They did everything together. Not long before they were separated Alma had kissed Alex for the first time. That memory now pushed Alex to run harder. It was simply a quick peck, but both of them knew it was more. After the kiss Alma ran off. The last time they saw each other they said goodbye. Alex was taken to a loop and Alma was taken off to start her own loop. It crushed Alex. Despite letters being exchanged between them, neither woman discussed the kiss. Alex brushed everything off as a fling. It was easier on her that way. Now here she is running wildly around an island, almost as if running from her feelings. Her entire body burned. Her muscles and her lungs screamed. She circled back to the house. Her horses knew her well enough not to run. She jumped over the fence and tumbled down. Her legs tangles under her as her head collided with the hard earth. She laid there panting hard and feeling defeated. Her body had given up on her. She heard loud footsteps coming towards her. "Alex it's alright, i'm here now.", a thick male voice said. She looked up with a whimper to see Aaron standing above her. He laid down beside her and pulled a blanket from his back to drape over her. She changed back to human and laid there shivering. She closed her eyes and held tightly to the blanket. "I have it from here Aaron.", Said a thick sweet voice. Alex felt Aaron stand up and walk off. When she finally got the nerve to look up, she looked into the beautiful green eyes of Alma Peregrine. She knelt down beside her and scooped her up into her lap. "Alex what happened to you? I thought you had all of this under control years ago!", she said, concern thick in her voice and hard on her face. "You've unhinged me Alma.", Alex whispered against her chest. Alma stroked her wild hair. "Let's get you to bed. The children are all in bed. We will see if we can fix you.", she said with a warm smile. Alex nodded and let Alma help her stand. She leaned against Alma for support. Her body was almost too weak to support herself. They slowly made their way into the house and to Alex's room. Alex tried to sit on the bed but Alma caught her. "Oh no. You are taking a shower to clean up first.", Alma said pushing her gently to the bathroom. Alex sighed. There was no point in arguing with the woman, she always won. Alma took the blanket from off her shoulders and gave her privacy to wash herself. As she was scrubbing the sweat and dirt off of herself a thought hit her, Where would Alma sleep? Surely not in her bed with her? No, Alma would never allow that. Her victorian style practically shunned it. What about the letters Alma read? How many did she read and what did she think? These thoughts swirled around her head. What if she left? Could she take her leaving again? She let out a loud frustrated sigh and leaned her head against the shower. This time she was not going to let Alma slip away. That woman meant everything to her and she was not going to give it up again. She finished washing and wrapped herself in a towel. She readied herself to fight to get Alma to stay. She walked out of the bathroom to see Alma reading more letters. She looked up at her standing in her towel. "Alex how come you never sent any of these to me? I would have love these!", she said as her eyes began to water slightly. Alex was speechless as Alma stood and quickly walked over too her. She threw her arms around her and held her tightly. "Alex I never wanted to leave you but I had to. Please forgive me.", she sniffled into Alex's neck. Alex stood frozen. Alma pulled back to look at her. "Promise you won't leave again?", Alex stuttered out. Alma smiled widely. "I swear.", she said wiping her tears away. "Can I get dressed now?", Alex asked with a smile. Alma smiled and nodded. "I will wait in the hall.", she said as she walked out. Alex sighed and got dressed in a loose t-shirt and shorts. She called Alma back in as she dug for clothes she could wear. "We can go to the mainland tomorrow to get some clothes for everyone.", She said as she laid a selection out for her. Alma picked some out and smiled. "Well since I am concerned for your health I suppose it is only right that I stay in here for the night.", She said with a smirk. Alex smiled as Alma walked into the bathroom to get dressed. She put the extra clothes away and climbed into bed to wait. Alma soon came back out and happily climbed into bed beside her. "I am so glad you are staying", Alex whispered as sleep took hold of her.