Shapeshifters

20

IT HAD BEEN a few days since we dropped Sunny off at NDSU. It had been weird not having Dust at the apartment. He hadn't visited yet, or even called. I was getting ready for the day, when I looked out the window and saw Tawny's symbol. Guess it was the night before the big moon meeting.

I called Dust up at Sunny's house to tell him that we were going to be meeting with Tawny that night. He didn't pick up the phone so I left a message to come over around 7. 

It was only about 9 in the morning, so I decided to go on a walk through the woods. I reached the edge and hesitated. I had yet to go in since the curse. Tawny had always walked out to meet us a few feet before the wood line.

I took a deep breath and took a step in. I looked down and saw I was still on the wood line. I took another step. Same thing. I wasn't moving into the woods, I was staying on the outside. 

I can't go into the forest! I realized. 

I rushed back and called Dust, begging him to pick up.

"Hello," He answered.

"It's me," I panted. 

"Rose, I was just about to call you."

"You don't have to call me that when it's just us," I reminded him.

"Petunia's over," Oh. "Anyway, I'll be there about 7."

"Can you maybe come earlier?"

"Why?" He asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Not really," I responded. "But don't come just because of me." Trying to sound like I was fine.

"Are you crazy? I'm coming as soon as Petunia and I finish this game."

"What game are you two playing at 10 in the morning?"

"Ticket to Ride."

"Petunia's favorite," I told him. "Good luck getting her to play only one game of that."

"We already made a deal, that I'm now going to alter."

"What deal was that?" I teased.

"I win, we go on a walk in the woods." Not a good idea. "She wins, we go on a walk around the neighborhood."

"Hope she wins."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you when you get here."

"Okay."

"Bye."

"Seen you soon," Dust said, then hung up.

I sighed. Hope their game is over soon.

*****

Dust was knocking at the door no less than 45 minutes later. I opened the door and closed it behind him.

"I can see it in your eyes. The panic." He said. "What's gotten you so scared Light?" 

"Something not good," I replied.

"I got that much," He chuckled. "What happened? Something big must have to get you this shaken up."

 I nodded and invited him to sit down. He sat on the couch and I sat next to him. We turned to face each other and I proceeded to tell him everything. Starting with seeing Tawny's signal to calling him to tell him to come earlier.

By the end, I was crying. Dust held me while I let the tears flow. A few minutes later I composed myself again.

"Better?" He asked.

I nodded and went to fix some lunch, but noticed the time and made dinner instead. Dust came over and helped me. We made some sandwiches and ate. As we ate, Dust made jokes. We both laughed and laughed some more.

We finished eating and cleaned up. We proceeded to walk out the door when I stopped in the door frame.

"It's going to be alright," Dust said, wrapping his arms around me. Trying to be comforting. "It's over."

"No its not," I whispered. "It hasn't even begun."

"We know now," He whispered back. "We'll get through it, we've gotten this far."

I nodded and he took my hand. I followed him out the door, leaving my fears behind. We got the meeting place and Tawny was already there. We said our words and shifted. Dust padded towards Tawny and I hung back, nervous to go near the tree line. 

 I watched as Dust and Tawny exchanged a few words then they both padded towards me.

"Light," Tawny said softly. "I'm sorry, but you need to put it behind you. I have some big news."

My ears perked up at this. I sat down and said, "What news?"

Dust sat down next to me, so we were both across from Tawny. 

"Stormsky is announcing you both dead at the meeting," Tawny quickly told us. "He has no other choice. You've been gone for two moons Light. And Dust has been gone for one."

"That is big news," Dust said.

"Why announce us both and not just me?" I asked, curious.

"They have looked for you both longer than they would normally look for any other pack member," She explained. "I'm sorry. I thought that you should know."

I nodded. "You're right. We should know, so you've told us the past three times we've met."

"Just trying to make sure you understand the urgency of this."

"We do," Dust asked the question I didn't have the guts to. "Do you think any member from any of the packs will still look?"

Tawny shook her head. "With Stormsky being a leader, they wouldn't dare question him. If he says you're dead," She lowered her voice. "Then the packs will believe it. Even Sunpack believes it's hopeless."

"They gave up searching for Light after only a few suns," Dust said angrily. "Of course they'd believe it. When they announced her missing, but you found her not long after." He stood up and started pacing. "You need to help us break this curse. Please Tawny." I've hardly ever heard Dust beg, so I knew he wanted this. 

"I'll help all I can," Tawny said. "I should go, figure out what you can before we meet again. After the meeting."

Dust and I watched her walk away. We shifted back and headed to my apartment. Dust left to go back to Sunny's house. I went to my room and fell asleep, despite my crazy day.