THE ANIMUS CLAIM

Chapter 2

1375 words

Valeria

I'm woken up by the shrill godforsaken offensive sound that my sister calls music. There's too much cussing, no meaning and made up words. I guess I truly am an old soul at heart now back to my predicament.

My sister Daphne changed the settings on my phone again. She finds it amusing to antagonize me in the morning for some reason and I am definitely not a fan of early mornings when will she learn if ever, I don't know.

💡 So the only thing I can do is scream out.
"Granu! Granu!"

I hear muffled rushed footsteps the my door busts open. My Sweetest Grandma in all her glory is in my room at a speed I didn't think was possible at her age.

"Where's the fire child? We'll come on then...
Tell me what made you scream bloody murder so early in the morn."

"Uh I love you.."
I mumble.

"Speak up child my hearing is not what it used to be, nothing works well in this old lady anymore."

While waving my formidable enemy at me I gulp nervously.

"Dee changed the song on my alarm again. "
I state and I prepare to flee for my life if necessary.

" You made an old lady climb up the stairs for that! "
She exclaims loudly as she waves the weapon of mass destruction at me.

"Um you see Granu you are my hero I love you and I'm off to shower. "
I state while jumping out of bed in a speed that surprised even me and raced past her towards the bathroom door.

" You little rascal I ought to put you on my knee and spank your bottom till it turns colour."
She shouts at me as I giggle.

I shiver in fear of that, this crazy old coot just might do it. I blame that Spanish-African blood these women are formidable. I let out a breath of relief when I hear my bedroom door slam shut and distant muffled yelling on the corridor. Dee is so gonna get it Granu is on a roll today.

"Little child you better be up and about or I'll turn that little bottom of yours on my lap and give you a good spanking."
I hear her yell probably while entering Daphne's room.

I laugh maniacally karma is truly an unforgiving bitch.

I should have been a psychiatrist I can predict what Granu would do in my sleep and I really got to bathe.

I enter the shower stall, its nothing fancy but at least I am in one of the colonies with private bathrooms. They still have cameras but that's better than a communal bathing area in some of the more wayward territories. These creatures have no modesty and they expect us to be okay seeing each other naked while bathing.
I get under the chilling shower at once to get it over and done with. I don't want to give the freaks a show. I'm done in a record five minutes. During the old times you telling me I'd shower under five minutes I would have cussed you out of town. But well things change this is my reality well for all humanity. I'm back in my room as fast as I can many atrocities happen in colonial housing and I'll be dammed if I'm one of the victims.

I dress hurriedly don't want Granu coming up to get me plus I don't want to miss breakfast or worse still get in trouble with the management. But this nutty German shifter who is top dog is always out to get me I guess having a squeaky clean record makes me a target. I'm out of the door as fast as I can I leave it locked securely as I can , don't want fast hands grabbing my stuff.

Not many humans would touch my things to avoid loosing a tooth while they eat considering Granu is head cook even German Boss Lady won't go after the crazy old coot leaving me a little in the clear.

I get into the mess hall with a minute to spare I pick my tray and get in line. Seems today is my lucky day no German trouble.

"Good morning Miss Stone?"

I spoke a moment too soon German witch was on the prowl and I'm prey, my queue gets eerily quiet, so much for solidarity.

" It is Anja, don't you agree? "

" Someone is feeling brave today."

I stay mum trying to stay calm.

" Why so silent? Did the man who fooled your gullible heart last night not hit it quite right?"

I hold my tray tightly as I try not to retort my mantra 'stay calm' repeatedly over and over trying not to break and call her out. If I did I'd end up incarcerated because I'd call out everything about shifters and that won't be good for me one bit.

"ANJA! Leave that poor child alone. You want a bone to pick come to me. Her affairs are none of your concern."

My grandma stares right at her, daring her to contradict her while waving her copper handled wooden spoon.

I grimace upon spotting the blasted thing we undoubtedly have a love-hate relationship with the trusted aide of my Granu. I have sported many bruises courtesy of my old frenemy.

" I meant no ill Alfric no cause for alarm, good day Miss Stone until another time I bid you Adieu."

She calmly states and respectfully retreats whatever Granu has over her is very efficient.

"Come child I have your tray already waiting for you out back."

I move to protest but I relent. I really don't want to be dragged by the ear nor get a good public reprimand after Anja.
I trudge obediently after her, people part the way for us like the Red Sea. Within no time we are in the seemingly large kitchen making way to Granu's kitchen office.

She locks the door and puts on some music in her old record player. That's when I let my tears fall.

" How? Ma promised she swore to me that he would be safe. So how did she find out?"

Granu wrapped her frail yet loving arms around me while soothingly rubbing my back.

" Child even I don't know but I will get to the bottom of this. For as long as I breathe it shall be well with him. I shall contact them to find out how this information came to light. It shall be well, I don't know how but it'll be fine if I have anything to do with it. Now wipe your tears and walk out with your head held high it is not time to falter,we have far to venture. You are my blood Child and we Stone's are true to our name.

With that she leaves the room to give me a chance to gather myself. I sniffle away the remaining tears.

" I am Valeria Aadya Stone, granddaughter of Alfric Ximena Stone and a proud Mother to Aedan Mateo Stone. Remember who you are."

I leave the office stronger than I came in ready to face my day.
Chin up,eyes front and strut like you are the queen. As Ma always said.

I take my seat at Granu's table.
I hold her hand and Daphne's as she leads grace, before we begin to eat. Our eyes meet and I see understanding brimming in her eyes when she gazes at me.
Knowing I am fine and holding on strong if not stronger to fight whatever storm comes my way.

This day despite its beginning just might be my day after all. My fires within just went from a flicker to an inferno. I'll bid my time but someone shall pay.
These wolves think they're so bad they haven't seen me at work yet.
I am a Stone and some one will pay in blood.
Its a wrap chapter 2
I hope you love Valeria she's a diverse character
What do you think of Granu?
Why is Anja so out to get Valeria?
Tell me what you think of the human colonies?
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