Lycan Pass

Lycan Pass - Chapter 21

I finished writing this chapter the day that I posted the last one, but I didn't want to do two chapters in one day. That would be just silly! I'll try and get the next one posted tomorrow, if I can. Keep reading, because things are going to get good!

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      I mostly just circled around the town for a few day, scouting the people, places, and the amount of activity at different times of the day. The town fell asleep around midnight and didn't really wake up until around six. There were no security cameras on the light posts or stoplights, so I figured that if I used extreme caution, I could walk in to town once everything settled down.

      There was a pleasant little set up on this town. They had a post office, city hall, a quaint little diner, a library, and a used clothes store among other things. The rest of the town was residential. I snooped around like a sneaky little puppy and went window shopping. My mouth watered as I passed by a bakery. The library was small, but it looked full of good reads. The bowling alley... well, it smelled funny, as most bowling allies do.

      The Sun started to rise, and I knew I'd have to leave. I wandered for a few more minutes. I was just about to leave as the jingle of keys caught my attention. A short, mousy girl was opening the doors of the used clothes store. She walked behind the counter and bent over to fix something. My paws were moving before I even knew it.

      I slipped in casually, as if it was commonplace for a wolf to go clothes shopping. So far, the girl hadn't noticed me. I quickly yanked down a green v-neck and a pair of khaki shorts, the hangers making a lot of racket in the process.

      "Um, excuse me," she said. I leaned around the rack and let her get a good look at me. Her bespectacled eyes widened and her lips made a perfect 'o' of surprise. She gaped at me like a dumbfounded goldfish. I walked up to the counter with the clothes in my teeth. I would have to make sure she didn't tell this story to anyone, otherwise John would find me in an instant. I didn't want to, but I'd have to break the girl's psyche. I dropped the clothes in front of me.

      "These are not the drones you are looking for." I waved my paws around for good measure, then grabbed my clothes and ran off. I'm sure I heard a loud 'thud' as the girl fell to the floor. I apologized silently and hid in the surrounding forest.

      I quickly turned human and got dressed. At least I wouldn't have to slink into town in the dead of night anymore. Now I could fit in. My first stop: the library.

      It had been such a long time since I had gotten to pick up a book. There was never enough time for it back in Edgewood. I paused in my thoughts. When had I stopped calling it home? When you ran away from it and everyone there who loved you, another thought answered. I felt like the scum of the earth, and completely alone, but there was no way I could go back now. Even if I wanted to return, I had no idea where it was. Sighing, I grabbed a familiar book from the shelves and sat down on one of the worn chairs.

      I allowed myself to get lost in that book for hours, staying seated even when my stomach hurt with hunger. I did this because, when I read, the world around me was no longer the world I existed in. In the books, I could be whomever, whatever I wanted to be. I could be a witch, a superhero, a pirate, a werewolf or an oracle. Well, i didn't exactly have to daydream for the last two.

      My favorite part, thought, is that I didn't have to be me. Trevor didn't have to be a killer. My biological dad didn't have to be a dangerous sociopath. I could live in a place free of heartache, full of warmth and people who loved me. Somewhere I belonged...

      "Excuse me, but you look like you could use a tissue," said a smooth voice. I looked up at the gentleman before me. He had bright silver hair and blue-gray eyes. I could tell that he was around forty-five, even thought the years had been kind to him. He leaned in toward me and extended the hand that held the tissue. Everything about the man screamed. "familiar stranger", much like my first impression of Granny.

      "That must be an awfully sad story to get you so upset," he said quietly. That was when I noticed the tears streaking down my face. I shook my head and gave him a sad smile.

      "No, it just reminded me of something."

      "Ah, I see." He reached forward slowly, as if quick movements might startle me. He gently dabbed the tears from my cheeks. My heart warmed for this compassionate stranger, and as I looked down, I realized my necklace did too.

      "Please do not cry, youngling." Something struck me.

      "Wilson?" He smiled.

      "Yes." I scooted away quickly. Was he here to take me back? Was he going to tell John where I was? I couldn't go back. I couldn't face them after I left like that. I let out a small whimper when Wilson took my hand.

      "I will not make you go back, nor will I tell them where you are. You are safe here with me." My eyes watered with relief.

      "Are you sure?"

      "You will always be safe with me." I smiled warmly as he pulled me from my seat. "Come with me, let's get you fed."

      Wilson's house was clean, but comfortable. The warm air smelled delicious as it swirled around me. He guided me to the bathroom to clean up as he prepared dinner. I hadn't fully realized how bedraggled I was until I looked in the mirror. I was filthy and looked half-crazed. The only things I recognized were my eyes; they were huge, and full of uncomprehendable emotions, but they were still my eyes. I stared at my reflection for a little while longer, trying to gather other fragments of myself, but the task was meant for a later time. I washed up and joined Wilson in the dining room.

      On the table was two big bowls of beef stew and a pile of mashed potatoes. He leaned against the table casually and smiled at me.

      "Feel better?" I nodded eagerly.

      "Much, thank you." He pulled a chair out for me.

      "Well, come eat then."

      The stew was nice and hot, and the potatoes filled me up quickly. For the first time in days, my stomach was full and content. I started slipping off into something I like to call a "food coma". Wilson half-carried me to the guest bedroom and tucked me in. For a little while, I could imagine that I was actually back home, and that it was Dad who was saying goodnight. I stared into the moonlight as my consciousness slipped away.

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