The Mating Bond

Chapter 10

Melissa P.O.V.

Malcolm had walked me out of the restaurant but parted ways when I headed towards the woods. After asking Malcolm where it was first. Apparently, this place isn't even fifteen minutes from my house. I haven't realized until this point how little I've traveled. I never went on the field trips with my school since father didn't want to waste any money on anything that stupid. At least, to him it is. I think going to the waterslides or museum would have been fun. I've never been anywhere interesting now that I think of it.  I don't even think I've ever been to the beach before. I've never even gone swimming!

I wonder if Malcolm's pack is near a lake or an ocean. Would he be okay with showing me how to swim one day? That would be super nice of him.

I think of all the possibilities I will have once I leave with Malcolm. I can't think of much at the moment but I know that it will be way better than what I have to live with now. Or had to now.

After a short run, I make it to my backyard. I shift into my human form and put on my clothes before going around to the front and entering the front door. I stand still for a few seconds as I listen to hear any movement in the house. Silence. The lights are still off which is also a good sign.

With my shoes in hand, I make my way up the stairs swiftly but still quiet. I tiptoe past father's door before getting to my room. I'm so happy I recently oiled the hinges of my door so it doesn't squeak but is as quiet as a mouse.

Once I make it inside, I close the door and start to look around. Alright, what can I use to carry my stuff? I don't have much so it shouldn't be that hard to carry.

I look and see my old backpack sitting in the corner. Perfect! It can hold so much!

It is actually the nicest thing I have. Father had bought me a brand new backpack and pretty decent school supplies once I entered high school. Adults from the pack were getting suspicious of me wearing worn down clothes and having no supplies and a backpack that was in pieces while my sister had expensive clothes and things.

I grab it and run to my dresser and start packing. I didn't have many clothes but they do their job. The only "new" clothes I have were underwear thank goodness. Everything else is used.

All my jeans have rips and holes in them but it is a style that people do so it was always overlooked. And I patch up the shirts I get with a small sewing kit I have. I think I make them look better. I mean they are huge and baggy and clearly meant for overweight men but I fix them up so they look decent on me. I just ignore the weirdly colored stains on them.

I place the small sewing kit in my bag as well before putting on my only sweater and running shoes. I place my Mary Jane flats in the bag and look around my room thinking about what else I have to take with me.

I then realize that I will be sleeping outside and it can get quite chili. So I grab my blanket from my bed and roll it so it will be easier to carry. I slide it in between the backpack straps and the backpack itself so I can just carry it on my back. I look around my room before nodding. That's everything.

I swing on my backpack before making my way downstairs and outside. I look into the house for hopefully my final time before closing the door. The first step I take away from the house fills me with so much joy. Walking away from my nightmare and stepping towards my future.

I was about to leave the property but something catches my eye. I look toward the house and see the recycling bin. The garbage truck hasn't come yet and there are at least 3 days worth of beer bottles in there and a few other whiskey bottles. If I take them to the bottle depot tomorrow, I could get at least five dollars. That could be enough to feed me for a few days.

I look around before heading to the bin. I slowly lift the bin lid and look at that bag of bottles. With a deep breath, I slowly grab the bag and lift it out of the bin. I try to be as slow as possible so they don't clank around as much and make noise. I wince multiple times as they clink together.

Once it's out, I sigh in relief. I then bolt onto the street and down the road. I'll run down the road for about thirty minutes before going into the trees so it will be harder for them to track my scent if they come and try to find me. And I hope. Oh gosh, I hope they don't try to find me. The scent of all the houses and people should muffle my scent.

Excitement fills me as I am now a free person. Anara howls in my head in victory.

Oh, I'm so happy.