Remedial Lunacy {LGBT}

Chapter 5 - Initiation

A small group of people made their way through the dense ferns and undergrowth of the forest, the leaders following a hidden path towards the river. Behind them a young man and woman eyed their surroundings cautiously, both on edge as they disappeared further and further from society they were about to leave behind. Two women brought up the rear; one carrying a backpack full of supplies. Harriet and her brother flanked the group, eyes and ears alert for any human activity that might encroach on their activities.

“Come and form a circle around our recruits.” The eldest member of the pack urged everyone closer. “The moon is starting her ascension; we must be swift if we wish to welcome these new wolves to our family.”

“This is it.” The young girl turned to Connor.

“Sure is.” Connor forced himself to stand, the muscles of his legs argued and he clasped onto the girl’s shoulder for support. “Sorry.” He finally found his feet and stood tall.

“It is going to take a bit of getting used to, how long were you in the chair for?” She smiled.

“Two years.” Connor stopped talking as the people around him began to chant. It was a language he had never heard before, it called to his soul and brought tears to his eyes. He looked around the group and he was not the only one supporting an emotional reaction. The old man that was leading wept as he sang.

“The mother is listening, we must now begin the ritual.” The elder stepped into the circle, the band closed in around him and interlocked hands. “You must lose all of what humanity has given you.” He tugged at their clothing, “All of it must be gone for her to cleanse you.”

“We have to strip naked?” The girl looked around the beach. “I don’t want people to see.”

“The only one who has any interest is the mother.” The old man reassured. “No one here has any interest in you until you have been cleansed.”

The girl dropped her arms, took a deep breath and pulled off her sweatpants. “Aren’t you going to join me in the skinny dip?” She looked at Connor as she stepped out of her shoes and socks. The pebbles and sharp stones bit into her feet and she winced as she gained her balance.

“I can’t.” Connor panicked, the thought of stripping himself down to nothing horrified him. His face flushed and beads of sweat forced their way out of his palms. His stomach flipped and he lost the ability to explain.

“You have to.” The old man stepped forward and pulled off Connor’s shirt. He gasped as he saw the large scars across his chest. “Must have been one hell of a wreck you were in.” He grabbed hold of Connor’s sweatpants but the young man held firm. “Only the mother has interest, no one here will judge.” He dug his elongated thumbnails into the backs of Connor’s hands.

Connor gasped at the pain and inspected the damage. His moment of distraction cost him his dignity, the old man revealed his secret to the pack. The world began to spin; the earth rose up and tried to swallow him. He lay on the damp rocks semi-conscious, hearing words but unable to react.

“What the fuck?” yelled one of the men. “That isn’t a fucking guy.”

“Silence yourself.” The old man warned. “Mother will decide if he is worthy or not, our judgement of his human condition is null and void.”

“Harriet it is a disgrace that you bring this thing before mother.” The guy spat at Harriet’s feet.

“It is time,” The elder pushed open the circle, “Allow the mother in, let her change your shape, feel your new form and enjoy it.”

“Anabelle do it!” The rough guy yelled “You want to be with me then let her have you.”

Anabelle closed her eyes and took a deep breath of air, the tangy scent of the tidal river filled her lungs. Something pulled at her, like a fishhook in her navel, and she dropped to the ground as every muscle in her body clenched. Her breathing became ragged, as her bones seemed to melt into the heat of change. She gurgled as the sounds of popping and cracking filled her ears. Her eyes flashed open and she focused all her conscious energy on the moon.

“Almost there my dear.” The old man squatted down and brushed a lock of blond hair from her face. “Sleep and let her take you.” He lay his finger on her eyelids and forced them closed. He held them until her breathing steadied.

“Connor let her in.” Harriet screamed.

Connor heard the familiar voice but his brain was too fatigued by anxiety to give any response. He looked up into the aged eyes of the elder.

“Accept her or die, those are your only options.” The elder knelt down beside him. “She will fix you and we will take you in as brethren.”

“Promise?” Connor croaked. He waited for the old man’s nod before sealing his eyes shut and waiting for the pain to take over. Flashes of the accident disturbed him as he tried to keep his mind clear. Slowly the scenes darkened into pure matte black, his conscious searched the space for guidance.

“Connor Lowell?” A whisper echoed through the desolate space.

“Yes.” Connor stood up and spun around looking for the origin of the voice.

“Do you choose to accept the mother?” A small ball of silver light appeared in the distance, it bobbed up and down as it approached.

“Will she accept me?” Connor squinted as the light blinded him. “The real me, this me?”

“Mother sees only you.” The ball shifted into a humanoid shape, slowly moulding into a younger version of Harriet.

“Harriet?” Connor used his hand as a shield.

“She set you on the path towards mother, she is your parent now, it is only natural I take this form.” The ghost Harriet smiled.

“Who are you?” Connor winced as his muscles seized, the pain forced him to his knees.

“Guide.” She dropped down next to him. “You must choose, that is your human body dying.”

“I accept the mother and all the gifts she chooses to bestow upon me, be it life or death.” Connor said quickly. His breathing eased and the pain lessened. He turned to the ghost and watched her dissolve into the darkness. “Where are you going?”

“I have others to guide,” The voice carried in the empty air, “You will sleep now.”

The words repeated in his head until his eyes became too heavy to keep open. He allowed himself to sink into a deep and dreamless sleep.