Remedial Lunacy {LGBT}

Chapter 6 - Rebirth

The elder rose slowly from the ground, “Take your offerings and allow them to be cleansed by the high tide.” He stepped closer to the edge of the river and slipped his feet out of his shoes. The waves gently massaged his feet as he waited. “Now, Harriet.”

“He isn’t ready.” Harriet stuttered, she hovered over Connor’s body. “He is only in the early stages of the transformation.”

“Tough shit Harriet.” The gruff guy pushed past her. He slid his hands under the half-formed body of his girlfriend and hoisted her into his arms.

“Fuck you Paul.” Harriet grabbed a rock and hurled it towards his back. It gave a disappointing thud and rebounded off his shoulder.

“If they do not enter the water before high tide then the transition will never progress.” The elder pulled his robe over his head and allowed his body to bathe in the moonlight. “There is no time for your petty sibling squabbles.”

Harriet looked down at the writhing body of the young man, guilt and regret twisted her gut. “I’m so sorry.” She whispered as she lifted him into her arms. She could feel the moon strengthening her, boosted by her maternal instinct; she waded out into the cloudy water and allowed his body to fall into the murky deep. Tears pricked her eyes as she backed away. She bowed her head in respect and trudged back to the shore.

“Be patient, the mother will decide if he is worthy.” The reassuring hand of her brother squeezed her shoulder. “But now is our time to pay our respect and give thanks for the blessing we were given.”

“But Adam what if I just killed him?” Harriet tugged her way out of her sodden clothes.

“We do not know what will happen.” Adam knelt down and allowed his body to melt into the shape of a wolf. Slowly fur began to sprout from his skin, starting at his back and flowing like a wave until every inch of his lupine body was covered by thick grey fur.

Connor could feel the effects of the waves, tossing him back and forth, as he slipped deeper and deeper into the darkest water. His muscles ached from the effort of shifting and his lungs burned from the salt water. He needed air. His eyes flashed open and he summersaulted in the water. Four paws landed on a rock and gave him the propulsion needed to break the surface of the water. The fresh air felt good in his lungs, but the respite was short lived, he plummeted back into the water. The discomfort in his muscles limited the control he had over his new limbs; the more he tried to paddle the deeper he seemed to dive.

On the shore, a small group of wolves watched the river for the sights and sounds of life having been granted to the hopefuls. They all leapt to their feet as a large black mass erupted from the water, but several minutes had passed since and there were no fresh signs of hope. The largest male paced the water’s edge, his nose close to the water and ears erect waiting for the call of his mate.

Splashing, choking and flailing a sandy brown she-wolf came onto the beach, tripping over her new legs she wearily forced herself to safety. She lay at the large wolf’s feet and panted. His howl carried on the night air, the pack joining in the chorus one by one until the new wolf found her own voice. She wobbled as she tried to stand, her mate reassuring and aiding her as best he could, slowly they made their way to the heart of the group. Every wolf greeted her, nose to nose, allowing her to pick up each individual scent of her new family.

Harriet forced herself away from the group once the formalities were over; she sat at the edge of the water and waited. Her nose to the air for the faintest trace of a scent, her ears pricked as she heard something heavy leave the water, a weak scent tingled her nose. She jumped up and sprinted as fast as she could down the river, her eyes scanning both riverbanks for any signs of life.

Connor shook the excess water from his coat; he panted hard and scrapped his way up the steep bank and into the shelter of some trees. He sat and rested against one of the trunks as he tried to catch his breath. His ears pricked to the sound of paws hitting shallow water, he turned towards the river to see a small brown she-wolf heading straight for him. He found his feet quickly and let out a low growl.

Harriet growled back and bared her teeth; she walked up to him slowly and allowed him to pick up her scent. She watched as his body relaxed and he dropped his head in submission. Her nose met his and she turned away, walking slowly towards their family, her body language urging him to follow. The two wolves walked together slowly, every time Connor stumbled, she would use her body to prop him up and stop him falling. As they reached the brow of a small hill, she began the family call.

Connor relished the sound of his own howl as it merged into the chorus of animal voices; he was finally a part of the family. His dark grey fur reflected the moonlight as he walked around the group allowing himself to become familiar with the sounds and smells of his new relatives. He lost his nerve as he approached the largest member of the pack.

A growl reverberated from Paul’s chest as the young male approached. His lips curled back from his teeth and he redistributed his weight in preparation of attack. He charged forward and pounced onto Connor’s back his teeth burying themselves deep into the flesh of the boy’s neck. They tumbled together, charcoal grey and white fur blurring together to form a silvery mass. Sharp rocks bit into his back and sides; and the shock of the cold water failed to get him to relinquish his grip.

Connor fought hard to escape, but every twist, roll and jerky movement only caused the tears in his neck to worsen. He could feel the gentle trickle of warm blood flow across his skin, the copper smell burning his nostrils as he panted hard to try to maintain his struggle.

The elder wolf growled at Harriet as she stepped closer to the brawl, obediently she stepped back and took up a position at his side. She whined as the smell of blood wafted through the air, but the elder refused to let her break up the fight. Dejected she looked up at her brother, he appeared to be struggling to maintain his own control.

The grey wolf shook off the orders of the elder; he ran full speed into the fray, his teeth snapping and sinister growls filling the air. He closed his jaw around the foot of the large wolf and jumped away when the wolf yelped and tried to snap at him. Both mature wolves eyed up one another, they circled together, eagerly awaiting the next attack move.