The Healing Heart

The Intruder

My name is Dart, I'm 29 and Intersex. I live on a farm outside of town. When I was younger, I lived in the town of Arlin with my parents. When I turned 17, I moved in with my girlfriend, who owned this farm. We got married but she died 3 years later. She has been dead 8 years and I've kept the property, wanting to keep the only thing I have left of her. And everyone else out.

I wake up hearing coyotes back on my land, noticing the clock it's 4:48 AM. I haven't been sleeping much due to the increase in attacks. I quickly grab my shotgun turning on the flashlight that's strapped to it and head outside. The horses are annoyed making a lot of noise from the barn, and then I hear the chickens. I start running quickly, jumping over the wooden fence, straight into the coop. I don't see any wild dogs, but there are feathers everywhere.

I scope out the outside of the coop, setting the shotgun down. I look at the damage to the wire fence. "Damn it" I spit on the ground and run my fingers through my short blond hair. I linger outside just listening hoping for it to come back. The sun's rays are now shining through. I lean down looking at the blood-stained dirt. It must have taken off with the chicken the body was nowhere to be found.

"Coyote got away?" Someone says, grinning.

I jump up turning around and grab my chest. "God's...Rye!!! What the fuck! You can't just sneak up on people! I carry guns out here!"

Rye is listening with an eyebrow raised, obviously enjoying this. Her arms crossed, leaning to the right, letting her red hair fall off her shoulders. The way her skin glows from the sun pulls out her Indian tone. "Looks like someone is crabby." She grins and bites her lower lip.

Her smile is killing me. I'm getting this feeling that starts to fester inside me. I don't understand it and the hair on my skin raises. "I'm not crabby! Just tired of my property being messed with!"

Rye walks forward. I go to take a step back and realize that I'm already against the fence. "In the days of old battles, we fought to keep land we needed to hunt on. Now money and paper are all one needs." She sounds disappointed. She stops inches from me and places a hand on my chest. Who really owns the land? Nature or man?" She is looking intently into my eyes.

Her hand feels like fire on my chest. I'm stunned and start to speak letting go of a breath I was unaware I was holding. "U-umm."

"Rye!!!" It's Rye's camp leader. Oh, thank the Gods. I use the distraction to sidestep putting my hands deep in my pockets.

"Grrr... Randy!" She Sprints over to him where they speak in hushed tones.

"I don't care! you are not ready!" I hear him say and then point for Rye to head back up the hill. He nods his hat in my direction and I nod back before he starts up the hill behind her.

The rest of the day goes smoothly, and I rest on the porch after eating dinner. I crack a beer and watch the sunset, just like we use to do. I flash back, watching myself chase the woman I loved, so many years ago. "Let me make you feel better" I look up and Rye is standing over me. She slides into my lap, her hands go straight to my belt and she kisses me!

I jerk forward my beer splashing my pants. "Shit!" I grumble lowly, looking around me and seeing no one. Just a dream. I give a heavy sigh and stand up. A loud howl starts to jar my thoughts and I grab for my gun.

I see it this time! It's in the chicken fence. "That is no coyote.." That's a full-blooded white wolf! I realize this and point in its direction. I steady my hands and fire.

End of ch1