✓ | PRIMAL, jacob black ²

chapter two

CHAPTER TWO

Aniya sat alone in Sully's diner, her intense focus on drawing evident. She was puzzled by the uncontrollable creative drive she felt, a force that seemed to guide her hand beyond her conscious control. In the past, she had been unable to make even a simple sketch. Her artistic talent had appeared suddenly, and its arrival was closely tied to the day when her friendship with Jacob had abruptly ended.

When her emotions ran high—be it anger, sadness, or happiness—Aniya experienced an intense compulsion to draw. Drawing was her way to channel those powerful emotions, a release for the turmoil that threatened to overwhelm her.

Despite her fervent efforts to create diverse artwork, Aniya found a strange consistency in her drawings. It appeared that the images that materialized on her canvas were derived from the vivid dreams that plagued her nights.

Aniya's dreams featured wolves—except they were distinctly larger than any living species of wolf. Yet, she couldn't shake off the belief that these dreams were not mere figments of her imagination. They felt tangible, as if some deeper meaning lay hidden within the nocturnal visions.

At Juliet's invitation, Aniya attended a gathering where Seth and Maya were present too. As the legends were recounted, Aniya felt an inexplicable connection to them. Her intuition told her that these tales were real and not mere folklore. She observed Seth and Maya's reactions, and their lack of surprise confirmed her suspicions. She realized they knew it to be true, just as she did.

Hearing the Legends had further confirmed Aniya's suspicion. The content of her dreams had changed, and now she found herself repeatedly witnessing wolves embroiled in clashes. And while she couldn't explain it, she sensed that the beings present in these battles—moved with unnatural speed and possessed eyes of ruby hue—were not regular humans. Their extraordinary abilities hinted at something different, otherworldly even.

What followed in her dreams seemed even more perplexing. She would find herself holding a knife, plunging it into her own chest. Blood would flow as the ruby-eyed beings turned their gazes upon her. The scene concluded with the wolves tearing the beings apart. Incredibly, amidst the pain and the dire situation, Aniya experienced a profound sense of happiness and accomplishment, a satisfaction that came from having helped the wolves.

As darkness enveloped her, a smile formed on Aniya's lips, directed towards the reddish-brown wolf she had noticed earlier. Though larger than the others, this particular wolf stood out to her. She sensed an extraordinary significance about him, and the knowledge that he was safe filled her with profound relief. It was a feeling of contentment, even in the face of her own sacrifice.

The first time Aniya experienced the nightmare, she woke up with a horrified scream. But as the nights repeated, her reaction shifted. Instead of waking in terror, she would rise with a peculiar sense of pride. Without thinking, she would instinctively reach for a pencil and begin to draw, her hand guided by an inner compulsion.

"Those are beautiful" The woman's compliments pulled Aniya from her thoughts, and as she refocused on her surroundings, the pencil slipped from her grasp and fell onto the table. She looked up to see a woman with three distinct scars adorning her lovely face. Strangely, something about this woman instantly put Aniya at ease, much like Maya and Juliet did. It was yet another oddity she had observed about her current circle of friends.

Despite never meeting this woman before, Aniya felt a strange sense of familiarity. The perfect resemblance between her drawing and the woman standing in front of her was uncanny. The revelation that the other females she had drawn might indeed be real individuals—including Maya and Juliet—left her grappling with a mix of disbelief and astonishment. The woman's presence solidified the suspicion that her drawings held truths beyond her understanding.

"Thank you," Aniya responded, her gaze shifting to the bustling diner around her. Seeing how the establishment was crowded with customers, she extended a hospitable offer to the woman. "You're welcome to join me, if you're planning on eating too," she added with a smile, and Emily responded with a warm grin of her own.

"Thank you," She responded warmly, "I'm Emily Young." 

Aniya regarded the older woman, her own smile gracing her lips. "Aniya Marjorie," she introduced herself, her name rolling off her tongue as she felt a sense of comfort in the presence of this new acquaintance.

The conversation between Aniya and Emily continued for a considerable amount of time. While Emily ordered food, Aniya remained engrossed, the pencil in her hand continuing to dance across the paper as she drew. It was an unusual experience for Aniya, as she found herself openly discussing herself with someone she had just met. Yet, an unexpected sense of ease pervaded the interaction.

Their dialogue unfolded effortlessly, the topics ranging from mundane to more personal matters. Aniya shared about her life, her dreams, and her current pursuits, all while continuing to sketch, her pencil moving across the paper in an almost unconscious motion. Despite the novelty of the situation, Aniya felt surprisingly at ease, a testament to the connection she had instantly formed with Emily. It was as if talking to her came naturally, as if they had known each other for years instead of meeting just moments ago.