Accept Me

4: "Sounds like some impossible utopia."

"How did you like the pack?" Momma asks as we begin to make dinner.

"I like it. The market system seems like a good idea for packs deeper into the forest than others, although I do wonder how we get things that we can't make."

"A few members have flexible jobs outside of pack lands for those things we absolutely have to buy."

"But won't people in the towns get curious?"

"Of course. Their stories are similar, they choose to live a life of solitude but need the jobs for necessities."

"What about the plumbing? We're nearly in the middle of nowhere, yet we have electricity, plumbing, phone service, and all that good stuff."

"There are..ahem, people in the know, who provide us with the things we can't get ourselves, like plumbing and electricity and "all that good stuff" as you put it." She informs me.

"People in the know?" I parrot.

"Mhm." She hums with a shrug. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with darling."

"Right." I say, eyeing her briefly.

Everything is quiet for a few minutes until Poppa pipes up.

"Did any of the stalls catch your attention?"

"Yeah. Obviously ours, I have fun planting and taking care of the garden. I thought the Morgan's stall was interesting, I'd like to try my hand in making soaps or candles."

"That's good. Let Bill know when you're ready to trial run the stalls of your choice."

"Okay."

We continue to make idle conversation as we cook, the time going by quickly as we catch up. Before I know it, we're sitting and eating dinner together, soft music playing from the speaker in the room.

After dinner, we all go our separate ways after saying good night. I enter my room and immediately go into my bathroom after closing my bedroom door behind me. I strip and take a long, hot shower that unbunches my muscles and relaxes me. I stay in the hot spray for a few more minutes, letting the water run down my body.

I turn the water off and dry myself, grabbing a cup of water before making my way towards the bed, closing the curtains before slipping in between my sheets and snuggling into the sheets. It takes me no time to be lulled into a deep sleep by the cloud-like bed.

~~~

"What are we doing today?" I ask as I walk into the kitchen.

"Hunting."

"Really?"

"Mhm. The pack has a weekly hunt, anyone above the age of sixteen can join whenever they want. Of course, some people decide to go on their own throughout the week."

"Oh."

"You don't sound as excited anymore, what's going on?"

"I'm just not comfortable around people yet."

"Maybe the hunt will help. You can stay back and see how we work, and whenever you feel comfortable you can join." Momma says comfortingly, kissing my cheek gently.

I don't answer her as I lay my head down on the island, my cheek pressed to the cool surface. Poppa walks in and laughs at my position, kissing Momma on the cheek before shooing her away from the stove.

"Go sit, I'll finish up." He says gently.

Momma smiles at him and comes to sit beside me, laying a hand on my back and rubbing.