Pebble

Chapter 1 (Pebble)

So here I am. I am so ready for a new life. Trash can talk back in Austin was where there is a community of sups in New York that live with humans. But the humans are gleefully ignorant at the fact that there were sups among them. That is what I want. Plus I had no history there. As soon as I got that bit of info I started hitching.

Hitching sucks and it was not the safest mode of travel, especially since I am female. But I had no other way, no money, and only the belonging in my backpack. I could take care of myself if need be. I have never been the damsel in distress. Those women made me sick sometimes. But everyone had different circumstances I suppose.

I would have loved to shift and fly, Magi really wants to let her wings out. The only thing is my life is in my pack and it does not shrink with me. Well at least its fall and not too cold and not to warm.

I managed to get a ride all the way into town if I wanted, but I asked to be dropped off about a mile outside of town. This way I could learn the lay of the land so to speak.

I noticed a forrest. An abundance of forrest for that matter. I quite enjoyed taking in all the scenery. Including the 2 sifters running out of the woods, naked. Yep, not a stitch of clothing on them. That is how I know they are shifters, well or nudist, but nudest don't generally run around where they can be seen. One had mousy brown hair and light blue eyes. They could be silver they were so light. The other had Darker brown hair and gold eyes. They stopped to check me out as much as I was checking them out. Oh boy was I checking them out. They were cut, I mean they had muscle on top of the muscle. I could not get my eyes off of them. Plus they were so clean. Yeah, I've been a street rat for a while now and having clean hookups didn't really happen. I had to stop looking but I really didn't want to. I wonder if they would be interested in a Pebble sandwich. Nope. I turned around and walked in the opposite direction toward the town. When I turned back they were gone.

Everything about this town screamed clean. I did not see any homeless, but generally, those types learn to hide like they are a part of the scenery. I finally make it into town and decided that I need to find out a little more. I had some change maybe there was a coffee shop around here.

Bingo, Jewels Cafe. That would be the ticket. Coffee houses were full of local gossip. Next to a bar of course, but bars were more for the dirt. I want the clean stuff for now. That sign is just so inviting, it looks handwritten with a steamy cup drawn on the front of the board.

There is a rustic feel to this place and kind of homey. My nose starts to go twitchy at the smell of something amazing. There is a guy over in a booth typing frantically on a laptop. I find a seat so that I can look out the window and have a clear view of everyone around me. Its habit. Never turn your back to strangers, then again to people, in general, was my rule.

"Can I help you?" asks a sweet woman with blonde hair. Her name tag says Amber.

"Yes, please I would like one of those pumpkin spice lattes, a place to live, and a job." I smile. Not everyone likes my humor, but what the hell might as well try.

She looks at me kind of odd, "Well I can get you a PSL. Here is a paper people usually put their job openings in there and rentals. There is a local online site for the town as well.

"I don't have a phone but the paper would be very much appreciated." She seemed pleasant enough. Watching how the interactions of the citizens of this town are, everyone seems really friendly.

An older couple comes up to me. "I understand you are looking for a place to live and work?" the woman says to me.

"Yes ma'am." Hey, I still have manners.

"We have openings for staff. We run the Resort not far from here just outside of town. We can pay well and you get room and board. All meals are paid for and a room to stay in." Says the woman.

"That alsmost sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?" because there is always a catch.

"Well, sweetheart we are just opening and we really need a staff. You would be the 8th add on. There are already seven. Almost everyone in this town has a job or owns a shop. So we get new people if we can."

"Well, I guess I'll take it. Thank you, ma'am." I go to shake her hand and...she...hugs...me.

"Do you need a ride up? You can come with us?"

"No, ma'am I will be up soon. I just got into town and want to check things out a little. I would like to get my barrings a little bit." I tell her.

"Oh, I understand, well just call," she gives me her card. "We will have the shuttle pick you up. May I ask your name?"

"Pebble, ma'am," I tell her

"Oh what a cute name. I think Moony will like you," she says.

"I'm sure that is not your real name," says her husband I assume. "We will need that on all the official forms."

"No problem, sir," I tell them. They leave hand in hand. Those were some sweet people and I loved the accent. Like a lot of Americans, I love different accents from around the world. Theirs sounds distinctly British.

"Here you go, one PSL. I made it extra large for you." Amber places the PSL on the table along with a really meaty sandwich.

"Wow, but I can't afford this one. I am really short on cash. I only have enough for a regular cup." And not to mention I don't want to owe anyone.

"On the house sweetie. Welcome to Silver Springs I hope you find that you love it here."

"I'm sure the resort is just a seasonal job. So Maybe I will stay or leave, I'm really not sure at this point."

"I start to eat my sandwich when I notice a mouse is sitting there nibbling on it. Now I have shared my food with plenty of critters, so I pinch a piece off and give it to the little guy. "You should ask first you know," I tell him. When I think he is about to nibble me he licks my finger. It almost seemed like a kiss by the way he grabs it. Well damn must be a shifter, and a flirt because I have never had a mouse do that before.

I finally get to my PSL. The smell is everything I imagine a Christmas kitchen to smell like, pumpkin, cinnamon, and everything warm and inviting. It warms me all the way down to my toes. I get this tingly feeling right around my stomach that goes to my core. Well, now that was odd. But not bad odd comforting odd. And suddenly I'm thinking of that mouse. EWWWW!

I get comfortable and just as I look that mouse pushes my sandwich off the table. A snake gulps it down. Now I'm suspicious because you'd think the snake would eat the mouse instead of the sandwich. There is something fishy about this. In the meantime, "HEY," I yell as they slither and run away. "What the hell?" I watch as they get out the door just as someone opens it How rude.

"Is everything all right?" Amber asks.

"No, a mouse and a snake, just stole my sandwich," I tell her.

She gets an annoyed look in her eyes. "Those two are at it again I see. Was there a frog with them as well?"

"No, I did not see any frog," I say with cringe frogs are really gross and another shiver hits me, Yuck!

"Well the mouse is Edward, the snake is Caven and the frog is Herman. They are our local homeless. They have been here for several months. They need jobs but there were just none around. We give them food every now and then. But taking from the customer is just not going to do." She says frustrated.

"Please don't call the police. It's fine." I understand all too well about being homeless. "Maybe they can be hired on at the Resort."

I stand up to go when Amber pulls me aside, "I know you are a shifter, by your magical vibe you got going on. The owners of that resort are human so be very careful with what you do. They are just outside the bounds of Silver Silver Springs and I am not sure that you can hide your magic out there. Humans do not know about us unless they are told. So please be careful.

"Heard and understood. Thank you, Miss Amber. I know all too well about hiding from humans. Austin may be an amazing city but we sups keep ourselves in check. I'm going to look around a bit now Thanks again for the drink and sandwich." With that, I grab my pack and head out."

It is time to check out this town and see what it has to offer. Plus I think I just might keep an eye out for my creepy-crawly friends.