Friend.

I narrow my eyes, and as the first male lunges for me I fling the dust and dirt up into the air. Leaping from my crouch, I turn before landing and I head back for the city. I need the cover of people. Their fear of exposure tells me they wouldn't dare attack me in the sight of others. I have a death grip on the satchel containing my love's ashes as I bound, harder perhaps than I've ever pushed myself before. I'd love to shift, but I would destroy this garment that I need.

I can hear their paws and feet, pummeling ground as they work to catch me. I am fast though, human or wolf form they will put in work to catch me. Remus had drilled it into my mind to be stealthy, and to be speedy. My father had also taught me to be fast, not wanting to be responsible for me or distracted by me either.

The females curse and growl behind me, the males are silent in focus. I bust through into the park area, and they break through behind me. I pump my legs harder, and soon I am rewarded by the sounds of retreating steps. I do not stop to celebrate though, I keep moving until I am right among the humans.

I earn a few stares from on lookers, no doubt confused by my speed and concentration compared to those leisurely relaxing around me. I am more distracted by the soon to be setting sun than I am their judgment. An anteater really isn't concerned about what the ants think of it, is it?

I spent too much time out today. I need to find a new source for water. I need to find food. I'd also like to find new garments or a disguise due to my tussle with the lady in the store today. I smirk to myself. Street, park, store. I'm really excelling at learning human jargon. Now if I could just learn to act like them.

I stop shortly after crossing the street, the scent of the male from earlier hitting my now cleared nose. I quickly scan for him, trying to get a read on his proximity. To my distaste, he is yards away. Too close. I make my way to other buildings trying to lose him again. He ends up in the same building though. I bite my lip to suppress a growl.

I had the fortune of ducking into a book store with a small eating area attached. 'Treats and Treatise', was the sign overhead. The smell of warm foods and old books eases my stress and makes my belly rumble. I find it hard to focus on this agitating male when the tantalizing scent of seared meats, fresh breads, and coffee linger. I do like coffee. Kita had once brought a small thermos cup of it back from the city for us to share. It was bitter, slightly warm and rich. I had no doubt he stole it and that interesting cup, but I wouldn't turn down the chance to experience a sip. I later chewed wild onions and covers to mask the scent from Remus.

I see the humans take a few books from the massive rows of shelving and sit on the benches with them. I follow suit and take a few striking titles back to the most isolated bench with me. I read as I listen, occasionally peering up and around to see how close this man has advanced. He leaves to the other sides of the storecafter getting about ten feet from me, and he returns smelling of meat and sweet confections.

He stays silent, but creeps closer with his sack of food. I tense and pull the book closer as he gets within arms reach. I know he wouldn't dare harm me in the public, I hope, but I have mapped out every exit in my head and I am prepared to rush to them in a moment's notice if I need to. This male is bulky. He eats well. Ha! I have little doubt I could out run him if need be. I roll half my lip and arch my brow over the book at him. Without even changing expressions, he stands before me and hands me the sack. I try to nudge it away.

"Eat it. It's for you." I tilt my head and assess the bag, debating if I can trust it. I am certainly hungry, but I do not know if he has tampered with it.

"Stop that. Eat."

"What is this? Have you touched it?"

"A bacon maple donut. Two of them. No, I have not. They-" He points to the little food section. "Put it in this bag." They just gave him food? The only thing these humans give me is a hard time.

"Thank you. What is your name?"

"I don't answer questions." I huff.

"You just answered two."

"What's your name?"

"I don't answer questions either."

"What is your name?" He tries again. I'm not relenting until he gives his, so I refuse to answer.

"I don't know. I might not even have one." He snarls and walks off. I smirk in victory.

After he leaves, I waste little time in opening the bag and examining the morsels inside. Two big sticky circles, holes in center, with a tawny glaze and crisp bacon. Bacon is a pork?! It smells wonderful. I take a bite and moan. Oh, this is delicious! A woman soon sits next to me nervously and I turn my attention to her.

"Hi!" She chirps. Her hair is light with bits of pink, and she is energetic and inviting. I find myself driving back at the beauty before me.

"Hello." I greet.

"Is that the maple bacon?" I nod. "It smells incredible! I've always wanted to try it but I'm not brave." She laughs.

"Here, I haven't eaten from the other." I had her the other dessert in it's paper and she halves it, returning a larger piece to me.

"Oh my. This is good..." She chews. "Mmm...have you ever tried to raspberry white chocolate muffins?"

"No. I imagine they are just as tasty as these." I smile.

"Oh! Definitely. Here." She pulls up her own satchel and opens it. "I always take one home after my shift. I have like two in my purse." We laugh as she hands me a muffin. I look to her for conformation before eating. I should be suspicious of her too, but her energy is so relaxing and trustworthy that I did not even hesitate. I beam as the delicious white chips melt across my tongue. Human food is incredible!

"This is amazing!"

"I know right? Look at you. Oh my gosh. You are wiggling in your seat. I love it! Do you come here often?"

"It is honestly my first time coming here. I'm a little new to the area."

"You found a bomb place! I've been coming here longer than I have worked here. Ooh! H.P Lovecraft? Seriously! He's one of my favorites!" She squeals and picks up the book.

"I've just started reading, and already I love it."

"You got to borrow it. I'll help you get a library card if you need, but you have to finish it!"

"I'd love that. Thank you. Really! You're the nicest person I've met here."

"That means a lot to me..."

"Aislaine."

"Aislaine. Beautiful. My name is Everleigh, but you can call me Eve or Evers." Her teeth are so white. It's hypnotic.

"Nice to meet you, Everleigh. Eve. I'll call you Eve. Short and sweet."

"Just like me!" We chuckle together.

"Where do you work, A? I'm going to call you A." I giggle.

"That's fine by me. I don't work anywhere yet, here at least. I'm having a bit of trouble learning the customs here."

"I see. I'd love to help you adjust if I can. I was actually going to ask you if you would like to work here with me. I seen you had on this sixties style dress, reading my favorite book and I knew we'd hit it off."

"I'd love that! I was actually wondering how to get money here. Where I come from it is all farming and bartering."

"Where are you from?" This stumps me.

"It's a long story, but let's just say the wilderness. No vehicles, technology or numbers. Just living off the land." Her eyes round.

"No technology? Get out!" I go to stand. "Noooo! Sit your boots Judy. It's an expression."

"Oh! I got a bit confused." I confess. She giggles and grabs my hand.

"Yeah, I can totally tell that you garden." She lifts each finger to inspect my claws. "Those are pretty sharp. I love the elongate shape. You should come over to my house tomorrow, and let me manicure those. I will get you dpiffed up and I'll bring you with me before my shift for an interview. I work later tomorrow!"

"I'm terrible with directions. Meet me by the front here, and I'll follow you home?" She bounces.

"Deal! Be here before noon?? I'd text you but I doubt you have a cellphone. I gotta run though. I'm in terrible need of a gym, shower and groceries. Take care Aislaine!" She hugs me before stepping away.

"Thank you! I appreciate it. If I get a cellphone I will tell you. See you tomorrow, Eve. Be careful!" What's a cellphone exactly?

I realized that she had forgotten to help me get this card, so I go upfront and wait in a line where several humans are getting books beeped by a monitor and a woman pads furiously with her fingers across a machine with lettering. Computer? I have seen this is magazines before! I am buzzing with sugar and warm from the affection if the human. It felt good to be included and hugged. I had not had such treatment since Remus had died. The line moves forward and I rehearse my words in my head, picking the best sounding sentences.

"Hello there. Would you be able to help me get a library card? I'd like to read this book." I hold it up and the lady grins.

"Your dialect is a bit different. Are you new here." I nod.

"Yes. I am sorry. I have a bit of trouble adjusting to life here. I get confused easily, but I do appreciate your patience with me." She looks me over before running a hand through her short dark hair.

"Name?"

"Aislaine."

"Last name?"

"No. My this one was the first and only one I have." She chuckles and I blush.

"I'm just gonna put Doe, like John Doe."

"Birthday?" I shift uncomfortably. Hell if I know?

"I believe I am twenty. I was born on a full moon, but not sure of the date. My pa-family...my family forbid calenders and clocks, so while I'm familiar with them, I was never told my birthday or how to use one." I look down at the floor, nervous about my short comings.

"Hey there. It's alright. A bit weird yeah, but I'll use mine and just change the year."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem, Aislaine. Now this book will need to be returned in two weeks. You may check out six at a time, but no more."

I smile gratefully and nod along as she scans the book, and hands me a little card with my name. I set everything into the bag as she watches me walk to the exit. I don't miss how her eyes linger, and I conclude she either knows that I am different or enjoys looking at me. I'm so delighted though to have found two nice females today. I made a friend! This is huge. I'm even delighted to have been fed by the strange male. He might be abrasive, but I could sit through his company for two more of those donuts. I lick my lips.

I head back towards the house I had found quickly. I know when noon is, I can tell by the sun and I rise early. I'm anxious to rest and practice my interaction skills. To read more on this book so we have things to talk about. I spot something on the ground though, and I stop to pick it up and sniff it. It appears to be the money. I examine it closely. It is a hundred? I look around prepared to return it, but find nobody searching or who smells like this green paper with it's mix of human scents.

I turn around and decide to shop before I go home. I would like food, and I do need better clothing to completey blend in. I doubt I can do this work with no shoes and in this dress.