How It Started Pt.2

       I moved several miles that day, in my wolf with my blanket of supplies and the ashes of my would be mate tied up and dangling from my mouth. The grapevine chain was very long and hung close to my navel, so it was fine to leave on and it dangled from my wolf's neck as I carefully selected my route to who knows where. I would sniff cautiously, searching for evidence of others. If I detected any, I would reroute.

        I worried that those responsible for turning my world upside down, would come back to check for survivors or even loot. They would have my scent from around our pack territory, and might recognize it and seek me out. I couldn't afford to be found by others. Being found would have resulted in being taken into a pack I didn't agree to, killed, robbed, or even molested. There were too many horror stories I had heard. And farther from us were more to fear than just other wolves. There were other were animals, like stags and bears. Crocodiles even, I have heard. Demons and vampires too, though I've never seen one in person. Kita had warned me about such creatures.

          At night I would tuck into tree hollows and caves, anywhere I could find. Sometimes even having to climb trees if nothing else was available. The inevitable happened though, and soon it was hard to avoid other rogues and groups. I recieved several nasty bites and scratches in a scuffle with a larger female who tried to steal my belongings. She got spooked when I had injured her along her throat and fled empty handed. I blamed my misfortune on the knowledge that Remus' strong scent was finally wearing off me. Despite everything I had done to preserve it. The blanket still smelled of it though. I had rubbed myself and his blanket against him thoroughly before we laid him to rest. My heart ached at the thought of his scent fading away, and I might never have it again. Only in memory. A scent is a male's mark on the world.

           Days later, I would come to another pack's land, and I would have to skim the border to go around while they chased and threatened me. I was tired, and hungry. My food supply went quickly. There was little to start with, the last of our pack had scavenged everything from the huts and cabins before relocating. Remus had begged me not to feed him because it was pointless, but I refused to let him leave this world alone or hungry. He left warm, with a full belly, in his sleep and with me at his side. Just the way I wanted. I lost sleep over the thought of him suffering.

         I had brought seeds with me to plant when I found a 'home'. That didn't help me then though. So I went for easy prey, expend less energy. I began to snatch fish from streams where I would drink, and I'd quickly sear them on a small fire, always prefering my food slightly cooked. Kassius always laughed at me over this, calling me petted. Remus would always sear my meat before letting me have it. He always said you can both eat food and enjoy it.

         One day during my journey, I had just eaten my fish, shifted back to my human and decided to sun along the rocks of the stream. I was tired, sore from excessive exercise of my journey. The running, climbing, hunting, swimming and fighting having taken a toll. The sun soothed my aching body, and the water was close by should I get thirsty. I allowed myself to rest, half out if it, but still alert enough to protect myself.

         I felt the presence of something, like eyes watching me. My hair rose on my hackles and to my horror in the water mere feet from me rose several sets of ominous green-yellow eyes. I gasped and shot up to sit on my heels as I watched them. Several massive gators rose from the water. The largest one came to the edge, and shifted into a large man. His eyes mirrored the gator, olive skinned and oddly beautiful. He moved swift and with grace until he stood before me. A group of females floated in the water where the others were, their bare bodies gold from the sun with one a brilliant Earthy brown tone.

         "Hello, little wolf. Are you enjoying the sun?" I nod at him, almost entranced by his eyes.

          "You don't seem familiar to these parts. Traveling I presume?" His eyes roamed my body. I cleared my throat.

          "Yes. I had stopped only to eat and rest. I meant no harm-"

          "Your presence is welcome here. In fact, I'd love for you to swim with us. The girls love other girls, and you do look good enough to eat." His eyes sparkled.

          "What is your name?" I had half a mind to tell him off, but I could use an ally.

          "Aaron. Yours, little wolf?"

          "Aislaine."

         "Well, Aislaine, care to join us?"

          "Perhaps later. I actually have to get going. I need to find shelter and I like moving during daylight, most others move at night."

           "Where are you going?"

           "In honesty, I'm not sure. I have been chased, ambushed and harassed too much here on my own. I'd like to venture close to the humans. Most don't dare, so I figure if I can be close to then or blend among them I might be safer." It sounded stupid when I said it out loud. I had always wanted to see the world though, and I was safer among humans than here with other predators.

            "You aren't seeking other wolves? Interesting. If that's what you really want, just keep following the stream. Take a right when it forks, you won't want to go left. Right will eventually lead you to a human ran city. Left though, left will place you in a hybrid city. Lots of wolves there among other things. If you grow tired or wish to abandon travels, you are welcome to stay with us." I bid them goodbye and I had left. I continued my travels for several more days without a hitch, occassionally bumping into one of the magnificent gators.

           I came to the fork in the stream, and followed it right. The stream became my guide, and I didn't want to lose sight of my path or lose my water source so I stuck with it. Even when I picked up the scent of a few bears and wolves. I was too close to turn away. Aaron had said right would me to a human city. I abandoned my travel to pursue a rabbit though, tiring of the constant fish. I was closing in on this rabbit, when a large white wolf caught me mid air and sent me to the ground.

           I fought with it and found an opening to flee, when two black wolves appeared and flanked me. The faster of the two cut me off and took my front leg out from under me. Soon, I was pinned beneath the two black wolves as they sniffed and studied me. They demanded I shift, and when I refused they began to bite me and snarl. These wolves were all males, and communicated like a pack.

          I finally shifted to avoid abuse and they shifted as well. The largest of the three sitting on my belly with his hands pinning mine. I forced up against him trying to buck him off or force his arms away. He was so stout though, no doubt the alpha of this group.

          "Small, breeding age, healthy, unmarked. Perfect. We'll take her back with us."

           I fought and protested, but they knocked me unconscious and when I came too they were packing me up the side of a mountain, in the distance was the stream I had followed. I sliced at the man's back and slammed my elbow into his head. I hit the ground shifting and running in random patterns to confuse them. They chased me several miles until I managed to hide by the steam in a low valley and slather myself in mud to try to mask a bit of scent.

          By time I made my way back to where I was attacked, I was tired and hungry. My items all stolen, but the jar with Remus' ashes which had been opened and some spilled. I was relieved to see my tooth was still on my somehow, and I collected as much of the ashes as I could. I moved forward as  far as I could, leery of remaining in the area. The males might stick around and watch for me.

            I set up in a thicket brush near the stream and cried myself to sleep. I was missing Remus. His protective aura, his affection. Our cozy cot in the hut and sleeping under his heavy arms with a belly full of seared venison strips. Most of all, his company and advice. I wrapped myself around the jar to protect it while I slept.

           In the morning, I ate more fish and found blackberries in the thicket. I folded a few wide leaves into a pocket and tried to save some berries and their seeds. I secured it on the vine with the tooth and set out with new determination. The air smelled different, and I knew I was getting closer. I just had to keep going. At the break of night, I could see bright lights from the woodline. They were man made and I knew I had finally found the human city. I curled up beneath another sense thicket, and I would rest there until morning.  In the morning, I would tuck my jar away safely and venture into the human territory. If all went well, I'd return for Remus and we'd relocate to somewhere more secure.

         This morning I had ventured into the city for the first time. I came through the woods and into a large field, with short neat grass and large paths that were made of uniform, seamless stone. It was smooth and delightful, but hot from the sun and burnt my feet. They had seats made of similar materials, and tree trimmings edged beautiful groups of roses, hostas and shrubs. They even had a small pond with beautiful vividly colored fish. None were big enough to eat though, so I let them be.

         I could smell them and hear them before I seen them. Humans! I ran back into the woodline and skirted the area that way, so I could watch undetected. They all wore clothes, of all colors and types. Not a single one was bare. Later, I'd find out that was their problem with me. They really do not like anyone without clothes, they tend to get violent.

        They were quite interesting to watch. Some sat on the seats tossing seeds for birds. Some reading giant, thin papers that were hilarious to watch them wrestle to fold and unfold. Some walked in circles, and I wondered if they'd gone mad, but it appeared they were doing this to play. Some simply sat to watch others. My favorite though, were their offspring! A tiny female played with two young on a machine. The machine had places to climb and the little ones would slide off. I clutched my chest each time, fearing the worst. They giggled and cheered as they'd frolick and climb. One sat on a seat, suspended by strings and he would rock and go high into the air.

          He squealed, and on instinct I ran to him to protect him from falling. I stopped the machine and set him off. I smiled at him and he simply stared and blinked. Then though, then this tiny creature did the unimaginable. He threw his head back and screamed as if I had attacked him. I didn't know what to do, so I reached forward and pushed his mouth shut. He did it again. All the humans turned to his and then his mother screamed. She ran at me and hit me in my face. I had not meant any harm, but I will not be harmed. I shoved her away from me and she went flying backwards. I had not expected that. I thought humans were a bit sturdier. I turned on my heel and left as she held so mm effort of sparkling pink device at me and began yelling orders into it. Then she yelled insulting things about me. I turned over my shoulder.

            "You should be thanking me. Your pup was about to fly up into the air. As flimsy as you are, I've no doubt he would bust. I was only helping."

            "My what? Do what? You're insane! Are you high?"

            "Obviously I am on the ground. Little height difference in us. I am obviously not that high." I went back into the brush quickly and I moved away from this area. I want to see other things. So far I am not impressed.

            I reach the end of the woods and feet from them is another giant smooth rock path, this one has vehicles whizzing past. Now this is incredible! I've only seen vehicles in books and magazines few olders would bring home to amazed us pups. I clutch the tooth as I stare in awe. I wonder if Remus had ever seen such sights?  What would he think about all this? Across the path are several large buildings. Grey, white, red, with glowing signs and huge squares of glass. These put alpha's cabin to shame, and it's the nicest building I had ever seen. Humans press a button that makes cars stop so they can cut across. There's a similar device on my end. I got excited and I bounded through the brush and to the edge of this path to hit the button. I bounced excitedly on my heels until traffic stopped and I leap across in one swift movement.

           Humans gawked and cheer, some holding out similar devices to the mom's pink one and lights go off at me. Others yelling both sexual and mean things. Humans are really confusing. Some vehicles make loud, aggressive sounds when those before them won't move. I continued my trajectory past the buildings and peer into their glass. The humans seem to either flank or avoid me. I begin to worry that they know I am different. 

           "Where are your clothes? It's broad daylight! What are you doing?" A male approached me and seems distraught. So clothes are a daytime thing?

            "I am...not native here...how would I acquire these? They aren't customary where I am from?" I ask. The man pinched his nose bridge and tried to pull my arm. He pulled me between buildings, out of sight.

            "Not customary? Where are you from? Or raised? A barn?"

            "No. We keep livestock in those. I was raised in a hut. In a clearing. In the woods." I felt a little bashful. He was obviously quite judgemental for a being that smells so good. Amazing how food they smell, when their air smells strange.

          "You smell good."

          "You look nice, but you smell like wet dog. Look, here is a store." He pointed to the building beside us.  "You take your money into the store and buy the clothes. Any type will do. You are young and pretty, and filthy. Men who aren't into cleanliness would likely try to harm you. Now go get clothes and be safe." He turns from me and practically runs. I tilt my head and watch him leave. I have no money. I'll have to use something else.

           I enter the store and immediately heads snap up to notice me. I walked to the first garment I see and grab it. It's long and dark green, with a black stripe where the arms go and a catfish leaping from a stream on the front. It had an actual picture on it! How did they do this? I really liked this one. I wanted it. I take it upfront like the others do, and immediately I am screamed at over being buff. I tried to explain that I'm buying clothes, but the people aren't having it. Soon a group of males in black with shiny shoes come charging at me with others in the store screamed and covered their eyes. Am I that bad looking? Nobody had ever treated me as if I were this offensive.

         You know what happens here, I was chased and I ducked between buildings. Went over the fence with all the loops and holes. In my flight, I had not realized that I had left with the clothing. I guess now I have something to wear at least. I go behind the businesses and follow my own scent bsck around to the path with vehicles and down the woodline until I make my way to the thicket where I had left the jar.

        I pull pieces of papers off the top and it takes me a minute to figure out how it goes on. I've seen clothing in magazines or in the huts of the elders, but I'd never worn any before. I put the side with the fish in front and I curl up to sulk. This is going to be harder than I thought. This was a bad idea. I hadn't even been out but an hour, and already they refuse to accept me or let me venture around. To make matters worse, I'm clueless and human cities are so complex. So many rules and codes. Everything operates from the money bartering and I have no idea how one acquires these papers and coins that I've seen others use.

         A gust of wind brings a strong whiff of Remus scent and my heart beats quicker. I know it's not him, but could his blanket me near? I bolt up just in time to have a magazine blow into the thicket by me. It smells of him, and little shiver travels down my spine. I squeeze the jar in a loving manner and I whisper a thank you into the air. I pick up the magazine and it is some sort of primping article. It shows gorgeous females of all colors painting their faces and brushing their locks. Females bathing with thick white bubbles in their water and wearing bright colors and more fitted garments. How coincidental for this to come to me? For the first time in weeks, I smile. I know Remus is here with me, and even from the next life, he still looks out for me. I intend to study this and absorb as much knowledge as I can. Maybe I can blend in.