Forsaken

Episode 5

"We really only own jeans and leggings.." Nylah said, while going through her bag with clothes.

"No skirts or dresses"

"What about the black jeans and a pretty top?" Acallia suggested.

"What pretty top? The hoodie, a sweater or a t-shirt?" Nylah sighed.

"Well, I am a wolf, not a fashion expert. What did you expect?" Acallia retorted.

"Maybe we can do something with a t-shirt?" Nylah thought, while looking at her different t-shirts.

"We can always shred one!" Acallia encouraged and her interest seemed to peak. Nylah just sighed.

"No really, hear me out. Cut the arms off of one, and cut a hole in the back of it. You know, like one of those low back things."

"That might work. I mean it's better than what we have", Nylah shrugged and pulled a red t-shirt from the bunch.

"We rarely use this one anyway."

Nylah placed the t-shirt on a chopping board and shifted back into her wolf. She hadn't mastered turning just a claw yet, so she felt safer as a wolf with the task at hand. In a swift motion, she ran a claw at the shoulder seem on both sides. The cuts were clean and looked intentional.

"Good thing these raw cuts are considered fashion", Nylah thought, and threw the cut-out pieces to the side. She could always reuse them as rags. Then she turned the shirt around and put the chopping board inside it, to make sure the next cut was only on the backside of the shirt. She made an oval cut from one side of the neck, down the back and up to the other side. Then she cut a line along the seam of the neck, connecting the sides and leaving the collar intact.

"Hey look at that! I AM a fashion expert!" Acallia exclaimed, pleased with herself.

"It actually looks good. Who would have thought?" Nylah replied as she shifted back and inspected their job.

Fully clothed and with a piece of bread in hand, Nylah started to walk back to the town in time for dinner at Harper's place.

"Come in!" Harper's voice sounded, as Nylah had barely touched the door bell. She let herself in and took off her shoes, coat and scarf, leaving her sweater on for a bit longer.

"Dinner will be ready in about an hour, but make yourself comfortable", Harper said as she poured a golden liquid into a fancy glass.

"Thanks", Nylah answered and looked around the apartment.

"Actually, it would be nice if I could take a quick bath", Nylah added and bit her lip, feeling a bit rude.

"Mine is sorta out of order", she explained, thinking it wasn't a complete lie.

"Sure, go ahead! I'll just take this glass and pour you another one after." Harper winked at her and downed the glass in her hand.

"It will actually be perfect with your hair wet, then I can style it for you." She smiled at Nylah, who gave her a thumbs up and went to the bathroom, ecstatic over the possibility of taking a real shower with shampoo and everything. She quickly got out of her clothes and into the shower. The hot drops on her skin almost made her moan from the feeling, and it only got better when she poured a fair amount of shampoo into her hands and started rubbing it into her scalp.

"I don't want to get out of here ever again", Nylah muttered to her wolf, who made a purring sound in agreement.

Reluctantly, she got out of the shower after feeling clean again, and covered herself in a towel that felt thick as a blanket and soft like a puppy. Not a bad feeling either.

She quickly dried herself and got dressed again. In order to wear her outfit with the low back top, she had opted for an improvised sort of underwear, consisting of a bathing suit with an open back. No one would know, and it was the best solution she could think of, without having to buy a special bra for the occasion.

“Desperate times..” She thought to herself while putting it on. Shortly after, she was fully dressed and left the bathroom to join Harper in the kitchen.

“Perfect timing!” Harper announced when she saw Nylah approaching, handing her another glass of what seemed to be wine.

“We can sit down and chat for a few minutes while we drink some wine and then dinner will be ready.” She continued, and they went to sit down at the table in the dining room.

"I love your top, by the way! It's a little sassy", Harper winked.

"That's because I designed it!" Acallia beamed in her head.

"That's on Acallia, she is all kinds of sassy", Nylah said.

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?" Acallia hmphed.

"Just that you are confident." Nylah answered.

"It better!"

"And a little snarky."

"You're a little snarky! I'm a delight!" Acallia stated, and Nylah could have sworn it looked like she crossed her arms, if only she had had arms.

"I love how you wolf-people sometimes just have conversations with yourselves and the rest of us are just spectators to the silent show", Harper said amusedly.

"Sorry. It's a habit, I guess." Nylah apologized.

"It's fine, it's actually quite interesting to observe", said Harper.

“So, on another note. How is it going? How is life without a pack treating you?” Harper asked, taking a sip from her glass.

“It’s okay, I guess. Better than the orphanage”, Nylah replied, and bit her tongue for mentioning the orphanage. She had never really told Harper much other than the fact that she was on her own.

“That’s where you came from, then? Before getting here?” Harper continued.

“Yes. Or the woods first, I suppose.”

“So, you left at 18?” Harper pushed.

Nylah shifted in her seat, wanting to avoid telling Harper her actual age.

“A little before that.” Came the response.

“You ran away?”

“I guess I did. What is with the interrogation?” Nylah decided to put an end to the stream of questions.

“I'm sorry,” Harper sighed. “I was just curious. You are an interesting person, Nylah,” she admitted.

“Why don’t you ask me a few questions, then we can call it even”, she suggested.

Nylah thought a bit about what to ask her, and then decided.

“Where is your coven?”

“Like you, I am alone.”

“Why?” Nylah pressed.

“I was in a disagreement with my coven Mother.” Harper answered.

“However, I do see them on occasion. I visit every once in a while.” She added.

“What is your element?” Nylah asked, changing the subject slightly.

“Earth. But I have some experience with fire as well. Sometimes witches get more than one element. It is rare though.” Harper said.

“That’s cool!” Nylah exclaimed. She didn’t know witches could have more than one element.

“Have you turned 18 yet?” Harper asked Nylah, glancing at the glass of wine she had poured the young girl.

“Not yet”, Nylah answered, trying to sound like it would happen soon, even though she hadn’t even turned 16 yet.

“Then it is a good thing you are a wolf, since I am serving you alcohol. You shouldn’t be able to feel it at all, as long as you don’t drink too heavily.” Harper said, and stood from her chair.

“The food is ready; I hope you’re hungry.” She said, and went to the kitchen.

“Do you need any he..”

“I’m fine! Just enjoy your wine and I’ll be back shortly!” Harper interrupted.

A little later, a roast with vegetables on the side stood in the middle of the table, along with potato croquettes, whiskey sauce and a mixed salad. The wine bottle also stood proudly at the other side of the roast.

“Dig in!” Harper smiled and poured more wine into both of their glasses, though Nylah’s glass didn’t get quite as full this time.

Nylah enjoyed the variety of food, and kept eating even though she felt full. The delicious food and the sparkling wine made her more relaxed, and before she could notice, Harper had already lured her into another interrogation.

"I have invited a few friends to come over later. I think it will be good for you to meet some more people." Harper started.

"They are from this town and a neighboring town. Do you live close to here? I mean in an apartment or something?" Harper casually said, while she raised her glass in order to distract Nylah from the direct question. It worked well, and Nylah raised her own glass and started talking.

"Not in town, no. I have a camp." She answered and took a sip of the wine. She was starting to feel a light buzz.

"Oh, so you live in a camping place. Are there many others?" Harper expertly directed her next question, and Nylah walked right into her little trap.

"No, it's just me in the woods, I made everything myself", Nylah answered proudly. And just like that, Harper instantly knew that Nylah lived like a rogue, alone in the forest. Her next mission would be harder, but she felt like she had to get Nylah to reveal her true age. At first, she had thought the girl was 18. Then she thought she might be 17, but since Nylah kept avoiding the topic, Harper was starting to believe that she might be younger.

"Have you made any friends here? Besides me and that group of boys from earlier." Harper changed the subject before narrowing down her real question.

"I don't know them. I just saw them once at the lake. They seem stupid." Nylah said.

"One of them seems a bit smitten with you"

Nylah blushed.

"Maybe he wants to date you", Harper continued.

"No! I mean I don't think someone like them would like me." Nylah muttered.

"Why not? A pretty and cute girl like you? You must have a few broken hearts in your baggage", Harper winked, which resulted in an even redder looking Nylah. Yeah, she was definitely quite green in the dating department, Harper thought.

"I don't know what you're talking about", Nylah eventually said.

"You have never dated?"

"Not really.."

"Never wanted to?"

Nylah thought for a bit, before answering:

"I guess not."

"What about s*x? Harper threw in a curveball. It hit right home.

" Oh, Uh. No, I don't really want that yet", Nylah stammered.

"Yeah, you're probably a little young for that. I started when I was 16, so I guess you might be a little young still." said Harper.

"I'm almost 16!" Nylah blurted out. "Game, set and match", Harper thought, and couldn't hold back a little smirk.

"I Mean. Uh. I.." Nylah said flustered, as she realized she had just revealed that she was only 15.

"Please don't fire me!" She hurriedly said, pleading with her eyes.

"I really need the job, so I can rent a place. I can work extra without payment, just please don't fire me for being under age." Nylah kept pleading, panic rising within her stomach.

"I am not going to fire you." The witch said with a soft expression.

"You have been through a lot, and I would like to help you." She continued.

"You need a proper place to live. I have a spare bedroom; would you consider moving in here? You can work off rent with chores." Harper added.

"You would do that?" Harper asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Well, of course! I hate cleaning anyway", Harper grinned.

"Okay. I'm in. Let's do it!" Nylah said, her excitement rising.

"Stay here tonight, and we will figure it out in the morning." Harper ended the conversation and stood from her chair once again.

"Dessert?"

"Oh please, yes!"

Harper went back into the kitchen to get started on dessert. She was pouring the dough for chocolate lava cakes into forms, when a knock on the door was heard.

"Honeeey! I'm hooome!" A voice sounded from the entrance, announcing the arrival of the first of her friends.

"This should be interesting", Harper thought, and greeted the voice:

"Chaz! How are you, Honey?"

"I am fabulous as always, darling." Chaz said while giving Harper a spin and pulled her in for a kiss on each cheek.

"So Honey. Why do I smell wolf? Have you bit into some wolfie a*s lately?"