Wolf's Bane

chapter 3 Pt. 2

After finishing the cleanup, she peeked around the corner at Jane, who sat in her office. "So Jane?" She smiled a bit before looking around the office. Jane was currently counting the rest of the profits from the day. she also seemed to know already what Luna was going to ask before she even asked it.

"Your food and pay are in the kitchen, dear. You're free to leave. I'll see you Monday, love." Jane turned and smiled before waving her hand.

"Thanks, Jane." Luna walked to the kitchen and grabbed her bag of food. The check for her lay on the bag while Sam's money was beside it. She went ahead and held his before going to the lobby. "Here you go, Sammy." She said with a smile before making her way outside.

Taking the check, he looked at it. It wasn't bad pay for the first night. Watching her walk out, he took a pen and scratched through his name. He figured she needed the money more than she did. Having seen the bag on her arm, instinct, and scent, she told him it was leftovers from work.

Leaving shortly after the change, Sam met up with her and gave a smile. He checked in his back pocket and looked around. "Where to now?" It was late, but not late enough that the town would sleep.

Luna looked in the direction of the elementary school. "Well... I have to go get my sister from the daycare... Shoot." Luna looked in her pocket before finding the $40 in tips she made this week. She counted it out before sighing. She had enough to pay for daycare for the next week. "If you want to head home, you can. My house is a far walk. Not counting getting my sister." She smiled a bit before becoming antsy. Luna wanted to get her sister before it got too late, and she needed to feed her too. Sam began walking in the direction she looked. "Come on, slowpoke. I ain't leaving you till you're safely home." He spoke as he walked backward. A goofy smile curved Sam’s lips, and his eyes reflected the glow of the street lights that had already turned on. It was almost magical or horrifying.

Luna followed suit before smiling and looking down at her feet. Her feet almost seemed to swing when she walked. She kicked rocks as she did. "So why did you randomly decide to hang out with me today?" She had been wondering about this for most of the day. She didn't want to talk about it and risk losing her friend, but she felt she could now. "I didn't think anyone would try to talk to me anymore."

"Well, you needed your apron for work, and I hate seeing hum... Women being harassed." Good one, nitwit. Sam shrugged, slowing down, so she didn't have to rush too much. "Besides, being a 'lone wolf' is tiring." The one phrase he could use around humans meant the same thing. Luna just nodded slightly before looking back up at him. She smiled a bit before realizing how close they were to the daycare. "She's probably asleep. I gotta go get her. Just stay here." She smiled before going inside the daycare building. She walked to the primary caretaker and handed her the 40 for the week when she made it inside. Looking around, she found her sister lying on the floor, asleep like she thought she was. Luna had to pick up her sister to take her home. She was used to doing this. Her sister almost weighed nothing. Walking out of the building, she moved her sister on her hip so Gage's head was lying on her shoulder. "This is Gage. She's nine."

Sam stayed where he was until Luna returned with the sleeping child. Looking at Gage, Sam could see the similarities right away. Even their scents were similar. In a quiet voice, Sam looked at Gage and spoke. "Well, hello, Gage; I'm Sam." Looking back at Luna, Sam smiled. "She's adorable. I wish I had a sibling, though kind of glad I don't."

Luna gave a small chuckle before rolling her eyes slightly. She began walking towards her house, which would be much farther. She didn't know how long Sam planned on being around, but she liked the company. "To be honest, I'm more like her mother than a sibling." She was quiet when saying this but not too soft. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to talk about. "She's a piece of work, that's for sure. Yesterday her shirt was inside out and put on wrong."

"Is that why you work and hate slow days?" He had hushed his tone not to disturb the sleeping child. Sam began to respect Luna even more now. He looked around before looking at his feet. "I'm sure things will get better for you soon." Luna nodded slightly before placing a hand on Gage's head. The child had begun to snore a bit, which only made Luna smile. Things seemed to be getting better already compared to the last few years.

sam--

After walking, they finally made it to a small greenhouse. It was worn down but still in a livable condition. Luna wasn't sure if she wanted to let Sam inside or not, so she looked at him with a dazed look. "I hate to do this, but I don't think I'm ready for anyone to come inside yet. It's only been a day, you know...." She gave a tired smile. It took most of the day for her to realize she was exhausted. "I appreciate the company Sam... can I call you Sammy? I think it fits you more. Kinda cute."

"You can call me whatever you want." He smiled softly at her. He could tell she was exhausted. "Go feed the kid and get some sleep. I gotta get home anyway." He began to back away from the front door. As Sam turned to walk away, Gage's head lifted, and she began to wave slowly. "Bye-bye, Sam." Hearing the child, Sam turned back and waved toward Gage and Luna. "Bye-bye, Gage." He gave the child a slight wink before skipping the drive, whistling the previous tune the child had on the last day.

Having left a reasonable distance, Sam made sure the lights in the house were out before moving to the front door. Looking around a few times, he bent down and shoved an envelope under the front door. Written in the elegant script was Luna's name. There was nothing else on it, but inside was the check Sam had received from the restaurant and his payment of tips. He hoped it would be enough for her. Cheesy, really cheesy, dude. "You'd be cheesy too, so shut it." He whispered to himself before darting off into the dark woods.