Finding Her Way Back

Chapter 9

The charcoal was disgusting. My throat was already dry and the chalkiness of the charcoal only made it worse. I felt like I was trying to swallow cinnamon. The raging burning in my arm earlier had become a slow, comforting burn the more I ate the charcoal and I realized, I forgot to check it earlier. As suspected, there was nothing there. I inspected the skin for any bruising or anything that could cause the feeling earlier but there was not even a scuff. "Maybe it will bruise later" I told myself and pushed it out of my mind.

"If this woman does not hurry up, we are in serious trouble" Nyla was pacing, growing more anxious each time we looked out the window. The sun was setting. Oh, Cecile must be so worried I thought. "She will have more to worry about if news breaks of a wolf found head and half shifted" Nyla bite back, "because that is what we are going to be if we don't get out of here soon" she continued.

It felt like hours had gone by when the old woman returned and I felt myself let out a sigh of relief. Excitement and anticipation coursing through me. The woman hurried over with what looked like a large blob of silver. I cringed and instinctively pulled my knees to my chest. The woman looked concerned before she realized the reason for my reaction. "The keys dear" was all she said as she dangled them to show me. "How is that not bothering you?" I asked, as questions flooded my mind. She didn't respond, instead she searched the glob of keys for the right one before bringing it to my neck and undoing the lock around the collar. As she pulled it away I noticed it certainly was silver, and just as she set it down, my next question was answered. The inside had a cloth layer to prevent the silver from actually touching my skin, I couldn't be certain but I felt this was the old lady's doing.

"Quiet, Nick isn't home right now but that doesn't mean he wont be soon. You need to hurry up, the moon is about to rise and you need to be out of the city before you shift" she urged as she began pushing me for the door. "My mother, I need to find her before I can leave the city, she is probably so worried, and I don't even know where I am going to get out of here." The fear in my voice was evident. We reached the front door and the woman opened it and followed me outside, the crisp evening air was like a soft kiss on my skin and I welcomed it.

"No two vendors are in the same place. Do you recall any names of the shops?" The woman asked, a hint of urgency in her voice. I tried to think of any names but honestly, only one stand caught my attention enough to really look at it, and I was not looking for a name. I shook my head "No, I was not looking, but there was a shop with an old man, full of gems and crystals" I told her hoping she would know it. She soothed the worries in my heart with the grin that spread on her face, confirming to me, she knew where I was talking about. "Good ole Roy" she chuckled. "What does your mother look like? what is her name? I will go there and tell her where to find you, meanwhile you will head out of town." I was hesitant but nodded, I didn't have time to argue.

I gave her a quick description of Cecile and the last spot I had seen her. She gave me directions to get out of the city as quickly as I could. Just as we were about to part ways, the woman stopped me " Wait" she said and I turned back to face her. "Happy Birthday. The first shift is painful, and while in a way you may be alone, you will always have your wolf, so you are never truly alone. Let her guide you, she knows what she needs to do." The woman smiled at me and raised her hand "Oh! your mothers name, what is it?" She asked as an afterthought. "Cecile" I said, the woman's face suddenly conveyed sadness, love, fear and desperation. "Luna Cecile?" she asked and I nodded. "Oh bless the Goddess" she said as tears fell from her eyes and she began shooing me. "Go, I will make sure she finds you"

The sun was just kissing the horizon. Panic was settling in as we turned the corner onto the next street, fur was rippling on my arms as we ran as fast as we could, my legs and Nylas speed, I was hopeful we would make it. We turned 2 more corners, I could feel my shoulders popping, shifting my bones into place, the pain causing me to cry out and almost double over. We were almost out, I had to keep going. "We are not going to make it, I know your trying but lets just hope nobody is around" Nyla said. We turned another corner, it was a straight shot from here, but seemly the most challenging.

Of course the only street we run down that had people on it. The street was flooded with sounds as people covered the sidewalks, bikes taking to the inside of the road and cars everywhere. "f**k!" I screamed as I continued running. I tried to weave between the crowded sidewalk but accidently bumped into someone.Sending a brutal pain through my half shifted shoulder. She was a tall woman, she was a good build and she knew how to display her curves, but her attitude was to be desired. She started screaming at me to watch were I was going but I didn't hear the rest as I continued to push through the people.

I was about to cross the road when Nyla shifted and landed on all fours in the middle of the intersection. I was thrown back into my mind and I sank to my knees in sobs, "rrr--" I tried to speak but sob after sob prevented me. I caught our reflection in the shop windows as Nyla ran, she truly was beautiful. If it were any other circumstances, I would sit and admire her but than I could also see the looks of peoples faces. "Nyla RUN" I found my words and screamed at her.