Stellaluna

Run

Almost all the creatures had showed up for the meeting in the tavern. Everyone was talking over each other before Sarge stood up.

“Alright that’s enough.” Everyone quieted down and looked at him. “I know everyone is worried. Things are going to change. For the better or worse I don’t know. But they are whether we like it or not. They gave us a pretty clear choice. Join the Southern King's pack or leave.” Immediately everyone started talking and I moved closer to Sarge. “I don’t know anymore than you all do. So take the day and decide. We all know the southern territory has many different species in it so I believe they will accept everyone. So go home. Talk to your families and decide if you want to join and risk being moved but have the possibility of staying here, or if you want to try to find another neutral town to call home.” That really was it. We didn’t know what would happen. Only that change was coming. Everyone left deep in thought until it was just me Sarge and Selene. They looked at me and I knew that they had been discussing something in their minds. Selene had the gift of telepathy. She could converse with people similar to how we wolves mindlink.

“What are we going to do Sarge?” I asked. His face impassive and strangely unreadable. I furrowed my brow

“Sarge? What is it?”

“You are going to leave Evangeline,” Selene said.

“We are leaving?” I looked back at Sarge but he was no longer looking at me. He was looking at his feet.

“No Evie. You are. Alone. I am going to stay here and pledge myself to the king.” I was shocked. He never wanted to join any pack after what had happened to his.

“I don’t understand. I want to stay with you. Selene, please, you know.” I begged her. But she shook her head sadly.

“I’m afraid you must go in your own, dearie. I wasn’t telling the full truth in the market. I did find something. I found a prophecy Evangeline. In the Library of Alexandria.”

“Whaaa. But it’s forbidden to go there Selene! Besides what does that have to do with me?” My mind was just a clusterf*ck of questions and trying to figure out why they didn’t want me.

“I have friends in high places dearie, you know that. But I’m afraid this is all about you. I've gotten word that the kings men are going to every town and village searching for something. And I believe you are who they want. We don’t have time to explain everything. I have an old friend in the Western Kingdom. You must go. Her name is Hypatia. I will send for you once it is safe.” She patted my cheek and gave me a letter for the witch, then left. I turned to Sarge who finally looked at me.

“That’s it? Just a ‘you must go’ and nothing else?” I put my hands on my hips and stared at him, all my confusion turning to anger. He chuckled and grabbed my arms and gave me a small shake

“Stand down Evie. You know I would never send you off for no reason.” I huffed at him and shook him off. “Listen Selene is right. I’ve always known you were special kid. Ever since you stole my wallet and keys to the tavern from under my nose and locked me out when you were thirteen.” He patted my head and I had to laugh at the memory.

I was still surviving as a thief back then. I had just come to this village and saw a huge man go into a big house with a bunch of groceries then come out and head towards the market again. I ran in front of him making him trip on me, and as he caught me, apologizing, I stole his wallet and keys and ran off to his house. I was just hungry and wanted to get some of the food, but when I saw that huge beast of a man running top speed towards me I got scared, locked the doors and hid. And he, of course, broke the door down, found me hiding immediately and dragged me to the kitchen only to cook me a meal right then and there. He offered me a place to stay and food to eat as long as I helped him around the tavern. When he saw I didn’t trust him, he gave me a large knife and told me to use it to protect myself if I was ever scared. I never had to use it though I still had it. Over the years he had gifted me a number of weapons, blades being a favorite. I shook my head of the memory and looked him in the eyes. His face was stoic, but I could see right through his mask. He was worried.

“Then why don’t you come with me?” I begged,

“I can’t. I have to stay here. The people in this village need me. We all knew it was only a matter of time before this place was claimed. But I doubt another pack will take all of us. Most have lived here their entire lives. I have to stay to take of them as well as look out for you.” I nodded, realizing he was right. Some of the creatures would rather die than leave their home.

“Something’s not right here, and I’m going to figure out what it is. If they are looking for you I’m going to find out why, and try to hide your trail.”

My anger fully dissipated, I was now left with a sadness that I couldn’t shake. My eyes welled with tears and I hugged him. He was trying to protect me, just an orphan thief causing him problems. He would really join a pack to protect me.

“Thank you. Thank you for everything. I love you Sarge.” He wrapped his own big arms around me and rested his chin on top of my head. Amaris whimpered somewhere in the back of my mind. I knew she was talking to Arrow.

“I love you too kid,” his voice gruff. He cleared his throat before continuing. “Now then, Selene has already packed your things including your money-”

“Wait how did she get my things? And I had my money well hidden.” Sarge pulled away and wiggled the fingers of both hands in my face

“She just did her witchy thing, like this.” I giggled at him when the door slammed open

“Donovan Pierce I do NOT do that,” Selene yelled. She then swiftly flicked her hand and Sarge’s own hand rose up and smacked himself in the head. “That is how it’s done.” She huffed and I couldn't help but chuckle. Selene refused to call him by any name other than his. Something about names having power.

Sarge picked up his nickname from working in his old pack's military, and it stuck ever since. He never liked talking about what happened but a few of the elders in the village told me he was one of the only ones left. When I pressed for more information they would just pat my hand and tell me how much he has suffered and how glad they are I found him.

After we all stopped laughing, she came to face me. “Everything is ready outside mon coeur . It’s time.” I nodded and followed her out. I saw she had an inconspicuous white car running outside with a duffel bag in the front seat. She gave me a smart phone with GPS coordinates to where I was supposed to go.

“You know how to use this right? You just follow the directions and that’s where you’ll leave the car. After that you’ll have to go on foot,” she fretted, patting my hair and pressing both hands on my cheeks.

“Yes I know. I have a pretty good sense of direction thanks to Amaris anyways. Thank you Selene. For taking care of me and being my friend. Thank you for everything,” I said as I gave her one final hug. I walked around the car to the drivers side and opened the door before turning to look at them. My family, my home. Selene had gone to lean on Sarge for support and he had his arm around her. Silent tears ran down her face and his eyes were shining too. “Take care of each other, and please be safe!” I called out. I got in the car and left before I could start crying, driving down the winding roads of New Serpentide, until I could no longer see the village and was surrounded by the quiet forest.

Amaris?

I know Evie. Me too.

Our hearts broke just a bit tonight as we left the first and only place we’d ever called home. I rolled down the windows and opened the sun roof, thankful that Selene had foreseen my claustrophobic self needing to feel the open sky. The moon was full and glowing, at its highest point once again. I felt strangely comforted as the moonlight caressed my face.

It’s the Goddess, the Mother. She is letting us know she cares.

I hope so. I am glad you’re here with me Amaris. I’m going to miss them so much, and I don’t think I could have done this alone. Not again.

I am too. But I feel like everything will be alright. The Goddess is with us.

I think you’re right. I don’t think the Goddess would be so cruel as to give us a family just to take them away from us.

Everything had to be okay. I would make sure of it, no matter what. I could feel Amaris’s agreement, and as we drove away from everything we knew, I made a promise to myself, to Amaris, and to the Goddess herself.

“Whatever it takes.”