Starting Over.

Chapter 36 - The Culture.

I woke up to David’s voice.

“Good morning.” I heard and looked over at David in a bathrobe holding two cups.

“Good morning.” I said sitting up and taking a cup from him. He sat on the bed and watched me as I took a sip. “What time is it?” I asked.

“It’s eight.” David said.

“Eight!? David we’re going to be late.” I said and he shook his head.

“No we aren’t going to work today. Audra and Will already know.” David said and his voice was different.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because we have to have that talk from last night. You know, the one I wanted to talk about, but then you seduced me.” David glared and then laughed.

“Ok… that’s going to take the entire day?” I asked.

“It might.” He said and then we sat there silently. “You know maybe we should get dressed and go for a walk?” David said and I slowly nodded.

“Ok. I didn’t really bring walking clothes.” I said getting out of bed.

“It’s just a walk. It won’t be a hike or anything.” David got up and walked off. I got out of bed and went into the bathroom with my bag. I brush my teeth and got ready for the day. I got dressed in the skirt and blouse I planned to wear that day. When I came out I saw David sitting in the chair. He was uneasy, nervous maybe. I grew concerned.

“Ok you’re making me nervous. Are you breaking up with me?” I asked and David stood.

“Ryan no.” He chuckled. “If anything, I’m worried it will be the other way around.” David said and walked over taking his hand.

“Well, let’s go talk then.” I said and David led me down the stairs. He was quiet as we got outside. We walked past his beautiful Shelby car and beside the house.

“There’s a nice path back here, it’ll take us to one of the parks that’s used for big parties and camp outs.” David said as we slowly walked.

“Camp outs! Can we do that?” I asked like a excited child.

“Of course.” David smiled.

“I know you want to talk, but I had a question.” I said and David nodded. “Those love marks or what ever. If we, ya know… get really really serious. Will that happen to me?” I asked and David stopped.

“Yes.” David said looking at me.

“I don’t understand. They can’t just appear.” I said and David nodded.

“It’s something in my culture that symbolizes, basically that we would belong together. Forever. Like a marriage vow.” David said before continuing.

“In your culture?” I asked as we emerged into the park David talked about. I saw a few families playing with their kids on some play equipment. We didn’t get very close, but they still turned and looked at us. I had a feeling they were looking at me. “I feel like they’re staring at me.” I said.

“They are.” David said and I looked at him.

“Ok, what’s going on.” I asked dropping David’s hand.

“Ryan.” David took my hands.

“Are you proposing or something? I’m not sure I’m ready for marriage. I mean, we just met not too long ago.” I said spewing words from my nervous mind.

“Ryan it’s ok. I’m not proposing, I’m trying to tell you-.” David suddenly stopped as one of the kids ran up and hugged David’s leg. The little boy had bright blue eyes and his dark drown hair was cut in a bowl shape. It was so adorable. The boy stared at me and then to David.

“Hey buddy.” I said as the mother of the child ran over.

“I’m so sorry Mr. Featherman.” She said trying to usher her child away.

“But I wanted to see the human.” The child whined.

“What the f*ck.” I said and David looked at me quickly.

“Ryan!” He said and I looked at him.

“I’m sorry, that was the oddest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.” I said staring at David.

“Because you are a human.” David said and I looked at him confused.

“And so are you?” I said and David stared at me. “Are you going to tell me you’re not human?” I started to nervously laugh.

“Ryan, the day we met was fate. I knew you were there. I ran into because I could feel your presence. I went to look for you. When I saw you were applying for the job. I called and asked them not to hire you, so I could offer you a much better job. Closer to me.” David said and I stared at him.

“You sabotaged my potential job, so I would be desperate enough to call for this job?” I asked and David thought for a moment, Then he nodded. “I don’t understand.” I stared at him, nothing was making sense.

“Oh goddess, I knew I would be terrible at this and I am.” David said.

“I’m just confused as f*ck. So far, you sabotage a potential job, knew I was somewhere before we met, the culture love scars, the weird human thing.” I said pointing over and noticing the family was gone.

“Ryan, I’m not human.” David blurted out and I stared at him. I started laughing and David looked confused.

“You had me take a day off work to play a prank on me?” I asked laughing harder the more I thought about it. David started to undress. “What are you doing!? This is a public place!” I said looking around.

“I’m going to show you, but don’t get scared. I won’t hurt you.” David said and I started to get worried. Soon I was looking at David’s bare body in the sunlight. “Just, don’t be scared ok?” David said and I slowly nodded. Suddenly the David I knew started to change. My eyes grew wide as he slowly transformed. Soon a large wolf stood before me and I gasped for air. I took a step back, what the hell was happening. This was a dream. This wasn’t real. I felt myself lose my balance and fell on my bum. The giant wolf took a step towards me and I stared at it. I started to breath heavy as the world faded around me.