Chapter3: Not human enough
1327 Words
He sighed. “Walk.”
“I don’t follow men who refuse to explain things,” I said.
“You already are,” he replied. Damn it I hated that he was right.
As we walked deeper into the forest. The around us began to feel heavier, like the farther we went the more it changed, it was somewhere between hot and cold. After a while of continuous walking, I started noticing small structures between the trees. Wooden buildings built into the land instead of against it. And most of them had faint light glowing from the inside.
“This is where you live,” I said.
“Yes.”
“With all of them,” I added.
“Yes.”
“Do normal humans ever just stroll in here,” I asked.
“No.”
“Then why did I,” I muttered.
Kael stopped suddenly. And I almost walked into his back. Not that I would complain.
“Hey watch it” I did complain anyway.
“Do not wander,” he said.
“I’m literally right behind you.”
He turned and studied my face again. “You should be shaking.”
“I’m tired,” I said. “Fear takes energy. And frankly I don’t have much left.”
That earned me a strange look.
More wolves appeared as we walked, majority half shifted, and I had to admit it was an awe. Half human half wolf. Others were in full wolf form, while few in human form.
But one thing was the same with all of them, they were all staring—at me. Some frowned. While most looked uneasy. One woman crossed herself like she was trying to ward off bad luck.
“Are they all judging me,” I asked quietly.
“Yes,” Kael said.
“Fantastic.”
We reached a larger building near the center. This one looked older than the others, and the wood used to built it was darker.
Kael pushed the door open.
Inside, the room was warm and bright. Several people stood around a long table. But their conversations stopped the moment I stepped in.
“This is getting old,” I said.
An older man stepped forward. His hair was grey but neatly woven behind, his expression was calm.
“So,” he said. “This is the girl.”
“I have a name,” I said. “Elara.”
He smiled gently. “Of course you do.”
Kael stiffened beside me. “Malrec.”
“Kael,” the man replied. “You brought her deep into the territory.”
“She could not leave,” Kael said. “The forest did not let her.”
That got reactions ranging from unease to disgust.
“The forest does not refuse exits” a woman said.
“It did,” Kael replied. “She felt it.”
Every gaze snapped to me.
“I don’t know why everyone keeps looking at me like I kicked a god,” I said. “I just walked.”
Malrec studied me carefully. “How old are you, child.”
“I’m not a child,” I said. “And I’m nineteen. And will be 20 in a few days.”
“You look younger,” someone muttered.
“I get that a lot.”
Malrec nodded. “Where are your parents.”
“I live alone,” I said. “I pay rent and everything.”
“That is not what he asked,” another elder said.
“My parents are dead,” I replied. “Is that relevant?”
The room went quiet.
Malrec raised a hand. “Peace.”
He turned back to me. “Do you feel unwell.”
“I feel kidnapped,” I said.
Kael shifted. “She is not restrained.”
“That does not make this better,” I snapped.
Malrec gave a soft chuckle. “You are spirited.”
“I am stressed.”
He nodded again. “Kael, tell us everything.”
Kael explained what happened, the boundary, the shift, the way the forest refused to release me. I watched faces change as he spoke. Doubt turned into concern. Concern into something else.
“She is not human,” a woman said.
“I am standing right here,” I reminded her.
“She is,” another man countered. “Just not fully.”
“That is not comforting,” I said.
Malrec leaned closer to me. “Tell me, Elara, have you ever felt out of place.”
“Yes,” I said immediately. “All the time.”
“Do you hear things others do not,” he asked.
“No.”
“See things,” he continued.
“No.”
“Dream of the Moon,” he asked.
I paused. “That is very specific.”
The room stilled.
Kael’s head turned toward me slowly.
“I have weird dreams like everyone else,” I added. “I’m human, I promise.”
Malrec smiled softly. “We will see.”
I did not like the sound of that.
“Where am I sleeping,” I asked.
“You will stay in the guest quarters,” Malrec said. “Under supervision.”
“Like prison,” I said.
“Like safety,” he corrected.
“For who?” I asked.
“For you,” he replied.
A younger woman stepped forward. “Or from her.”
I crossed my arms. “I’m not contagious.”
Kael spoke up. “She will stay near me.”
Several heads turned.
“That is not wise,” someone said.
“It is my responsibility,” Kael replied.
Malrec studied him. “You are sure.”
“Yes.”
I looked between them. “Did I miss a meeting where you decide my life.”
“You are here because the land allowed it,” Malrec said. “And the land does not make mistakes.”
“That is debatable,” I muttered.
They led me to a smaller building near Kael’s place. It was also warm like the building we just left.
“You can rest,” Kael said. “Do not leave.”
“Do I get food,” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Good,” I replied. “Because this night ruined my appetite schedule.”
He almost smiled. Almost.
As he turned to leave, I spoke. “Kael.”
He paused.
“You don’t think I’m dangerous—do you?” I said.
“I think you are unknown,” he replied.
“That is worse, isn't it?.”
“Yes,” he agreed and then left.
I sat on the bed, staring at the walls. My began to shake now that I was alone. All the events from this night hit at once in my mind. The forest. These were-people. Everything.
I lay fully on the bed, closed my eyes and prayed for sleep to come quickly and it did.
I dreamed of standing under a bright Moon. It felt close and kinda heavy, like it was leaning toward me. Or rather was leaning on me. I began losing my breath and immediately woke up actually panting for air.
I looked around the room, but nothing seemed unusual. I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest, cradling myself to be calm.
“It's fine Elara—you’re fine” I said in a shaky voice. It took everything in me not to cry. I just want to go home, I really do.
Still in the middle of my mental breakdown, I heard voices outside the window of my room.
“She should not stay,” a man said.
“She has already affected the land,” another replied.
I raised my head slowly, stood up and moved quietly towards the window. While doing that I heard the door creak.
I turned towards it and my heart almost left my chest.
- Writer
