by Erin Kelly
She rested her head on his shoulder with a soft sigh. “It’s so peaceful out here… but noisy at the same time.”
He gently laughed at this, understanding her meaning. The creatures of the night were awakening now, replacing the song of the day with the music of the night. Her hair falls softly against his skin. Something about the simple action made him feel a deep contentment as her warm skin pressed against his own.
She shivered and he wrapped his arms around her, not even thinking of his own chilliness, though holding her close combated the night air for both of them. He shouldn’t feel this at ease out in the wilderness, naked and lost in the forest but the subdued wolf that lingered inside felt at home here. Especially with her by his side.
A small fire crackled before them, a combined effort from skills Pops taught him long ago and Sophie’s training as a girl scout. When he’d inquired if she had earned a fuzzy badge for camping out as a werewolf she cracked a smile, but didn’t say much else about it. More than likely it brought up memories of her sister, he assumed, and was wise enough to not press the issue.
He had sensed Nikki’s coldness the first time he had met her, but even then he had no idea what kind of monster they had been dealing with. Nikki’s true colors had been revealed in the worst way, and no doubt Sophie was still reeling from it all. Korban still couldn’t believe it himself, and to him Nikki Winters was a stranger. To Sophie, she had been horrifically betrayed by her sister, someone she loved and trusted. Nikki did worse than stab her own sister in the back. Somehow she had dispatched a Wolven on her in a cruel attempt to brutally murder Sophie, and instead damned her to become a werewolf.
When Sophie not only survived the attack but her first transformation as well, Nikki used Sophie’s love for her son to lure her out of hiding and bombed their home, nearly killing his best friend and roommate Alex.
Alex. RJ.
His two roommates- friends- no, his brothers. His family. A deep longing burrowed in his gut as he worried about them. Was RJ being held responsible for his running away? Was he in jail because as a sponsor he was being punished in Korban’s place? Was Alex recovering from his broken arm, burns, and the smoke inhalation from the explosion?
They had to get back home. If only there was some way to find out where they’d ended up, or if they found shelter maybe there would be some clues as to where on earth they were. Or better yet they ran into someone who could tell them. Of course there would be an initial awkwardness given the fact that right now their Adam and Eve cosplay alone would certainly raise eyebrows.
For now there was nothing he could do for RJ or Alex, except to find their way back home. Protecting Sophie and finding shelter, clothes, and food were his top priorities. He would return home and set things right again but in the meantime he had to trust that his words to Officer McKinnon were enough to keep his roommate out of too much trouble.
4: DISCOVERY
Their luck would turn that following day as they journeyed deeper into the forest. They had travelled most of that morning and continued through midday when the trees thinned out and they came upon a small clearing along a narrow path leading from the river.
There nestled in long, uncut grass was an older style camper. A long, silver-colored Streamline speckled with spots of rust. After days without running into any sign of human life it was startling to stumble upon this big of a find. Eyes widening, Sophie glanced around and tensed. If they ran into others, would she be strong enough not to attack them, as she had Alex before?
A second glance revealed she may not have to worry so much- rather, her first wary sniff of the air uncovered no trace of another human’s scent. Whoever managed to get this camper so far into the forest had abandoned it a while ago.
Korban flashed her a grin and the knot in her stomach loosened. “Looks like it’s our lucky day,” he said, then carefully waded through the long, thick grass toward the camper.
An eerie stillness seemed to linger in the area as they approached the metallic door. The hinges were speckled with red and brown rust but appeared to be still in good condition otherwise. “Camping season may have just started, I think,” Korban said softly and tilted his head to listen again inside.
She strained to hear as well but the camper was definitely empty. Korban reached for the door and knocked anyway, just in case, and the sound seemed to echo like a drum in the silence around them. No sound followed, and no answer came from within. “If there is someone who owns this nearby… maybe it is better to ask forgiveness than permission in our case.”
She nodded. It wasn’t like they had too many options, so she doesn’t protest when he tried for the door. To both their surprise, the door opened without hesitation. Korban exchanged a glance with her and gave a nervous smile. “Our luck really is turning for the better. I was sure I would have to pick the lock to break in or something.”
“I suppose if the owner comes and finds us here that may work in our favor towards forgiveness,” Sophie smiled in return. “Just entering their camper, instead of breaking in first.”
He grinned at this, and then opened the door wider. “Let’s see if they left any clues as to where we are.”
She followed him inside the dark camper, uncertain what to expect. The rounded windows all had the blinds drawn, but it took only a few seconds for her keen eyes to adjust to the darkness. Inside the camper was cramped but clean. Almost too clean at first glance, with barely a speck of dust along the counters that lined a tiny kitchen, immediately next to a couch with a small pull out table along with the front end of the camper. A beaded curtain divided the kitchen from a narrow hall where two thin beds were neatly made, not even a wrinkle to the pristine bed sheets. Further in the back was a tiny bathroom, with a toilet, sink, and narrow shower stall. A small closet held an empty suitcase and a pressed suit hanging in a garment bag. The little drawers, built into the camper beneath the bed, held rows of neatly rolled shirts, pants, socks and men’s underwear.
Korban ran a hand along the flat, seamless blanket tucked neatly over the bed. “It’s like whoever stayed here was militaristic in their cleaning and orderliness.”
Sophie nodded and opened one of the built-in cabinets in the kitchen. An assortment of canned goods were arranged just as orderly as the man’s underwear, but she can appreciate the bounty of food that was more substantial than raspberries. She took a can out of the cupboard to examine the expiration date, which wasn’t for another couple of years yet. That was if her calculations were still correct. She frowned thoughtfully and wondered out loud, “Do you know… or have any idea on how much time we lost?”
Korban emerged from behind the beaded curtain wearing a faded pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, both which seemed a little loose on him. “I- that is a really good question,” he scratched the back of his head. “I was wondering that too. It has to have been a couple weeks at least. I was aware of time as a wolf, but my wolf didn’t seem to care about it as much as I did.”
“Maybe there is something in here that will give us a clue to that too,” Sophie sighed, then sized him up. “Seems you found some clothes to borrow at least.”
“I found some that may fit you too. Though I’ve personally drawn a line to not borrow another man’s underwear,” he grinned. “Too neatly rolled. I am sure whoever this guy is, he’d lose it if I meddled with his unmentionables. Not that I’d blame him.”
Sophie laughed and shook her head. “So what did you find me to wear?”
Korban held up a small bundle of gray sweatpants and another white shirt and she is more than happy to put them on and shed away her crumbling plant ensemble. Never before had sweatpants felt so heavenly, the warm and soft material welcomed more than ever after a long day of work. “Oh, that’s nice,” she sighed contently, and though the material is a bit loose on her frame as well at least the elastic band rested at her hips.
They had shelter, clothes, and food to boot. Now they could search for clues as to where their oasis was located d
eep in the heart of the mountains.
They searched the neat and organized kitchenette for more clues but only turned up more dry goods, such as some freeze-dried fruit and powdered milk. Korban’s eyes lit up when he discovered a bag of beef jerky and he unceremoniously opened the bag. The smoky scent of meat wafted in the air and made her empty stomach growl in anticipation. He extends the bag towards her and she doesn’t hesitate to snatch several strips from the plastic bag. Her teeth easily shred the slightly stale, tough jerky in no time.
For a moment she can’t recall the last time she had meat, and then flashes of images emerged from her memory. Running, hunting in the wild forest. Korban panting at her side. The rush of blood as she ripped into the throat of a rabbit. The heavenly chunks of fresh meat that she tore from the fallen creature.
She slowed herself down as her human side’s stomach lurched at the memory. Korban leaned against the pantry door and thoughtfully nibbled on his piece of beef jerky. “Whoever owns this camper is ready for the season. Pretty organized and well stocked. We’ll have to thank them and eventually replace what we use. Not like we really have much of a choice at this point. I hope they’ll understand.”
“Knowing our luck we’ll get a shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later camper instead of a happy one,” Sophie smirked to him, and then polished off another piece of dried meat.
“Hopefully we’ll find out where we are so we can get back home before that happens,” Korban said and Sophie tensed, despite herself. His smile faded and a look of concern took its place. “You don’t want to go back to Syracuse?”
There was no hiding it from him. Not that she wanted to hide anything from him. “I… I’m not sure that I’m ready to go home yet,” Sophie sighed. “If we do find out where we are I would like to maybe take a day before we head back. Or two.”
Korban gave her a sympathetic look and nodded. “I suppose we could both use it. I’m not sure what will happen when we do get back. They may put us in… well, it’s better we enjoy the fresh air while we can. I just… I need to go back, or they’ll lock RJ up. If they haven’t already.”
Sophie nodded, the icy feeling still rooted in her stomach. “Of course. We will go back, together. I just… I need a little time to digest what happened.”
Nikki and Lucas. Nikki’s betrayal. Her memory dredged up vivid parts, her sister’s cruel confession playing on repeat in her head. She looked away from Korban and slowly chewed on another strip of jerky. It was strange how she felt safer here with Korban, wearing a stranger’s clothes and snacking on stolen jerky, than she felt even thinking about returning home.
She closed her eyes and shuddered, and that’s when his warm arms tentatively wrap around her. She turned and buried her face into the warm, tan skin of his neck and inhaled his scent. She’d held in so much while they struggled to survive in the wilderness, but now that they were here her walls began to crumble down. Her arms slid around him and she just held onto him and breathed. His lips brushed her ear when he softly whispered, “I’m here with you.”
So many clichés ran through her mind, that he was her rock, the port during a storm. Her pillar and strength when her knees were weak. All cliché, but all true in this moment. She clung on to him a little tighter but doesn’t collapse into a fit of sobs. She simply breathed in his masculine scent, a potpourri of forest and wolf, and tightly held on to him for a long time.
5: SHELTER
It was strange to sleep indoors after having an open sky above them for so long, yet as the rain began to pelt the tin roof he was grateful for the shelter. Though there were two beds available Sophie laid curled against him, the pair crowded together on one of the narrow bunks. Her breathing had evened out after some time had passed and he knew she was asleep. Even as comfortable as he was his own mind was racing and kept him awake. Even cramped together on a flat mattress he was content. He was sure he could bear any conditions as long as Sophie was with him, especially after they had survived in the wilderness together. Survivor, Naked and Afraid- hell, they’d done it without the comfort of camera crews. No safety net to rely on, only each other, and that was enough.
He watched the drops of water as they streaked across the window pane, and thunder rumbled and boomed in the distance. A warning for the storm that was to come. His mind drifted back to thoughts of RJ and Alex. They did need to return home, yet he could understand Sophie’s hesitation. His own stomach churned in worry at what awaited their return.
Sophie’s fingers curled against his chest and she softly murmured, “Can’t sleep either?”
He smiled. She never ceased to surprise him. “It’s strange having a roof over our heads,” he gazed up to it, the constant pinging of rain against the metal like a steady beat.
“Yeah,” she agreed, and they laid there listening to the rhythm of the rain on the roof for a long, peaceful moment. She gazed up to him, and his eyes moved from the ceiling to her. “I was thinking… how strange it is that I trust you more than anyone else in this world, but I know so little about you,” she gave him a smile. “Not that you haven’t earned that trust.”
He nodded and simply said, “All right. I’m an open book. Ask me anything. I’m more than happy to share.”
She took a moment, looking pensive as a gust of wind rattled the sides of the trailer. “What was your childhood like?” Sophie asked and settled in against him to listen.
“Overall, pretty happy,” Korban began, thinking back with a smile. “I grew up on the same block as Alex and RJ, up the street from the garage in an apartment with my mom. Mom worked hard and made sure I didn’t go without.” He paused and his smile sobered a little. “She did the same for Ace, my best friend, when his mother went missing. Everyone who knew her loved her. She held down a day job, a night job, and still found time to raise me and help others.” He swallowed and took a deep breath. “When Pops lost his wife, she would bring him meals and he would keep her car running. Alex and I became good friends, and the rest is history.”
“I bet the three… four of you had a lot of adventures growing up,” Sophie said softly.
He chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, we got into all kinds of trouble together. Usually nothing too serious. Alex would get these ideas… sometimes he would talk the rest of us into them. Sometimes we were bored.” He smirked. “We would help Pops around the garage, running errands for him or RJ’s parents or Mom. We’d spend our allowance on snacks and comic books, or go to the movies once in a while. Pretty average stuff, I guess.”
Her smile widened at this revelation. “I didn’t realize you were a nerd.”
He made a face at this and she giggled. “Hey! I find that term offensive. I prefer geek, or comic book enthusiast.”
She laughed and rolled over, laid alongside him on her stomach with her head propped up on her hands now. “So you spent many nights reading comics with your friends, and days helping out at home and the garage.”
“Yeah,” his smile sobered again. “It was our home away from home, until it actually became my home.”
He wondered if when they returned they could go back home to the garage, or if the garage would still be under repair. He couldn’t fathom never being able to return to his home. The garage, Cyrus Autos, had to be salvageable. It hurt too much to even think that they could lose their home on top of everything else.
“I loved reading when I was young too,” Sophie supplied with a wistful smile. “I still enjoy a good book. Even after I started law school and was reading mountains of text books on law. I couldn’t resist a good crime thriller when I had the time.”
“Law school huh?” Korban blinked, though he knew he shouldn’t be too surprised. Sophie was incredibly intelligent. “You seem too honest to be a lawyer.”
“Ha, ha,” she rolled her eyes. An amused smile broke through despite herself and Korban amended, “I knew you were smart, but that’s incredible. Did you finish?”
Sophie’s smile wavered and she shook her head. “I found out I was expe
cting Daniel while I was studying for the bar exam. I began reading more books on motherhood instead of law. I told myself I’d go back to it again eventually, once Danny was older. I finished my classes, but didn’t take the bar exam. Maybe I should have, but…” she trailed off for a moment, then smiled and shook her head. “Now more than ever I treasure being there for my son. I was so lucky to have the time I did with him. I saw his first smile, his first steps… I miss him so much.” She looked away as her voice trembled. “Do you think… when we get back… maybe I could see him again?”
A lump formed in his throat as he became overwhelmed by the heartbreak rolling off her. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and she leaned into his touch. The laws were clear about this, but they were wrong. He wasn’t sure what would happen when they returned home, but he would do everything in his power to reunite Sophie with her son. “Maybe,” he said softly as he clung on to hope, “if they see you’re in control, not the wolf, I think it is possible.”
She nodded and met his eyes, her own glistening with unshed tears. “I want to see him again. I want to hold him. I want to be able to control my wolf side, and be myself again.”
“You’ve already come so far, Sophie, I know you’ll be able to control your wolf. They’ll assign you to a handler. I know someone will sponsor you, like RJ did for me,” Korban lightly threaded his fingers through her golden hair to comfort her. “Things may never be the same as they were before, but it doesn’t mean that it won’t get better. We survived the impossible; we came back from the brink of losing our humanity. I don’t think there is anything that you and I can’t do together.”
Sophie smiled at his words, and the devastating scent of her heartache faded away, replaced by the pleasant perfume of renewed hope and incredible gratitude. She leaned in and as their lips met the thunder rumbled. The rain continued to pour like buckets around them, but all he heard is her heartbeat echoing his own.