by Riley Moreno
“Ok guys I guess I can try and get of here. You guys are right. I need to move forward with my life and get out of this rut. “Jill weighed every word she said hoping she wouldn’t regret anything.
“That’s my girl. Let’s get you dressed. “Rubbing Jill’s arms Mary had that same perky smile she had since the first day they met back in high school.
Getting up Jill started getting her outfit together from the closet hesitating on which one she should wear. She hadn’t been out in the real world in months and getting her hair brushed and teeth flossed let alone putting on a nice outfit was one of the biggest challenges she faced. After all she hadn’t put on anything besides the bright red pajama outfit Mike bought for her on their last anniversary together. She recalled that night so vividly the outfit was packaged in a pretty rose petal box with a large green stemmed rose taped to the top. How could she even contemplate taking off this outfit and going out where everyone could see her? People would think she was not being loyal or true to Mike’s love for her. She heard her mother’s harsh pitch play endlessly in her conscious telling her she was being unfaithful just walking out of here not even thinking about the man that spent the past ten years catering to her every whim.
“Jill what is it honey? Do you need help picking something out? “Mary’s voice played distantly in the back of Jill’s head like some dull echo coming miles away.
“I don’t think I should go Mary. How can I just take this outfit off? It is the last one Mikey bought me the last wedding anniversary we spent together. My mom always said a woman marries her husband till death do them part. A true woman never goes out or even considers seeing another man. “Jill replayed visions she had of her mother in their two-bedroom home in the kitchen as she stirred her favorite chicken noodle soup in one of those gigantic steel pots as she preached to her.
“Girl you going to make me say something I will regret. You know how I feel when it comes to your parents. They are odd to say the least. I mean I get the whole being religious and loyal thing but some of the stuff your mother put you through as a child is part of the reason you are the way you are today. “
Jill knew deep down Mary was right. One day after she came home from school she told her mother she met this cute guy Nate Cole. No sooner did she get the words out of her mouth that her mother transformed into this person she never seen before. Grabbing Jill by the back of her neck she drug her over their hardwood floors to the kitchen sink and pushed her face into the white porcelain surface. Praying that God cleanse her lustful daughter she turned on the faucet. Waves of frigid water ran down Jill’s neck and chest. Demanding the evil spirit leave her daughter alone in the name of God she pushed on her neck practically breaking it. Till this very day Jill has had a severe numbing pain radiating from the base of her neck.
Ever since she was a little girl Jill felt as if she were in an endless trap that only her parents held the key to. It was their oppressive way of raising her along with the mental and physical abuse that brought years of negative thinking. For a brief moment in her own marriage she and Mike had even gone to marriage counseling. Their therapist an obese African American Woman Veronica mentioned that it was Jill’s own enabling behavior that gave control of her parents over every facet of her life. Even then when she and Mike were going through difficult times she recalled her own mother saying she was not doing her wifely duty by satisfying Mike. When a man isn’t satisfied daughter he will go astray and find the right connection. You must do things that will keep him tied to you forever. How do you think me and your father remained married all these years? Starting today mom I’m taking my life back. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Jill felt a new spirit traverse through her one that instilled confidence and determination to do what she needed to do.
Chapter 3
Sebastian hated going to the gallery downtown with Finn. Finn was such a shopaholic and often bought more than what he ever needed. On many occasions he would even disappear and get lost in the throngs of crowds that frequented these huge shopping centers. Today was no different and with Valentine’s Day only days away every man, woman and child were here touring the various shops looking at those fancy diamond rings, delicious chocolate hearts wrapped up in velvet packages, and anything else that brought two individuals in love closer together. This was bad for both he and Finn. In a dire attempt to keep their true identity hidden from the rest of the world for fear of being hunted down like the true creatures they were Finn just didn’t get it and sadly Sebastian thought he just might never get it.
Patrolling up and down the linoleum lined corridor of the mall trying to pick up on his scent that musky manhood that only another shifter would recognize his senses were overloaded with the odors of others. There were so many peaches and crème smells and those who had even a more distinct sweaty odor. Filtering through his intensified senses Sebastian felt his own hormones go into high gear desperately wanting to mount one of these many unsuspecting victims in some hidden alley. Keeping his ears tuned in hoping to hear Finn’s chirpy tone the one that reminded him of some fast paced sports reporter giving the latest scores here too he was overloaded with the cackling laughers of women and children. None resembled Finn’s voice. Frustrated and worried that one of these scents would drag him down the path of destruction Sebastian swore he would leave Finn here to fend for himself. After all he deserved it after everything he put them through.
Despite Sebastian’s desire to leave his best friend here he just could not do it. He was just a baby a child who knew nothing about how evil or manipulative mankind could truly be. The poor fool almost walked into the hands of a hunter just last week when they were camping out in the heart of the woods in an effort to find food. Unfortunately, that poor hunter wasn’t expecting a gigantic dragon with blood red eyes and a fire that could melt any piece of metal in a matter of seconds to appear out of nowhere. Injuring or killing humans went against his pack’s code and it was the one thing that he tried to honor if he could. Still seeing that man’s widened eyes his skin, a wrinkled sea of whiteness gazing at Sebastian begging for his own life. He had no choice the man had seen both him and Finn transform another rule that must be honored. If any human ever seen anyone transform they must be destroyed for the secrecy of the pack must be kept at all costs.
Sebastian didn’t understand why he even should honor such rules. If it were up to him these humans would know who he and Finn were. He would educate them show them who they truly were and that they too can be a great benefit to mankind. Sure there were some valid reasons for not letting humans know about the packs. Some of these included man hunts, torture, and even extinction but like the rest of the world mankind has learned to live with many strange things. Turn on any channel and you will see fantastic stories of men going up in space possibly communicating with aliens and other extra-terrestrials. Folks being kidnapped by alien life and the list just goes on. On top of all this his own people had sold him and Finn out saying they were too human friendly and a risk to the rest of the society. For this very reason they put them out demanding they live amongst the humans since they wanted to be so much like them and see how long they would last. Sebastian was not a big fan of his people they had become so stuck up in their old ways wanting to stay secretive and not let the world know the good they did. If it weren’t for the shifters such as the dragons and the bears many human lives would be lost. His tribe was responsible for saving so many yet they didn’t want anyone to know who they were and what they truly were responsible for. Sebastian swore that he would get back to his pack and run for leader and make some very much needed changes. First though he must prove that he can live in the human world without being exposed or killed. Where was Finn. He would be the reason this would fail.
“Hey man. What is up? Did I worry you any? “There he was Finn standing next to this gorgeous strawberry blonde woman with a nice wrack of tits that you could serve a four-star breakfast on.
Finn truly didn’t understa
nd the risks they took every time they encountered a member of the opposite sex. Sebastian just wanted to shake him sometimes letting him know that he wasn’t just exposing both of them but the human race to things they might not necessarily want causing their assignment to be done in vain. The girl who couldn’t be more than twenty-five had on a tight white tee shirt her glowing tanned skin dazzling in the brilliant mall lights. Her perfect shaped back side was outlined in those taut denim jeans. Hiking up both pant legs she had on these white furred brown boots. The white fur was that of a rabbit or some other fury creature. Sebastian could smell its woodsy odor drift from its fluffy material.
Finn stood there smirking in that devious look. Sebastian was tempted to slap it off of him. Women clung to Finn like magnets. He truly was the better looking between the two. Nearly six foot in height he had sparkling summer sky eyes and wavy russet hair. His chiseled arms reminded Sebastian of a professional body builder. In many ways Finn’s attractive looks was both a detriment and benefit to the duo.
This gal obviously was entranced by Finn’s good looks. Flashing her thick eyelashes upon her eyes and running her long gold painted fingernails along his body it was quite apparent that she wanted to get a good fuck. Sebastian could sense his inner monster churning about his hormones racing around within him picking up on every distinct scent this gal was putting off. He could smell her sexuality her bitter sea salt scent as distinctly as the grilled hotdogs coming from the tiny silver aluminum cart in front of them. If they dint’ remove themselves from the situation and quickly then she would be the latest in a string of innocent women who would soon find out what it would be like to breed with a shifter.
“Hey man cat caught your tongue. I have been talking to you for the past twenty minutes about our new friend Chastity and she wants to hang out with us back at the apartment. I was telling her about how great you cook and that you make a mean meatloaf. “Finn smiled squinting his beady little eyes at Sebastian knowing damn well what he was doing was dangerous.
“Oh really. I am sorry Chastity. But we might have to take a rain check on that. I have work in a few hours. Give us your number and we will meet up real soon. “Sebastian responded hoping that the poor fool would bite the bate and shuffle along back into the rest of society.
“Job? What job? What are you t---“Finn no sooner got those words out that Sebastian grabbed the back of his shoulders in a bear hug.
“Unless you fucking want us to be shot I suggest you follow what I’m saying. You know the rules for bringing a human back to the place. Are you crazy?” Whispering and keeping his voice as low as possible Sebastian felt a wave of sweat permeate his forehead and hands as if he were being cooked alive.
Quickly walking off grabbing and dragging Finn with him neither one looked back at the girl but Sebastian could feel her curious presence peering at them as if they were some kind of freak. It was one thing to mate a woman but it was another to bring them into your den and back into your world where you lived. This went against all rules and if they were to make this successful and introduce humanity to the pack they would need to follow the old rules as closely as possible. The other piece was they needed to find the right human to introduce to the pack. Some loose goosey blonde who probably screwed half the city wasn’t ideal for the human they wanted to bring back.
Chapter 4
Jill couldn’t believe that she was outside amongst society for the first time in a year. Their day started off at Annie’s Restaurant their favorite place to eat. Annie’s was a greasy spoon type of establishment with those dingy yellow walls and cracked green tiled floors. The owner Annie VanBuren a skinny old woman with wispy steel gray hair and sunken in cheekbones sat on her high end red leather stool her cigarette dangling from her thin fingers. Her frail fingers barely held onto to the cancer stick as it wobbled loosely between them. Jill doubted Annie had tasted any of the dishes her establishment was famous for. A stack of buttermilk pancakes, sunny side golden eggs, and a few slabs of bacon was something that even the healthiest person shouldn’t dabble with too often let alone a woman who has had three heart bypasses. Jill loved coming to Annie’s restaurant but she often wondered why the woman stayed open she hardly had any customers outside of she and Mary and a few of her regulars.
“Hey Bea I haven’t seen you in a long time. How are you love?” Annie spoke in that raspy pitch of hers a true sign that all those cigarettes were taking their toll on the old woman’s vocal chords.
“I am doing ok Annie. Just going through hard times. You know how it is. “Jill responded knowing Annie’s husband just past a few months back.
“Yes I do. Honey if there is anything you need you just let me know. I pray for you every day. In fact, you know what I want you to have something. “Annie fumbled behind her counter nearly knocking down the musky gray cash register.
Once she came back she held a tiny porcelain statue in her wrinkled hands. It was that of a woman wearing a blue cloak and she had the most resplendent fair skin like that of some angel. A white cover surrounded the woman’s oval head. Clutched in her petite hands were a small pair of white rosary beads. The woman’s lips a pale rouge seemed to be pinched together as if she were mumbling something.
“This is a statue of the Blessed Mother. I am not one to push my faith on others but when I see a lost soul I need to share as that is what the Lord would want. This statue was blessed by the Pope himself. As long as you carry this everywhere you go then you will always have the Blessed Mother’s and the Lords presence. “
She was so immersed in her conversation that she forgot about Mary. If it weren’t for Mary pinching her arm with those elongated nails of her she probably would have listened to Annie’s religious lecture for hours. Religion and Jill were two peas in the pod it was ingrained in her from an early age that whenever someone had begun preaching she was to remain still and listen. Seeing Mary’s glowering look her lips pinched close she knew damn well she better wrap this up but out of respect decided she should just sit here and listen to the sermon coming from Annie.
“Annie hon I know Jill appreciates you giving that to her. Goodness knows she has been through a hell of a lot this past year but I have an appointment for us at the hair dresser in just an hour. The breakfast was stellar as always. Here tell Vicky to keep the change. “Withdrawing a crisp fifty-dollar bill from her light pink diamond quilt stitched handbag Jill couldn’t help but wonder how many surgeries good old Doug had to do to buy one of those for Mary.
“Oh but of course. Sorry girls. Love if you ever need anyone to talk to here is my number. Call anytime well except Sunday after 5 and Monday nights those are my football days. “Winking her eye Annie place a small card scribbled with her phone number on it in Jill’s hand.
Jill could have easily listened to Annie for hours. Despite her despise of her own mother who used religion as a means to control Annie used it for its true intention to heal, teach and enrich. She just might give old Annie a call some lonely afternoon when there was no one around to talk to.
As they walked over to Mary’s sleek red Porsche over in the back parking lot Jill could feel her best friends burning desire to tell her she was crazy for listening to that speech. Don’t you know this is why you are the way you are Jill? She could hear Mary know rattling off at her that her beliefs that she was taught were the very reason she was in the rut she was in now.
The distant silence between the two was a bit unnerving for Jill as a fierce wind spiraled in from the clear skies above. Nipping away at her exposed ears and hands she could feel her own fingers begin to loose sensation as the frigid temperatures worked on her exposed flesh. Maybe it was a really bad idea to come out she thought to herself as she looked down the street at her home. If she acted fast she could quickly run down the road and be home in a few short minutes. Back in the comfort of her warm home she could pour a hot cup of coffee and curl up on her bed and relax and enjoy the rest of the day.
“Jill get in this car girl before you
catch your death. I am not going to say a word I promise. Let’s just have some good old fashioned fun just like we did back in school. You remember we were the spooner sisters. “
The spooner sisters. There was a blast from the past. They used to dress in these poodle skirts and tight blouses and sing at the top of their lungs. They swore they would be famous one day traveling the country and the world a house hold name one that would be on the front of every cereal box, TV show and magazine in America. Dreams that any teenage girl would hope to achieve. Of course there was reality and the concept of really not hitting it big but it was something they truly believed in. As life would have it they each met the love of their lives, marriage would be in the forefront and careers and life would march on.
Mary had such a youthful zesty spirit that it was contagious. Even though both of them were both in their forties with all the baggage of their past Mary had an upbeat way in looking at everything. Looking at her was like looking at a teenager in an older woman’s body. She still wore tight sexy clothes and tinkered with the crazy hairstyles that today’s youth seemed to enjoy most. Today she had her hair in long blonde spikes as if she were some punk rocker about to hit a concert. Jill often wondered what Douglass thought of her wild lifestyle. He seemed so refined in his three piece suits and snazzy dress shoes that the two really didn’t seem a pair at all. Then again Mary’s wild way of thinking has attracted men of all types. Smiling at her longtime friend she quickly got in the car excited to see where today would take them.
The inside of Mary’s car reminded Jill of one of those shows of the rich and famous. The interior lining was a black leather its new scent filling her nostrils as soon as she stepped foot inside the vehicle. Her dashboard a smooth beige surface fully equipped with a three by four black screen that popped up in the middle and a bunch of minute icons across it was something she only saw in one of those car commercials advertising the newest and most elite automobiles. Speaking into the device Mary asked for the quickest route to fifteenth and Market. Almost immediately the feminine robotic tone rattled off the quickest route to the location estimating it would only take fifteen minutes and that at this point traffic was relatively light. Damn the thing even gives you an estimate on how bad the traffic is. Jill was truly amazed at the gadget. Mary hadn’t done too bad in marrying Doug.