Have you ever had a dream that seemed to last forever? A dream that was both exhilarating and frightening, because deep down you know it will change your whole life, if it were ever to come true? It's one of those dreams that are like just any other day, there is no element of unreality to distinguish it from your wakeful day, even when things become different than your normal life. You still know it's in the realm of possibilities, like dreaming that you walked to work instead of driving. You simply thought that you would ever enter that world. The fact that it was so like reality was what made it so terrifying. How could I even know the pain of muscles realigning, bones rearranging, and skin stretching, except that I had hearda friendtelling me from hearing it from a friend that knew a friend that knew a lycanthrope that told her?! I am like a person in a theater, watching from a safe distance, even when I know that onne of those characters, I am watching is actually me.
My eyes begin to flutter, consciousness slowly reinstating itself. With every degree of wakefulness that acerts itself, the dream begins to dissipate. Light flashes against the back of my eyelids, which I had refused to open till now, trying to keep the dream from fading to no avail. For a moment I am blinded by the light. When I can finally make out what I was seeing, it takes me a few more moments to process the information. Am I still dreaming? I have to wonder, as I watch the long branches of various oaks, dance above me. Did I fall asleep lounging in the park? A dangerous thing to do, which might account for the fact that my heart is racing, and I seem to be hypersensitive. The call of the birds is so loud that I could have sworn they were right next to my ear. The cool breeze ran along my skin and I could feel every rock, seedling and uneven dip and rise of the ground under my back. The tickle of the grass against my skin, brought another fact to my attention. One that made my heart skip and pound anew. Finally I lifted my head to confirm this, and was horrified to see that I was correct with my initial assesment. Not a stitch of clothing was to be found upon me person!
My fair skin, dotted with a soft, appealing spatter of freckles, was also adorned with blood, something told me that it was not my own. There was bits of fur and bone sticking to the now dark brown, slowly drying liquid. For the first time since I awoke, my hands began to tremble; the sudden image of a frightened squirrel, crossed my mind. Had I killeed it? Or was my brain comparing me with it? Even so all the blood could not be accounted with one small squirrel... could it? I try to recall the dream, as I begin to push myself up, looking around me with more attention. Yet I can not bring up any of its details, not a single image came, no matter how much I try; only the general feel of it linger now. Only the feel of being scared and excited remain of the dream, as if some stranger had been freed from within me and been given control of my body. A feel of being disconnected overcame me, and I wrap my arms around myself, and try not to burst out crying.
Scents assault me, all of a sudden, so sharp I sneeze. It didn't smell of New York... There was something earthier about this place. The smell of people was faint, like they used to frequent the place, but had now been absent for a while. I feel my brow wrinkle in a frown, as I tried to figure out how I could possibly smell the differences in the air. I find myself on the outskirts of some park, with lots of oaks, that I do not recognize at all. My face flushes at the thought of someone finding me in my current state of undress. Normally, I would not be such a prude, but I have to confess I am feeling very exposed and vulnerable in this strange place. Not to say that I like exposing myself either... usually I keep to myself ... that is when I am not doing translations for someone.
Had I been more familiar with the outdoors, and believe me, I wish fervently now that I had paid attention when I had been warned by my father about poison oak and poison ivy, then I could fashion one of those sexy little outfits that you see Jane from Tarzan used, from leaves and vines. But I have no way of telling the good leaves and vines from the bad ones, and I really did not want to add rash and itchiness to my current list of discomforts. Perhaps it is rather vain of me, but I simply could not do it.
Moving carefully, I still winced and staggered through the underbrush, making so much noise, that something... that stranger inside of me, winced and growled, with everyone of my clumsy steps. The urge to yell at her is nearly overwhelming. I slap my forehead, with a soft groan. Wonderful! Now I add insanity to my list! Ouch! Have you ever walked barefoot and naked out in the woods?! It really isn't pleasant! By the time I find the edge of the river, I have little scratches and cuts all over and my feet throb from all the rocks, twigs and poky things that I stepped on. Sitting on a moss covered rock, I try my best to make myself comfortable on the hard surface. Forevermore, I shall appreciate the comfort that a nice pair of jeans and shoes afford! Soaking my feet in the rive, I use the cold water to was off most of the blood and gunk, and catalogue my injuries, but I find none. Maybe I should have noted the fact that the scratches and cuts from my recent walk were all gone as well, but I am rather preocupied.
My stomach begins to rumble and I try to recall when was the last time I ate, more importantly, I try to remember how I got to this place and what had happened to my clothes! How long had I been unconscious? I had nothing to tell me exactlly how much time has passed since I had retired to the cabin I had rented the outskirts of New York... well it really wasn't so much a cabin, as a lonely house in a suburb that was under construction, mine was the only house finished in that subdivision. I remember feeling ill as I parked my car there, it was late in the evening and the full moon had only just begun to peek out. Its most odd, for the moon hand only just begun its ascent. Usually I never notice the moon at all, except when its high in the sky at it's brightest. I couldn't even see it, but somehow I knew it was there. I think I had a fever... maybe I had caught that flu that everyone had... it is flu season after all.
So here I am, light filtering red through my long ginger hair. Looking up and down the river, I wonder which way was my best option... if only this was a few decades back, when everyone hung. Up their laundry in the back yard to dry, I could borrow some without exposing myself and get to a police station, and find out what the hell happened to me! But now days, everyone has a washer and dryer or takes it to dry cleaners! Damn modern technology!
There's nothing like the scent of blood in the air. The thought brought a vicious smile to thin lips as she moved thorugh the park, leaving behind groaning prey. One hand held the wallet she'd appropriated, the other was lifted to her lips, delicately licking the stickiness of blood that marred the thin leather of her gloves. Inner wolf growled in frustration, craving the taste of more then just the hint of blood, craving the wet warmth of flesh, but she stilled the urgings as she moved deeper into the oaks of the park. Foolish people wandering around the park on their own. Cross country running is all the rage and made for easy prey. Looking at her you'd think she was only at home on city streets, slender form in black leather and denim, spikes at her throat and wrists, gleaming silver decorating nose, brow and ears but she was just as home in the darkness of the woods, more so in fact.
Leather cleaned of blood she riffled through the the wallet, tossing aside ID and pictures of the wife and kids. Credits cards and cash were slipped into her pockets before walled was sent skimming away into the underbrush. She continued to move silently through the woods before stilling, head tilting as she caught the hint of scent. Someone else nearby? Dark eyes gleamed at the thought of more prey, perhaps this one would be more interesting to play with.
She followed the scent through the trees, the sound of water ahead a clear sign of her prey's goal. She lingered in the shadows of the trees a moment at the sight of her prey, lips curling at the view. Female and as bare as the day she was born. This should be fun. She crouched, watching for a moment before letting a low growl resonate from her, watching the girl's reaction with delight.
It's not a cold day, but when you find yourself without a stitch on, even a warm day can make goose bumps rise on your skin. I can attest to that. Watching my reflection ripple in the water of the river, I decide that there is nothing but to find someone that may be willing to help ... Well at the very least someone will call the police to tell them about a tall naked redhead in the park... Of course, there I go again, blushing, like some silly girl, my face lighting up like a light bulb, thanks to my peaches and cream complexion. There is nothing that I can do about clothing, however, without help, which means they will just have to see me and I will just have to get over it. Beggars can't be choosers.
Just as I resolve myself, there was the soft sound of movement, it's so faint, it brings me to mind of something stalking it's pray. And when the birds go quiet, and the other little critters make a mad dash to safety, I am certain that something is indeed coming. I might have realized that no normal person could have heard that, if I was in less of a panic. There is also something in the air... Had i not just washed it off from myself, I would not know to put a name to that slightly metallic scent. Blood... Goose bumps return with a vengeance, and every one of the small hairs at the back of my neck stand othere is a growl, and I surprise myself by not turning tail and running, though my breathing does increase and I crouch slightly. Oddly my skin feels like it is to tight, like I am going to burst out ofit at any moment. What an absurd idea! The feeling of something inside me is here again; something rather large and dangerous, pacing back and forth, like a large jungle cat.
An answering growl leaves my lips, and I slap my hands over my mouth and step back into the rather chilly waters of the river that is now behind me. I have turned to see who is coming, but I can't tell where exactly the the growl has come from. Clearing my throat, I decide that the best option is to say something.
"Hello...? Is...Is there someone... There...?"
Don't ask me how I know that it isn't exactly an animal out there, which is the extent of my knowledge. Stumbling a little on the unseen, unfamiliar, uneven ground of the riverbed, beneath my feet, I continue to step back, till I am waist deep. That stranger inside of me, growls words of caution, to which I want to laugh at; if I wasn't in my current situation. As if I didn't know I am in a very vulnerable position! Great! I am crazy and my alter ego thinks I am an idiot... Why can't I have one of those multiple personaliies that just makes me go out dancing and flirt with cute strangers?
"Look..I... Ahh... I am in a bit of a bind... I don't remember how I got here... Hell, I don't even know where here is… and someone seems to have stolen my clothes... " Did I mention I talk when I am nervous. Of course it all probably sounds more like: ' LookIAhhIaminabitofabindIdon'trememberhowIgothereandsomeoneseemstohavestolenmyclothes' I can only hope that who ever... Or what ever is out there can understand my speed speech. Also I now understand what it feels like when someone writes ' they jumped out of their skin with fright.' That's exactly how I feel right now. My flesh itches with my nerves so on end, and every little sound made me jump and turn toward it, and a little further into the river. Pretty soon I will be swimming, if I don't watch myself. Boy, am I thankful that I learned to swim!
Distracted by plans and possibility, Jenna was walking to clear her head, to keep the logic intact while exploring the various avenues opening up. A simple black skirt, with a tailored jacket to match, the royal purple blouse beneath visible with certain movements, gave her the look of a business professional. A sweep of her finger to put blonde hair behind one ear, a lick of her lips and that was when she smelled it. Tiger, and another. There was also fear, confusion and disorientation evident in the molecules pulled onto her tongue. No reaction was evident, not even a falter in her steps, though she let her feet take her where the scent of tiger seemed strongest.
She caught a glimpse of red hair, the smell of blood, and glancing up and down the area she spoke in a normal tone, knowing if there were supers around, they would hear.
"You really should come out of there, I hear the insect bites can be maddening once the itching sets in.. worse I believe there are all manner of slimy bits in the water." A slight uptilt of her mouth into an amused smile, while she took off the jacket she was wearing and held it out by a finger tip toward the water where the young tigress cowered. Jenna's voice took on a low smooth comforting tone, crushed velvet brushing against one's skin, calming fears and instilling trust.
"Come on, little one, I won't hurt you, but there are others who will....come on....there's nothing to fear from me..."
I wonder if crazy people go crazy because of the voices... you know what I mean... right? The voices not being a symptom of insanity, but a cause. Because I could probably get along witth my newly acquired inner voice, if it weren't. Freaking me out so much, or making me want to slap her... which brings me to wonder... wouldn't I be slapping myself? Yes, thse are the inane things that I am thinking as I stand naked, in an unknown river, with something out in the woods, that might be about to eat me.
As if I wasn't confused enough, my Other, inside of me, all of a sudden, feels like it wants to roll over on it's back and make odd happy sounds... I literally jump, when a pretty voice drifts out from a different direction, from where the growl had come. It's a very close call, when I land back in the water; I nearly fall completely in the water... somehow I manage to keep my balance, but I do make an embarrassingly high pitched frightened sound. I am listening to her words though, and she has me scrambling out, of the water with a repeated:
" Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew!!!"
My Other... damn, I need to find a name for her... it... whatever! It's driving me batty thinking of it as being me... yes, yes, I know it is me, but she also isn't! Ok?! Don't judge me! Just go with it! Anyway, my Other, seems to know more than me, because she is scared of what or who ever had growled a few moments before, but was all over herself with glee at this person, now talking to me. For the moment I decide that my Other may have some good sense after alll. I try to hurry across the short distance between me and the lady,hurrying on my toes, to minimize the amount of painful rocks and twigs I step on, as much as possible, while trying my best to cover up, before I am in range to take the offered jacket.
I have no doubt that my face is turning every shade of red, again, I can feel the heat on my cheeks and its not just cause I have no clothes, in front of this very beautiful, elegant woman, but because my Other, seems to want me to rub my cheek against hers and who knows what else, I stopped listening! How embarrassing! Reall! First person that comes around and actually wants to help me and I suddenly waant to jump her! And I am straight... or I thought I was... what is the matter with me?
" thank you, so much! Really! There is something... out there... And I don't think it's very nice... um... could you tell me where I am? I know this sounds strange... but I am lost " I think I smile, and try to make it sheepish, but in my current condition, I am not certain of anything for sure. And I am feeling rather silly, for being so afraid now. Clearly we are not far. From civilization, this may even be a park for all I know...there can't be anything out there that would actually eat me... can there? Ugh, there I go again, my mind totally wandering; thnakfully I am spared the humiliation of anyone hearing all of that. I probably just imagined whatever was in the woods. I slip my arms into the lady's jacket; geeze, she is nice. Pulling it tightly closed around me. I an thinner than she is, with much less curves... good lord, she is pretty! I can't help the flash of envy, but its one of those ones where you wish you were like them, not the bad kind of envy. " I have no idea how I got here, or what happened to my clothes... you probably, want to call the police.... I would... it's ok if you do, might be helpful....this is just about the most insane day I have had in a while..."
Yes, I am speed talking again, even my heart is going a hundred miles a minute, and I am I am. Not going into cardiac arrest! That woul be a sad thing at my age. They would think I am on drugs... on that note, thhis nice lady may be thinking I am, at that! I can't help but groan into the palm of my hand.
" I swear, I am not on anything, I just can't remember the past few days...." like that was going to make things better!...
My. The confusion of a newly turned kitten was always a source of fascination for Jenna. Not having experienced it herself, yet feeling the connection with the beasts beneath, it very nearly always gave her a moment of pause. Such chaos, such tumult, a myriad of emotions ranging from arousal to fear and everything in between.
Her shields lowered just enough to allow the stream of hot energy to pour forth. Lush violet fragrance and the power to heal and protect wrapped around the little kitten. The white beast curled around the orange, soft thick fur becoming the blanket of necessary warmth.
Jenna's arms went around the young girl, and she drew her into their slender embrace, her satin cheek touched to hers while she whispered tenderly, "Shhhh. I know." Then her cheek brushed upward, a steady vibrato purr coming to soothe and comfort. Jenna's warm lycan body pressed close, continuing to speak in a hushed melody, a slow steady stroking of her cheek to lull the young girl into a semblance of calm.
"There is much to speak on. First, however, we must get you warm, clothed, fed and rested."
Guiding the new kitten to her vehicle, Jenna set a casual pace across the park. Whatever watched and growl was no longer an issue. She assisted the young one in her car, then folded herself into it, pulling out into traffic.
There were no words exchanged, but Jenna kept her hand on the younger kitten's arm until they were at her house. It was as natural to Jenna as breathing. To care for tigers. Geller always knew that, even when Jenna tried to deny it a tad too much.
A hot bath was drawn for the foundling, then Jenna left her in private to enjoy. Clothingj was selected that would at least be more comfortable than just the suit jacket. Soft sweat pants, a delicious sweater to match, underwear and fluffy socks were discretely placed in the bathroom so they would be found easily.
Jenna would be in the small anteroom between the bathroom and the bedroom curled on a chaise lounge, patiently waiting. A tray of sandwiches, hot tea, and petit fours sat on a small table beside the overstuffed chair. Only when the kitten was comfortable and at ease would Jenna begin the conversation.
"My name is Jenna and I am wagering this is a difficult time. Can you tell me the last thing you remember?"
