Then I glanced at the clothes I had been wearing lying next to me. They’d been torn in places my fox body couldn’t fit into. I backed up as if to leave when one of them stepped forward towards me.
“My name is Star. Please don’t run, I too am both human and fox. Please listen, hear me out before choosing to go.”
I nodded in response, and she continued.
“I suspect with your arrival you’ve agreed to help us. Nevertheless, I do not wish to assume you’d want to live here, being accustomed to your home. You’re entitled to both lives as a clan member and a human. Where you choose to reside is yours alone. I’ve experienced many who have come and gone. We each have our specialties.”
Star bows before me. I gave her an odd expression, but am not sure what it is, since I have not seen myself as a fox in my bathroom mirror.
“Specialties?” I asked.
“Yes, I am sort of a gypsy rare amongst our clan, but I traveled with shamans for a while, learning about natural medicine, herbs, and how to heal my people in combat if needed... I did this for a bit, and it is still in my blood. You see my mother and father...”
She turned her face aside, I noticed her bringing up her paw to wipe away a tear or clean something out of her eyes.
“We were all training to be healers. We planned to split up into diverse clans to offer our members protection in the North. I’d intended on somewhere in the Lower Peninsula in Michigan. My parents sought to work in the cities of Detroit. Our clans were incredibly vulnerable there. They searched for people similar to you and me. I’d warned them with all of the gang influence, it would be quite difficult if not impossible. A pack who called themselves the Bandits, dangerous wolf-hybrids, were among tribes we feared the most.”
I leisurely stepped closer to her as she told me this account. It must have been difficult to open up to me like this. A complete stranger, it took a lot of guts, I thought as she continued.
“While they left for Detroit, I traveled to a small town named Charlevoix. So serene, quiet, stable and the clan there, amazing! Not all of us were halfsies, but at the time, I’d chosen to reside among them. We integrated into the lives of humans, but for me, it didn’t last. An anxiety of uneasiness seemed to grow the longer I remained in tranquility. One of the clan members noticed this, someone who lived near Dead Man’s Hill, a scenic overlook. This boy offered to help me go back to Detroit to be with my parents.”
“What happened?” I asked, growing impatient.
“When we got to Detroit, I didn’t even know where they lived. We went to some of the suburbs like Royal Oak and Southfield. Their parks are industrial, without many places to hide. We located my parents amongst others massacred in a park named River Rouge. It’s one reason we’ve had you stay hidden.” She shook her head from side to side. “It shouldn’t be this way.”
“Is this why my mom and dad split up? What do you expect from me?”
“Deep down, you know. I heard that Shellena and Lance visited you. They weren’t supposed to do that. I’d told them to wait. They’re always in a hurry to take things into their own hands. Dan tried to convince your mother it was time. You’d just gotten into town and I had spoken with him about how he would tell you. I didn’t want you to find out like that. I’m grateful to Jenson and Molly for standing by you. Jenson could have turned you away. He didn’t. Hang on to that boy.”
“If I choose to be a fox, I won’t be able to be with him will I?”
“Starla, look at your mother. It doesn’t have to be like that.”
“What is it like?” I asked, and looked around at the others observing our discussion.
“Ask your mother, now for the matter regarding Du-Vance’s case. We’re afraid his death may be related to his father’s relationship with a clan member: Nuria, a girl who ran off.”
“How would that fit? What about the missing people, Lang Orion and Cal Summers? Perhaps Du-Vance was connected in some way to them. If so, maybe whoever killed him didn’t want them found,” I interrupted.
“Good point, that’s something we’ll take into consideration.” Star gestured towards a fox with dark reddish markings. “Starla, this is Eva.”
“Hello, I am she,” she said, stepping forward next to Star.
What a beautiful fox, how strange?
“So you are a suspect in all this?” I asked. She ignored me.
“You have a gift. The tattoo on your arm can sense things.”
“So, it’s not like I know what half of it even means. I’m still trying to determine its purpose,” I replied.
“Cal Summers is my daughter.”
“This isn’t right. Cal’s mom’s name is Kris and she’s human! What did you do with her?” I demanded.
Eva laughed, “Nothing, it’s the name I go by in human form.”
“My dad, he knew Cal was like me?”
“Mmm hmm,” she replied.
“DAMMIT,” I said, doing my whole pacing thing, shaking out my fur in anger. “I knew it! I just knew that there was more to our friendship than my parents let on!” I prepared to leave.
Star nudged me softly on the shoulder closer to where Eva stood. “Just listen to her before you run off,” she said.
“OK, Star.”
“I realized you’d be distressed,” said Eva. “When Cal disappeared, your Mom and dad decided to make the split. Dan moved back to Springville to start investigating for us. We didn’t give you any details, you were only twelve. Tri was especially worried about you. Nothing had ever been recovered from either Lang’s or Cal’s cases. Martin was an especially curious human, more curious than most. A lot like his dad. He kept to himself.”
I continued pacing.
“Please do not go in anger,” she pressed.
She could sense my urge to bolt. I had a habit of doing that when I got heated. It wasn’t like I was going to turn into a fox since I’d already transformed. Would I turn back into a human, though? Panic rose in my chest and I blacked out.
“Starla?”
At the mention of my name gradually I regained consciousness. I shivered uncontrollably in the snow, not able to figure out why. The clan members were gone. Where was that voice coming from? Oh cripe, I thought and gazed upon myself. I sat in the middle of the forest without a stitch on!
“What was I thinking? How the heck am I going to get back to the station without freezing or being arrested?” I asked myself.
Molly stepped out of the clearing. I stood up and covered my body with my hands.
“Here, I brought you these,” she said, thrusting the grocery bag at me.
I sighed, relieved, “Thanks! You saved me from massive frostbite.” I speedily put on the clothes, boots and coat.
She snickered, “You owe me one. Kris gave me this note to give you.” Molly pulled it out of her pocket.
“She was here?” I asked.
“Eva gave it to me when I arrived. You’d already blacked out. Don’t worry, I wasn’t scared. Be concerned about Jenson, he said you need to talk. You’re to meet him for dinner tomorrow, after your shift.”
“OK, kind of cryptic if you ask me,” I replied.
“Jenson can be mysterious. Come on, we should head back to your house. Aren’t you going to read that note?”
I opened it and read it silently.
Starla,
Cal would want you to have transportation. After all, you’re helping to solve this case. You’ll find her pink moped in the parking lot. It has a fox’s paw on it. Make sure you keep in contact with us. If your tattoo lights up, contact me at this number. I know it’s strange, but you’ll get used to it. We’ll talk again soon,
Take care
-Kris.
“You know that pink moped I saw in the parking lot?” I asked Molly.
“Yeah,” she responded.
“We get to ride home on it,” I beamed, in good spirits.
“Your mom will have a fit!” exclaimed Molly.
We made our way back towards
the station.
“Yep, isn’t it wonderful!”
“At least, you’re happy about one thing, I saw everything. Jenson, he took off, something about his folks needing him to mow the lawn.”
“That sounds just like his father,” I answered.
“Yep, let’s get back to the station, and then head out.”
Chapter 11
The ranger assured me I’d be fine, driving home. After a few spins around the parking lot, I’d felt pretty comfortable. I had a driver’s license already, just no car. Mom’s rules: earn your own money, buy a car. Smiling, I pulled up to the back of the apartment complex and parked the moped next to the shed. Made it, maybe my sense of direction was getting better. I leaned back against the tree, looking out at the small landscaped yard. We’d had a few warm days, odd? Molly had been mumbling about them in my ear all the way back to her house. Today, wandering into the woods there’d been little snowfall. Later, at the Ranger’s station, it came down in heavy flakes. Then on the way home, well, it filled our yard. I wondered if it was something mystical. Megan stepped out of the entrance.
“You better get inside. Dad’s here, and we’re going to have a family dinner,” she said.
“Oh, is this something new?”
“Beats me, but they looked pretty cozy earlier. Maybe he’ll stay this time,” said Megan.
“Maybe, just don’t get your hopes up, sis.”
Megan turned, walking towards the back door. She opened it for me, and we arrived in the kitchen. Mom and Dad were sitting at our dining table. It seemed as if everyone had been waiting for me.
“Are you ready to have your favorite meal? Well, one of them anyway,” said my mother. She got up to set down an extra plate on the table and then sat back down opposite my father.
“Of course,” I replied. I meandered over to the table and pulled out a chair sitting down next to my father. The food looked really good; meatballs in the pasta and sauce, meatballs were a rarity. Mom claimed that too much red meat would give us all high cholesterol, leading to heart failure. She must be in a good mood. I took my napkin and placed it, in my lap.
“So, how was everyone’s day?” I asked.
My parents just stared at each other. Did they want me to speak or start the conversation so they didn’t have to?
“Well, your father and I’ve come to the conclusion you’re ready.”
“Ready for what?” I replied.
“A car,” piped up Megan.
“Um, that is sort of going to be a problem,” I said, picking up my fork and swirling spaghetti.
“Why is that?” asked my father.
“Kris, errr, Eva is letting me borrow Cal’s moped to get around for right now. Besides, Mom, you always said how most cars aren’t particularly fuel efficient. This is-- oh, and I have a helmet. Mike made sure of that before I rode it home today. I had a quick lesson in the parking lot at the Ranger’s Station.”
“You what!” exclaimed my mother, setting down her glass of water.
“Now, Tri, I’m sure it’s fine. Ranger Mike, wouldn’t have let her ride it home if he didn’t think it was safe.”
Megan and I smiled at each other as they argued. I could tell she was in shock, knowing I’d seen Cal’s mother. No one spoke about it openly, but I was sure she knew.
“I guess the moped is alright for now, but your dad is taking you to get a proper license tomorrow after your shift at work.”
I chewed my food, swallowed, and said, “I can’t, I’m supposed to meet Jenson for dinner. He says it’s pretty urgent.”
“Does it have anything to do with the case?” My father questioned as he swirled a piece of bread in his sauce.
“It has more to do with us,” I admitted. It wouldn’t sit well with either of them, but would come up sooner or later. I took a deep breath in then let it out, waiting for someone to explode, shout or say something to the effect that Jenson and I shouldn’t date or that I had too many things on my plate right now.
“Fine,” said Mom.
“OK, then I’ll just take you on a different day, but I want Jenson to pick you up at the diner. Mom will take you to work after class. How did the meeting go today?”
“I met Star and Eva,” I said, glancing at my sister.
“That’s good. Did you get the information you needed?”
“Bits and pieces I’ll have to try and fit together,” I replied.
“Ah, when we go to get that moped license we’ll need to discuss the case in more detail,” he concluded.
My sister was in the dark about my whole fox experience, and I didn’t want to bring it up. Sure, she would have to find out eventually, but until then I preferred her not to.
(Dan)
We’re finally alone, I thought. Starla had left to work at the diner, and Megan claimed she had homework. I cleared the dishes from the table, observing my wife, remembering how I’d seen her in such confusion when we decided to split up. A lot of people assumed we were divorced. Friends had started asking me afterwards when I was going to start dating. I’d tried, but I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“Are you going to be OK?” I asked Tri.
“Jenson-- what do you think of him?” she said, laying her hands on the table in front of her.
“Nice boy, Starla likes him. I know you have your reservations about her and relationships.” I poured her some more wine.
“I don’t know why. It’s not like she’s ever been wild. I mean, look at us? I can’t really compare her and Jenson. My parents found out when...”
“Starla was on her way, you never told them,” I interrupted her.
“Then it was really too late, mom got sick, then dad went soon after that.” She took small sips of the wine. “We left even though some of our members were mixed,” she reflected.
“I accepted your need to live among the humans, and I am human. How odd is that?”
“Not as odd as me,” answered Tri.
I kissed her forehead, brushing her cheek with my forefinger. “Just give her time, be there for her if she needs you. Let me know when you want me here.”
“I will. You should go. I have to get some shut-eye,” she said, getting up to place the empty wine glass in the sink. “Oh, and make sure to lock the door behind you.”
“OK, Mrs. Librarian,” I answered, turning to leave.
(Starla)
“Hey, Starla, get that Grand Slam out to table one!” shouted Gina.
I grabbed the hot plate, picking up my tablet to take the next order. It was turning out to be a wild night at the old diner. It seemed everyone in town was out on a Wednesday night. Briskly walking over to the table I set down the food.
“You had the eggs, sunny side up with a hint of salt, hash browns, and two pieces of toast?”
“That’s right, young lady, don’t fret. I see they’re keeping ya on your toes tonight,” said Mark.
“Yep, they sure are, but it’s almost the end of my shift,” I answered, then smiled setting down his plate of food.
“Could you please get me some more coffee and cream?” he asked.
“Why of course! I’ll be back in a jiffy,” I turned around to see a crowd of people lined up waiting for tables and zig-zagged through them on my way into the kitchen. It wasn’t often this town was in such a bustle.
“It certainly is hectic, what do you suppose is going on in town?” I asked another waitress as I slid past her, reaching for the coffee pot.
“Not sure, nothing I know of. Maybe everyone is tired of being cooped up. People don’t go out much in the winter here. It could be a meteor shower tonight. Sometimes the folks will come get a bite to eat, and then go over to the college observatory to watch.”
“Ah,” I replied.
“Here and take this milkshake to table five. You need any creamers for that coffee?” she asked.
“Yep, give me four, it’s Mark, he likes his creamer,” I said.
“Good thing you remembered, the last time I
didn’t, and he gave me hell.”
“Are you new?” I asked
“Marla.”
“Nice to meet you, Marla, I should get this order out.”
And that is how most of my night went until Jenson arrived. What was he doing here? I was just taking off my gross apron in back when I saw him grab a booth to wait. Gina gave me a grin, and then nudged me.
“Your boy toy is here.”
“Don’t call him that.”
“What do you want me to call him?”
“Right now, he’s just my best friend. That is for now. Things could change, not sure yet.”
She winked at me as I punched out at the time clock.
“Hey Don,” I hollered at my manager.
“Yeah,” he said. He’d been reading the paper.
“I’m outta here. Jenson just showed up. Could we get some service, please?”
“Sure, give me a minute. I’ll get you your discount too. Thanks for all your help. I’m not sure what’s gotten into this town!” He set down his paper and started to get up from the small desk in the corner of chaos.
“Me either, but it’s good for business,” I replied.
I took my jacket off the coat rack and swung it over my shoulder, making my way towards the booth. He looked nervous as he played with the silverware beside him. He spotted me heading his way. A brief smile formed on his lips as he set the silverware aside.
“Hey,” I said, to him, sliding into the booth. “Weren’t we supposed to meet tomorrow night?”
“Yeah, I didn’t want to wait... too afraid I’d... Are you hungry? I mean, why wouldn’t you be hungry since you’ve been working all evening,” he stammered.
“It’s OK, and yes, I’m famished. One of the waitresses will be here soon. Then we can order,” I said, taking his hand, hoping it wouldn’t make him more uneasy. I meant it as a comforting gesture. For a few minutes, we just sat. I took notice of his blue eyes and dark brown hair. It was mostly his sad smile that left me sullen. I felt his hand slowly slide off mine onto the table, grabbing for the ice water sitting next to him. He took a big gulp right before he began.
Myth (Book 1) Page 7
