Snow Covered Moon

by L M Adams

  I hand the laptop to him for the second time today. He grabs it and turns to a computer hooking a few cords into the back of the laptop. He starts typing furiously on another computer. I have no idea what he’s doing.

  “The hard drive is fucked; I’ll have to re-compile the data but more than likely it’ll be fragmented.”

  “I need you not to look at the data though, Rabbit. I need you to do this as eyes off as you can.” He stops typing and slowly turns around in his wheelie chair.

  “Guys, can you give us a couple minutes?” I ask Tabari and Peter.

  “Want the shotgun back, Jae?” Peter asks with a growl to his voice.

  “No, Peter, it’s fine.”

  They both walk away, giving us a little pretend privacy. Both of them can hear anything and everything we say. But I need to reason with Rabbit, not bully him. I yank a rolley chair towards me and plop in it.

  “What’s going on Jae?”

  “I can’t tell you, only that yes, it’s very dangerous. The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”

  “Then maybe I shouldn’t do it at all. I knew you were trouble, Jae, from the first moment I laid eyes on you.”

  “I need this, Rabbit; it’s important, very important. We can pay you handsomely.”

  “What good is money to a dead man?”

  “I promise, nothing will happen as long as you keep this secret, Rabbit; no one knows we’re here.”

  “You can promise me, Jae? Shit is fucked up right now. The CNAE is making it harder, almost impossible, to reprogram their chips. Now they’re coding the chips with tracking software to read who and where you’ve ever been around. They’re monitoring and suppressing information on the news and on the internet. Watch.”

  He turns back around to a different computer; both of the TVs mounted to the wall come on. He types furiously again, windows open on the TVs. I watch as he posts a blog basically saying the Central Network Agency is an affront to human rights, taking away basic freedoms and the people should rise up against them.

  I knew there were factions of humans that wanted to take away power from the CNAE. To them I say good luck. Unseating the CNAE is not an easy goal. But I’d never given it much real thought. I watch as the blog disappears no more than a minute after Rabbit posts it. He starts typing furiously again.

  “Now they are trying to trace the IP address. I’m ghosting it, layering the address on top of one of their own servers in Wyoming. That should have the fuckers scratching their heads for a while.” He laughs.

  This is all a game to him, I finally figure out; it’s his own private war that he’s waging down here with his computers. He pretends he’s afraid but someone who’s afraid of something doesn’t gleefully poke at the beast they’re terrified of. Or maybe they would.

  He turns around with a smug look on his face, although, he hasn’t struck a death blow to the CNAE. I guess getting away with tickling them is still something to be proud about.

  My eye catches the corner of another screen with CNAE badges on it. I’ve seen them before somewhere.

  “People hate us.” Peter’s voice comes softly from behind me.

  I turn my head closing my eyes, blowing out a breath.

  “What do you mean ‘us’?!?” Rabbit shouts, jumping out of the chair.

  “I’m CNAE,” Peter answers simply.

  I guess I didn’t include, ‘Hey, don’t say shit about you being CNAE while we’re here,’ in my speech in the car; excuse me for thinking it was implied.

  “Rabbit, it’s cool. He’s with me,” I say easily.

  “What the fuck does that mean? Like you’re welcome here!?”

  “Fine, I’ll take my money and go,” I say simply, bluffing. I watch him wet his lips.

  “You said it’s mine either way.” I shrug my shoulder. I don’t give a shit, really.

  “Look yes, I’m CNAE, but my loyalty belongs to Jae. No one will find out about you, at least not from me.” Peter says, taking a step forward holding out his hand. “Sergeant Peter Robinson.”

  I stare daggers at Rabbit; he better be holding out his hand if he doesn’t want to make me angry.

  “Rabbit,” he mumbles and shakes Peter’s hand quickly.

  Peter grabs a folding chair from the corner. I plop back into the one I was occupying a moment ago. Rabbit sits down in front of his table of computers and laptops and swivels around to face us again.

  “So, what are you guys up to?”

  “None of your business.”

  “Jae!”

  I blow out a breath; I really want to get out of here. I’ve never really liked Rabbit, but that’s a childish emotion, and I really can’t buy a clue about the missing wolf-carriers. Maybe I can tell him something to pique his interest.

  “People have gone missing, I’m investigating it. We found the laptop; the owner didn’t want us to take it, I decided to take it anyway. It’s CNAE.”

  “Press gangers?” Rabbit asks, referring to the soldiers that arrest and ship the homeless people off to work camps; that ‘work-works’ law is complete bullshit.

  “No, I don’t think so, it’s something different. I just have the feeling the CNAE is involved.” Rabbit looks at Peter.

  “I don’t know anything about this. Hell, I’ve taken demotions just to not get cycled onto the Work Works Detail.”

  “What is that?” Shit. I’d forgotten Tabari was here.

  “It’s a law that says it’s illegal for people to be homeless, the CNAE arrests them and gives them somewhere to live,” Rabbit says.

  “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

  “Problem is you can’t leave until you can prove you have another CNAE approved residence. Which you can’t get, because you’ll never make enough money at the docks, or wherever they send you. And two, because you can’t leave once you’re there to secure another place to live anyway.”

  “Oh,” Tabari says and drags over a rolly chair, missing a wheel. Goodness, the man can’t even buy decent chairs? Rabbit has got to be rich by now.

  “Why not give them a home? There seem to be plenty of empty ones.”

  “Tabari, it just doesn’t work like that here,” I hiss at him.

  We are not back home; there’s no thought process of simply do what needs to be done here in the human world. Everyone looks out for self. I’d learned that quickly.

  “Anyway, I want to help find the missing people and what happened to them. The CNAE isn’t looking for them any longer; all the missing report files have been closed. Now we know why they are involved in some way.”

  “And you’d fight against your friends in the CNAE for Jae?” Rabbit asks Peter.

  “No.” Peter pauses. “I’d do it because it was the right thing to do.”

  My heart bursts with warmth. I’ve always known Peter was a good man, but I still am surprised at how good he really is. Things are simple for him, right and wrong. He isn’t lost in the miles of murky in-between I’m stuck in.

  Rabbit nods his head. “I can tell you’re a good man. But what does Jae have to do with this?”

  “Let’s say a friend asked me to look into things for him. A relative of sorts went missing.”

  “Is it Ernie?” Rabbit asks me quietly. I shake my head no quickly.

  “I haven’t heard from Ernie.”

  “Guys, give us another minute, I’m sorry.”

  I lower my voice as far as I can go and Rabbit still be able to hear me. “I haven’t seen or heard from Ernie in a long time, do you know anything? Have you seen him?” I try to hide the worry in my voice, but I fail miserably.

  “No, nothing. But it’s not uncommon for Ernie to drop off the grid from time to time.”

  “Tell him I said it would be really good if I could just speak with him a moment or two if you do hear from him.” I plead.

  I never thanked Ernie, not really, for saving my life. I really would like the opportunity to set that wrong right. Not knowing if he is ok is another worry that lays heavy on my
heart. It would be good to know something, anything at all.

  “Ok Jae, if I hear from him I’ll pass on your message. Free of charge.” Rabbit grins. I roll my eyes but smile. He’s a mercenary son of a bitch.

  “So, will you help us, Rabbit?”

  I hear a small pop and sizzle behind me and jump from the seat, turning around, gun already drawn and safety off. Tabari stands there with a dumb little expression while a few circuit boards begin to smoke. I blow out a breath.

  “I told you all to not touch anything!” Rabbit shouts and jumps up from his chair rushing over to Tabari.

  “I am sorry, I was curious on how much current these little wires could carry.”

  I give Tabari a withering look; he throws up his hands and goes to stand by the stairs making a production of clasping his hands behind his back. Peter is laughing, turned away towards the back wall. I can’t see his face but his shoulders are shaking.

  Really?! What am I going to do with either of them? Tabari I can excuse he’s never spent much time in the human world. But Peter isn’t helping me manage him, he’d let Tabari fry the circuit boards. Rabbit is gathering them and dumping them in the trash.

  “We’ll pay for them.” I offer weakly.

  I hope they weren’t really important. I hope Rabbit is pissed enough about the damage to not ask where the electricity that burned them out came from. Tabari is so carless sometimes.

  “Damn right! Now get out.”

  “Rabbit?”

  “Yes, I’ll do what I can for two more bags the same size and value as the one you’ve already given me. And you don’t bring that one back with you ever again,” he says pointedly at Tabari.

  “No problem and thank you. Rabbit, tell no one about this.” I rush out before Tabari can say anything.

  “There’re more dangerous things in the world than the CNAE,” I say softly and make my way back up the stairs.

  “Now what?” Peter asks as we get back in the car.

  “Big Mike’s. You need to turn into a wolf.”

  I’m feeling the anxiousness of Peter’s wolf against my skin.

  Soon now, I think, sending a trickle of power into Peter. He hums a little and pulls onto the street.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Which way doth the werewolf call

  We make it to Big Mike’s and have to park on the street, that’s how packed it is. Even has a sign at the front of the lot - ‘Private Party.’ I laugh, yeah that’s one way to put it.

  I’ve never been to the Big Bad Wolf on the night of a full moon before. I know it’s their time and I would never be welcomed, usually. I also know this will probably be the last time I get to see this. I feel honored and humbled.

  Tabari tells me to leave my weapons and tablet behind.

  “Why?” I ask, shocked.

  “Because there are new wolves here. They see the knives, they might think you are a threat. Let’s just avoid unintentional misunderstandings.”

  I huff, but unbuckle my thigh sheaths. He has a point. Wolves are ruled by instinct and with so many, I wouldn’t stand a chance if one decides I am a threat and not a friend. I need to be as non-threatening as possible tonight.

  The Pack Magic is so thick you can almost see it. A healthy pack feels like this. Like a family, like friends having a barbeque with cold beers and laughter. It’s not about money, or who has what, it’s about being together. It’s about gathering those good memories and holding them close. When everything is going wrong, those memories remind us why life is good.

  Every picnic table is crowded with wolves of all ages, friends hugging, greeting one another. Peter splits off, waving goodbye to Tabari and me. He joins with the same group of younger wolves I’d seen him with earlier.

  I make my way to Big Mike and Annette standing on the porch. Annette is snuggled up against Big Mike, his arm draped over her. I don’t see how she doesn’t crumble under the weight. He’s shirtless; goodness, the man is hairy. Brown hair is on his chest, it’s speckled with gray just like what’s on his head. Annette has on a pair of cut-off shorts, flip flops and a white tank top. I guess no one is cold. There’s a bite to the air, even if it is still August.

  Tabari follows me over and I feel his own wolf rising in the midst of the pack magic. I try not to feel bad I won’t be able to run as a wolf.

  I see no sign of Jesse; I don’t know what that means. I’m not sure if this is really the right time to ask Big Mike; every wolf here would be able to hear our conversation.

  Annette comes down the stairs and hugs me and then Tabari. I smile up to Big Mike. He grunts. Just a big ol’ warm teddy bear, aren’t ya, Big Mike?

  “You’re late, girl.”

  I guess that means hello in Big Mike talk.

  “Yeah, sorry about that,” I apologize. He grunts his response.

  “It’s time,” he says. I nod my head and step back.

  I guess they were waiting for us. That does make me feel bad… a little

  “We gather under the night of the full moon to give the Moon Goddess her due,” Big Mike’s voice booms out, both from just being a naturally loud dude, and from a magical push. Maybe I should’ve stood further back.

  “She’s our first mother that birthed us to worship her. Then the Great Wolf Mother came to be. And she became our new mother, she charges us to keep the old ways. So she lifts her hand and lets us run in the night with moon magic in our hearts!

  “Will you run with me, brother!?”

  The male wolves howl, some sounding very wolfy. Ok, I’m glad I’ve had a lot of sex lately, because there is a heady amount of testosterone in the air.

  “Will you run with me sister!?”

  The female wolves howl answering the male wolves, oh yeah there’s gonna be some romping in the bushes a little later.

  People start stripping all around me. Oh my, just butterball naked in the night. I stare at the sky with a dedicated concentration as Tabari strips down too.

  “Strip, Jae,” Tabari hisses.

  “No! I’m not going to change,” I hiss back, turning to look at him already shirtless. I feel infinitely less embarrassed about seeing him naked. I’ve seen Tabari in the buff plenty of times, just not the rest of these couple hundred or so people.

  “You have to follow the customs, no one cares if you’re naked. Really, Jae, you’re a succubus.”

  “Doesn’t mean I want to join a nudist camp.”

  “No one will bother you, Jae, I promise you.”

  “Not going to happen, they can just kick me out of their little wolf pack party.”

  Big Mike walks up to me in the buff. I stare at his chest until my eyes cross.

  “Do not worry, Jae, you are safe here. Tonight, you are my daughter.”

  Oh my, I blush, I know I do, or at least try to. I close my eyes but not until I catch a glimpse, purely by mistake. It isn’t small either; now I know why Annette is always smiling.

  “Stop it, Michael, you’re embarrassing her and you’re doing it on purpose,” comes Annette voice filled with laughter.

  My eyes fly open as Big Mike laughs a booming laugh, I cannot believe he just played a joke on me.

  I look at him angrily but keep my looks to the waist up.

  “She damn well deserves it, getting Peter shot twice this week,” he says, not contrite at all.

  “Come, Jae, you’ll walk with me.” Annette loops her arm through mine. I let out a breath. I love Annette. Her body is fit and small, but I feel the smooth muscle underneath her skin. She has the body of a twenty-year-old, firm breasts and ass; she has to be the better part of a hundred by now.

  Everyone quiets as we turn towards the tree line. What I don’t expect is Annette’s voice ringing out with a huge push of power, she vocalizes for a while, beautifully. All the wolves listen to her, caught in the spell her voice weaves. She is the Lupa, the Amarok’s chosen mate. I never stopped to think what that would mean. She is a powerful wolf in her own right.

  A white mist, thick
and warm with the power of the wolves, gathers around us, shrouding us. I feel small drops of dew form on my skin, I don’t know if it’s real, but it feels wonderful, warm and soothing. I look around as my heart thumps in my chest from the feel of the pack’s combined power, so much power. Oh, goddess how beautiful. All I see is wolf eyes, glowing out from the mist.

  I feel my own Chi try to resonate on the same frequency as the power around me. But I am not wolf and soon the power washes over me. But Peter will be able to feed from this, to commune with the power of the earth itself. Peter will be able to call this power forward, at least a small bit, after his first change anyway. I can’t help but feel jealous that he will have this connection to life and I am but a creature of death.

  Annette starts singing, in another language. I know it is Celtic, but I don’t know enough to translate. She pulls me forward and we walk into the woods, I let my eyes glow; it makes my night vision better and I have nothing to hide here. I hear a howl to my left, they’re already changing. The younger ones are always first, caught in the throes of the power, no ability to resist the call of the wild. No desire to deny their animals to run free. Annette smoothly changes to English. Still as beautiful.

  Run with me in the night

  Howl with me to the moon

  Sing our song to the stars

  Dance with me tonight

  I am the wolf

  I am the free

  I am the hunter

  Let me run

  Run and be free

  We call to you moon mother

  We plead for you here

  We honor your story

  Tonight we run, we run for you

  She picks back up, vocalizing again. My heart is pumping so fast it really might burst from my chest. She lets me go moving a distance away and turns to me smiling.

  She leaps into the air and changes to wolf, just as smooth as running water over a pebbled brook. She sheds her human skin and form, a pure white wolf lands smoothly. Not as big as Big Mike- not nearly as big. Still, she’s damn big, coming to my chest at least.

  She turns her wolf eyes on me and then throws back her head, howling. A resounding number of howls answer her call, and then she’s off to hunt.