Secret Chemistry (Shifters)

by Kat, Chris T.

  Tim! Timothy! You okay? Please talk! I scared!

  I’m sorry, rascal. I just realized something I’m not happy about.

  Aha. So you not hurt?

  Jay stared at Tim, clearly puzzled by Tim’s behavior.

  Knowing he had to give up Jay for years hurt. Tim didn’t want to tell this to the pup, who most likely didn’t understand what was going on. Getting up on shaky legs, Tim licked Jay’s head.

  We have to bring you to a safe place, just like your Mommy wanted.

  Jay frowned at Tim disapprovingly. Tim steeled himself and stared back at him with more confidence and authority than he felt. Obviously sensing the change in Tim’s demeanor, Jay yipped softly. Tim shook his head.

  Come here, rascal.

  I stay with you.

  Tim shut his eyes briefly, fighting hard against the newly welling-up tears.

  Jay, please, come to me.

  I can stay with you?

  I’ll bring you to a safe place.

  I only come if you say yes.

  Jay!

  I good! Promise!

  I know you are.

  Say yes!

  All right, all right, you can stay with me.

  As he voiced this lie, an awful feeling settled in the pit of Tim’s stomach. How could he lie to Jay? His sweet, innocent mate who was merely a bit more than a baby?

  Tim averted his eyes and swallowed down the big lump in his throat while Jay leaped over to him. He allowed Jay to swipe his tongue all over his snout before he nudged him aside. After pushing him around until Jay faced away from him, Tim gently picked him up.

  Cautiously, Tim peered out from under the bushes. Deeming their surroundings safe, he ventured out and fell into a smooth run, even though his muscles protested. Most creeks and small rivers eventually fed into Mullica River, so Tim followed the creek. It wound through the woods. Thick brush nestled along the left side of it, while the right side held loose soil and old leaves, making it easy for Tim to keep up his steady run.

  He stopped suddenly, listening intently to splashing sounds to the left. He didn’t want to alert any humans. Wolves didn’t live here and would only upset the public. Yet, where there were people, there had to be a road and towns close by.

  Tim walked in the direction of the noise, and then it hit him. He was at Lake Absegami, meaning he was close to the Garden State Parkway. Tuckerton was close to the parkway, which hopefully would be far enough away from their pack and those who hunted the hybrids just because they were different. On the other hand, Tuckerton was close enough to Hammonton that Tim could somehow keep an eye on Jay.

  Tim’s spirit lifted at this thought. Yeah, that could work out.

  Assuming Tim survived the scolding from his parents when he came back home later tonight.

  EVERY now and then Tim stopped, dropped his bundle on the ground, and released some of the pressure in his aching jaw. Jay used the time to stretch his legs. He never walked farther away than a few steps, though. Whenever he felt too far away, he lifted his head, ran straight to Tim, and nestled between Tim’s big forepaws.

  Tim sniffed the pup, assuring himself Jay was okay. He nuzzled and licked, memorizing the ticklish spot between Jay’s shoulder blades and the way he sighed in satisfaction whenever Tim lapped at Jay’s throat.

  It only took a short moment every break until Jay rolled over on his back, his hind paws pressed into the thick fur of Tim’s chest, his forepaws snatching at Tim’s snout. Tim rubbed his cold nose against the white-furred belly, relishing the sweet cackling sounds that action elicited.

  This was how it should be. The two of them together, playing without any worries, just enjoying themselves. They were just kids; one of them closer to adulthood and the other one closer to babyhood, yet neither of them even came close to being an adult. They shouldn’t have to deal with life-and-death situations.

  Closing his eyes, Tim rested his big head on the small pup’s belly, savoring Jay’s unique scent and the velvet feeling of his soft fur. A moan caught Tim’s attention. Opening his eyes, he looked at Jay questioningly.

  You heavy! Up!

  Oh, sorry, rascal.

  I no rascal, Tim! I… something else.

  Tim stared at Jay, who rolled over on his belly, got up, and shook himself vigorously. His tail swished back and forth, sometimes brushing Tim’s sensitive nose.

  That you are. Come on, let’s get a move on.

  I tired.

  Big blue eyes turned toward Tim with the most heart-wrenching pleading look in them. Tim wondered how Jay’s mother had ever been able to deny her son anything. At least when he was in his hybrid form.

  Those big eyes won’t help you now.

  No?

  No.

  Why not?

  Because we have to bring you to a safe place.

  But I tired!

  Jay emphasized his protest by stamping his left forepaw on the ground. It made no sound, but the sulking gesture coaxed a grin on Tim’s face.

  I’ll carry you like I did so far.

  But I can’t sleep like this. I tired, Timothy.

  Jay crouched under Tim’s belly, circled himself, and then curled up with his head resting on his soft, bushy tail. He yawned and closed his eyes.

  I sleep now.

  Jay! You can’t….

  Tim broke off. Nervously, he glanced around them. They were hidden within some very thick brush. He couldn’t bring himself to rouse his little exhausted charge.

  With a sigh, he lowered himself to the ground, sheltering Jay and doing his best to hide Jay from view of anyone. He desperately hoped he had not made a crucial mistake by allowing Jay to sleep for just a little while.

  AFTER about an hour, Tim’s nervousness got the better of him. Gently, he nudged the sleeping pup until bleary blue eyes opened gradually.

  Sorry, Jay, but it’s getting dark.

  Jay blinked several times, yawned heartily, and stretched himself with his butt in the air and his forelimbs stretched out to the maximum in front of him. At that moment he reminded Tim more of a cat than a wolf.

  Actually, a lot of little things reminded Tim of a cat. Though Jay was just a pup, he moved gracefully. He radiated a kind of beauty Tim couldn’t put into words.

  Tim was pulled out of his reverie when Jay said, I not allowed to be outside in the dark. I too small.

  I’m with you and we have to move. I won’t take any risks with you.

  Why wolves so mad? Daddy and Mommy good. Sheila too. She only sometimes bad.

  Who is Sheila?

  My sister. She picks on me.

  Well, that’s what siblings do. Now come here.

  Jay huffed but trudged over to Tim, who picked him up. Instantly, Tim fell into a light trot, ignoring his heavy and aching heart.

  DUSK had turned to evening by the time Tim reached the end of the woods. Carefully, he set Jay down and surveyed the parkway, heavy with traffic, in front of them.

  Can you walk for a little bit?

  Yes.

  Tim kept Jay close to him and also close to the slopes on their left side, so they could vanish in the brush if they needed to hide quickly. It was a risk to walk on the asphalt where everyone could see them, Tim knew that. He hoped that whoever spotted them would believe he saw two dogs.

  Tim listened to his own exhausted panting and the sound of his paws clicking on the asphalt. Jay panted too, but it sounded more excited than exhausted. Again, Tim was struck by the realization that Jay’s paws made no sound. He seemed to float alongside Tim.

  Tim gazed at Jay from the corner of his eye, wanting to see those blue orbs because he knew he wouldn’t be able to see them for a long time. A small sliver of moonlight illuminated their way, giving their surroundings a surreal ambiance. It also made them an easy target.

  Tim’s gaze wandered around while at the same time, he kept a steady pace so as not to exhaust Jay too quickly. A gasp escaped Tim when he met Jay’s eyes. The pup’s pupils were dilated, leaving only
a small green circle visible.

  Wait! Green? Tim stopped. Jay stopped only a few feet away from. Cocking his head to one side, he stared at Tim.

  I see no safe place.

  What?

  I see no safe place. Why we stopping?

  Your eyes.

  Jay’s eyes crossed as he tried looking at his eyes. Irritated, he responded, I good eyes.

  They are green.

  No. They blue.

  No, no. Right now they are green, and your pupils are huge.

  Pupils?

  The black spot in the middle of your eyes.

  Oh. They big because not much light.

  What?

  They change when light changes.

  To what? To slits?

  Jay nodded. Tim tried to process the new information.

  But… but that’s how cat’s eyes work.

  So?

  You’re not a cat.

  No. I something else. Daddy’s and Sheila’s eyes the same like me.

  Oh. Your Daddy is a fox, right?

  Yes. Veeeery clever and veeery pretty. I want lots of red fur too when I big.

  Tim imagined an older version of Jay in his hybrid form, wearing a fine red coat. He became painfully aware of Jay’s enticing scent, calling out to him. His gut clenched and his eyes watered upon remembering he had to give up his mate. He whimpered.

  Tim? You sick?

  Jay ran straight toward him and pushed himself up so he stood on his hind paws. Reaching out with his forepaws, he lightly pressed them against Tim’s snout, where he started licking at the corner of Tim’s mouth.

  Tim! Timothy! You okay?

  Yes. Yes, sorry. Jay, we have to bring you to a safe place. Now.

  A safe place from other wolves who might want to kill him. Tim swallowed heavily.

  With his emotions in uproar, Tim’s control over his instincts slipped further and further away from him. Jay constantly licking at his muzzle, with his ears pinned back and tail held low, all signs of submission, didn’t help to clear Tim’s head.

  Nuzzling back, he caused Jay to topple over and land flat on his belly. Following only his instincts, Tim laid down on top of the pup, licking at the nape of Jay’s neck. Jay whined and tried to scramble out from under Tim.

  All that registered with Tim was that Jay was trying to get away from him. His young, tiny mate who he needed to protect and bring to a secure place, tried to flee from him. How was he supposed to take care of Jay if he didn’t let him?

  With a sharp growl, he lunged at Jay’s neck and dug his teeth into it. Jay howled in panic, desperately scratching at the concrete with his paws, trying to find some point of leverage.

  Tim’s growl grew deeper as he tightened his hold on Jay’s neck. A few drops of blood trickled from the wound.

  Jay yowled pitifully.

  The pup surprised Tim by shifting into his human form suddenly. Blinking, Tim released Jay’s neck. Horrified, he stared down at the little boy underneath him.

  The boy turned slowly on his back, then sat back on his heels. Disheveled dark-brown locks framed a small face with the brightest blue eyes Tim had ever seen. Tears streaked down Jay’s cheeks while he pressed a hand against the wound at his neck.

  “Ow! Ooooow! Why you hurt me?”

  Before Tim could answer, brakes screeched, doors banged open, and two people ran toward them. A bullet bit a hole into the asphalt right next to where Tim stood.

  Six

  TIM reared back. Another shot grazed his left hind leg. Howling, more in surprise than in pain, Tim jumped backward.

  A shot in front of Tim raised sharp-edged rubble. Pebbles in various sizes flew everywhere, some of them scraping Tim’s face.

  “Tim!” Jay cried out.

  Jay got up, taking wobbly steps toward Tim. He held his arms outstretched, begging Tim to come closer and protect him.

  Ignoring the man with the gun, Tim swiftly stepped in front of Jay. With bared teeth and flattened ears, he growled at the approaching couple. The woman looked terrified, yet she still urged the man on.

  “Harold! Shoot the wolf! Oh my God, the poor little boy!”

  “I can’t! What if I shoot the boy?”

  “No shooting! No shooting! Timothy my friend!” Jay cried out.

  Lunging forward, he wound his arms tightly around Tim’s neck. The strength in those little arms surprised Tim. Gently, he tried to dislodge Jay without hurting him.

  He had already hurt him once. Tim shivered. How could he have done what he did? How could he? What had he been thinking? Had he been thinking at all? Probably not—instinct had taken over.

  Tim was listening to the man and the woman debate how to approach them when another car pulled up behind them. Two large men with rifles in their hands climbed from their truck. Tim widened his stance and unobtrusively pushed Jay farther behind him.

  Tim, I scared and I cold. Make them go away!

  I don’t know how!

  I shift then you carry me.

  No! No, don’t shift. Whatever you do, don’t shift!

  But I have to! Mommy said not to shift and I did. She be mad.

  No, she won’t but I will if you don’t obey me now, do you understand?

  Jay didn’t answer, but Tim heard him sniffle and felt him nod against his neck. Slowly, and as inconspicuously as possible, Tim nudged Jay backward in the direction of the embankment. If they reached it safely, Jay could shift, allowing them to flee.

  “Hey! Hey, look! It’s chasing the boy into the woods!” one of the men with the rifles shouted. “We have to kill him now, before he kills the boy!”

  Jay froze, tightened his hold on Tim’s neck, and attempted to form words. Nothing intelligible left his mouth, though.

  Tim was horribly aware of more cars pulling up. More men with drawn guns and rifles slowly approached them. Some of the men talked soothingly to Jay, trying to convince him to step away from the wolf.

  Jay shook his head vigorously. He closed his eyes and also didn’t comply with Tim’s light nudges anymore.

  A more severe nudge from Tim elicited a pained hiss from Jay, which in return pulled angry shouts from the onlookers. Jay tripped over his feet and fell backward onto his butt. Tim lost his footing as well and fell on top of him. Hearing a trigger being pulled and heavy footsteps approaching, Tim jumped to his feet. Growling menacingly at the men, he readied himself to attack.

  The strike with a club on his back had him twirling around, snarling. One of the men with the rifles swung the club in front of Tim’s face, trying to hit him repeatedly.

  Tim jumped the man, aiming for the arm with the club in it. Sinking his teeth deeply into the flesh of the cursing man, Tim tore through skin, flesh, and tendons. The scent of blood filled his nose, jamming out everything else. Only when he heard someone shout, “We have the boy, we have him. Shoot the wolf!” did he let go of his victim.

  Terrified, he watched someone slide into the back passenger seat of a car, clutching a wildly struggling Jay in his arms. Tim’s howl of loss filled the air. He saw some of the men freeze and others shiver as he howled.

  Everyone but the man with the club. He switched from club to gun and aimed.

  “Timothy!”

  The man shot, hitting Tim on his left flank, directly underneath his ribcage. Another shot hit his left hind leg, almost forcing Tim to the ground.

  Tim swiveled around and ran for cover. Several bullets hit the ground close to him. He heard shouts and yells, heavy footsteps trampling after him, but what reverberated through him were Jay’s brokenhearted cries, begging him to come back.

  TIM’S hope of the men losing interest in chasing him was futile. Several men followed while he limped as fast as possible away from them. Panicked, he searched for a den, a shelter, anyplace where he could hide.

  Werewolves usually didn’t die from gunshot wounds, especially ones that didn’t harm them critically. The wounds hurt, there was no denying that, but the bullets hadn’t torn into any of his
vital organs.

  Still, the bleeding, especially in his leg, was extensive and worrisome. Tim knew he needed to lie down and keep still for a while, at least until the wounds closed. As long as he had to run, that wasn’t going to happen.

  Tim didn’t want to go too far away from the road, either. Maybe he could double back?

  Tim’s pace decreased while his panting did the opposite. The steady flow of blood down his leg and his left side began to take its toll. Pricking up his ears, he listened for the hunters. To his despair, he located at least three men, obviously trying to close in on him from three sides.

  Freeing up his last remaining reserves, Tim ran faster, zeroing in on a thick bush right in front of him. There were rock formations behind the bush, and he hoped for an opening. The men behind him immediately fell into a run too.

  Tim reached the brush and crawled underneath it. He couldn’t suppress a whimper when a thorn pressed into the wound on his left side. His vision blackened, and for a brief moment he feared he would pass out. At least he wouldn’t feel anything when those guys killed him.

  Shaking off the thought, he gritted his teeth and crawled deeper into the brush, whimpering when thorns or branches tore at his fur and drilled into his wounds. Sweating and panting heavily, he finally reached the formation of rocks behind the brush. To his utmost relief there was an opening, wide enough for Tim to crawl into.

  He had just vanished into it when he heard the labored breathing of the three men. Tim’s own panting sounded like an old locomotive, which surely would give away his location. He tried to breathe more evenly and not so loudly, but every time he moved his body a little bit, sparks of pain surged through him. Staying quiet was out of the question.

  “He has to be here!” someone exclaimed.

  “Yeah, I’m sure he is. There’s a blood trail leading underneath the bushes, but do you really want to go after it? He’s hurt and already attacked someone before.”

  “He almost killed that little boy! If we let him go he’s likely to go after other kids!” the first man replied hotly.