Noctis Ch. 06 - Surrender

Ch. 6

Surrender

Dania stayed in the area, following the cub from a distance. It was young and inexperienced and there was no need to spook it. She had a feeling the little cub would have more than enough on its plate in the very near future.

She watched from up in the trees while the cub went to the clearing. Dania was confident that the cub would pick up her scent. No one ever did.

It didn't take long to figure out the cub had come out here to try and learn some control over its bear form. The fact that it didn't already know how to do this and that it had come out away from other people meant that it had no idea how to control her shift and that her people didn't know she was a shifter. That could be dangerous for them.

Dania wasn't prepared for how quickly things would escalate.

She made her way back to the cub's home and arrived as the wolf walked out the front door. Wolves were unique among shifters in that they have a third form in addition to their human and wolf forms. As a wolf, they pad around on all fours and, while larger, are wolves in every aspect of the word.

A wolf was no trouble at all for her.

The third form a wolf had, the one this wolf had walking out of the house, was much more dangerous. A wolf in its lycan form looked to be a hybrid between its human and wolf forms. It walked on its hind legs and was taller than its human. Its body was lean and muscular, made for speed. What made this form dangerous was that it basically had every advantage of the other two forms. It is physically superior while retaining all of its intelligence.

Dania could tell that it was the same wolf from before. And while she never intended to get involved, she charged and tackled the lycan back through the door. He saw her coming and actually smiled, clearly certain he would come out on top.

She knew the cub would have no chance. She'd seen its bear and it was strong. But this was not something it could survive. So she drove him back into the house, clawing and scratching and biting. The lycan was not prepared for her. There was no way he could have been.

It took only a split second before she'd wrapped her arms around its neck and squeezed with everything she had. It clawed at her arms, trying desperately to get free. She would heal from her wounds. The more it struggled, the tighter she squeezed until it stopped moving.

Dania knew better than to let go. It took minutes before someone actually died from strangulation, long after they stopped struggling. If she stopped now, he'd eventually start breathing again and this would all be for nothing.

She was on her back on the floor, her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. And she held on.

She heard the cub approaching. This was too soon. The lycan wasn't dead yet. She could hope the cub smelled the blood and had enough sense to not come any closer. And she held on.

She heard the cub leave. But she held on until the lycan was dead.

*****

Noctis was running.

I was just a passenger. The one thing that was clear is that we were running for our lives. I'd smelled something, just a hint, really. I didn't know what it was, but it had scared Noctis.

As I sat in that metaphorical passenger seat, it began to set in that my fosters had died. My brain wrestled with the fact that I could tell by the smell of their blood. I could smell their blood.

I didn't like them. Hated them sometimes. But I didn't want them dead. If I hadn't already shifted, the sheer amount of emotion I was feeling at the moment would have forced it.

And Noctis. I could feel waves coming off of her. She was operating off of pure instinct at the moment.

Run.

Danger.

Get to safety.

Protect Abby.

Run.

Danger.

Get to safety.

Protect Abby.

Run.

Run.

Run.

Run.

With how she was reacting, I knew I'd never forget the smell of that thing. I didn't know what it was, but I knew that it was dangerous.

Huh, even as a werebear there are things that are dangerous to me.

I'd tried to talk to her, but all I got was, "Run, danger, get to safety, protect Abby," on repeat.

I was feeling too much and I was scared. I knew that Noctis was protecting me. I tried my best to calm down, but nothing worked. I wanted to get up and run myself but I couldn't right now. Every instinct I had was telling me to do the very thing Noctis was already doing for me. But to let it happen rather than do it was beyond me. I began to hyperventilate. Try as I might, I simply couldn't catch my breath.

Right. Catch my breath. Inside my mind. Because right now I'm a bear. I'm a bear tearing through the woods as fast as I can with Noctic at the help. It was like everything inside me was under pressure, and it kept building. I felt like I was a balloon ready to pop.

And then, silence.

*****

I find myself standing in the mouth of a cave looking out over a vast meadow. Behind me, the cave is dark, but still inviting. It feels warm and has the scent of pine. I don't have to turn around to know that the cave isn't too deep. Deep enough to keep me safe from the elements should I need it to.

I walk out into the meadow and the knee-high grass is swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze. It's soft and feels nice between my toes. Without meaning to, I'm swaying back and forth with the grass.

I close my eyes and tilt my head towards the sky. I wiggle my toes and dig them into the soft earth. I feel the earth. I feel it in my soul. Deeper than my soul, if that's even possible.

I sit down and begin to run my hands through the grass, much as I did with my feet. I'm overcome with the desire to roll around in the grass. As if this grass is vital to my survival. And as I roll around in the grass, soft laughter escapes me. It is light. Natural. Unforced.

I roll onto my back and am still. The feeling is indescribable. Like every positive feeling and emotion that exists has combined and is allowing me to experience it in this moment. Peace and kindness and contentment and happiness and joy and ecstasy all rolled into one.

I open my eyes, praying that this isn't just a dream and that it'll still be there when I open them. The first thing I notice is the sky. Its unlike anything I've ever seen. Different hues of purple and blue and green. The colors are fluid and marble together before reforming. It is mesmerizing and I am filled with awe and wonder.

Clouds I didn't know were there parted and I felt the light of the Moon upon my face. Those feelings I felt a moment ago were somehow purified and I felt them more intensely. I could do nothing but close my eyes and take it in.

"Hello, Abby."

I'd not seen anyone here, and, because of all that had happened to me tonight, I should have been startled. But I wasn't. If anything, I think I might have been expecting it. I didn't know who the voice belonged to, but I understood that this was her place.

Standing next to me was quite possibly the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. She had a similar build to me, though her features were perfect and her hair was white. Not blonde, or even platinum. White. So white that no imperfection could exist.

"May I sit with you?"

I'd been staring since her greeting. I have no idea how much time had passed. I slowly nodded 'yes.'

"How do you know my name?"

"You're a child of the Moon. I know all of you."

"I have no idea what's happening."

"I know, my child. For now, just know you are safe here. I have created this space and you will always be safe here. You'll stay here until your mind calms down and you're safe."

"Who are you? W-what are you?" I admit, I was afraid of that answer.

"So full of questions. A curious mind is a good thing. I've had many names as time has gone by. Right now, I prefer Selene. It's simple and elegant. It rolls off the tongue rather well, don't you think?"

"Yes?"

"As for what I am, you already know that answer. You'll know it when you're ready to accept it. Now, as to why I brought you here: Noctis said you needed help."

"How do you know about her?"

"Pay attention, child. I already told you that I know all children of the Moon."

"I'm sorry."

"Already forgiven, my child. But yes, I know Noctis. I sent her to you."

Selene has the power to do that...... The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew.

"Where is she?"

"You were in danger. A danger the two of you couldn't face together and survive so she did they only thing she could: run. She could tell that this was too much for you, that you weren't handling this well, so she called out for help while she got you to safety."

"You're here to babysit me?"

Her eyes had a quick, almost imperceptible flash behind. "Careful, child." She continued as if she hadn't just flexed her power. "You're no good to yourself if your mind breaks. You're still young, you've got a lot of growing to do. I'm sure you'll surprise everyone with it, in fact."

"So..... what was that thing I smelled? I assume it killed my fosters."

"It did. It was another of my children of the Moon."

"You let one of your kids do that!" I was enraged.

The atmosphere suddenly became much less welcoming. There was no swaying of the grasses. The gentle breeze had become a strong wind emanating from Selene. Her face had no expression on it and body seemed to lean...... forward, maybe? I couldn't put my finger on exactly what had changed about her, but she now felt like a predator. And I was prey.

Just as quickly as the change had come, it reverted back to what it was originally. I didn't need to apologize. I knew I'd fucked up and she'd acknowledged it and put me back in my place without ever saying a word.

She was a god. A Goddess.

My Goddess.

"Did your people ever let you sneak out?"

The question hung in the air and I understood what she meant.

"All those who have worshipped the Moon and received her blessings are my children. Not even I can be responsible for everything that every one of them does. I interfere only when I must."

I didn't respond. I could tell that I was still too emotional to speak productively.

"But do not worry, my sweet Abby. The one responsible has been...... they have died."

I sat there completely in shock. In the back of my mind, I think I'd fantasized about getting revenge some day. They weren't the best people, and Tommy was a fucking nightmare. But they were part of my 'family,' however loosely. I wanted to learn more about who I was and come back and kill them myself. Maybe even scare Mr. and Mrs. Dees.

But I was never coming back. I knew that now.

In that moment, I wondered if the cops would think I was responsible or if I had been taken.

"I can never go back, can I?"

"You really shouldn't ask questions you already know the answer to." She paused for a few moments before beginning again. "I sent Noctis to find other bears. There may be some who will help you. But likely not. You're an outsider in every way they know. You'll learn just how much soon enough."

The world around me began to swirl, losing that other-wordly quality. It happened slowly at first, but gradually gained momentum. I knew that I was going back to the real world and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

No. Real world is wrong. This world is just as real. Physical world, maybe?

"Wait..... can I come back?"

She didn't say anything at first, she only gave me a knowing smile. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you. What did I say about asking questions you alre......"

And then I was awake.