Darlene gazed at the running waters of the river. "I could sit here all day." She took off her shoes and stretched herself out on the grass. Her eyes closed for a brief moment. The noise of the splashing water filled her ears. She nearly dozed off when the question she feared was asked.
"Who is Linda? Your mom mentioned her at lunch."
Darlene opened her eyes and turned her head sideways, facing Sandy. She took a deep breath before she answered. "My girlfriend."
The water splashed louder. Birds twittering above their head sounded like a ship's horn. Every sound became louder and louder in her ears. If only Sandy would respond to her answer! But she didn't. Well, not for a while at least.
"How long have you two been together?"
Darlene's eyes enlarged as she gasped silently. What? Was that the question she asked? Not, why didn't you bring her up before. Or, why wasn't she here with you. No.
"Almost five years." Darlene shut her eyes again. This time she didn't hear the birds twittering or the water splashing. She heard nothing, but Sandy's breathing. Was she mad at her for not telling her about, Linda? She never heard her breath so loud before.
"It's getting late. I have to get back."
Darlene lifted her upper body, resting on her elbows. "Do you have to?"
Sandy nodded and stood up. Wiping her backside free from dirt and grass with one hand. She took the hat off and placed it on the grass next to Darlene. "No need for you to get up. I know the way." She strolled a few meters away, turned back and thanked her for lunch. Then quickened her pace through the tall grass. Leaving a baffled woman behind at the riverbank.
Darlene stared at her until she was out of sight, before she turned back to face the river again. Sandy was mad at her. She shook her head. Why in the hell did she keep quiet about Linda? She ran her fingers through her short hair. Damn her, damn Linda! She was supposed to be here.
She lay down and turned on her stomach, resting her head on her hands. Gazing at the pacey waters. The sunrays on the water sparkled, shining almost like little diamonds.
Sandy looked back. Darlene was out of sight. She flared her nostrils and started running faster and faster. Her skin turned leathery and hairy. Claws with long yellow nails appeared. Her back arched. She sprinted, now on all fours.
Fully morphed into a Lycanthrope, she ran for the hills. And didn't stop, before she reached the cave. Breathing rapidly, she fell down on the ground to catch her breath.
Ylva stood up and looked around. This was the gathering place of the Uluma pack before everyone was killed – beheaded – except for her mother and father.
The only way for a Lycanthrope to be killed, was to decapitate them or shoot a silver bullet through their hearts.
She was supposed to be their leader when she grew up, but now there was no one left to lead. No one left to follow her.
Walking to the back of the cave, Ylva climbed on a large rock. Her mother and grandmother, and the leaders before them, used it as a podium when they addressed the pack.
She stared in front of her while making little wailing sounds. When she climbed down from the rock, she morphed back into human form.
Sandy looked down at her torn clothes. She had to stop morphing while still dressed!
Her face became dull when she suddenly thought of Darlene. Why did she keep quiet about Linda? Why didn't she tell her she was in a relationship?
She had to forget about Darlene. There was no future for the two of them.
Glenda seemed to like her; she could turn to her for company. She noticed how the woman always checked her out, and glanced at her. Doing favors for her all the time and faffed, just to be around her.
***
Sandy was half way back into town on her way to the guesthouse, when she remembered her father's Rav 4 was still parked at the farm. She had to get it right away, or her father wouldn't let her borrow it again. She started jogging back to the farm.
Her clothes were already shredded so she morphed to run faster. Just before she reached the gate, she transformed back and hurried the last few steps towards the farm gate.
She reached the vehicle and heard the front door of the house opened. Darlene's grandfather came out with his shotgun.
"Good grieve, Sandy! Is this the time to come home? I'm sick of worrying about you two."
Luckily, it was dark. He wasn't able to see her shredded clothes.
The old man went back inside and switched on the outdoor light.
As soon as the light came on, Sandy jumped into the shade next to the house.
Pete left the shotgun inside against the wall and stepped outside again. "Where are you now?" He stood in the light when he peeped around the corner of the house; making it difficult for him to see what was going on in the shade. "Where's Darlene?"
Sandy gaped at him. She drew a breath to tell him she left earlier without Darlene, but kept from doing so. She didn't want him to panic and get a heart attack, too.
"She still down at the river, I was just getting my blazer for her to put on. She felt a bit chilly."
"Well, you should've told me you were going to stay out late." The old man turned back, entered the house and slammed the door shut.
Sandy sighed. Now she had to face Darlene again. She should've left the damn vehicle here and went home instead. She opened the door, grabbed her blazer and headed down to the river.
Darlene was lying on her stomach. Her breathing was deep and regular; she was sleeping.
Sandy touched her shoulder and called out to her. She kneeled next to her, pushed her a few times and called out to her again, before she woke up.
Darlene jerked and stretched her arms out. Suddenly she yelled. "Oh my god! It's dark. I fell asleep!" She looked around her. "I thought you had left? She rubbed her eyes and sat upright.
"I did leave, but came back for the Rav 4. Your grandfather saw me and asked me where you were. So I made up this lie to prevent him from going into a panic."
"Am I in trouble?"
"I don't know! You should ask him. He seemed quite furious at the time."
"That's not what I meant."
Sandy stared at her. "We better get a move on. Take my blazer. I don't want him to think I lied to him."
Darlene took the blazer. "I'm sorry I didn't mention, Linda."
"Your grandfather is waiting." Sandy wasn't in the mood for this conversation and started walking.
"Sandy, wait! I…I like you. And I don't want you to be mad at me." She took her hand and kissed it. "Thanks for coming back for me."
Sandy pulled her hand free and started walking again. They walked in silence, all the way to the farmhouse.
Darlene opened the front door and turned around. "Please come in for a while."
Sandy knew it was impossible to appear in the light with her clothes shredded like it was. What would her excuse be this time? Telling lies seemed to become a habit for her lately.
"It's late and I have to get back."
She got behind the wheel of the Rav 4 and let the window down. "I'll phone you tomorrow." She let the window up, before Darlene could reply and left her standing in the dark.