There is that moment in the process of falling asleep where one is still partially conscious, their body slowly drifting into dreamland. You feel your entire body relaxing, giving in to sleep. Then a small sound, like the opening of a door, or a cough, or maybe the urge to pee, wakes you up. Joy sat up, feeling her bladder ache. She clicked her tongue, rubbing her heavy eyelids.
"It took me so long to find that position and I didn't even drink that much water," she groaned, lying back down as she inhaled and exhaled deep breaths of air. The fire was still burning enough to produce a dim light in the hut. She closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep, relaxing herself. Her body twisted and turned on top of the blanket, a vain attempt to go back to her original position. Releasing a loud yawn which was immediately followed by a growl, she sat up. "What's the point? I've lost my stupid sleep."
She stepped out of the hut, and into the darkness of night time, the air around her was strangely warm. There were torches that lined the path that led further into the village, to the toilet. She followed the path, her back slightly bent at the pressure in her bladder, stepping lightly with her black sneakers.
"It's good I have my own shoes or else I'd be suffering up in here," she huffed.
There was a torch in front of the toilet door and she took it in with her, shinning the flame on the hole.
"I cannot be doing this," she whimpered. She spread her legs over the hole, the torch still in hand, and lowered her bottom half to a painful squat then released. She felt the muscles in her abdominal area relax and she exhaled, closing her eyes. All the cells in her body began to breathe again and the blood continued to flow through her veins as if there had been a traffic jam.
"That feels good," she mumbled, ending her excretion process.
"Of course, there's no toilet paper," she sighed and exited the toilet, feeling rather revitalised despite the situation.
She placed the torch back on its stand and strolled through the village. There was a hustle and bustle, excitement in the smoky air. Joy observed a large fire near one of the huts, on the opposite end of the village. Everyone seemed to be going to or coming from that area. She moved towards there, keeping herself a safe distance from the people scampering about. She sat herself on a large rock far enough to watch but remain unnoticed.
A few young boys placed large drums around the fire, wide smiles on their faces. Another boy followed after them, moving towards the drums. The chattering of the audience quieted down and Joy observed him as he rubbed his cheek on the skin at the top of each drum. His hands caressed them, his fingers tapping each one lightly.
"He's deaf," Jude spoke next to her and she almost jumped.
"Dude," she hissed, placing her hand on her chest.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"He's deaf?"
"Yeah. From birth, but he plays those drums like he invented them."
"Wow."
"Passion," he whispered. "He is playing from his heart, and his heart instructs the rest of his body."
"That's incredible." She gazed at the boy as he began to bang the drums. His hands beating each one with a gentle strength. His facial expression of pure grace and peace.
"You should hear when he plays the mbira* and the marimba*."
"He can play those too?"
"Yes. Theo is so talented."
Joy watched Judes expression, his eyes a deep green in the dull light.
"His parents passed away in a... scuffle a while ago," he started. "Between our pack and the Blood Moon pack. He was ten then, he's fifteen now, and I've never seen a stronger wolf in this pack. When he was left all alone, the entire pack had people wanting to take him in, but he found solace in solitude. And preferred to be alone with his instruments."
Joy continued to stare, intrigued by the way his eyes continued to shift to different shades of green as he spoke.
"Aren't you feeling cold?" Jude asked, when he had finished the story.
"No," she shook her head. "I was actually wondering. This place is near a river but its actually warm. Is that some magic air conditioning thing?"
"Yeah," he mumbled, looking up. His lips curved into a small smile and the corners of his eyes creased. "Look," he said, his eyes not leaving the sky.
The clouds parted, revealing the moon. A small part, the toe nail, shined brightly, while the rest of it had a dull glow.
"Why does it feel like I'm seeing this for the first time?" Joy breathed, gaping at the celestial body.
"You're seeing it without the lights on the ground distracting you. You're seeing it out in the open. Their eyes met. A close friend of mine used to say, 'the New Moon in the Old Moons arms'."
They stared at each other, as if trying to figure out each others thoughts.
"You saved my life," Joy broke the silence, their eyes not parting. "But I can't tell if you're a good person or not. "I really suck at reading people," she confessed. "But I want to trust you. I really want to trust you."
"You can. You can trust me. I won't let anything bad happen to you. While you're here, I'll make sure that no one hurts you."
She observed the deep green sincerity, then looked away from him.
"Yeah right," she scoffed, gazing back at the sky. "You don't even have any power besides your wolf shifting thing. Your bathroom sucks."
"Right? Someone spoke from behind them." Joy jumped a bit, her hand grabbing Judes.
"It's okay," Jude whispered. "That's just my brother." He glared at Reid who moved to stand in front of them.
"Oh? You have a brother? She let go of Jude's hand, rubbing invisible dust off her dress. "What's his name?"
"Yes, introduce me Jude. What's my name?" Reid placed his hand on Judes shoulder and squeezed, grinning some more.
Jude cleared his throat, rubbing the nape of his neck.
"Joy this is... my brother. His name is Flint."
"Flint, Reid," chirped. His eyes and hand fell, the smile still on his face as he kissed his teeth. "I'm Flint."
"It's nice to meet you Flint," Joy nodded at him. "Jude, Flint and Jemima."
"I know I look young but I'm the oldest, Flint raised his hand. Then Jude, and Jemima is our last born."
"Cute," she expressed, turning back to the boy who was still beating the drums.
Reid caught Judes eye, his expression turning serious as they communicated with their minds.
'Okay, you're right. She definitely shares the same blood with Lyssa.'
'See, I told you.'
'What did you do with the imposter who broke in?'
'He's in the dungeon.'
'Good, because theres a probability that he smelt her too.'
'Could that be the reason why he broke in in the first place?'
'It's highly likely.' His eyes narrowed at Joy whose eyes were closed, she was letting the drum music sink in.
'If Rollin figures out that she's here he will try to attack us.'
'Well cross that bridge when we get there,' he mumbled. 'She has never shifted.'
'Obviously. And I don't think she will. If she hasn't shifted now she probably never will. Her human half must be dominant.'
'But she's exhibiting more wolf qualities. She didn't fall sick when she first arrived, her body naturally adapted. She was strong enough to fight the intruder and she hadn't eaten in days. And she's not cold.'
'If that's the case then we need to start training her. She has to find balance before the full moon and familiarising her with a few weapons will help. We'll do archery and spears.'
'Sword?'
'No. Too risky.'
"Flint do you have a bed at your house by any chance?" Joy voiced, ending their mental conversation.
"Of course, I do. Almost every house here has a bed."
"What?! There is no bed in Judes house hut thing. And I have to sleep on that Thomas rug. Speaking of which, what material is that? Is it like... real wolf fur?"
"Yes, it is," Reid answered.
She sucked in a deep breath, her eyes wide as they moved to Jude. "You killed someone and turned them into a rug, didn't you? That's cruel."
"Not if hes a member of the enemy pack who tried to kill my son," Jude drawled.
"Okay fine, but still," she gave him a once over. "I didn't think you had those kinds of guts. I mean, to turn him into a rug? Do you do that often?"
"No, just specific people," Reid was the one to respond. "For example, the dress you're wearing."
"No." She mouthed, her vocal chords stuck. "I'm wearing someone?" She swallowed, closing her eyes.
Reid pressed his lips together, trying to contain his laughter while Jude rolled his eyes.
"Imagine if I was on a red-carpet interview and they ask me who I'm wearing." Joy gasped, yanking at the material.
"Lyssa," Reid howled, and a few members of the pack turned, but ignored them. His laughter filling the air.
"Literally!" She hissed. "This is disturbing. She stood up. Don't laugh, this is disturbing. What if she haunts me for wearing her skin?"
"Relax it's just the fur," Jude told her. "And you stop it, you're attracting unnecessary attention." He pointed at Reid who raised his hands in surrender.
"Argh, and why did her name have to be Lyssa of all the names in the world?" She spat, sitting back down. "I hate that name."
"Why?" Jude asked, glancing at Reid.
She released a deep sigh. "It reminds me of someone I'd rather forget."