Waking up to a new day, my stomach is cramping, and this time it is from hunger.
Getting off the couch, I grab my head in pain.
"You okay, Zare?" Chetan steadies me.
"Yeah, I am okay," I say.
"Here's a big stack of pancakes." Ajay hands me the plate.
"Thanks." Shoving a bit of pancake in my mouth, I didn't waste any time. It was
delicious; Ajay was brilliant at making pancakes. "Ajay, I am requesting a few days leave."
He stops flipping pancakes and turns away. He looks hurt and confused, possibly angry,
I am not sure.
"Why?" he asks.
"Maybe the little punishment you put her through yesterday backfired," Chetan taunts.
Ajay rolls his eyes.
"It has nothing to do with that; I just need to be free, run, and alone time," I explain.
"Where are you going, Zare?" Ajay asks.
"I don't know, just running."
"You know there are zombies out there, right?"
"I've faced them before."
Ajay takes a deep breath and looks at the ground for a moment. "I don't want you to go
Zare. If something ever happened to you, it would rip my heart out, but I can't stop you from going.
I nod.
"You asked for my permission, and that's all I ever wanted. So it's whatever."
"Thanks."
"You still need to stay within the packs' limits, he reminds me.
While Ajay's back was turned flipping more pancakes, I rush out of the camper, change
to my wolf form, and dash away from camp.
For some reason, the thought of telling Ajay goodbye is troubling me. I don't want to
think about how he feels, because I know taking some time away is bothering him. I just have to.
The morning air smells so fresh, birds chirp in the trees, and the clouds hints at signs of
morning rain. Running as fast as I could, the other wolves' scents slowly disappear, even Ajay's.
I am at peace and free, but most of all, I felt wild. Letting a big howl, I chase away the birds. I run through puddles, soaking my fur. The water is warmed by the sun.
This is my happy place, and I wish it could last forever. Being a wolf alone in the wild.
Passing the cemetery, I am sure I went way past Ajay's limits, but didn't care. If this is
my vacation, I am going to do it my way. Chopping wood and picking up the axe enters my mind, along with seeing Ajay look at me so blankly.
No, I don't want another punishment like that.
My mind remembers the cave just a few yards past the cemetery. My feet automatically turn around and head in that direction. Reaching the shelter, I feel at home.
Alone in a cave is where I belong. Yawning, I know it is time for a nap. Closing my eyes,
sleep overtakes me.
The sound of rain plopping on the roof of the cave fills my ears as my eyes open.
Everything is so peaceful and optional. For once, I can do anything today, the options are endless. Fishing, hiking, swimming, and hunting. The day is mine, and I had no commitments to anyone. The pressure is off, just me in this beautiful wooded wonderland.
The growl of my stomach growl tells me it is time for fishing. I have the beach or the many rivers to choose from. I know the waterfall is close to the cave.
I wonder what it would be like to just live outside of Sandy Shores. I know it's commonly
where the wolves live; what's beyond Sandy shores? Is this the only forest known to wolves?
My grandpa was in a pack; his name was Shogi. After the Alpha in the pack died in an
attack, he became Alpha by the majority vote. He told me stories of Sandy Shores and how it was our land. He used to think this was an enchanted forest where supernatural things happened.
He also told me the story of the night growlers. We believed they were always talking about vampires. He described them as the walking dead, looking to feast on human blood. He only spoke about seeing a few; it wasn't a massive problem like it is now, with zombies showing up worldwide.
Finally, making it to the waterfall river, I close my eyes, letting the sound of the water
plopping over the rocks fills my ears. I was already in my wolf form, so I leap into the water. It is so soothing, and soon my eyes caught my prey. Sinking my face into the water, my mouth was soon full of not one, but two fish. Swallowing them down whole, I feel less hungry.
Going under the water, I swim around the waterfall. The waterfall is extremely calming
and a beautiful place. It almost looks like it doesn't belong; it was right in the middle of the surrounding trees. It has big rocks around it that almost look like they were placed there. The trees droop over the waterfall, blocking out the sun.
After choking down one more fish, I climb out of the waterfall river, shaking the water
out of my fur. Even with the long nap, there is still a few hours of daylight.
A long-run sounds nice. My legs ran as fast as they can carry me. The wind blew my fur,
and I could barely make out the images racing by my face. What have I done? The little store, I ran too far, and Ajay would surely punish me into a new century.