Never: The Birth

Danny Dodger

Jericho walked side by side with Riley, "There's lots of shop in these parts, and a bunch of weird ones down on the other end."

Riley nodded staring at her feet as they walked, "Alright, thank you Jericho, I'll see you back at the house."

They stopped, and Jericho tipped his hat, "Will do." Jericho went back the way they came, he'd taken Riley into the main area of town do to some shopping while he went about his business. Riley couldn't help but notice he looked nothing like Ma, he looked white, just plain and regular like her. He also talked with a heavy country accent like a southern gentleman. She wondered what the real relationship between him and Ma was.

Riley had wandered into the "odd" part of town while she walked aimlessly. She past shop after shop all with odd names and odd things in the windows. She looked up at one in particular to see a shop called "Leann's Magic Shop". Riley thought it would just be a card and trick shop, but oh, she was wrong. She opened the glass door which had a steel frame. The copper bell rang in her ears as she stepped over the threshold. Her nose was assaulted by strong herbal smells, she coughed and went to walk out.

A firm grip dug into her forearm, "Wait girl." A woman in her early thirties was almost glaring at her. She pulled Riley back into the depths of the store.

Riley yanked at her arm viciously, "Let me the fuck go, or I swear to god I'll..."

"Silence," the woman whispered. Riley couldn't open her mouth and the strange woman continued to pull her into the back.

Riley stared in horror as she viewed an assortment of creepy petrified animals and weird powders all around her. The woman pulled a curtain hiding them all, "Why is a wolf in my store?"

Riley shook her head, "No, no I'm not a wolf."

The woman pursed her lips tight and her eyes narrowed, "I'm a witch girl, I can see the beast inside you."

Riley glared, "I'm no wolf lady, fuck off."

The so-called witch whispered again, "Stay."

Riley was frozen in place and she looked back, "This is the second time someone thought I was one of those freaks of nature."

The witch looked surprised, "Oh I see, so you're one of those kind. I have to say I've never met one like you."

Riley just felt stupid, "Will you please tell me what's going on?"

She smiled gently at Riley, "Of course girl, just calm yourself. By the way, my name is Leann."

Riley took a breath and released it slowly, "Just, help me. Please," she pleaded.

Leann looked sorry for Riley and nodded her head, "Just a moment dear, this might take most of the afternoon."

Leann went to the front of the store and closed out the shop, turning the open sign off. She locked the front door and closed the blinds. She was back to Riley in moments, "Something to drink? Here sit down." Leann sat Riley down at a small table filled with old books that looked ready to fall apart at any moment. She handed her a cup of what looked like tea but tasted like strawberries, then sat down herself.

Riley sipped, shaking, "So what am I?"

Leann frowned suddenly, "It's very complicated. See you're nothing and everything at the same time Riley."

Riley's head perked up, "I never told you my name."

Leann smirked, "Hush dear, that's not important."

Riley felt stupid again, "So what does it mean, what you said?"

Leann sighed, "Well, it took me a minute to realize it, but you're what us witches call Wisps. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a rare bread but most go unnoticed because they only appear as one thing at a time. You aren't actually a wolf at all, but you will have characteristics of a wolf. Such as scent and a love for wilderness."

Riley leaned forward, "Yeah, can that lead to wolves thinking I'm their mate?"

Leann shook her head, "Well yes, that's half the point of your kind."

Riley slumped in her chair, "There's a wolf that thinks I'm his mate."

Leann looked intrigued, "Really now, I haven't heard of this in years."

Riley scrunched her face, "Say what?"

Leann laughed, "Well see the Gods and Goddess's do make mistakes. There is nothing wrong with you dear, and that wolf is probably meant to be your lover."

Riley stood up almost knocking the table over, "That thing is not my lover."

Leann put a hand to her chest, "Dear child calm down, sit. Why are you so angry about this?"

Riley sat down glaring daggers at the dirty old books, "He kidnapped me."

Leann closed her eyes for a moment, "I see, that is the way of the wolf I suppose. Such violent things they are. Though it's like I said, stranger things happen."

Riley cracked her knuckles, "So what I'm suppose to grovel at his feet and just go along with all this".

Leann giggled happily, "Goodness no child. We all have this little thing called free will. Wolves just take the whole mating thing to an odd extreme. They are strong into their religion and mating reigns supreme over all."

Riley actually laughed at this, "Trust me, I know."

Leann smiled, "So what else do you want to know?"

Riley looked down at her own skin, "Why did I think I was human?"

Leann shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe your parents never got to telling you, or maybe you were adopted. Perhaps they didn't even know."

Riley looked down at her hands, "My parents were pretty absent actually, I moved out really young and never talked to them again."

She snapped her fingers, "They must have been waiting for you to come of age."

Riley nodded, "I suppose, So tell me more about what I am."

Leann sat straight stretching her back out, "Well, like I said, your everything and nothing. It might sound special but it's really not. I guess the best way to explain is to show you." Leann left for a moment, coming back with a leather bond book with a metal clasp, "Here we go." She blew the dust off the front of the book, "Wisps".

Riley flipped through the torn book, reading about her kind. There were lots of things about spirits and things to do with Indian witch craft. The Indians were tired of giving up their women so an old witch asked the gods to send them salvation from the beasts. The God's gave them Wisps, a creature that was neither human or wolf but appeared as both. It was all very confusing and Riley gave up on reading it after awhile. She held the book in her arms and went into the back to find Leann. She found her praying at an alter, chanting in a language she didn't recognize. She cleared her throat a certain sadness surrounding her, "Sorry to interrupt."

Leann opened her eyes and let her arms drop to her sides, "It's just fine, why are you so sad dear?"

Riley shrugged her shoulders, she felt so heavy and drowsy, "Just worn out I suppose."

Leann just gave her a nod, "Must be his chi..."

Riley slashed her hand out in front of her, "Don't talk about it."

Leann nodded slowly, "If you come back tomorrow night, I have a few things put together to help shield you if you insist on running from him."

Riley nodded, "Hopefully I can make it, but I really need to go now or I'll lose my ride."

Leann nodded and smiled, "Of course, see you soon."Riley left the book sitting on the table and left quietly.

.

She found her way back to Jericho easily enough as he clocked off work. She sat in his truck waiting, the windows down and the spring air wafting around her. Her legs were itchy from the seat underneath her. She was getting irritated with it and finally shoved one of his shirts underneath her. Jericho pulled himself up into the truck and greeted Riley, "Hey there lady."

Riley grinned and her eyes squinted from the smile, "Hi there." Jericho drove back with Riley talking lightly about things. He didn't push for anything about how she had gotten to Darlington or why she was traveling. He seemed to know she wouldn't give him an honest answer. Every once in a while the truck would jump from a pothole and Riley would fall over into the middle seat, laughing and Jericho would laugh with her and try to do it again on purpose.

Riley relaxed for the rest of the day. She sat in the kitchen with Ma, peeling vegetables for a soup. They didn't talk much, just enjoyed the other's company. Ma was quick on her feet and moved around the kitchen like she'd lived there all her life. She probably had, for all Riley knew. Still it was nice to see someone so comfortable in their own home like this. Ma finished cooking and handed Riley the first steaming bowl, watching as she ate it slowly, enjoying every bite. Ma gave a cocky smirk and pointed her spoon at Riley, "Now don't tell me that ain't a kick ass soup."

Riley giggled and nodded, "Very kick ass Ma." The older woman glowed with pride and went about filling bowls for the kids and Jericho.

Later that night Riley found herself on the balcony staring at the moon, wondering if Cole was looking for her right this moment. It seems that she was doing good here so far. She hoped it would stay that way for a while. It was so nice here. Good people, and so many urban places to see. Nothing like her home She lived out in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the woods. It was a good thirty minute drive to any town. Plus Leann was here and to Riley that woman was a blessing. She felt like she could comprehend everything going on around her much better. The air seemed less thick, and her body seemed less sore, but most of all her heart felt lighter. She thought back to the book, Leann reminding her of it, "Everything and nothing at the same time". She thought it was an odd saying and it somewhat made since to her but it was so complicated. The story of origin was so long and boring she just couldn't sit through the read.

She stretched her arms out above her head and a large yawn formed from her lips as she stood. She popped out a hip and curved her back getting everything nice and loose. Jericho stood in the doorway, "Woo-e girl, do you look fine tonight."

Riley blushed and stopped her stretching, "You're just saying that."

Jericho grinned ear to ear making his way over to Riley, "Naw, you're a pretty little thing you are."

Riley leaned against the post, "Well thank you."

Jericho gave a nod, "I saw you head into that weird shop downtown."

Riley nodded, "I was just looking around."

He raised an eyebrow looking skeptical, "You was in there long time, you sure you ain't a witch or somethin'"

Riley laughed, "God I wish. No, Leann just talked to me for a bit, gave me something to do while I waited on you."

Jericho looked to accept that answer and tilted his head, "Night lady."

Riley gave a small wave, "Night."

.

Riley tiptoed down the stairs when she thought everyone had fallen asleep, her stomach was screaming like a wild banshee. She had eaten meekly seeing the swarms of children at dinner, or at least they acted like a swarm, in fact there were only three of them, but they caused a whole heck of a lot of trouble. Riley ducked her head into the kitchen and stared happily at the cool ice box. She pulled out what was left of supper and then turned. She nearly dropped everything seeing Ma sitting silently in the dark. Riley set the food down on the counter and smiled, "Why are you up so late?"

Ma set her late night coffee down, "It's the only time it's quiet here." Her voice was hush like Riley hadn't heard before, normally she was loud with a rough voice, here like this, she seemed almost sweet. Ma grinned and waved her hand out in front of her, "Go on girl, don't mind me." She went back to her coffee watching Riley as she scurried like a mouse around the kitchen.

She placed her bowl down on the table, "You don't mind right?"

Ma shook her heavy, tired head, "Course not, don't be silly." They chatted lightly as Riley ate and Ma studied her. She was very nimble with her motions, skittish as well. The tiny sounds of the night made Riley's head pop up and peek around like a meerkat. Ma turned her head slightly and a curious smiled planted on her pasty lips, "Your running from something girl, I know that. Don't you worry none though, ain't nothing gonna touch you here."

Riley dropped her spoon, "I'm not running from anything." She laughed a little to emphasize her point.

All the while Ma kept her big smile, "Sure you ain't." Ma stood up, her chubby legs straining to pull her body up, "Just you remember, ain't nothing gonna hurt you here." Ma left after that, upstairs to go to bed Riley guessed.

The dishes were washed silently and Riley made her way to her borrowed bed for the night. Right about now she'd give anything for her old house, and the soft furry blanket she liked to sleep with, it was hard just dropping everything. The thought that her life being most likely in danger now kept her calm. Though the thought of danger really didn't spark waves of passivity through most people. Riley shrugged those thoughts away and buried her face into the soft pillows that smelled fresh. Ma must have washed them while she was out. Her mind was then lost to dreams and nightmares as she fell asleep.