Story 1: Recovery: continuing of part 1

It had been around four weeks after Orin had awoken from his ailments, day by day he felt himself becoming stronger both physically and mentally. As the weeks moved on Orin tried to become more responsible in the house feeling like he could do more things. Sharean insisted that he start out slow and then move up to harder labor. So for two weeks Orin spend most of his time with Sharean and her two children. He would keep a watch on the two when Gabes and Sharean would go hunting or herb searching. Orin loved to spend time with Jimson and Feaira. The two reminded him of himself when he was their age. Being only half werewolf the two kids were not very adapted at accessing their wolf sides. Orin found himself berated with excited questions on how it feels to be a wolf, and what his favorite thing was about being in his wolf form. Feaira and Jimson knew much of werewolves because of their father, but they found Orin’s life story to be very fascinating. Orin happily told them what he felt he could and enjoyed teaching them about some of the werewolf culture. Being silver moon werewolves, Orin tried not to talk too much about the differences between both cultures, instead he would answer their questions the best he could and then let them ask another one after that. Orin’s enjoyment with the kids was not just about talking with them. He loved to play with them, like his mother and father did with him when he was their age. Playing with the two not only was fun for them but helped Orin forget about the nightmares he was having.

It was the fifth week Orin had been with the Fangsons when Gabes and Sharean decided that they were going to go to a Seer Colony that was to the east of the canyon. They gave the Seers of the White hills herbs and some fruits and vegetables from the family’s garden. Because of the two to three day trip it would take them, the two were not sure if they wanted to bring Feaira and Jimson with them. In which they asked if Orin could babysit for them. At first Orin was hesitant, not because he didn’t think he could do it, but because of how Gabes and Sharean apparently trusted him after only five weeks. Despite feeling slightly concerned Orin gladly agreed to take good care of Feaira and Jimson while they were away.

Orin was sitting next to one of the fur skinned couches in the home while he sat cross legged with his eyes shut. Feaira and Jimson were slowly creeping around the living room trying to make as little noise as possible. The fire place crackled and fizzed as it spread light over the whole room. Orin still had his eyes closed as he listened very carefully. He was playing a game with Feaira and Jimson that their father usually played with them. It was a way for the two kids to learn more about what they had to master while also showing how powerful a werewolves ears are, the three of them really liked the game.

Orin smiled as he heard Feaira tell Jimson to find his own spot. He heard soft footsteps move somewhere else in the room. “Stop.” Orin said opening his eyes and looking around the room they were in. The living room was warm and had a lively feel to it. Two large couches sat parallel to each other their fronts facing the same way. Two other couches stood facing the fireplace, one of which was the one Orin sat next to. A small wooden table was in the middle of the room and had some cards and dice resting on it from a game Orin and the kids had played earlier that night. Orin was quiet for a second taking in the surroundings with his sight, smell, and hearing. Orin turned his head to one of the big couches at the right of the room as he heard the sharp but calm breaths of a child hiding behind it. The child had a soft yet deep breath that he recognized. His attention moved to the slight sound of creaking and breathing behind the other large couch to the left. Orin’s smile widened and he chuckled a little. “Feaira you’re behind the right couch and Jimson you’re behind the left.” Orin said with confidence.

“Great going Jimson.” Feaira said standing up and looking at her younger brother who had stood up from behind the other couch.

“What did I do?” Jimson asked looking at his sister with annoyance.

“You were too loud.” Feaira jabbed. “I could even hear you back there and I don’t have werewolf hearing yet. “Orin obviously heard you and determined that my location was the other couch because you tried to hide with me.” She accused.

“That’s not true.” Jimson defended looking at Feaira with sadness in his eyes.

“That’s the only thing that makes sense.” Feaira countered.

“Actually,” Orin interjected both of them. “I heard you first Feaira, then I heard Jimson. However to be completely honest I had a good idea where both of you were while I was counting down.” He explained.

“Dad says the same thing.” Jimson said walking round the couch and sitting closer to Orin. Feaira followed and sat next to her brother looking at Orin with interest. “How can you know where we are without seeing us?” Jimson asked him.

Orin chuckled kindly and looked happily at the children. “I actually didn’t know your true location, but my hearing helps me know the general whereabouts of someone. When I was counting down I sensed that you and Feaira were closer to the fire then I was, and that led me to understand that you were close to the other couches. When I opened my eyes I used my hearing and smell to figure out where both of you were.” He explained to both of them.

“You could smell us?” Feaira asked with confusion. “What, do I stink?” She asked sniffing herself.

Jimson chuckled and shook his head at his sister. “You smell like a girl.” He jabbed at her.

Feaira punched him in the shoulder. “And you just smell.” She retorted.

“It’s not like that.” Orin said getting their attention again. “Everyone has their own odor about them. Usually it’s very similar with how the overall house smells like, but everyone has a definite distinct scent to them.”

“I’ve noticed that other homes smell different.” Feaira said looking at Orin. “And now that I think of it the people also have a similar smell to them.”

“Exactly,” Orin said nodding to both her and Jimson. “When you become more in toon with your wolf side, both of you will learn how to access your heightened senses.”

Jimson looked down at the floor for a second a sad expression coming over his face. “I don’t think I have a wolf side.” He said looking up at Orin with shame in his eyes. “Dad had tried to teach me how to meditate like he and Feaira can, but.” Jimson stopped and looked down again. He seemed afraid to say what he was thinking.

“What is it?” Orin asked him tenderly.

“He wets himself every time.” Feaira said looking at Orin with a mischievous smile over her face. “I heard dad tell our mom once that it was a sign of lycanthropic transformation deficiency.” Feaira looked at Jimson who still had his head down in shame.

Orin gazed at Jimson for a second and then smiled at him warmly. “LTD can be difficult to deal with.” Orin said kindly. “But full werewolves don’t get anything better when they are learning how to become wolves for the first time.” He explained kindly as Jimson lifted his head and looked at Orin with interest. “When I was a little older then you two I was terrified to become a wolf.” He explained to both of them.

“Why?” Jimson asked with shock. “Being a wolf makes you better in almost every way.”

“It can.” Orin said with a nod. “But when young werewolves’ first start out it can be very difficult. Especially for the boys.” Orin said to Jimson with a smile.

“Why?” Jimson asked once more. Feaira looked just as interested in what Orin was saying as Jimson did.

“It has to do with what happens to male werewolves as they grow up.” Orin explained. “Unlike the females, boys can get very emotional when they reach the age of learning how to become a wolf.” He explained. “I remember falling to sleep in tears only to wake the next day feeling very angry over nothing. All emotions are amplified when you become a wolf. The first time I became a wolf I felt like all my angry, scared, and sad feelings were going to explode out of my chest. The feeling was so strong I was afraid I was going to lose complete control over myself. I remember after the first lesson I ran home terrified at the idea of becoming a wolf again.”

“You’re not like that now, are you?” Feaira asked him with interest in her eyes. “I mean, your fine being a werewolf now.”

Orin chuckled and nodded. “It took me a while, but I learned how to understand my wolf side. My fear of losing control was irrational because full werewolves usually don’t.”

“How did you get over it?” Jimson asked him with slight hope in his eyes.

“Let’s just say I was forced to face my fear, after words, it didn’t feel so frightening.” Orin told both of them with a kind smile.

“Is that what I need to do?” Jimson asked gazing at Orin with wonder in his eyes.

Orin gazed at Jimson with a smile over his face. “Do you have any deep fears about becoming a werewolf?” He asked him thinking he already knew the answer.

Jimson gazed at Feaira and then back at Orin with more wonder in his eyes. “I don’t think so.” He told him with a smile. “I’ve always wanted to be a wolf just like dad.”

“You can’t even meditate.” Feaira teased. “How could you be anything like dad?”

Jimson gazed darkly at his sister anger rising in his eyes. “I’ll become a wolf one day, and when that happens I hope your there to see it.” He said with deep anger in his voice.

“That will be the day.” Feaira scoffed.

Orin could feel the tension growing in the room. Feaira and Jimson where always at each other’s throats. Gabes and Sharean however were able to stop the quarrelling siblings by just a look or a quick calm shout at them to let them know that they were fighting again. Orin knew he couldn’t replace Gabes or Sharean’s effect on the kids. But he was always good with children and he knew how to settle them down. “Hay,” Orin said looking at both of them with a powerful yet playful gaze. Jimson and Feaira turned their full attention back to him as he stared deeply at them. “There is only one way to settle this.” He said a smile growing over his face.  “Red moon tag.” Jimson and Feaira both gasped with excitement at the idea of playing one of their favorite games.

Jimson and Feaira played fun and different games with Orin before they both started to feel tired. Orin also felt lethargic and determined that bed time for the kids was near. Jimson had fallen asleep already. Orin walked up to him as smiled as he was sleeping, his mouth was open and a bit of drool had accumulated inside his mouth.

“Leave him like that.” Feaira said walking up to Orin and looking at her little brother.

Orin shook his head and chuckled under his breath. He very carefully took Jimson’s sleeping form in both his arms and started to walk over to where Jimson and Feaira slept. Orin tucked in Jimson without waking him and then tucked in a very tired looking Feaira. “Good night.” Orin told both of them with a kind smile before leaving their room.

……………………………..

Orin lay in bed his eyes tightly shut as his mind fell into a fearful nightmare. His body stiffened and he began to groan in fear and confusion. He saw the dark wizard standing before him. The evil man’s face contorted into a foul sneer. Other faces then flashed before him, that of the people he was forced to kill. He saw his brother, his village, and so many others. Orin groaned more and shook his head wanting the pain and fear to stop. Then, he saw a small baby. The child looked up at him with interested eyes. Orin felt calm and smiled down at the timid infant, he knelt down and gazed caringly into the child’s eyes. Her eyes were two different colors just like her mother. One eye was an ocean blue and the other was a forest green.

“Hello,” Orin said kindly holding out his hand to the tiny child. “I’m here to protect you.” He told the child lovingly. “I promise.” He said with sadness coming over him. He had to do this, for his brother, and for Sera. Serena was out there all alone and he had to find her. The baby gave a gentle coo before she reached her right hand to Orin and took hold of his finger. The tiny gloved hand held onto his finger hard like the baby never wanted to let go. Orin smiled at the child and bent over closer to her. Suddenly arms reached into the baby crib and grabbed at the toddler. Orin gasped and stood up to find the dark wizard holding the baby with a sinister look over his face. “Let her go!” Orin shouted at the wizard.

“You should have killed her.” The wizard mocked. “I order you to kill her.” He said holding out the baby to Orin.

Orin’s eyes suddenly turned a deep red and he grinned darkly at the child. “My pleasure.” He said with a deep darkness to his voice. Orin gasped as he watched himself walk up to the child with a dark blade in his hands. “No!” He yelled at him. “Leave her alone!” He shouted at himself. “Serena run, I can’t stop myself!” Orin shouted as he saw himself lift the dark blade over the now crying baby. “Serena, no!” Orin yelled as he tried to stop himself, but he couldn’t move. The knife met its target and the baby’s crying stopped. “NO!” Orin yelled in horror. “Serena, come back. Serena!” He screamed as he was now able to move. He ran over to the fallen bundle of cloth that was now on the ground. “No, no, no!” He yelled as he knelt next to the blanket. The name Serena that was embroidered on the cloth had dark red stains on it. Orin shook his head in pure terror. He had failed, this couldn’t be the end. He reached out to the blanket and slowly began to unwrap it. He didn’t want to see the carnage, but he felt like he had no choice. Orin pulled back the last layer and prepared himself for what he was going to see. He looked down at the blanket sadly, not wanting what he had just witnessed to be true. Nothing, nothing was there. Orin’s eyes widened. Serena was gone, the baby was not in the sheets. He didn’t kill her, she was still out there somewhere waiting for him to find her. Orin stood with a smile before he felt a powerful gaze on him. He looked up to find a young girl looking at him with a concerned regard over her face. She looked very familiar, her eyes shown in two different colors and she was holding a red stone in her right gloved hand. Orin’s eyes widened. “Serena?” He asked looking at the girl with surprise. The young girl suddenly looked very afraid and cringed as if she was waiting to be hit by something hard. He stepped over to the girl but she vanished. Orin could hear the sound of a baby crying in the darkness, she sounded so sad it was braking his heart to hear the child cry. “Serena!” He shouted out into the nothingness. “I will find you!” He yelled. “I will protect you, I promise!” He cried out.

Suddenly Orin felt a hand touch his arm and he abruptly shot awake from his fevered dream. Orin gasped and looked over at the side of his bed to find Feaira standing there with a worried look on her face. Orin could see well in the dark, and he could tell that she was very concerned about something. “Feaira,” Orin said trying to compose himself. “Why are you up?” He asked her kindly.

“Who is Serena?” She suddenly asked.

Orin’s eyes widened slightly and he gazed at Feaira with a deeper intent. “How do you know that name?” He asked her nervously.

“Feaira looked very nervous still. “You were yelling that name in your sleep. You just yelled the name over and over again. I came in here to see what was going on.” She said warily.

“Aw,” Orin sighed rubbing the sweat that had accumulated on his brow away as he looked carefully at Feaira. “It was just a nightmare I was having. Sorry I woke you.” He expressed kindly.

“When you were being looked after by my mom and dad, you would say that name also.” Feaira said walking closer to him. “And then when you first saw me you said it again.” Feaira’s gaze turned more questioning as she looked up at Orin. “Who is Serena?” she asked again. “And why do you need to find her?”

Orin exhaled slowly and looked at Feaira his eyes becoming gentler. “She is someone who I need to find because I made a promise. I promised I would find her again and protect her.”

“Why does she need protecting?” Feaira asked him tilting her head a little.

“She’s very young still.” Orin explained. “She was only a baby when I was forced to leave her. Now she’ll only be around a year old.”

Feaira nodded her head like she understood what he was saying. She then smiled up at him with a childlike innocence in her eyes. “I think you’ll make a great father.” She told him happily before telling him goodnight and walking back to her room.

Orin sat there in the dark his eyes slightly widened over what Feaira just said. He never thought about it in that way. But it made sense. He laid back on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. Would he make a good father?