Chapter 2
Dawn was rising over the hot, dry mountains when I stood on the porch with Gabriel, observing the older man's strange habit. I don't really mind it too much because it meant so much to him, though sometimes it felt like a Saturday morning special. Gabriel always got that glossy look and told me to enjoy each morning as if it was our last, and that the rate we are going today might be the end. This might sound pessimistic to some, but I got the jist of it. Shoving my hands in the pockets of my unwashed jeans I tried to hide the yawn, but it came out none the less. Gabriel clasped me on the shoulder and walked past him, muttering something about having stuff to do. Perhaps I should of listened, but in the malaise of the morning I could honest care less. I knew at the time that when Gabriel said stuff like "Today should be appreciated"; he was making a point about the fate of the pack..that we are in constant danger. Ah, I wanted to focus on today and it was beautiful so why not?
Readjusting my belt that was falling apart I moved off the porch and started to walk. It was quiet and the scenery was endless. Instead of calling the other to get a ride I thought a walk would do me well. It's a wonder why humans were so obese when walking seems so easy. Walking to the gas station I saw Asana pumping gas for some hick in a red truck. Her hair flowed down her blue and red tank top, well it was a mini blue top over a red short sleeve shirt. I stood there for a long moment watching her, and trying to fix my bed hair, with…absolutely no success.
"Hey Asana" I said trying to sound easy going, but the words were jumbled and felt funny as they came out of my mouth. The first thing I noticed was the hick checking her out as she turned her attention on me. A growl sat in my throat, but I knew better then to pick a fight with locals.
"Oh hey" she said and ran her fingers along the trigger, continuing to pump the gas. Shifted I let out a deep breath and shifted my weight from foot to foot, feeling some apprehension.
"Hey boy, your distracting her from her job" the man in the truck said leaning out his window. He was an overweight man with a baseball cap and the scent of chewing tobacco was potent. Asana just shook her head and let out a deep breath.
"I..well she seems to be doing fine." I stuttered shoving my hands further into my pockets, growing afraid that my pants were going to fall down right there in front of the girl of the girl I like.
"Why don't you run off little boy" the man said in his southern accent. I tried to hide my annoyance, which usually was heightened when a familiar tenor voice permeated in the air.
"Is there a problem here?' Gabriel said as he stood by his bike, I hadn't even smelt him or heard him over the gas and music playing inside. The man fixed Gabriel with a stare then shook his head and leaned back into his car.
"I could of handle him" I said five minutes later when Asana had gone.
"I know" Gabriel said softly. I was left feeling like an idiot standing there in the middle of the gas isles. Asana's grandfather came around holding what looked like a mangled coyote. Both I, and Gabriel stared at it for a long moment.
"A skinwalker seemed to of gotten to it" the old Native American Man said.