(Morning)

Light pushes through my eyelids. The light brings back everything. The numbness is gone. My body is overrun by anger and fear, but mostly guilt. I have to find her!

I look around, searching for her even though I know she isn't here. While I was asleep, I shifted back into my human form. I now sit naked in the dirt. This shifting thing can sure get somebody into trouble, I'm just glad I picked somewhere nobody would go. The sun feels warm against my body. I can tell it's early in the morning, no later than seven. If I shift back into my animal form, I can probably find her before tomorrow. Maybe even sooner if fly. I've always had a knack for it, most shifters have trouble flying.

I search the sky. I see some kind of black bird through the branches. I feel my body almost fallow it. With one easy movement, I'm in the air. My need to find her makes the shift effortless. The sensation of air underneath my wings is something I will never be able to explain correctly to anyone. Freedom is the closest thing to the actual feeling.

Somehow I just know what direction to go. She pulls me like a magnet.

(Sundown)

I fly until the sun gives way to darkness. The land start to look familiar and I can almost feel her. I start to see light pouring out a window. I'm here.

I lower to the road and land on her porch, the porch where we met. My body pulls back into human form, too exhausted to stay an animal. I knock on the solid wood door.

The door opens slowly and I see my companion. I'm so relieved to see her face, but her face is everything but relieved.

"Shit!" she whispers. "What are you doing here?"

I hear noise behind her and realize I should not be standing buck naked on her porch. Shit is right! I quickly move away from the door opening. She is wearing clothes so she must not be the only one here.

I don't know what to say. I probably shouldn't say anything.

"Who's there?" I hear from the background.

"Uhh… It's a man looking for his dog." Jane says off the top of her head. Her comment almost makes me laugh but I know I should keep quiet.

"We haven't seen any dogs. Have you Greg?" the woman says from behind Jane.

"None." A deep voice replies.

Jane's face is fixed on me. "I think I'll go help him look." Jane says.

"Well, dinner is almost ready. I think the man can find his dog on his own." Says the woman.

"I could really use some help." I say loud enough that I know they can hear it. With her hand on my chest, Jane pushes me back and shuts the door behind her. The feeling of her soft hand on me feels so good. I want to hold her so bad.

Before I get the chance to touch her again she grabs my arm, pulling me off the porch and around the side of her house where there are no windows.

"Are those them? Your parents?" I ask.

"There was a reason I wanted to run away. They were the reason." She replies, tears starting to fall from her face. She leans in and wraps her arms around me. She holds me so tight. I hold her back. I don't know how I could have left her last night. She makes me feel like a whole person.

"I'm so sorry." Is all I can think to say. "What should we do?"

"Please don't leave me." She says quietly.

"I won't. I can't." I respond. "But, what should we do?"

She pulls away from me and wipes away her tears.

"Wait right here." She says.

"Wait, won't they notice somethin's up when they see you were crying?" I ask quickly.

"They won't notice." She replies, her voice sounds so sad. She disappears around the side of the house. I can hear mumbling inside and then the door slams shut.

She appears again with a bundle of clothes in her arms. "Here, put these on." She says and hands me a pair of plaid pants wrapped around a white shirt.

"So, what's going on?" I ask.

"I told them you have been looking for your dog for hours and could use something to eat." She is right about the hunger part. I am starving! She continues, "They weren't too happy about it, but, fuck them."

I smile at her as I pull on the pants, secretly wishing I was just taking them off. Once I get the shirt on, she drags me toward the house. I don't know what to expect. I am honestly scared. Well, I am scared by what I might do to them for what they've put Jane through.

We walk through the doorway. Even though the house is filled with yellow light from the fireplace, it feels colder than ever. The warmth Jane brought to the house is gone with these people here. I see a woman and a man sitting at the small table. They look at us impatiently. As we get closer, the small, brown-haired woman says, "Are those Austin's pajama pants?"

"Don't be ridiculous, we got rid of all of his clothes years ago." Jane replies.

I try to draw attention to myself by saying, "So sorry to bother you. I really appreciate the help."

Her parents don't say a word; they just look down at their plates. We sit in the two empty chairs. Baked potatoes and fried chicken are for dinner. I can tell I was an unpleasant surprise to them; Jane's meal was split in two to feed us both. Jane's mother looks like a dull version of her, only smaller and older. Her short brown hair is sad compared to Jane's beautiful dark hair. Her father's head is down, shoveling food into his mouth, but I can tell he is just average. His hair is grey and his hands are fat. It's hard to believe Jane came from these people.

"This is Tommy." Jane says, her voice breaking through the silence.

The woman tilts her face toward Jane but doesn't really look at her. Then she turns to me and says, "So, what breed is this dog you're searching for?" her voice sounds irritated.

I pause. Jane fills in the story. "It's a pit bull." She says. Her parents still don't look at her. Why won't they look at her! It's no wonder she was ready to run! I want to take a bite of the food but I know if I move, I am going to lose control. Jane sees this in my face and grabs my hand under the table. Her touch instantly calms me.

"Ain't those things pretty vicious?" Jane's father says, his eyes not leaving his plate. His words seem so weak.

"They can be." I say. I know from experience. "But, mine's a nice one. You know, I really could use Jane's help some more." I continue, trying to make them look at her.

"She can do what she wants." Her mother says, avoiding her eyes. "Just don't make a ruckus if you come back late."

My skin starts to get hot again. I need to leave!

"You know, I think I hear my dog barking." I say quickly as I pull Jane away from the table. I don't even think they noticed we were holding hands.

Outside, in open air, the anger leaves me alone with my companion. We walk into the trees. I sit against a tree trunk and yank her down into my lap. I hold her as close as possible.

"They won't look at you." I state.

"I guess they're just mad that I'm a daily reminder of him. I'm the reminder of what they couldn't fix in my brother. I'm tired of being that. I wish I was just me; just me with you." She breathes against my neck.

Her words sink in to the pit of my stomach. I realize she is and will always be what I want. I can't believe I get to have her. I think I love her. I think I fucking love her! Fuck. What now?

Sorry it took so long again, college work has been crazy. I'd love to hear what you thought of this chapter, I always appreciate all of your comments. I will try as hard as I can to get the chapters out sooner. I know I'm missing my true blood :) Thanks for sticking with me! Stay tuned!