Chapter 3-Encounter

Alana and Luna arrive in Coldtown, a picturesque modern convenience surrounded by quaint shops, cozy cafes, and locally-owned businesses. The buildings exude a sense of history, with architecture that harkens back to a simpler time, yet they're equipped with the modern amenities necessary for daily life.

The centerpiece of Coldtown is its town square, a gathering place that serves as the heartbeat of the community. A central fountain splashes water into the air, and the benches offer a place for residents to sit and chat, basking in the warmth of the sun. The square is often adorned with flowers during the warmer months, adding bursts of color to the town's already charming atmosphere.

Coldtown's residents are warm and friendly, greeting each other with smiles and familiarity. Neighbors know each other by name, and the sense of community is strong. Events like farmers' markets, town fairs, and holiday celebrations bring everyone together, fostering a close-knit feeling that's hard to find in larger cities.

The outskirts of Coldtown are dotted with family-owned farms, where fields of crops and grazing animals add to the town's pastoral appeal. The air carries a mix of fresh earth and the scent of nature, a reminder of the simple pleasures that come with living in harmony with the land.

strolling through town, the warm sunlight casts a golden hue on the bustling streets. They exchange friendly hellos with familiar faces.

Luna's steps slow down as she approaches the quaint flower store where she spends her days. The aroma of blossoms envelops her, instantly calming her racing thoughts. Stevie, the store's owner, beams as they see Luna, their warm greeting matching the vibrant petals surrounding them. "Morning, Luna! Whatcha doing here so early? he asks, his tone filled with genuine enthusiasm.

Luna smiles warmly at them, waving at the sweet short and stout person. "Hey Stevie! I was just doing some shopping with mom and wanted to stop by to say hey." The bespectacled individual chuckles. "Well, you're welcome here whenever, hun."

Luna glances over and spots her co-worker Katie, arranging a colorful display near the entrance. She flashes a bright smile and waves, "Hey Luna, did you see these new tulips? They're absolutely stunning!" Luna nods appreciatively, her fingers gently grazing the petals as she shares a quiet moment with the flowers.

Amid the friendly chatter and the gentle rustling of leaves, Luna's senses suddenly tingle. A soft, barely audible whisper at the edge of her perception sends a shiver down her spine. She glances around, her gaze narrowing, searching for the source of this unsettling sensation. There's an odd tension in the air that wasn't there before, as if the very atmosphere is holding its breath.

Luna brushes off the uneasy feeling, attributing it to a trick of her imagination. She engages in a lively conversation with Stevie and Katie, exchanging stories about their weekend adventures. Yet, even as she talks and laughs, that sense of being observed lingers in the back of her mind, like a shadow that refuses to dissipate.

As her mother heads to the store next door, Luna's internal turmoil grows. The connection she has with flowers has always granted her a unique understanding of the natural world, but today, it's as if the flowers are whispering a warning of their own. Luna's fingers unconsciously trace the delicate petals, seeking solace and answers, as she contemplates the mysterious sensation that has woven itself into the fabric of her day.

As Luna continues her exploration, she notices a figure out of the corner of her eye, briefly disappearing into an alleyway. Her heart races, and she feels goosebumps rise.

"Luna?" She snaps back to Katie's voice. She glances to see Katie giving her a concerned look. "I lost you there. You alright?"

"Uh…" Luna shakes her head, blinking a few times.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thought I saw something."

But Luna's intuition won't let her rest. She nods farewell to the store and decides to follow the mysterious figure discreetly, her pulse quickening with each step. The alley turns out to be a narrow passage with colorful graffiti adorning the walls. Luna's friendliness shifts into cautious observation as she watches the stranger from a safe distance. She overhears a hushed conversation between the figure and another person, the words "Coldtown" and "secret" catching her attention. Just as she's about to retreat, a car screeches nearby, causing Luna to jump in surprise.

Startled, Luna hurries back to the main road, recounting the eerie encounter. She watches the scene unfold before her, her heart skips a beat. A large, white dog is struggling to limp away from what appears to be an accident. A small crowd had started to gather as the driver of the pickup had opened the door, his hand over his mouth.

"Came out of nowhere," he claims. "Didn't have time to stop."

The sight stuns her, and her empathetic nature immediately kicks in. She feels her heart break at the sight of the injured animal and rushes towards it, determined to help. She runs in the direction the dog headed until she finds it passed out in the dimly lit alleyway. Her breath caught when she saw him. He was definitely bigger than the average dog. The fur was limp and the color dull white with specks of dirt. There was gash on his thigh leg, crimson liquid splattering his dirtied fur.

"Oh my gosh," Luna gasps. She pulls out her smartphone, dialing her mother Alana's number.

"Luna? Where are you?" There was a slight franticness to her voice when she picked up. "Mom, I need you to meet me in the alley across the street. I need your help."

Alana rushes to the scene, and her shock is palpable when she realizes that the injured "dog" is actually a wolf. The discovery takes her aback, and exchanges a worried glance towards her daughter, unsure of how to proceed.

"Luna.."

"Mom, we have to help him!" Luna knelt beside the wolf, running her hands tentatively over his body. "He's still breathing. He may have suffered some internal damage…"

Suddenly, the wolf jerked up when she ran her hand too close to his wound, nearly biting her hand.

"Luna!" Alana cried out, fear rising in her voice.

Luna scrambles back, her eyes wide as the dog (wolf) flared at her with its piercing, golden eyes. His ears were pinned pack and his hackles were raised. His growling echoed in the small alleyway as he struggled to stand upright.

Not taking her eyes off his, Luna gets to her knees and slowly raises her hands. "It's okay." She speaks in a soothing tone. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Lu, what are you doing!?" Alana calls out to her daughter. "Get away from him!"

"It's okay mom," Luna replies in a stern but gentle tone. She relaxes her face and lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. As she stares back at the canine, she couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. An ache slowly blossomed in her chest, a reminiscent melody erupted in her head and then she was singing:

Shailoh Shailoh, yatreet ka...

Shailoh shna.. otvit ka...

Hahla Hahla.. ahlah hah...

Shailoh washnee

fortee ney...

The wolf suddenly froze, his eyes widening in recognition. His body slowly relaxed; ears raising from his head, the growling ceased as the snarl disappeared from his face. Alana watched in shock as her daughter inches closer to the white wolf. She watched as she held out her hand towards his muzzle. The wolf leaned muzzle toward her delicate hand, his black nose inches away until they touched.

Alana sucks in a breath as Luna caresses the injured wolf and he closes his eyes in surrender.

. . .

At the vet's office, tension fills the air as the wolf's hostility becomes evident. It attempts to escape their grasp, its instincts to flee clearly in play. Luna, however, once again taps into her unique connection with him and begins to sing the soothing, melodic tune. The wolf's resistance gradually subsides, and its fierce demeanor gives way to a calm slumber, allowing the vet to examine it without further incident.

"He's a little banged up," the vet begins. "We'll have to bandage the cut on his leg and he's gonna need some fluids. We'll keep him for observation until further notice."

The women thanked the vet for the help and went about their way. They managed to finish running their errands but Luna noticed how quiet her mother had become during the car ride home.

"Mom?"

Alana glances briefly at her daughter. "What is it Lulu?" She sounded tired and Luna didn't understand the sudden shift.

"Are you doing okay?"

"Me? I'm alright." Alana tries to give her a reassuring smile. "I should be asking you that. You managed to calm that dog down with your singing."

Luna shakes her head. "I'm..not sure how I did it. It felt like something I always knew but didn't realize I knew." Luna sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I know I'm not making any sense. Plus, I don't think that was a dog…"

Alana puckered her lips slightly, keeping her eyes on the road. "Why do you say that?"

"Because, it looks like… the wolf that I've been seeing in my dreams." Luna grinds out. Alana is silent. "See? I knew you'd think I'm crazy."

"Oh Lulu no!" Alana quickly reassures. "You're not crazy. It's just…"

"It's just what?" She lets out an exasperated breath. She clenched her fists, feeling her face flush from frustration.

"You've been acting weird since early this morning. What's going on?"

As they pulled up into the house, Alana closed her eyes and let out a sigh. When she opened her eyes again, she is about to open them again and turns towards her daughter.

"Lu-" a phone begins to ring, dispersing the tension building in the air. Alana mouths an apology and rushes to answer the phone. Luna rolls her eyes, deciding to instead grab the groceries and take them to the house. Dropping them off in the kitchen, she decided to head to the loft where she could make her oils and find some peace.

All throughout the day, Luna couldn't get the wolf, the strange dreams, and her mother out of her mind. She was happy to have the distraction but she found herself glancing around, seeing if that strange figure was still nearby. Even the flowers seemed a bit stand-offish.

As the night falls, Luna finds herself unable to shake the image of the wolf from her mind. Its presence has ignited a curiosity and connection that she can't easily set aside.

"Hello? Earth to Lu?"

Luna looks over at her younger sided who was waving her hand in front of her face.

"Oh, sorry Phoebe." The girls were seated on Phoebe's bed. Luna had been summoned to help her sister with her homework and had suddenly zoned out.

Phoebe raises a dark eyebrow at her older sister.

"You okay? You seem… distant."

Placing her science book on the bed, she crosses her arms as she stares. Luna offers a faint smile, her thoughts a jumble as she attempts to put her feelings into words.

"It's just… Luna hesitates, "Everything. Seeing him like that and mom's been dodging my questions…" she huffed as she tried to keep her composure.

"The wolf. He was hurt, and I couldn't help but feel this… connection."

Phoebe's eyes hold understanding, her voice gentle as she listens.

Nodding, she responds: "I know you've always had a special bond with animals. How does this feel different?"

Luna pauses, her hands running nervously through her white hair. Should she tell her about the dreams?

Sensing the hesitation from her sister, Phoebe's brows furrowed in understanding.

Phoebe reaches out and places a reassuring hand on Luna's arm.

" Luna," she begins. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone. You've got me, okay? And if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Luna's gaze shifts to Phoebe, her heart warmed by her sister's unwavering support.

"Thanks, Phoebe." Luna spoke softly. " I don't know what I'd do without you."

Phoebe chuckles, bumping her sister gently on the shoulder. "I know right? I'm awesome." Luna rolls her eyes and playfully bumps her sister back. She tells Phoebe about the dreams and links it to the events that happened today.

"It's like… he looked at me, Phoebe. Really looked at me." She moved her hands animatedly as if it could describe what she was feeling. "It's like he knew me somehow."

Phoebe taps a finger on her chin. "You think there's something more to it? Something beyond just a connection with an injured animal?"

Luna falls sideways on the bed, and she looks up at the white ceiling, her thoughts drifting.

"I don't know, Phoebe. But there's this feeling, like something's changing. Something's happening that I can't quite explain."

"And you feel mom is hiding this connection from you?"

Luna nods, a sour look crossing her face.

"I mean, it's obvious. Right?"

Phoebe nods in agreement. "Maybe there's a way to drill it out of her?"

"Whatever it is, she can't keep hidden forever.