Chapter 8: Time Spent In Nature

Esme reached the apartment complex without any issues; her senses were on high alert the whole time she walked home, but nothing suspicious caught her attention. Once she was in, she threw her bag on the couch and placed her phone on charge, leaning against the kitchen counter and looking at her depressing department. It was quiet, something she was now familiar with, but tonight, for once, she did not find comfort in it. Her mind flashed to Hana and Leo leaving with their friends at ONYX.

"It is for the best," Isana sighed as they felt the hollow emptiness in their chest. It was a statement she had to remind herself; some places she stayed were easier than others, and it seemed this time, Chester was a little harder to reside in. Making friends never guaranteed her or their survival. But she still became bitter from distancing herself.

Wolves by instinct were pack animals; even rogues preferred the company of another. If they found their mate, then they were content, or they would befriend humans in neutral zones where pack territories didn't overlap. "You still have me, chick." Esme smiled at Isana's words; she would always have Isana and that she was eternally grateful for at least.

Esme opened the patio door and hopped up onto the balcony railing; in a crouched position, she kept her hands grasped at the tarnished paint as she stared at the security cameras and the road across from her. Nobody could see her; it was nearly 4am, and the cameras were not pointed in her direction. She knew that the only sleep that awaited her was filled with nightmares, and she would end up waking up groggy.

Esme gracefully hopped off the balcony and landed on the grass below; she pushed off from the wet grass and walked casually in the direction of where she knew the city would slowly turn to the countryside. As soon as she saw the first signs of trees, Esme started jogging into the woods. Once she knew no passing humans (if there were any at that time) could see her, she began to strip and left her clothes in a plastic bag she kept tied to a tree. This wasn't her first time streaking in the woods.

Her body shivered from the chilled night air, but she knew soon enough her fur would keep her warm. She jogged forwards and let her body begin to tremble, and she shifted into her wolf form. She felt like she could finally breathe, and instead of running herself, she let Isana take control of her body. Her wolf was delighted and instantly came to the forefront of her mind, pushing Esme back into 'viewer mode', as she liked to put it. For the next two hours, Isana ran through the woods free, letting her legs burn and her lungs gasp for air.

It was exactly what they needed.

Isana yawned loudly, her snout scrunching up and her jaw widening, revealing her sharp canines. "Hmm, you okay to return?" Her wolf asked but already threw 'the reins' back to Esme, who was startled and thrust back into control of her body.

She started to shift back into her human form when she realised their location. Walking naked among the array of trees, Esme enjoyed the feeling of the earth beneath her feet, the fallen red and brown leaves crunching beneath her toes. The gentle breeze flowed through her dishevelled hair that now looked as dark as the night sky.

The she-wolf reached behind a tree she marked with a tiny cross carving in the bark and pulled back the small bag with her shorts and a sports bra in. She put them on quickly before sitting down at the edge of the eroding cliff. Below her feet was a vast valley with a river passing through. It was the perfect view and the perfect spot for hunting.

After eying her surroundings, Esme lay down on the cold ground, her dark brown hair fanned out against the grass as she listened to the beat of her heart thrumming loudly for all nearby to hear. Her body was tired, but her mindfully awake; she was tuned into every little detail of the forest around her. The rustle of leaves from trees, the sound of an animal scurrying nearby and the smell of damp moss and wet trees filling her nostrils as she stared up at the almighty sky, the stars shining brightly against its black canvas. And then there at the centre of her universe was the moon, crescent in shape as though she, the Moon Goddess, was shy of revealing her 'brilliance' to the world.

"The stars, they shine for you, my dear. And the moon shines brightest of them all. If ever you find yourself afraid, look to the stars and seek help from the Moon Goddess, for she gifted us these powers. The power of the wolf that will one day be gifted to you."

Little Esme clung to her mother's shirt, staring up at the night sky like her mother told her to, but the warmth of her hug was what truly brought her peace. They were in an unknown location in the middle of the night, and she could feel her mother's anxiousness along with the scary shadows creeping towards her. But after some time, her mother's beautiful face was clear before her as Esme stared at her instead. She could not grasp why they were there or why her mother looked so sad; her dark brown eyes twinkled with unshed tears.

Esme reached up, her little hand touching her mother's smooth cheek, who turned to look at her, her eyes softening at her child, the tears streaking down her face. "Mumma, I will tell off who made you sad! You just tell me! I will protect you!" Esme's face was set in determination as the youngster tried to figure out who would do such a thing. Her mother chuckled, her smile brightening up her face, and she wiped away her tears and leaned her head against Esme's.

"No one else will make me sad. It's just you and me now, Es," Her mother sniffled, staring back into her daughter's dark eyes.

Esme continued to stare at the sky as her memory faded away like the easy breeze of the wind. She was no longer afraid of the dark, but she clung to those words like a child to their blanket when the days became too much to bear. Though inevitably, it was not enough in the end. The times she sought out the Moon Goddess, pleading for guidance, for help, but she received none.

Esme's eyes hardened as she glared at the moon. The Goddess of Night was nothing more than a higher being playing with their dolls, throwing them away when there was no use for them.

"Easy, Es. She can still hear us."

"She knows how I feel about her. Why fake a love I do not feel for her," Esme replied sharply to Isana. Her wolf went quiet; unlike Esme, she was a little more concerned with the Goddess' wrath, but in Esme's mind, she had already been cursed and forgotten about. The she-wolf wasn't clouded in self-pity, but she refused to praise the Goddess.

Esme continued to lay there watching the moon slowly guide its way down to the earth, and soon after, she saw Eos, the Goddess of Dawn, rise and kiss the ground with her light. Esme sat up and enjoyed the view, fascinated by the grass glistening in the early morning dew. The wind brushed against her skin along with the light making its way up her body, the warmth relieving the built-up stress among her tight shoulders. She stayed there a while, watching and listening to the wildlife starting their morning routines of surviving in their little habitat.

Esme inhaled deeply, her eyes closed, relishing the last of her peace before reluctantly getting up and undressing once more. Her time in the wilderness came to an abrupt end. After placing her clothes back in their hiding spot, she shifted and sprinted back through the woods until gradually the trees became less and the sights of the city stood tall in the distance. Esme picked her clothes up from where she left them, changed into her outfit from the night before, and walked back towards her apartment complex.

The she-wolf guessed the time to be around 7am now; the place was still and quiet, perfect for her to sneakily climb back up to her balcony. She jumped up to the first-floor balcony and climbed up the plumbing on one side before hopping onto her balcony floor. She pulled the patio door back, the usual noise of protest loud even for human's ears. Her eyes instinctively searched her apartment, her body tense, but there were no unusual scents or anything out of place.

After checking her place was safe, Esme's body sagged before removing her boots and collapsing on the sofa. Sleep seemed to finally catch up to her, and she happily obliged to her body's needs. Within seconds her world went dark.

Esme's lids fluttered open, startled by a vibrating noise, but the quick scan of her room didn't alarm her to any intruder. She shut her eyes again. The vibrating noise made her open her eyes once more; this time, she was more alert and jumped off the couch, her leg still caught from the blanket wrapped around her. When did she pull this over her?

It didn't matter; her phone was vibrating on the kitchen counter. Esme checked the caller's name, and her brows furrowed at the unknown number. She flipped it open and waited silently, holding her breath as her other hand held onto the edge of the counter, her claws scratching the surface.

"Esme! I've been trying to get a hold of you, girl!"

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"Huh?" Esme's hand relaxed from the sound of a familiar chirpy voice.

"Leo drank too much last night and called in sick today. Niko said you'd be fine taking the shift, but I wanted to double-check!" Hana continued in her bright and cheery voice.

How did she get my number? As much as she liked the girl, she didn't appreciate Niko giving her number out. When she sees him, she will mention this little mishap.

" 'kay," Esme replied, her voice was full of sleep but sharper than she intended it to be. She couldn't help it though, this made her feel uncomfortable; who else did he give her number to?

"Oh, Niko said he couldn't get a hold of you and even after I phoned a few times, I was beginning to worry!"

Worry? Why? She checked her phone and was baffled because it was still only 11am. Maybe it was because she was now meant to start at 12 instead of 4pm.

"I was just sleeping. No need to be dramatic," Esme joked. "I will see you at 12 then."

"See you soon, honey!"

The call cut off, and Esme checked her call log; her eyes widened at how many missed calls there were. She was in such a deep sleep it worried her.

"Nothing happened, though," Isana spoke softly in her mind. "You needed to sleep; it's not good to go 24 hours without sleep."

"Hmm." Esme knew Isana was right, but she was still nervous that she became too relaxed. Just because she was in vampire territory, it didn't mean she shouldn't be on her guard at all times. Whether it was werewolves, hunters or vampires, Esme needed to stay alert even during sleep. Which was rather ridiculous considering she lost herself to her nightmares most nights.

Sigh.

Esme shut the phone and started to get ready. Soon after showering, getting changed and clipping her hair back in a half-up hairstyle (her signature hairdo), she was good to go. Esme left her apartment in a hurry, with a slice of toast in one hand and her backpack in the other. She rushed off down the stairs and out towards the street.

Esme arrived at ONYX's quiet parking lot. With a displeased look on her face, she wondered why she was asked to come in at a time when it was apparent it would be dead. Esme used her fob at the glass door entrance and walked through until she was in the bar area. Esme halted and frowned when she saw Leo behind the bar turning on the coffee machine whistling a tune.

Her eyes moved to Hana, who seemed to almost skip to her position, her curls bouncy on her head. Esme narrowed her eyes at the girl's lie. "Woah! Chica, you can be so scary sometimes!" Hana giggled and put her arm over Esme's shoulder, looking down at her and flicking her wrist, so a black card was in her line of sight. "I had the feeling you wouldn't come if I told you the real reason you are here.."

Esme huffed in annoyance. "You're damn straight." She looked at Leo's back then returned to look at the card in front of her face.

"Whether you like it or not.. We are going shopping!" Hana squealed, making Esme press on her ear and remove herself from Hana's arms. She walked back towards the doors, her mind already on how comfy her couch was. She opened the door and halted on the spot.

"Where are you going?" Niko stood in front of her, tilting his head to the side.

"Home. I must have mixed my shift-"

"No, you are on time," Niko interrupted, his voice calm. Esme looked at him suspiciously, making the vampire's lips twitch in amusement. "You are to go shopping with Hana. I get the sense she will be very helpful in your trip today."

He turned on the spot and started to walk down the hallway, avoiding the light shining through the glass doors of the club. Esme followed him, letting the doors swing shut behind them. "What do you mean? I'm not going shopping!" Esme exclaimed in a panic. She didn't want to waste her precious money on clothes.

Niko stopped and whipped his head back to look at her. "You WILL go shopping. That is an order, Esme. You have been wearing two lots of the same clothes night after night. In the nicest way possible.. You need to dress up more.." He trailed off, watching Esme's eyes narrow and her lips thin. "You won't need to pay for a thing," He added.

Esme's eyes lit up immediately. She didn't mind a new change of clothes for work; though she wouldn't be able to fit them in her bag, she could leave them in her locker. "Well, why didn't you say that in the first place, Niko! Sheesh," She smiled playfully.

Even though she acted like clothes shopping wasn't her thing, it really was. She used to love shopping, but now she was nervous at the idea of being in a shopping mall and choosing the right outfits. Her clothes didn't exactly scream high-end fashion; they were just comfortable and easy to move around in.

"Let's go, chica!"

Hana's voice filled her with dread and excitement.. It might be nice to have some time away from her dreary thoughts and look at clothes, acting normal.

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