C9. Starting To Change

Jossie's POV:

     There is a beer produced by werewolves called, 'Wolfweiser.' It's brewed and spiked with wolfsbane. It's about the only beer wolves prefer. Because, it's effects on us are stronger then the adverage beer. The cans are purple with the logo in a bold gold. There is a wolf howing towards the moon on it. Wolfweiser is used at large backyard parties. There are a few knock-off brands but nothing beats drinking a Wolfweiser. Before I left Nathalie's apartment she gave me a can. "Don't come into work today. Just stay home and try to relax," she insisted. "Drink one of these if you feel like you're about to shift and give me a call."

     Nathalie would walk out with me. Her intetions were strong about making sure I got home safe. She'd drive me back. Malaya was dropped off at Cheryl's appartment and we went out to her car. I was reminded once again that she in-fact was making me stay home today. I felt completely aganist the idea at the time. I wanted to bring it up once more and this time... try to convince her to let me come in.

     "I can really come into work today," I told her. We still had time. I could go home and change and come into work. "Don't you need me there?"

    "Well... The diner usually isn't busy on the full moon. Everyone is always at home preparing... The only guests we will see come in are the regulars. I think I can handle today alone. We close up early on the full moon anyway."

     "Nathalie..." I don't want to be alone today. "I need the money."

     "I know Jossie. I'll pay you a compensation for me making you stay home. It's better for everyone. I'll come by as soon as I lock up the diner. But, if you start shifting early... PLEASE call me."

     I can't even try to deny it. I have a feeling she's right. My turning is today.

     I gripped the can of wolfweiser and looked down at my lap. My heart was racing at the fact I would be stuck in the hotel room alone today. Much worse... I was supposed to meet up with Casimir later today. What if he shows up at the diner looking for me? Should I warn her to keep an eye out for him? But, he was crafty about not showing his face towards her yesterday. I think I can keep him a secret just a little bit longer.

     "Okay. I'll make sure to call you first. Can I have your number?" I'll keep her number right by the phone in my hotel room. Nathalie parked behind the diner. She picked up a sharpie sitting in the cup holder and took my hand before writing down her phone number on it. It was a quick drive over. I guess she'd expect me to walk over to the motel. I really didn't mind.

     "Take this number and plug it into the phone's contact list." I nodded as I knew it would be easy to do. I was already planning on it. She squeezed my arm and gave me a big smile. "I'm going to call around and find us a secure place for your trasformation. If anything... I'll keep you in the walk-in cooler if it comes down to it."

     "Thanks Nathalie." She's really like a big sister... She's so kind and thoughtful.

     "Jossie... You won't be alone today. I promise you I will be with you when it happens," she told me with a fierce tone. "All we gotta do is stay in touch. I'll check in on you by lunch time." Before Nathalie could reach the door to open it I stopped her by grabbing her shoulder. I had one last thing to ask.

     "How do I know when it starts?"

    "You'll know."

     Nathalie's eyes looked deep into my own. Like she was looking at my soul. I let her shoulder go and watched her get out. I followed her actions and watched as she locked her car. I still felt nervous about being alone... But, she didn't want me at work today. Since she's my boss... I can't do anything about it. I waved at her as she looked over her shoulder as she headed to the back entrance. She'd have a lot to do on her own today. I hope she's right about the day being a slow one. She could get more research done with finding a safe place for me.

     I had no dreams last night... I don't even remember falling asleep at Nathalie's to be honest. But, I woke up this morning with a refreshed feeling. Like things were going to be okay some how. I now have a friend. I have a job. I have my first shift coming up tonight. What could go wrong? It's one step of a thousand. I can go only uphill from here. I've already been at my lowest point.

     I went back home and the first thing I did was throw the beer in the mini fridge. I took a shower because I didn't know when my next one would be. I felt like I had to prepare myself for a long journey. There was no voices telling me what to do. It was silent today. There wasn't a warning. I was relieved by silence. I picked out an outfit that would be comfortable and if I ended up shreding the clothes later... I wouldn't be upset by their loss. I put everything up inside the dresser... just in case... I didn't want to end up destroying everything I just bought.

     The clothes I picked up were nothing impressive. It was a brown lounge set. Cute knot front shorts and a crop tank top that was apart of a three-pack. The color was like a coffee brown. I matched it with a white plaid long sleeve. I also picked out a matching set of black silk lingerie. I decided to braid my hair and twist it up into a bun. I took the beer out of the fridge and cut on some cartoons on the TV. I wasn't really into watching tv but I did find cartoons to be always... amusing. I liked happy things. Cute and simple cartoons were just... comfort shows to me. I didn't want to do anything to upset my balance in my body.

     Juliette's first shift happened when we were playing together. She got angry at me when playing hide-and-seek. I had outsmarted her by musking my scent with dad's cologne. Luckily he had been at home that day.... but not so lucky for her. She got frustated and in the anger of the moment...

     I will never forget her scream.

     I thought she had fell down the stairs because of how loud it was.

     My parents took her away from the house and I never experienced her full shift. I just know that anger triggered it. Juliette was never the same after that. She didn't want to play with me anymore. She wouldn't look at me for a long time.

     I cracked the can open and took my first swallow. Wolfweiser tasted like a strong version of seltzer beer. On the can there was a black cherry flavor warning. Wolfweiser was a mixture of black cherry topped off with the aroma of wolfsbane. The taste sizzled on my tongue but it was easy to drink. I finished the can before the first cartoon was over. It was my first beer ever. I didn't know how it would effect me... but smoking wolfsbane must be the same as drinking this. If it is... I'll have an easy shift tonight. It didn't take long for me to begin to feel the dopey side effects of wolfsbane.

If wolfsbane makes wolves tired? Why do they drink it at parties? I never understood it.

     This time I remembered falling asleep. I remembered the dopey effect wolfsbane gave me. It was strange where I was because it didn't feel like I was dreaming. My eyes opened up to pitch black darkness. I wasn't in the motel room. It made me silently happy to not be dreaming about that place. But, where was I? The more I breathed in... the more I picked up on the scents of the forest. My feet were barefoot and I could feel a cold hard ground beneath me. I pulled my plaid shirt close around me. A slight tremble broke up my back as I shivered. I could see my breath break out in front of me as a cloud of smoke.

     'You will take on the name of Cromwell,' I heard a unisex voice speak suddenly. There was no certainty what sex was speaking to me. But, It was coming from behind me. I went to turn around and look but nothing was there. Is this really a dream? 'And, carry on its legacy.' I felt a gush of wind hit my face and my teeth began to chatter from how cold it was. 'You will make Cromwell great again. Be proud of who you descend from. I will send you a guide.' The wind seemed to pick up as I caught a silver light glow. It was too far from me at the moment... but as the wind came... its light grew in size. I got a gut feeling it was coming towards me. 'This is your prophecy. You will become A Cromwell Rogue and make your ancestors proud.' I was breath taken as the light cleared and I saw a wolf's red eyes staring at me through the absence of light. But, this didn't feel like the one who was talking to me. This felt different. 

'My name is Jude. I will be your wolf.'

It's voice rung in tune to the univeral voice I had been recieving. It sounded different from before. This was the guide given to me. This is my wolf.

'The first shift completes our bond. It will begin shortly. Please wake up.'

'There is one thing left,' I heard the god-like voice break apart our thoughts. 'You will recieve a final blessing.' I glanced around in suspicion and found myself glowing. A warm and fuzzy feeling was eating me up inside. The world wasn't cold anymore. My body glowed a bright light. It was so sudden when it stopped.

"What was it?" I asked.

'You will see.'

I thought it better not to ask again. The wolf glaring in front of me suddenly jumped towards me. I threw my hands up in alarm. My heart pounded in my chest.

     I woke up with a furious chest pain. I screamed as I hit the floor suddenly. I must've rolled out of bed. The sheets came with me and I was covered completely. My body was clamy and my hair came undone in my sleep. It was sticking to me and damp from sweat. I tossed the covers off. My throat was dry. I felt pain consuming me all over. I collapsed from the loss of energy. This was the beginning. The reminder of Nathalie's words spoke to me, 'But, if you start shifting early... PLEASE call me.' I found my eyes lock in on the unlatched door. I forgot to lock it when I got home.

'Someone is here.'

'Jude?' I had to be sure.

'Someone is in here.'

     My heart skipped a beat as I looked around the room. Casimir stood by the nightstand. He was bent over it and fiddling with something from behind the stand. I felt a growl break out from my own lips. It startled me as I've never been able to make such a noise. It made Casimir turn to look at me.

'Who is he?'

He smiled at me.

It made my chest flutter.

'Are you insane? Do you like him?'

     I don't know why but at the same time I felt annoyed. He came over to me and sat a pair of scissors down. He reached out and touched my forehead to check my temperature. What the hell is those? Did he... I glanced at the nightstand to check closely and realized that's the one with the phone.

'He cut the cord.'

     "Jossie, you're hot." He suddenly touched my wrist and looked to be counting my pulse. "I think you started your shift," he said and almost sounded worried. Why would he cut the cord? Is he trying to prevent me from calling Nathalie? How would he know I have to call her when I start trasforming? Has he been stalking me? I can't believe I didn't lock the door before I drunk a beer. That was so stupid of me!

     Is the air not on? It's so hot! I lost focus as my eyes landed on the AC unit. I could see it was running on a cool temperature of 61 degrees. I moved to get up but couldn't find the energy to make it past my elbows. I was trapped on the floor. My body ached from my belly and out. It was like I was on the verge of dying from hunger. My throat was cotton mouthed and I found it hard to think apart from the dripping sound of the foset in the bathroom.

     "You have to call Nathalie," I told him with a serious tone.

     "Is she the waitress from across the street?" His question seemed to be teasing me. "Don't worry. I can take care of you too you know? I think I know better then her on how to handle you." He walked over to a hiker's bag and pulled out a water bottle with the familiar coloring of wolfbane micro powder. He must've brought it already prepared. He brought it over to me and sat down next to me. He opened it and fed it to me. I ignored a growl coming from my throat as I downed as must as he was willing to give me. He only allowed me to drink half.

     My stomach didn't like it though and I felt my mouth swelling up. I knew then I was about to puke. I moved so fast to the mini trashcan by the bed and hunkered over it as I puked up everything that had been sitting in my stomach. I looked back over my shoulder to see him waving the over half of the water bottle towards me. I reached out and took it in a hurry. I began downing the rest of it. It was like he knew it was coming. I don't even remember the trash can being this close to the bed.

     "We have to go to the woods, Jossie." He reached out for me and picked me up. He had already put the backpack over his shoulder. "Its time. I packed some of your clothes in the bag." I blushed at the thought of him seeing me trasform... but, he does seem to know what he's doing. Maybe he does know more then Nathalie. We stepped outside and I instantly felt something pulse in my body. My eyes turned to look up at the moon shining down from the sky. It was still day-time. But, the moon was out and calling to me. "You'll feel better in the woods," he whispered. "Everything will begin to feel better once we're there." He carried me through the parking lot and towards the forest. My insticts seemed to call me there already. I didn't feel up for a fight. I already knew he was right. I wanted to be there.