5 Chasm, Realm of Sorrow

The sunlight had long since disappeared and it was full dark, Alaska dark. The light of business illuminated Downtown Anchorage, but it was a phantom city. Not normal.

Where the hell was everybody? Did I miss something?

It was Alaska. Wildlife was here and there and left you alone. Bear and wolves alike. Were the streets empty because of the wolf warning?

Shit. Did I slaughter someone other than that guy last night? What the hell did I do? Fuck, I need to keep up with the local news, if only for a period after a shift. Fuck it.

Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria was a brisk two miles away from the University of Alaska Anchorage along East Northern Lights Blvd. The walk and the crisp air worked marvels for my brain. After seeing my Adonis I was in a haze. The breeze opened up and whistled in from the Turnagain Arm, three miles west. The sleet wasn't an impediment; it was only 35cm deep, and the pavement was mostly free of snow, because of upkeep and usage. It was a trudge, with the breeze and snow quickening. The flurries stung my face, gnawing into my lips, and drying out my skin. I stretched my muffler over my face, and the hood of my sweatshirt over my head, and pushed onward, kicking puffs of powder up with my bunny boots.

Who was that guy?

The earth was a clamorous place to my werefolk ears, and I demanded it to shut the fuck up for a spell. A diversion was needed, so I shoved in my ear buds, and scrolled through my saved artist on Spotify, how did people live before Spotify? I defaulted to, Wolfheart.

And I cranked the volume to eleven (see it).

Wolfheart is a Finnish melodic death metal band, and my number one. I know, I'm werefolk, and my favorite band is wolf themed, how cliche, but it's my book and it's true and if you don't acknowledge it, you can go guzzle a trough of tepid semen, or just fuck off and quit reading. Whichever course you choose is fine with me. Besides, it can't be that cliche, because you've never listened to them.

Eat dicks.

I landed on Chasm from their first album Winterborn. It wasn't my favorite song of theirs, but it fit my disposition, wistfulness. It opened with the melodic strumming of an acoustic guitar, setting the mood. The drums kicked in with a serious false chord growl and a melodic lead. It shifted into a dark acoustic riff, and Toumas Saukkonen, thundered from his bald and muscle bound beautiful barrel head,

Behold of the moon,

Full circle of suns reflection,

Silvery light illuminates the world below.

Gaze upon the world of frost,

Forged from the ice of ages

Dominion of winter,

Realm of snow.

The verse concluded with a mournful violin fill. A female vocalist emoted with a choral melody. Perfect. This was what I needed. It had been one assfuck of an odd cock sucker of a day. If you require mental refreshment, today I:

A.) Woke up to a half-eaten carcass.

B.) Need another abortion.

C.) Dodged a probable sexual violator.

D.) Vomited on a prick (oh, puns).

E.) Ripped said cock off.

F.) Killed a duder with a solitary blow.

G.) Ran home with my cooter out.

H.) "Came out" to my best buddy.

I.) Soothed a savage wolf.

J.) Decide I wished to be a mom.

K.) Decided not to have an abortion.

L.) My "foster parent" informed me he loved me.

M.) Fell for a naked stranger in front of my class.

I couldn't imagine how the day plotted to wrap up my alphabet checklist.

And Toumas roared,

In the snow,

Traces of wolf,

A trail leading into the wild.

Untamed and fierce by its nature

Across the woods

Upon the soil frozen to the core

Absence of warmth forevermore

There was a pause, a drum fill, and a melodic guitar solo.

I slipped back into revelry.

Adonis' scent malingered on me, ingrained into the fiber of the Wolfheart hoodie I wore beneath my leather coat. Black to match my "wolfheart'. I only wore black, black and crimson. Colors proven to obscure carnage. Clutching the smooth cotton fiber at my bosom, I inhaled in its fragrance, his musk engulfed my senses, and it sent my head reeling. I quit moving and held it in. The frosty air. The chilly breeze. The essence of him. I forgot everyone, and everything. I lived for the here and now, an individual at harmony in the universe, if only for a flash.

And Toumas roared,

On the shore of stream

Colder than ice

A tomb built into a perfection

A grave that shall never be frozen

Dark waters

Calm surface

Gives no reflection

A short bridge transitioned into a chuggy groove with a melodic flow.

I need to make more time for Yolanda and Zane. They've worked out so much for me, accepted me when I had nobody, offered me a place of my own, a job, and a confident perspective on my future. I'm not alone. No matter what transpires, I realize they'll be there. If I'm arrested for murder and bolted up, they'll be there, if only once for a definite adieu. Wait? If the authorities arrested and locked me up, how did that work? The first full moon and I'd swallow my cell mate. You mean to tell me that if other werefolk existed, not a single on had been incarcerated? Not once? I didn't buy it, but I couldn't be the only werefolk in the annals of the world. Is there a state conspiracy keeping my kind secret? Did they shoot us on sight, before we're found out? Or did they use us in a secret cult of assassins, a bona fide terrorist "hunt"? Now, I was curious. The thought of being arrested terrified me, but now it would fascinate to discover how it panned out. At least Alaska didn't have death penalty, never did, and never would. Three hots, a cot, and a shower to dominate never sounded better.

That's one fear fled.

I can't believe Zane said he loved me.

I was the daughter they never had.

I love Valentine's Day.

And Toumas roared,

On the river floor

Underneath the countless fathoms

In the pitch-black depth

Lies the fallen ones great in numbers

Beneath the icy flow

Buried in the lightless vault

Laid to rest into the deep

The song transitioned into a melodic lead.

Fuck, I'm still standing here. What time is it?

The time on my phone read: 7:30, plenty of time.

And I was in motion, bunny boots crashing through powder. The roads were desolate enough, so I picked up a trot, wolf pace. I elected to risk it, the jaunt broke the haze.

My thoughts flew to Vivianna, and I was beholden to her. She was an admirable friend. How natural it was for her to accept me, bewildered me. I speculated on how long she had suspected something before resolving to bring up the subject of me, and how long it had been on her tongue. I couldn't understand it. I just leaped in through the balcony entrance without verifying her location first. Before, I was always mindful. This being in heat thing was a real cunt punt.

And Toumas finished,

What the chasm seizes the depth will keep

No deliverance gate to break free

No redemption a salvation to seek

In the river of ice, they sleep

"Luna!" Vivianna called.

I ripped my headphones off. I was there, at Moose's Tooth. If Vivianna hadn't called out, I'd have continued going right passed it. I jogged over to the entrance. There was a guy with her, her boyfriend I supposed. He was pacing with a mobile to his ear and was blazing a smoke. I detected menthol. Marlboro Smooth's. The smoke carried the bouquet of a toasted Andes mint. I craved one.

"Luna! This is my boyfriend, Gage." She stated.

"Nice to meet you, Luna." He said.

Voice familiar. Holy fuck.

"Do you recognize me with my clothing on?"

It was him.

My Adonis.

"What?" Vivianna scowled.

Those eyes.

They flabbergasted me for the second time in two hours.

He sniffed the air.

"Hey sexy." His voice exploded in my skull. "Getting wet so soon?"

I was, and he could smell it.

Gage was werefolk.