| Chicken Broth

It was almost as if the jolt was what Jack needed to get back to his senses because he slackened his grip and the thief staggered back to his friend, clutching his neck.

'Next stop's Caldwell, mister,' the driver called to Jack along the aisle. 'Will you return to your seat or do I dump you right here?'

'He's fine, and we're sorry,' Ava called as she guided Jack back to his seat. 'All a big misunderstanding, everything's cool.' In his ear, she hissed angrily: 'You're acting like a total freak! What is it?'

'He was going to steal her money,' Jack muttered, pointing to the old woman. 'I had to stop him … '

'I do believe you're right, young man,' the old woman said. The disturbance had woken her, and she was smiling gratefully at him. 'I dozed off without shutting my bag. Again … ' She sighed. 'Crazy old fool, leaving my money in the open that way. If I'd lost it I couldn't eat for a month.' She placed a warm wrinkled hand on Jack's leg. 'Thank you so much.'

'It's OK,' Jack muttered.

'I reckon that's more than can be said for you.' The old woman looked at him with some concern. 'What's wrong?'

Jack hesitated, floundering for a plausible excuse for his feverish appearance. 'Just over-tired, I guess,' he said finally, forcing a smile. No one needed to know he was a new werewolf struggling to control his powers. Especially not a kind, normal old lady.

The woman nodded sympathetically. 'My name's Patience Stern,' she introduced herself. 'I used to be a midwife. Once a nurse, always a nurse, I guess.' The laughter lines scrunched up around her warm brown eyes. 'You kids got far to go? Where are you going?'

Jack opened his mouth to tell her, but Ava gave him a warning look.

'What it is … ' She laughed awkwardly and took Jack's hand. 'We're eloping. Traveling around, seeing where life takes us … ' she added vaguely.

Jack's mouth stayed open.

'Our parents say we're too young, but what do they know about it, huh?' said Ava conspiratorially.

What do I know about it? thought Jack, dazedly. He found he liked the feeling of Ava's slim hand in his.

Patience was lapping this up. 'That is so adorable!' she squealed, beaming with delight. There seemed little that was stern about Patience. 'So, you got a place to stay tonight?'

'Oh, we thought we'd just stay on the bus – keep going, y' know,' Ava told her.

Patience clucked like a mother hen. Then she pursed her lips and nodded, as she'd conclude. 'Look, you two. I get off at the next stop. And since my youngest moved out fifteen years back – I've been staying with him this week, you know – I can easily give two lovebirds a night's lodgings.'

Ava shook her head. 'Oh, no, we couldn't really— '

'Now, I insist!' Patience folded her arms across her ample bosom. 'After all, one good turn deserves another. I'll fix you some chicken broth, give you a bed for the night and send you on your way with a good breakfast.' She looked meaningfully at Jack. 'Be a lot better for him than staying cooped up here on the bus all night.'

Jack felt the itch tickling through his body again. The moon was still gloating at him through the window. 'She's right,' he muttered.

Ava looked at him, troubled, then back to Patience. 'That's kind of you, thanks. Would you mind if we talked about it?'

'Sure, honey,' Patience agreed, settling back in her seat. 'You go right ahead and do your talking.'

Straight away, Ava snatched her hand away from Jack's and absently curled her long hair around her fingers. 'Thanks but no thanks,' she muttered.

'Ava, I have to get out of here,' Jack whispered. 'What if I lose control again? Or worse this time?'

'Your body's fighting the 'wolf infection. It'll pass.' She sighed. 'And we don't know Patience from Eve. Why should she want to help us?'

Jack gave her a withering look. 'Out in the real world, it's called returning a favor. I saved her pension money, now she's offering us a bed for the night.' He put a hand on Ava's leg as Patience had done to him and tried to smile. 'Fiancée.'

'You want to talk about favors?' Ava said, ignoring him. 'If she's seen with us, we could be marking her out for death. Did you think about that?'

'All right, whatever.' Jack sighed. He wriggled uncomfortably in his seat, his head starting to pound. 'But I have to get off at Caldwell. Even if we just wait at the station for the next bus.'

Ava nodded. 'OK. I'll tell Patience we'll skip bed and breakfast.' She rose in her seat. Then she stopped, smiled, and nudged Jack.

Patience was asleep again, snoring quietly to herself, her bulging purse lying open again on her lap.

When the bus pulled into Caldwell, Jack almost fell out of the doors. The rucksack seemed to weigh twice as much as it did before. And always, the itch was prickling through his veins, tickling the back of his mind until he wanted to scream.

High above, the moon gleamed silver in the black sky. Jack gave it the finger and shuffled over to the sidewalk. 'Wish I knew how long this was going to last,' he croaked.

'Me too, believe me,' Ava said. Her manner was brusque, but he could see she was troubled. Afraid for him, or afraid for herself?

Patience heaved herself off the bus and waved to them. She was the only other person alighting here. She hesitated as she turned to leave the terminal. 'Sure there's nothing I can do for you two?'

Ava bit her lip, looking worriedly at Jack. 'If anyone comes for us while you're like this, we'll be helpless.'

Jack said nothing.

Ava made a decision. 'Uh, Patience?' she called. 'If the offer still stands … I guess chicken broth would be good right now.'