A Reason For Being

Chapter Six

"So that wolf howling the other night was you, right?"

I hum in agreement. I don't understand why he's still following me.

"Where's the rest of your pack? Maybe we could trade supplies and start an alliance or something. My dad always says alliances make packs stronger."

"They're gone," I say. I don't react or show any emotion. I can't. Instead, I reach the bush that my boot has fallen into and began looking for it amongst the thicket.

"What happened to them, if you don't mind me asking?"

"The same thing that happens to everyone else." My eyes turn to the ground as I speak. I don't feel comfortable talking to him.

"So you're a lone wolf. I must be the first wolf you've seen in a while. Sounds lonely if you ask me," the juvenile says, trying to move the conversation forward.

"Good thing I didn't ask you. Did you want something else, kid?" I snap as I finally lose my patience.

"I just wanted to thank you for the help back there. I'm Kaz Hayashi. What's your name?" The juvenile spots my boot lying on the floor, then picks it up, dusts the dirt off it, and holds it out to me.

"Sora Sakurai." I take the boot from him and slide my wet foot into the shoe while groaning. "Sorry. Usually it just me on my own. I'm not used to others," I say as I roll my eyes.

"It's OK. I get it. How long have you lived here for?" Kaz says.

"All my life," I say.

"Seriously? And no one knows?" Kaz says enthusiastically.

"No one knows," I repeat.

"How is that even possible?"

"It's not easy. You have to be brave, smart, tough, and badass, but sometimes that even isn't enough. How many times have you been on the run?" I don't feel uncomfortable talking to him anymore.

"More times than I can count. Do you think you could show me around Sector Five sometime?" He smiles.

"Maybe," I mumble.

"Pinkie promise?" Kaz raises his pinkie into the air.

"OK," I say. I have no intention of keeping this promise, but I wrap my pinkie around his.

"I know we've just met, and you don't exactly trust me or anyone for that matter, but do you want to come back with me and meet my pack? You can make an alliance with my dad and every time my pack reaches a new sector safely, we celebrate with a giant feast. There's lots of food and a little alcohol. We all wear these knitted vintages jumpers, and we stay up till the next day playing this board game called Escape from the Capitol." His face glows as he speaks.

"No offense, kid, but I don't know you, and I don't trust you. How do I know you're not a mutt?"

"Mutt?" Kaz repeated. "What's that?"

"A mutt is a wolf who works with the government. They lead wolves and packs into traps that are set by the government, then they're taken away or killed. They're the bait, the traitors," I say harshly.

"Who would be sick enough to do that?" Kaz questions.

"I'm not taking any chances," I say.

"I promise it isn't a trap, and I'm not a mutt. I get that you're cautious. It's just I bet you've been through some shit, and at least you'll have food, water, shelter, and someone to talk to. You can just sit in the corner if you won't," Kaz says. I notice he has spatters of blood on his face. It's not his blood. It's the macaque's blood. I don't mention it to him.