Soul Fire

Chapter 7 (1896)

After a bit of tree climbing, Alex found a safe spot. A cluster of branches high up from the ground, it had taken some work, but Alex had found more sticks that she used to make a somewhat stable platform. Determined to show everyone that she more than this weak monster, she had refused to go home when it started to rain. Sure, she had gotten scared when it was dark, especially out in the woods, but she was sure Eva was going to come look for her any minute she tried to tell herself it didn't matter.

Using the light of her phone uncle Jak had gotten her, she clumped up a whole bunch of leaves to use as a pillow and tried to use her jacket has a blanket. Ignoring her hunger, she decided it'd be best if she slept, and unsurprisingly, the darkness opened its arms, happy as ever for Alex to surrender herself to it.

Instead of the normal unconsciousness that Alex craved, she found herself floating in some blue space, smaller objects gently circled her as she looked around, brushing the weightless hair out of her eyes.

What is this place? Alex thought, moving her arms like she was swimming to move around. She looked around and sighed softly, looking around. After some time, Alex decided to try and all asleep again, she didn't want to dream tonight, afraid of what her mind would conjure up if she did.

"Good luck with that, kid." Alex opened her eyes and looked around sluggishly, rubbing her eyes and yawning a few times.

Behind her was the wolf from before, its smile more gentle and human-looking, but most definitely the same wolf. "And I haven't thought of a name for this place yet...maybe you could help with that."

Alex raised an eyebrow, confused. "You... heard my thoughts?"

The wolf nodded, raising a paw and lowering it again, causing Alex to suddenly fall to the ground on her back. "Ow!" she squeaked, quickly getting to her feet.

"How did you do that?" Alex asked, frowning slightly as she rubbed the back of her head.

The wolf shrugged, "when you're as old as me, you learn the ins and outs of this place."

"That's... vague." Alex muttered, "How are you here?"

The wolf shrugged. "What do you want me to say? Something even vaguer so I can look like the villain?"

Alex blinked, unsure of what to say. This wolf reminded her of a different Eva, the sassy sister that Alex preferred. She sadly smirked at the thought.

"Any who~!" The wolf smiled, this one slyer. "You seem to be in quite the predicament. I can help, ya' know. All you have to do is make a deal!"

"Deal?" Alex questioned, "I...thought it was a wish?"

The wolf shrugged, looking around. "Wish works to, but I don't do wishes. Too much paper work... plus, deals are more powerful."

Alex looked at the wolf, clearly confused.

"Look, kid, you have a strong soul, ok?"

"What does that even mean? I hear it a lot but no one's explained that part to me." Alex sighed, regarding the wolf with curiosity.

The wolf's smile widened, "It means you posse one of the many rare traits in a human."

Alex eyebrows furrowed.

"In other words, you're special."

Silence.

"Wow, nothing? Usually that's the closing line. I'd usually have a deal by now.."

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it." The wolf sighed. "Ok, so each human's soul has a different color. Each color corresponds to a trait, green means kindness, red meaning determination, purple equal's generosity, orange is honesty, bravery and justice is blue, and so on and so on, I didn't really pay attention in class..."