Clay's Hope

Four

For the next several weeks, I did what I'd always done. From a distance, I watched what I wanted most.

Gabby woke, left for work early each morning, and returned late each night to eat a rushed dinner then go to bed. The more I studied her, the more she became a puzzle to me. She didn't interact with people. In fact, she tended to avoid everyone except the elderly.

Why was she so desperate to go to college? Her speech about me being uncomfortable surrounded by people didn't make sense. I'd thought she meant I would be uncomfortable around all the people she knew since I planned to stay near her. But, she maintained a very withdrawn lifestyle. I didn't see a problem...unless she planned to change that. Did she want to become more social? Meet people her own age? Men? The thought made me clench my fists.

When does she leave? I sent the thought to Sam as I watched her speak with an elderly man at her first job.

Second to last week of August. I'll drive her.

I nodded though I knew Sam couldn't see it. I was tempted to ask if she'd questioned him about me, but whether she did or didn't wouldn't change what I planned.

Keep her safe.

I will.

Turning away, I made the trip back north. There were things I'd left behind, papers my father saved for me after my mom's death. He'd shown me the hidey-hole three times as I grew up, making sure I knew how to find it. In the human world, those papers proved I existed. I'd need them, now.

It took three days to reach the spot and another half-day to get to the Compound and grab some clothes. After I dressed, one of the primary Mated pair's pups gave me a ride into town and dropped me off at a shopping center.

"Want me to wait?" he asked.

"Nah. I'm wearing fur from here. Thanks for the ride, Paul."

The boy nodded and left.

I went into the store and found one of those tag machines humans used to label their pets. Grinning, I bought myself a dog tag.

What's the address of her new place? I sent the thought to Sam.

After his reply, I went to look at the map pinned to the wall near the checkouts. I'd never traveled that far south but figured I'd be there in plenty of time. I had weeks yet.

I left the grocery and walked a ways out of town before I stripped out of my clothes. Using the shirt, I tied everything into a pouch I could carry with my mouth. Then, I shifted. My skin barely tingled as fur covered me. It was getting easier, which was good. Hopefully, I'd be doing a lot of shifting in the next few months.

Picking up my bundle, I set out. Instead of heading toward Gabby's new address, I detoured and made the long journey to Sam's once more. I needed to see her again. Now that I knew she existed, I could think of little else.

I arrived well after dark on the third day. No light shone from Sam's house, and I knew Gabby was most likely sleeping. I settled in behind the neighbor's house across the street, sleeping between their hedges and a fence. Before dawn, I shook out my fur and left my spot to watch Sam's place. A light turned on. Through the windows, I watched Gabby move around the house. Seeing her again, feeling the pull she had on me, only made me more sure I was doing the right thing.

I waited for her to leave for work, breathing in her scent one last time before I continued south.

It didn't take long to reach the address Sam had given me. The house looked small in comparison to Sam's but nice enough as houses go. I scouted the neighborhood before I settled in to watch the woman who lived there. She wasn't around much, and the neighbors seemed to mind their own business. It was a generally quiet neighborhood, especially during the day.