Duskrise Ch.8: Blue

A week passed by of extreme boredom.  Although, Blue often came by to wheel me around the underground complex, and we would chat about random things.  Besides those lovely forays into the winding halls and deep chambers, it was the same old four gray walls for me.  I often had nothing better to do than lay in wait on my bed for Blue's visit.  At least Blue and I were really hitting it off.  I think she was beginning to become my first real friend since losing my memory.  The others, my former squadron didn't count.  They kept the truth hidden so I would remain a mindless tool.
 
Sitting up in bed, I yawned.  My broken bones, if they were even broken anymore had ceased to hurt ages ago, but I felt depressed as well.  A week underground without any sunlight, the smell of the pinewood trees, the cool feel of rain soak my fur... It was driving me crazy!  I missed the surface to the point where if I was able, I would claw my way up through the ground.  At that moment someone knocked on my metal door.  Instantly I brightened up considerably.  

“Come in!”  And the door swung open.  In walked the red-headed woman Jayze, followed closely by Blue.  Jayze smiled as our gazes met.  This woman, Jayze... she wasn't human.  Nor was she lupine.  I had learned many days ago that she was what was called a “witch.”  An ancient race of powerful creatures that appear human, but actually have no common ancestry.  I'd heard that they make even the most skillful seeker look powerless in comparison.  

“Hello Dusk.  I've come to check on your bones.  I'm sure they've healed by now.”  Standing over me, Jayze proceeded to touch the areas of my pelt just above and below the knee-cast.  She nodded, satisfied.  

“I've seen your cells and bone structures.  They appear to have mended, but will be a little stiff until you've put them through their paces.”  I beamed.

“That's great news.”  Next, she checked my ankle and found that it had healed perfectly as well.  The witch then gave me permission to do something that I had wished to do for a very long time now.  Tearing at the cast with my claws, I raked them up and down the sturdy material.  It was no match for their sharpness and strength.  Cracking open, the cast fell off my leg.  Quickly tearing off my ankle support, I leaped from bed, landing neatly on my two feet.  I jumped a couple inches off the ground.  My legs felt so light and springy, I could just jump to the moon!  Jayze and Blue laughed.  

“Let's take a walk.”  Jayze suggested.  “There's something I need to talk to you about.”  

“Alright.”  I nodded, and we left behind the room that had held me prisoner for so long.  

Walking side by side down a twisting hall, there was no sound but for the faraway whispers of conversation, humming lights and our own footsteps.  

“Blue tells me you know of Inuran'ael?”  Jayze questioned.  I shrugged.

“Not really.  It's just one of the only things I can remember, before my memory was lost.”  

“But you also have talents, don't you?”  I looked at the witch funny.  

“What do you mean?”  

“You can do things other people can't.”  

“Like move things with my mind?”  I remembered back on the base, when I had begun training to utilize my latent abilities.  Jayze smiled.

“Yes.  Although that is only a fraction of your potential.  From the first time I laid my eyes on you, I could sense that you had the gift.”  I was a little perplexed.  

“How can you know just by looking?  And by the way, how could you tell my bones had healed just by touching them?”  Jayze laughed.  

“It's child's play for someone as old and talented as I am, but to answer your questions... I could feel the power in your soul, and I communed with your cells.  They had interesting things to say.”  

“Communed with my cells?”  This was becoming a little too much for me.  Let alone the part where Jayze said she could feel my soul.  “What interesting things did they say?”  

“Well, they said they have a few demands.”  

“What?”  I was flabbergasted.  “My cells want something from me?”  I laughed.  “This should be intriguing.”  Jayze winced.  

“No, not really.  They don't want anything that isn't expected.  Mostly they just want you to take care of yourself in the future.  And...”  She looked at Blue.  A smile played on the edges of her lips.  

“And...”  I gestured for her to continue.  

“And they like Blue.  A lot.  They're wondering why you don't just sweep her off her feet and take her... to bed.”  My jaw dropped.  Humiliation burned my cheeks red.
 
“Thank you for saying that aloud, Jayze.”  I mumbled.  And Blue burst out laughing.  Jayze brushed her hand against Blue's paw.
 
“Your cells want him too Blue, so don't be laughing.”  Blue gasped.  Blue and I looked each other nervously in the eye.  This moment was getting a little too awkward... I had to defuse it.  

“I wouldn't want to have... you-know-what with you anyways Blue.”
 
“Excuse me?”  She said incredulously.  “Am I not good enough for you?”  Oops!
 
“No, no!  That's not what I meant!”  My face grew red beneath the fur and I started to sweat.  “It's not that I don't want to have sex with you, I mean, I do, really badly...”  I trailed off, realizing what I had just said.  “Damn it!”  I slapped a palm to my face.  Okay, I could still save the situation.  I looked Blue in the eye.  Her beautiful blue orbs were amused.  “It's just, I've got something really sweet with you.  I don't want to complicate that.  If it didn't work out between us, I'd lose my only friend.   You are my friend, right?”  Blue's gaze softened.  

“Of course I'm your friend... and you're right.  I wouldn't want to lose you.”  Wordlessly, we came together in a hug.  Drawing apart, we both looked to Jayze.

“So, you uh, wanted to talk to me?”  Jayze nodded.  She was still smiling from the touching moment Blue and I had shared.  

“Yes I did.  I have something for the both of you to do.”  I nodded.

“I'm ready to repay my debts.”  

“Good.”  Jayze nodded, satisfied.  “It's a simple task, but a vital one.  We're running low on our stores of food.  Dusk, I want you to go remind our smuggler that he has debts to pay.”  I narrowed my eyes.  

“And how will I go about doing that?”  Jayze reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded note.  

“Here.  Just give this to him.”  I grabbed the note and put it in the pocket of my worn out jeans.  

“Understood.  Who is he and where can I find him?”  Jayze nodded towards Blue.  

“Blue knows.  She's done this before.”  I looked at Blue.

“So, wanna get going?”  She nodded.
 
“Right behind you.”  Side by side, we made to leave.

“Wait.”  Jayze halted us.  “Dusk... be careful around the smuggler.  He's very dangerous.  Blue knows how to handle him, let her do the talking alright?”  I nodded.  

“Don't worry.  We'll be fine.”  I took a step when something just popped into my mind.  “Jayze?  Can I ask you for a favor?”  She nodded.  “Can you tell me... are my parents alive?”  The witch sighed.

“What would make you think that I knew?”  Disappointment ran like a poison through my blood.  

“Oh... I just thought you could feel them through me.  I mean, I did come from them.”  It was a stretch to be sure.  Jayze smiled.

“And you would be right on both counts.”  My heart skipped a beat.
 
“So they're alive?”  Jayze nodded.
 
“Yes.  You're father... his life force is very weak, but it's recovering steadily.  And you're mother is right as rain.”  Her eyes saddened.  “They miss you.  The sorrow is consuming their souls.”  Despite the bit about them missing me, my heart soared and I gave a beaming smile.  

“Can you help me find them?”  I asked eagerly.

“Of course.  After you've finished that little errand.”

“Then we've got a deal.”  I extended my paw.  She took it and we shook.  I winced.  Her grip was strong.  Strong enough to make a lupine cringe.

Staring out the window of our car, I marveled at the skyscrapers towering above us into the cloudy sky.  They were magnificent.  It was hard to believe that such things could be built.  Turning my gaze toward the earth, I saw hordes of people walk the sidewalks.  They were a diverse bunch, with all sorts of skin shades and fanciful clothing.  There was even this one woman with a dead fox around her neck!  Among the crowds of humans, I also noticed some of my own people.  They... They wore clothes that were tattered and threadbare.  Shiny steel collars glinted around their necks, evidence of the humans' oppression.  On street corners, even more rag tag lupines sat near tin cups, holding out their paws for charity.  These beggars were even sometimes children barely clothed, darting around, asking for money presumably so they could eat that day.  I had to look away.  

“I just... Why is injustice allowed to continue?”  

“Because humans don't care.”  Blue seethed, watching what I had just seen.  “Look at them... those children will probably end up as slaves to the system.  Breaking their backs for barely any money.  Forced to work faster lest their employer take the whip to them.”  

“What?”  I growled.  “How can that be allowed?”  

“If you were human, it wouldn't.  And technically, it is against the law, but nobody enforces the law.”  Blue sighed.  “C'mon.  There's our stop.”  Slowly, the car came to a gentle stop outside a tacky bar.  The windows were covered by dark sheets of paper.  Neon lights over the door denoted the bar as being “The Dog House”.  I opened my door, as did Blue.  

“Cate, we'll be a while, but keep the car on in case anything happens.”  Cate, one of Jayze's assistants and our driver grunted in confirmation.  

Stepping out into the cool day, I breathed and recoiled.  The nasty scent of car exhaust and asphalt filled my nostrils.  As did the overpowering smell of humans.  There were also hints of decomposing garbage wafting in from a nearby alley.  How pleasant...  Blue saw my face and chuckled.  

“Come on.  Let's get this over with.  I hate being here longer than I have to be.”  Putting my paws into my pockets, I followed Blue to the bar's entrance, attracting quite a bit of disdainful looks from passerby humans along the way.  

The bar was filled with the bitter scent of burning cigarettes.  I made a face as the overpowering smell of alcohol reached my nostrils.  Raucous laughter filled the dark establishment.  There were few lamps, and the dark wood of the walls, counter and booths wasn't helping to brighten up the place.  Humans, outcasts and the undesirables of society lingered here, playing pool and drinking more than they should.  I could tell by the ruddy flush to their face.  Standing in the doorway, Blue and I invited more than a few glares.  Making up my mind, I walked further in.  We would talk to the smuggler and then be off.  I didn't like this place.  Shrugging off the hostile stares, I walked up to the bar and sat down on a free stool.  Might as well get a drink while I was here.  Blue sat down next to me, giving the place a wary look.  I was about to call over the barkeep when someone put their hand on my shoulder.  I froze.  

“What's a good kid like you doing in a place like this?”  Asked the beguiling voice of a man.  I turned my neck and got a good look at him.  Black oiled hair swept back.  Green intelligent eyes.  Pristine white jacket.  Sharp pale face.  “Come over to my booth and I'll get you a drink.”  His eyes flashed.  Blue nodded curtly at him, a small snarl wrinkling her muzzle.  

“Smuggler.”  She said dangerously.  The smuggler took his hand from my shoulder.  He looked disappointed.  

“Oh... so you'd be with Jayze then?”  

“Of course.”  I smiled at him, showing off my sharp teeth.  He turned and gestured for us to follow.  I looked at Blue.  Her eyes said it all.  Be careful.  We got up and followed him over to a remote booth covered in a haze of cigarette smoke.  I coughed, the bitter scent was revolting.  The three of us took a seat at the booth.  Drumming his fingers on the table, the man couldn't keep his eyes off of me.  I began to grow restless in my seat.  This man was making me uncomfortable.  It felt like he was sizing me up, eying me like a thing he'd like to buy.  Interlocking his fingers, he flashed me a wicked grin and winked.  

“You sure are pretty wolf.  How about you come and work for me instead?”  I tilted my head in confusion and pointed a claw at my chest.  

“You talking to me?”  

        Blue shook her head.  

“He's a pimp too Dusk.  He wants you as one of his prostitutes.”  She stared at him with a disgusted look on her face.  

“What's a prostitute?”  I blurted out.  The smuggler looked at me weird.  
“You know... someone who trades sex for money?”  I made a disgusted noise in the back of my throat.  

“No!  Never!”  I put my paws in my pocket and shook my head.  Inside my pocket, I felt a piece of paper.  Oh yeah!  The note.  Pulling it out into the open air,  I gave it to Blue.  

“We didn't come here for a change of employers.”  Blue said coldly, handing the smuggler the note.  “We came here to do business.”  Giving a sigh, the man opened the note and looked at it.  His pale skin grew even whiter.  

“Oh shit... How does she know about that?”

“So do we have a deal?”  The man grimaced.
 
“Yes.  I'll have the foodstuffs delivered to the usual spot in two days' time.”
 
“Good.”  Blue was satisfied.  “C'mon Dusk, let's get out of here.”  The smuggler did a double take.  

“Wait, his name is Dusk?”  A smile slowly spread across his ratlike face.  “There's a bounty put on his head by the committee.  Ten million fucking dollars.  I'm afraid you're not going anywhere.”  And he snapped his fingers.  Instantly the bar jumped to life.  Those who heard the snap screamed at the top of their lungs.
 
“WE GOT US SOME TROUBLE!”  Most of the patrons immediately whipped out concealed pistols and revolvers.  The barkeep returned from the back with a double barreled shotgun. In a heartbeat all those guns were pointed straight at us.  I stiffened, but Blue acted.  Like a bolt of lightning she grabbed the smuggler by the collar and roared.  
“I see one move and he's dead!”  

“Put em down!”  The smuggler shrieked, fear glittering in his eyes.  His cronies did as he asked, although reluctantly.  Pulling the smuggler along with her as she got up from the booth, Blue held him like a meat shield.  I followed close by, my eyes trained on the guns aiming at our heads.  Slowly, we made our way to the door.  When we got close enough, I opened it wide and stepped outside.  Before Blue rushed out the door, she threw the dirt bag human into his motley crew.  This created the distraction we needed.
Running alongside Blue, I pumped my arms and threw aside any human unlucky enough to get in my way.  Throwing open the car door, I let Blue leap inside before doing the same.  
“Drive!”  She screeched.  Engine revving, tires screeching, our car launched forward.  Panting heavily, I looked back as angry humans spilled from the bar, only to watch as we sped away.  Turning my head to look at Blue, I smiled and started laughing.  At first, she looked at me like I was crazy, then she sniggered, and laughter claimed her as well.  I saw Cate's irritated face in the rear view mirror.  He clearly disapproved.  After my laughter died down, I stared at Blue with a new fondness.  Sort of like I was looking at her for the first time.  Her sharp features were more than beautiful.  Those big blue eyes of hers'... breathtaking in their stunning clarity.  Her mane was long and tied into multiple intricate braids.  Slowly, I inched closer to Blue until I could feel her breath against my face.  I leaned in.  And kissed her.  She returned the kiss without hesitation.  Drawing her in close, we entwined in the back seat of the speeding car.  After a while, I drew my head back and gazed into her warm eyes.  We both smiled.

“I think...”  I whispered to her.  “I-”  And Blue put a finger on my lips.
 
“Don't speak.  I feel the same.”  And she came in for a kiss.  I was only too happy to respond in kind.  Cate grumbled irately.  

“Oh get a room you two.”  

By the time we returned to the elderly couple's mansion, it was dark.  The sun had fallen behind the horizon, and the sky was a dark blue.  

“You go on ahead Cate.  Let Jayze know to pick up the supplies in the usual spot, two days from now.”  Cate tilted his head and looked at Blue.
 
“Why don't you tell her yourself?”  

“Oh!  Err... because I...”

“Because I need to talk to her about something... important.”  I intervened, hugging her close to me.  Cate rolled his eyes.  

“I see.  Just... have a good time 'talking'.”  And he went inside, leaving us all alone.  My arm around Blue's shoulder, I led us into the woods that surrounded the elder couple's mansion.  

Our feet crunching dry pine needles, we stopped.  I looked around, staring into the darkness of the forest.  Raising my nose to the air, I sniffed.  There was only Blue's arousing scent and mine, alongside the natural detritus of the forest.  Quite abruptly an idea popped into my head.  I looked at Blue.  

“Wait here.”  She nodded, and I looked about the roots of the trees for branches.  After some time scrounging amidst the dirt, I finally found enough dead wood.  Propping them up against an almost vertical hill, I buried the ends closest to the ground so they wouldn't move.  Next, I hunted for something to shield us from the elements.  Tearing off living fronds of soft pine, I laid them across the lean-to for privacy.  Laying the same pine fronds on the floor of the makeshift shelter, I crawled into the roomy space.  Popping my head out, I gestured for Blue to come in with a nod of my head.  She didn't need telling twice.  

Lying in a bed of soft pine needles, I sighed and looked into Blue's pretty eyes.  Reaching over, I brushed my paw against her muzzle.  

“There's still some time if you don't want to do this.”  I whispered.  Blue smiled.  

“Having second thoughts?”

“No.  But when we do this, there's no going back.”  Blue put her paw on the side of my face.  

“I want to give you a chance.”

“So do I.”  

“Then let's do it.”

I smiled.  Today was a good day.