A Small but Lonely World (open)

[Azure Rossi]

x

Lightning flashed across the sky like tongues of fire. Thunder rolled in the distance, angry and untamed. Puddles collected on the cobblestone street, raindrops rippling its surface. A pair of black boots clicked as they hit the stone, occasionally stirring a puddle or two. Azure walked slowly, her head bent. She ignored the rain that landed on her shoulders, asking her to dance with them. She put her hands in her coat pocket and shivered. Her heart was heavy with grief.

Her footsteps slowed as she came upon a building. It's neon lights blinded her, and she squinted in discomfort. Azure had hoped to find peace here, on this island where "normal" people lived. She envied them for having such a wonderful yet simple life. Well, most of them did anyways. Azure used to have that sort of life. It was a long time ago, though.

Azure took a deep breath, and opened the door. A bell ringed as she walked in, and a couple people looked up to see who had just come in. Azure sat down at a table and shrugged off her overcoat. A newspaper laid on the table, and she picked it up with mild curiosity.

"What can I do for you today, ma'am?" asked a waiter.

"Just tea, for now," Azure said in a soft voice, looking up and giving the waiter a small smile. Her eyes traveled back down to the paper. The headlines bared nothing but grim news. Stories about ruined crops, some thefts and murders, a couple's home that burned down.

"Why must reality be so hard?" she whispered, tightening her hold on the paper. A knot formed in her stomach, and she pushed the newspaper away.

All around her, she was surrounded by groups of friends chattering and laughing, and couples that were talking in soft voices to one another. She, Azure, was the only one that sat alone. A pain filled every corner of Azure's body. There was no escape from reality. She caught a couple people were looking over at her with pity.

A guy passed by her table, but stopped and turned around. "You all alone?" he asked.

Azure panicked a little. "I...uh. I'm meeting some friends. They should be coming. I think."

The man nodded and left, but it was clear that he saw right through her lie. Azure felt ashamed. Is this what I have come to? A tear rolled down her cheek, landing on the newspaper.

"Here is your tea you ordered," said a waiter, setting down a steaming pot, a cup, and an assortment of tea bags for her use. Azure said her thanks, giving the waiter a tip. She picked up the white cup and turned it around in her hands. Why did life have to be so unfair?

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard tipped his hat so the accumulated rain could slick off of it, the black cowboy hat was dripping wet. His black wife beater was a little wet with the light rain and the ends of his jeans were wet the water unable to get through his Wild boar skin Boots as the clicked and clacked along the sidewalk. Looking up Everard saw a café, he had some money his parents had wired him from all the Boar hides he sold the local Tanner back home. It amounted to a few thousand bucks for a few hundred good sized hides. Everard turned into the café and pushed the door open, his 10 inch Boar Tusk necklace over his shirt his upper arm tattoo showing.

He walked in and saw another student from the Academy. She told a man walking past her that she was meeting friends but by the panicked tone in her voice it was obviously a lie. The man went out the door and around the corner into an ally not far from the entrance. Everard turned back and walked over to the girls table and took off his hat. ”’Scuse me miss but I believe that man you just talked off is plannin’ something. It would make me feel better if I could sit with you while you drink your tea and walk you back to where you need to go.” All this time Everard was pointing from the Wild Boar tattoo to himself and back to try and indicate he was a shifter like her, he didn’t wait for a response he just took a seat and waved for the waiter.

The man was back in a few seconds to take Everard’s order ”what can I get you sir?” Everard looked at the little menu the waiter handed him and quickly made his selection ”Sir, if yall could get me some strong black coffee I’d me much obliged.” Everard laid on the southern charm thick as molasses. The man nodded politely with an added ”right away sir” and a smile to boot, Everard turned back to the young lady he had taken under his protection.

Once the waiter was out of ear shot Everard lowered his voice ”I sure hope your somethin’ mighty dangerous so’s we can handle that creep around the corner waitin’ for you. I don’t mean to frighten you so, but this is serious business.” Everard probably looked ten times as dangerous as the man around the corner, and that might have been true but he didn’t mean any harm to the girl he was sitting across from. Everard had completely forgot his manners in all the haste and he hurriedly introduced himself as the waiter was about to approach ”Everard Wyatt, Giant Razorback and Wildlife Conservation Major… ah sir thank you kindly” Everard said to the waiter who hadn’t heard a thing of their conversation as he set down Everard’s cup of coffee. Everard took a sip and smiled at the waiter who nodded and went to wait his other tables.

[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure jumped when a man came over to her and sat down. She couldn't help it, and she felt herself blush from being caught at the wrong moment. He had a thick southern accent, which surprised her more. His attire was different from most people, wearing hides and a large tooth necklace. His words took her off guard, and she couldn't help but look over her shoulder. She had a fear of strangers as is. But not just people she didn't know, people that seemed suspicious. At first she didn't understand why he was acting so strange, but eventually she noticed he was trying to show her his tattoo. A shifter. Of course.

"How did you know? I mean, how did you know what school I attended?" she said in a low voice. By this time, she had regained her composure. Well, most of it.

"Thank you for being so concerned about me. It's...new. I think I'll be alright though, being a Martial Arts major and all..." As she talked, she played with her bracelet. It was a present from her father, something she cherished dearly. The black braided bracelet had a charm hanging on it, a simple silver dove. She wasn't sure if she should trust this guy or not. Sure, he seemed sweet. But if that guy was up to no good, perhaps Everard was in on it too. She took a sip of her tea, by which had now set for a long enough time.

"I'm sure he was just trying to be friendly," Azure said, her voice a little shaky. She was more trying to convince herself then anything. She cocked her head slightly. "Right?

She shivered, remembering the day she was kidnapped. It happened so fast...The kidnappers didn't look suspicious at all, more like they just wanted to hang out at the park.

Surely the guy wasn't right? He couldn't be. Couldn't she have one day where she didn't have to worry about these sort of things? Thinking about only gave Azure a headache. She couldn't help but wonder how this all came about.

"You sure are Southern," she noted, sipping her drink. "You have a thick accent. I'm sure all the girls at your school flock to you. Must get tiring." She analyzed him carefully, waiting for his reaction. He seemed pretty laid back, but then again, it may all just be a cover-up. Should she trust him or not? His outfit alone made him alone intimidating, with his necklace. He was a lot bigger then her too. Which made sense, if he was a boar shifter.

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard took another sip of his coffee and looked back up to the girl who hadn’t given her name yet. Everard listened to the girl try and reason herself out of the evil of the people around her. Everard wondered what made her so suspicious of other people. It was probably something he shouldn’t but his nose in. Everard instead set his coffee down and fished in his walled for his school ID. He pulled out the little plastic card with his name and the school crest, his grade and name and shift on it. He pushed the little plastic card across the table. “Where I’m from a man’s word means somethin’, you have my word I don’t mean you no harm miss.”

Everard left the card out long enough to look at it and took it back when it was offered. Everard thought her observation of where he was raised and how it seemed to mean he was more attractive to women was a bit funny. When you were raised around other southerners he was just another boondocks boy. Well he knew his guitar skills made him a bit of a woman magnet, after all women liked the whole Country music man thing. “That’s awful kind miss but I wasn’t much for courtin’ back where I’m from. Spent what time I had Hog huntin’ and doing my school work, more Hog huntin’ than schoolin’ mind you, between Hogs and schoolin there wasn’t much time for the lady folk. Everard gave her a friendly smile but his face got deadly serious when the man he saw go into the ally turned up to be staring at them right through the window.

Everard looked back at the girl and putt on an easy smile and took a sip of his coffee. ”miss I don’t wanna scare you none but the man you talked to earlier is behind the window staring at us like a hungry dog. Don’t look or you’ll scare him off, I wanna see what this ole creep wants from you.” Everard was getting angry at this guy. He was probably going to try and take the girl away somewhere to do god knows what. Everard would let that happen over his dead body. And that wasn’t likely. Given this girl was a Martial Arts Major but two against one was just better odds. Everard sipped his coffee and looked out of the corner of his eye to see the man still staring. He wasn’t too bright if he was still looking after Everard saw him.

[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure furrowed her brows. "But don't we want him to bug off? I don't know about you, but being stalked isn't exactly on my idea of fun." By this time, Azure had finished her tea. She called a waiter over, and paid the bill. Azure thought about what Everard had said about him being genuine and...well, hog hunting. Hog hunting? Azure shivered. She couldn't help it. The idea didn't exactly appeal to her.

"I just want you to know...Everard...that I'm not in the habit of accepting 'protection' from those who offer it. And I'm not about to make it one. It isn't about me being afraid it will ruin my reputation as an independent feminist, or make me seem weak. It's just that I'm not used to other people looking out for me." Azure lowered her gaze, tapping her fingernails against the surface of the table. She was glad she had decided to wear dark jeans and a blouse that day, instead of a skirt. It was cold enough as is inside the cafe.

"Please don't take this wrong. I know you're trying to be a gentleman and help out. There's nothing wrong with that." She rose from her seat and put her overcoat on. Azure couldn't help but think she was making a mistake by doing this, but her inability to trust strangers had won her over. She looked out towards the window, where Everard had been staring not moments ago. No one was there, though that didn't necessarily mean he was lying.

She studied Everard, wondering if she would ever see him again at school. He was unique, that much was certain. She felt bad for running off, but the truth was Azure really didn't know what to do in this situation. Trusting a stranger was a foreign feeling for her. It scared her, though she would never admit it. Azure never had a very close guy friend, except for one, and she hardly talked to any guys her own age at school. She was too shy. Part of the reason for this behavior was because Azure was afraid of falling in love. People always talked about how they feel so fast and hard when it came to love, without even knowing it.

Azure was guarding her heart, and she knew it. In fact, she had left it behind in Arizona. There was one guy, a childhood friend, who she has had a crush on for years. They were good friends, but nothing ever came out of it. He dated a couple girls on and off, leaving her looking from a distance. She only saw him in the summer now, and on holidays.

I don't want to fall for another guy, Azure reminded herself.

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard wasn’t hurt in the slightest, she seemed to think he was an emotional creampuff. All Hogs have thick skin. Her rejection of his wanting to make sure she was alright only hardened his resolve so make sure she got back to the Academy safe and sound. Everard stood, his giant’s stature now evident. He picked up his hat and looked down at the girl who didn’t even introduce herself. She was being rude, Everard couldn’t hold it against her but his frustration could be vented in other directions. He putt his hat on his head and walked to the door his long strides beating the girl by a good bit.

He stepped out the door immediately jumped around the corner clapping his giant hands around the throat of the same man who had been looking in the window. The man was stupid enough to be unarmed, it was evident when he just tried to pry Everard’s hand from around his throat. He gave a second of protest before Everard cut his windpipe off with his Iron Band of a hand. Everard’s Pa had taught him some street brawling techniques and Everard putt the man in a sleeper hold, pressing harder and harder.

”now you wasn’t thinkin’ of hurting that pretty li’ll thing in that café was ya?” the man shook his head as much as he could to indicate he wasn’t planning on that. Everard knew this was a big fat lie. ”Now don’t yall go lyin’ to me now, now when that young lady walks outta’ that café yalls gunna’ tell her you was creepin’ on her now ya hear? Now tell me, yall was creepin’ on her wasn’t ya?” the man sat there for a minute then nodded a sluggish yes, he was losing oxygen so Everard lessened up enough for him to breath, just enough to remain conscious. The man didn’t struggle Everard was more than double his size and could probably bench press two of the man with room for more.

Everard stepped out from the shadows of the damp ally and into the rain and thunder of the street, he would wait the few seconds it would take the girl to come out, so he could prove his point. As the girl stepped out of the door Everard gave the man a little squeeze and he said his piece. ”I was stalking you, I was going to take you into the ally. The big guy caught me please don’t let him kill me!” the man said in a wheezing voice, once he started begging for his life Everard squeezed hard enough to where he blacked out and just dropped him on the ground till he would wake up. Everard keeping a careful eye for any sign of his waking up ”Ittaint polite to say but in this it needs said, I told yall so” Everard said to the girl. ”now hows bout I get your name miss?”

[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure was sure Everard had left for good, but as soon as she walked out the door, her heart stopped."Is this your way to prove you're right?" asked Azure in a calm voice, seeing that Everard had a good grip on the man. Azure watched the man fail in Everard's grasp, wondering if she should ask him to let the man go. Fire burned in her eyes as she sized up the man who had supposedly was a creeper. She was halfway tempted to give her a piece of her mind, but she decided otherwise.

"Men," she snorted, referring to the creeper. "Um, you can let him go now. I think I'm safe." It was well, in its own sort of way, sweet. In a strange way. He really was looking out for her, after all. Then again...it was a little violent. But thoughtful. Azure pointed to the ground, a gesture for Everard to drop the man.

"You want a name, huh?" said Azure, with a laugh. "You didn't have to strangle a man to ask. If you really want to know...it's Azure." Azure was surprised how lightly she was taking all of this, seeing how serious it really was. She figured that it would all soak in later. A breakdown might be in the near future. At this point, she was still in shock.

Azure walked over to the two, and tugged on Everard's arm. "Come on, it's getting dark." She stepped away quickly. "And thanks. For...everything."

Azure felt a little awkward standing there, so she instead concentrated on the ground. Exhaustion was taking its toll on her, and the wind was picking up quite a bit. The sky was turning an inky black, and the rain was still as hard as ever.

The man in Everard's arms groaned. Azure glared at him. Was she really going to just let him go? She decided not. Azure was peaceful most of the time, but she had zero tolerance for people like that man. So, giving the man a hard kick in the stomach, Azure set off down the street. She slowed, and turned to see if Everard was going to follow or just stand there and kill the stranger. Not like it mattered to her.

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard really wished he had his Truck, he had his license already and he could just hop inside and gun it off with Azure in the passenger’s seat blaring country music. Sadly there weren’t enough Hog hides in the south to pay to ship his truck to this little island. His family already sold most of their hides to pay all of his tuition, and other expenses. Everard shoved his boot in the guy’s face, with force , then started after Azure. ”Hold your horses I coming.” Everard caught up with her easy and walked beside her in the darkening night. ”you know yall didn’t need to point at the ground like that my Ma and Pa are the dog shifters in the family, Pa is an American Bulldog, and Ma is a Cano Corso. They’re the ones who taught me how to hunt Hogs, seein’ as they’re the best dog team for Hog huntin’. So seein’ as how I saved your skin and all hows about tellin’ me about yourself?”

Everard was trying to make conversation on their walk to the ferry back to the Academy. He kept his senses alert for anyone who would try and make a move on him, his keen ears listening for footsteps behind them. His eyes however weren’t so good unless he had his contacts in like he did right now. The things were a pain to get in the morning but it was worth it to see where the heck he was going. Everard’s boots were clicking loudly against the concrete, his hat slicking off the nights rain, his Hog Tusk necklace slapping against his chest.

” You know people ask me, they ask, ‘Everard why yall wanna be a Wild Life Conservationist?’ I tell’em Wild Hogs are destroyin’ the south, and their populations are explodin’, and these hogs are breedin’ with Russian Boars and they get bigger and meaner, they are pushin out the other wildlife and they need to be stopped. That’s why my family hunts Hogs so much, ya see its ‘cause we love the south and the more hogs we kill, the more he help keep the population down, the more we protect our south.”

Everard was often made fun of for his major, a big old southern boy spending his time worrying about saving animals when he could have a star athletic career, or something along those lines, but his parents told him repeatedly that they were proud of his choice of majors, they knew when he was done with his schooling he would be able to get a great job doing something he loved. He stopped reminiscing over his home and snapped back in time to hear Azure’s response.

[Azure Rossi]

x

Azure folded her hands in front of her, listening to Everard talk about the south. She wasn't raised in the country herself, though she did love it. It was nice that Everard had dedicated his life to saving the south.

"Before I shifted, I led a fairly normal life. I'm a city girl. Was raised in Arizona. I have two loving parents. My mother is the shifter in the family. She's an alligator shifter, actually. My father is a professor. He loves to read, like me. He teaches history at a college. My mother is a Chemist, something I thought about going into. I think that I would have, if it wasn't for a strange course of events that took place."

Azure slowed her steps. "I was kidnapped, only a couple years before I shifted. She ran her hand down her arm, where light scars still stood to that day. "The kidnappers got in a car accident. Most of them were shot. Sometimes I think I can still smell their burning flesh. Well, at least the cops got them. I landed in the hospital and was diagnosed with amnesia. I don't remember much about my life before that, though I have a few memories. My family told me that I was different after that event. They said I used to have a lot of passion, no fear. Someone who embraced life and all of its challenges. Sort of like my mother." Azure fell into silence. Why couldn't she be like that now? Where had her confidence run off to in that fateful night at the park? Azure had never returned to that place, since her kidnap. Her parents were afraid it would be too much for her. Azure always though so to. Until now. Perhaps going back would in someway help her connect with herself. Azure made a mental note to ask Connor, her brother, his thoughts about it. If he didn't agree, she would go with that. He always seemed to know what was best for her, after all.

"That's why I went into Martial Arts. Not only to better be able to protect myself, but to teach others that may be unfortunate enough to run into someone that may want to harm them. Martial Arts teaches you discipline as well, not only self defense. I practice nearly everyday, for hours on end. It's a bit of an obsession, really."

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard saw her Major as admirable, teaching other people how to defend themselves, how to respect themselves. ”I think that’s awful noble of you, teachin’ others a useful skill like that." Everard looked up from his thinking and realized they were already at the ferry. Everard pulled out his student ID again, showed the deck hand and boarded the vessel. He wasn’t use to being on boats so it took him a bit to get his sea legs on. He walked carefully over to the rail and held on for dear life as the boat pitched and tossed in the waves.

When the boat finally got out of the dock Everard couldn’t get himself to let go of the railing, he was never normally scared of being out on the water but with the waved and the win and the rain he could have been better. Everard looked to see how Azure was fairing, after this boat ride was over he knew she could probably take care of herself from now on. She seemed to be taking the fact that she might not be on this boat back to the island at all, probably stuck in that ally with that creeper of worse.

Everard shook the thought from his head. He needed to think positive if he was going to take this boat ride without throwing up. Everard’s stomach made an audible rumble, maybe coffee wasn’t the right choice of beverage to calm his stomach before an agitated boat ride. Everard went up to the Captain and asked how long the ride would take, the Captain indicated that it would be a little longer than normal because of the waves and the incoming storm. Everard was just a little miffed and wobbly walked back to his piece of railing, the rain beating down on him.

As the wind picked up Everard grabbed his hat to keep it from flying off his blond head, the hat was a gift from his grandfather, and if he lost it his grandpapa would be very disappointed. Everard turned to Azure ”How yall holding up over there?” he was feeling just a little green around the gills, his stomach protesting loudly. Everard made a silent prayer that he wouldn’t upchuck all over the deck, which would make things on deck a little dicey. Everard had already putt his bags on the boat before going to the café. He wished he could get to the Sea Sickness medication his Ma had packed for him just in case.

[Azure Rossi]

x

"I'm doing alright. Although you do look a little pale yourself. Will you be okay? You seem seasick." Azure glanced nervously at Everard. It sure looked like he was sick. She just hoped he wouldn't throw-up or anything. Azure could handle the rough waves fairly well. Back at home, she could ride every single roller coaster there was without feeling nauseous.

"Martial Arts is a great way to take things off your mind. When I get angry, or when I have a bad day, I just go to the center and practice. It takes things off my mind. I can't imagine what joy it would bring to me to be able to teach Martial Arts to others. Yoga is another favorite pass time of mine."

Azure leaned over the railing and closed her eyes. She savored the feeling of the crisp sea breeze fill her lungs and touch her skin. The wind brushed her hair back, and her memory of a day gone bad was pushed out of her mind. Azure felt a sense of freedom grab hold of, so rich and perfect. She didn't want to let it go. For a few precious seconds, Azure felt something familiar tug at her heart. Her desire to hold on to this sensation only strengthened. She felt as if she had the entire world in her hands. For the first time she felt as if she was actually in control of her life. I wonder if I felt this confident all the time, before the amnesia. Azure opened her eyes and sighed, slowly returning to reality. Sure enough, the feeling faded as soon as she pulled away from the railing. Disappointment crashed over her.

"We'll be there soon," Azure said in an attempt to make Everard feel better. "So, do you have any hobbies? Do you miss home? It sounds like you have a good family. Do you have any siblings?" Azure hoped that by asking these questions, it would help distract Everard and he wouldn't focus so much on being sick.

The boat moaned in protest as it forced its way through the waves. Water sprayed on the deck, sending people scattering. A wave splashed against the side of the boat, sending mist everywhere. Azure didn't flinch as the tiny water droplets hit her. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. Of course, Everard probably felt much differently about this boat ride by the expression on his face.

[Everard Gunter Wyatt]

Everard looked over to Azure. God bless her for trying to distract him from the boat ride. She asked him about his family, he already missed them. He started to talk. Josh is 11, he wants to go to the Academy like me, Steve is 9 and he just follows Josh everywhere, we call him the lill lost puppy, and Tracy Sue is 7, she is my lill Peach, she can’t get enough of Ma’s Peach trees when they all come to fruit. PA is an American Bulldog and Ma is a Cano Corso. Ma and Pa are Hog huntin’ machines. I remember one time, all the rest of the dogs were sick, Ma and Pa took a 400 pound hog by themselves.” Everard remembered his childhood running around the back woods, catching frogs and hunting hogs.

Everard’s stomach was feeling a bit better, looked to him like she had saved him as much as he had saved her. “Yall know what I miss the most? It ain’t the huntin’, its sittin’ on the front porch swing, on those hot summer nights, watchin’ a storm roll in while Pa plays the banjo inside. I use to go watchin’ the ladies runnin down the road in their Daisy Dukes, headin’ for home. I miss sippin’ tea and playin’ guitar with Ma on the Fiddle and Pa on the Banjo. Our lill place out in the boondocks.” Everard finished with a sad smile on his face looking Azure right in the eyes. Everard was southern through and through and if there was one thing he missed it was feeling like he belonged somewhere. This place wasn’t home, at least not yet.

All these people from all over the world and there just weren’t many country boys around this island. Lots of city slickers and people from out of the U.S. it was a little weird being the only southerner, to be honest it unnerved him. Everard tried to leave the little piece of railing but the boat gave a slight lurch and Everard’s stomach gave a little flip flop. Everard grabbed the railing with both hands. He started singing Southern Voice by Tim McGraw in his head. He didn’t know it but he was also humming it loud enough for the people around him to hear it. The song helped calm his nerves and his stomach. The waves only got more intense but the other island was also in sight. Everard thanked the good lord and started counting down the yards to the island.

[Azure Rossi]

x

"Daisy Dukes?" echoed Azure, not sure what the word meant. Azure took in this information about Everard's family for several moments, trying to imagine what his life would be back home. The thought itself felt very foreign, for Azure's had never even been on a farm. She had a small family, who didn't hunt or have orchards. Her mother did play the piano, but nothing else. Her life was a complete opposite of Everard's. She lived in the city, far from wild hogs and farm animals. In her world, there were pigeons, maybe a coyote or two, and a fox that lived under their house. Her parents never had a heart to drive the fox out. It was really never an issue for them, since the only thing they owned was a goldfish. Azure had always wanted a dog of her own, but her mother was allergic. Cats would have been nice, but her grandmother was severely allergic to them. Her grandma often visited them, almost every weekend. She always brought freshly baked goods with her. Azure learned to be a good cook because of her, although her mother wasn't the most talented in that area. She made up for it in sewing though. Azure could never stitch, sew, or weave as her mother did.

"Thank God," said a guy as he wobbled past the two, making his way to his girlfriend. "We're almost there."

Azure turned her head to see the island in the distance. The boat lurched forward, and she grabbed the bars quickly to steady herself. These waves were getting rougher, a lot rougher. She couldn't help but wonder if getting on this boat wasn't the best idea she ever had.

"I should call Connor and see if he is alright," decided Azure as she whipped out her phone. She held on to the railing with one hand as she speed-dialed him. Her face fell, and she snapped it closed and stuffed it in her pocket.

"Phone's dead." Azure made a face. Connor had better be alright. He had to be. She closed her eyes, trying to shake the image out of her mind. This wasn't a hurricane. It couldn't be. Hadn't Shifter Academy's students gone through enough? Life was so unfair sometimes.