Chapter 48
Pulling up to a small outlet mall I look around for the restrooms. Trying to map the area fast to not get noticed is a habit I learned when I first left. Now I know it was not as they didn’t even know I was gone for almost a year. My plan is simply to go with her to a shop and ask if we can just buy something to change into before we shop. When I go to change I will then go from there to the bank and then leave this area for good. Maybe I will travel up the mountains to the snowpack. They are small and keep to themselves or so I have been told. I am learning fast that things are not always as they seem. One thing is for sure no one would think I would go south. To the mountains.
“Hey um, do you think we could just make a quick purchase of something not pajamas shop in?” I ask quietly. Not looking up I wait for her ‘ya I don’t see a problem with that but then again you don’t have small pups so pajamas are not day-to-day wear for you.” she laughs to herself. Looks at her confused as she's wearing a pair of nice jeans and a cute pink with white flowers all-over tank top and combat boots. Not pajamas in my opinion but to each their own. Looking at me she chuckles “oh no I get it not wanting to be in public in your pajamas. This is the first day in two weeks I am in something other than sweats. Just easier to be in comfy lay about clothes when they are tiny.” I shrug as I have no experience with pups. Last time I was around a pup I was a pup. She chuckles and motions for me to follow her out. Walking in a store at random I find a pair of jeans and a shirt in my size. Along with socks and shoes. I didn’t bother with underwear and a bra. They didn’t look the store to carry many women's folk clothes.
Heading back out I go to the bathroom to change Skylar said she was gonna grab a couple more coffees. This will be easier than I thought. Rushing to change so I had more time. I have never changed my clothes this fast. Leaving I take off at a dead run back the way we drove in. I may be human now but I can still run faster than any human. So making it to the bank didn’t take too long. I had left without an id the first time I left the pack so I had my account secured with a facial regression for large withdraws and purchases. Entering I walk up to a teller. “my name is Artemis winters I have a facial id process and I would like to close my account. After checking all the things that needed to be checked she gave me my money. “may I have an envelope. And not long after I leave women will come here looking for me please give her it to her?” she hands me an envelope and nods. Writing on the front
Skylar, I waited as long as I could but I needed to get back on the road. This I hope covers the gas and anything else I used.
Thanks
Artemis
Handing it to the teller she looks at it smiles and nods. I have a feeling she was worried something might be wrong. So I had chosen my words carefully. Dropping the other envelope with the rest of my money in the bag I was carrying I left the bank. Ducking around back I find the tree line is closer than I had thought. Sprinting off into the woods I find a small stream with some decaying leaves under the water. Grabbing a handful I cover my hands and the bottom of the pants. I don’t know when I will be able to wash them so I don’t want to be too dirty just yet. I can't just shift and curl up under a bush. Wrapping my hair up and tucking it in my shirt I take off at a healthy jog. Pacing myself so I can run longer getting father away. I don’t care that Samuels saved me and his lackey indicated that he planned to keep me there. No thank you I have had enough of people telling me what to do.
The stream had been to the east of the town so from there I ran west for at least three hours finding a cave again bringing the decaying leaves and mud with me. Making sure it coated my hands before I touched anything. The only one who would be able to smell me now would be Samuels that is if he could still scent me. In the small cave, I wiggled in and pushed to the back leaving the pile of decaying leaves under other leaves by the opening. Looking too small for any wolf to get in and the stink of the leaves would be too much for a wolf. They would never look in here for me as no one knows I have no wolf right now. Other than the stupid alpha how he guessed I have no clue.
Letting myself fall into the black lake of sleep I relax on the bed of moss I found in the back of the cave. Inside a warm climate lulled me. A sense of safety fills me making my body relax. The feeling of melting into the warm bed under me. A warm citrus dances on my nose. A scent I have locked in my memory. One I know I will never be small again as the angry silver eyes fill my mind. I fall through the bed of moss. falling through vast darkness that the light from the cave slowly leaves. Trying hard to move my arms looking for something to grab when they become heavy and fall and dangle under me.
