Page 60 of Only Human in Strangeville

Twister stepped up next to me, and I buried my fingers in his ruff.

We sat and contemplated the gate in silence for a time until an urgent bark got my attention. Nimbus, now on the other side of the gate, rose up on his back legs and put his front paws on the gate. He poked his nose through one of the gaps and whined.

“He is ready for you. Though he’s not fully grown, he’s been forced into his maturity by the circumstances, as so many of our kind are. You have proven time and again that you are truly worthy of our trust and companionship, and Nimbus will guide you down your future paths.”

“What about you?” I kneeled and put my arms around his neck.

He seemed to like this, leaning into the contact.

“I am content.”

“Twister, I still want you in my life.”

“Truly?” He was clearly pleased by this, ears up, eyes locked on mine.

“Yes, silly.” I wiped a tear from my eye, not ready to say goodbye to this magnificent being.

“Then I will return to you in the future. Look for me. It won’t be too long.” He seemed to wink before placing a paw on my arm and leaning in for one last solid scratching. “Now, go to Nimbus, walk through the gate, and let him guide you to your full potential. Then return to your world and give that evil creature an ass whooping he won’t forget.”

I giggled. “You said ass whooping.”

“I’ve been in the storm for a while. It was a common phrase when last I bonded a human.”

“Okay. Fair.” I kissed his broad forehead and stood. “You promise I’ll see you again soon?”

Twister glanced at Nimbus, who rooed happily and wagged his fluffy curled tail.

“I promise.”

“Okay.”

Stepping away from my guide, I put my hand on the wrought-iron gate. It creaked open at my touch, and, with one last deep breath, I stepped through.

Nimbus pressed his head under my hand, and I scratched his ears before taking another step. Pressure built up in my chest, glorious heat and warmth before it exploded out of me.

A wave of golden energy radiated out from the two of us, rustling the leaves in the heavily laden fruit trees. As it passed through the trees, the fruits ripened to a brilliant red.

I sagged as the energy abated, but new knowledge and awareness filled me. Nimbus rooed happily and nudged my hand, so I kneeled on the ground next to him and buried my fingers in his fluff.

“Okay, so what’s next?”

He turned to look at me, his soulful brown eyes filled with a golden light.

Now we go home.

***

My eyes snapped open, and I choked on the thick liquid someone was pouring into my mouth.

“She’s awake,” a familiar voice called.

I couldn’t identify it in the confusion of the moment, but I did know it wasn’t a bad guy. The voice filled me with comfort and calm. Swallowing reflexively one last time, I gagged on the coppery liquid and almost choked when I saw Jaz pull her arm away from my mouth.

Blood? Ew!

“You were near death,” she said. “It was the only way.”

“Thanks,” I managed to get out before a black and white fluff ball pounced on my stomach, almost making me lose all the blood I’d just drank.

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