Page 95 of Fight
I'm fine, my ribs and arms hurt during the shift, but I'm fine now.
Is that normal?His mental voice was concerned.
I tilted my head to one side, not sure of the answer.Alexis?I asked, unsure if she'd be able to pick up my mental voice.
Yes?Came her gentle voice.
When I shifted, there were sharp pains in my ribs and arms, is that normal?
It's not uncommon for bones that have been broken to be painful during shifting until they're fully healed,she said.But not always.It seems to be kind of hit or miss.
It's normal,I sent to Devon, not knowing if he'd heard her.it will stop once the breaks are completely healed.
He nodded and turned toward the forest.Let's go.I followed him into the dark forest, recognizing only a little of the foliage around us.There were more broad leaved trees than I was used to and though there were some pine trees, they were much larger than the ones at home.I knew that Douglas Firs were common up here, but they didn't grow anywhere near this large where I came from.The ground was damp and spongy beneath my paws, it gave me the impression of walking on the squishy playground surfaces that have replaced cement and dirt in so many places.
There was a whole new array of scents too.I could smell all the small animals that made the forest their home, mice, owls, a small family of rabbits not too far away.I picked up the familiar scent of pine but it was buried under others I was less familiar with.One scent I did recognize and was surprised to do so, was cedar, I didn't know there was cedar in this forest.I followed the scent, trying to find a cedar tree, because I'd never seen one before.I was surprised by the resemblance of both the trunk and the leaves to the Juniper I was familiar with.Intrigued with what I'd found so far, I continued to investigate until Devon nudged me in the side with his head.
What?I asked.
Run with me.He nipped me on the shoulder and ran a few feet away before stopping and turning around to see if I was following.I tilted my head to one side.
If you think I'm going to chase you through an unfamiliar forest, you've lost your mind.I sent to him then I leaped forward and ran into him at full speed, knocking him to the ground.You have to chase me.I sent a laugh through our mental connection as I took off running.I dodged trees and leapt over fallen logs, pushing through low branches and enjoying the damp slap of leaves in my face as I tried to out-run him.I could hear the whisper of his paws hitting the damp ground beneath us as he scrambled to his feet, and raced to catch up.I continued to run, zigging and zagging through the dark forest, barely able to make out trees in time to dodge them.
In moments, Devon had caught up with me.He ran beside me, bumping his side into mine as we moved together to avoid colliding with trees.
Did you really think that was going to work?he asked, as we both sailed over a downed log.
Not really,I laughed back.but it was fun.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
We made a big circle and ended up back in the clearing a while later, slowly padding back to the car as we caught our breath.
You done?Devon asked.
Yeah, but I don't think Alexis and Caden are back.
Doesn't matter, the car's not locked.
We went to our individual sides of the car and shifted.I quickly stood and shivered as I opened the door and dressed as quickly as I could, before climbing into the car and closing the door.I put my sweater on and wrapped it tightly around my body, hugging myself as I tried to slow the shivering.
Devon quickly pulled his sweater on over his tee shirt and got into his side of the car, swinging his legs in and closing the door with his feet still bare.He pulled on his socks but ignored his shoes as he picked up his jacket off the seat between us and slid over.He opened his jacket and pulled me up against him, spreading the open jacket over both of us.With the warmth of his chest pressed against my back and his jacket wrapped around the rest of my body, the shivering soon passed.It wasn't that the temperature was all that cold, but the change from the warmth of fur to bare skin chilled me if the air was even slightly cool, not to mention damp.
I snuggled up to Devon for several minutes, content just to be held in his arms, but after a while I moved, pulling my legs up into the seat beside me and turning in his arms until I could easily stretch up and kiss his cheek.He rubbed his cheek against mine for a moment before settling his mouth over mine.He kissed me gently for a few minutes before pulling away.He twisted around, grabbing the bag Alexis has packed before we left the hotel and dug through it.When he turned back to me, he was holding a pair of meal replacement shakes.
"We're going to need to get some more of these."He popped the top on one and handed it to me.
"Thanks."I took the can from him and tipped it up, draining the can with one long drink.I dropped the empty can in an empty cup holder and turned back to Devon.I was expecting him to be drinking the other shake but I found him holding the second can out to me."What about you?"I took the can.
"I'm good."He watched as I tipped the second can up and took a drink."I'm more worried about you.You're still healing."
By the time I'd finished the second shake, Caden and Alexis had returned from their run, they shifted, dressed and we headed back into town.
Chapter 29
Iwas still sleeping when my PCD rang the next morning.Rolling toward the sound, I reached blindly for the table beside the bed where I'd left the device.I found the small electronic and without bothering to open my eyes, I accepted the call and lifted it to my ear.
"Hello?"My voice was slightly slurred.
