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Chapter 16 ~ Animal Intelligence

Anastay took a deep breath as she walked into her darkened house, somewhat nervous about the entire ordeal that may await her. She prayed that the wolf was healing and he would be somewhat conscious. She knew that Taco had been extremely upset with the new friend, and she wondered if the dog would soon accept their visitor. Taco, after all, was the baby of the family and spoiled rotten. But, he would have to make adjustments for their new family member. And knowing that the wolf’s body would take some time to heal, she began to plan that he could stay in the Taco’s room for a while until his flank finally healed.

She still felt nothing unusual about caring for the wolf as she stripped off her lab coat and removed various items from her pockets. At first, she feared him, but now it was different. There was something special inside the wolf’s soul that called to her when she did the surgery. She felt the kindness in his body as she treated him and prayed for him. In addition, in her heart, there was a deep sense of longing for the animal. Something inside pushed her to take care of him. Something inside started to question her love for the animal.

“Taco?” Anastay called softly as she opened the door leading to her living room. She found the house extremely dark, because the sun had already set without much warning to the world, almost as if exhausted with today’s lengthy activities. But, that thought disappeared when she didn’t hear Taco running to her. She hoped he wasn’t too jealous of the wolf. With defeat, she turned around to switch the lights.

‘You’re home!’ a voice called into her skull.

“I was working,” Anastay replied, not really thinking anything of it as she prepared to travel into the kitchen for something to drink. Yet, she turned on her heel and felt herself startled by someone talking to her. The lights flooded against the silvery-white hair of the wolf. Her jaw dropped open in surprise. “I thought someone was talking to me,” she told the wolf shakily.

‘I am,’ the voice continued.

“Damn, my key-chains are just hitting right on the spot,” Anastay feared as she glanced at her key-chain. It read: I Listen To The Voices Inside My Head. She felt herself shiver as the wolf kept a steady eye on her. This just didn’t feel right. She had been with enough psychiatric patients to recognize the signs of a mental breakdown…

‘Anastay, you’re not crazy.’

“Who the Hell is talking to me?!” Anastay finally screamed in anguish as she ran to her living room. She saw Taco lying on the couch fast asleep. She dove against the cushions, burying her face into the pillows as the voice continued to taunt her. The voice was softly demanding, almost pleading with her to calm. But how could she possibly calm herself? It didn’t make sense, more so, it angered her. She had left the city for peace of mind, not insanity. She felt a sob catch in her throat as the voice told her to look up. “Leave me alone!”

‘Anastay, do not become frightened.’

“That’s ironic!” Anastay snorted bitterly.

‘You must look up.’

“Please leave me be!”

‘I can’t.’

“LEAVE ME ALONE!”

‘ANASTAY, GLANCE UP!’ the voice barked with order. Anastay jumped at the curtness in the voice. She immediately pulled her head up and glanced around, praying that it wasn’t God Himself, otherwise she would start to believe she was truly crazy. But, thankfully, her eyes locked with the wolf. She sniffled, feeling drawn to him. ‘I speak,’ the voice called as the wolf stared directly into her eyes.
And silence enveloped her…

“…I’m talking to a wolf?” Anastay finally asked in puzzlement.

‘Yes.’

“I’m fucking out of my mind!” Anastay moaned in agony as she fell off the couch. She went to stand up, but the wolf grabbed the bottom of her jean cuffed and nipped lightly. She yelped in surprise as she went crashing onto the floor. The wolf limped carefully over and placed his front paw on her shoulder.

‘You are special,’ the wolf spoke to her through his heart and into her own. ‘You have the power to communicate with me, because you have a special link. Our ancestors are tied together as one. You must believe, or you will loose the connection with me.’

“You’re a wolf, I have no ancestral linkage with a wolf!” Anastay protested with anguish. Her mind ached from the speaking into her brain and the reality of the situation was frightening. She wanted to just sleep. She felt like she was being torn apart by two worlds. There was something so strange about this town, and she didn’t want any part of it.

‘You have the heart of a child. Just believe the impossible, Anastay. Believe and trust in me. I will help you. I can save you.’

“From what?” Anastay gasped out, choking on a sob.

‘Danger.’

“There is no danger!’

‘There is danger where a wolf treads, always.’

Anastay remained quiet for the longest moment, trying to rationalize the situation. But that seemed impossible. So, swallowing back the worries, she just watched him closely for a sign. The wolf was right. She felt like she was walking the dangerous path. There was something hidden within the trail she was uncovering. There was a secret that needed to be revealed, but one step closer to the secret was another step closer to death.

‘Anastay, believe,’ the voice began to fade softly into her ears. She felt relief at the thought of not hearing the voice again. ‘I need you. I need you so badly. Your Great–Great-Grandmother, Grace, led me before. Your family sacrificed. Please lead me.’

Anastay’s heart lurched in surprise as the voice grew faint. She sat up quickly to meet the wolf’s dark brown eyes. How could this voice know her great-great-grandmother? The woman had died many years ago, before Anastay had even graced the world. She had lived in the late 1800s, while the country was still settling down. She felt a lump form in her throat.

‘Anastay,’ the voice whispered.

“You will protect me?” she asked, glancing at the wolf.

‘You believe?’ the voice asked with more strength.

“You are a wolf, and we speak. We must have some connection. There is no other explanation that I could deliver. I’m not schizophrenic. I believe.”

‘You must tell no one of our link. Telling of your specialty would certainly seal our fates of death. Please, keep this silent. Do not reveal this to anyone. Trust no one in this town.’

“But–”

‘Only trust me.’

“Okay,” Anastay agreed as the wolf removed his paw from her shoulder. She sat up, rubbing her sore back. The wolf approached her and gently licked her hand, placing his snout beneath her palm.

‘Thank you for saving me.’

“I felt drawn to you. I couldn’t let you die.”

‘We are a strong pair.’

“I think I can believe that.”

‘Do you have any questions?’

“What is your name?” Anastay asked, becoming accustomed to speaking with the wolf. She watched Taco looking at them. He made no move to attack. Taco was finally at ease with the wolf and each word spoken to the wolf made Anastay’s heart ease with peace. “I can’t just call you ‘wolf.’ It isn’t right.”

‘My name is Howard.’

“A man’s name?”

‘Yes.’

“I must be mistake – you’re a wolf?”

‘In physical formalities, yes.’

“In spirit?”

‘A man.’

“A real man?”

‘You will understand in due time. Right now, this speaking has made you weary. Please rest and sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day for you.’

“Why?”

‘Work is tiring. I cannot let you leave this house alone, and I need to gain my strength for the search. I will always be watching, never forget that. Many are out to hurt you, and I need to figure a way to control the evil. So, sleep while I plot.’

“But, you must have a story behind this speech!”

‘In due time, My Anastay.’