Day 2, Early Morning, Palisade National Park, Camp Watzmilion

Jenny listened. Sure enough, a few seconds later she heard a motor. "I thought the supernova had stopped all the cars," she said.

"It's not running very well," Volt commented, "it's kind of sputtering."

"Do you think they'll stop here?"

"We're about to find out, here they come." A car pulled around the curve, drove through the gate, and pulled into the parking lot. A man, a woman, a girl, and a puppy stepped out of the car. The man opened the hood and a little steam came out. The other 3 came towards them. Volt backed away when the puppy tried to sniff beneath his tail. He hated that. After he got her to stop they introduced themselves. Meanwhile Jenny smiled at the young girl's introduction. Jenny felt uncomfortable around kids her age or older but Grace was a couple years younger, so she felt alright.

"I'm Jenny, and that's Volt. How come your car's still working?"

Day 1
Arida, Arenico
de Mon Castle Grounds

Evangeline looked at her fingernails as Candi and Christopher spoke. Finally, she said, "I've only had one definitely ally in my life...and then he decided he had had enough of me..." Vange looked at Christopher with dark eyes. "Since then, I haven't considered anyone an ally, but I may make an allowance just this once."

The door creaked and Vange's hand instantly went to her gun, but she didn't pull it out as she turned. When she saw the large cat, she relaxed and watched as its lithe figure passed her and went to Candi.

Day 1: Arida: de Mon Castle

Candi smiled at Vange, realizing that this was one of the few types of women that she actually could handle as a friend. Tough, mean, but still nice and playful and with a good taste in style. Candi briefly wondered what Vange's opinion on furs was, but was brought back to the present by the bump of a furry head under her hand. She absentmindedly scratched behind its ears, then frowned down at the feline.

"Charla, I told you to stay in my room. What will the servants do if they see you??" she demanded. The cat grinned up at Candi, and winked.

"Alright, fine," the heiress said, giving a playful push to and slipping a satchel through a loop in the cat's collar, tying it to. "Go stay there, and BEHAVE for once."

Charla yawned and then silently exited the room. Candi watched her until she was gone, then turned back to Vange, completely ignoring Christopher.

"Often a friendly temporary arrangement sometimes creates the best foundation for future business. Do you not think so, my dear?"

Day 1
Arida, Arenico
de Mon Castle Grounds

One side of Vange's mouth lifted. The woman before her had class, a character quality that most women lacked these days. Evangeline nodded. "It depends on who you're befriending, but yes, I suppose I agree."

Evangeline stood and joined Christopher by the fireplace, observing her image in the mirror that hung there. She frowned as she tilted her head. Her perfect curls were weighed down and she needed a shower and a fresh pair of clothes.

— Day 1 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin
Listening to Lui's story, the uncomfortable feeling that everything Terra had ever known was changing just grew stronger and stronger. Well, Terra thought, not exactly everything. I've experienced my entire world coming crashing down before, and survived. Maybe I can survive this, too.

Terra gratefully took the proffered glass of water, and drained the tumbler. She knew she should be thirsty, but the symptoms of dehydration felt unusually strong. All in all, she didn't feel one bit like her normal self.

She glanced at Loretta, but the girl was still quiet. I suppose it's my turn, then, Terra thought reluctantly, because how was she going to tell what had happened to her without sounding like a lunatic?

"Well. . . it's a long story," she began slowly, stretching out on the rug. "It was about noon. I was sitting in a big old oak by the East River, just a few hundred yards north of Parksville Falls. The next thing I knew. . ." Terra struggled for words. "Everything went completely mad. The colors, the energy. . . I couldn't figure out if I was dead or alive. And then I fell through the tree. Er, out of the tree. I don't know.

"And somehow I must have tumbled into the river, but I could never find any skid marks. . ." She shook her head. "I didn't have time to swim to the bank. The current was too fast, the Falls were too close, too steep, too rocky, and I was in complete shock. All I knew I was that I going to die, and I was at the point of plunging over the falls when I looked up."

Terra took a deep breath.

"I know the air was empty. I know it. But one second before it would have been too late, a branch reached out to me," she said. "I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's what I saw. I lunged for it, grabbed it with one hand and almost slipped off. I would have, except. . ."

Maybe it was better to just show them.

Tentatively, she unwrapped the bandage that encircled her right arm from her wrist to her elbow. In the dim light of the cabin, the spiral of green winding around her arm glowed eerily.

"A vine wrapped itself around my arm and kept me from falling," she faltered. "And then the branch swung back over to the cliff beside the falls, the vine let go of my arm, and I fell to the ground, blacking out for maybe twenty minutes. When I woke up. . ." she swallowed. "I went back up to the oak, expecting to find it melted, or the ground around it turned up from my fall, but nothing looked amiss. Except everything that I had been near was oddly green. . . and when I washed the mud off in the shallows of the river, I saw what had happened to my wrist. And my eyes."

She glanced up, and the surreal, spring-green glint of her eyes matched the glowing mark on her arm perfectly.

"After unsuccessfully trying to keep from freaking out, and pretty sure I was insane, I saw animals fleeing the forest. I climbed a tree, expecting to see maybe a predator or something, but instead saw smoke coming from Parksville. I knew something was wrong, terribly wrong, and all I could think about you and Aunt Isabella and Uncle Matthew, and Fred and Loretta. . . so I ran. And didn't stop until I found you and your Jeep."

She idly began wrapping the bandage around her arm again, in a vain attempt to block out the uncertainty of it all. She wondered if she would ever be able to fully explain the events of this bizarre day. Why was it that nothing ever made sense in her life?

— Day 1 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin, Evening

Loretta listened to both of her friends stories, stroking the wolf pup out of habit the whole time. The look on her face seemed to grow more desperate as she first saw Lui's teeth and eyes, then Terra's strange green designs on her arm and her glowing orbs. There stories were crazy, fantastic....and yet, though they would normally be unbelievable, her heart accepted them. Her hand was trembling as she picked up the pencil, and began to scrawl on the paper her own story.

It read:

I was feeding the wolf puppies as usual, when the weather outside suddenly grew wild. The whole place burned brightly, and the ground began to shake like an earthquake was taking place. I fell, smashed my head against the counter, and then awoke sometime later. The room was in shambles; the window broken. I was delirious....but I heard a voice....it was a small, weak voice, calling out for help. It was the puppy...

As she finished writing that she looked down at the animal in her lap, and it stared back up, beautiful little eyes so trusting. She tried to smile at it, and it's tail flicked back and forth. She continued:

I might be going insane, but every time the wolf pup should bark or whine, I hear words. I can...talk to him. I wandered outside the compound and that's where you found me Terra.

She glanced at the girl, then down at her paper, and finished it:

And I don't know why I cannot speak. It's so frightening...I don't want to be mute.

She let the pencil fall from her finger, and she leaned back on the couch again, watching her friends, as they leaned in to read it. The young wolf licked her hand, and she heard it's voice. Are you alright?

I don't know... Loretta answered it back, hesitantly, thoughts shaking, like her voice would have been if she could talk. I don't know if I'm alright....or I'm actually going mad.

Let me give you another kiss. It will make you feel better. The pup climbed awkwardly on her arm, and licked her cheek, tail all the while waggling.

— Day 1 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin

Lui was silent for a few minutes, the tip her tongue grazing her canine teeth and feeling slightly sick to her stomach. She didn't know what to think. Within a period shorter than 24 hours, their world had been turned upside down.

She looked at Terra and then at Loretta, careful to avoid eye contact. "Whatever happened today...our lives are not going to be the same from this moment. We have to remember that..."

She ran her right hand through her dark hair and stood. Her blood was racing and sitting down just wasn't comfortable at the moment. "At some point today, I need to check on my parents and make sure they're alright."

Lui paced, frowning. Inside, she wanted to break down and cry, but she kept a strong and confident facade. "Out here in the park, we have no idea what's happening in the city. The radios, the TVs and the phones...all dead. I'm hoping everything's fine and Gabriel will swing by when things calm down. But if he doesn't come tomorrow, we'll have to form a plan."

"I know this is hard to swallow...even I don't believe it's actually happening, but we have to deal with it, regardless." Lui clapped her hands together and looked at them. "For now...we wait..."

— Day 1 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin
"I hate waiting," Terra muttered. She desperately wanted to know if Aunt Isabella and Uncle Matthew were all right, but she also knew that no city lights plus nightfall had made the park pitch dark. She didn't know if it was wise to go traipsing about the shadowed countryside in light of the recent events—and who knew what new or twisted dangers may stalk the hills?

""I think we're stuck here for the night," she finally said grimly. "We'll go and try to find them at dawn, and see what has happened to the rest of the world. Right now, we need to get some sleep. We can't help them if we don't first help ourselves," she finished awkwardly, not satisfied with her own words.

She wanted nothing more than to grab the shotgun and head out the door, and not stop walking until she was satisfied that what was left of her family was safe. But she also knew that her parents, and her aunt and uncle, had not raised her to be an idiot. Putting herself in danger wasn't going to help anyone.

Terra shivered as she heard the howling of wolves coming from the forest. Was it just the wolves escaped from the facility? Or was it wild ones from over the Palisades? The fires in Parksville should keep them at bay, but if the damage of the compound and Lui's jeep were any indication of what the rest of the region was facing, the hunger of wild animals would pose a very real threat to the town's citizens.

She was too worried to try to eat something, and too exhausted after the physically, mentally, and emotionally trying day to do anything else. Frustrated and wishing dawn would come quickly, Terra stretched out on the rug facing the door, and eventually fell into a fitful slumber.

Darkness filled the cabin. The mark on her wrist only glowed brighter, gleaming through the thin bandage. Undulating as if in time with her heartbeat, the rising and revoking of her very blood.

Anyone in sight of the little cabin that night would have seen the windows radiating with a flickering, ghoulish green light.

Day 2: Arida
Convent
Previous Post

Allee listened to Father Fallon speak, then slowly, hesitantly nodded. "I suppose that would be all right." Allee sighed, folding her arms. "I'm not exactly sure what I've gotten myself into, but it appears this is the only way we can get out of it."

A few minutes later, and against her better judgment, Allee found herself going into the midst of the city and one of the most dangerous situations she'd ever been in. Being a journalist had taken her to some pretty strange places, but none as unnerving as this one. Being in the heart of the city was apparently now quite dangerous, and it made her heart pound. She had thought she was braver than this.

She swallowed hard and ran her sweaty palms down the sides of her jeans, turning to Xandria and Father Fallon. "What can we do?"

— End of Day 1 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin, Nightfall

Loretta didn't mind waiting, but under the circumstances, staying the night in Lui's cabin with the world outside possibly in panic, her family maybe dead, and without the power of speech, was repulsive. She normally loved Lui's cabin. It was cozy, and home like, but her eyes kept shifting to the gun set near the door. The sight of it made her heart tremble. Things can't be that bad...

She only half listened to what Terra said, then curled up on the couch after the other girl had bedded down on the rug. Her head rested on the arm of the couch, her hair lying out like a soft blanket under it. The wolf pup curled up in the security of her arms, nestling it's nose into her tresses. Loretta sighed; tired, but scared.

She slowly drifted off into a restless slumber, pain from her head wound fading until she was completely in the word of dreams.

— Day 1 —
Parksville, Erbaine
Palisade National Park
Lui's Cabin

Lui went to the kitchen as Terra spoke, nodding. There was a window in the wall between the kitchen and living room, allowing Lui to see Terra as she spoke.

A silence engulfed the cabin afterwards. Lui leaned on the counter, studying the grain on the wooden counter-tops. She was confused, starving, exhausted and afraid. Loretta and Terra had passed out in the living room.

With a sigh, she pushed off the counter, turned and pulled open the refrigerator door, gazing in at the contents that lined the shelves. Her eyes dropped to the bottom shelf where a pair of steaks sat, packaged and ready to be cooked. She grabbed them, along with a bottle of wine that rested on the door shelf. They were intended for a special occasion, but she doubted it would happen any time soon and why waste two perfectly good steaks?

Lui popped the cork of the bottle, letting it fly where it wanted and not bothering to pick it up. She found a glass, poured the red liquid into it and took a sip. Wine wasn't her favorite, but Gabriel liked it and that was the only reason why she bought it. However, she welcomed the taste now.

She ripped open the plastic wrap around the steaks and the smell of raw meat filled her senses. Lui immediately stopped as a shudder ran through her and all of her muscles tensed. She bit down on her tongue until a coppery taste met her tastebuds. Reaching for the glass, she washed the blood down with the wine and walked toward the front door, glass in hand. With her free hand, she grabbed the shotgun and headed outside to sit on the front porch steps.

Within a few minutes, she drained the glass of wine. Instead of setting it beside her, though, she threw it through the air and listened for the shattering noise as it hit the gravel. It was just a glass and throwing something had released a tiny bit of tension. Lui held the shotgun across her lap as she thoughtfully gazed into the night air. Behind her, the cabin door was open, allowing the cool night breeze to flow through. With the AC off, the cabin was going to get warm quickly and that would make them all even more miserable.

She could hear the howling of wolves. Her wolves. Or wild ones. Either way, she had met and seen nearly every wolf within miles of the park. She knew them all by sight and even some by sound. Through all the howls, not a single one sounded like Tundra. It was unusual for the wolf to be away from Lui for more than an hour. It almost made Lui worried.

After a few minutes, she stood. Her head swam, a mixture of the wine and the sick feeling she had been feeling all day.

Lui slowly made her way back to the kitchen, shotgun in hand. Her feet whispered against the wood as she walked between the counters, back toward the fridge. However, before she reached the large appliance, her vision swam and her head pounded. Dropping the gun, she reached out and took hold of the counter, trying to steady herself before she fell. The shotgun hit the floor with a clattering noise.

The pain in her head moved to all of her muscles and she screamed against the pain.

Within seconds, however, the scream turned into a howl as fire blazed around her, her vision finally focusing. The red, orange and yellow of the fire melded together though.

Horror filled her as she realized what was happening. Everything that had happened at the Jeep was coming back now in vivid images. She had transformed then, too. As crazy as it sounded, she was a wolf. Plain and simple. If she could laugh, she would have at the absurdity of it all.

The fire dissipated within a minute or so. Turning on her large paws, she ran for the door, sliding on the smooth wooden floor a few times before she actually made it out the front door and down the stairs. Like a frantic animal, she came to a stop in the middle of the gravelly clearing, breathing heavily. She couldn't leave the cabin or the girls.

What is going on? What is going on? What is going on? Lui kept repeating the question over and over in her mind as she tried to figure out what to do. The gravel flew as her paws shuffled in the dirt. If Terra and Loretta saw her, they would panic and Lui's thoughts turned to the gun laying on the kitchen floor. Terra was well-acquainted with shotguns. Lui had taught her how to use one herself.

Day 2: Arida: de Mon Castle

Candi smiled and pulled on her cigarette for a moment.

"So, then, I can presume that you will be staying at de Mon castle for a while, my dear...Miss Evangeline?"

Day 2
Arida, Arenico
de Mon Castle Grounds

Evangeline turned to look at the other woman and gave a slight nod. "If there's a room available, I wouldn't mind wasting a couple more days here..."

She sized Candi up. They were about the same size. "If I could have an extra pair of clothes, that would also be nice. Nothing fancy. Jeans and a t-shirt would be fine..."

Day 2: Arida

Outside the Convent

The priest smiled.

"We will stay together, and will be going into each home, inviting them to the safety of the convent. The women may prefer to talk to you, which is why I am glad you chose to come along. They will want to know what to bring: everything usable and practical. Clothes, tents, blankets, food, the basic things needed for survival. Some may ask that we take their children immediately, and will follow later. It is still early enough that there won't be much warring going no. I will be speaking to the men, trying my best to get them to at least agree to a temporary ceasefire, or something," Father Fallon sighed. "I'm not sure how well that will work, though. They have never been successful in the past."

With that, he opened a gate and walked into a small apartment complex and knocked. There was no answer. Father Fallon knocked again, and Xandria saw a small face peek through the blinds. Strong arms immediately snatched the child away from the window.

"But MOMMY!" the protest came from inside. "Its FATHER FALCON!"

A tired young mother appeared at the window, and then smiled. The door swung open and Father Fallon motioned for the girls to hurry inside. Maria shut the door swiftly after them, and locked it. Xandria glanced around the room, and took note of the few possessions. A man, sitting at the table, rose and shook hands with Father Fallon.

"Good morning, sir," the priest said as the two exchanged greetings. "I've come to speak to you about the fighting and the safety of your family."

"Aye, its awful, is it not?" the man said, shaking his head. "No safety, anywhere."

"That's why we're inviting people to come stay in the convent, for now."

Maria's head snapped up and her eyes brightened.

"That's awfully kind, Padre, but..."

Maria interrupted him in a string of Spanish. He glared at her, but after a moment, nodded.

"Maria and the children, they will come. They will come."

Father Fallon nodded, but Xandria did not catch any more of his words, as Maria grabbed her and Allee's hands and began speaking quickly and quietly. Just as Father Fallon had warned them, came the questions. What to bring? What to do? How could the convent support so many? The questions, half in English, half in Spanish, make Xandria's head swirl a bit, but she answered them as best as she could.

"But what about you," she finally asked. "Are you refugees, too?"

de Mon Castle

"Why, of course!" Candi exclaimed. "I'm sorry I hadn't offered any to you earlier. How silly of me. Come, and we'll find you exactly what you need."

Candi stood up and smiled.

"This way, my dear."

Vange and Candi moved through the hallways until they reached Candi's rooms. As soon as the entered, Candi locked the door, than walked through the tattered rooms, suspiciously looking for any lollygagging servants other other unwanteds. Finally she turned to Vange.

"You must never speak a word of what you see here," she said quietly, leaning down and picking up her satchel from a small pet bed, where a white Persian cat lay. "And you must trust me. Do you understand?"

Day 2
Arida, Arenico
de Mon Castle Grounds

Evangeline glanced at Christopher before leaving with Candi. Once they were in Candi's living quarters, Evangeline scanned her surroundings. It was apparent that Candi liked cats and Vange could understand the love for them. She herself liked felines.

With Candi's words, Vange's left eyebrow lifted. "Okay..." she said slowly, watching as Candi lifted the satchel. Her hand was ready to go for her gun, if she would need it. Vange nodded. "I trust you."