Children come into this world innocent and curious. Some grow up fast and that innocence is the first thing to go. In others, the curiosity is the first thing that leaves them through too many bad experiences when they've turned to a more exploratory approach. Most children mature and form a tight knit group of those they trust. On the other side of that invisible wall is everyone else in the world that can't be trusted, at least not until they prove it. When a child is turned from and never showed the kindess or unconditional love that only a parent can give, it does things to the normal mindset of that child. They may grow up too fast or as in my case, hold in attributes of a child through lack of being able to show it so openly in their younger stages.

I am in all technical senses an adult and yet my mind still holds some of the innocence and fear of a child who hasn't experienced enough of the kindness of the world to get rid of that creeping wariness. There were trace examples of kindness shown to me in the pack, maybe a scrap of food that got tossed my way by another Were close to my age or a small smile offered from a concerned mother in the pack. These were the only signs that there may be nice people out there and yet that didn't stick with me. What stuck with me was my father's eyes, the way he got so mad over the smallest things. If I didn't bring back enough food on my steals or if I was too slow bringing it back. He figured out fast that I was eating what I wanted first before bringing the rest back for the pack and I paid dearly for it in more cracked ribs and bruises.

These final straws of abuse were what helped push me so far as to run away from that life and I don't plan on going back to anything like that, at least not willingly. Yet, there is a lot of fear that comes from an upbringing like that. The wolf is a natural leader and since I'm already used to following the leads of others, it fits perfectly that I would do as she says. I know that I have a lot to lose in this endeavor, that it could cost me my life and yet in this moment, I feel I have no choice but to confide in the wolf and if it doesn't pan out, then I'll look for a plan B. In my case, that usually means run and escape. I'm not much of a fighter unless you back me in a corner. I was known as a scrapper in the pack because sometimes the other Weres around my age wanted to corner me and pick on me. If they got too close, they got bit or scratched or whatever I do to them in my current state. Though small, I was always vicious when cornered.

The wolf has scars to show that maybe she knows some of the lifestyle I grew up in and yet she is strong minded and independent, seemingly able to look after herself quite nicely. I can feed and provide for myself but survival has always come down to using my power of stealth to get away when it comes down to a fight. I don't know if I would be able to follow a male as easily as I have followed the wolf, however, just because my father was the predator in my pack and I have a certain fear for the male gender because of that. Perhaps over time if a male is kind and shows no reason for me to fear him then maybe I can learn to trust certain males but I have will always have a certain wariness for strange men.

The wolf calls to me to come out and I do so, holding my body posture submissively. She looks at me in an odd way, almost as if she appreciates it and yet at the same time is not sure how to handle it. She looks a little confused as if not sure why I'm treating her this way. My coat is the normal coat of a fox, scarlet and white except for the black stripes that brindle across my back and down my legs. My eyes are usually the common gold of a wild fox but sometimes they have a blue ring in them from my natural eye color as a human. This usually shows up best when I've recently shifted or am about to shift.

She replies with a matter of fact tone, telling me I would have died and I can't help but shiver.

"Maybe so....doesn't mean...you had to...help. Thank...you."

For some reason, it's important that I let her know that she did a kind dead today, that she saved a life she didn't have an obligation to save. As she moves closer, I instinctively stiffen though I manage to hold my ground, my head remaining low as she sniffs and studies me. At one point, she growls low in her throat in disapproval and my eyes don't dare look up from the floor for fear that I'll see the disappointment reflecting in her gray eyes. I know that she can smell the fear dripping off of me in waves but I can't control that, at least not yet. The growl is probably only making it more intense if anything. As she circles me, I remain stock still like a statue, unsure of what to do. When she's done, she wags her tail and gives me what I would like to think is a grin of sorts. At least that's what it reminds me of. At her question, I shake my head.

"Not...anymore."

I slowly let my gaze creep up to the wolf, wishing to study her features more, my nose twitching with curiosity. It's odd to be standing this close to a wolf and not having my head torn off. Of course, I've never met a Were other than other WereFoxes before so that would explain it. My eyes widen slightly as the wolf suddenly lies down and puts her head down, her body relaxing as if to cue to me that I am free to study her now as she did to me. My ears flicker uncertainly. I can see the scars that riddle her coat from here and I wonder about them but I don't dare ask. I have inner scars of my own, after all. At her soft words, I stiffen a little again before slowly making myself relax some. My voice is soft and hesitant.

"You...promise? Not a...trick?"

If it was, I doubt she'd be honest and tell me but something tells me the wolf wouldn't lie to me, at least not that question. Once I get an answer, I slowly move forward, circling her as she did me but in a wider circle so as not to make her uncomfortable. I sniff at the many scents on her. Other Weres recently and...something else, something besides the Hunter. I tilt my head at her questioningly.

"You have met...other Weres? And....what else?"

I'm almost expecting her to tell me to mind my own business. When I'm done inspecting, I circle back around and sit down in front of her, curling my bushy tail around my flanks.

"Where....do you...stay? Have....house?"