Chapter One
The story begins
There comes a time in everyone's life that we realize, we can't survive on our own. It is often, we rely on others for some thing we starve for. Whether good or bad, it shapes who we become in life. The people around us guide us to where we should go, but it is ourselves who chooses which path to take.”
Lucky
The night was starry with the vague scent of ozone in the air. The nearby city reflected none of its brilliance into the heavens. The night was clear, and traces of the Milky Way could be seen to the observant eye. A young man, with the age of puberty just behind him, walked up the narrow path. He had an idealistic expression on his face. He was dressed in black, his favorite color. His clothes were clean and smelled of that new smell, everything new always had. His Levis was tucked into his Doc Martens, which were polished to a mirror shine. His turtleneck was tucked in and his muscles bulged within there tight confine. He carried a backpack with its contents. A heavy bundle, to account for his ever so slightly grunts as he climbed the hill. A howl scampered up over the ridge, and he stopped to recount his conception of facts. Then advanced not the least worried about nature’s deadly grasp. At the top of the ridge was a small clearing. In the center there was a small fire pit crudely put together. The place was very secluded with trees on either side. He stepped to the pit with graceful style not wanting to disturb the silence of this special place. First he took off the pack and opened the main part of the bag. Revealing blunt splintery pieces of wood. He then took out several pieces of wood, and set them to the side. With the last he placed into the pit. Then with no hesitation what so ever opened the tiny toothed zipper, exposing the contents of the smaller pouch. Which were to say a Sony Disc man, a pipe, and a bag of hydroponic. A new scent had come to her nose as she came out of the shrubbery, which seemed to get stuck in her fur no matter how careful she was. The scent was that she was familiar with but it was masked in a new scent of which she was not known. She was only 11 months old now and a lot of things she still had to be familiar with, but she couldn't forget a scent once she learned it. The scent brought back memories, which all scents seem to do, of which she thought was a reason to believe in fate. Its been sometime now, but she let the movie play as it always did. It was cold that night. She was only maybe six weeks. Her mom had decided that it was time for her brothers, sister and her to learn how to hunt. They left maybe an hour after dark, with feelings of excitement in the air that sizzled her fur straight. Mom took the lead, glancing back every now and then to make sure we were following or giving instructions. The smells were fantastic. She categorized them into files and stored them into memory. The first smell was that of freshness. It’s not easy to explain the smell but you would know it if you had a whiff. Many smells came and went each going to a separate file. The first smell to catch her off guard was that of fear. It had a smell that attracted her like a magnet. It was there and then was gone like the wind changed ever so slightly. The others didn't notice or seemed not to. She was curious and left to investigate. The scent was gone but she was smart and knew vaguely where to look. She searched and searched and was about to give up, when the wind brought the scent like the wind brings clouds across the horizon, bringing rain. With new passion, she ran after the smell, with determination pumping in her veins, not to loose it again. She stopped after a couple of steps. Whatever it was it was on the other side of this bush. She cautiously peeked around and for the first time she met a human. She at first didn't know what to think, but she was curious as young pups are, and stepped closer to this strange thing, that smelled like salt, and sweat. Yes that's what fear smells like. The thing that smelled like fear was crying. Sobbing into its arms, which were cradled around her chest. She inched closer trying to understand what was going on, trying to figure out what it was. She finally stood next to it and nudged it like mom nudged her to wake her up from a nap. The thing jumped and then looked at her. She said something, which she didn't understand then but kind of did now. It was sort of like this, “Oh doggy.” She then wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. It was gentle so she let her. The girl cried for sometime more but slowly quit as she fell slowly into dreams of comfort and serenity. This was all too much excitement for the little pup and she decided to go back and find mom to see what she would do about the thing that smelt like fear. The scent wasn't hard to follow to find mom. She was very familiar with her scent, even though strange new ones tried to steer her other ways. She pressed on coming to strange black little rocks that were flat along this extremely big path. “Oh well.” She thought, moms scent is getting stronger, not much longer. She patted down the path when two very bright falling stars, well they couldn't be falling stars because they came right at her. She was scared and ran across the path. When she heard a loud high pitched sound come from the strange animal or thing that had the bright stars. The new thing stopped and two people things like the girl only bigger came out. They smelled friendly, but more than that which brought her to them was the fact that she was so curious. She approached them. “Hey dad look it’s a wolf pup.” The younger one said. His father was in deep contemplation when he said, “Go get the net Lucky.” Lucky didn't hear as he slowly made his way to the pup. She came to him not fearful of him just wanting to take in his smell. Which was a good smell a friendly smell a comforting smell. Somewhat like moms, but not quite. “Hey pop it likes me.” He exclaimed as he picked her up, starting to pet her. She was no more like a puffball weighing two pounds give or take. ”Can I keep her?” You know how I like wolves. I can train her to be a K9 or something.” His father took no more thought and said, “I don't care.” That was the first time she smelled the scent of Lucky. Now she smelled it again, which made her happy. With no further hurry she approached him. He had already started a fire and was doing something with a bag and a pipe. She had taken them to the girl in the desert, knowing that she was in trouble. She was sixteen at the time and had gotten lost. Tessa and Lucky had fallen in love and went out for sometime. She had known because they took her for a pet. She never did find mom, but rumor has it she was hit by a car with her pups. Dodget and one other Lobo being the only two left. She didn't mind she was happy. They were very good to her and everything, till the money stopped coming. Pops was on Disability and with no more money, had to move out and camp on the river. She didn't mind. It was fun. She could run and hunt, swim and just be plain. Lucky loved her much and spared no affection. Till all went bad. It was a stale smell in the air. The clouds loomed black threatening rain. It started horrible and ended horrible. First it was the cops harassing us, then the rangers, and finally we had to move. She didn't mind much until she smelled Lucky. That smell of pain, heartache and sorrow. He said she had to stay here that she couldn't come. That was the last she saw of him. He looked so calm and she knew that he hadn't changed much in the couple of months apart from each other. Lucky was trying to get his lighter out of his pocket, when the atmosphere changed ever so slightly of another presence. He slapped it away, thinking it was paranoia creeping in. It tried to come every now and then, but it wasn't rational to his mind. Once the object was extracted he proceeded to light his pipe. The feeling was there of total calm that most had to work at getting. It never took much time for the THC to take effect, because he only did it every now and then. When he wanted to be alone and think with nature He began his journey by slipping a Cd into the disk man. Putt it on his head and turning it on. Instantly the sounds of Indian drums awakened that piece of him that was Indian. The slow rumbles of the drums. The serene sounds of the brook. The quiet chatter of birds along with the faint howls of wolves in the distance. It was a journey of the shaman he wished to explore again. He seemed to merge with the surrounding terrain. To sort of disappear into the dirt. All she knew was that she wanted him again, needed him again. She hasn't been able to find a love scent like his. He now was entering a tunnel with a bright light at the end. He floated forward on wings of the wind. It opened onto a stream surrounded by silver hills. Up over in the sky, the magnificent falcon flew ever so gracefully. He called to her and she descended down to perch on his wrist. They talked for sometime as to what it was to be free with nature. The aspects of time, and the ever increasing worry with what was to come. The drum beat, its rhythmic tone announcing that you are safe and are welcome back when ready to be shown the way. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. He turned to find a wolf watching him. He called his secret whistle, and she approached closer. He recognized her at once and called her name. She wagged her tail and sat down beside him. He apologized for having to leave her. To his surprise she answered back. She told him that she understood what happened and didn't blame him. They talked for sometime in amazement of how well they understood each other. Not like the other animals he spoke with. He had to decipher what they meant. With the drums still beating their hollow rhythm and the conversation expanding to each other’s stories of life death betrayal and sorrows. The atmosphere changed drastically. First a dark cloud approached the horizon. The birds stopped singing and nature hid. Even the drums grew distant. She noticed first, letting her fur stiffen as a soft growl escaped her mouth. Lucky stopped and took in what was happening. Then he saw what was wrong. At first glance you couldn't see the shape in the shadow of the cliff. It was a figure of a human of sorts but not quite. It had long leathery wings, and eyes that glowed red as blood. It pounced out of the shadows into the clearing. The drums were distant still. Dodget pranced in front of it and growled ever increasingly to let whatever it was know she meant business. Lucky tried to speak but couldn't. This was the first time he had ever had a bad trip. Up close now he could describe it better with huge legs and arms that bulged with muscle. Very hairy and hoofed feet like a horse. Horns grew from its head encircling its brow. Hate and evil shrouded it. When it spoke the earth rumbled and hid. Dodget kept up growling protecting her master. Not wanting to loose him again. “Well brave warrior soon I will have the power to rip your body apart and feed on your soul. My time is not yet but beware it is soon.” Its muscles contracted at every word as if it wanted to do what it threatened, but was held back by some unseen force. Its message spoken it unfolded its brown leathery wings which expanded at least ten feet tip to tip. Then it took flight. “Soon”, it had said. What did that mean? He knew what it was. He remembered the Bible and demons, but he never really thought... Dodget came to him licking his face saying it’s over with and it’s Ok. The drums began to come closer, and it seemed all of nature was peeking its head out to see if it was Ok. Everything came back like nothing had happened. He stood up and started to walk back to the tunnel in a daze. He was confused and kept repeating the demon’s words, ”Soon.” Then out of the heavens he heard the cry of the falcon. She screeched her calling coming to perch back on his hand. Her talons clawing it deeply. “I will be your guide in times of need. I'm also there with you in spirit, but of another form.” He walked into the tunnel and let the wings of the wind glide him back to his time. He woke with a start. The fire had long gone out. He looked at his watch wondering, how long was I out. He looked and found it had been close to three hours. He hurriedly put the bag and pipe back in the bag, putting his lighter away and then thinking better of it, as he took out a black and mild to smoke. Was it a dream? He walked home wondering what was happening. Not knowing what it meant. Was he in trouble? He didn't know. All he wanted to do was get home. It was a long walk home. Couple of hours. When he neared his house he heard a screech in the air. It was still almost dark with the sun just peaking in the distance. He saw the shadow of a bird in the air up above. Could it be his falcon? Then as he topped the final hill saw a vehicle. It was an off road buggy. It had 20-inch tires in the back with 15 inch on the front. He could see someone waiting for him up there. As they searched in the gentle soft glow of mourning. Then the bird from the sky screeched, and the buggy started. Soon it was climbing the face of the hill downward to the road. A few minutes later he saw the most beautiful creation known to man. Tessa stood up at 5 foot 11 inches. Her long golden hair sprayed out as she took off the helmet. He didn't need the sun to see the color of her eyes. It had been awhile but he knew her. “Wow how time can play tricks. You were just a girl now you'reDon't a woman.” His smile was nice to see on his face, full of despair and regret. Then out of the sky soared a mighty falcon landing and perched on her left wrist. He recognized the bird from his vision, they were one in the same. The crackle of the speech made him realize they communicated to each other. She entered the buggy and he too entered, as they sped on down the hill. Soon they were outside his house and he was amazed how she could know. As he got out she proclaimed,” Don’t you worry one bit I'll be around if you need me.” Then she blew him a kiss and was off in a dust of wind. His house was right down the path. He opened the door then stopped. He remembered Dodget in his vision. His heart leaped for hope as he turned around to see. Sure enough there she was sitting on the step behind him, like a guard or sentry. He smiled and his heart was filled with joy. He waved her in and they went to his room. She had no problem finding where to go. Just had to sniff to find his stuff. Of course a room always smells like the person who lives there under all the other scents. She was very good and had no problem. They went inside and he undressed to his underclothes for bed. Then thought about Dodget his wolf pup. Not much of a pup any more, but his still the same. He left and went to the kitchen. He opened the refigerator and took out some brisket Pop had smoked earlier. He then got a bowl for water and went back to the room. She was there on top of the bed sitting, and wagging her tail, when he entered. He called to her and fed her making sure she knew where the water was. After supper he crawled into bed and she jumped up and they slept. Her at his feet.