Hmmm - not quite the effect I wanted but who can guess what Jared is? LOL
(Archives are on the website, if you want to read the offerings of past weeks)
——————————-
One Winter Day
(c) 2008 by Maura Anderson
The temperature was dropping quickly and the sharp, acrid bite of the air made Jared certain it would snow before too long. The heavy, slushy snow already on the ground was already forming a surface of ice that crunched under his boots.
He shifted the pack of supplies higher on his back and wished he was in his fur. Too bad he’d had to go to town instead—that required his vehicle and his human form. He used to love visiting the town and talking to others but anymore it had turned into a chore and he resented every trip he had to make. Each time he was reminded of his own solitude, his own withdrawal.
The two mile walk from his nearest neighbor’s cabin to his own was just what he needed to relax after the trip. Sure enough, a light snow started but the lazily drifting snowflakes quickly turned into fat, heavy flakes and Jared picked up his pace. This had all the hallmarks of turning into a blizzard and he’d better get home.
Finally at his clearing, Jared stopped and stared at the small bootprints, quickly filling in with new snow and barely visible in the dim light. Someone had been here. He clenched his teeth and examined the area in detail, following the steps toward the cabin.
Whoever it was had stumbled several times and wasn’t walking very steadily. He scent of smoke teased his nostrils and Jared struggled to not roar at the rage that flashed through him. Someone had lit a fire in his hearth?
Jared quietly crept up on his own cabin in the wake of the intruder. Silently, he took off his pack and set it in a corner of the porch, then eased the door open.
The warm air inside confirmed that someone had lit the fire he’d laid yesterday. He slipped into the cabin and shut the door behind him.
Was the intruder still here?
The pile of wet clothing he nearly tripped over as he crept toward the side of the couch answered that question.
“Who the hell is in my house?”
His growl went unanswered. What the hell was going on?
A soft snore made him glance at the couch and see a small, dainty foot with bright pink toenails resting on the padded arm. His nose twitched and he inhaled a subtle musky scent.
Jared looked over the top of the couch and saw a sight he’d never have believed before today. A small, blonde woman was asleep on his sofa, apparently naked and wrapped in his skin!
Loading ...
Hmmm…she’s wrapped in his skin? A bear?
by Belinda McBride August 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pmhmm - good guess.
Let’s see what ideas other people have!
Check back by Wednesday and I’ll admit what it is and there might be a prize :)
by Maura Anderson August 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pmA selkie! he’s a selkie!!
by suzanne lazear August 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pmSuzanne’s guess of a selkie is great. I’m just wondering why a selkie would be in such a remote hard to reach area.
He thought of his fur and that made me think of the Cloud Leopard we were discussing on Pink Chair Diaries…so I guess that’d be my guess. :)
Great teaser Maura. Any plans to expand on the story?? I HOPE!
by Robin Snodgrass August 10th, 2008 at 6:52 amLOL - good guesses by everyone. He is actually a bear - a Grizzly bear.
It’s from an interesing idea I had about shifter mythology and I hope I get a chance to write it at some point!
Gad you liked it!
by Maura Anderson August 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm*nods* I agree with Selkie, and the same question came to mind, a land-locked Selkie?
I saw mountains and forest when I read this. My guess is because of the cabins, blizzard, the 2 mile hike and no mention of a salt laced wind…
by Nikita August 10th, 2008 at 8:29 pm