The human heart is like a ship on a stormy sea driven about by winds blowing from all four corners of heaven.
~Martin Luther
I storm away, fuming. That idiot has ruined everything! He doesn’t even know me, yet here he comes, trying to change me and my life to match his foolish ways! What is wrong with him? He doesn’t know anything about me; my past, my situation, nothing! Why can’t the annoying imbecile leave me alone?
I manage to settle down, my stomach tying itself in knots with hunger. I’ll just snatch a night’s sleep and be on my way tomorrow. Hopefully, the little do-gooder will decide not to follow. The last thing I need is more of his interference. Life was bad enough before he came along!
I earn some curious stares as I walk through the streets, hands jammed in my pockets, scowling and muttering to myself. I ignore them, as always; these people don’t matter to me. I snort to myself as I remember the other shifter’s words. “There will be people everywhere you go.” Too bad for them. I’ll find a place, somewhere, and no one’s going to ruin my life again. Ever!
As soon as I’m on a deserted street, away from people, my shoulders slump, and my feet drag. Why won’t he just go away? He doesn’t even try to understand. No one ever does, unless they were forced to live the same way. Damn those idealists! Why? I ask again. Why me? Can’t I just find a scrap of happiness somewhere?
Dusk settles her velvety cloak over the town, and my feet take me to an abandoned stable, just the place to stay the night. I creep inside, the door creaking shut behind me, and take a look about. The hay is still dry, although a bit musty, and nothing appears to live there except the rats. I can deal with rats. At least there’s no people. That’s the last thing I need.
The floorboards groan under my feet, but hold steady as I move toward a stall in the corner. I heap the hay into one larger pile, then, wrapping myself in my tattered cloak, burrow into it and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
A playful beam of sunlight on my face awakens me in the morning, and I stretch luxuriously, revelling in the warmth, until my eyes alight upon...oh, damn! No!
That do-gooder shapeshifter is asleep not three feet away from me, sitting down and leaning against the wooden stall, one leg drawn up, arm resting on the knee, his head nodding forward. I groan. Won’t he just take a hint and go away? Damn him!
I rise to my feet, brushing off bits of straw, scowling down at him. When he still doesn’t awaken, I help him with a sharp kick. He flinches and leaps to his feet, startled. I collapse back into the straw, laughing helplessly.
He frowns. “What’s so funny?”
I cheerfully throw his own words back in his face. “You. Ever realized you can’t exactly do much right either?”
His frown deepens. “I’m just trying to watch out for you!” he protests, exasperation all over his face.
“Did it ever occur to you that I don’t need or want your help?” I reply, leaning back. “I can survive just fine on my own.”
“By stealing? Rois, it’s wrong.” He seems perturbed.
“Who really cares? Was it right for my parents to abandon me? Was it right for the people in the city to do nothing for a child who had no way to survive? Is it wrong to just want to live? Dammit, you are so naive!” My tone positively reeks of scorn and comtempt, and the young man steps back, his expression troubled.
“Still, couldn’t you find some other way to live?” he finally offers.
I roll my eyes. “Oh, please,” I reply. “Don’t you know anything? Once a thief, always a thief. People will always put you down and cast you out and treat you like trash because of it. I had no choice! Get over it, and go away!” I rise to my feet, brush off the hay, and, after picking up my cloak, move to leave.
He catches me by the arm, but hurriedly backs off once a knife slips to my hand and I raise it warningly. “Look, Rois, I’m sorry. I should have thought-”
“No kidding,” I mutter. “Who the hell are you, anyway?”
“Most people call me Freesoul,” he answers. “And I’m sorry for making those assumptions, and doing this to you, but-”
“But nothing,” I snap. “You had no reason. And, after the mess you’ve made of things, sorry just doesn’t cut it. Now get out of my way.”
He doesn’t budge. “Look, maybe I could make this up to you. But for now, do you think we could just talk? Maybe I’d understand. And maybe you would, too.”
I sigh. I’d like to use force, but he’s older than me, and probably has more control over his abilities, and would therefore easily overpower me. I nod reluctantly. “Fine. And after that, you leave me alone.”
“If you want,” he replies. “Come on. This way.” He leads me out, and all the while, I wonder all over again what I’m getting into now...