Moonlit Fur Chronicles: Rising Moon
Chapter 24 Phoenix and Peyton

Phoenix ducked out the back door and ran full speed away from Reese, Quinn, and that entire life. She planned to catch a ride with Peyton if she allowed it. Phoenix would build a new life somewhere somehow. Phoenix was completely blindsided by Peyton’s fist as it connected with her face. She tumbled to the ground, “Why are you following me? Did Reese send you,” Peyton roared. Phoenix pulled herself up, “No Reese didn’t send me. I…I couldn’t stay there anymore.” Peyton glared at her. “I was hoping I could get a ride from you.”

Peyton’s eyes narrowed, “Where are you going?” Phoenix dropped her gaze, “Away from Reese and Quinn. She broke my heart, I have to get away. Make a new life.” “Fine, help me with Sawyer,” Peyton instructed. She reached down and picked up half of the body. Phoenix grabbed its ankles and they trudged through the forest. It was around midnight when they arrived at Peyton’s car. “Put him in the back seat, there’s a tarp in the trunk.” Once Peyton situated the body, she and phoenix climbed into the front seats. Peyton rolled down the windows and began the long journey home.

“Why didn’t you stop him,” Peyton asked, “Your boyfriend when he assaulted me.” Tears formed in Phoenix’s eyes, “I was scared of him, but I still loved him. I loved him, I don’t know why. Have you ever been so blinded by love?” Peyton shook her head. “That’s good,” replied Phoenix through her tears, “It really sucks.” They drove in silence for a while. Peyton finally broke the silence, “Do you like being a werewolf?” Phoenix took a deep breath. “That’s all I know. I barely remember my human life. I was a child when I was bitten. I was ten years old, maybe less. I was walking in the woods behind my house with my dog, Spike. It all happened so fast. I heard my mom scream for me to run. Spike turned around and growled at something behind me.”

“I felt an extremely heavy thing land on my back. My head bounced on the ground. I woke up in the hospital with cracked ribs, broken legs, and a hairline fracture in my skull. I spent maybe four days in the hospital before the doctors released me. They had never seen such a miraculous recovery. The next night was my first full moon. My parents freaked out and kicked me out. I was alone for about a month before Jules found me. He took care of me, made sure I was fed and warm. He was only a couple years older than me but he had been alone for most of his life. When I got old enough to understand what love was, I realized I loved him. I was with him, until the day he died.”

“Then Reese, Quinn, and I had a thing. Quinn got jealous and all but kicked me out of the pack. I’ve been scared of her ever since. When you left, I knew my chance had come.” Peyton absorbed Phoenix’s story. She couldn’t relate but she did have compassion for Phoenix’s hard life, “So what are you going to do now?” Phoenix sighed, “I’ll travel with you as long as you let me, then I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.” “Good thing you thought it all out properly,” Peyton remarked sarcastically. “Jules usually decided what to do, I just went with him,” Phoenix answered. “You seem like a good enough person. We’ll see what happens when we get back home,” Peyton responded. A wide grin spread across Phoenix’s face.

Peyton drove about a third of the way back home before she needed a break. She found a hardware store where she picked up some trash bags and duct tape. She hated the idea, but she needed to create an airtight seal around Sawyer, he smelled terrible. Phoenix helped her wrap him up and Peyton decided to put him in the trunk so she would lay out in the backseat for a nap. Phoenix volunteered to keep watch while Peyton slept. She slept fitfully for several hours, Phoenix made sure Peyton stayed safe. Peyton awoke and got back on the road; Phoenix napped occasionally. The girls chatted off and on for hours, there wasn’t much else to do.

After several long hours on the road, Peyton and Phoenix finally arrived at Peyton’s house. Luckily it was dark so they avoided unnecessary attention as they buried Sawyer in the woods behind Peyton’s house. Peyton wept as she dug and Phoenix’s eyes watered as well. Finally Sawyer was returned to the earth.

Peyton wandered inside her house with Phoenix close behind. She motioned to the couch and Phoenix sat down. “We will talk in the morning,” Peyton mumbled. Phoenix bundled up with a blanket from the couch. Peyton padded to her room, memories of Sawyer overwhelmed her. She cried herself to sleep.

Peyton awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs, for the briefest of moments, she thought Sawyer was in the kitchen. Then she remembered the tragedy of his death. “Phoenix,” she called. Phoenix’s voice drifted in from the kitchen, “Making breakfast, come on in. It’s almost done.” Someone aggressively pounded on the front door. Peyton jumped out of bed and hurried to the door. “Girl you did not just up and disappear for over a week without saying goodbye,” Jessi stepped into the house the moment Peyton opened the door. “This better not have been Sawyer’s idea. Sawyer get your butt out here.” Tears flooded Peyton’s eyes. “Oh honey, what’s wrong,” the fire left Jessi’s eyes.

“Come on then, breakfast is getting cold,” Phoenix called from the kitchen. “Who is that,” Jessi asked. Peyton guided Jessi to the kitchen, “Jessi, Phoenix. I’m going to freshen up. Talk to each other.” Peyton left Jessi and Phoenix in the kitchen. “Well, Phoenix, you’re kinda cute. Tell me about yourself.” Phoenix turned several shades of pink. She told Jessi that she was a new friend of Peyton’s. Jessi asked if Phoenix was like Peyton with a wink. Phoenix didn’t know how to answer. “Yes she is a werewolf too,” Peyton answered as she returned to the kitchen. The girls grabbed plates and began to eat. Jessi peppered Phoenix with questions.

Phoenix was a bit overwhelmed with all the attention. Peyton told Jessi to knock it off. Jessi turned her inquisitiveness onto Peyton and demanded details of the last week and where Sawyer was. Peyton sadly answered all Jessi’s questions. Jessi consoled Peyton and welcomed Phoenix into their little friend group. Phoenix began to enjoy Jessi’s company. She decided, if Peyton was agreeable, she would stay for a little while. “Sounds like I’m going to get to see you more often,” Jessi shamelessly flirted with Phoenix, Peyton rolled her eyes.