A Chance Encounter
It was summer vacation, and my parents had rented a cabin in the mountains. I was bored; there was no reception here, so I couldn't connect to the internet. Needless to say, using my cell phone was also out of the question. So, I'd started taking long walks.
The cabin was in a clearing, man-made of course, and surrounded by forest. My folks liked coming to places like this, to 'get away' from the 'hectic everyday life' they led in the city. I'd been dragged along, as I had been since I was born. I'd tried to get them to let me stay at home this time. Their argument pretty much came down to the fact that they didn't trust an 18 year old to stay alone for a month. They ignored the fact that I'm a straight A student, and that I've never gotten into any kind of trouble in my life. Geez, I'm on the school's chess team! I don't even date. Not because I'm ugly or anything, I've been told often enough that it's quite the contrary. I'm tall, just over 6' 1", and slim, and I work out regularly so I'm not a weakling, either. I have shoulder-length light brown hair, green eyes, and a small sprinkling of freckles over the bridge of my nose.
Even though girls hit on me, I wasn't interested. I don't think I'm gay, since I don't really look at other guys that way either. I just... wasn't interested in anyone. Yeah, I still had urges, like any normal teenager, but my hand was my partner when it came to this. Hell, I didn't even fantasize when I jerked off.
And it wasn't like I was going to be throwing some sort of wild party. I'm a friendly enough guy, but I don't have anyone I could call friend. I prefered being by myself. I read a lot, when I wasn't messing around on the computer.
You are very beautiful.
I startled. Had someone just spoken to me? As far as I knew, I was alone. I looked around me, at the trees lining the path I was walking down, at the brush on either side. I didn't see anyone. "Hello?" I kept my voice down, I don't know why. I guess I didn't want to appear foolish, if someone were there.
Can you actually hear me? My, this is an interesting turn of events.
Frowning, I peered into the foliage.
*chuckle* You are as unobservant as you are attractive.
I spun around, looking behind me. No one. Bringing my hand up, I twacked my head a few times. I was hearing things. Wasn't that the first sign of dementia, or schizophrenia, or some other ~ia?
Oh, you are precious. Here, allow me to help.
There's a rustling right next to me. I swear, I'd looked there! The bush I'm standing by parts, and what appears to be a dog, no, a wolf, steps out. It was a freaking big wolf, too. It looked... amused. And somehow sad, too.
There, is that better?
I scrambled back, hands held in front of me. "Wh-what...? H-how...?" Eyes wide, I look around again, trying to find whoever is playing this tasteless practical joke on me. There's no one to be seen though, so I turn back to the wolf. "A-are you... talking to me?"
Do you see anyone else here? *chuckle* The wolf sits down and holds out a front paw.
I believe this is how humans introduce themselves? I am called Aenwis. And what would your name be, my handsome lad?
It takes me a moment; I'm still not believing this, after all. But the 'voice' seemed to be in my head, and the wolf's actions reflected the words. I crouched down in front of the beast and gingerly took the proffered paw, ready to pull back at the first sign of aggression. "Ah... I... I'm Matthew. Matthew Reid. Or just Matt..." I release the paw quickly and stand once more, taking a step back. "Are you... actually talking to me? Wh-what are you? Well, I know you're a wolf, but... Wolves can't talk. Can they?"
*chuckle* Not regular wolves, no. Though to tell the truth, I am not in actuality a wolf. This is only the form I chose to take, for the time being.
"That... doesn't really answer the question. And how are you talking to me?" I was still wary, though I couldn't sense any aggression in the 'tone' of the 'voice'.
Since this form is not suited to the complexities of the human languages, I am speaking directly into your mind. I find this mode of communication more honest. Words may lie, not so this way. You would be able to sense it were I telling an untruth. The wolf stands up once more and approaches me. I decide to stand my ground, to see what it wants. I'm fairly sure it's a male, by the touch of the 'voice'; it feels masculine. He sniffs me slowly, walking around me as he does so. I brace myself for a muzzle up my ass as canines are wont to do. But it doesn't happen.
Your clothing dilutes your scent. Perhaps you would remove them? No? Ah, well perhaps later then. Come, please follow me, Matthew. There is something I wish to show you. He walks back into the brush, and I find myself following as instructed. It wasn't like he was exerting his will on me, I was curious, now. I've always believed that there was something more to this world, something we didn't see, because we'd blinded ourselves to it. Was I about to be proven right? Was that why I could see and hear Aenwis? So, I followed him. It wasn't like I had anything else to do, or anywhere to be, so why not follow a talking wolf into the woods? Well, it made sense at the time...