Ruka hid in a wooded area across the street from the Moore House in the dead of night. Shuck was next to her, fully formed as a wolf, relaxed, and wagging his tail. “Why have we returned?” he asked. “I thought we were to try our luck up north.”

Ruka sneered. “Can’t do much without a way to get around.”

“You mean to ask for transportation?”

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you what’s going to happen: we’re taking one of those cars out front and never coming back.”

“You have no quarrel with anyone in the Moore House. Leave and be done with this place, if that is your true intention.”

“No. I don’t think I will.” A car passed by, causing Ruka to lean closer to the ground, scoping out the driveway. “I want you to get the keys to that SUV.”

The shade hesitated. “I advise that you reconsider. Beth truly means well for you—more than you know. She spoke the truth when you accused her of plotting against you. She wants nothing more than to give you a way out of the mess that your father created. At the very least, know that Beth is not someone you want to steal from.”

“I’m not stealing!” Ruka grinned. “I’m just borrowing it from my gracious aunt.”

The shade grinned in kind. “Imagine, then, to come so close to your desire, so far from home, to find a new family in neither kith nor kin. To throw that all away—yet still your choice to make… But you are descendent of a stubborn and prideful kind. You cannot rest until you have proven yourself worthy of love; both to yourself and those around you. But Beth needs no proof as empathy is her flaw. Your father, however, makes for a poor pursuit in those matters; love for a chimera is nothing more than hunger, to consume and become one.”

With an angry frown, Ruka said, “I don’t have to prove myself to anyone. Not you, not Beth, and especially not him… I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Ah, so there is no convincing you. It would be quite the subversion of my expectations, but your motivations are unknown—even to me.”

Ruka hit the ground, wanting to hit the shade instead. “I’m not going to sit here and explain myself to you, Shuck. Now do what I tell you to!”

With eyes glowing red, the shade said, “You are a terror on this world, Ruka… So be it.”

Shuck slinked across the ground as a shadow, passing between the cracks of the front door and navigating the dark halls of the Moore House. He knew that the keys were likely to be in Beth’s purse, which was likely to be in proximity to Beth, who was likely to be in her bedroom at that hour. Undetected, Shuck made his way across the hall by dodging between the nightlights left for the children, only stopping to assess the situation as he heard movement; a creaking noise came from the floor at the other end of the hall. Two eyes blinked in the dark, looking around. Shuck could see that it was Mini holding a book close to his chest. Without a care, Mini raced down the hall to Beth’s bedroom in a direct path towards the shade, causing Shuck to move from the floor and lurk up the walls out of the way. Mini stopped dead in his tracks, his tail and ears perking up in response to the moving shadow. He looked directly at the shade, but his young mind couldn’t quite comprehend what it was seeing. “Doggy?” he asked, then repeated a dark whisper, “Marcho—”

Beth’s door opened, shining light down the hall and taking Mini’s attention. Beth, in her red silk pajamas, looked down at Mini and asked, “Why are you up, child?”

Mini presented his book to her with a frown. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Beth sighed and gave a gentle smile. “And that deserves special treatment?”

“Please?” he asked with wide eyes and a pout.

“Alright,” she said as she lifted him up. “But only because you worked so hard today.”

The two went back to Mini’s bedroom, allowing Shuck to enter Beth's room unnoticed. He approached the purse on the nightstand, sitting next to it and pointing his snout straight up. He then opened his maw, allowing several dark hands to reach out of it and investigate the purse, pulling out a set of keys and dragging them into his voidal innards—a successful mission with an easy exfiltration.

Outside, Shuck returned to Ruka, leaving the keys in her hand. She held them tightly and smiled. Staying hidden in shadow, Ruka made her way to the SUV and quickly opened the driver side door. Shuck leapt in before her to sit in the passenger seat while she gently closed the door behind her to make little noise.

“There’s no stopping us now,” Ruka said, her heart racing. She couldn’t believe she was about to get a car after riding a bike for so long. She started the engine and examined the gauges. “It’s even got a full tank.”

“Eyes forward, Ruka. There remains another obstacle.”

Ruka looked up to see the headlights shining on Beth with Mini in her arm, trying to give a serious look while stifling laughter—humored by Ruka’s attempt to hide from a vampire in the dark. She then approached the driver side window, pointing down, with Ruka begrudgingly lowering the window. Mini yelled, “Doggy!” upon seeing the shade, glad that he told the truth of what he saw to Beth. Shuck bowed his head and lowered his ears, returning to shadow, his real plan in motion.

Beth said, “Can’t say I expected this was the kind of thanks I’d get out of you. If anything, I thought you’d ask for another bike… Do you even know how to drive?”

Ruka continued to look forward, contemplating whether to hit the gas or not. “I do. Motorcycles too. My stepfather was good enough for that much, but it was only to get me out of the house.”

Beth gave a curious look. “Then why come all this way on a bike?”

She faced Beth. “Because they’re easy to maintain, replace, and steal.” Ruka sighed. “I still prefer to drive—just too much trouble getting money for gas.”

“Then you should’ve asked!” Beth shook her head, trying not to get angry. “Listen. It’s late… Too dangerous for you to be out driving. Stay here for the night and I’ll let you borrow my old car in the morning. We need this one for the kids.”

Mini reached out with a grabby hand wanting to touch Ruka’s lowered ears. “Stay! Stay!”

Not wanting to cause a scene with a child around, Ruka said “Alright.” She then stopped the engine and got out, handing the keys to Beth. “But only for tonight.”

Beth nodded in approval at her choice. “Before you head to bed, though, how about you read a story to Mini?” Beth tickled him on the tummy. “Wouldn’t that be nice of her?”

Mini giggled. “Ye.”

Knowing she had little to gain by betraying Beth’s hospitality a second time, Ruka agreed to reading a story. They all then went up to Mini’s room, with Beth turning on the warm light of the bedside lamp and settling Mini into a bed of white sheets. Beth gave Ruka a thumbs-up as she left, leaving her to read Mini’s favorite story book, A Mini Tale.

❦ ❦ ❦

There once was a young boy known as “Mini,” a cat therian of low birth, the smallest of five siblings. His parents came to America to sell Arcadian herbal remedies and cultural trinkets, abandoning him when their income became limited after the ban of pom-pom grass in the States, returning to their homeland a bit richer in pocket yet poorer in heart. There was no home for him then; he simply wandered until he found a place able to provide his malnourished body with food and shelter, settling in an unpaved alleyway with a poorly kept den of his own design. And it was there in that leaky habitat made of mud and cardboard where he spent most of his lonely days, only leaving to scrounge for food and trash to line the walls of his home in the night.

One day, a schoolgirl came across Mini digging through a trash bin in desperation for the nourishment he missed the night before, his ears peeking out from within. Curious of the cat-like creature, the schoolgirl called out to Mini, which spooked him, and sent him scurrying away in a panic back to his hole in the ground. The schoolgirl felt pity for Mini—seeing the humanity in him where others only saw a feral pest—and rushed off to find a way to apologize for her disturbance. A present awaited Mini at the entrance of the alleyway a short time after; the aroma guided him to an open can of tuna which he greedily ate. The same gift appeared around the same time each day that week—all bought with her allowance. The generous bounty continued the week after, and the next, until two men appeared at the entrance of the alleyway instead of the usual visitor.

“This the place?” asked a tall man to his fat friend.

“Yeah. My brat’s been feedin’ one-a-them freaks around here. Figured it’s time I put a stop it.”

“Handouts, eh? Feed one and more’ll show up. Hope you taught ‘er a lesson.”

The fat man chuckled. “She won’t be wastin’ my money again. That’s for sure.”

The two men looked around and kicked the piles of trash lining the alleyway in an attempt to scare Mini out of hiding. Instead, Mini remained in his hollowed-out den, staying still and silent in an attempt to remain hidden from the men.

The fat man gave a hard sniff and said, “Smells like shit here… Gotta be close.”

Mini buried himself deeper in the dirt and covered his mouth to mask his breathing. He could see the legs of the tall man right outside of his den, the two men whispering to one another on what to do next. With a grunt, the tall man got on his knees and peered into the darkness of the trash pile, giving a look of disgust due to the fetid smell of the den which distracted him from the boy mere inches away.

“I don’t see anything,” the tall man complained. “Damn feral must be hiding.”

The fat man let out an agitated sigh. “Then reach in there and find out.”

The tall man, against his better judgment, reached into the trash abyss. His hand came too close for Mini’s comfort, causing Mini to bite him on the knuckles of his pinkie and ring finger. After yelling slurred obscenities and shaking Mini off, the tall man retracted his hand back to safety.

“That feral gotcha good,” the fat man laughed.

The tall man held his injured hand and inspected the bite. With only a little blood and barely visible teeth marks, he pointed at his friend and said, “Bastard. Let’s see you stick your hand in there.”

With a grim smile, the fat man replied, “I’ll do you one better.”

The fat man began to kick into the small opening of the den. The first couple of kicks were probes to see where Mini was hiding. The next set of kicks were much harder, hitting Mini on his arms as he tried to shield his face, so he turned away to protect his head. Once the fat man got a feel for Mini’s position, he did one last forceful kick which hit Mini on his side, causing him to let out a yowl and turn over on his back; the pain was unbearable, each breath a dagger in his chest, causing him to choke for air.

Satisfied with the sound of impossible breaths, the two men laughed. The fat man then slapped his friend on the shoulder to leave. And as they left, the fat man said, “Heard there’s another by the bar. A real cow, if you catch my meanin’. Figured you got some pent up stress, considerin’ your girl left ya. She ain’t feral, though; but cows are meant to be property… Consider it an apology for the hand.”

Rubbing his hands, the tall man gave a devilish smile. “Apology accepted.”

A light rain started to fall as a storm moved in from the distance, water flowing into Mini’s damaged den in a small and steady stream. Mini was unable to stay out of the dampness which surrounded him in his enfeebled state, the rain becoming harder as time passed. He pressed his body against the crumbling walls to prevent more flooding, though the den collapsed upon him and buried him in the mud. Mini tried to lift himself up, but the pain was too much, and so he lingered underneath the weighty quagmire, growing cold and tired, wanting to sleep. But Mini roused himself for a final push, mustering all the energy he could to lift himself up from below and miraculously resurfaced with newfound strength. Now truly homeless and unwanted, Mini cried out in anguish—the teardrops lost in the rain. He collapsed on his side and beat the ground with his fist, each punch getting harder in tune with the strengthening rain, until it suddenly stopped.

Mini looked up and saw an umbrella above him with a soft hand holding the metal handle. A young woman leaned behind him and reached for something in her pocket. “All alone?” she asked. “Let me help you.”

Mini, frightened and anxious at what she was going to do to him, crawled back into the rain. “S-stay away,” he cried, the pain still burning within him. “I’m f-feral.”

The young woman tilted her head and giggled to try and ease the situation. She said, “You don’t look feral to me,” and held out a powder derived from pom-pom grass in her palm.

In a short exchange of stares, Mini looked away and returned to the protection of the young woman’s umbrella, resting at her feet and smelling her hand. The minty aroma of the powder made Mini’s pain and fear melt away as he was reminded of better days. When the powder’s scent was spent, Mini began to lick her hand clean, with her placing it atop Mini’s head after it was all gone. The warm touch of the young woman’s palm on Mini’s damp and dirty hair made him wince a bit as she rubbed his head in a sensitive spot between the ears, causing them to twitch with delight.

“You’re not afraid of me?” Mini asked with tears welling up again—this time out of gratitude.

The young woman shook her head and said, “I see people as people, no matter how different or strange they look…” She extended her hand. “Would you like to come home with me?”

Mini was hesitant at the offer. He wasn’t ready to trust a human, no matter how well they treated him in the moment; especially after what the men had done. He then wiped away his tears and gave the young woman a serious look-over with unblurred eyes. Her well-kept hair and pristine white clothing were too bright, too beautiful for him to properly perceive. It was clear to him now that she had the wings of an angel—another stranger like him, though from a different place. Now feeling a lot better, Mini grabbed the young woman’s hand. Together they went beyond the alleyway, their first steps in growing stronger; a sterile angel wanting someone to care for, and a runt needing someone to care.

“My name’s Lumi, what’s yours?” She smiled with delight.

“I’m Mini," he said, and held her hand tight.

“Are you hungry? I’ll feed you… right after a bath.”

The boy jumped and yelled, "I'd really like that!"

Glad she could save him, Lumi led him away.

To a place where Mini would forever stay.

❦ ❦ ❦

What an awful book, Ruka thought, but that was reality for therians way back when. It was not a tale for children, but a glimpse into how the enigmatic author found her inspiration for a series of children’s books and poems starring the titular character—an origin story of sorts. A Mini Tale was written towards the end of her career for those who grew up with her work and were well into adulthood—a reminder of childlike innocence and how it was now their turn to become the new protectors of the world. With how privately the author lived, and no evidence of an adopted child, many speculated that there was also some level of allegory suggesting that the poor therian did not survive the attack and the angel simply eased his pain as he passed. Others speculated that Mini was never really a therian at all, but an actual cat she rescued. The author never confirmed or denied these claims, of course, saying that the presence of a life held dear, no matter the form it takes, makes the world a much better place to live—and all the more empty when they’re gone. It is life’s story of love and family, though not always a happy or good one.

Ruka closed the book and asked, “Is this why you’re called Mini?”

Mini nodded and smiled. “Theos don’t get angels. Minis do.”

Ruka put the book on the nightstand, thinking over the stories she read of villainous wolves that terrorized humans, sheep, and pigs; as well as how she was also saved by an angel of sorts. “Rukas too.”

Mini pointed at the wolf-shaped shadow on the wall. “Is Doggy your angel?”

“Yes…” Ruka frowned. “Have you seen others like him?”

“Lots!” He lowered his eyes a bit. “But that was when I was alone.”

Shuck spoke solely in Ruka’s mind. “His proximity to death likely attracted the others. He even has a suitable desire—one of strength. His body is too weak and frail, however; a poor candidate for a contract.”

Ruka asked Mini, “You want to be strong?”

“The strongest!” he smiled.

“A body like yours, though…” Ruka hesitated a moment and then rubbed Mini’s ears. “It doesn’t bother you, does it?”

Mini shook his head and smiled. “I like me.”

Ruka gently chuckled and looked at her scarred wrists. “I wish I could say the same… about myself. Nobody likes wolves.”

Mini snuck closer to Ruka and hugged her around the neck. “I like wolves. Strong and fierce—able to tear down houses with a single blow.”

“That’s right,” Ruka said with a reluctant smile as she rubbed Mini’s back, lightly pressing him against her. “But there are different kinds of strength, you know.”

“Like what?” Mini asked as he released his grip and leaned back into bed.

“Well… there’s the strength to carry on, to change yourself for the better, and the strength to support those around you… There’s also the strength to do the right thing even if the alternative is very tempting… which is something that I struggle with myself. And while it’s good to be a strong person, there is a much greater strength in numbers—like family—where others can help us through weakness and pull us through impossible struggles… But a lot of it must first come from within.” Ruka looked at the grinning shadow. “Judge not one’s strength by body alone, but also by the burdens placed upon them.” She returned her focus to Mini. “You’re already strong in a lot of ways, Mini.”

Mini looked at her starry-eyed. “Really?”

Ruka nodded. “There are different kinds of struggles in life. Physical, emotional, spiritual… Overcoming those challenges requires strength—and everyone is fighting their own battle, even if it may not seem like it. That also means that everyone is strong in their own way. Just like you.”

“Just like me…” Mini smiled as his eyes slowly closed. With a final twitch of his ears, he was asleep. Ruka, wanting to cry, tucked him in, then followed the shade back to her assigned room.

Shuck spoke to Ruka as she laid still in bed, dwelling on her own sorrow. “I was not aware you had such insight or compassion. This display of maturity is a welcome surprise, but a surprise all the same”

“Just ‘cause you can see into my heart doesn’t mean you know what’s going on in my head.”

“Not much more, I assume. You dwell too much on unchangeable things and your actions always speak louder than your words. A fluke, perhaps, given your reckless behavior—to be aware of how such actions affect others.”

Despite getting frustrated, Ruka yawned and remained calm. “You gotta give me some credit, Shuck. I take pretty good care of myself for someone that’s followed by a shade… especially when I have to do everything myself.”

“It is as I always say, Ruka: without a contract, I can offer little except for my honesty and otherworldly presence. You are indeed quite capable on your own, making it all the easier to accept our inevitable separation. And while I suspect the lack of my initial presence would have saved you a life of heartache for only a moment of pain, I do hope that I have given you some appreciable company in the short years since.”

Ruka smiled with tears in her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before. You sound almost sentimental for someone so eager to leave.”

“Our association was always meant to be temporary, Ruka, and should be nearing an end. This place offers something that I cannot: a way for you to heal. I suggest that you stay a while longer—forget this business with your father. You will finally have your wish and have no need for the likes of me.”

“You know I can’t do that, Shuck… There's still one thing I need to do. I have to.”

The shade paused, then grinned. “Then I will follow you to the very end.”

The next morning, Beth stood beside the driver side window of the well-worn vehicle she wanted Ruka to use in her travels, talking to her. “I’d’ve given you your dad’s car, but it was such a junker I had to get rid of it after a couple years. This one is much more reliable—believe me.”

Ruka nodded, getting a feel for the wheel. “Just wish I knew where to go next.”

Beth pointed at the black device mounted to the windshield. “Antha gave me the address to the villa when she dropped you off. I put it in last night.” She frowned, then said, “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before, I… I’m glad you came back.”

Ruka reached to turn the navigational system on, selecting where she wanted to go, only lingering to talk with Beth a bit longer. “I want to know all that you discussed with Antha before I go. No secrets.”

Beth felt it was a fair request. “Well… Antha told me who you were, what’d you been through, and to look through the journal in your backpack after she left. I told her it wasn’t any of my business to look through your things, but she threatened me with death if I didn’t obey an order from an arbiter.” Beth let out a smug chuckle, knowing that no arbiter would ever attempt it. “She then wrote the address to the villa on a napkin, muttering something about blood and wine, and left without even saying goodbye.”

Ruka gave a confused look. “Is that really all that happened?”

Beth nodded. “Happened so quick that I didn’t even think to ask why she brought you in the first place.” She then became a bit concerned. “Hate to think Eli’s been at the villa all this time—it’s really not that far. But it’s not like I ever leave Sorrow…” She trailed off, lost in her desolate thoughts. “Maybe he never left there, either.”

With a pensive look, Ruka asked. “Do you want to come with me…? In case he’s there?”

Beth shook her head with a sad smile. “No. The Eli I knew died a long time ago.” She then returned to a more upbeat mood, slapping the top of the hood. “Go on, then. Leave Sorrow behind if you need to. Whatever happens… we’ll always be here if you decide to come back. I promise.”

Ruka nodded and smiled. “I’ll think about it.” She rolled up the window and started the engine, leaving the Moore House behind.

Marie and Mini waved goodbye from the front entrance, the multitude of children gossiping from behind the windows about the terrible wolf. And Beth, staring off at Ruka as she turned the corner, knew that it should’ve been her to take that journey long ago.