Taryn woke up late, which was unusual. She rarely slept in, and even on days she could she was always up by nine. Yet when she finally yawned and stretch, the clock on her nightstand blared the number 10:27 in red.
“Shit,” Taryn muttered, stumbling out of her bed and into the bathroom.
She quickly showered, hoping to wash away yesterday’s events. When she stepped out of the warm water she cast a quick look at her mirror and could see the dark circles under here eyes.
Today is going to be so much fun.
In an hour she was fed, dressed, and heading out the door with Jess’ computer in her arms. She didn’t know what to expect of this doctor, but she wanted to be prepared. She wore a well fitted violet backless dress that fell halfway down her thigh and around her neck as a halter. She paired it with short black heels, and let her hair fall down in waves around her shoulders. Taking the elevator to the main floor, her heels clacked against the marble flooring as she hurried to the main doors. She had been in such a flurry last night she had parked on the street instead of the underground parking her apartment provided. It didn’t matter now; it just saved her time.
She reached the car before the events of yesterday piled up on her and tears threatened to spill again. How could he be gone? Taryn got into the driver’s seat and just sat there, letting the tears roll down as she tried to regain some composure. She wasn’t sure when she’d ever be okay with this. Yet again she was alone.
Eventually she pulled herself out of her thoughts and started the car, noting that she only had a little under forty-five minutes to get to her appointment. She plugged in the coordinates in her phone for directions, and pulled away from the curb.
An hour later, she was biting back curses as she turned down another wrong road. Her phone had already been flung into the back seat at some point, deeming useless outside Toronto. How could a refuge be this hard to find? Was there some hidden entrance?
Taryn returned to the small road, taking the next right. She was about to scream when the road seemed to stretch on and on, but finally in the distance she could see a clearing opening up. In the middle of the clearing was a tall, round-looking building, with tall windows and a wooden theme. Sighing in relief, Taryn found a quick parking spot beside another vehicle and stepped out. Grabbing her purse, computer, and the few papers she had also brought, she scurried inside.
“I’m so sorry,” Taryn breathed, reaching the main desk, “I’m late for an appointment. I know. Please tell me I can still see him?”
The young secretary looked slightly taken aback, like Taryn had spooked her, “Are you…Taryn?”
“Yes,” Taryn nodded, “Do I have to reschedule or can I still see Dr. Mor?”
“Hold on,” the girl, looking no older than a college student, picked up a phone and dialed a few numbers, “If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll tell him you are here.”
Nina woke, feeling refreshed and oddly peaceful. It took her a few minutes to realize she was still in the forest, her fur damp with morning dew. Shaking it off, she stretched and yawned. It had been such a long time since she spent the night amongst the trees. As she got up her ears picked up a scurrying sound, and a few birds chirping. The sun danced between the trees, lighting up the forest around her. She was protected where she slept, surrounded by brush. Jumping over it, she scared a fox that yipped and ran off.
Food. Need food.
She contemplated Changing and just going into the cafeteria, but her stomach growled loudly and she wasn’t sure she could wait that long. Nina wandered a bit, until her nose caught the trail of a rabbit and she bounded off, her mind shutting all else off but the chase…
The Change felt slightly less painful on a full stomach, but Nina also had a lot on her mind. For one, her clothes had dirt and grass stains and she knew it wouldn’t go unnoticed. She also noticed a voicemail on her phone from an unknown number and two messages from Derek, asking her to explain what happened at the pub. She quickly sent him the detailed story of what happened, than checked her voicemail.
“Hey Katerina,” a female voice, “Its Ariel. Call me when you get a chance, k? Just have a few questions for the website. Thanks. Bye.”
Nina decided to call later, wanting to pick her way out of the forest first. By the time she found the clearing her stomach was already acting up, and she beelined to the cafeteria, hoping breakfast was still be served.
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