Cale's POV

The creature didn't scare me at all. I was intrigued by it but as I stood by my easel in the early hours of the morning I couldn't think for the life of me of what it actually was.

I knew that it was huge and furry but that really didn't narrow it down. It was getting late and I had school tomorrow still I couldn't just leave it. I had to do something so it would settle my mind a little at least.

I took a deep breath and held the brust to the canvas then closed my eyes and let my hand go where it wanted. It slipped and slid around the canvas but never off it, it was harsh and soft. But most importantly it calmed and soothed my mind. I continued until it was done even though time was ticking. It had to be completed or else I would be thinking about completing it. Sleeping was a difficult task as a secret artist, who can only paint when they should be sleeping.

Finally I opened my eyes. Lit by moonlight both in the room and from the painting was a wolf. It stood alone in the middle of a road framed either side by trees. it was extremely rough but even so I could see the pain and longing in its eyes.

It was so lonely.

I bit my lip because that wolf spoke to my soul. I could feel tears in my eyes, which might have been from staying up so late.

With that I went to bed and allowed the painting of the wolf to dry, alone.

***

It couldn't have been a wolf that I saw. It just couldn't have been. This was Melbourne Victoria. But there was no mistaking it. It wasn't a husky. That was a wolf and a big one at that. Surrounded by what looked like Australian trees.

I guessed I had nothing to worry about though. it's not like I was painting from memory. I don't remember anything from that night it was way too dark. 

I must have looked troubled because my mum gave me a funny look and asked over the music in the car "What's wrong?"

"Just had a weird dream I guess."

She made an "oh" mouth movement and her attention went back to the road once again. She wasn't going to press me for details. If I didn't want to give them she didn't want to know them. It was as simple as that. besides what could I say. I saw some kind of big dog last night and it made me paint a wolf.

That doesn't sound like something that would put an 18 year old boy off. But for some reason it really did.

She dropped me off without another word. 

Today I had my footy gear with me. I had training after school. My schedule was insane. But that's what it took to get drafted. I shoved all that in my locker and my team surrounded me as well as the usual girls who hanged around them. Their conversations were boring and my mind kept drifting back to the animal that I had seen. I just couldn't get it out of my brain. It had imprinted itself onto the walls of my mind.

My first class was physical education... theory. Probably the most boring class in the world. I could help but to doodle and it wasn't weird because the rest of the class did the same. My notebook had more sketches than notes in it that's for sure.

I was restless. I shifted about uncomfortably in my chair as the teacher droned on. I could have gotten up and gone for a run willingly. That's a first. But I just need something to clear my mind. And I was avoiding picking up that ever so tempting pen. I didn't need any more heart wrenching lonely wolves. I didn't need an emotional outburst during class. But the teacher was almost asking me to with her long and detailed speech about each of the bones in the human body.

My hand crept toward the pen. I tried to resist with all my might but gave into it. Greedily my hand scribbled over the page consuming more and more of the white space turning it deep inky blue until the scent of the ink started to bother me. I looked down at what I had done. There was a bear, same position as the wolf. Same expression. 

This was ridiculous. I need to draw something different. I looked away and flipped the page aggressively.

I forced myself to draw Melbourne city and the details of that got me through the lesson.

***

Last lesson was Biology I sat next to Nyarai again.

"How's the little sister going?" I asked to make friendly conversation.

She looked up from her book "Still in a world of her own, no real world friends, you know creative people difficulties."

"Yeah... creative people..." I muttered and gripped my pen tightly, she couldn't know. She was smart but she wasn't a mind reader. Was she?

"I think once she starts talking to people in her art class and breaks through this shy barrier she'll have loads of friends. She's a sweet girl I can't see why anyone would dislike her," Nyarai continued looking deep into me with though cold brown eyes.

I smiled "wow siblings that don't hate each other. Are you sure you're human?"

Nyarai laughed, her laugh was rich sweet and filled me with warmth. It was like a warm cup of your favourite tea, I couldn't help but to smile back at her. 

"Yes I'm sure I am but Zodwa just might be a fairy."

Her eyes fell down from my face to my hands. Then her brow creased "wow."

I followed her gaze. Absentmindedly I had drawn something. It was a lion this time. Same position as the wolf and the bear and the same expression. But somehow it was also the same fierce beast I had drawn last biology class. It's eyes looked into my soul and they said three words that shook me and made me freeze "I am you"

I covered it with my hand by reflect.

"You've got talent," she whispered and went back to her work.

"Thanks," I whispered unable to say anything. I uncovered the lion again. It's eyes were so enchanting and so human. It was creepy.

Nyarai and I didn't really speak much for the rest of the class aside from biology stuff. I decided to focus myself on my biology study to keep the look of that lion well out of my mind. And soon enough it was the end of the class and we poured out. 

Nyarai started to giggle, I looked at her.

"Look at Monique and Beth," she whispered.

I did and I saw they had black hands like they had broke a pen or something. I was confused because they weren't reacting and they were only holding their books.

"Someone you were behind that weren't you?"

She had a mischievous look in her eye but didn't say a word, only walked away giggling.

I couldn't think of a reason for or a way she did that but I knew Monique and Beth would be screaming when they saw the state of their hands. I only hoped I was nowhere near them when that happened.

I finished my drills early and sat down on the bench taking sips of water alone. The whole team was smiling and having fun. I always had to take things too seriously when it came to footy I couldn't have fun like them and I envied them. Still I didn't belong. Not even slightly.

I squirted more water into my mouth.

"Don't belong hey?" there was a voice behind me I spat out the water in surprise and he chuckled "you were pretty good out there you know?"

I turned around it was the strange man who was lingering outside the car park. I nearly fell off my seat.

"What are you doing here?"

"Calm down I'm not doing anything weird just watching you train, I'm a fan of the footy but you're not are you?"

I remained silent watching him all my muscles tense and on guard.

"I'm not going to tell anyone don't worry. I'm just some weird guy after all," there was a twinkle in his green eyes "art isn't something to be ashamed of but I like that you are so willing to do something you hate just to make your father happy. It shows great promise."

I stood up but in that second he disappeared. 

What on earth was that?

Meow myths,

A rather long one this time. I hope you're liking Cale a little more now that you are getting to know him. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter. I promise next chapter will spice things up a little bit.

First published 29/4/18

Meow for now