Chapter 8

“Quit pacing, everything’s going to be fine,” reassured Sara. I looked over at her sitting in my chair. It was much to large for her and she looked a little silly in it, but David’s imminent arrival had me far too nervous to laugh. I stopped pacing, but it wasn’t because I calmed down at all. My ears twitched at the low rumble of a truck motor approaching, a rare sound in this neighborhood.

“That must be him,” announced Sara when the motor stopped outside.

Knock knock

I could have swore that my heart stopped and I stared at the door.

“Well, are you going answer it?” I glared at Sara for a moment before I slowly approached the front entrance. My tail flicked anxiously as I opened the door.

“Hi, Ruth,” greeted David, who was standing in the doorway.

“Hello...” I replied absently, though I wasn’t looking at him. Instead I was looking at the gathering of people behind him. “Who are all these people? I asked quietly.

“They offered to help me move,” he answered with a grin before gesturing to a tall (for a human) woman with long dark hair and eyes that looked similar to David’s. “This is my sister Jill, my neighbor Reylund...”

“Former neighbor at this point, I think.” Interrupted a gray-lupine with a throaty growl. The fur on the back of my neck stood up from some form of primal fear of the apex predator. I took a deep breath to calm down and told myself that I was being ridiculous.

“I guess you’re right, former neighbor,” laughed David, thankfully oblivious to my unease. He a gestured to the remaining person, a short, but thick blond human male. “And you might remember Tom from the almost bar-fight.” I was still too preoccupied with getting over having a lupine at my apartment to pay much attention, but at a glance he did look familiar.

“Hi, I’m Sara! A friend of Ruth’s,” chirped Sara from behind me, snapping me out of it.

“Yes, welcome.” I turned down to address David directly. “I’m glad that you were able to get help.” He grinned.

“Yeah, they’re good people.” He turned to his friends and family. “Well, I guess we should get started!” The group headed toward a small moving van and a truck that was parked nearby.

“It’s going to be fine, I promise,” whispered Sara.”

“I hope so...” I replied quietly.

They started by bringing in furniture and boxes that went in the bedroom, and that wasn’t too bad, even though I involuntarily shuddered every time Reylund passed by. However, it wasn’t long before they were done with that and were moving on...

“So ... is it ok if we put the couch here?” Asked David hesitantly, pointing along the wall in the front room.

“That would be fine,” I replied, even though my stomachs knotted while saying it.

“And the TV on the other side?” I nodded, and he grinned. “Thanks!” He looked very happy about it, and that may have been the only thing keeping me from screaming in frustration.

For the next couple hours they kept at it, and my heart sank further with everything that was introduced to any of the common areas. To his credit, David asked my permission for the placement of nearly every new item, but in my haze I absently agreed to most everything. The couch and TV were first, then a couple end tables, then they moved on to the kitchen. Several small appliances now adorned the counters that before had mostly been bare. It wasn’t long before I didn’t even recognize my apartment anymore. I felt like I wanted to cry.

When they were done, David approached me. “We’ve got to take the van back, but I’ll be back afterwards,” he explained before turning to his friends and sister. “Thank you so much for helping today,” he said with a grin. “You guys really made this a lot easier.”

“No problem bud,” laughed Tom.

The group started heading out but Reylund stayed behind.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” he called out before turning to approach me. I gulped.

“I’m sure this arrangement isn’t ideal for you, but David’s a good man. He was a good neighbor and we’re going to miss having him next door. I expect he will be a good roommate.” I simply nodded stiffly. “You also don’t have to be afraid of me.” He turned and started walking away.

“How do you know I’m afraid?” He looked halfway around to where I could see his profile and tapped his nose.

“Fear has a scent ... David may seem confident, but he’s been giving off the same scent all day.” He turned back away and was about to leave.