INFINITE NIGHT

7. New home

-Tamara's P. O. V.-

The day before our moving from the mine I watched Dennis drive my intoxicated Mother into an unknown for me direction. Pops promised she would be well taken care of in his old friend's Pack Hospital. I know I can trust Pops completely, but the thought she will be far away and amongst werewolves for that matter, makes me want to run after her and not let her go from my arms. I know it's not what she needs, but I guess love can sometimes be suffocating. Not that I know much about it anyway.

I felt arms wrapping around my shoulders and my best friend hugged me, and put her head on my shoulder.

"It'll be alright, Mo. Maybe someday she'll be healed enough to reunite with us." - Ruby said calmly.

"Yeah, maybe." - I said without faith in my own words.

"Come on, I've mixed up some henna, we must do something about your roots, you can't look like a mess in our new home." - she said, dragging me back inside the mine.

Everything was already packed and ready for tomorrow night. We had a one bag per person rule, so we were leaving most of the things we've gathered for the last months here. Fortunately Pops didn't think of my Hecate as a personal belonging, so I could have two bags, one for my weapon and one for clothes.

Going to Ruby's cot I glanced over mine where my folded clothes were waiting for tomorrow, with a drawing of my Mom's sleeping face drawn by Ink, hidden in my khakis pocket. My only thing to remember her by.

Ruby sat me on her bed and started putting thick black goo on my roots covering my natural colour. Ruby, Abi and I always made a day out of that little pampering we were allowed to have in our conditions. They did my hair and with the rest they both highlighted their brows and made a line above their eyelashes like we've seen in the old magazines Pops showed us a few times.

"I still don't understand why you insist on dyeing your natural hair. And to go into black, that color does not necessarily suit you." - Ruby started another round of her whining over my lack of beauty sense, she does that every time, and it started to get really boring.

"I told you why. My natural color is too conspicuous. I could be spotted from afar with it."

"I guess, but it's so pretty, almost white. I envy you."

"What are you talking about?! Yours is gorgeous, mine looks like what elderly would have. Cover it up, before I cut myself bold." - I ordered.

There was another reason why I dyed my hair. I solemnly refuse to show the world anything that I inherited from that r****t. From the man who tossed my mother into so deep PTSD that she can't function on her own and would rather end her life than give another chance to those beasts to get to her again. But don't worry Mom, I'll avenge you.

I looked absentmindedly ahead letting Ruby work her magic on me and I was thinking about my next job. Is it bad that this adrenaline surrounding my every new target excites me? Maybe madness runs in my family. Or maybe it is just something that I know is right.

"You started out without me?! That's it! I'm not hunting for you anymore." - said Abi looking at us with crossed arms and fake glare.

"Don't look at me that way, I'm basically Ruby's hostage here, and you know it." - I told her and I mouthed, 'Help me!' making her burst into laughter.

She sat down opposite from me and looked at every move Ruby did.

"Tam, do you want me to get scissors? Your bob got a bit long, I could cut it for you, and I promise you'll look ten times better than when you do it yourself." - Abi offered, and it was quite rare when she was this nice, usually that happened only during our girly times. Other times she kept her distance from me, having so much more in common with Ruby.

"Why the hell not, that one is already making me her doll, so why can't you." - I said tilting my head towards Ruby. Abi snickered at my words and went to fetch scissors.

When we were having our beauty evening, Guys were already packing our equipment to the van. Aside from personal belongings every one of us had, we needed to pack many things to make our new place livable. Cots, pots, blankets, documents, medical supplies, Ruby's generator, basically most of the things we gathered since our last move. There are some things we leave behind like always, but that's just given in our way of life.

Those who will be driving tonight are already asleep to have strength for a long ride. As usual our drill looks the same. The six of us, who have the ability to shift, will be flanking all three of our cars. Run will be long and demanding, as we are escaping the mine under the cover of the night. For safety measures drivers turn on the lights only when we drive through the woods, the rest of our way we depend only on moonlight.

This time we're heading south, to Louisiana . In some old maps Pops and Dennis found an old military facility with a well-developed system of underground corridors and a bunker. It is far enough away from the packs we know of so that we can settle there and hunt safely, but close enough that I have a lot to choose from when it comes to my new targets. I honestly can't wait.

Dennis returned to the mine close to dawn, like usually he was heading straight to his and Pops's study to give a report. When he was passing us girls, I stood up abruptly and blocked his way.

"Is she safe?" - I asked him. I had no doubts he knew I was talking about my Mother.

"She's fine, Moray. Just like we've promised." - he said dismissively and tried to walk past me, but I crossed his path again.

"Dennis, I know we agreed you won't tell me where she is, but tell me at least who collected her? You know how werewolves make her feel."

Dennis sighed deeply and looked away giving me my answer right there.

"You gave her to the wolves, didn't you?"

"Yes, I had no other choice, but they promised she'll be treated by humans in that hospital. You really don't have to be worried, Mo." - he said, sounding annoyed by all those questions.

"When can I see her?"

"Jeez Tamara, would you calm the f**k down! She just left. Literally three hours ago. Pops promised you that once we settle in a new location he'll arrange your visit. Don't you trust him?!"

"Yes I do."- I admitted feeling stupid and looked away from him.

"Then drop it and go get ready, we're leaving soon." - he said passing me.

I returned to the girls and sat with them till they finished pampering us, well, as best as conditions in the mine allowed us to. But even though I was with them, trying to maintain the conversation, my mind was constantly wandering to my Mom and the question of when will I see her again constantly poped into my head. Who would have known that cold-blooded killer is a little girl deep down inside, afraid to be separated from her parent. My enemies would laugh in my face if they knew that.

Two hours later when the sun was already down and a moon was shining proudly high in the sky we were ready to go. We regrouped ourselves with humans in two old trucks and van with two wolves flanking each of them. Abi and Ruby were running next to the first car driven by Maria, Abi's Mom. Next was the van with Sandra who is Ink's Mom and her life partner Tim, protected by Pops and Dennis. Lastly, a second truck driven by Monica, Ruby's Mom and Ink and me after it.

Plan was flawless, each car had at least one Alpha wolf protecting it. In case something happens we should know first and be able to warn the others. We were supposed to drive or run for four hours then stop to refill the gas and catch a breath. This should be somewhere in the middle of our way, then after a short break we go again till we reach our destination. Simple and efficient, just how I like it.

"Alright people, you know the drill. If any of our cars would be attacked, the other two cannot break the formation. But let's pray nothing of that sort would happen. Now, let's move, just a few hours and we'll be in our new home." - said Pops to all of us, standing outside the mine. It was a rare view, usually only during moving days when all of us were outside. I wish we could find a place where none of my comrades would be endangered and could freely enjoy the sunrays. The Girl could dream, right.

The six of us undressed and changed into the wolves taking their appointed posts beside cars. When everyone was ready and set Abi and Ruby started the convoy. After they were far enough Pops and Dennis started to run, then Ink and I repeated the same thing, keeping a safe distance.

The road was long and exhausting, especially since we had to stay away from the main patroled roads. It's good that we always choose the brightest night of the month when the moon is full. These stupid wolves usually have some kind of big orgies then. Who cares, as long as they won't get in our way they can literally go f**k themselves for all I care.

Just like we hoped for, there were no surprises, and just by the time we got close to our destination the sun was rising over the wetlands. It was a marvelous sight.

We drove to old hangars hiding our arrival from prying eyes and we began unpacking. Those who were up all night will have an opportunity to rest now, but even after nine hours of running at full speed I wasn't tired. I took one last look at the sun, and entered a bunker, where all the commotion linked to settling down was happening. Some were already cooking, Ruby was setting the generator, and the others were unpacking our equipment.

I found Pops in the far end of the bunker, where he was putting together his new study. I strolled over to him with excitement building up in me.

"Show me the map of nearby wolf's Packs."

"So impatient. Shouldn't you be resting now?" - He asked with a chuckle.

"No, I have so much to do, and I want to start right away. Today I will just make a reconnaissance, tomorrow we'll say hello." - I said with a sly smirk.

"Just be careful, Tamsy." - said Pops handing me Louisiana's map with a few markers next to the territories of packs known to us.

"Always am, Pops." - I assured him and went outside.

I undressed and prepared myself to shift, when a voice from behind me spoke.

"Going for a run without me? You know that hurts, Tamara." - spoke Ink, and by the time I turned to him he was holding his chest playfully.

"Alright, so come on. I could use another set of eyes."

We changed into our wolves, his sandy coloured fur with grey eyes just like his human form and my midnight black with green eyes and we took off searching for my next target.