Ironically, Anne DIDN'T know the religion of everyone within her new family. They were all
decidedly NOT the same faith, nor the same facets of the same faith, and some who would
had violently argued with some others over their theologies, but now peacefully accepted
the other's philosophy within the pack. Anne was simply the only member of her theology
who had chosen to risk going outside with the 'lady detective' out there.
And it was one big joke that nobody knew both the question and the punch-line to.
Shortly after church Serenity sensed it. More uses of the game. One of the people from last
night had used their turn on five new people, then one of those had used their turn again
on five new people, then one of those on three new people.
'On the silver lining of the black cloud, at least the more the game's been used lately, the
more keen my 'turn seismograph' has gotten.'
However, in spite of all of it, Serenity still couldn't tell that Anne had been one of those
involved in the turns last night, she could only logically conclude she was not having met
her before. And she -still- couldn't tell where the -where- was when a turn was used in
Glendale. Then again, the sicko who had included her being able to sense when a turn was
used had included it taunt her on what she could never use to return to being a Irishman.
Serenity didn't bother to follow Anne, she went in the direction of the rich part of town,
which only added proof to what Trevor had said, the wolf pack resided at the Smith Estate.
It didn't feel right to call it a harem anymore.
Serenity returned to where Trevor was still waiting, when he didn't say thing she asked,
"Aren't you wondering how it went?"
"These ears aren't just for show." Trevor commented dryly.
"You can still joke. That is a good thing."
"Whatever."
The church was now mostly empty, and those that remained thought 'curse, don't talk
about it, maybe it'll go away.'
"Let me ask you Trevor, do you CARE about those people who were turned into monsters?
"
"What should I care? I'm going to die anyway."
"So is everyone!!"
"I had my lifetime -STOLEN- from me!"
"You think you're the only one whose had their life stolen from them? There was a slew of
child kidnappings a couple decades back before you were born little man! They couldn't
find the children because the 'person' who doing so was using the Game to turn six year
old into over-sized eighteen year old women regardless of original gender and selling
them off to the highest bidder!!! Can you imagine having the mind of a child, confused
and scared and suddenly having a body you weren't meant o have for over ten years, or
not at all, and being treated as someone disposable sex object? Can you!"
Trevor sent said calmly, "... starving children in Africa comparison huh? Mom used to do
that too."
Serenity backhanded him across one ear with an audible smack, "Get over yourself."
Trevor shuddered, the tears were coming again.
Serenity knelt down pushed on the cat's head and making him look into her eyes, "Trevor,
is this really what you want? Do you want to spent what precious time you have left
lamenting it all?"
"... I don't even know when the clock is going to strike midnight, I can't even keep track of
my birthday! I can't even tell my family they never raised me wrong and I never killed
myself! And I can't do a damn thing about it!"
Paul nearby would have corrected his language, but had no desire upset the apple-cart.
"Then how about you focus on what you -can- change!"
"I can't change anything."
"You found out where the wolves are living! Who knows how long that could have gone on
otherwise! Trevor! You also kept a child from being alone from his family for the rest of
his life... doesn't that count for anything?"
Trevor thought back to the little boy trapped in the body of a mouse he had had to
actually -carry- in his mouth to keep them both from being eaten by the horde of rats
that had sniffed them out as Trevor had found the lad a year the little boy had spent
hiding. Unlike Trevor, the lad still had a human life time in terms of his Transform...
"No... it does count."
"I don't expect you to stop feeling sad for everything you lost! But I do expect to accept
that you're a part of this team as long as you're breathing! And no part of any team is
worthless!"
Trevor thought of his football team... how many times had he said the opposite to the
bottom tier? How many had he said it to?
"You're right." Trevor replied at last.
"I'd say you've made some excellent progress, but I know that hearts don't mend in a day.
So instead I'll just say you've taken a step in the right direction."
The tabby Trevor looked up to see the black cat Judas sitting on the top of the seats.
"So," Judas asked of the cat and human, "What do you plan to do now?"
Serenity just stared, "What did he say?"
Trevor laughed, "Come on, we know cats, I mean, regular cats don't talk."
Serenity frowned, "You were looking at him like you were listening not like you were
confused. Now spill it."
".... Judas was asking what we plan to do now."
"First I intend to show you a good time until you snap out of your funk so you're able to
function once your leg has mended. And we also plan to find a person who has a turn of
the game who isn't part of the wolves' pack. After that, Paul, me, -and you too Trevor-
discuss the best way to neutralize the pack's master and subdue a small army of wolf
women who'll fight to the death to protect their young. After that, using the game to
restore their humanity and free will. And after -that-, using the powder to wipe out any
traces of the game forever. I'll examine the powder's recipe to see if it has any toxic
substances, -if it doesn't- we can just beg the city council to add it to the water supply
and that'll kill the game once and for all."
Most of what Serenity said went over Judas' peach sized brain, however, enough got
through that he knew one thing.
Judas leapt off the pews and onto an open stained glass window.
"Where are you going?" Trevor meowed.
"To find a human who isn't part of the wild dogs pack and has a Turn of The Game."
"Didn't you tell me you were the pariah of every cat in town?"
"I still have some friends, a few connections, a couple favors from the sanctuary I maintain
behind the church. It's not the biggest cat information network in Glendale, but it should
churn up something... pray for my success."
"Right." Trevor nodded automatically in return. "But-but why? Your human has an
investment in this not you."
"... It's to help those in need who can't help themselves, I need another reason?"
Trevor just stared as Judas left the church through the window.
"And that time?" Madam Serenity asked calmly.
"He said... he's going to try and find a human who has a turn of the game."
Serenity was surprised, "He's hoping he finds one."
"Actually..." Trevor said feeling awkward, "He asked us to pray on that."
+++++++
With Pearl and June flanking him, Zack was playing Risk with Lawrence and Rodger when it
happened. The ringing. The noise Zack had worried about hearing ever since his
transformation. He let it ring, not picking it up. The other wolves all looked at him oddly,
and immediately ordered Pearl NOT to pick it up for him. It rang one more time, then
Zylphia's cell phone got a new voice mail.
"You still have that thing?" Roger asked, "You can't get coverage if you don't exist."
"I'm not like you, the glitch left my parents knowing I still exist." Zack replied simply he,
VERY CAREFULLY typed in his password with his claws and listened.
"Zylphia! Where are you? It's not like you not to have your phone with you!" Said the voice
of his mother. "This is a reminder that your father and I will be back home tonight and I
hope you're there to greet us. See you soon honey."
The phone clicked off.
"Zackery dear?" Pearl asked.
"....tonight it is then..." Zack said simply.
++++++++
Of course, Caroline and the Gemstone colored wolves couldn't visit the island retreat
selected by Jensen to host a herd of free range deer and a community of wolf people until
after Alice and the other glass wolves returned from their apparently play day exploring
their universe. Hopefully they wouldn't out late: with Martha with them that shouldn't be a
problem, in particular if she realized that lunch was around the corner.
Jensen found somewhere deep down he couldn't blame his daughters, after all, it was
Sunday, the day of rest and all that.
"Master! Master! Look at me!" Jensen was started as his plans at the excited and charged
voice of Caroline.
"Look at me Master! Look at me! Now I really am part of the portion of our pack destine to
look over and maintain our sanctuary away from Glendale!"
Jensen did look, and he was very surprised, "How precisely did this happen?"
"I'm not sure Master! I think it has something to do with me using 'we' in the Transform I
used to bring Opal and the rest into our pack! Oh Master don't I look wonderful?"
Like the other gemstone colored wolves, Caroline's eyes were now a solid color the same
as her fur with no visible whites or centers. Also her fur now had a slight sheen to it that
wasn't there before. As she twirl around to give her Alpha Male a better view, he saw the
white flower mark on her back. Oh, and she now had the same full long hair the rest had.
Jensen wondered if her maternal material was also bigger but he hadn't paid precise
attention to that in Caroline's case before so he couldn't tell one way or the other.
"This isn't have happened."
"Master?"
"Think about it Caroline, you were the speaker, there was no logical reason for the game
to effect YOU."
"Actually Master I was thinking, my name is now Cobalt, to match the rest."
Jensen remembered the children's book on a 'Coraline' who a witch promised her all the
games and happiness Coraline could want if only Coraline let the witch sow buttons in
Coraline's eyes. She strangely felt something similar here.
"... Caroline, Cobalt, whatever, the point is, this isn't how the game works... the asker is
NEVER transformed. Ever."
"Do you," The dark blue wolf looked disappointed, "Not like me this way?"
"It's not about you, it's about the game's rules going wonkey. Do you still love me and your
pack?"
"Both to the ends of the Earth my Master."
"And any changes in your mind you can tell at all?"
"I think I'm starting to get the knowledge that I gave the others, but I'm not sure."
Jensen sighed. "BEATRICE!"
The plain green she wolf was there in a matter of seconds, "Yes Master how may I-WHAO!
What happened to you Caroline? OTher Mother get you?"
"That girl was named CORALline and no and my name is now-"
"The moment Alice gets back you're to tell her that she's to speak with Zackery and go
over precise how he's going to speak his Transform to his parents whenever they come
and spot any bugs or loopholes -at all-. Be sure tell Zack he isn't to even THINK about
Transforming his parents until he's gone over the Transform with Alice!"
"Yes Master! Anything else?"
"None of the pack are to use the game unless they've gotten permission from me and have
spoken what they'll say with Alice, OR have a shotgun pointed between their eyes with
their backs against a wall or a similar inescapable situation with threats to the pack. This
order stands until further notice."
"Yes Master!" Beatrice was gone in a flash.
"Have any of the other she wolves the gems or you have interacted with changed at all?"
Jensen asked the dark blue wolf.
"Not in the least Master."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Good. A run away glitch in the game is the last thing we need."
"As you say my Master, I am sorry this happened if it upset you."
"It's nothing, just be sure to follow my instructions and deliver my instructions to the new
wolves as well."
"Yes My Master."