Mooncalled

Sofia glanced at the sky as she jogged at a leisurely pace along one of the park's hiking trails. She should be getting home soon...but the runner's high that had just kicked in urged her to keep going. Sweat glistened on her bare stomach, and soaked into the sports bra and shorts, as well as the band around her arm that held her phone in place. Music blared through the headphones that were tucked securely in her ears. She'd been running for a while, this was easily her fourth or fifth lap around one of the longer trails in the park. Sofia liked to run. It took her mind off of things.

There was a full moon tonight. She tried not to think about it. Ever since the Change, the moon called her into the painful, unwilling shift from human to wolf. Her brown ponytail swayed with her steps as she pressed on. Her playlist for running tended to vary, but today, it was all heavy metal that drove her on indefinitely. She focused on the heavy guitar riffs instead of the idea that tonight, she'd have to become the wolf, whether she wanted to or not.

Since she'd come to the island, things had gotten a little easier. Sofia was learning, under Caius's careful instruction, what being a werewolf was all about. He typically took her hunting on the full moon nights, to soothe the hungry beast that was pulled into the forefront of her consciousness. She wanted to get all of the energy out of her that she could, so the hunt would be short and she could put the wolf to sleep sooner rather than later. Sofia's stormy blue eyes stared at the path ahead and did her best not to remember what fresh blood tasted like. The wolf stirred in her mind, preparing for the hunt. It was ready. But she was not. Just a little while longer...just let me run for a few more minutes, and then I'll go back home. The wolf grunted in response and left her alone...for now.​

Sofia's eyes widened as someone stepped into her path. It was too late to dodge, she had too much momentum. All she could do was try to put on the breaks so she didn't plow right into him. With a squeak, she collided with him in a gentle bump that hopefully didn't hurt too much. She looked at the device in his hand. Well, if he hadn't been on his phone, he probably wouldn't have stepped right in her way...

She reached up and pulled the earbuds from her ears. "Are you okay?" she huffed, catching her breath. She shifted her earbuds into one hand and used the back of her other hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead. She'd missed his words, but it looked like he'd apologized, so she was totally willing to let it slide. Her eyes went briefly to the sky. It was getting darker. She couldn't stay long.​

She didn't smell any blood, so she concluded that he seemed to be just fine. She hadn't bumped him that hard, anyways. Sofia started to gather herself when he spoke to her, and she stopped. Worry crossed her mind. If she stayed here and chatted for too long...she pushed the thought away. She would be fine. It would all be fine. She had time. Caius kept telling her that fearing the shift only made it worse. She needed to stop being afraid.

"Uh," she rubbed the back of her neck, stretching a little, "nah, no company. I was just out for a run, is all." She honestly wasn't sure where he was going with this conversation. Sofia didn't really talk to too many people...most of her time was spent in solitude, keeping house for Caius while he was away...reading...individual tasks like that.​

She raised an eyebrow at him, cocking her head to one side, her ponytail swaying a little with her movements. "Uhh, sure, I guess?" Spend time with her? He didn't even know her. She grew a little worried for her safety at first, but then realized it was his safety she should be concerned about. She was a werewolf, after all.

"I can't really stay that long. I have to get home before it gets dark." She twisted the band on her arm to check the time on her phone. "I guess I have a little bit of time, though." Sofia returned the band to its original position and draped her headphones over her shoulders. She continued down the path the way she'd been going, at a casual pace this time. She doubted he'd be able to keep up with her if she kept running. Besides, a walk would help her cool down.​

Sofia found herself mentally scrambling for a moment before she realized that everyone on this island knew about werewolves, among various other creatures that went bump in the night. This boy was probably one, himself. It was still taking her some time to get used to being in this place.

"Because I'm a werewolf," she explained cautiously. "And there's a full moon tonight. I don't have great control of my wolf, and I'd hate to have anyone end up hurt when I shift..." she lifted a hand and rubbed her arm. This was a weird conversation to be having with someone she'd just met. "I, uh...didn't catch your name. I'm Sofia," she offered.​