Escape

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

"Don't feel stupid," Sully said. "Just ask me. Anything you want to know, and I'll answer you if I can."

[Kris Lupin]

"Well, alright, how do you know when you're in love? I would like to know for if I find anyone." Ashura bit her lower lip and stared at the table.

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

Sully widened his eyes. "That's a difficult thing to explain, because it's not the same for everyone. Different people feel it in different ways. I've been in love twice, and it's been different both times. With Jessie, she was the first person I loved. And I knew I loved her the minute I saw her. I felt it deep in my gut. I felt... well, I felt like I was going to be sick. But in a good way, if that's possible. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. My mouth went dry, and my hands were all sweaty. I tried to talk to her, and it was like I forgot how to talk. I just started babbling and talking nonsense. Later, when we got closer, she was all I could think about, every second, and I felt empty when I wasn't with her. That's why I lost it when she died." He sighed. "But with Rochelle, it happened differently. I was intrigued by her, but my feelings came on more gradually. I got to know her, little by little. I started to open up to her, and I wanted to her to know her and for her to know me. We were friends first, and we were there for each other, talking to each other, helping each other. And gradually I noticed that when I was with her, I wanted to touch her. And when I wasn't with her, I felt alone and empty again. Falling in love with her was like... finding my way home again." He stopped and cleared his throat, then looked at her sincerely. "Does that answer your question, lass?"

[Kris Lupin]

Ashura looked up at him. "I don't understand... what you just said was confusing."

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

Sully smiled slightly. "Well, that's just it, lass. Love is confusing."

[Kris Lupin]

"Wish it wasn't though." Ashura said quietly looking at the table again.

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

Sully reached over and patted her hand. "Ah... but it's a good kind of confusing. Most of the time, you won't mind being confused. It's an exciting ride. Sometimes it's scary, sometimes it's sweet, but it's never dull. I hope one day you will know what it's like."

[Kris Lupin]

"If I just stay in the woods I wont...I'm wanting to try to get use to being inside and around people but it's hard."

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

"Well, try to get out more... but make sure you check in with Zander a lot. I want you to be safe," Sully said.

[Kris Lupin]

"Well seeing as I'm not use to being around people and stuff it'll be hard for me... I know you don't understand that."

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

"Believe it or not, Ashura, I do understand that. Better than you think. I told you I was a mess after Jessie died. To tell you the truth, I lost my mind. I was in a hospital for a year, because I was completely mad." Sully sighed, and he looked very sad. "When I got out, I fought with the few friends I had left, and pretty much ruined my relationships with them. Then I became a werewolf hunter. For years, I hardly ever spoke to anyone at all. Even when I was in town, surrounded by people, I almost never spoke. For some reason, I talked to Rochelle, and she was the first person I really talked to in years. If it wasn't for her, I'm not sure we'd ever be able to have this conversation, because I was so isolated from other people, just like you are. But you don't have to stay that way. Things can change."

[Kris Lupin]

"But you don't have to worry about what would happen if they find out that you're a werewolf. There are people out there like you were 'cept they don't hunt and kill. I'm just afraid that if I make human friends or fall in love with one that they'll find out and just leave me."

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

"But look at me, Ashura," Sully said seriously. "I fell in love with Rochelle, and she's a werewolf. I used to hunt and kill werewolves, but I couldn't stop loving Rochelle when I learned what she was. Love doesn't work that way. If it's real, it won't go away that quickly." He reached across the table and touched her chin. "You'll see. It'll work out."

[Kris Lupin]

"I hope you're right." Ashura said smiling slightly. She still didn't want him to leave, she felt that if he left that a part of her would be leaving too.

[Zander Smith]

Just then, Zander walked up to the table with two plates. "Here you go," he said. "I just made you a couple of sandwiches from some leftover chicken in the kitchen. Do you guys want something to drink, too?"

[Kris Lupin]

"Um...just water for me, if you don't mind." Ashura said to Zander's question.

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

Sully nodded. "Thanks a lot, Zander," he said. "I'll just have water, too."

[Zander Smith]

"OK, hang on," Zander said. He left for a second, but returned quickly with two glasses of water. "Enjoy," he said, and walked back to his post behind the bar.

[Matthew "Sully" Sullivan]

Sully smiled at his sister as Zander left. "Well, go on, eat up. I need to make sure you eat something that's good for you before I go."

[Kris Lupin]

"Do you know where you'll be going?" Ashura asked Sully as she ate.