A Pack of Wolves: Yale

 

2.

Joshua had just left Amsterdam when the call came in. He came in the city often, to collect the art he was buying for the gallery. Carl was with him this time, since they were picking up his stuff today. Carl owned a studio in Amsterdam but was moving it to Joshua’s place. He was Major’s brother, much younger, and Major wanted his ‘tiny’ to live closer to him. Joshua lived next to the Ardvark, in a row of four houses. Major had bought the fourth house as well, to rebuild it as a studio. When Carl met Joshua, they fell in love so deeply, they married each other four days later. That was a year ago. They were still madly in love with each other.

 

Instead of taking the highway home, Joshua drove to Schiphol.

 

“What do you mean, pick Lin up at the airport?” asked Carl. “I thought he was at home today?”

 

“Yeah… Strange. He asked me if I could pick someone up for him, and then he said it was him… I don’t understand it either.” He shrugged. “Whatever, we’ll find out soon enough.” He parked the large car in front of the entrance and stepped out. “Put your jacket on. They won’t arrest us for parking here, then.”

 

“You’re wicked,” grinned Carl, but he took his painted jacket. Being a Wolf meant standing above the law, even outside the city they operated in.

 

Joshua took his jacket as well. “It won’t take long,” he promised. He gave Carl a kiss on his nose and went indoors.

 

Picking up Lin, he thought. Sure… But where? “Lin,” he said in his earphone. He heard the familiar voice of the White Wolf. “Lin, I’m at the airport now. Where are you?”

 

‘Me? I’m at home,’ laughed Lin. ‘Do you know the Disney shop?’

 

“Ye-es,” said Joshua slowly.

 

‘Just go there.’

 

“But–”

 

‘It will explain itself, Joshua, trust me.’

 

“Okay…” He disconnected. A bit confused, he went to the shop Lin had mentioned. He stood in front of it and looked around. Finding Lin was never hard, since he had bright white hair, crowning a beautiful tanned face. But he couldn’t find him. He went inside the store and looked between the puppets and souvenirs. He froze when he saw the young man.

 

The man turned to him and Joshua could only stare. This wasn’t Lin, he knew, but he could swear that he was. The man was younger than Lin, and the only other difference was his hair. But only because of the length of it. Lin’s hair was short and spiky, while this guy’s hair was long. It was brightly white. He was wearing shades, like Lin used to do when he was in public, and a hat.

 

The young man walked straight at him. He tapped a wooden cane in front of him, as if he was blind.

 

“You’re here to pick me up,” he said. It wasn’t a question.

 

“Yes,” said Joshua quietly. “My name is Joshua.”

 

“I know,” smiled the man.

 

Joshua stared at him. How could he know? “Please, follow me,” he said. “My car is parked just outside…”

 

“My name is Yale,” said the man when they walked to the exit.

 

“Pleased to meet you,” said Joshua, still confused. “Are you related to Lin?”

 

“I’m his brother, Joshua,” smiled Yale.

 

“Really? I would never have guessed.”

 

Yale laughed. “Is it really that obvious?”

 

“Why, haven’t you met him before?”

 

“Mm… In a way, I’ve seen him very often.”

 

Joshua felt the hesitation and didn’t say anything else until they reached the car. He opened the back door.

 

Yale stepped in and looked at Carl, who was sitting at the passenger seat.

 

“Hi!” smiled Carl. He extended a hand. “I’m Carl Cramer.”

 

“Yale Simmons,” said Yale, taking his hand. He held his breath.

 

“What’s the matter, Yale?” asked Carl worriedly. He bent towards him. “Is there a problem?”

 

“No,” breathed Yale, pulling his hand back. “No problem. My God,” he added breathlessly.

 

Joshua caught Carl’s eye. “Okay,” he said, “Let’s get it over with. Take my hand too, Yale.”

 

Yale hesitated. He slowly extended a hand. Joshua grabbed it firmly. Yale made a high sound. He sat frozen, with his jaw dropped, until Joshua let him go.

 

“Well,” said Joshua, “Now you know all about us. Any questions?”

“No… No questions, Joshua.” He fell against the back of the seat.

 

Joshua smiled briefly and drove off. He caught Carl’s eye again, and thought he knew what he was thinking… And he thought he knew what Yale had read.

Yale was feeling tired. The flight had taken long and he had been too impatient to sleep. It had been too crowded to sleep anyway. Too many people… Yale couldn’t control his ‘reading’. People were thinking and feeling all the time. In the plane, it was the worst because of the fear, excitement, and nerves people have when they are so high above safe ground. He hated masses. He simply couldn’t shut the feelings out, in crowds. He closed his eyes. All those emotions, radiating all the time… It wore him out. He hardly knew what he was feeling, sometimes.

 

“Are you tired, sweetie?” a gentle voice drifted in his mind.

 

He opened his eyes and focused. Carl was looking at him, and it was a sincere look. He actually was concerned about him, and nothing else. Yale smiled. “Yes, in fact I am,” he said.

 

“I have a blanket in the back, if you would like to close your eyes for a moment. Shall I give it to you?”

 

Such a sweet voice, thought Yale, enjoying it for a while. He felt warm thoughts. “Yes, please,” he smiled.

 

“Pull over, Joshua, will you? I’ll give Yale a blanket.”

 

Yale focused on Joshua when he parked the car. Again, he felt nothing but warm thoughts. It was such a relief, after all the disturbing people in the plane.

 

Carl let him lie on the bench and tucked him in. He stroked him over his hair and smiled at him. “There,” he said. “You just close your eyes, and we’ll bring you home. Okay?”

 

“Thank you, Carl,” said Yale softly. When Carl stepped back in the car, he focused a little more.

 

“He’s so cute,” he heard him whisper to Joshua.

 

Joshua chuckled softly. “Yeah, he is. He’s very cute. Let’s bring him home.”

 

Yale smiled, with his face turned to the back of the seat. What he felt when he touched the two, made him feel very at ease. He had felt Love. Not just ordinary love, but Love with a capital. He had enjoyed it. It might have been a wise decision, to come here, after all.

The car was welcomed at the courtyard. Joshua parked and stepped out. “He’s sound asleep,” he said quietly.

 

Carl joined him. “He looks so sweet!” he smiled.

 

“Sweet? Yale?” Lin shook his head in disbelieve. “How is he? I mean, did you experience anything with him?”

 

“Nah, he shook our hands, that’s all. Carl tucked him in and he was sleeping instantly…”

 

“Shall I wake him up?” offered Carl.

 

“Yes, please. I’m very curious about him…”

 

Carl opened the back door and climbed in. He woke Yale by stroking his hand over his cheek. He wasn’t wearing his shades anymore, and slowly opened his white eyes.

 

“Wake up, sleeping beauty. We’re home…”

 

Yale shivered. “Carl?”

 

“Yes, dear?”

 

“Please touch me again…”

 

Carl laughed softly. He bent over and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Yale moaned pleased.

 

“Thank you, Carl. You’re beautiful.”

 

“Get up, and meet more beautiful people, Yale. Your brother is waiting to see you.”

 

“I’m scared, I think,” said Yale. He pulled the blanket over his ear.

 

“Alright, is that’s what it takes, we’ll do it the hard way.” He stepped out of the car. “Lin, baby, let’s get it over with, hm?”

 

Yale felt Carl retreat. He could still feel him in his head, but the emotions faded a bit. Suddenly, his head was filled with The Voice. He had heard the voice so often. The same voice who had taught him so much, who had spoken harsh words to him, who had soothed and comforted him…

 

See me, Yale…

 

“No,” mumbled Yale, with his head under the blanket.

 

Yes. I want you to see me. I want to see you. What’s the matter? Are you scared of me?

 

“Yes, I am!”

 

Why? You came here to meet me. You needed me. Now, see me!

 

Slowly, Yale looked up. He had to obey, even if he didn’t want to. No-one could disobey that voice. Lin’s eyes were milky white in a white aura, and looked straight into his soul. He looked stern.

 

Welcome, Yale. You’re home, now. You’re safe, and between friends who mean no harm. Step out of the car. My house is your house.

 

And Yale stepped out of the car, to meet Lon and Marten. They were very kind to him, although he sensed a bit of annoyance in Lon. The man was a bit mad at him for showing up without informing them, but he seemed prepared to forgive him.

 

Lin brought him to a bedroom. It was Marten’s, he learned. He didn’t even try to find out what Marten was thinking about him, being in his bed. He fell into a deep sleep.

 

When Yale woke up, he noticed Marten right next to him. The boy was sleeping peacefully. He focused. He was having a hot dream…

 

Marten moaned. He opened his eyes and blinked. “Get out of my head, Yale,” he said.

 

“What?” Yale frowned and wanted to deny it.

 

“Shut up, Yale. I’ve been with Lin for years. I know how it feels to be read.”

 

Yale saw him leaving the bed. “I’m sorry,” he said.

 

“That’s okay, I’m not mad at you. I know it’s something you can do, and will do when you find the chance. And if I have to believe Lin, you are used to read all the time.”

 

Yale thought about it, while Marten went to the bathroom. When the boy returned, he said, “You’re right, you know. I always read people. I couldn’t not read people, even if I didn’t want to. They are always in my head… Constantly…”

 

“Sounds pretty annoying,” grinned Marten, pulling his clothes on.

 

“It is. Sometimes, my head’s just too full. Voices, emotions, thoughts… Do you realize a human just never, ever shuts his head off? People are thinking all the time. And their thoughts never follow a straight line. They jump from words to conclusions, up and down, and over and under… God!” He groaned. “Sometimes it’s just too much.”

 

“Is that why you came here?” asked Marten friendly.

 

“Yes,” sighed Yale. “I couldn’t bear it anymore. I need a little peace and quiet around me.”

 

“And you expect to find that here?” smiled Marten.

 

“Why, yes…”

 

“Mm, I hope you won’t be disappointed. You know about our friends?”

 

Yale thought for a while. He tilted his head and gently focused on Marten. Marten let him read him.

 

“Wolves…?” Yale eventually asked, hesitantly.

 

“Yes! Well done,” Marten laughed admiringly.

 

“Oh, my. A tough bunch of bitches,” laughed Yale.

 

“Careful now, my dear uncle. We’re gay, but no bitches.”

 

“When will I meet them?”

 

“Get dressed, and you’ll be welcomed downstairs. We’re having a meeting today. The first members will arrive soon.” Marten smiled at Yale, and left the bedroom.

 

Yale watched him leave. Marten was very proud of his friends, the Wolves. He certainly wouldn’t call them bitches when they were around. He went to the bathroom, and took a shower. When he dried himself, his movements froze. He realized something. Or, he realized… nothing. His head was empty. For the first time in his life, his head was quiet. And even his sleep had been a dreamless one. No voices in his head, only his own thoughts. No emotions besides his own. It almost felt lonely… As if he didn’t realize he had an itch, until it was gone.

 

Confused, Yale dressed and ran downstairs. He found his hosts in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Yale stared at the auras, breathing heavily. He was almost relieved when he found the familiar voice in his head.

 

Good morning.

 

“Good morning. I hope you slept well?” He smiled, trying to hide his disorientation.

 

Yes, thank you.

 

“Yes, thank you,” smiled Lon. “Did you?”

 

“Oh, I did. I didn’t even dream.”

 

“Well, you were exhausted by the trip, I guess.”

 

Peace and quiet in your head…

 

“Yes, I must have been. It’s very… peaceful here, isn’t it?”

 

Lon smiled, placing the coffee pot on the table. “It is, yes. No neighbors, you know. No traffic either. We’re far away from civilization. Nobody walks the dog in this area.”

 

No voices, no thoughts… Just you.

 

And you, thought Yale.

 

Well, yes. But that’s just my way to communicate with you. Should I stop?

 

Yes, please. Just talk to me.

 

“Very well,” said Lin.

 

Lon looked up. “Sorry?”

 

“Nothing dear, just speaking to Yale. Out loud, this time.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Yale looked at Lon. He could read him so easily… The man was used to Lin. He had no boundaries in his head at all. And yet, there was a tiny piece of his mind he couldn’t reach. He tried to focus secretively.

 

“That’s my safe, Yale. There, I have my own thoughts, my own feelings. Private thoughts and feelings. Remember, I live with Lin since he was three. I know what you can and can’t do. Leave my head alone.”

 

“I’m so sorry,” mumbled Yale, bowing his head. “It’s just a habit, you know. Please, forgive me.”

 

“You should know when to stop, dear.”

 

“Yeah. I know. But I feel blind when I don’t read.”

 

“Is that why you use your cane when you walk? To see objects?”

 

“Yes. It’s easy to see people, but I can’t see things.”

 

“How do you see the world, Yale?” asked Marten.

 

Yale thought about it. “I see colors,” he said hesitantly. “If I concentrate very hard, I can see some details, but that’s difficult. It’s easier to see the colors, the emotions.”

 

“You see auras?” asked Marten in awe.

 

“Yes, I guess I do, that’s what Lin told me. What do you think an aura is?”

 

“They say it looks like a colored outline around people and plants and such…”

 

“Mm…Yes. I can see shapes of everything that lives. It’s easy to walk in the woods; I can see the trees and animals. It’s hard to be in a city. I used to bump into buildings and fall over low fences, when I was distracted by human thoughts. That’s why I use my cane.”

 

“It’s easier to read than to see?” asked Lon.

 

“Much easier, yes. I really must concentrate to see with my eyes, and even then it’s almost impossible. And you, Lin? How can you manage?”

 

“The other way around. I see with my eyes and read when I focus…”

 

Yale sighed. “I wish I could do that. I wish I could close my eyes and make the world dark.” He looked up. “Someone is coming. Did you tell anyone about me?”

 

“No. But I didn’t tell Joshua to keep a secret. Why?”

 

“Because he’s almost embarrassingly curious about me.”

 

“High hopes?”

 

“Oh, yeah.”

 

“Don’t disappoint him, then.”