Osmophobia Chapter 8 Sanctuary Jade awoke with
a long yawn and stretch. She found her phone
was under her face. Oh dang, she fell asleep
while Cedric was reading. She looked to her phone.
One missed message from Cedric. Good night. Rest
well, it read. Oh shoot, Jade let out. She wiped
the cheek smudge off her phone screen and began
texting. So sorry, she typed. I don't even know
when I knocked out. Did you rest well? She sent
the message. Then eyes went wide when she started
texting again. Oh, and good morning, cutie. She
pressed send and blushed at herself, sending
the name cutie without thinking. Well, too late
now. Cedric read the message. A few heart symbols
came through and a message. LOL, no worries.
You are out like a light. It was actually really
cute. Jade smiled and started to get up out of
bed. Another message came through. What are you
doing today? Jade typed out, I don't honestly
know. You? I'm working with a client today, so
I'm slammed. Have a beautiful day, princess.
You too, Jade typed as she slammed back into
bed. Her tail twitched in the air. What would
today be looking like? Jade looked over at her
bedside table. Her new book stared back at her.
She smiled and jumped up. She dressed up in something
casual and cozy and started her way outside.
As she exited her apartment, she started on her
way to the Golden District. For twenty minutes,
Jade scrolled through her phone, making notes
on books she was editing and getting manuscripts
up. As she entered the Golden District, she looked
up and smiled at the familiar sight of flaming
fur and forgotten fragments. She dashed through
the large wooden door and was welcomed with a
warm smell of cinnamon and coffee. She looked
around. Luther was probably in the back, as no
one was in sight. She took a deep breath. This
was feeling like home. She happily strolled to
the back studying area and found a cozy, cushy
seat to rest in and start her writing. Fifteen
to thirty minutes passed in peace. She took a
breath as she emailed a finished manuscript to
a publisher via her phone. Jade heard some soft
humming coming from behind her. She reeled around
to a flaming crimson face. Luther perked up immediately.
Well, my goodness, Jade! Welcome! I didn't know
you were here. How wonderful! Jade smiled broadly.
Glad to be here. I honestly couldn't wait to
come back. It's cozy here. Luther laughed. No
wonder you and Rick get along so well. He practically
lived here, always into some fantasy or art piece.
He would study every book I have on anything
creative. He took it like ink to paper. Jade
wondered for a moment. What was Cedric like as
a child? Luther looked to the side and thought.
My dear, honestly, he didn't have it easy. He
wasn't like the other wolves in the city. He
can't smell. He's not overly strong. He was,
well, a bit of an oddity. Jade looked to the
ground. Did he have much family? His mother,
yes. She worked to the bone to take care of Rick.
Violet is her name. His father passed away when
he was very young. Violet always had a way of
seeing light. Even in the darkest of times. Jade
smiled softly. I believe, Luther continued, that
that light carried over to Rick. You had that
light as well, my dear. Jade locked onto Luther's
golden eyes. Oh, I don't know about all that.
I'm just here. My dear, it takes a light of great
grandeur to survive in so much darkness. You
have seen loneliness and loss, I can tell. But
your light burns bright. That takes character.
That takes strength. Jade looked to the side
and started hugging her tail. Well, you're right
on both accounts. Wait, Luther, why do you treat
me so... so well? Why do I treat you with kindness?
Luther asked. Jade nodded. Yeah, in this city,
that isn't a concept. To treat a skunk as an
actual person? The whole time I've been here,
well, I've never known that. My dear, this world
is full of shadow. When one sees a light as bright
as yours, you don't avoid it or ignore it. You
admire it. That's how I was raised. And that's
how I raised Rick. Kindness, at its most pure
form, can spark life into anyone. Jade kept her
eyes locked to Luther, released her tail, and
asked, Um, can I hug you, maybe? Oh, my dear,
yes. Before he could finish his sentence. Jade's
arms were around Luther. You have seen enough
of sorrow. You are welcome here any time, my
dear. Jade released Luther and wiped a tear forming
in her eye. When Rick was a pup, he needed a
sanctuary. He found it here. My hope is that
you will find sanctuary in him. Jade's eyes lit
up as she took a breath. Well, you know Cedric
better than anyone. Do you think he... Well,
you know. Luther laughed. Yes, he likes you.
That is an easy one. He is drawn to true beauty.
So yes, he adores you. Jade smiled and hugged
her tail once more. Now, now, I'll leave you
be. Work here as long as you like. I'll be in
the back if you need me. Jade's eyes lit up and
she nodded. She cozied down in her chair and
just let her mind wander. She picked up her phone
and started texting Cedric. She typed, thinking
of you, and hit send. She watched her phone silently,
waited a moment, and a message came through.
Thinking of you too, it read. This has been Osmophobia.
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