Fuck a full moon. What was meant to be looked upon as something that was beautiful or mysterious, something romantic, was something that struck fear into Ashleigh Anson's heart. Not because of the moon itself, but because of what it represented. A full moon meant werewolves... and werewolves were one of the very few things that ever caused Ash to freeze up in fear.
Funny, really, that she would end up sleeping with one regularly. To be fair, however, that one was only what he was because he had saved her life. His condition was her fault more than anything. Perhaps that's what made him different?
She couldn't de-stress the way she wanted to. Not with Kieran locked away in his house. Instead, she'd strapped a glowing collar onto Atlas' neck and slipped her bracelets onto her wrists, also glowing. It was what she normally wore on the rare occasions she went running at night. Tonight was going to be that night. At least for a while.
After that, maybe she'd pop into the gym and have a go at the punching bag. Anything to rid herself of that creeping feeling that something was breathing down her neck. Something that meant her harm. Something that she couldn't protect herself (or her brother) from. It wasn't a memory she could just take. It was a snort of frustration. It was a growl in the darkness. It was reflective eyes catching the moonlight that made it what it was.
It was hot breath breathing down the back of her neck.
Ash knew fear when she felt it. And with each clump of her foot on the path she normally took in the mornings, it was a fear that tightened its grip on her heart. Even with the spells she knew, even with the pistol that never left her side, it was an invisible monster. Except for when it wasn't.
So, of course, when she heard the tell-tale patter of feet, her brain only just barely caught up as her body reacted, pulling up the wand over her pistol, a stance familiar to most No-Maj police officers with her wrists crossed over each other. It was only by sheer force of will tha she didn't cast or shoot... "Jesus fucking Christ, do you know how lucky you are right now? I could have killed you. Or worse!" Her pistol and wand were lowered as she shook her head, giving Atlas the sign to heel.
"What the hell were you doing sneaking up on me like that?"