Consummated with the concept of a bona fide batty consummation Vladimir wakes in bat form. If all goes well this should make for an exciting night.

Through the darkening hall he glides towards the front door. Landing feet hard on a levered door handle Vladimir releases the door from frame.

Open and free he climbs into the night sky scanning for life below.

With nothing sensed Vlad arrives at the dead tree, rather quickly. The tree already? How long have I been flying? All's too calm.

Taking the same position as the night before Vlad keeps scanning. Nothing sensed. Not even a strange smell. And my radar feels different. He can't recall flying here just leaving the farmhouse.

At the range of his vision a bat is seen flying towards the farm.

After emitting a few waves he knows its' not flying towards him.

Amid thoughts Vladimir glides out from the tree in curious pursuit.

Moving fast he's unable to gain but gets a faint scent of Filomena.

Their flight path leads them to the farm making Vladimir uncomfortable. Pondering just that thought he again travels the distance in seconds.

First to the farmhouse Filomena further ferments returning to female form. In awe Vlad sees her transform gracefully touching toe to ground. In fluid motion she opens the farmhouse door slipping inside.

Though distant, Vlad's certain that was Ella, in bat form, further bewildering him.

Coming to the farmhouse front door it remains open but black beyond.

Passing beyond the threshold of the door all becomes bright and busy. Several young children of various ages loudly chase each other. Watching them pass like he's not even there, Vladimir can see his legs are human. Looking for a wing realizes he's somehow completely back to human form.

Ahead in the brightly lit kitchen a pregnant woman is preparing a meal over the stove. Nearby her are two toddlers playing on the floor.

Wondering if perhaps in the wrong house Vladimir takes in the décor. Seeming like the right place he turns attention to the woman. Overseeing the toddlers she turns around shocking Vlad enough to physically back up.

Framed behind a yellow scarf bonnetting her dark brown hair is Ella's face. Vlad's vision is drawn to the baby bump behind a beige blouse. What the hell? Did Ella bring all these kids back here?

The kids race past Vlad again drawing Ella's attention to his presence. Her thin lips produce a warm smile while leaning back and shrugging, "they're a bit excitable today. You ready for breakfast dear?"

"Ah?" Needing a second to take it all in Vlad closes his eyes to rub them.

Opening the eyes Vladimir's in the dark physically and mentally. Still in bed and awoken from an odd dream he sighs loudly shaking the head.

Adjusting and fluffing the pillow he ponders the odd idea of it all. Was that his inner idea of the perfect life or a backwards nightmare.

Laying back Vladimir calms envisioning Ella's face and warm smile.

***

Voices of children playing wake Ella the wolf from an afternoon catnap. Perking up ears she listens from a dusty bed in a vacated home.

Outside the two-story house two young children are racing around.

Sitting up Ella can see out the window but not the children.

Curious she hops off the bed to get a better look out the window. Able to see all is quiet out front she surmises they're out back.

Swiftly to the back bedroom of the house she gets the best view. Two children are taking advantage of the adjacent yard's attractions. Making their way up a play structure with a tree-house like tower.

Certain those are the children Ella's been investigating she can't smell them.

Pushing off the windowsill to find out her animal side is hesitant.

Down the stairs Ella tells that side. Just going for a little sniff not a little snack.

Employing senses Ella eases out of the house and into the backyard. The wind traveling away she won't be able to smell them from this yard. With only their playful voices heard Ella feels safe enough to relocate.

Stealthily Ella eases to the property on the other side of the children. The sidewalk to the backyard here is tight between house and a tall fence. It does channel the breezes confirming the smell of the kids.

Focused on their smell and her future hopes Ella isn't paying full attention. Waiting midway down the walkway hangs a large bared cage trap.

She steps right on the trap's trigger, a loose walkway stone, releasing the cage.

As the cage drops Ella attempts to bolt, only to be stopped as her snout scrapes along a dropping bar. The cage lands damningly with crash noisy enough she cringes.

Backing up she surveys the cage seeing the release is on top out of her reach.

Sniffing the air she can hear the kids asking each other about the noise. Ella prays no one else heard and the kids stay away.

Oh crap! Ella evaluates the situation. Of all the stupid things. Nowhere to dig she puts weight to the cage but can't move it. Damn it! What are you going to do know? Just had to go see didn't you.

Rocking the loose patio stone she wants to slide it aside to dig out. The stone being trapped under the metal cage frustrates her to pounce on it. Mad at her self keeps at it. Damn it! For fuck's sake Ella!

Continuing to rock the square slab, it begins cracking and chipping it's corners. However the banging against the metal bars is irritating to her hearing. Pushing off in a huff Ella turns to see a pair of faces watching her.

Standing at the end of the narrow path a boy of eight and an older girl. Worry wafts of the darker skinned boy along with the scent of clean blood. Wonder is easily seen in the blue eyes of a preteen girl.

More concerned with the boy Ella tries to speak telepathically. Please don't scream. I won't hurt you. I just want to be let out. She looks up to the cage's release hoping the kids understand.

"Wow. Isn't she beautiful Adan?" The girl asks trying to calm the boy. Gazing at the brown wolf behind bars she dares to get closer, "it's not growling at us. I just think she wants to be let out."

Aw thank-you. Even a canine appreciates a compliment cocking her head. Ella's head tilts further taking a better look at Ida's face. Seeing the happier face of the girl dreamt earlier that replaced her.

"No, no," Adan grabs her hand for comfort, "don't go near it Ida." Attempting to be protective he pulls back worried it could bust out, "it may look beautiful to you. Looks like it could easily kill us. We better go tell someone what we caught." Adan wants to leave but with Ida being braver and the wolf quiet he relaxes some, "you can't replace a pigeon with that as a pet. Come on now."

Making with puppy dog eyes Ella lays down wagging the tail. Come on kids please let me out. I won't bite. I'll even let you pet me. Emitting a pleasant soft growl she rolls on her back wriggling about.

"Ohh," finding the display adorable Ida drags Adan to the cage, "Look at, she's just a sweetie. If we tell anyone they'll just kill her." Knowing how the cage opens she's not sure if she can lift the gate.

Reluctantly following Adan does find the wolf's display peculiar, "Do wild animals do that? That's strange don't you think?" Peeking from behind Ida he checks the canine for collar or harness.

Rolling back onto the belly, Ella lays with tail wagging, head low eyeing Ida. Wow I can't believe it. That really is the face from the dream.

Bending down to take in the large animal Ida gets close to the cage, "yeah they do that. It is odd but maybe she's someone's pet." Hoping to be hers' also realizes if the adults find out, the wolf will be food.

Still nervously holding hands Adan avoids eye contact with the wolf. "You're too close Ida. It could get you. We should get someone." Knowing she won't listen he hopes she's not thinking of letting it out.

Going further Ida peers into Ella's wolf eyes searching for a soul. Managing to pick up the thought Ida sits back separating their hands, "it's ok Adan. She's really old and just wants to be free."

If possible the wolf would shed a tear. Oh my God, yes, thank you Ida. Please yes, if you can. You can come with me too. Nodding Ella indicates a yes as best as possible.

"See that?" Ida smiles turning to Adan, "she must know people." Glancing at the top of the cage she knows he'll have to climb up, "I'll lift the gate open. You get up there and slide the latch aside."

"Un-uh," shaking his head no, "if you get killed Pops' will kill me." Adan points towards their home, "let's ask him first. I don't want to see you get eaten."

"If we tell, she'll be the one being eaten. She's too pretty." Ella winks and nods touching Ida further. "Come on Adan, please. Just this one time for me? And her?"

Oh my god girl. Do we know each other? Who are your parents? Feeling good fortune in the girl Ella prays the boy helps out. Directing sad eyes his way Ella softly and pleadingly whines.