She sat, rocking back and forth in a rocking chair on the front porch of her small, modest cottage she called home. She assumed she made it, considering her name was on it. The shape-shifter looked out across the grassy plain in front of her. Arilyn was happily grazing on the lush, green grass. Jay smiled slightly at the sight. The sun was just starting to rise, peeking the tips of his rays over the horizon. It was truly beautiful. Jayden closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
"Jay-Jay?" a quiet, high voice asked. Jay did not respond, of course. The young girl walked to Jayden and gently squeezed the shape-shifter's arm. When Jayden opened her eyes and looked at Rachelle, she continued, "What's for breakfast?" Her voice was very girlish and polite. Rachelle had her hands folded in front of her.
"Well, little one, what do you want?" Jayden asked. Her voice was melodious and happy. Or at least that is what she wanted it to sound like. Considering she could not hear, her voice could have been rough and spiteful for all she knew. But it did not bother her. Jayden was just happy she was alive. What a blessing each day was!
"Whatever is easiest for you," the little Rachelle replied, breaking into Jayden's thoughts.
Jay thought for a moment, biting her lips. Nothing was very easy for her anymore, but she could manage. Jayden stood from the chair and walked to Rachelle, gently squeezing the little girl's hand as Rachelle had done to Jayden's arm minutes before. "Let's see what I can do," Jayden smiled and walked into the house. She opened one of the cupboards to find some bread and a bit of butter, which had been kept cold by a small hole in the wall, letting the chilling wind into the kitchen. Jayden rubbed her bare arms briefly before using a dagger to spread the butter on the bread. She made a mental note to clean off the dagger later. Jay prepared a fire outside and toasted the bread on an old metal shield. After putting out the blaze, Jay picked the bread off the shield carefully, meticulously making sure she was not going to hurt herself. Jayden had already learned the lesson that fire is hot and burns if it is touched. She gave a slice of the bread to Rachelle, who thanked her, and then ate the other slice of bread slowly.

The morning continued uneventfully. In a perfunctory fashion, Jayden packed a bag with money and a few scarves she had made. It was time to venture into town. Jayden left Rachelle at home with Arilyn. It was obvious that Arilyn was not happy about being left. As Jayden turned to exit her yard, she looked to see Arilyn galloping around the pasture annoyingly. Jayden smiled and started walking. It was about an hour's walk to town. That time always gave Jayden a chance to think. But, depending on how much sleep Jay had gotten the night before, that hour's walk sometimes made her effete.
This time, Jayden was not tired. She made it to town energized and full of joy. She spoke briefly with several friends before wandering around the booths. Jay bought nothing besides essential food, but she did manage to sell her scarves for a fair price. It had been a successful day so far. Jayden took a breath and a moment to relax on a fence. Being deaf was a horrible impediment, she decided. But then again, it was also a blessing. The silence was so...peaceful, relaxing even. Jayden just thanked her Lord that she was not blind, as well.

Someone shoved Jay off the fence, causing her to collapse onto the ground on her side. The shape-shifter struggled not to scream out in pain. Jayden looked up to see a man, his mouth moving and forming multiple swear words. Jayden said nothing. Better not to ask questions. She rubbed her side and stood. She still had her dagger at her side, but her bag had been stolen. There was little in the bag; Jay had removed the money she had earned. The food was in the bag, though. Jay sighed. She would just have to buy more. The shape-shifter did not blame the man at all. He had to have some reason. If he was hungry and needed food, that was fine with Jayden that he stole her bag. After all, Jay could always buy more food and another bag.
The shape-shifter brushed the dirt from her clothes and blew a chocolate lock out of her eyes. She thanked God briefly that she was not badly injured; Jay would just end up having a nasty bruise. She took a breath, relaxed, and went on her way. Whatever God had in store for the rest of her day, Jay was ready.

Jayden Rose
"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version

Jayden sighed, brushing a lock from her eyes. Just another day in the market place. Except, normally the stealing did not happen to her. Usually, she was the witness to it. Jay brushed off the dirt from her shoulders and raised her eyes to meet those of another individual. He stood a ways off, but he was still watching her. He looked as though he had just laughed. Jayden was not surprised. He looked like the type. On her opinion, he looked a bit sadistic, but of course, that was only her opinion. She could be wrong. For all she knew, he could be the kindest person ever. Jayden doubted it. She wondered what his laugh sounded like. Was it low and long? High and short? Or somewhere in between? Or was it as sinister as he looked? Jay hugged herself to keep her from shivering. He was a bit frightening, but he did not scare her. Even if he was some murderer he would not scare her. Jay knew that much. Nothing seemed to scare her much anymore. Except maybe someone hurting Rachelle. That scared her. It did not really anger her, just scared her. Jayden could just imagine the little girl's face changing and the scream which would escape from her mouth. Imagine. The key word. Jayden could not hear a sound. Everything just happened nowadays in her imagination. She focused more on facial expressions rather than voice. If she focused on voice, she would not get anywhere now, would she? No.

Should I go and talk to him? Jayden wondered. No. It would be an awkward conversation. But then again...maybe it would not. She shrugged and went back to shopping, buying a new bag and more food. This time, she tucked the bag away, making sure it was securely on her person. This bag was a bit different than her last one, but she actually liked it a little more. People could not take it from her so easily. Jayden thanked the venders for their kindness and walked away, stealing a glance at the man once again. Jayden doubted her would come up and talk to her, but she hoped he would. Maybe it would give her an excuse to talk to someone other than Rachelle. The only people she talked to these days were the venders in the market and Rachelle. And of course Arilyn, but she was not a person. A horse and a person were completely different. But Arilyn was by far Jayden's best friend. Jayden loved her silver mare with all her heart. And the foal which was growing inside her.

A tap on the shoulder distracted Jayden from thoughts of Arilyn's foal. She turned around to see one of her few friends. Rica, a woman about the same age as Jayden with hair the color of a glowing sunrise and a sweet face. Jayden smiled and hugged her, extremely happy to see someone other than the man who was staring at her. "How are you, Jay? I haven't seen you in a long time! Where on earth have you been?" Rica's face showed her enthusiasm. Jayden laughed a little, replying, "I'm good, surviving at least. I've been at home with Rachelle." Rica studied her, confused, "Rachelle?" Had Jayden really been gone that long? "You're not--" Rica started. Jayden swished a fly away from her face, blinking several times, missing a word or two. "--are you?" Jayden caught the beginning and the end. She was able to fill in the pieces. "No! Of course not! Rachelle is a little orphan I adopted several years ago. I've been raising her," Jayden explained, watching as Rica's expression changed from shock to relief. "That's just like you, Jayden Rose. Taking in a little girl. Why am I not surprised?" Rica giggled. Jayden returned with a small chuckle and hugged Rica again, looking over her shoulder to the man in the alleyway, who Jayden thought could still be watching her. But she could be mistaken. He had to be at least one hundred yards away. Jayden was back with her friend, and that was really all that mattered.

Jayden Rose
A man of many companions may come to ruin
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother
Proverbs 18:24 New International Version

"How long has that man been standing in the alley over there," Jayden asked Rica. Rica moved out of the hug and looked at the alley. Jayden watched the human's eyes, which widened a little. "I don't really know," Rica replied, her voice shaky. But of course, Jayden could not hear the tremble in Rica's voice. Instead, Jayden judged it by Rica's demeanor. "I can tell you this, I don't like him," Rica stated firmly. Jayden shrugged. "For all we know, he could be kind. You can't judge a book by its cover." Rica giggled, "I learned my lesson with you." Jayden returned with a smile. "What have you been doing?" she asked, trying to get Rica to stop staring at the man in the alley. That's when she noticed his horse. It had to be one of the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen. Except for her dearest Arilyn, of course. Arilyn was beautiful. And pregnant, which only made her more beautiful. The mare would soon give birth to a beautiful foal. More beauty. How she loved her life! It was full of beauty and grace. It was fantastic. Horses by far had to be the prettiest things on the earth. If God created anything more beautiful, He saved it for himself.

"I've been here in the town, selling things," Rica said, tapping Jayden's shoulder lightly to get her attention. "What? You're a vendor here now?" Rica laughed, "Yes, I am. Do you remember the jewelry we used to make? Well, they're a big success!" Jayden could not believe it. They used to sit in front of a fire and turn a pile of sparkling beads into necklaces and bracelets. "That's great!" Jayden exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you." Rica's smile disappeared, and she folded her hands in front of her form. "And there's something else..." Rica took a breath, waiting a few moments to speak, "I'm getting married." Rica did not look happy about it. Jayden frowned, "What's wrong? That's supposed to be a happy event." "It's arranged. I don't have a choice. I don't even know him." Jayden hugged her friend, letting Rica cry a little on her shoulder. "Do you at least know what he looks like?" she asked. Rica nodded weakly. "At least he's not fat. Try to look on the bright side," Jayden giggled. Rica replied with a laugh, "You've always had a way to make me smile." "That's my job as a friend," Jayden replied.

The two continued in talking for a few more minutes before Rica pulled Jayden to her booth, showing Jayden the magnificent jewelry she had created. Rica pulled out a box from beneath her table and opened it. Inside was a glittering necklace, sparkling with stones such as diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Jayden gasped at the sight. "I made this one for you," Rica said, pulling the necklace from the box. She placed it in Jayden's hand. Jay ran her fingers over the necklace and closed her hand around it. "It's gorgeous. Thank you so much," she said quietly. Rica helped her put on the necklace and then they talked a little more. Rica had to say her good-byes, however. She had to go home and help her mother prepare for the wedding, which was in two weeks. Her mother was making her wedding dress and needed Rica in order to fit her. Rica hugged Jayden tightly, saying she would come visit Jayden and Rachelle soon. And then she was gone.

It was strange walking back to the town square alone. Now that Jayden had experienced company again, it was strange not having it. Jayden wished she could just take Rica home with her, but Rica had a job here in the town. Jay just could not took her away from that. Well, at least I'll always have her with me, Jayden thought, touching the necklace. She would miss her beloved friend, but Jayden thought she could survive on her own. With a small smile, the shape-shifter began to walk. She passed the alley without a thought, not caring anymore if the strange man was still there. Jayden just wanted to go home to Rachelle and Arilyn. No matter what happened, Jayden did not want to miss Arilyn's foal. Whatever happened, Jayden wanted to be by her mare's side. And she wanted to be with Rachelle, too. It was hard for Jayden to leave her for long periods of time. It made her feel guilty. But she was going back now. She whispered a quick prayer, trusting that God would protect her on her way back home.

Jayden Rose
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 New International Version

Jayden fingered the dagger at her belt. Her most precious possession. It was the only thing she had left of her father. The father she now barely remembered. She could remember that he had loved her very much, and she had returned that love. That was it. No memories. No times when she had run to her father's lap when she was afraid. No greeting him when he came home from town. No funny times. Nothing. It was all gone. Jayden wished there was some way to get her memory back, but then what? It was not like they would profit her in any way. Well, besides the fact that maybe she could remember how to shape-shift. That would be helpful. The happy memories from her childhood would surely only make her more upset than she already was. And Jay could not be upset around Arilyn; the silver mare seemed to always know. Nor could Jay be upset around Rachelle. Her feelings normally transfered over to the young girl. And Jayden did not want to see Rachelle upset; that was worse than anything. Almost anything. It was worse thinking of her Savior King on Calvary. Much, much, much, much worse. Jayden could not imagine her life without His wonderful Presence. He was the only Father in her life, and she cherished Him and His wisdom. He was better than an earthly father.

That's when something--someone, rather--jumped out of the darkness. She could feel the vibrations in the ground beneath her and reacted immediately, jumping out of his grasp. The dagger was withdrawn. Her eyes flashed brilliantly with the bravery that was flowing from her heart. She could not leave Rachelle. Or Arilyn. And Jayden wanted to get home as soon as she possibly could. Rachelle surely was hungry, as was Arilyn. Well, Ari was hungry for something other than grass. Jayden smiled a little, thinking about how much Arilyn ate. Could Jay be lazy and eat all day? No. If she did, she would probably be fat. And Jayden did not like that idea. She enjoyed being able to see her toes. And she liked being able to walk around on her own. And God would not want her to be fat. He would want her to be the best she could be and do everything for His glory. Being fat and lazy would not show Him living through her. Not at all. Never in a million years. I'll stick to being thin, thank you very much, Jayden thought to herself.

What am I thinking?! Jayden's conscious screamed at her. There was a man here who had attempted to attack her, standing in front of her with the look of a killer. And Jayden did not want to do. Not yet, anyway. She had places to go and things to do! Jay took a breath and spoke, the dagger still in her hand, "What do you want with me?" Her voice was commanding and strong. Or at least, she thought it was. Jayden would not know. Dumb deafness. She twirled the dagger in her right hand, showing she knew how to use it. Jayden really did not want to hurt this person, but if she had no choice, she would. Jay did not like the notion of hurting anyone or anything, physically or mentally. She had already been injured and had experienced it too many times. Jay did not want to be the cause of pain to someone else. The shape-shifter took another breath and slipped the dagger back into its sheath at her hip. She would not fight this person. If God wanted her to die, so be it. But she believed He still had plans for her. And He would protect her. She need not fight. After all, she was already dead to the world. This "death" would send her to her Father, who would greet her with His arms wide open. If only that day were nearer, Jayden thought, but not my will, but Your will be done, oh God.

Jayden Rose
"For you died, and your life is now hidden
with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory."
Colossians 3: 3 & 4 New International Version