The Rarest of Them All

Escaping Mayhem

"Alisha! Wake up! Something is happening! We need to get Lauren and escape," my wolf, Autumn screams in my mind. I flip over in my bed so that I am facing the door. My eyes try to adjust to the darkness. My door is wide open, far different from the way I left it. I look down the hall, the windows in the hall are not straight anymore.

I quickly climb out of bed and run to my closet. I don't care about what I am wearing because it's just shorts and a spaghetti strap tank top. It will end up in shreds anyways. I grab my bag that every teenager is required to have ready.

Every time our clothing size increases, we are required to repack. We are also required to assist in managing our younger siblings' bags as well. Not only that, but the moment also that we turn eleven, we are thrown into skills and certifications. We are given resources as well as many others.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and run down the hall, ducking as a vase is thrown in my direction. It crashes against the wall with a loud shatter. I grab my family's most recent photo. The picture's frame is shattered but the photo is still intact. I slip the picture into my bag after folding it carefully. I don't have a ton of time, but I want to have at least one photo.

I jog a little further and run into my godfather. He is standing guard in front of my sister's princess pink door. He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tightly. "Uncle Michael! What's happening!" I cry out to him as he hugs me. I hug him back and pull away.

"We are under attack. A rogue army that has been attacking multiple small packs. We are the first larger one to be attacked. It's far too late to call for help," he says, opening the door.

"Come with us!" I plea, scared of losing more than I already will. Michael bends down to my level and holds my face. I feel tears begin to fall from my cheeks.

"Be brave," he says and then he kisses my head. He runs off, leaving me in front of my sister's bedroom.

I open the door and jog over to Lauren's bed. Lauren is still fast asleep in all this craziness. I tap her on the shoulder and gently shake her. Her eyes open and she realizes that there is chaos happening. I grab her backpack that I pack once a year. Lauren begins to cry.

"Lauren, we need to go! Grab your bunny and blankie. Put it into here!" I exclaim, holding open a backpack. I zip up her backpack and help her into some day clothes. I pick her up and prop her on my hip. I grab my bag and I rush us past my godfather's fallen form.

We make it down to the basement where most everyone is at already. Once everyone gets down in the basement, I shift and everyone else does the same. We all crouch down to let the little ones climb onto our backs. Lauren climbs on my back, and I walk towards the rear to address everyone.

"Alright, this is what is going to happen; we will do a diamond formation with the males on the outermost edge. Females are in the center with the children. I am going to be in the rear to keep everyone safe. The strongest males need to be in front and following back. Females and children are to always stay together. We will try to find another pack that will hopefully take us in. I will have more instructions once we are out of here."

Everyone lines up and we begin the trek through the tunnel and to the exit. The tunnel echoes with the sound of our paws hitting the ground and the top of the cave are dripping from last week's storms. After all, the tunnel is technically a cave. We step through puddles and mud. My paws are quite visibly dirty against my red fur.

"You know, this mud is gross. It's too wet in here! Ugh! Again, explain to me why we are not fighting?" my wolf, Autumn, whines. I roll my eyes; she is always looking to pick a fight. Sometimes I wonder how I ended up with her and I am reminded with the fact that we are both stubborn as hell. We don't take shit from anyone. There are times that I hate being that way but most of the time I love it. There are times when all I want is someone who has the same dominance as me.

"Stop whining, will you? It's fine. At least we can get away safely. We are not fighting because our job is to protect the children. We are unmated and that is our job. So, suck it up. We are getting to the end of the tunnel," I tell her, and we reach the opening that is quite literally hidden by a waterfall. We quietly get out and cross the border. We continue to sneak quietly as we seek a safe place.

"Alright. This is what is going to happen. We will travel about eight miles. Then we will seek out a structure. The most important thing to do is to get as far away as possible and find somewhere with food and water. Let us aim for high ground so we can see any possible attacks coming our way. That way we are prepared," I say to everyone.

We begin our trek towards the mountains. This is what we need to survive for now. I don't know how long it will be until we find a pack willing to take us in, but I know one thing is for sure, we need to find shelter. Once we get there, we will look at the map and see where the nearest packs are.

We are all technically rogues now so it's going to be hard on us all. I know that the first ones to break off will be the males and their siblings, then the females and their siblings and then it will be me with all the children who don't have siblings. I need to keep us together and find us a place to call home.