Why The Rivers Run Red

First Impressions

Clem bounced her leg nervously as they sat at the table and ate dinner. She was thankful for having a hot meal for the first time in forever, but she couldn't relax knowing what AJ had done. Marlon had forgiven him after AJ had talked to the other kids and worked up the nerve to apologize. But he had broken the skin on Marlon's hand, and that could mean two things. One, Marlon would just go on living his life and never know that he was bitten by a werewolf. Or two, Marlon would turn.

She shivered thinking about it. When, and if that time came it wouldn't be pretty. Turning your first time wasn't a pleasant experience if you didn't know what was happening. Your senses became heightened and your animal instincts took over.  Hands and feet became paws with large two-inch claws, faces became snouts with sharp canines. Compelling urges to act on animal behaviors caused chaos if left unchecked.

"Clem...Clem? Clementine?"

Clem jumped at her name. "W-what?" She said dazed, having been lost in thought.

"I said, do you wanna play cards with us," Louis said holding up a deck of cards.

"Oh...uh...sure. I guess." She moved her bowl out of the way.

Violet unfolded her arms and leaned closer to the table to make it easier to play. "So we playing war?" She asked Louis.

Louis nodded and started to pass out the cards. "The only game there is. And the winner gets to ask Clem a question."

Clem shot him a look at that.

"What? I wanna get to know you, we all do." Louis told her as if it was as simple as that.

Clem rolled her eyes. "Okay...and what if I win?"

"Then you get to ask us one." He explained. "It's only fair."

"What about AJ?" Clem asked.

"Seems like he's made a friend." Marlon pointed at him and Tenn sitting at another table.

So Clem turned back to the game and they all flipped their cards. Clem looked and noticed Violet had the highest. She waited expectantly, curious as to what she would ask.

"Where are AJ's parents? You two don't really look related, so...what happened there?" The blonde asked.

"They didn't make it." Clem's answer was short, not wanting to bring up bad memories about Rebecca and Alvin.

They all flipped again. Clem landing the highest card.  "Hey, I win!"

"Hey, you do. So what do you wanna know?" Asked Louis.

Clem took a moment to think it over before replying. "Grossest thing you've ever eaten?"

"Horse eyeballs, slugs, you name it." Came the blonde girl's response.

"Cantaloupe." Louis blankly stated.

"Seriously!" Violet countered.

"Dude, I fucking hate cantaloupe." Was Louis's excuse.

Clem snickered at Louis's answer before they all flipped again.

Louis got the highest card. "Booyah!" He shouted. Then he grew quiet as if nervous to ask.

"Come on, spit it out!" Violet demanded.

Louis's demeanor seemed to grow shy and quiet. He seemed hesitant to ask. "So a...ever...ever have a boyfriend?"

Clem wasn't ready for that. Her expression changed from surprised to slight embarrassment, as thoughts about Violet entered her mind. She felt drawn to her for some reason and she couldn't understand why.