Black Fire

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Food.

I've decided long ago that I was more of a scavenger then a hunter.

To hunt, you would need stamina and some kind of strength or defense mechanism. Well I have neither, and my freaky palms certainly don't feel like lending me a helping hand. The only thing that separates me from a non-gifted user, is probably the fact that their stained black. Not like the color really does much either, other then cause problems and make me look like a freak show.

I cursed as the wind started to turn colder and a shiver racked my bones. At this point, a rat would look like a gourmet meal at a five star restaurant. Anything to stop the hunger pangs and the caving in of my abdominal. I don't know why girls prefer to be bone skinny but let me assure you, I am definitely not one of them. The more meat you have on your bones, the longer you last and the warmer your body heat is. But being naturally cursed with a thin frame and not eating, obviously doesn't help my case.

Do people still throw away half of their meals?

I guess I'll find out.

Crossing another street, I instantly spotted a trashcan hidden in the front yard of a old house. I'm not really sure if anyone lives there but I honestly don't care. Making sure the road was still clear and the lights inside the house were off, I crept towards the calling trashcan. My stomach rumbles loudly as I lifted the lid, curling my nose in disgust when flies flew out. A dead carcass of a raccoon laid stomach side up on the pile of trash. Insects crawled in and out of his eyes and I grinned in satisfaction.

Looks like I found dinner!

Grabbing the rough fur of his tail, I lightly put the lid back on and ran off into a back alley. My cardboard box and Dog, greeted me with a warm welcome. Dog eagerly yipped in excitement and twirled in circles as he eyed the dead animal in my hands. Rolling my eyes, I set up a chair and sat around the fire, setting up the roasting stick. Dog's scratchy voice croaked out an annoyed bark before he straightened out his clothes and curled into a ball by my feet. I stared down at the man in amusement mixed with sadness. I don't know his story, but one day I found him naked and being abused by a crowd of people.

(Flashback)

The air was dry and I felt like my skin was being burnt into a crisp. Passing by another never ending road, my eyes widened as I took in the sight before me.

"He's sick!"

"So retarded!"

"Freak!"

I watched as a man stepped forward and at first I thought he was going to help the poor guy before I saw him ram his foot into his stomach. I gasped and ran towards the crowd, elbowing my way through.

A naked man lay on the boiling hot gravel, fully nude with scars covering his entire body. He let out a pained dog-like whine when our eyes locked. A lady stepped forward wearing a cruel smirk and unsheathed a knife, making my eyes widen. Grabbing the man's brown hair into a hard grip, she yanked his head back ready to slit his throat.

"WAIT!"

Silence pervaded the crown as her eyes narrowed on my frozen form. "What?" Clearing my throat I pulled out whatever remaining money that was left in my pocket,

"I'll take him."

Her eyes swirled with confusion, wonder, and finally greed, before she help her hand out and pushed the man back onto the ground. "Money first. No refunds." In silent agreement, I slammed the money into her manicured hand before crouching down. Ignoring the disappearance of the crowd. "What's your name?"

The man eyed me wearily before getting into his hands and knees and letting out a "ROOF," before sliding his tongue down the side of my face. Stumbling back, I realized why the people were trying to kill him. "He's a shifter..."

Grabbing his hand, I pulled him onto his feet, ignoring his confusion and wobbling. Looking him straight in the eyes I whispered, "I'm gonna call you Dog." His eye brightened and he yipped in excitement shaking his entire body. Hiding my embarrassment of his naked body, I set off to find him clothes.

(End of Flashback)

A shifter could be seen as a pet in a way. Although Dog is a human, he will always act like the animal that he shifts into. His animal is actually a wolf but due to his involvement with humans, he takes on a more domestic personality. A lot of people see shifters as psychopaths that are freaks of nature. They aren't normal and act like animals so it's obvious that many would be fearful.

But to me, Dog is my best friend/pet. He is the only person who doesn't judge me or regard me as a freak. He guards me at night when we have to take residence in risky areas and I provided everything I can for him. He has saved my life many times and I wouldn't be here without him.

Smiling fondly at his sleeping face, I rotated the raccoon roasting on the stick over the fire.

It's been a long night.

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