Poisoned

Change (prologue)

**Curious of what lives beyond the trees,**

"Araya!" my brother shouts. I turn around, smiling.

"What did I warn you? It's dangerous," he says, picking me up. I sit on his hip as he complains.

I look behind him, spotting a figure.

"Doggy!" I shout, but he holds me tighter.

"It's dangerous, little one. Time to sleep." He puts me down inside the hut.

---

It got harder to keep me inside after that incident. My brother grew ill, a bite on his ankle from the 'doggy.' He'd warned me about it, told me stories of what it could do. I helped him the best I could.

One night, the dog returned. I recognized the scent, but this time it was human.

"Brother, it's here. I'm scared," I say, hugging him closer.

"Little dove, he's gone," a voice says behind me. I turn to see a boy, the wolf-boy.

"Look at what you did! He was all I had, you devil creature!" I shout, teary-eyed.

He looks at me in confusion. "You know?"

"You have the same scent. Yes, leave me to grieve," I ask, stepping back.

He nods. "I can't leave you unharmed for long." He brushes my hair behind my shoulders with cold hands. I shiver, moving his hands away and closing my eyes.

"Kill me as you killed my brother. You owe me that," I whisper.

When I open my eyes, he is gone. I scream, collapsing onto the floor, clutching my chest.

"I won't disappoint you, brother," I say, standing up. I take his necklace and place it around my own neck. Taking a deep breath, I pack some food and extra clothes, don my cloak, and resolve to stay hidden.

---

In my final years of high school, I notice more of them. He will know if I turn around, but I'm curious. I turn to see him and his mates walking away.

"Ah, yeah, I get it. They're hot, but they never have committed relationships," a girl says.

"The leader definitely has his eye on someone. He hasn't had a girl in years," she points out.

"Like me joining school years?" I ask, feeling a pit in my stomach.

"...Oh, shi- Do you think he's after you?" she asks, confused and shocked.

"Not think. I know," I say.

"You know him?" she asks.

"Don't ask questions you're afraid to know the answers to," I say softly.

"Hey, don't walk away from me. What is that supposed to mean?" She grabs my arm, turning me around.

"I don't even know you," I say, shifting my arm back.

"Oh my god!" She laughs as people crowd around.

"Why did I even bother," I mutter, walking away.

"You keep walking away. Always miss goody two-shoes," she calls after me.

I bite my lip and turn around. "You want to know about that thing?" I ask, walking up to her.

"He killed my brother. I asked to die with him, but he didn't do it. He's been following me since I was five years old. He hasn't aged! He came here in the last year because he knew!"

She laughs, which only makes me angrier. "Great story, very emotional."

"Ask his friends by seduction where he was on Monday, March 16th, 2004," I challenge her.

"Is that what you think I do?" she asks, her anger rising.

"It wouldn't be the first time people think you're a slut," I retort, crossing my arms.

"You're lucky I'm liking this new you," she points at me, smiling.

I move away again, and someone pulls me back. I look over, and it's him. I stare, shocked and teary.

"Get the hell away from me!" I shout.

"I did warn you. Can't do that..." he pauses. "Someone's already done it? Who did you threaten?"

"Nobody bit me, unlike you did to my brother," I say, pissed off.

"Shut up!" He walks up to me. I don't move.

"No," I say, moving his hand away. He backs up, nodding, biting his lip, looking around.

"What? Too many witnesses? What will you do?" I ask before walking away.

He pulls me back. I hiss, which gets his attention.

"Lift your sleeve," he demands.

I rip my arm away. "And if I say no?"

"I'll tell your guidance counselor that you're hiding something," he threatens.

I walk off. "Where the fuck are you going?" he shouts.

"Doing the job for you, dick," I shout back, turning around. I head to the guidance office.

"Ah, just the perfect one I was gonna look for," the counselor says, clearing her throat.

"Don't call him after I show you," I ask.

"Show me what, dear?" she asks, confused.

"Promise you can get social services, but don't call him or anyone," I say, taking off my jacket. She sighs and nods.

I lift my sleeve. "Holy God," she freezes.

"Just kidding, dear. Have a sense of humor," she smiles, getting first aid and patching it up.

"And I'm guessing this was your father?" she asks, cleaning the wound.

"Mhmm," I wince.

"So I can call them, but they can't call your father. What if they call somebody else who will tell him?" she asks, confused.

"Not enough time. He'll be dead," I say, determined.