Wolves Tale

Birthday Growls

I woke up in a cold sweat. My head was pounding. The window was closed but my feet were freezing. I shove my covers over and put on my slippers. They start warming up and I look outside. Still dark and the moon still not showing. I look at my alarm clock on the stand next to my bed. Only a few more hours till this house is full of people and smells. Only the kitchen is 100% full of good smells. My hand tries to find the lamps switch. It seemingly coughs for a second then it screams bright light. Unfortunately, I look directly into its ray and it stings my eyes sending more pain pulsing through my head. I cover my eyes and curse under my breathe. Then I get up and try to let my eyes adjust before reaching for the door cold copper knob.

I make my way down the hall then quickly but quietly down the steps. Charlie is snoring very loudly in the kitchen as I pass his empty bed in the living room. I see a faint light in James's room. When I sneak pass, I hear him also snoring very loudly as his stereo was rapping about drugs and cars. His mother wouldn't appreciate that kind of music if she was to hear it. I hurry to the bathroom and decide to shut it off on the way back. When I reach the bathroom door Smokey is sitting there staring at me.

Smokey was a very plump cat with black paws but the rest of him was swirled in his grey and off white fur. His eyes were a very dark shade of green and could be felt starring from afar. Though this cat, he was very unique.

"Hey Smokey, what are you doing up?" I ask curiously.
"I was looking for a rat named Bismo, but what are you doing up so early?"
"I have a headache and thought I'd try and get a wet cool towel to put against my forehead."

Smokey has been a very good friend to me since James and I started growing apart. We got Smokey as a gift when my father disappeared. Since he moved in he's slept on the end of my bed but recently there's been a rat who has been bothering him relentlessly.

"Oh then I will get you a drink and an aspirin. Is there anything else Fae?"
"No Smoke, but have you noticed my room is seemingly getting colder? It feels damp and cold. Even when it's warm out."

Smokey pauses.

"No I haven't. Was your window open?"

I shook my head.

"Well, I can go look for it if you want or get you extra blankets."
"Oh you don't have to Smoke"
"Nah it's okay, I need to find something else to do other than look for a greedy little rat."

I feel him brush up against me. His fur creates a little warmth against my shins. I shiver when he walks away, and the warmth disappears.

When I turn the light on, I see the mess James left on the sink. Seriously needs to learn how to use toothpaste because the glob belongs on the toothbrush not the floor, mirror, or sink. I wipe of the sticky mess and look in the mirror. My eyes are a light blue today. They change from light green to blue or sometimes darker shades of either. My father used to say it was because of the color of my clothes. I look down at my black robe and violet slippers. Well, it doesn't seem like an obvious connection. When I look back up at my face the dark crescents under my eyes were very prominent. I should be asleep excited about my birthday party, but honestly, I haven't been excited for any of them since my father disappeared. I wash my face and look at my mirror one more time. As I looked closely my eyes were turning a darker green and my hair seemed to turn black. I yawn and when I opened my eyes I saw everything was fine. Man, I need to get to sleep soon.

As I went into James room I almost tripped over his skateboard. Auntie said he should have his room cleaned before tomorrow. Looks like someone didn't make time for cleaning. I hurry and shut the speakers off then pick up some of laundry and throw it in the hamper. I notice his sketch pad was next to him and my curiosity made me look. It was a sketch of a wolf and another wolf pawing at the other. I look closely and notice the amount of detail he put into it. It seems like their only playing, but I see clothes underneath a tree off to the side. They look a little torn or shredded. I grab the sketch book and put it on his nightstand. Then I notice he's still got his glasses on. His face is at an angle where it would be hard to move them without waking him. I decided to pick up some more laundry around his bed. Lord, he had so many socks and shirts everywhere. I throw them all in the hamper and as I leave, I hear him mumble something about "tomorrows the day" and I pause for a moment. "Isn't it my birthday? Need a reminder?" I chuckle and walk out the door. "Special ..... Fae" Whatever he said I didn't fully hear. My headache started pounding again and a new ache in my back started up. James mutters gibberish in his sleep all of the time, but maybe one day it will be something useful.