The Lost Token

Chapter Four

A searing pain laced through my body, pulsing with each move I made. It was like my being was being torn apart slowly with each ragged breath I took. "Help," A hoarse tone worked it's way from my dry throat, as a new pain seized me. It forced me to arch my back, my spine curving and bending at a rapid rate. I tried to get a scream for aid out, but my vocal cords tightened and nothing came. Flecks of darkness flickered across my vision, Fools-the-Wolf being the last thing I saw.

~ ~ ~

My entire body burned lightly as I laid deathly still. What's wrong with me? My thoughts flickered back to what my mother said to Danny.,'"Daniel, on your fifteenth birthday you'll began to notice a few changes. Your blood will run hot but you'll feel chilly, incredibly chilly. Eventually, you'll fall on all fours, pain spreading throughout your body like wildfire. Every move you make will put you in a world of pain, but it's all worth it."' But I wasn't cold, I was warm. Heck, I was burning up.

A desperate sigh escaped me, as I ran a shaky hand through my dark locks. The pain had eased up a bit, but left a severe fever in it's wake. My ears perked up at a howl, no, multiple howls a distance behind me. The hunt.

Forcing myself onto the balls of my feet, I swung each leg in front of the other with great struggle. "I can do this," Gritting my teeth, I trudged towards our front door. I needed to get home before they got here. I'd think about what happened when I got inside, to the safety of my bedroom and soft comforter.

A growl sounded directly in front of me. Seeing nothing, I did what any sixteen year old human girl would do. "Hello?" I played dumb. Ignore the pain, ignore it. I spun on my heel, afraid that I'd been caught.

A burgundy wolf pounced, slamming my body straight into the dirt. "Geez," I croaked, regaining my mindset. "No manners?" I joked lightly, the pain in the back of my mind. It was then that I realised what had happened, I was getting smothered by doggy breath and a slobbery tongue. "What the heck?"

The wolf, hearing this, only seemed to increase the rate in which he licked at my cheeks. It was when he licked my lips that I had enough. "Shove off, creep." I grunted as I pushed my hands hard against his chest. I knew it wouldn't do much, but perhaps cause a bit of distraction. I scrambled out from under the stunned mongrel, using his surprise as my escape. I knew that wolf was a human, I wasn't entirely stupid. But a gasp caught in my throat as I took in the enormous figure of the wolf. Recognition filled my veins.

I cursed his name as I darted towards my porch, silently whooping for joy as I reached the door. I turned the 'gold' knob and pushed it open, but a gentle pull on the hem of my sweatshirt halted me and so I looked behind me.

Dilated pupils surrounded by golden hues stared at me, as though pleading for me not to go. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you want, Jae?" The wolf didn't respond, he simply pulled with a bit more force. I huffed out hot air, my senses Coming back to me for a brief second. "I'm sick," I pointed out, my fever filling my head with nonsense. It's true what they say, it's hard to think when you're burning up.

Jae didn't let up, he just stood there, staring and pulling slowly. But I caved when I heard a high pitched whine Coming from his throat. "Fine," I agreed solemnly. "But you're Coming in here." There was no way I would go out there again, I needed to take medicine to get better.

As soon as my legs moved forward, soft footpads followed foot. The fever raced through my veins like a wildfire catching dry leaves. I squeezed my eyelids shut, clutching the counter for support. I felt lightheaded and even a bit nauseous. Of course, the mongrel beside me simply stood still as I nearly moaned in agony. Water, I need water. I took a desperate glance at the refrigerator, my eyes set on my goal.