~ Run. ~

Chapter 6 - Stray.

A matter of time... Only a matter of time. After last night, we all grew quiet and tended to stray away from each other. It finally hit, to see just how serious this all was, it was so surreal and felt like a dream. To run away.. And never come back. I hugged my knees to my chest tightly, thinking everything over and over. Leaving my mom, my family, my friends, and everything I've ever known... It was troubling. The more I thought, the more emotional I became; for the safety of my friends.. For me. I could already feel the tears start, pouring down my cheeks quickly and onto my hands. Gripping my arms tightly, I softly cried to myself and for the first time asked; 'Why me? Why us?' 

I couldn't take it anymore.. All these emotions swirling from me. Gathering my shoes, sweatshirt, and a pair of jogging pants, I hurried down the stairs and didn't bother to say where I was going. I rushed out the door and took off into the trees, disappearing into the night for a run to calm my nerves. My breath was steady and calm, various images flashing through my eyes of wolves running freely. I simply ran, feeling every fiber of my body feel free and loose for one last time. Acting on complete impulse, I jumped and felt like I was flying almost, feeling lighter. The color of my wolf aura glowed bright red around me, sparking a change in myself to run even more free. The light dissipated like flames as a I touched the ground, my paws digging into the ground to run faster through the open forest.

Slowing down, I walked over to a small pond and peered down into it, examining each strand of midnight black fur on my body. I changed my appearance? Impossible... Whatever, I was too damned pissed to care. I snarled and dashed across the pond, not caring about the amount of water staining my fur, if anything I'd want to drown right here. It seems I lost everything... My life, my friends, my humanity almost. Yet there was only one thing to bring me back to my senses. I crawled out from the water and shook the drops off my fur, slipping passed the gate to the cemetery. My golden eyes scanned the darkness, stopping every so often to listen for any sounds. The sound of my heart rang through my ear, thumping loudly.

I whimpered and strolled over the graves, sniffing the ground before stopping. I found it... His grave. The very cave of my humanity; my Grandfather. It seemed like everything went to hell when he passed on, feeling like a lost cause waiting to be found again. He always knew what to say to make me smile and laugh, teaching me valuable life lessons. A sharp whine escaped my closed snout, pacing back and forth in front of his grave quickly. One part of me wanted to scream and cry, the other part simply wanted to howl at the moon and ask 'Why?'

It hurt to think of what he would say to me now, shaming and frowning at what I've become. This animal yearning to be free. With yet another sharp whine, I lifted my head and let out a howl. A howl that sound like sadness, long and mournful; full of regret. Every part of my body began to tremble, bubbling with anger and sadness to blame. My form eventually shifted, leaving me bare and shivering before his grave. I choked out quiet sobs, my fingers gripping onto the tombstone tightly. Never has anyone seen this side of me... A side so broken and vulnerable to new eyes. The presence of my pack grew near and I sat up straight, eyes gold and glowing from sadness.

The faint whimpers, howls and whines of agreement filled my ears, wiping away any tears that threatened to spill. Strays... That's what we were now. Stray wolves looking for a cause in this world.

All of us... To stray away from humanity and move on.

To be free...