Beasts

8: Nightmare

A week later...

Run. Someone says in my head. I don't hesitate and start running. Through the trees I go, as it starts to rain. I look behind me and a pack of wolves are chasing after me. They're hungry eyes dig into my skin. I stumble over a branch but continue going. I heave as I slow to a stop at the bottom of a small cliff. All I can do now is fight. I gulp down the lump in my throat and hold my arms at my side. The pack circles closer to me. Growling and bearing their teeth. A wolf manages to scratch as my arm as I close my hands to fists and a pulse sends them back. In the few seconds I bought myself, I sprint off. Pain shots up my arm. When I look at it, where the wolf scratched me is now bleeding. I stop dead in my tracks. In front of me is another pack of wolves. One changes to a human. A tall, thin, man in a dark silk cloak. "I gave you a chance. To join us. A life of greatness and power. Then you run away?" He steps closer but I'm unable to move. "I guess there's nothing left to do but this." He says in a calm way like some manic before throwing a pulse at me. I hear thunder before the darkness swarms over me until all I can see and feel is nothing.

"June. June. Wake up!" There's a nudging at my arm. I gasp and shoot up. I'm not dying in the forest but rather in my cabin. Iridescent is looking at me with a concerned face. "You would not wake up for anything."

"I-I had a bad dream." I say and fix the mess called my hair.

"Really? What about?"

"Can't remember." That was such a lie. I remembered ever detail of it.

"Oh, too bad." She said and started to leave but turned back to say "Also, your dad wanted me to tell you that you have an interview later. At 1 in the house 34."

"When did you become his messenger?" I say and she shrugs then leaves.

I drag myself out of bed then shuffle over to the bathroom. In the mirror I take a quick look at myself. My hair is still dark, excluding my bangs, but my eyes are as gold as ever. There's hardly any brown left. Not sure how people find them beautiful. They look cool, yes, but truly beautiful eyes are Phoenix's. They are just blessed. I could stare at them for hours. He'd probably think I was insane if I did.

After I change to my red jacket and grey hoodie, which Bear washed, I go out and grab my bread. He also went out and grabbed me this mini fridge and toaster. I put in the bread and grab some jam and milk. I pour myself milk while I grab a butter knife. The door opens and a tired Phoenix stumbles in. He groans and face plants onto my bed. "Welcome." I throw my hands in the air, confused, and he groans in response.

"What's wrong with you?" I ask and grab another cup for him.

"Moose. Market. Not. Fun." He says and I snicker. I pat his back and put the milk on the bed stand. The toaster makes a ding, telling me the toast is ready. "Ding..." Phoenix says and flops his hand up then lets it fall again. I shake my head and go over to get it.

"Here. Should I start planning your funeral?" I joke and set his jam toast on the stand beside the milk.

"As long as you play your violin there, I don't care."

"Poor thing." I sit down beside him and pat his back. "What did the moose do?"

"Eat stuff. Chase around people. Bear had to come by and scare it off."

"Couldn't you scare it with fire, or something?"

"Then I might of burned down the market." He says and sits up. He grabs the toast and moves back to lean against the wall. Lightning flashes outside then the thunder follows. A flash of my dream hits me and I squeal, squeezing my eyes shut and bringing my legs up to my chest.

"Hey, you scared of thunder?" He asks and hesitantly rubs my back. I shake my head as the image of the wolves closing in haunts my vision. "Beast emotions? Tell me!" He gives me a light shake.

I take a deep breath and open my eyes. "It's nothing..." I say as the images go away.

"Really? Didn't look like nothing." He says and keeps his arm around me.

"Trust me, I'm fine..." I stare down at my bracelet. Just a dream.

Phoenix reaches out and grabs my phone. As soon as he unlocks it, my conversation with Danny yesterday stares at him.

Danny// Where are you?

Me// With my dad

Danny// Really?

Danny// Wow

Me// Yah...

Danny// It's not the same without you

Danny// I hope you've resolved this problem

Danny// I miss you, beautiful

I look over at Phoenix and the fire in his eyes, pun not intended. "You know I'm not going back. Not even if I wanted to. You people have me like I'm in prison." I reassure him with a joke but he doesn't say anything. He knows I miss home and Danny, but I would miss here more if I left. He clicks the home button and brings up Crossy Road like usual.

"You broke my high score." He says flatly.

"Jealous?" I tease.

"You're gonna be sorry you said that." He said then started the game.

As he played, I gathered all the dishes and took them next door to wash them. When I came back, Phoenix was fast asleep with the phone in his hand. I smile and shake my head. Carefully, I take the phone and pull up the blanket. He lightly sneezed just as I was about to leave. "And you say I sneeze like a kitten." I look down at my phone as I start walking. He broke my high score...