Sight

Two

Two:

Ryder wasn't my boyfriend but he loved to spoil me and we spent all our time together. He made me feel safe and my stress seemed to vanish whenever we were hanging out. Though, I've had a crush on him for the three years I've known him. At the current moment, he has his muscled arm linked through mine, the leather rubbing lightly against my arm as we walked.

"Let's go in here." he said, pulling me to the right before I could respond.

Hearing the loud rush of voices fade and bringing replaced by some popular Drake song, I figured we were somewhere near Forever 21.

"Ry, what are we doing now?"

"Well, I glanced at the window and saw a very pretty dress. And I figured, 'hey why not'." He dodged my playful slap and continued, "Actually I want you to try it on for tonight."

"Color?"

"Navy Blue."

I nodded and allowed him to lead me to the changing rooms. The fabric he pushed into my open hands were slightly heavier and very smooth. With wide eyes, I realized we weren't in Forever 21. Opening my mouth in protest, Ryder shushed me and shut the door.

A soft sigh escaped my glossy lips. I hung the dress with a metal click from the hanger and pulled of my casual sundress. Grasping the clothing, I felt for a zipper but couldn't find one. I flipped it over, pulled it over my head then shimmied into it completely.

The dress hung delicately on my body, complimented my hourglass figure and had a slit on the left: mid-thigh to ankle. It only had one sleeve that billowed out with extra material. There were rhinestone detailing on the neckline that undoubtedly put all attention on my cleavage. I fixed the flimsy material covering my right arm and left the dressing room.

"My dear, you look amazing. This dress is prefect." Ryder said softly.

I stepped forward and turned towards him. I heard the material of his jacket rub together as I felt his warm hand brush my naked shoulder. I heard him mutter to himself but it was too quiet for me to make out.

"Let's buy this and head off. There's a jewelry shop down the hall."

"Oh, Ryder. You needn't be so-"

He placed his hand lightly to my lips and turned me to the dressing room.

"It's absolutely necessary, love. Now go change."

*~*~*

About an hour later, we were heading to lunch with all our shopping bags placed in the back of his car.

"That necklace completes your dress perfectly."

He had bought (ignoring my cries of protest) a sapphire drop pendant on a thin silver chain. Along with matching earrings of course.

Sometimes I wondered how he had so much money. And why he spent it on me anyways. My thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain in my chest.

"Ry-der!" his name was forced through my lips in two syllables as I clutched my chest.

"What? Holy hell, Alba?"

"Ryder. S-something is wrong. Everything hurts... Like my body-"

I was cut off as a stabbing sensation spread white hot over my bones. It felt like fire. A scream escaped my lips as Ryder panicked in the driver seat.

"Oh shit. Not now. This wasn't supposed to happen yet."

He repeated the mantra over and over; his French accent slurring his words. My body throbbed until finally, the world went dark.

*~*~*

I awoke slowly. Not wanting to open my eyes. My body ached slightly and felt stiff. Finally my eyes cracked open. The environment was blurry, as if caught in a fog. I could make out pale pinks and lavender colors on the walls as well as the bed I was lying on. Wait a moment... I could see. I jumped up in pure excitement, a holler of joy resounding from my chest. The sound stopped me abruptly. It wasn't a shout of joy but a howl.

I looked around what I assumes to be my bedroom for what made the noise. Then, I looked down and almost fainted from fright. Paws. Huge, black paws. I fell from the bed and the paws came with. There was a mirror screwed to the far wall and I raced to it. I couldn't believe my eyes.

In front of me stood a beautiful wolf. Her fur was a deep black that glimmered with red as she shifted her large body. Her eyes were a light brown and there was a thin, curved patch of white fur under the left eye. It was shaped like a crescent moon. The wolf was me... But why? How?

I backed away from the mirror and bolted from the bedroom. The hallway was sparse of furniture and cream colored. I took the stairs, hearing my newfound paws pounding the carpet. I reached the crossway. To the left was the kitchen, to the right was the living room.

Sauntering towards the right, a coppery smell assaulted my nose. A whimper echoed in the silence. The only other sound was the soft click-clicking that my nails made against the hardwood. I followed the smell and to my horror found its source.

My father sat on the couch, newspaper in hand, glasses covered wide open eyes. His throat was slashed the entire way across his neck. The blood trickling down onto his paper and lap were dry; the pool of almost black liquid sat coagulated at his feet.

I ran from the room and headed for the kitchen were my mother usually was. I crept around the counter. Flour covered the counters and parts of the floor, vegetable oil lay on its side oozing its contents onto the tiles. My mother lay in the middle of it all. Her thick, blonde hair matted with blood, a knife protruding from her back. Her white and green striped shirt was torn in several places with what appeared to be claw marks.

"Dena!"

Back upstairs, I slowed my pace to locate Dena's room. The door was slightly ajar and I found my wolfy self hesitating to open it further. But, I did. Dena lay in bed, staring at me. Her eyes were glassy and lifeless. Her full lips were tinged a pale ice blue and her skin was the color of chalk. A bright pink pillow covered half of the face that resembled my father's.

Another whimper rumbled in my chest as I headed for my own room. I climbed up into the fluffy bed, settled myself amongst the pillows and stuffed animals, and curled in a ball. A deep yet sorrowful howl left me before I drifted off into a nightmarish sleep.