Night Flame

Ch. 1 - One Day

Chapter 1 - One Day

June of the Blood Hounds

Big, scary men are surrounding us. But they are not the big and scary men I know. Strangers. These people are strangers. Some have shifted into wolves, because that is what they are. Werewolves. Growling, furry, howling to the moon creatures. Pretty, too. They're all different colours. Brown, white and blond.

I am a wolfie, too.

The wolves are growling at us. Their wolf-forms are big and intimidating. I'm scared. We haven't done anything wrong, right?

"You have stepped upon Alpha Rhody's land without permission." The biggest man speaks up. He is standing closest to us. I look to Jonathan for help, but he is only looking at the big man.

"I know, and for that I'm sorry." Jonathan answers. He sounds serious. Really serious. What is going on? "But we had no choice, we're running from the Blood Hounds." Jonathan names our former pack. I shudder, I don't want to see them again. I don't want to hear their name again.

The big man's eyes widen and he seems shocked. Yeah, I am shocked, too. We actually got away! I will never want to go back again. The guards are not nice people there, they beat you. They yell at you for no reason. I don't understand why they would do something like that. Mommy told me you have to treat others how you want to be treated yourself.

Though I did exactly as she said, the big men were still angry at me. Why? Wasn't I kind and sweet enough?

"Please, we're asking for sanctuary and your mercy." Jonathan continues. Beside me I notice Alana softly crying. She grabs my hand and squeezes it softly. Everything will be okay. The big man seems to contemplate Jonathan's request. But I guess it's going to be a no.

That's how it went the times before. Nobody wants to help us. We are all alone. But it's better to be alone. The big and scary men cannot hurt us. We are safe. But I understand that we need protection, because the big men of Blood Hounds are searching for us. They want to take us back home. I shudder. Never again. I will not go home.

I like the forest better. My wolf can run free there. I can be free there. I can also see the sky. It was weird. I thought the sky had to be grey or black. But Jonathan and Alana ensured me that we were not going to die. Apparently it's normal for the sky to be blue, or red and yellow. Orange and pink. It just depends on the time of day.

The strangers come closer. They are not allowed to come closer! I growl loudly. Stay away! They stop and narrow their eyes on me. I gulp. I forgot, I'm not supposed to make a sound! I look to the ground, hoping they'll forgive me.

"Please," Alana speaks up. "She doesn't understand." No, I don't understand. Why are we still waiting? The answer is going to be 'no'. We have to move. We have to run before it's too late. He will not help us.

I tug on Alana's arm. Begging her to come with me. Back to the forest. Back to where it's safe.

The man lets out a deep breath and eyes me again. "Please," he says, almost rolling his eyes. "The girl has to be at least seventeen years old."

"She doesn't," I look to Steve who, now too, is taking part of the conversation. He's standing to my right, beside Jonathan. "Living in Blood Hounds took its toll on her. Her mind works like that of a child. She never got a chance to grow up."

I'm a child?

I guess I am. I'm not like Jonathan and Alana. Or Steve. They are big and smart, like my mommy. Like adults. And I'm not. I should be. We're almost the same age. There is something wrong with me.