Just a Number

Chapter Nine - The Memory

Chapter Nine - The Memory

I woke up screaming.

A man sheathed in black had held a burning match to the blackened tree from my earlier dream. He was ready to drop it at its roots and watch it go up in flames. I couldn't see his face, but I knew he sported a sneer and a hateful smirk. He had wanted this tree destroyed. But for some reason I had known that if the tree went up in flames, so would I. I was running to catch the match, running, running...

"Evelyn! Wake up!"

I was breathing heavily, more like gasping for air, and frantically taking in my surroundings. "I'm awake, I'm awake, I'm... where am I?"

The room was a gargantuan dome of sorts. The walls were still stone, but they were cut into neat little rectangles and stacked up on each other, until they morphed into arches and other architectural structures I could not name. Historic paintings and tapestry hung on the walls alongside an enormous flat screen TV that was definitely out of place.

"You're in my living room," a deep and jubilant voice chuckled. The man this voice belonged to sported a full suit and tie, a black scruffy beard, and a walk into the room with an air of calm superiority. "Welcome," his green eyes sparkled as he opened his arms lovingly, presenting the entire room. "My name is Michael Jourdou, and you must be Evelyn-Mae, I presume?" he said, looking to me.

I stared at him wide-eyed and felt a burning need to answer his question. "Y-y-yes, sir." I stood a little straighter, head a little taller, and eyes a little clearer.

What was that all about? Needing to answer a question? Yes, I'll admit I am an awesome student and will raise my hand whenever I know something. But uncontrollably needing to answer someone? Act formal in their presence? It was an extremely odd, yet invigorating experience.

"It is because I am the Alpha and I am your superior, commander, and undeniable leader. You are part of my pack," he replied to my thoughts. The way he said 'the Alpha' made it appear as though there was a certain ring to it. I couldn't decide if it was good or bad.

"I never signed up, though."

He heartily laughed. "Oh my dear, you are part of any pack once you enter their territory unbeknownst and unannounced. I promise it is definitely a good occurrence."

"What about the rogues?"

His smile lessened, but was still present. "They have chosen to live that life and will be detained if they have not filed for independence from the Council. It is there that they decide whether or not a rogue is a possible threat or not to a pack's safety."

"Why detained?"

"It is a wolf's natural tendency to yearn the pack life, to be social, to be physically and mentally connected with one another. If a wolf doesn't function normally, then is it not safe to assume that other parts of the wolf's mind do not function properly as well?"

"Well, I'm not social." I paused. "Am I a threat then?"

"I can read you. You have not proven yet to be a threat, but don't make it a challenge to prove a point." He gave me a knowing look of strength to show he was serious.

Understood. "So, I can function abnormally, I just need to function properly."

He laid his subdued eyes upon my face, almost as if looking right through me. "Yes," he said slowly, clearly contemplating. She is wise.

Thank you. I smiled.

He smiled back and turned to Mr. Delaney. "If you could show --"

"Who's this?" A young man suddenly burst through the double doors leading to the rest of the house, attracting everyone's attention away from me. He had straight black hair and deep green eyes. His ears had small gauges in them and even with a black long sleeve shirt on, it was plain to see a couple of miscellaneous tattoos. Who knew what lay marked and hidden beneath?