Luna Raine

VII. Bears Don't Suck

Raine's POV:

The weather has been so warm recently; the air became a real blessing to the skin. I exhale lightly, feeling the light flashing through my lid with each passing tree. When I open them, I can see white clouds drifting past by us.

Leaning my head against the frame of the window, I close my eyes again. In a few minutes, I can feel the window rolling upward, and a blanket spread over my body. Most likely, Cory works.

"She fell asleep," Cory whispered.

The car hit a light bump, and my body shakes, but I didn't fall. "Just let her. It's going to be a while until we reach Alpine High School."

"Hey." Cory kept his voice low.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Raine is okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it has been a year since we found her on the beach."

We're speeding through the freeway, a double lane road. "Oh, yeah. It has been a year."

I can feel the seat belt scraping against the side of my waist, an unpleasant feeling. The blanket fell off my shoulder, and Cory moved it back up. "I'm worried. You know, she hasn't talked about what happened ever since she left the hospital."

I can hear Helen exhale. "What did she say about living with you again?" After I got discharged from the hospital, the government or human community was going to send me to an orphanage since I was underage. But, Cory's family was kind enough to foster me and became my guardian.

"I tried asking her to come back, but she said no. She said she feels more comfortable living on her own," Cory responds. It isn't exactly a lie. I do feel more comfortable living on my own. It doesn't precisely feel good taking advantage of strangers.

In this world, the foster care system works differently because there are orphans made nearly every day. Unlike my world where it's only humans - as far as I know - this world has mythical creatures.

I'm not saying that having a world with only humans is better, but a world with more than just humans makes the system different.

For example, werewolves are considered adults when they are seventeen because that's when they get their wolf counterparts.

Hunters in their teens don't have to go to high school. They can enroll in private firms or sign with the government that allows them to hunt creatures that don't follow the laws. Yeah, high school students killing eight feet monsters.

Mermaids - fucking human with tails - don't even have to go to school. You find a good part of the ocean that's uninhabited, and you can make it your home.

So, every species on Earth has its own law. One of the big ones is for orphans. You can choose to live inside the orphanage, or the government can give you a monthly allowance to live on your own. Education is still paid for if you can show them you're at least passing your classes. They pay up to your Master's degree, which is sweet in my perspective. Something that isn't available in my world, or at least my country. They can give you just enough to pay all your bills with a bit of food. If you want pocket money, then you have to get a part-time job.

Helen exhaled again, "I wish she would tell us more about her life."

I want to tell them more too. But, the more I talk about my other world, the crazier I look. They don't say I'm insane, but I can feel it through the forced smile and scrunching brows.

I mean, if I was someone from this world and I listened to what I said, I would think I'm crazy too.

I exhale, "I like video games," I said.