Little Bird

Worse than Meeting In-Laws

The men all seemed to watch her with expressions from caution to excitement. They scattered themselves around the room, and once they had all entered she noticed the red head softly close the door and lean against it.

The silence grabbed her by the heart and caused it to beat violently in her chest. It was as if they were waiting on her to say something. Her eyes flicked around nervously, and she tried to take in the features of these eight men.

At first she noticed a man with skin so dark that she expected to see stars upon them, although clearly just a pure dark pigmentation. He had an athletic build and a long face, with very high cheekbones and well proportioned features. He glanced at her out of the corners of his eyes, his arms crossed unwelcomingly, and his body turned slightly from her.

The second thing she noticed was an odd pair. The first of which leant carelessly on the other, his elbow propped on their shoulder, his hand in his own long messy dark brown hair. He sported a thick goatee upon his face which somehow seemed Scandinavian in features. He grinned, flashing his teeth in merriment as he gazed hungry eyes upon her. His unwilling companion, a pale man with the complexion of a porcelain doll, looked up at her nervously, his hands folded and hanging in front of him. His blazing blue eyes pierced her from behind clean, perfect, long white blonde hair.

Standing alone, now perched on a dresser, was a mid brown skinned man, with dark curly medium lengthy hair, and a thick beard framing his Indian features. He wore thick glasses, and lent forward from his position as he gazed upon her.

Partially hidden in shadows, stood a cold looking man with whisky brown hair. His build was more normal than the rest, who were built very well. He seemed to be breathing heavily, and stared at her intensely with the gaze of a man who looked as if he was seeing a banquet for the first time after escaping a desert island.

Lastly, another pair. One a young man with combed short auburn hair. Freckles danced across his youthful features, and he wore a cheerful smile, gripping onto his companion who seemed to be nervously pulling back to where the very dark skinned man was standing. The man, who seemed to be potentially Japanese, wore his long slick hair neatly tied in a bun at the back of his head. He looked upon her as if he didn't know if she would bite him or hug him.

The red haired man broke the silence and drew her attention to him. "I guess we're going to have to try and explain all this," he sighed, looking round. "Gee, we could never decide how to do this..."

Lily sat back away from them all nervously, hugging onto the quilt for comfort. "Do what?" Her tone went high.

The red haired man pursed his lips thoughtfully, gazing upwards before landing his eyes back at her. "Well, I guess I'm just going to say it," he said, putting his arms in the air. "You're here because we're attached to you by a curse."

Lily didn't really digest what he said, but simply wanted the whole story before she could process anything. "I... I don't understand."

"We," he began pointing around him, "are all leaders of various mythical clans, that have been cursed to want to protect you from all harm, even yourself."

"M-mythical? Curse? You don't have to lie to me!" Lily raised her voice in frustration.

The red haired man laughed, and turned his gaze to Ryan beside her. "Want to get this over with and give her a taste?"

Ryan sighed, hesitating before nodding. He leant down to Lily, grabbing her hand before she quickly pulled it from him. "Just remember, I won't hurt you."

He moved towards the centre of the room, and for a moment he just looked like he was going to just stand there. Then, without much warning, he grimaced as his body began warping. His bones and muscles twisted horrifically and his clothes ripped off, making Lily feel sick and making her think that he would be reduced to nothing but a horrifying lump. It wasn't long before he began sprouting more hair, and she realised that he was turning into a monster. Not just any monster, a wolf.

"Now do you see! I'm not a liar!" The red head called, triumphantly.

It didn't matter though, because once the large wild head turned to look at her, Lily began to scream hysterically.