Sebastián

s i x

My teeth chatter together. I'm curled up in a spare blanket I found, laying on top of a mattress that had unidentifiable stains on it. I really hope I'm not sleeping in semen or piss, anything but semen and piss.

It's not that it's even all that cold in Chicago, it just feels like I can't get warm at all. After Sebastián left, every part of me became more icy, frigid.

    You know if you shifted you would be more comfortable, I can keep you warm. My wolf softly whispers inside my head.

    You know I don't shift I reply firmly. I feel her slowly retreating and start to feel guilty. I do wish I could shift, it just isn't that simple.

    My first shift was on my thirteenth birthday, that also happened to be my last shift. It was the day my whole pack was killed. If they hadn't gathered to watch me become a fully grown werewolf, some of them might still be alive.

    Stop it, Cristine. I shun myself. These were the kinds of thoughts that plagued my mind at night, a contributing factor to my insomnia.

    To my horror, I hear the first bird chirp, signaling morning time. I hadn't slept at all. 

I felt nauseous and weak like if I stood up, my brittle bones would crumble under my weight.

But I stood up anyways.

    I had no money, no job, no clothes. All that was left in Sebastián's wallet, which he surprisingly didn't take back, was a few expired coupons and empty credit cards, oh and a condom. Not that I'll be needing that anytime soon.

Moving on.

Being a female werewolf, and a young one at that, I could easily find a job, so I decide to start my day.

    Reluctantly, I let the covers around my shoulder drop to my feet, cringing as the slight blanket of warmth instantly leaves me. Heading into the bathroom, I take a quick shower with whatever hot water was left, and put on my leggings and hoodie again, after washing them, obvious.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

    My hair was knotty, my under eyes were a whole ten shades darker than my pale complexion, and I looked like a ghost, my face was skinny, I hadn't been eating very healthily. Or at all. I wish I had some pasta right now. Yes, pasta sounds good.

Deciding I am far from saving, I take the bus to downtown Chicago, specifically the underground city of Chicago.

    The Silken strip is what they called it. A hub of all supernatural werewolf happenings. This was where I belonged.

Walking down the rows of neon sign-clad pubs and shops, my eyes catch a familiar looking flashing light. I look to my right to see one of my favorite places.

    The Steen. I knew the owners of this club, they would undoubtedly offer me a job.

Taking a deep breath I brace myself to enter the room where the cigar smoke flows freer than oxygen. A bunch of old men looking for a mistake to make stared at me hungrily. I shuddered but did my best to ignore it, walking up to the bar and grabbing the attention of a friendly looking bartender.

    "Alcoholic or a broken heart?" The man smiles brightly at me. His brown hair is messy, but in a 'I spent hours on this messy bun' kind of way.

    "How about broke?" I offer, "I'll take a sparkling water" it was one of the only drinks on the menu that were free.

    "Cristine right? You called in earlier" He asks, I nod my head truthfully, I was sure they wouldn't answer me because I was calling from a payphone. "You're hired," He announces.