Take A Walk In My Skin

Chapter 3

Emma's POV

I infiltrated this man's home knowing I was about to ruin their lives and turn them into the monsters I would soon become.

Even with the conversation on the rooftop fresh in my memory, I thought about running away once I reached the front porch of a gorgeous neighborhood in New Mexico.

As soon as the white van halted a few blocks away from a homey beige and grey exterior with a beautiful flat top, there was no way out. The words "seek new recruits" pounded in my head.

I didn't want Raphael or his minions to hunt me down for betraying the Skin's Code of Honor. I wouldn't dare face the Council after that kind of blatant disrespect to them; I'm not a criminal. Betrayal would be going up against your own; it's suicide. Only the worst of our species should be put on such a trial.

But this man I was infiltrating wasn't Raphael. He was too sweet and too gentle to become a Skinwalker. In fact, I saw in him the kind of person I always wanted to be.

Going outside on his porch to retrieve his mail, I noticed how he had luscious brown hair and teddy bear brown eyes exactly like mine. It was almost like I was meant to find him.

But I didn't believe in fate. Not when it came to this. I barely knew him. Being here was an assignment given to me. A task that I must complete.

As much as I said I wasn't a criminal, it's how I felt inside the longer I fell into this mission.

And for two weeks I was supposed to stay here, learning everything I could about them, and then lure them back to the warehouse where god knows what will happen to them.

If I brought them back too early or too late, something bad could happen. I could be risking exposure to everyone. Time would soon be my enemy if I would have to report back to Raphael every night with new information to give about their identities and the lives they lived. If not, he would likely have my head.

What kind of life was I truly giving this family? What kind of life was this for me?

As far as I knew though, the little boy's name was Liam. I had yet to learn the father's name or anything else of importance.

However, the man guided me to the kitchen cautiously, not knowing whether he could trust me or not. Understood, because I wouldn't trust me either.

"Is this it?" My eyes turned to Liam who was holding a small white box with a red cross in his hands. His beach wave hair was delightful to match his cute, rosy cheekbones.

His father nodded, wearing a similar touch of rosy color on his cheeks with short and shaggy hair, then put the box on the counter. "Yes, thank you. Now go do your homework while I help this dog."

"Are we going to keep him?" Liam asked.

"We'll talk about this later. Now go!" The man watched as his son stormed off, stomping away in anger at his command. He just wanted to be near me and I could clearly see the father's frustration.

He seemed to know what he was doing as he reached into the medical kit and pulled out a bottle with some bandages.

"This might sting a little," he warned.

Opening the bottle and pouring it on my wound, I yelped harshly in agony. I was soon regretting the wound I made for myself, but it was the only way I knew would get his attention.

I was already becoming a monster by doing this and being here. The absolute worst thing was not running away when I had the chance to...I would have done both of us a favor.