Remembering

Love

I was tied to a burning stake while a werewolf pranced around me, snarling and snapping at my feet.

Across from me, I could see a family -- a man, a woman, and a teenage girl -- huddled together, watching me die.

I screamed at them for help, but no sound came from my mouth. They stared at me blankly, as though they were asleep on their feet. The werewolf looked from me to the helpless family. Its mouth stretched into a gruesome grin, and he lunged for them.

For some reason, I knew I had to save the family, I knew I had to help them. I struggled against my bonds while the flames licked at my feet, and watched the werewolf encircle the family and judge how good they were going to taste.

I writhed and wiggled against the stick, yelling myself hoarse. I made no sound. Frustration was beginning to build. Suddenly my bonds fell free, and I turned to see who had cut them. 

A sallow-faced boy with greasy hair and a hooked nose retreated into the shadows, holding a knife and the ropes.

"Go on," he said. "It's your fight, not mine, mudblood."

I glared at him. Somehow I knew that was an offensive term. I turned back to the family, stepping out of the fire.

But they had vanished. The werewolf was gone as well. I growled in fury, staring at the spot where they had stood.

A rustle of leaves, a gasp. I turned around and found myself face-to-face with the greasy-haired boy, his yellow teeth bared and his black eyes gleaming. I looked up. He was holding a knife above his head.

I screamed in spite of myself. A messy-haired boy in glasses appeared and rammed into the disgusting boy, causing him to fall over. The greasy boy vanished, and Four-Eyes stood up, brushing himself off.

"You're welcome," he said pointedly.

"I didn't need saving."

"Oh really?" He cocked an eyebrow. I glared at him.

"I had the situation under control." He snorted.

"If you say so, Red."

I turned around and was knocked to the ground. I looked up to see the werewolf. Not this again, I thought. I tried to push it off, but it was too big. Its teeth were long, pearly white, and razor-sharp. They snapped at me and nearly took off my nose as I pushed against the werewolf's neck.

Four-Eyes decided to play the hero again and knocked the wolf to the ground. I sighed as the werewolf disappeared. 

"Red?" Four-Eyes asked, turning around. "Red?"

"Red? Red," someone said, shaking me. I groaned and slapped the hand away.

"Get the fuck out before I hurt you," I mumbled into my pillow. "I'm trying to get some sleep."

"Red, wake up," the voice said. Male, I decided.

"Go to hell," I answered.

The boy snorted. "Oh, I will."

I rolled over hopefully, my eyes still closed. "Really?"

"As soon as I die, yeah." I opened my eyes blearily. A shaggy-haired, handsome boy grinning down at me came into focus.

I glared at him. "Oh. It's you."

"You don't have to act so disappointed," he said, settling down in the chair beside my bed and helping himself to chocolate.