Winter Paws

Someone once told me;

Eventually we'll forget the past, the reason we cried and the ones who caused us pain. We will finally move on and the memories will slowly start to fade. It's time to forget about those who forgot about us. We will realize that if they still wanted to be with us, they'd still be here but deep down we know the truth. ..they won't come back, they've moved on with their life. We can't spend the rest of our life dwelling on the past and what could've been. It's time to move on...

It seemed ridiculous at the time as I never understood the significance of this quote. But now, it seems so clear to me. Everything seems clear to me; the blue sky, the white, clean snow covering the forest, little animals running away from their predators, the past...

*Flashback*

I tip toed across the hallway trying to be as quiet as possible not to wake them up. My heart thudded against my chest violently creating droplets of sweats on my forehead. I gulped, resting my back against the kitchen door, so close to food, so close... I continued to chant in my head with anxiety but also with happiness.

I looked down the hallway where I'd come from, sliding my hand up the door behind me trying to find the knob. I couldn't keep my eyes away from their door, it felt as if they were able to see me through the barrier of wall, that crease of paranoia crept up on me like an infectious bug. My hands were sliding higher until it found the cold metallic handle, I silently thanked god and pushed open the door letting a cold breeze hit me. I shivered slightly as I stepped on the kitchen's tiled floor. Looking around the kitchen slowly, trying to find some sort of energy that could go down into my stomach.

Of course, luck was never on my side. I heard a light flicker on in the room down the corridor. My eyes grew wide in fear with the realisation of one of them coming out of their bedroom. I quickly ran into the living room across the kitchen and shut the door behind me as quietly as possible. My hands started to shake in fear.

Stupid, stupid, stupid Lola! I warned you!

But I was hungry; I didn't want us to starve.

I know, but this is risky... we should go.

No! They are my parents!

I walked into the darkness and memorised my way through the living room. I didn't know where to hide so I continued making my way forward, hoping to be far away from them as possible. Suddenly, I tripped over something hard and hit the floor with a THUD. I gasped and bit my lip preventing any sound to come out my mouth and crawled further into the room.

"Tsk Tsk little Lola, did you really think you'd get away. How can you forget I can smell you from a far? You can't escape me honey." My father, William sneered from outside the door.

Oh god! Our senses, how can we forget?

I remained silent and sat behind the leather love seat.

"Come out Lola, my sweet, innocent Lola." I heard my Mother, Julie chuckle darkly. The lights flickered on making me bring my knees up to my chin, wrapping my arms around my legs in fear. Footsteps came closer towards the love seat causing me to shake and sob quietly.

Don't cry Lola; don't show any weaknesses to them, they'll only hurt you and I.

I'm scared, I'm sorry...

I forgive you...

I sat there rocking side to side calming myself and her down; I couldn't hear anything other than my parents' heavy breathing. They were probably mind linking with each other so I wouldn't listen. It felt like hours when suddenly the loveseat was thrown to a side on to the coffee table, little pieces of glasses shattering everywhere making me squint and fall backwards onto my back.

The minutes then passed by painfully slow as I was kicked, stepped up on, thrown, punched and slapped repeatedly until my parents were tired. I backed away slowly out of the door and into my bedroom with pain covering every part of my body.

I can't take this no more... we need to go.

Fine... we will, we will go tonight.

I stood in front of my full length mirror and saw a reflection of an eleven year old girl that I couldn't recognise from all the scars, bruises and blood all over her face and body.

There was no need to worry about myself; I healed quicker than the normal human species. It's a gift that all of my kind gets. It would take a couple of days and then it'll look good as new, I thought to myself.

I sighed and limped towards my bedroom door and locked it shut so I could pack a few things.

"She is a useless child! I don't want her to be with us! She's ruined us William; I want us to be alone. Just me and you, like the old times. Get that bitch out of the picture!" My mom hissed.

Technically she's a bitch too. My wolf sniggered,

Don't say that! She's our mother... I replied defensively.

"Look, I don't want her to be with us either. She brings so much trouble home to us, it's unbelievable, but she's eleven years old. What would others think of us when that little prick roams around the street crying like a dog to them? We need to keep our reputation love." My dad tried to keep my mom calm.

I think today is the right day then huh? They don't want us to be here at all... Let them be in peace.

Yes... let us get out of here.

I packed a few clothes into my bag with necessary toiletries. Throwing my bag over my shoulder; I climbed on to my bed and pull up my window with ease. I breathed in and out with exhilaration.

Oh my god, I'm actually running away! I feel so bad ass!

Yeah, Yeah let's just get out and then see where we'll go.

I obeyed her and slipped my left leg out of the window and on to my roof then did the same with my right leg. I quickly shut the window back down and ran to my right where I could jump with ease on to my front porch.

I knew my parents could hear me, because I heard running footsteps towards my bedroom. I jumped off the roof and grinned widely as I noticed that not one part of my body ached; which was unusual, even for my kind.

I continued to run out down my front porch and into the woods that was right across of my house. I turned around and looked up into my bedroom window. My parents were looking down at me with such a cold look that I couldn't look them in the eye. I took a shaky breath and let a tear slide down my cheek. A tear that I will vow would be the last one I would ever shed.

I opened my eyes and looked back at my parents and returned the glare before I spun around and jumped into the air morphing into a white wolf.

A werewolf is what I was and what I shall remain being my entire life. My wolf will guide me throughout this journey no matter what happens, I will be alone for the rest of my life with her, my wolf.

You ready?

I'm ready alright!

Both of us laughed as we ran on all fours through the snowy forest as the cold wind brushed past my fur. I felt so free and relaxed with her. No one will be able to stop us anymore. No more abuse or threats, just me and my wolf having fun on our own. This is my life on winter paws.