In the Rise

"Listen Nilsa."
His breathing is short. Ragged. Uneven.
"Listen to me."
Bloody hands grab my own as they grip tightly to my skin. Red of revolution seeping into me as he drags me down to be eye level.
Drags me down to be with him, and whispers softly to my ears, "There is no price for freedom."
*****
Nilsa is not like them.
The ones who can take the spirit of the wolf, tame it, and then shift into creatures of legends.
She is not like them.
It comes and goes. Uncontrolled. Random. Not stable.
But the weight of expectations drives her down, weighing upon her shoulders and sitting there. She is the weakness. She is the break in the genetic link. An error that appeared despite generations of accumulated power.
But what if strength is found in something else? What if Nilsa had another power- another weapon? And what if she was destined for something greater- greater than any thought her capable of?
They expected her to fail.
To fall.
But the fire of revolution burns in her soul.
And from those ashes - she will rise.