Laria's Legend

[*(L)aria~]

The time comes in the life of any nation when there remains only two choices - submit or fight. That time has now come to South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power in defense of our people, our future, and our freedom.

Nelson Mandela[/center]

Preface

I could hear no signs of animals in the forest, I shivered. I could hear his murderous paws crunching the soft leaf litter and on the fresh brown soil. I was glad that no one else that I cared about was going down with me but I still had a little fight left in me. I walked out of the bush I was cowering in and snarled viciously. All of my fur stood up as if to defend themselves. This would probably be my first real fight, and my last one. If I could cry in this form a stream full of tears would be coming down. I took a last look a the golden brown soil under my paws, the crystal clear water that the fish would wrestle with, I glanced up in the trees where moss and vines would grow over them in due time, I heard the voices that I would never hear again and I got an image of them when they discover I would just disappeared after going into a forest one night, I held my breath and exhaled deeply, running forward.

[*(L)aria~]

Pain and Sorrow

I never knew how much life was out there, I was told those things, we do not exist in front of humans that we were legends just to be myths. We were once known to exist in front of them but I was told that was never true. But I never knew I was one of them.

I was sitting on my bed next to my dog; he was a Border collie runt. Despite his small size he was severe to people it could be sometimes random people that not even we, did not know.

“Laria?” A familiar female voice called. At first I was startled because I did not hear her come in and then I smiled.

“Yes Mummy?” I smiled. Life was great, I couldn’t imagine a life without her and if I did then I was weird. My mother was three quarters Native American and one quarter Portuguese, so her appearance was different then to an average person. Her skin was a dark tan, her hair was like a chocolate colour that would end under her shoulders, she was average size, (Speaking of I hated to be insulted by being smaller than my mother), and her eyes were a brilliant emerald that sparkled when she was happy. My appearance was slightly different, instead of green eyes I had earth coloured eyes and instead of a dark tan I had russet skin but my hair was the same. I had the unusual birthmark on me though it was shaped like a crescent moon that was a darker shade of colour. But other than that I was probably a five year old version of her.

“I’m going to the forest would you like to come?” my eyes lit up. I have always loved going into the forest, it was just behind my house but something else was fishy about it. There was always a problem though, Kio would usually go fishing and he would leave there as if it was just a chew toy.

“Maybe we could see the eagle again,” I smiled cheerfully, her face dropped to neutral. I was confused of this why so serious about a bird?

“Maybe,” she smiled weakly.

We grabbed the stuff we needed and I slipped on some sand shoes. We walked out the front door and I felt a presence of someone else near by. I jerked my head to my left hand direction, a tall man walked towards us. It seemed that Kio and I lowered our bodies in defence when my mother smiled proudly.

“Hey Lesley,” the man had greeted. I glance at his odd appearance, his dark hair made him look shaggy and his reddish dark eyes seemed to mainly lock into mine every so often with a flicker of excitement every so often a twitch in both arms towards my direction, but then his dark eyes would turn to Kio which would stop him. Maybe he has seizures? I glanced at Kio he seemed normal until the wind blew violently into his face. Then I heard a snapping noise, my head automatically jerked to the sound and Kio was snarling, showing his pointed teeth. He growled like a mane ache, like any mum Lesley pulled me back, I clutched onto my mother’s shirt with my small child hand.

“I think we shouldn’t’t see each other any more,” Lesley shuttered, yanking me away from the house and into the forest. We landed on the leaf litter. She stood on her knees and grabbed my shoulders.

“What’s wrong mummy?” I asked in confusion, it was just one blow of wind and then my dog is a snapping machine. Lesley pulled my fringe behind my ear.

“You need to stay as far away as possible from that man understand?” I nodded, wondering why though. “Look Laria you are something that others are not,” what she said to me was confusing me.

“Huh?” was all I was able to reply.

“It won’t be long now until you will find out,”

“Find out what?”

“About you,” she smiled then stood and walked with me to the clearing holding my hand and Kio’s lead. She removed the lead and Kio ran around the forest, scanning the area. I saw a flash of black and white in the tree as if it already knew we were here.

“Mum I think the eagle is here,” I pointed out to where I thought the bird was.

“That’s Talon,” she muttered. I frowned at her. Talon? It called at least been called something useful like Jerry or Lucifer. All of a sudden a chill feel down my back in the mention of the last name. I heard a loud splash not to far away and I glanced towards the creek. Kio had jumped and like usual he would catch a fish and leave it on the bridge. I heard the eagle flapping around and Kio turned his head to the direction of the noise. He barked and then darted into the trees showing no sign of him.

“Kio!?” I called out and started to follow him but someone grabbed my shoulders.

“Don’t worry about him, he’ll be fine,” Lesley whispered. I listened but I was worried, what happened if he got attacked by a snake or something? I gulped hoping he will be ok and seconds later he returned giving a whimper bark to Lesley. She nodded and turned to me. “Let’s go home Laria,” she muttered quietly. I listened to her but how she has been acting is quite weird, I didn’t know what was with her but she seemed upset about something.

I sighed quietly but went back to the house where the man had disappeared and I checked the afternoon sun. I was taught how to track time by using the sun. It was 5:30 and it was setting. It was unusual to set around this time but I can’t fight the truth.

Lesley unlocked the door and walked to the kitchen and set in some Macaroni and cheese in the pot. Kio sat, watching her in the kitchen while I walked to my room not too far from the kitchen.

“Look I know how you feel about this but Laria will turn out like me,” said a male voice. I sat right up realising I fell asleep. I crept out of the door, I saw Lesley talking to someone, I glanced down at the ground and a dark shadow… wait two shadows staring at each other like it was staring at a reflection.

“You have to protect us then,” Lesley protested, “including Chris,” she added.

“I have been Les; it would be easier if Laria knew too,”

“I have shredded this family more than enough,” Lesley’s voice sulked.

“Don’t worry me and the guys are searching everywhere for the Keallur,” I shivered at the last word. I ran around the corner and saw Lesley standing next to Kio who looked at me in confusion; I saw a pile of clothes.

“What going on?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at the clothes on the ground.

“I’m making dinner, what else?” my mother grabbed a bowl and placed some food on it. I looked at it before taking it to the table and eating it Mac ‘n cheese with steak. I still had my eyes narrowed when I went to the table and ate it slowly. Lesley walked slowly to the table and ate as well. But silently, I often muffled to myself in suspicion when I heard her sigh. “Look Laria, I can’t get over the fact that you keep acting like this, I just want you to know that you can do extraordinary things that I cannot,” she told me I started to get sick of her not saying what I am.

“What are you saying mum?” I hissed

“That you ain’t human,” she grimaced. I felt my body hairs standing up and my body lowering. Lesley’s eyes widened in shock and took a couple of steps back as if she was expecting. My anger burned down when I realised I was attacking my own mother.

“You just have to know one thing from me mum,” I told her. “I’M SICK OF YOU BACK STABBING ME!” I yelled causing her to recoil in fright. I stomped away into my room and slammed the door. I never noticed how hard the slam of the door was until I noticed a large crack on the door from the impact. I looked at the door and I felt a sickening pain, the pain was too much and I screamed, but not my usual scream an unknown that sounded deep. I could hear fast footsteps and the door slammed open. I looked up from I realised I was on the ground in a ball from the pain, I glanced at Lesley’s whose eyes were in shock yet she hugged me tight. She made sure I didn’t escape her, but I didn’t want to leave her clutches. Kio was standing beside my mother, glancing up at her.

“Lucifer is doing this to her,” she shuttered madly.

I know I thought I heard a voice in my head, it was familiar despite I have never heard the voice in my life. I looked around, confused but then focused back to Lesley.

“Do you want to hear another animuin story?” My eyes glittered in excitement. She picked me up and placed me on her bed. She sat on the chair beside my bed. “There was once this wolf animuin, he was strong, handsome and everyone loved him especially his human wife,”

“He had a human wife?” I asked suspiciously. She half smiled but continued.

“She loved him more than anything else in the world,” my mother closed her eyes. I imagined a wolf being in love with a human. “Anyways he found out his first son was a human being, he was angry but not totally, his wife six years later was pregnant again with a human daughter, this time the animuin lost control, killing other animuins,” I was silent. Thinking the child that had to put up with no father, to care for her, then again I was like the child. “But then he discovered his child was a powerful animuin, so he would stop at nothing to get her,” Lesley finished her story.

“Did the bad animuin ever die?” I asked

“No, he still continued chasing his daughter…”

“Is it a happy ending?”

“Well that remains a mystery,” Lesley smiled. “Well it’s late you should go to sleep,” she kissed my forehead and left the door opened. Kio leaped onto my bed laying his head on my chest. I turned on my side and leaned my head on him.

“I love you Kio,” I whispered before my eyes closed.

Goodnight Laria said a thought in my head. I was too tired to care about so stupid voice in my head.

This time I had a weird dream; Kio was running barking at me. I followed him, running for whatever reason I was, Kio morphed into a naked man, ocean blue eyes, short, dark, wavy hair and I would think he would be smaller than me but he was more built than I expected.

“You have to run Laria!” Kio had said in his strange new form.

“From what?”

“Edward!” his eyes were full of shock I hesitated.

I jolted up when I realised that it was just a dream. I looked beside me, Kio was gone perhaps patrolling the house or something. I sighed and got up from the bed walking silently as I made my way to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and grabbed the bottle of water and took a big gulp of water. I heard a soft whimper from behind the door of the fridge door. I saw Kio glancing at me as if he had wanted me to go back to the room. I rolled my eyes though it but obeyed him, he was very defensive and he wouldn’t care if I was just getting a drink he wants me to sleep and be safe. I crawled back in my bed and closed my eyes and with the rest of the night without any dreams.

I woke at dawn, seeing Kio’s eyes closed besides me. I snuck out of my room and outside of the house. I climbed on the small trampoline that was outside of the house. I began to jump on it getting higher each time. I bounced on time and flew forward. I yelled out because I was pretty high and I will be ending up going to hospital. I flipped and landed on my feet with no injury at all. Lesley walked out with her eyes worried, I held in my breath as Lesley continued to look.

“What’s wrong Laria?” I stood still while I answered.

“I just did a somersault in mid air,” I muttered unconvinced. She glanced at me and then ran inside not bothering to comfort me and scold me for doing that. I frowned and climbed the fence and stared at the forest. Many birds were fluttering by and I heard little forest creatures climbing up trees and searching for food.

“Laria! Breakfast!” Lesley’s voice cracked. I wondered what was wrong; I walked inside and into the kitchen. She already had bacon and pancakes on the plate. It was rare for me to be hungry, so I scoffed down the pancakes and bacon. Lesley walked to the table where I was and she widened her eyes and took a few steps back startled. “Kio! Did you eat Laria’s food?!”

“No mum I did, I’m really hungry for some reason,” Lesley bit her bottom lip nervously. She took my plate and put it in the sink without any words. On the way she accidently whacked a glass from the bench causing gravity to pull it down. I dived and grabbed the glass before it hit the ground as I landed on my chin down. Lesley looked at me with horror before grabbing the glass from me and put it in the sink.

“Laria spend some time outside,” My mother ordered. I listened to her and sat on the grass, lying down on my back. I closed my eyes and took in the fresh air that was carried by the trees.

Laria, I opened my eyes, my heart skipped a beat, and I never heard the voice in my life.

“Who are you?” I asked out loud.

Someone you know deep inside, you want to know the truth about yourself?

“Yes I do,” I said to the strange voice in my head.

Well listen to me very carefully a man will come to get you; you will have to go with him then you will be told everything,

“Will I be back home?”

Yes you will Laria, just trust me you will be fine see you soon and oh yeah don’t let Lesley find out. The voice cut off when Lesley walked out.

“Laria, I just need to tell you, you’re in danger so if a man shows up... hide. I don’t and will not let him take you even if he kills me,” I thought about the voice in my head continuously repeating the same thoughts.

We both walked inside and in my room, she explained to me how much she loves me and how fast I would grow up to be an adult. I was always wondering where did these random thoughts come from. Every so often I would always smile and tell her that she wouldn’t miss any action. But she shook her head telling me that something is going to take her away from me forever. I sighed and told her that not to say those things because they might end up happening. But I had no idea what was really happening to me and her. I heard a slamming knock on the door. Lesley gulped and grabbed my arms.

“Stay here!” she said firmly. “I love you,” she whispered before going out of the room. She answered it before I heard her telling off the person who had knocked. I could hear yelling and slamming. Kio followed her out and was now barking and madly. As I sat on my single bed, I was sighing; a couple of days ago, Lesley was chatting to someone as if he or she was there. All of a sudden there was a weird smell I sniffed it. It was smoke, but Lesley would never burn her food and another smell hit me, it was the smell of petrol.

“WHERE IS SHE?!” the strange voice asked

“Leave Laria out of this E-” Something cut her off and I heard something else. I ran quickly to the garage door and opened it where the man was gone but my mother tied and was trapped in the garage room with Kio in a corner. A fire separated me from Lesley and Kio I tried to go through but it was a stupid mistake, burning my right arm. I screamed in pain and fear. She looked at me worriedly. Kio looked at me as if he knew something then ripped the rope off that tied Lesley’s mouth.

“RUN LARIA! GO TO THE FOREST…NOW!” she ordered. “I’ll be fine and I’m sure you will grow into a beautiful Animuin,” she said with tears going down her face. I couldn’t do anything but listen to her. I didn’t know what she meant by me being an animuin. The fire blasted higher causing me to cough.

Go Laria, Said the voice in my head. I got out of the garage crying and ran out to the back. But the fire trapped me from all the exits but I back up taking deep breaths at the same time choking and clutching my right arm as if I was a frightened child, which I was. I growled, sprinted then leaped through the fire and I smashed the glass window, scaring and taking me outside. I ran to the back yard, ignoring the toys and pain then climbed over the fence and fell off falling into the rocks and landing onto the ground of the forest. I trembled to get up, but I laid still and closed my eyes.

When I opened my brown eyes, my face was wet. Wet from the tears, blood and the water from the hoses of the fire engines. I raised my head with so much tears in my eyes my vision was blurry, a burning fire was burning brightly, I wiped the tears away and then saw a figure, I looked closely at it then it turned it’s head towards me. I noticed the odd appearance of the figure; it had one blue eye and one yellow eye. I ducked so the creature didn’t see me. When I checked again the figure was gone, my body strength gave in and I collapsed to the ground, mourning my mother, Lesley’s death. My crying could be heard by only one creature. The tears made my facial scars sting a little. I curled up in a small ball and found myself a lot warmer than before. I could smell far more things than usual and I would be able to hear screams from areas far away. I kept my head down, sobbing silently.

“Mum, I promise you something… The murderer will not get away with this,” I vowed myself. A gentle flapping noise was heard and a little crust of the leaf litter. A shadow crept over me. I thought I was about to be prey the shadow spoke. My stomach churned at the thought of something eating me, so much for a promise when being lunch.

“Laria, you have to stay with us now,” I looked up and all I saw was a Bald Eagle in front of me, no other people. I blinked at the bird awkwardly. I see and hear this eagle all the time, he always seems to be watching me and now he is no further than a metre away from me. A name sparked into my head and I frowned.

“Talon…” I whispered quietly.

“Come child, if you want to avenge Lesley” He offered taking a step forward. I flinched first off I was confused he was an animal, I am human and secondly which confused me even more he knew my mother’s name. Curious enough, I extended my arm out to touch the giant bird.

As I reached out and flinched again. Instead of a hand I saw a gray paw and I looked a puddle of water right next to me and I saw not the girl who had just lost her family but a grey, furry wolf face. It was staring back at me with its… or my golden yellow eyes. The Eagle nodded again and encouraged me to get up. The bird was confusing as if he knew where to go in safety but I listened to him.

Finally my four paws got all its strength and I stood up. When I stood, I noticed that my clothes were on the ground from me shifting. It was a little hard to walk in because I had to move both, legs and arms and I decided to act if I was crawling. That helped me a bit but I was still quivering on the knees. The Bald eagle smiled warmly It helped me a bit because I smiled back but more weakly. We walked to a dead end, vines were on two sides of this dead end and I tilted my head.

‘Are we lost?’ I asked quietly.

‘No Laria,’ Said the Eagle as he pulled the vine which opened a bush covered door that rose. I looked with amazement. As we went through the cave I decided to ask questions. I heard our footsteps echo as we followed the path.

‘How did you know my name?’ I asked,

“I knew your father…” The eagle paused lowering his head “He told me about you, how you were born human, but really you were an animuin,” The Eagle replied looking back at me then walking again.

“Animuin? Wait those Legends? Humans that could turn into a certain animal depending on their favourite and are animal protectors? My mum used to tell me stories about them,” I ignored the fact about my father. I didn’t even know him and I don’t plan to.

“Yes sort of correct Animuins are humans that could turn into animals but that is not all of it, animuins have abilities, many different powers say an animuin could control time and space, it has the power to stop it, change it, go through time and etc. There is only one Guardian of Garden,” the bird sighed as he was searching in the dark

“Who are you? Some kind of smart per- I mean animal?” I asked getting used to my new fresh smells.

“My name is Talon, I am a leader of Garden, the dream of everyone,” Talon… I thought. He looked back at me knowing I was going to ask another question about this Garden. He pulled the second vine down. I stood there for a few minutes gazing at the beautiful ecosystem that Talon lead.

“Wow…” I whispered unable to stop staring at the gorgeous Landscape.

“This is Garden… Welcome home Laria,” the bald eagle replied. I wanted to urgently run around, but Talon stopped me with a giant wing. “My den area is west of the lake,” then he lifted his wing.

Instinct took over and I galloped to the lake and lunged in the warm, crystal clear water. Schools of fish swam past me but also moved away from me.

I dog paddled to the shore and I saw Brumbies run, with many other horses running behind the golden stallion, Rabbits were taking a drink not too far from me but would not go near me, Tigers were napping in trees or chasing each other off. Foxes were stealing chunks of meat from each other. Cheetahs were racing reaching to the prey first tackling and pranking the other Cheetahs.

Lesley’s favourite animal was a cheetah; she would have wanted to see this place. She had the same opinion as animals as I did. I knew other people would care to see this but I knew for a fact that it is kept secret for a reason.

I climbed out of the lake and walked, laughing to myself and rolling around on the pure green grass. That was when I heard the wolf howls, I looked around and towards a valley where the extending howls echoed. I followed to where Talon told me to go. I could see a shadow, maybe Talon was being attacked. I snuck behind the victim. The shadow was dark so I leapt and the shadow turned out to be a Raccoon. The Little creature yelled as I try to stop…

[*(L)aria~]

Ruddy

The raccoon tensed and I tried to stop but I landed on the ground unable to control my landing. I bounded forward hoping that it will help but gravity pulled me to pounce on the mammal. As we collided we kept flipping over and over again until I found myself safe but on top of the raccoon.He screamed again as well as I did. We both screamed and I ran to hide behind Talon who was right next to the Raccoon and was shaking his head at the little mammal.

The little creature swung his body up and down like a swing set and jumped back on his feet with ease but angrily.

“Hey wolfy! Pick on somebody your own size,” he looked up and down on me. I was his size, “I mean that’s bigger than you!”

“I’m Sorr-” I tried to apologize but the stubborn raccoon didn’t really absorb it.

“Well Sorry doesn’t find the rookie now doesn’t it?” he snarled. I pulled my ears back not meaning to harm him. If he is someone important than I did expect a scolding. Talon who was bigger than the both of us looked from side to side.

“Ruddy, I hate to say this but you’re looking at her, Laria this is Ruddy, the Rookies trainer and Ruddy, this is young Laria who you are going to train,” At first Ruddy cracked up laughing.

“And I thought that you weren’t a joker,” he laughed but he saw Talon’s serious face. He looked back at me who was all happy. “Her? Me? Training? Come on Talon I thought you loved me,” Ruddy’s jaw dropped but the eagle glared at him and the raccoon nodded pleasingly.

I had time to focus on the den, it more looked like a giant rocked up room, fill with gaps of light reaching into the darkness and the entrance was big enough to fit a blue whale in it. The floor were covered in leaves as if it had no rock ground and on the rocky wall had the vines wrapping some of the rocks. It was full of amazing scents that I have never even thought of smelling.

“Well let’s see how tough this Rookie trainer is,” Talon joked. Ruddy growled at him but listened by walking next to me. Before he spoke I had a chance to gaze at his appearance. He had reddish brown fur perhaps explaining his name, his paws were pitch black and his tail was the popular stripy black and gray colour. His eyes were a cinnamon brown colour that was gazing into me.

“Let’s go rookie, to the forest,” he chattered as he hopped on his fours and walked out of the den. I took a step forward and glanced over my shoulder to Talon, he nodded in approval so I listened to him.

“So Ruddy,” I started on our way to the forest. “How many Rookies do you train?” he didn’t answer. Maybe he didn’t hear me. “How many Rookies do you train?” I repeated but louder. That’s odd, raccoons have excellent hearing. “Ruddy? HELLO?”

“WHAT?! I train a lot of Rookies now leave me alone and shut up,” I widen my eyes, thinking that he was crazy. I followed Ruddy out of my new home as we walk to an old bridge. He stood on it. He licked his muzzle in thought.

“Ok Rookie, Jumped down in there,” He instructed. I looked down at the creek then up at Ruddy. The creek looked uninviting, and the fish made me even more cautious. I wanted to say no but he might try to attack me again, then Talon could punish the Raccoon. Anyways I pulled my ears back at stood on the bridge. I looked down again, shuddering at the thought.

“Make sure you catch a fish kid,” He added. I growled and glared at Ruddy.

“Don’t call me kid,” I threatened.

“Hey, hey who is the one training you here? Go down and catch a fish for Diana’s sake,” I looked at him when he said Diana; I noticed he winced when he said that name, what did he mean by that?

“Well Ruddy, what if I don’t want to?”

“Then you get killed by your Keallur and the world will be at peace because you’re not in it,”

“So what does hunting fish go to do with it?” I asked.

“Just do it Kid,” I threw my body in the water. At first I tried to catch the fish with my paws but it didn’t work.

A fish was trying to swim past me as I smirked. I opened my mouth and charged forward. Once I felt the slimy body, I crushed it and threw it out of the water. Ruddy saw the Fish from the surface he snatched it up from the ground, so it wouldn’t be dirty, I raised my head from the creek and climbing up the dirt. I fell in at first screaming in unison but then I leaped up, climbing up with my puppy like claws. I glanced at the creek; it was now a bit cloudy instead of it crystal clear. Ruddy sighed as he patted my wet shoulder.

“Now that wasn’t so hard wasn’t it kid,” I growled at him, causing him to jump in fright.

“I told you to stop,” I threatened,

“Look kid you want the Keallur dead or not?”

“What the hell are you on about!?” I yelled.

“Lesley didn’t tell you? That was stupid of her,” I snarled. Mentioning my mother like that wasn’t a good idea. I sprung at him, but he was swift and rolled over. I grabbed him by the throat, glaring at him. “You can’t kill me, I’m the only chance you got,” I smirked in reply.

“I wasn’t going to kill you, Adult” I threw him into the creek. “I was going to throw you in the creek so you see what’s it’s like for me to jump in there,” I grabbed the fish that was on the ground and walked back in Garden. I placed it in front of Talon, he noticed that my eyes were upset from Ruddy insulting Lesley. He tilted his eagle head at me.

“What’s wrong Laria? Oh gosh Ruddy again,” It was as if he knew my problem. I sighed at first, still upset. I knew that it was his fault he shouldn’t have said that.

“Did Lesley know about this?” I accused being so damn blind. Talon looked at me hard.

“Yes she did, she knew she would have died,”

“Why didn’t she tell me anything?” absorbing the truth, I plopped on the ground, I never realised that my face wasn’t even wet. I looked at Talon waiting for an explanation.

“You can’t cry in your animal form, just water,” Talon answered.

“I don’t get it,”

“Get what?” Talon asked gently

“Why didn’t Lesley tell me?”

“She wanted to keep you safe,”

“By not telling me?”

“She did tell you I was there,”

“Look Laria, I can’t get over the fact that you keep acting like this, I just want you to know that you can do extraordinary things that I cannot,” she told me I started to get sick of her not saying what I am.

“What are you saying mum?” I hissed

“That you ain’t human,” she grimaced. I felt my body hairs standing up and my body lowering. Lesley’s eyes widened in shock and took a couple of steps back as if she was expecting. My anger burned down when I realised I was attacking my own mother.

“I was outside, she tried to tell you but it just kept hurting her,”

“I can’t believe it, I was so blind, the stories were all true because of me, I was the reason she was dead right now,”

“Lesley would have wanted this way so don’t feel bad Laria,”

“Well she should,” said a new familiar voice. I growled at Ruddy who came in, his fur was soaked from the creek that I pushed him in. He at first glared at me then saw Talon’s glare. “You have ANY idea what she had done? She failed to obey me so I made her mad in payback, then she threw me in the creek so I can go through what she’s going through, and I’ve been through WORSE,” He lowered his head and didn’t talk after that. Talon softened up at me.

“Well you did manage to grab Ruddy, he is a powerful fighter being a Rookie trainer,” he said cleaning his feathers. I looked at Ruddy who had water still dripping down. He shivered a bit before he shook himself wetting both the Leader and me. I pulled my head away while the bird put his huge wing in front of his face. “Do you have anything to say to her Ruddy?”

“Sorry kid, for angering you,”

“Can I talk to you for a moment Ruddy?” Ruddy followed Talon to a corner and they seemed to be discussing something I overheard him whisper something.

“This is important Ruddy! Do you want to get rid of Lucifer and the Keallurs?!” Talon whispered angrily.

“Yes but why don’t you let him take Laria and they could do whatever!” Ruddy replied with such haste.

“And take over Garden,” Talon finished.

“Well no,”

“Laria won’t betray us, I see goodness in her heart and I don’t think we are going her to want to go with her murderer’s side,”

“I know, I know”

“And I see she will be your best friend,”

“You like to use you fortune tellers don’t you?”

“Look Ruddy, do you want to see Diana again?”

“Yes,”

“Ok so you will listen to me no matter what,”

“Ok Leader,” The two adults walked towards me. Ruddy sighed and Talon gently whacked him with the wing.

“Laria, I have a room for you,” Talon suggested. I nodded I know that he is trying to help me kill Lesley’s murderer I do need some rest. He nudged his head forward and Ruddy rolled his eyes and walked towards me with the light glistening his brown fur.

“Ok, goodnight Talon,” I whispered.

“Goodnight Laria, you should get some rest I’ll be right here if you need me,” he said nodding slowly. I pulled my ears back as I walked following Ruddy.

The sun had just started to rest by the time Ruddy lead me to my new room. It was practically an average hut, with a great view and in the inside were long patches of Grass that had flattened just for me to sleep.

“Good Evening kid,” Ruddy muttered uneasily, he walked away after he spoke to me, I felt a tiny bit guilty doing what I had done. Hearing the conversation was tingling in my memory. And the guilt just kept crawling back even more every time I pushed it away.

“Hey Ruddy,” I called out but there was no response. I stared out on to the view wondrously, wondering if Lesley had ever been here before she passed away. “Don’t worry Les and Kio, I will kill the murderer,” my eyes closed having images already in my head. A gray wolf ran beside a pitch black wolf running somewhere as if they were after something. “In the cold breeze,” I said to myself. “That I walk around, the memories of generation burn with in me,” I inhaled all of the fresh scents around me “Been forever since I cried the pain and sorrow, I live and die, proud of my people gaining,” I opened my eyes thinking of Kio, his happy but defensive eyes glaring at intruders, catching a fish every time we would go to the forest. I sniffed, as Talon told me I couldn’t cry, but I felt my eyes water like crazy. I sighed and closed my golden eyes again and my depression made me fall into a dream world.

I ran, just peacefully. Then I saw a waterfall, it was beautiful. I walked to the lake that the waterfall led on to and then I saw my reflection as an adult gray wolf with golden yellow eyes.

“Whoa…” I muttered, rubbing my white cheek. It was long until a Snow leopard was beside me. I recoiled startled with the Leopard grinning.

Come on Laria, Maya and Cher are waiting, I glanced over were the sun was setting. A Jaguar and a weird patterned dog stood over to the horizon.

Let’s go now, The dog called. I followed without any words and all of a sudden everything fell dark. When I thought that I had regained consciousness I smiled but then Flashbacks of the fire woke me up screaming. They were loud and terrified screams. I started to lose air not being able to calm down. The ground felt like it shook and I collapsed under my feet then I closed my eyes. I opened my eyes again and quickly glanced around. The world wasn’t ending but then I saw two bright yellow eyes gazing at me but I knew who it was.

“Talon…” I started “I apologise it was a really bad dream,” Talon smiled warmly.

“Laria as long as you’re ok,” He said in relief.

“Could you tell me an animuin story?” I asked him, hopefully it would cheer me up. Talon sighed but nodded.

“This one is about a wolf puppy animuin, her father was an evil animuin trying to hunt her down because he knows about her power,” I huddled up to Talon with comfort. “He tried finding her but with the help of her Rookie trainer, helps her train, by day and night, she never knew she would have such friends to help take down her father, some die in the process but the others manage to finish him off for starting the animuin craziness,”

“Are these stories true?” I asked Talon, the eagle smiled in his bird beak.

“Yes they are true Laria, and you find who she is one day,”

“Talon I had a dream about being friends with other animals do you think that is going to happen?”

“Laria let me tell you something, you will be friends with the most amazing animal in the world and your future best friend-”

“Is Ruddy, I know already,”

“I’m not talking about him, I’m talking about another wolf, and he loves you like that,”

“Really?” I tilted my head at him.

“Ok Laria I can’t tell you too much about the future otherwise you might accidently change it,”

“So what are we doing tomorrow?”

“Surprise,”

“Awwww,”

“You’ll flip,”

“Must be fun… Talon when are you going to leave here?” I didn’t want him to leave right now.

“Laria, once your asleep I’ll leave,” I closed my eyes as I fell asleep wondering why I was so important to be ok. When I fell asleep I had a dream about learning how to fight like that girl in the story Talon told me about and I would attack the darkness…

[*(L)aria~]

Flying Trip

The sun rose and I woke up hearing tons of thoughts in my head. I remembered when I had the nightmare a name flashed but it wasn’t clear enough for me to understand the word. The first thing I did was walk to Talon’s den. He raised his head at the sight of me. I had a small smile on my face as he straightened his posture; his black feathers glistened in the light that manage to reach his feathers.

“Laria?” he asked surprised, “What are you doing here?”

“Uh it’s morning,” the eagle turned his white head and looked at the entrance with his bright yellow eyes. He shook his head slowly as if he was snapping into realization.

“Right time these days,” he muttered to himself. I narrowed my eyes at the leader, though he was a giant to me, I still didn’t know what he was on about.

“The surprise?” I reminded him.

“Oh yes so how did you sleep last night after I left?”

“Good I guess...” I muttered and shrugged.

“Ok I’m going to show you Garden,” I widened my eyes and wagged my tail which is harder than it looks. Its cool enough how I get to live in this great place, now I get to see most of it.

“Talon one question, how does Garden form?” Talon stopped at first but continued.

“Well, let’s say it’s in the cave that we open up and the cave ends up roofless so sunlight and rain come in, that it why the forest is so large,”

“Oh,” Was my only reply and I changed the subject. “Well how are we going to see Garden in one day?”

“Well we are going to do something fun and thrilling,” I tilted my head. “Oh right we are flying,” My jaw dropped like Ruddy’s did yesterday.

“Fl- Fl- Flying?” I asked frowning, I never flew before therefore height and I didn’t equal together.

“Yeah how else? Don’t worry Laria I don’t fly fast I promise,”

“You sure?”

“With my Life,”

“Ok,” Talon lowered his body as I climbed awkwardly to his back. My claws acted like a cats as they dug in slightly to his shoulder. I stiffed as tightly as possible and Talon leaped into the air, stretching his dark wings. I screamed loudly, I felt a beat on my chest, I looked to the side and I saw Talons wings flapping once and every so often. He stopped and held out his wings, causing the both of us to soar in the air, I felt the wind in my face causing my wolf tongue to loll out of my mouth. It felt great as Talon beat his giant wings again. We both flew to a valley where wolves would howl.

“What’s that?!” I had to yell because it seemed noisy in the air.

“That will be where your future wolf friends would be,” I glanced at the dots running towards larger dots. He beat his wings again flying not to far from the valley but continuously saw large mountains. I noticed how many dots were running and I guess they were the animals like bison, horses and other herbivores.

“What’s that?” I asked, showing the mountains.

“Snowy mountains where animals that are designed for mountains,” He continued to fly past endless forests. “In case you are wondering, this is the Amazon, animals like tiger and panthers live here,” I sighed looking at the fantastic green.

Talon did a sharp turn causing me to clutch harder on the eagle. I heard a soft chuckle from Talon and I glared at him. He passed by some plains.

“Here?” I asked.

“This is where most animals would hunt rabbits and small rodents,” he did another turn but this time not as sharp, I turned around and saw my tail whipping wildly. Talon started to fly up, more steadily.

I held on to Talon who continued beating his wings like crazy. He stopped beating and slightly soared in the air. I looked down and realised that we were so high we were leaving Gardens sight and into the human world. I gulped, I wasn’t big on heights.

“Talon could we go down please?” I asked, the cold breeze wasn’t creepy enough.

“Right on ok going down,” he stopped flapping his wings pulled next to his body. My mind was repeating a ton of things in my head. It’s just a joke I reminded myself.

“Talon stop, you’re not fooling anyone,” but he didn’t say anything just we resumed falling down and fast. I began to see a better view of Garden and all of the animals, my mind screamed but another part of me protested that it was only a small prank. He still hasn’t stopped and he was flying down to a look like cliff. My five year old child instinct took over as I screamed as loud as I can, squeezing my eyes shut and hiding my face in the eagle’s feather.

Then I felt a massive stop, my hind legs flew up like a buckling horse, I released Talon and rolled off his back as I felt a thud too soon. I noticed we hit the ground, and I was panting like crazy, I closed my eyes thankful of the ground that was there. I heard a loud chortle with my wolf ears. Angrily I opened my eyes and turned my head to Talon who wouldn’t stop laughing at me. I glared at him.

“You were like AHHHHHHHH! And I land and then you’re thankful to be on the ground,” I still had my dark vicious glare at him.

“I wasn’t meant for the sky,” I protested trembling, my body swung from my back and climbed on my fours.

“That reminds me, you should meet the second most important creature in this land,” I frowned in confusion. Talon, then someone then Ruddy I thought.

“Climb on Laria,” I narrowed my eyes at him. After what happened with the moment ago I don’t think it’s going to persuade me.

“I swear on your life Laria,” he laughed. I growled in suspicion but climbed on again, he leaped in the air and beated his large wings and we flew to the valley, we meeting the wolves already?

Talon as he promised slowed down to a stop, I held my breath and when I notice that the area was sort of rocky. I hopped off Talon as we both walked in front of a ledge; behind that ledge was a dark cave.

“She’s an animuin too so you would have to talk in mind,”

“In mind?”

“Push a thought away when she comes out,”

“Uh... ok,”

“Tara we have a guest,” Talon called out to the cave. I frowned, meeting my first animuin how cool. I heard a replying growl before a lynx walked out of the cave, her eyes were as dark as a starless night yet her fur was the same colour as sand. Half of her right ear was ripped off from a fight. Her body was built and also completely cover in battle scars, one of her facial scars crossed over her forehead. Her teeth looked piercing sharp like they could shred anything... I mean anything.

So this is the stranger? All I heard was a growl but in my head I heard a voice that wasn’t mine or Talons.

“Yes,” Talon stood totally still not fearing the giant cat unlike me. “Tara this is Laria, Laria meet the Carnivore leader Tara,” I widened my eyes in shock, no wonder she was before Ruddy. Then again Ruddy is only training the rookies.

Nice to meet you kid Tara chuckled out a growl. I held my breath and then answered.

You remind me of Ruddy I had my own growl, well it was true, Ruddy always called me a kid which made me link back to Tara. My short thoughts were interrupted by Tara vicious hiss.

How dare you say that I remind you of that little weak rodent her growl was more of a roar this time. Talon raised his wing in front of me as if to protect me.

“Now Tara, she is just a child,” she gave a glare at Talon before calming down.

My apologies just I’m short tempered and I don’t like to be reminded of weak mammals like you for now she laughed out a softer growl and I gave a small smile. She calmed down and she leaped off the small ledge that separated us and her.

So Talon tells me you’re like no other she teased in her growling voice, I smiled in reply. You don’t talk much don’t you?

No I don’t I replied hastily.

Well maybe soon you and me in a match up eh?

Sure it would be nice if I had a training lesson from a carnivore

Ah Ha kid, well I better go hunt Tara sprinted to the direction of the elk I could smell them because of the violent wind. Talon looked towards me with a smug smile in his face.

“What?” I snorted.

“Nothing, nothing,” he replied. I climbed on his back again and this time we flew to the edge of the cliff that we were in previously before. I cocked my head when he landed here again.

“Why are we here?” I asked him.
Talon settled his giant wings then answered.

“You need to go meet Ruddy, you are late and so am I, just tell him it was my fault,”

“I don’t know, he doesn’t like me very much,”

“Don’t worry about him, his heart was broken too recently and he is having a little difficulty getting over the fact that... Never mind, I’ve got to go see you later Laria,” he took off beating his wings heavily as he soared away.

I sighed sadly as I walked slowly towards Ruddy, who was impatiently waiting while sitting on a log, muttering angry words to himself. I trotted towards him, wagging my tail as I confronted him.

“Sorry I’m late,” I called out. “Talon was-”

“Taking you on a tour? I know that’s what happens with all baby animuins.” He growled “Come on, let’s go,” he hopped off and started walking to the exit, his voice was partly sad.
I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Who’s Diana?” I asked I knew it was stupid to blurt it out like the big mouth I am but I don’t want to see my Rookie trainer always upset for love.

He paused, but didn’t turn. “None of your business,” he said darkly before striding away.

“I know she is the love of your life,” I called out; he stopped again turning around this time.

“How do you know about Diana?” he growled.

“I heard you say her name and you grimaced,” I replied, more of a whisper, “and Talon told me that you upset about getting over her,”

“You can never trust that eagle with a secret,” he muttered angrily.

“What happened?” I asked more softly. He sighed and sat down.

“Might as well tell you, Diana was a red panda, a pretty one too, then he came into Garden and took her away from me, so I made myself a promise, to never be nice like that I mean to anyone so they wouldn’t get hurt, and I’m going to be best friends with you, but I don’t want to hurt you kid,”

“Who is he?” I asked curiously.

“I can’t recall him correctly, but he nearly killed me before... Why I’m telling you this anyways!”

“Because I’m you friend and I’m here to help,”

“You’re not my friend!” Ruddy growled. He and I stood up facing a metre apart from each other.

“Don’t get me upset,” I warned with a quiet but deadly voice.

“Or what Lesley and Kio going to haunt me?”

“I SAID DON’T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!” I charged but I felt like I hit my head but then I was in my human form in an open plain, with no one around. “Ruddy?” I called, my voice echoed.

“Laria,” sang a familiar voice. I turned around and widened my eyes with such happiness.

“Mum?!” I cheered as I sprinted on my human legs to embrace her. I noticed that my cheeks were wet from the tears. “Mum,” I said more cheerfully laughing in my voice

“I love you dear,” she smiled happily; she kissed my forehead in greeting. She offered me her hand and I took it, Lesley started to run beside me laughing joyfully. She tripped and pulled me on top of her, and she wasn’t even hurt. We didn’t care; laughing just took control of us both. My mood felt light and excited. I didn’t even know if she was dead or alive but she was trapped in the fire yet she was laying down in the plains beside me. I glanced at her sparkling green eyes; it was as if her irises were made out of emeralds.

“I’ve missed you so much, it hurt me every time Ruddy would mention it I would have tried to kill him,”

“Ruddy?” Oh right she doesn’t know about the animuins.

“Look at what I can do!” I climbed onto my feet as Lesley sat up staring at me. I closed my eyes and I shifted easily, I looked back at my mother who was simply smiling.

“You’re beautiful, wolf or not,” her smile was golden and in high spirits. I felt another presence around me; I stood up in my human form and put on my clothes as a human. Lesley had a regretting look on her young face.

“What’s wrong why is everything weird?”

“Because this is a dream Laria, you passed out and this is your fantasy,”

“So you are still...”

“Dead, yes.”

“But why does this murderer want to kill me so badly?” Lesley smiled. The wind blew powerfully, Lesley faded slowly away with the wind, my eyes started to water. “Mum?!” When she disappeared my tears ran down to the side of my face. “Mum!” I howled, and I noticed I was in my wolf form. I heard strange new voices.

Excuse me? I’m so sorry,

“Laria?! Get up!” Talon ordered.

“Hey kid, come on,” Ruddy sighed. I managed to open my eyes slowly; I looked around me: Talon, Ruddy and a stranger cheetah cub. The cheetah was completely yellow, with dark black spots all over his body with hazel eyes. I yelled out half a scream but managed to swallow it down. Talon sighed with relief, Ruddy did the same action but the cub, he just tilted his head at me.

“Laria, this is Brodie, he was the one that put you in the dream,” Talon introduced. I looked back at cheetah cub, he look apologetic. His big round eyes looked up at me as if he was giving me sad face.

Sorry I put you in a dream he thought to me, I gasped when I heard him in my mind, it means that he was an animuin.

It’s ok, so what did you do exactly? I wondered.

I put you in a coma, and made you feel happy so you don’t have to suffer while in your blackout. Sometimes I make evil people suffer. He replied.

Cool I don’t know what I can do yet.

You will learn just you need to be patient with your power.

“Well sorry to disrupt the talk but can we get to the forest please?” Ruddy asked impatiently, I lowered my head obediently.

Ok, bye Brodie, I thought to him. He smiled to himself and ran off with Talon.

The walk to the clearing, the clearing seemed longer than expected but Ruddy stood two metres away from me, facing me.

“Ok kid if you want to win fights, fight me.” Ruddy told me.

“Say What?” I frowned.

“You heard me,” Ruddy snapped. I growled then leaped forward, Ruddy rolled over to the side quickly. “Laria let’s get down to business, you want to avenge Lesley?” He teased as he hopped on a fallen tree.

“Correct,” I growled, trying to chase him. He leaped to the ground, chuckling.

“Did mother nature send me a whippy runt?
When we asked for a wolf?” I bared my fangs and leaped towards him again; he leaped over me, landing on the other side.

“Stop Running!” I growled

“You’re the saddest mutt I’ve ever met, but you can bet before we through, Laria I want you to be able to smash a boulder,” He grabbed some rocks slightly bigger than his hand and threw them at me. He hit me the whole time, I tried dodged them but he was too fast. He pegged them at my sides leaving many bruises.

I looked around me while I was still get hit by rocks, a branch big but I could pick it up and throw it. Perfect I thought, I ran towards it leaping in midair, spinning to dodge the rocks. I landed on the ground and picked up the stick. I swung it like a baseball bat and released it. It went towards Ruddy, he leaped over it doing a summersault in midair then landed on his feet but by the time he had leaped over that. I had already leaped into midair to pounce on him.

Ruddy ducked quickly, I saw that a tree was behind him. I tried to land on the ground but I fell face flat on the tree. I pulled my face out of the tree and falling to the ground. When Ruddy knew I could no longer fight he just shook his head. My vision blurred seeing him go in three different places.

“Kid I thought you could fight,” he growled I immediately back myself up by standing up suddenly which was extremely stupid because I fell back down again.

“Hey I’ve just started on this crazy wolf thing what you can at least do is help me fight,” I begged.

“No... You are too immature.”

“Please?” I whined giving him the dog face.

“Uhh kid... don’t do the dog face it don’t work on me.”

“.... Please?” I looked at him sadly. He sighed in reply.

“Though I just kicked your butt, I will train you to learn to dodge the attacks but the fighting is all up to you, in here.” He patted my chest, “go and catch yourself a fish or something, you’re done for today,” I sighed sadly, I wasn’t in the mode for fish so I just walked out of the forest, a girl familiar to me walked slowly towards the forest. She sighed miserably as she sat on the edge, I walked to the familiar faced girl and sat next to her. She noticed me but didn’t move.

“Laria who would be such an idiot to try to kill you?” she sobbed. Then I remembered who it was, she was three years older than me and her name was Nanami, her short brown pig tail’s with her coffee brown eyes gave me memories, she was my cousin.

“Nanami,” I whimpered, the girl looked into my eyes seeing the resemblance between the human me and wolf me. I shifted human (Despite having no clothes on) and I hugged her.

“Laria?!” Nanami gasped, with tears pouring out like the creek. I cried too, missing the old tears that have been gone for a very long time or seemed to be. “What are you?” she asked noticed how I just appeared in front of her. Her tears were quick to disappear.

“An Animuin, after my house got burned down I managed to escape, there I befriended an animal telling me that I have turned into a fluffy puppy,” I tried not to tell her too much because of the risk.

“That’s cool... Oh Laria, you’re hurt what happened to you?” I noticed my human skin was covered in dark spots, curse Ruddy.

“It’s nothing,” I told her with a smile.

“Wait Laria shift into your wolf form I can take you to my house and feed you,” I remembered how Nanami parents were, not allowing her to do bring in animals from the streets.

“Wouldn’t your parents try to kick me out?”

“Nah I ran away after you disappeared because they tried to send me away,” I remembered her mother’s name, Julia or Jules she preferred it.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked

“Absolutely come on,” I shifted into a wolf while hiding in the bushes. The walk to Nanami’s house wasn’t too far away but it wasn’t even a house, it was a giant tent with two sleeping bags. She opened a box revealing some meat. I ate the meat she offered me, it was good enough but didn’t taste like the meat I was use too.

“It’s Tofu,” Nanami smiled, I remembered her be a Vegetarian. I thought of the weird taste of tofu and it made me gag. I glared at Nanami crossly; she gave me a puppy face. “Sorry, now let’s meet your animal friends” I gulped. I wasn’t sure how I will be punished but she was so sad.

I walked out of the tent and the both of us crossed the road in front of the forest, before I got to the beloved forest two hands wrapped around my stomach and raised me from the ground lifting me midair. I flailed around in the hands and I recognised the van that the person who grabbed me. It was a dog catcher.

“Get your hands off of me!” I growled, trying to escape, the man that had caught me chuckled.

“Ain’t you a rare breed?” he chortled cruelly “What are ya? Husky? Malamute? Well that’s enough money for me,”

“Let her go,” Nanami said firmly. “She’s my dog,”

“Oh really? Ok then why wasn’t the dog wearing a leash or collar?” The man sneered.

“I just found her, she ran away two days ago but I found her,” Nanami lied. It was a good lie I suppose but how in earth is someone meant to believe that?

“Ok, I’ll take her to you house...” The man offered.

“Or how about this,” I growled and bit the man on the hand so hard that it bled out the familiar crimson that I had after the fire.

“OW!” He released me and I darted towards the forest with Nanami. We waited until we were in a deep part of the forest. We ended up in a place right next to the creek. I sat down, howling for Talon to come.

I waited a minute until I noticed the flash of black and white, I stood in my wolf form with my head high and he landed on the branch with his wings stretched out wide. Nanami flinched in fear, I wouldn’t blame her.

“Laria, I see that the girl knows,” I turned my head to Nanami and nodded.

“I’m sorry Talon I should have warned you about this,”

“Don’t worry Laria, if any humans know we give them a choice if they want to be an animuin or just human but keep the secret,” I walked to the bushes, shifted and put clothes on then walked towards Nanami, her face puzzled.

“Nanami, this is Talon he has offered for you to join of what I am or you can be human and just keep the secret,” Nanami smiled and quickly responded to that.

“I would love to become an animuin what happens first?”

“You will need to concentrate on what you want to be then the transformation will start,” Talon told me. I mimed his words, making sure something different didn’t slip out.

“Ok,” Nanami whispered to herself some words then she fainted.

“Nanami?!” I yelled startled.

“Don’t worry Laria, her body is morphing,” I looked at my cousin, he was correct. Nanami grew smaller patches of skin turning brown and white. Her ears grew pointed and upright. One ear was completely white and her other one was completely brown, she grew a long tail. Her fur was wavy and silky. Her form was a dog.

“A dog?” I asked in confusion.

“Well yes Laria, she must have always wanted to be a dog.”

“Well it’s obvious now.” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“Laria next time just stay in your wolf form... and try to talk to her like you do with animuins.” Then I remembered the vegetarian thing. How could she be a canine when she prefers plants?

“Wait a minute! She’s doesn’t eat meat, how does this help?”

“She is a dog not a wolf,” Talon replied “So she will be able to eat the tofu stuff,” I sighed in relief, I wasn’t alone anymore and even more exciting she is the only family member that knows of my existence.

“What about sleeping arrangements?”

“She will live with you until she is ready to move on,”

“School?”

“She can go to school too, lucky Tara is a boxer in the human world,”

“Tara is a boxer?”

“Female champion that where she is feisty,” I sat down on a giant log all I had to do now is wait.

[*(L)aria~]

Abilities

Nanami woke up her eyes was still the same brown as her human eyes, she looked around herself startled.

What happened? Nanami thought, her head tilted.

Congratz cousin you are now a dog I told her. Nanami looked at herself. Her tail wagged like crazy.

I’m a Koolie? She jumped into the air barking happily.

“Now animuin what is your name?” Talon all of a sudden asked. Nanami stopped and I urged her to talk.

My name is Nanami she thought to him.

“Well Nanami is it ok if you train with Ruddy without Laria, she just has to learn more than you because she is younger than you” Talon explained
Ok understandable, now where first?

“Get some rest for tonight Laria has a room she is sharing with you, I told her all of the information that you need to know so just ask her, good bye for now,” Talon stretched his wings and flew away.

When I could tell he was gone I tackled Nanami, growling playfully. I nipped her ear and she pushed her hind legs on my soft underbelly, I reared back on my hind legs then tripped over on a root. Nanami laughed then tripped herself, making us laugh even harder. I got up again and pushed Nanami into the creek; she grabbed me and yanked me into the creek with her.

When she did that I focused on getting up when the water spun madly, kicking the oxygen out of me. Then all over a sudden I flew out of the water and landed on the ground with a thud, all I remember was a splash of water before I blacked out.

Laria!?

Wha? I opened my eyes and saw Nanami staring at me, with a shocked facial expression. What happened? Feels like I hit my head.

Uh you did, there was some whirlpool that made you fly into the air then next second you are on the ground.

A whirlpool? I was confused by this. I stood weakly; Nanami helped but urged I shouldn’t get up. I fell backed down then I tried again, still useless. I was determined to at least get up and walk to Garden.

When I was trying, the wind picked up and raised me to my feet. This time I didn’t fall down, I looked in the sky remembering what Brodie said.

A power? I asked myself. Nanami looked around seeing who I was talking to.

Who are you talking to? Nanami asked. I took a moment to realisation when I glared at a small bush. I waited patiently when the bush started to burst into flames. Nanami jumped in fright when I only just glanced at it.

My ability... I told Nanami who was cowering behind me, I took my glance off the bush and the fire instantly died out as if no fire was near by it.

Abilities now? Man what else can we do?

Many other things but right now you need to see Garden. She followed me and I ran gracefully until I was at the passage, I grabbed the vine by springing up and catching it and my weight pulled it down revealing the entrance. I let Nanami walk in and she was glancing around herself, observing the walls that had paintings and markings all over it. I pulled the second vine revealing Garden. Her brown eyes sparkled with such beauty.

This is Garden you speak of? Nanami asked I smiled and nodded, she cheered happily sniffing the fresh grass. My cousin hopped around tripping over around the third time.

It's beautiful isn't it? said a new voice, I turned around and glared at a dog behind us, he look nearly like Nanami, but his fur was black instead of brown and his eyes were blue.

Who are you? I growled at the slightly bigger male.

My Name is Raphael his voice had a weird accent in it. I noticed you are confused about the accent, I was born in Greece but I was raised in Italy for five years. My family and I then came to America for a better life. I frown and turned towards Nanami her face seemed happy and she looked like she was going to faint.

Why did you bump into our connversa-

It’s ok Laria, he's ok as long as he doesn't do it again, Nanami interrupted me, I growled and sat down still slightly glaring at Raphael.
I'm sorry for that anyways ciao, he then sprinted to some area. Nanami looked over to him and glanced at me slightly I frowned.

What's with you? I frowned. She snapped back to me suddenly.

I don't know, come on. We ran both ran to the plains, wrestling and hopefully not burning anyone with my new abilities.

I walked to Talon's den when I noticed that he wasn't in, I walked inside with full caution.

"Talon?" I wondered walking slowly towards the den's entrance. My head turn to the side. A mountain goat turned around and cringed in fright. He yelled out in fright and I screamed in unison. He closed his eyes tightly.

"Oh lord no! I'm too young to be eaten by Lucifer!"

"Lucifer?" I frowned, Nanami who was behind me gasped. I turned around at her she lowered her head. The mountain goat frowned at me, still stunned after the events moments before.

"You ain't Lucifer? Phew, allow me to introduce myself, I am Rocky, leader of the herbivores," I was still confused by everything.

"I'm Laria, so why did you think I was Lucifer?"

"Laria? As in the daughter of... never mind Lucifer is an animuin wolf, it is dark so and I saw the eye colour, he has a yellow eye on his left eye and I saw your left eye made me think you were Lucifer,"

"So Lucifer is around my size?" I narrowed my eyes when he said I was a daughter of someone.

"I'm a mountain goat here I shouldn't have to worry about sizes, I know nothing about him and here I am worrying about him, it should be you two being afraid you brave pups," I tilted my head at him. "Please don't tell me you don't know about Keallurs," Nanami and I looked at each other shaking our heads.

"We are Rookies," I said proudly.

Yeah so how are we meant to know about the threats Nanami swallowed deeply. I wonder why she gasped when Rocky said Lucifer.

"Well there is a legend that says that animuins... feed on other animuins,"

Bleh Nanami and I both said at the same time but Rocky didn't stop.

"They all started with... Oh hey Talon!" Rocky changed the subject so quickly that we didn't even notice. Nanami and I stood up when we sat listening to the story.

"So you met Rocky?"

Oh yeah he has been telling us some scary stories Nanami said excitedly.

"Well it doesn't matter as long if it isn't the story of him," Talon glared at Rocky.

"Of course not," Rocky stammered walking away from Talon and out of the den.

"Talon, I have a power, we were in the forest when little disasters kept helping me up," Talon though long and hard about what is my power.

"Laria I can't believe this but you are the first animuin to have this, you have the ability of creating natural disasters, other animuins can control it that’s it, the disasters will help you whenever you need or want them to,"

"Wow," was all I could reply "That is all,"

"Ok Goodnight girls," We exited his den and we walked up to my room I circled in a spot but Nanami just plopped on the ground.

Laria?

Yeah?

Is this Lucifer thing true?

To be honest Nanami I don't know

Ok night Laria

Night

The morning was early and Nanami went discovering Garden a bit more with Talon while I was at the forest in the clearing I sat patiently on the bridge while Ruddy was sitting on a tree branch.

"Ok Kid, time to learn to dodge certain attacks. Like this," he grabbed a rock from a small pile and pegged it at me. I was slow and didn't get to dodge so it whacked me across the face.

"Ow..." I whined pulling my ears back.

"Try to dodge again but faster," he grabbed another rock and pegged it at me, I tried ducking but the rock was too fast. It hit me again harder than the last.

"Could you stop pegging?” I whined again.

"It's not my fault you are slow," he muttered, "Fine we do some running to get your speed up,"
I frowned uneasily, he stood on the branch that he had been on the whole time.

"So what are we doing?"

“We are going to race, first one out of the other end of the forest wins," My jaw dropped.

"But Garden is a part of the forest how are we going to get out on one day?"

"Kid to be honest if you were at your top speed you could go through the forest like ten times in one day, on your mark, get set, GO!" Ruddy landed on the ground and started to sprint.

"But wait!” I yelped I started to run after him, I was much slower than him being a few metres apart; he climbed up a giant log that was at least a metre high. I closed my eyes and concentrated on getting up when a powerful amount of wind blew under me, pushing me over the log. I landed on the mud puddle that was right behind.

I stood up and started sprinting this time, I could smell Ruddy's scent and I started to slowly catch up, by the time I was right next to him he looked at me.

"Well kid you're better than I thought you are now let's see if you can beat me," he went through a hollow log, I sprinted faster, then leaping over a much smaller log and landed on the ground with ease, and I quickly caught up to Ruddy, his brown fur flashing as he passed trees.

I managed to see light entering the forest; I knew that that was the finish line. I learned what to do as Ruddy was actually going through a much smoother passage, and that he was in a really narrow path; between us were bushes of grass. I turned a sharp right to get into the bushes and I ended up colliding with Ruddy, we tripped and fell, causing us to slow down. I pushed on my hind legs and jumped up again and darted away from Ruddy.

When I was about to reach the end the forest held a giant log in front of my path, I turned around and Ruddy had disappeared he must of turned again. I sprinted faster and concentrated the wind swoop me up and I went over the huge log blocking my way in onto the other side.

My legs fell clumsily onto the ground and I laid there discovering where I am, there was a street with a few cars but on the other side was a giant lake that was formed by the creek. Ruddy came beside me shortly after.

“Well, well, well kid you are faster than me by running but you can’t even dodge a rock,” I sighed grumpily. I had finally given up him continuously calling me kid, it was annoying for sure but he never seemed to stop.

“Well it’s not my fault let me remind you I have a power that helped me,” I growled showing him a fire that blasted in a bush. He didn’t stop there.

“If you use your power to help you win then you could use your power to help you dodge those rocks,” I sighed again, being sick of him already.

“So to my ability to protect myself what happens if something wrong happens?” Ruddy sighed this time he hated answer my questions because they are often quite annoying. The wind blew softly as I managed to get up.

“Let’s go back kid,” We ran swiftly through the forest, dodging every obstacle on the way back it finally hit me. I realised that I was learning how to avoid everything in my path. The rookie trainer is smart.

My speed seemed to be a lot quicker than last time as we arrived back to the clearing. I immediately sat on the bridge while Ruddy grabbed a rock from the pile he had previously.

“To learn how to fight you must know your opponent, like me for example; what do you know to give you some strategies?” Ruddy flung the rock slightly above his hand before gravity pulled it back down on his hand.

“Well, you don’t rely on fighting you prepare yourself by dodging and when an acceptable distance you take down the opponent, with something like rocks,”

“Well to be honest I have observed humans in my past watching them fight when they wear white clothing and some people have different coloured belts,” I recognized the sport.

“Karate,” I answered for him.

“Also I forgot to mention we will be training in your human form,”

I tilted my head and frowned. “Why?”

“Mainly because if you are an animuin you must learn how to fight in case foes attack you in front of other eyes,” I rolled my eyes. “Now shift into your human form,”

“How on earth am I meant to know how to do that?”

“You did it before Talon told me,” I went back refreshing my yesterday memories; I remembered feeling scared because of Nanami was desperate. “You see kid, your gift is all depending on what you are and what are you like, animuins with short temper tend to be faster, and very fast shifters, animuins with your personality are stronger and wiser, they are the key elements,”

I tried to shift absorbing this information. “I give up,” I groaned, though not meaning it.

“Think this through, your personality what are you deep inside,” Everything flew through my memories; my personality seemed to mix with every thing. My heart skipped a few beats, I realised who I was. Ruddy was doing this exercise because of finding out who I am. I was fearless, strong and independent though I work real hard to not grow weak over Lesley’s death. My body temperature cooled down, and all my super senses dulled. I saw the light again when I just noticed I had closed them. Ruddy nodded as he turned around so I could get dressed.

I quickly got dressed and escaped the bushes and I twirled around.

“Ruddy can I understand you?” I asked my brown hair glistened in the sunlight that reached in the gaps of the forest.

“Yeah kid you can, now close you eyes,” I did what he said it felt like I could hear everything inside my body. “Listen to everything and tell me what do you hear?”

“My heart beat, the cars in the road, the birds, the creek, my blood and small animals.” I replied with my eyes still closed.

Instinctively I swung my hand up beside my face as I felt something hitting my hand, my fingers wrapped around the object and I opened my eyes to discover it was the rock that Ruddy once had. He smiled and threw another rock at me; I ducked just before it hit me. He grabbed another two rocks before leaping into the air and threw them, I managed to dodge one of them the other I hit it. The rock rebounded and it managed to hit Ruddy, he fell and landed on his back.

"How did I shift?" I wondered

"Ok kid if you feel the personality that makes you, you your mind shifts forcing your whole self to shift, the first time if people shift and have no idea they have to get scared to allow their hearts beating, if the human knew about turning into an animuin then they faint."

"SO after my mother's death I was beginning to feel scared and then I shifted,"

"No your ancestors are animuins, no matter if you have one parent that was an animuin, you are born human and when you need it most you manage to shift, if you had both animuin parents then you will all be animuin children," The truth was confusing and I had no conclusion what so ever.

“I’m going to shift back now," I muttered as I walked into the bush and stripped off my clothes. My body felt warmer when I shifter my senses became more acute. I walked out to Ruddy with my small paws, my gray fur flashed in the light.

"Now go in the creek, you must be able to swim through powerful waters," I sighed, he is really tiring me today, I sighed as I walked into a shallow part of the creek, I stepped in the water; it felt cool in my body.

The rushing water took over me as it managed to easily tackle me, pulling me underneath the water. The fish swam away from me fearing if one of they would be the next prey. I chocked out oxygen seeing my evidence of breathing before I went down. I instantly gave up soon entering the afterlife. I closed my eyes seeing Lesley’s face.

Laria, keep fighting ordered a familiar voice.

Kio? My mind thought.

Keeping fighting, kick the water, overpower your loss and win

How I’m too weak to even swim a creek

Do what your instincts tell you...the voice disappeared. I snapped my golden eyes opened and kicked the water with astonishing amount of power. The fish were now gone from my sight but that didn’t stop me from kicking my way until I hit the surface taking a huge gulp of lovely fresh air. I chocked out water that got into my throat. Luckily I was on the shallow side; I slowly turned my head towards Ruddy his jaw gaping out. I panted for a short time before climbing out of the creek.

“How did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Manage to escape the creek?”

“You knew it would happen?”

“The creek has a magical legend in it saying that it was the one of the two ingredients to Garden and it trains younger animuins, it can drown our enemies and force our friends out of the water when needed,”

“What was the other ingredient?”

“The original ones,”

“What?”

“These are considered Gods that have been banished but we called them rectocs,”

“What are those?”

“Immortals that had the power to do many things such as to create Garden, you see kid, the day that the humans began taking out homes and burning our forest rectocs had already fled, unsure of the next move the animals hid in Garden. The rectocs felt betrayed and tried to slay every animal in sight,” he closed his eyes before opening them to glance at me my eyes staring deeply at his face.
“Then animuins were born, unable to shift into animal form but had animal instincts and extraordinary abilities. The animuins adapted more and more into Garden also able to take shape in animal forms,”

“What happened to those rectocs?”

“Since there were no witnesses they all assumed they fled but the truth was that someone stopped them,”

“Who?”

“They thought he was the one... to be the one that the elders before us foretold, but everything happened,”

I frowned and sense a cold chill. Daylight was nearly over, the golden coloured leaves floated down to the creek, the water slowed down. The brown soil squished under my small paws. I looked at Ruddy his eyes closed in relaxation.

“You can ask the elders or someone else about it I might hurt your feelings again, training’s over,” he walked away sadly perhaps thinking of other things. I sat on the bridge, the wind quickly dried my messed up fur. I closed my eyes relaxing at everything I have learnt. Then all of a sudden I could hear a soft sound of foot prints.

Thinking it was the murderer; I hopped onto my legs, raised my tail, pulled my ears back and growled towards the direction of the bushes.

Sorry, Sorry Whimpered a familiar male voice. I sighed in relief.

It’s ok Brodie I announced in my head. His sleek cheetah body arrived from out of the bushes. I could tell he was grinning. What? I snorted.

You have been the biggest gossip around, I mean you as Lucifer’s little girl fight against her own father Everything stopped me and shattered my heart. My beating became faster as well as the wind. All the memories of every animal staring at me:

"Laria? As in the daughter of... never mind...”
“You can ask the elders or someone else about it I might hurt your feelings again, training’s over,”

As the memories returned, I wanted to cry. Nanami gasping, everyone not telling me who my real father was, the story that Lesley told me of the evil wolf animuin and his daughter.

The brutal wind blew harder and more violently. I could also sense the burning smell of smoke.

This whole time my father has been trying to KIDNAP me! My fur stood. I wanted to just lay down and die and not exist. Brodie recoiled as if I punched him across the face.

You didn’t know? His throat purred. I barked back at him.

Do now, I snapped viciously. Brodie grimaced, painfully as if he just got punched again. But something about him calmed me down, the wind stopped blowing and the smell of smoke quickly disappeared.

What’s going on with that? Brodie asked gesturing to the wind and smoke.

I only found out yesterday that I have to ability to create disasters other animuins can control them. I explained.

Wow I heard no one had such power it was just a myth

Is there anything that isn’t a myth?

Ghosts he slightly yelped. I fell silent, thinking of Lesley’s ghost form haunting me because of my betrayal. You ok Laria?

If I told you the truth would you laugh?

Of course not

My mother Lesley died recently... it makes me feel bad because she knew she was going to die, but if I knew what I was I could have protected her. Brodie walked closer his head gently bumping my chest, purring softly.

Its ok, my mother has passed too. I live with my father; my brother and I were separated at birth because he was not an animuin and mother died. Father couldn’t raise my brother because he had her looks so he put him up for adoption. It heartbreaks me that he didn’t get to be an animuin and doesn’t have a father to teach him,

Wait I thought your parents had to be both animuins for the child to be animuin. Brodie cocked his head to the side confused by my statement.

I’m a different one I guess.

Oh, tell me about your father

Well my dad is a cheetah also and his ability is age shifting, see for example he can make himself look like a ten year old when he is only 25.

Wow that’s pretty cool

And so is the view I looked into the sky, I never had realised how fast the day had flew, but the sun was slowly crawling behind the buildings that was past the forest. The creek was orange and I could clearly see my reflection. My body shivered until warmth touched my body. Brodie’s warmth made me feel so relaxed that I lay down on the bridge and closing my eyes deeply. Brodie had wrapped his body around me, I didn’t realise we both fell asleep, until I heard a new voice.

See Edward said he can’t even do the job but when we do it we can find the brat. I jolted awake with at least three wolves one light brown, one gray and one white surrounding us. Brodie had also jolted awake when he heard the stranger’s voice. I whimpered and pulled my tail between my legs; taking steps backwards until I discovered the white wolf had came at the other end of the bridge. Brodie stood in front of me growling and glaring. Why isn’t he using his ability now?

The wolf behind us chuckled. Hey Chuck, little kitty is wondering why he can’t use his power? The gray wolf sniggered evilly. They were animuins, but they didn’t seem like the kind to protect. All of the wolves were the size of an fwd.

Well Brad, he needs to know what happens when he messing with the wolf trio, Charmí? The light brown wolf glared at Brodie. He fell down to the ground yowling in pain.

Brodie! I yelped, and then glared at the two wolves ahead of me. I ran straight towards the wolf named Charmí. Chuck was laughing his head off rolling around the ground.

Hey pup, sit down! Chuck stopped laughing and quickly swopped me by the back of my neck. I failed around angrily. I could have easily fit in his mouth as the spot I was in made me stuck.

Let me go! I growled viciously.

She’s sounds pissed the one called Brad snorted in obviousness. Chuck held me tight while I still was failing around.

Actually Charmí take the kitty along Lucifer might want this brat to eat him. Charmí stopped glaring by the time she did that Brodie fell unconscious and Charmí grabbed him.

Brodie! I howled. Brod- My voice was cut off by a pain going through my whole body. It felt like someone was ripping me apart but slowly and painfully. I couldn’t take it anymore and I could feel darkness taking over as I began to feel faint. The pain stopped instantly, my body was so relieved that the pain was gone but my body was numb. Nanami... Nanami... I thought before I blacked out.

All of a sudden my blackness was interrupted with a menacing roar. I felt a sudden thud and I heard a number of yelps and roars. A death howl came, after that my eyes snapped opened. All I could see is the wolf Chuck on the ground. I noticed Brodie was standing up growling.

Brodie?! I tried to stand but Ruddy stopped me.

“Kid you just ripped some of your muscles don’t move.” I listened but then the battle was quickly over when both Brad and Charmí fell to the ground, twitching.

Brodie fell back down and that’s all I could remember.

I was alone, the grass blew gently, and then Brodie was standing next to me. I looked around hesitated.

Is this a coma? I asked.

Yeah sorry about that but it kinda gets rid of the pain of ripping muscles.

What actually happened with that she wolf?

She must have the ability to cause pain in the inside, even if in a coma I slightly feel like I was in a tiny box for a few days.

Yeah... so who was there?

My dad, Tara, Talon and Ruddy. I could hear him yelling out give me back Diana!

Oh... do you know about her?

Yeah... he closed his eyes. We got to go good luck

Good luck with you too he was about to take us out before I spoke again and thank you for trying to save me

It was nothing and thank you too. My body felt like it was pulling apart again.

I yelped out and discovered that I was in the real world I could hear Brodie screaming out in pain. The pain was too much for me to see much but I recognised the brown fur.

NANAMI! I howled. She didn’t say or do anything except raised her paw on me. I also noticed that I was totally wet as if someone tipped a bucket of water on top of me. Her paw started to glow green as the glow went through my body and the pain got even worse. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME NANAMI!? I continued to howl devastatingly.

Sorry Laria... But it will be ok in a moment, Nanami whispered.

DON’T DO THIS NANAMI, PLEASE! I begged painfully. As the light began to fade inside me and the pain eased up. My eyes were full of water, thinking that the tears would manage to escape my eyes. She quickly walked to Brodie; his screaming became louder for a few moments before also easing down.

After of all of that again I passed out again this time with no dreams.

I woke up later on in my room, on a bed next to mine Brodie was sound asleep and an adult cheetah was sitting beside him. This must be Brodie’s father; I could just manage out what he was whispering.

I lost a wife and I gave up one of my sons please Brodie, please be ok, I raised my head slightly. His voice sounded familiar but I can’t remember. The cheetah must have heard me moving and he slightly turned his head to face me. The cheetah got up and walked towards me.

You must be Laria, you are a legend aren’t ya? To be honest I had no idea what he was on about. I just stared at him cautiously, something isn’t right about him. I’m his father he indicated Brodie.

Or mine? My voice whispered, then it hit me. The voice I heard it on the day my life turned upside down. The cheetah suddenly shifted into a dark wolf shape with one yellow eye and one blue eye just as Rocky described. The wolf opened his jaws about to grab me...

I yelled out awake discovering it was a dream. Brodie was next to me, he probably still thinks I’m asleep. I whimpered softly, he noticed that I was awake.

Laria! Did you know you mumble things in your sleep? Oh the joy.

Like what?

Something about Kio... Who is Kio?

He was my dog

Was... he repeated after me.

What day is it? He grinned at that comment.

A few days before we start school,

School? I asked despite I knew what he was telling me. In a few days we would be starting school at a younger age. Did I go through time?

No, we look like six year olds so they’ll accept us also we made fake information about us, your name is Krystal and my name is Gordon. We are twins that were recently being taken care of Aunty Tara Geraint my dad Leon Forte is now our dad. So Krystal and Gordon Forte are now going to school! He jumped up and down cheering.

All I could think of is school... great...

[*(L)aria~]

The Spark

I managed to run after a day, Brodie recovered faster because of he didn’t have as much pain. I asked Nanami what she did to me on the painful night and she replied that she has the ability to heal others using water.

I also found out her, Raphael and her twin sister July were going to school. I explained to her about my fake identity, I look a year older than when the fire came.

I also met Brodie’s dad, his name was Leon, and he had been an animuin since he was 15 years old, possibly explaining Brodie’s animuin birth thing.

Ruddy had also become alot nicer and easier on me, I could tell our friendship was growing. He was still strict and still threw rocks at me, but I have learned to dodge them.


I was growing stronger every day, faster and more able to fight, I had nothing to fear. Ruddy said his training is nearly over and I need to go onto the next level.

I knew it was going to be there sometime but I wish it was him completely training me.

One time I was staring out into the distance off a cliff, the waterfall’s lake still continued more farther than I could believe.

“You know how Garden forms?” I turned my head and noticed Talon beside me.

“Yeah,” I whispered.

“Garden goes underground, with holes and cracks in places however that place is darker than the rest of it. If humans ever fell in here there would think they have gone crazy and they would kill themselves.” I nodded absorbing the information.

“Talon why was those wolves after me?”

“Laria there are questions and answers we can never answer, one is what our future is? Others are why does Ruddy like cookie dough ice cream? All mysteries with answers right in front of our faces if you concentrate,” He turned around about to take off.

“I know why,” Talon stopped looking at me. “My father a.k.a Lucifer is trying to kidnap me, I would never join there side after what one of them did to my mother,” and then something else flashed my memory. “I also know a bit about the murderer of Lesley,” Talon had turned completely around looking straight into my eyes.

“Laria this is important, tell me,” I snorted in reply.

“Why should I tell you, you didn’t tell me about my dad, being a wolf so after how many secrets why should I finally tell you?”

“Laria... you knew this all along, Lesley had been talking about stories about your father and I have been telling stories based on you,” I stared at him in horror.

“Why?” I managed to squeak out.

“Laria, we thought you father was chosen by mother nature but we were wrong after he turned on us, we then sensed great amount of power inside you, we watched you and kept you safe from most of our enemies, until one managed to sneak in and your guardian told Lesley all of this so she was aware of the death,” was the guardian was perhaps that person who was talking to Lesley.

“Fine all I found out is that the murderer’s name is Edward,” I growled out walking away slowly.
I arrived back in my room with Brodie looking at my stuff.

What is it now? I sighed.

I just came over asking if you are packed for your first day at school

Why are you so excited? It’s just school

Well it’s to spend time with my best friend a.k.a my sister.

Ha, ha very funny.

Oh well if you want I could comfort you He closed his eyes and shifted human, it was the first time I had ever seen his human form. He would have been slightly taller than me, his hair was cinnamon brown, the little fringe was all over the place, his eyes were still the same hazel and his slightly tanned body was naked.

He walked to my draw and grabbed my boxers, which were dark blue.

When he put them on, Brodie walked slowly to me and scratched my ear, I had never realised why canines loved this so much. I sat down and he grabbed my paw and held it.

“It’s all ok; I will help you if you need anything, I promise,” I closed my eyes in relaxation.

Even boy problems? I sent to him smirking.

“Maybe, maybe something could happen,” I tilted my head then pushed my head back onto his palm so he could give me some comforting strokes. He smirked slightly, scratching my fur, massaging my head.

Someone interrupted us, and I didn’t even turn my head.

Nanami I thought. Nanami walked in her animal form her dog face puzzled. Brodie looked around cautiously.

“I might wanna go now, pick you up tomorrow,” Brodie shifted into his cheetah form jogging away. Leaving Nanami and I alone, she at first smirking, then gave in falling to the ground laughing. I stood over her glaring.

What? Never seen something like that?

I can’t believe it! She laughed. You are in love with that cheetah! I snorted in reply.

What are you saying? I growled.

He’s going to be your boy friend! She sang, once again I snorted.

No we’re best friends nothing else.

Oh sure nothing else Nanami said sarcastically.

Excuse me, don’t you have school tomorrow?

Shut up

Goodnight I muttered imitating that I was angry, but she and I both knew it was a joke.

Night Nanami chortled before quickly falling asleep on her side of the room.

During the night, I didn’t get to sleep easily. Finally I gave up and I walked out of my room and sat outside, watching the full moon. I closed my eyes and pulled my head and ears back, letting out a calling howl. When I was done I let my muzzle down and listened for any rallies. A few came from different area’s followed by coyote howls.

I waited for any more replies but no more came, I went back on my bed and dosed off easily.

It was morning when I loud screaming noise go in my ear. I yowled in pain.

WHAT IN THE WORLD! I begged. The noise stopped instantly. I was already on my paws as if a random animal decided to tick me.

Come on it’s 8:00 we are meant to be in there in... 15 MINUTES WHERE IS BRODIE! Nanami panicked. Oh perfect I overslept on my first day. I shifted human grabbing my clothes, I was about to put them on when Nanami shook her head.

“What?” I whined, I’m getting ready.

You have to go for a shower, when is the last time you actually had a wash? Come to think of it she had a point.

“If I said yesterday would you believe me?”

Oh lord! Laria shift back we are going to the waterfall! I did what she asked me, holding the clothes in my mouth. I then put the clothes in my school bag.

Perfect I smiled.

Come on! Nanami called after me. I charged past her making wind push me more into the waterfall.

We were quite fast to the waterfall, ok I was fast Nanami is slightly slower than me because I am the younger one in this case. Nanami showed me that there was a path that went behind the waterfall.

I walked inside the waterfall having caves going in different direction. Nanami led me the cave on the right then turned right again going into one out of at least twenty different caves.

Oddly enough the cave was dry despite being under a waterfall. I finally made it to a room where rocks surrounded the area I was in, up on the ceiling, a gap allowed light and water from the fall crash down into a crystal clear pond.

And whoa la Nanami sat and smiled. I’ll leave you some privacy. When she left I shifted and quickly got clean, scrubbing the dirt off me with the water.

I was done very suddenly and I shifted back into a wolf, relying on my scent to find my way out, holding my bag in my mouth. Brodie was sitting patiently also with his bag.

Well let’s go Brodie suggested, we ran out of Garden and Nanami looked at her watch in her bag.

Can we get to school in ten minutes? She thought worriedly, I ignored them and started to sprint out of the forest. They knew what I was thinking and Nanami and Brodie followed. Our sprint was silent we had to slow every so often because Brodie’s stamina. But we manage to arrive there in six minutes. It would have taken an average human twenty minutes maybe because we took alot of shortcuts.

We went into the toilets without being seen and shifted to get changed, I let my hair how it was, I then quickly walked to main building saying where we are. I walked at the counter silently. A lady lowered her glasses at the three of us.

“Excuse me, we have just started school here and we were wondering if you could escort us?” Nanami asked. The lady didn’t say anything and walked to a man, he dragged Nanami away and the lady suddenly came to us.

“I’ll take you to the classes.” We followed her through the courtyard coming to a large building. “You little boy are in here with Ms Hare.”

Great, just perfect we’re in different classes. Brodie sighed.

“Don’t like school now don’t you?” I smirked. I liked it when I had things my way. The lady walked to the other side of the building and knocked on the door. A male teacher opened the door and gave me a friendly smile. I replied in my mind by giving a massive wind blast.
“Hello, you must be Krystal, your aunt has told me so much about you, my name is Mr Roman and I’ll be your teacher, you are going to sit next to Jason,” he led me to a boy, who looked so familiar to Brodie, but he had light blue eyes and dark brown hair. I took my books and stuff out, observing Jason in every way confused of his appearance.

“Is something wrong?” The boy named Jason asked.

“You look alot like someone I know,” I muttered as I put my bag on the bag racks they had for us. I sat back onto the seat that I was given. My pencil rolled off the table, I reached down to touch it, my hand was about to grab it when I felt a cooler object touched me, something sparked on my hand.

I flinched and looked up at Jason, he had also flinched and he rubbed his hand. I reached down again grabbing my pencil. I raised my head incase he would touch me again.

“Ok kids since it is Krystal’s first day for us we are going to introduce ourselves,” Mr Roman announced.

As we were doing that I found out a few of the girls names.

There was Jenna Sommers a blonde slightly tan girl who was taller than me. She said that she had always like snow leopards and her favourite colour was purple.

Then there was a girl named Maya Rosa, her short brown curly had made her stand out in the area where she was sitting next the Jenna. She admitted she had a passion for jaguars.

I realised the name Maya and Jenna had sounded familiar to me. The dream I had with the waterfall! A flash of the dream came back like a home video.

Then it was my turn to talk I sighed softly as I stood up.

“Hello my name is Krystal Forte, I absolutely love wolves and I have a twin named Gordon,”

“How could you like wolves?” said a boy in another seat. “They could kill you,” I growled in reply.

“So can sharks, bears and Alligators but no wolves are just the different ones aren’t they? Wolves do not kill human beings by the way they prefer to run away from them” Jason stood up in his seat.

“Krystal is right, wolves are wonderful creatures, it’s just a shame you pity them,” Jason told that boy. The boy sat down hiding his tomato face.

Jason introduced himself after that class discussion and we listened to the rest of the class.

How are we doing? Said a voice in my head.

Just horrible Nanami! A boy touched my hand and zapped me, now we are listening to non stop teachers talking.

Welcome to school Nanami laughed in her voice.

We were still listening until I heard the scream but it was not as loud as it was last time. I looked in my bag of what I had, Nanami must have packed me vegetarian food, an apple, salad, Tofu and fudge Brownies. I had the tofu and brownies and took a bite out of the apple. It tasted too weird so I secretly threw it away.

I waited patiently for Nanami and Raphael to come while I told Brodie about Jason.

“Hmmm that’s weird, and didn’t recognise you?”

“Nope, I guess kids do not watch the news,” I suggested. Brodie’s smile was weak but it was also as strong as steel.

“And a spark happened between you and this Jason kid? I could ask dad...” he wondered before he looked up noticing Nanami, Raphael and a girl that looked nearly like Nanami, except for the fact she had green instead coffee brown

“Gordy, Krystal this is my twin sister July,” Nanami Introduced. July her twin looked at me in so much suspicion that it wasn’t funny.

We sat down near by the wall and watch other kids watch as cautiously as they past. We were having normal human discussions and animuin discussions in our head.

I feel weird I finally said to Brodie.

Why what’s wrong He asked me worriedly.

My body is feeling a bit warm from the inside I replied back with such illness. Brodie reached out and touched my hand. His skin felt cool on his grasp but he pulled back quickly.

You feel like you left your hand on top of a stove he cringed.

That’s strange you felt like you left your hand inside a freezer I laughed silently. Brodie laughed out loud this time, July gave a confused face.

“You see July, these twins have well mind connections so young Krystal is feeling unwell and she must have told him something to make him laugh,” Raphael muttered.

I watched the three older ones talk and laugh while Brodie was staring deeply at my eyes, as if he was looking for an explanation.

“Hey could I sit next to you?” asked a new voice. That couldn’t be. Oh no it’s the little zapper, the one who zapped me. I looked up to see Jason’s shy face in the sun light attacking his light blue eyes. Nanami stood up bowing to the boy, as a lady she is.

“So you’re the one that La- I mean Krystal is talking about... Come sit down,” Jason sat next to me, something about his eyes that sparkled. Something about him made my mind cool.

July narrowed her eyes at me the whole time suspicious of me probably thinking. ‘Why does she look like our younger cousin?’

Brodie was glancing at Jason as if to recognise him from somewhere also looking at his appearance.

“You forgot this Krystal,” Jason took out a bracelet, the one that Lesley gave to me in front of her whole family. July looked at it as if she recognised it.

The bracelet was a silver chain that was hooked with an Emerald, Sapphire and a Ruby, they all shone different colours and it was real gemstones. I knew it would have costed a fortune for my mother. But apparently it was my father who made it for her as a birthday present.

“Thank you Jason,” I muttered quickly

Jason had the most puzzled look on his face when he shone the ruby across my face.

I reached quickly to snatch it before July would notice, but I flinched when my fingers gently touched his hand. It was warm, something wasn’t right about this, he was a human his hand should have felt colder than Brodie’s but it was warm.

“I’ve got to go,” I shuttered running away to the toilets. My body felt like shifting, not have shifted in a few hours drove me insane.

The wind blew wildly for a moment causing students to scream in surprise. But as the wind died down the students started to squeal in laughter again.

I stared at the mirror long and hard, wondering if I will find out what is happening to me. My senses were tingling to see Jason’s face again. Why did he look so familiar to Brodie? Did they meet in the past? Or did they... No.... Was Jason’s Brodie’s brother? Was Jason the one who had to put up with no parents?

The bell shrieked again, I skipped all of the classes hiding around the school grounds in my wolf form afraid to see Jason’s face again. The bell rung again for home time I waited at the toilets for the rest of us when I saw Jason’s face, glancing at me.

He walked up to me scratching my ear.

“That girl Krystal looked so like the girl in the fire... I wonder where she went...” he looked at me in my eyes. “Can I say you remind me of her?” I whined slightly, licking his hand. His hand was still warm, perhaps I have gone crazy. “You’re right you are a dog, it doesn’t help with that girl Krystal, and I wonder if she would like to come over my house one time?” I barked in reply

“Yeah that would be cool!” I barked again, despite he wouldn’t have understood.

“Yeah I like it like that,” he smiled. I gave a laughing bark, sound more like a seal than a puppy. He kneeled down and scratched my head.

Jason laughed, I had never heard anyone laugh other than Lesley and I laugh like that. He seemed so happy and even to ignore the fact he probably had no parents.

I saw Nanami, Brodie and Raphael running towards the toilets noticing where my wolf form was sitting.

“Bye pup,” Jason stood up and left and I saw the rest of my friends come running to see me.

“Where were you all day?” Nanami asked crouching down; I put my paw on her leg. It felt like Brodie’s hand did. I also went to touch Raphael’s leg, he felt the same as the other two.

“My dad’s waiting,” Brodie announced, He grabbed my and his bag and we all ran to the front gate. We saw a black glossary 4wd in park. That was Leon alright; Nanami, Raphael and I sat in the back while Brodie sat in the front seat.

Leon looked alot more like Brodie, he had cinnamon brown hair, Hazel eyes and light tanned skin. He started up the car and drove at a normal rate.

“So how was school?” Leon’s manly voice asked.

“I don’t like it,” Brodie whined, “Laria isn’t in my class and now she’s not feeling well,” Leon slowed the car down looking at the rear-view mirror towards my wolf face.

“What’s wrong Laria?”

I’ve been feeling warm all day, Brodie’s hand feels so cold, so does Nanami and Raphael, The car suddenly pulled over. Leon looked at me with a concerned face.

“Give me your paw,” I did as he instructed, unlike his son’s his hand felt warm as if I was touching Jason’s hand again. Leon inhaled deeply looking at me in the eyes. “When did you get the Spark?” He knew about this!

This morning when I was reaching for this pencil also was this boy named Jason and we touched hands and ZAP!

“Ok the Spark is not yet fully known but it just recently happened, usually they say this as the one for you,”

“No!” Brodie yelled out. Leon, Nanami, Raphael and I narrowed our eyes at him. His face when pale then hid away.

“Anyways, if the animuin has hand contact with there ‘soul mate’ the spark happens, it rare for animuins to do it so young, then again it has only been discovered. Well whoever has had this spark also will feel warm; your friend Jason must have gain a massive temperature rise, cause humans are naturally colder.” Leon explained. I felt so confused of why this age.

“So if I touch Rapha-Ow!” Nanami yelled out, Leon slightly smiled then laughed.

“Nanami I can’t believe that you just had a spark, feel Laria’s and Raphael’s hands they should feel warm,” Nanami touch my paw and unlike before, it felt alot warmer.

Well I learned something new today I smiled proudly.

Leon smiled but then drove around to an abandon house next to the forest. We went through the back and hid away in the bushes to shift. Since I had already shifted I sat on the bridge waiting patiently for everyone to come out.

Leon first came out; he was an adult cheetah with many more spots than Brodie all over his back.

While I was waiting I was wondering about the spark I had with Brodie’s twin, Brodie told me that Jason looked too much like his mother. I guess her eyes were light blue too. But then I thought about Leon’s spark buddy. Maybe it was his wife before dying given birth to a great friend and to my spark buddy.

But I will not let them know what I think of Jason not until I confirm it.

Laria? Brodie asked eagerly. Did you feed the fishys? Or do the fishys have to feed you?

Ha ha I replied, before crouching then pouncing into the creek. I went to the shallow side of the water, to watch all of the fish movements. I finally spotted a huge fish swimming gracefully through the water, fleeing from the hunter. I leapt in the water landing where the fish was going.

It was a brief struggle but I ended up winning, having the fish failing in my mouth, I climbed out of the creek, eating my fish while Brodie, Leon and Raphael hunted. Nanami ate the Tofu that was in her bag.

Raphie told me that you threw away the apple Nanami noted. Remember he can read minds. I glared at Raphael. Traitor.

It was bruised I lied and Raphie?!

Well if we are soul mates I had given him a nickname

Yeah but I had that spark before you and you don’t see me calling Jason, Jassy or Sonny, I sighed.

Are you ok Laria? You seem sick,

Your right my head feels so warm. Leon raised his head and leaped out of the creek, he quickly shifted human despite he was naked. But we were kids what matters. He felt my head and cringed.

“You have the Spark fever,” he said to me, I groaned very annoyed.

Now a fever? I whined

“It’s strange because usually animuins get this at least two years later,”

What else is going to happen cause of this dumb spark?

“You will pass out any second because your body can’t take the heat,”

Great, it was the most perfect first day ever, zapped, hiding in toilets, fever now passing out, Leon smiled.

“Get some rest we will take you to your bed,” he shifted back to his animal form and grabbed me by my neck.

So do you think the fever happened because of my young age? I wondered.

Probably, Leon thought in reply, that’s a great theory.

Excellent. I thought evilly.

As my friends ran with me getting held by Leon, my body became numb and before I knew it Blackness took over me...

[*(L)aria~]

Fever
Jason Amarel

It was a normal day of school for me; it kinda was like life repeating. My foster mother thinks that I’m old enough to go to school just because she was from Australia.

All I knew was that my mother died giving birth to me and my father abandoned me but took my brother along. Talk about favourites. I walked to the bathroom and stared at the mirror, my blue eyes alit and they sparkled whenever I thought of the girl that was in the recent fire from a week ago. I flicked my dark brown hair back.

“JASON!” My foster mother May called. I silently walked to the kitchen where May was packing lunch for me. “Are you packed for school?”

“Yeah I guess,” I muttered. She put a ham sandwich on a plate and gave it to me.

“Eat you breakfast,” I walked to the table and ate silently. I wish I didn’t have to go to school; I’m a year younger for pete sake!

I finished my breakfast and got my bag and shoes. May and I walked into the red swift and she drove. On the lights May was waiting impatiently and I was staring outside. I saw three animals running past, a kitten, and two different coloured pups. I observed them but one of the animals noticed me and ran into the bush with it’s friends.

The lights changed colour and the car sped away as if it was racing those animals.

“Jason if anyone gives you any trouble tell me,” May mutter looking straight ahead. She parked the car in a spot and we walk up to the main building and I waited while May showed me who I had. We walked silently as I followed May.

“Where am I?” I asked.

“You are in a class with a teacher named Mr Roman,” We stood in front of a much smaller building that was saying at the door.

“Hello Jason, You sit in the second row, in the far right,” I gulped silently and sat myself down, getting my stuff out then putting my bag on the racks. May left without saying bye, I sighed uneasily. Then all of a sudden the wind blew harshly and a girl walked in without a parent.

There was something weird about this girl I knew her from somewhere. I felt my lips turning into a smile. The teacher walked towards me, with the familiar girl. Her medium length, brown hair was wavy looked like it was going to grow more. The teacher and her chatted for a few moments before she plopped her bag next to mine.

As she pulled her books out she was frowning at me.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“You look alot like someone I know,” she muttered as she left her bag on the bag racks. The girl’s pencil rolled off the table, I reached down to touch it, and my hand was about to grab it when I felt a warmer item touching me, something sparked on my hand.

I cringed as I pulled away from the girl. There was times when people zap other people but this felt different. All of a sudden I felt massively warmer.


“Ok kids since it is Krystal’s first day for us we are going to introduce ourselves,” Mr Roman announced.

I remembered two of the boys’ names. One who had glossy black hair and brown eyes with dark cream skin was Seth Laurence. He admitted that he absolutely loves the brutal big cat, jaguar. I admit, I never hung out with anyone yet alone talked to anyone.

Another boy who had had light brown hair, warm copper skin and olive eyes, his name was Keith Launten. His favourite animal was the Snow leopard.

Then it was the girl’s turn to speak, I could hear her sigh softly as she stood up.

“Hello My name is Krystal Forte, I absolutely love wolves and I have a twin named Gordon,” She said I liked her name but it seems that something wrong with her.

“How could you like wolves?” Keith argued. “They could kill you,”

“So can sharks, bears and Alligators but no wolves are just the different ones aren’t they? Wolves do not kill human beings by the way they prefer to run away from them” I finally had to put an end to this.

“Krystal is right, wolves are wonderful creatures, it’s just a shame you pity them,” I told Keith he sat back down and hid his tomato coloured face.

“My name is Jason Amarel, not much to know about me, I like wolves and that’s just about it,” I sat down, no one must know of my past, unless I unexpectedly encountered my brother.

My thoughts were interrupted by the bell shrieking like a parrot. Krystal ran out dropping an object, I observed it; a bracelet was a silver chain that was hooked with an Emerald, Sapphire and a Ruby, they all shone different colours and it was real gemstones. I picked it up and shoved it in my pocket.

I walked out of the room with my lunch box, when a hand suddenly touched my shoulder I turned around and saw Keith frowning at my odd reaction.

“Hi... My name is Keith and sorry about before,” the boy muttered.

“It’s ok Keith; umm my name’s is Jason,”

“Call me Taro,” the boy muttered again.

“Why Taro?” I thought that was a type of vegetable.

“My Dad always called me Taro, and anyone who I become friends with always calls me Taro,”

“Weird,” At least I’m not the only one without at least one parent. May’s husband Edward is a mad scientist, he wants to discover something new. But he used to track people’s DNA.

We were walking until the boy named Seth jumped in front of us. We jumped in fright and Seth laughed falling into tears. He then lost balance and fell to the ground, still laughing.

“You... You... Should have... Seen... Your faces” he laughed, his face even turned red. Seth quickly recovered and stood up. “Name’s Seth, I wanted to ask if you wanna hang out?”

“Uh sure,” I answered “I’m Jason and this is Keith,”

“But you can call me Taro,” Taro sighed.

We sat in a spot where I kept observing Krystal and her group of friends.

“Hey you know Krystal right from our class, she is different, I’ve seen her before,” Seth was saying. I realised that she was different, every time I glanced at her eyes... It wasn’t human... I saw flickering flames in her brown eyes.

“Jason?” Taro wondered. I looked up noticing that he was talking to me.

“Hey guys... how about I get closer to her so I can get some information about her.” I could get to know her very well somehow.

“Good idea,” Taro agreed

“Isn’t that called stalking?” Seth shivered.

“Take that as a yes,” I said and walked over to Krystal’s group. There were kids from year two that sat here a boy that looks so similar to me. Instead of light blue eyes it was hazel eyes and instead of my dark brown hair it was a lighter cinnamon colour. “Hey could I sit next to you?” I asked. A taller girl with brown eyes stood up bowing to me.

“So you’re the one that La- I mean Krystal is talking about... Come sit down,” I sat next to Krystal while I was frowning at the boy next to her. He must be Gordon because the other boy looked older than her.

Gordon kept staring at me, it kinda crept me out, but we looked so alike.

“You forgot this Krystal,” I took out the bracelet, hoping she would be thankful and give me some trust.

“I’ve got to go,” she said in a panicky voice then sprinted away, I looked at her with sad eyes. The bell screamed and it was time for class.

I made it back to the classroom in time but there was no one sitting next to my spot. I even waited all of class but she did not arrive.

Even at the lunch break she wasn’t there and her friends chortled and ate their food. I sat with the boys announcing that I met her brother Gordon; they didn’t look exactly the same. This reminded me... When I woke up this morning, May said that she won’t be home until dark and Edward is always in the basement.

School finished very quickly as it passed the next and last lesson. I had to walk home and I just need to stop somewhere. But before I left the grounds I walked towards a familiar dog. It was the same puppy running with its friends this morning. I started to scratch her ear and the dog seemed to like it.

“That girl Krystal looked so like the girl in the fire... I wonder where she went...” I looked at her golden eyes, they remind me of that girl so much “Can I say you remind me of her?” The dog whined in reply licking my hand. The dog’s tongue was warm like Krystal’s hand. “You’re right you are a dog, it doesn’t help with that girl Krystal, and I wonder if she would like to come over my house one time?”

The dog barked in reply. “Yeah I like it like that,” I smiled. The dog gave a strange bark, sounded very awkward like she was laughing. I kneeled down and scratched her head.

I laughed so sweetly, I realised that I haven’t laughed like this ever. It was gentle and the dog made me feel happy just like Krystal did.

I saw Krystal’s friends running towards the toilets noticing where the dog was sitting, waiting for them.

“Bye pup,” I muttered then walked away. Something was very confusing with school today but I felt so warm, the forecast apparently was meant to be cold.

I felt my heart beating faster, I then discovered it was the only thing I could feel. A small red HSV drove to a park. I knew who it was, it was Edward my foster father, his long brown hair was shaggy with his red eyes.

“Get in,” he ordered. I quickly dove in the car, and it sped away. I watched him as he continuously drove glaring out on the opened road.

“How is Laria at that school?!” he growled. I frowned, what did he know about my school life?

“What are you on about?” I asked. My body started to feel warmer from head to toes.

“That little girl who you were with.” Edward growled.

“No her name is Krystal,”

“Well Jason let me tell you that she is Laria, she must be a criminal, I knew she burnt her own house down and retreated to live with her murderous father, typical.”

“Eddy how do you know that?”

“Just unexpectedly a girl that looks like an exact clone of her that comes to school, with a different name.”

“Ok... well why does she have a twin brother?” He froze this time, stumbled by that question.

“Good question...Well he could be a hostage.”

“Look Eddy, we are kids just leave them be.” He sighed glaring outside. Then he widened his eyes.

“Give me your hand,” he growled firmly. I did what he asked and he grabbed it, his hand felt cold. Eddy closed his eyes and growled. He quickly pulled over.

“What’s wrong?”

“Get away from here, before I kill you,” he growled darkly, “and never come back!” he yelled, I ran out of the car as it sped off.

“What was with him?” I muttered. I had never seen him that mad, growling at me with fierce eyes.

As I was walking something drew me to a forest I was walking past, then I heard a splash. I walked towards it and went to an area with a good sight of the clearing. I saw the puppy I kept bumping into getting observed at by a naked man. He looked familiar as if I had encountered him in my past, but there are many people I could have encountered in the past.

Suddenly he transformed into a cheetah. I rubbed my eyes to check if it was true, but when I put my hands on my face, I saw blackness and felt a thud on the back of my head.

I discovered I was standing in the same spot but the condition was different. The clouds were black from the storming sky and smoke floated above the trees. I started to walk closer to the smoke to ask where it was coming from. But then I heard a cry, I went to investigate.

The girl from the fire was in a ball, crying softly. She then morphed into more of a puppy dog, I staggered back in confusion.

The world took me to underwater view; a puppy was chasing a fish.

The world then grew blurry again, taking me to another place. I felt a breeze in the sky and beside me was an eagle. As he flapped something small and gray was on his back, hitching a ride along.

The world faded away then appearing again as the puppy and a kitten I’ve seen before growl at a pack of dogs snarling ferociously at the two tiny animals.

All of a sudden there was a burning fire that was pulling down a house with a black creature that glared at me. He snarled and raced towards me but then turned black.

I felt a warm hand touch my head and I also heard other voices.

“He’s my brother! But we’ve got to leave him?” said a childlike voice.

“I’m sorry Brodie but if this is Laria’s true love then we will have to keep him safe.” Replied a manly voice he sounded familiar in a way. Laria? I thought unbelievably. It can’t be!

“But dad...”

“No buts. He must never know of our secret. Not until he has turned into one of us.” Wait, what does that mean?

“Wait Laria is waking up!” the child said excitedly and I heard his footsteps leave.

“I love you son...” The man sighed sadly. Come on me wake up! I urged.

Instinctively, I sat up but then I discovered I was in the forest, where I had collapsed.

“Dad?” I whispered. My body has cooled down slightly but I looked at myself.

I had different clothes on then the afternoon I had passed out with. Confusion swept my face until I heard a snap in the bushes.

Krystal appeared with her brother and her older friend.

“Oh... Hello Jason.” Krystal greeted. She was wearing a white tee shirt, with a blue skirt, knee length socks and black dancing shoes.

“Hi...” I frowned at her.

“You want to come to school with us?” the older friend asked. “I don’t think we’ve introduced I’m Nanami.”

“Well, I’m Jason as Krystal said,” I replied. “So are you friends or something?”

“Oh we’re cousins.” Nanami explained. I looked at Krystal’s motionless face.

The walk to school was quick as Krystal and her friends walk quickly to school. When we arrived I went off on my own as Krystal was with her friends. I bumped in Seth, who was so glad to see me.

“Man where were you for two weeks?” He asked. I tilted my head at him.

“What do you mean?” I asked in confusion.

“You have been away for two weeks how come?”

“It only felt like a day...” I muttered softly to myself. I looked up at Seth who was still waiting for an explanation. “I had this massive fever,” I told him.

“Man it looks like you still have it...” he felt my head quickly before cringing away

“HEY JASON!” A new voice entered our conversation.

“Hey Taro,” I mumbled quietly.

“Why were you away?” Taro asked.

“He had a massive fever.” Seth answered for me.

Luckily for me the class bell rang in my head. It was apparently two weeks ago. I closed my eyes as I walked slowly to class. My heart beat started to slow, hearing my heart pump every time something new would startle me like the students bumping into me.

I fell onto the ground from bumping into a huge boy. He noticed me and glared at me. The kid seemed to be incredibly fat and blonde.

“What are you doing scum?” The bigger kid asked. Krystal glanced at me from behind a crowd of boys and girls watching us in a circle. His pig nostrils flared up.

“I’m sorry.” I said firmly without showing any emotions on my face.

“Sorry? Give me your lunch money of I’ll punch ya face then shove ya in a toilet.” The bully threatened.

“I don’t have any money,” I muttered.

“Well I’m going to punch your face and shove ya in the toilet now aren’t I?” I closed my eyes waiting to be punched.

“I wouldn’t try anything stupid,” growled a female voice, it sounded familiar in a way. I opened my eyes and noticed Krystal was in front of me holding onto the bully’s fist while my face was about to be mushed.

“How the?” The boy asked quivered, the strange girl said nothing but pushed him. He somehow flipped and fell face flat on the ground.

“What’s your name?” Krystal asked, standing on his shoulder. Her skirt was floating above the bully’s face.

“Mike...” the bully admitted. Krystal stepped harder onto his shoulder.

“Well Mike let me tell you this is the last time you pick on my friend or anyone else if you do... This shoulder will need a replacement.” She walked off his shoulder and grabbed her bag. I followed her, her hair which was blowing everywhere because of the wind, looked soft to touch.

“Laria-” The girl turned around and grabbed my neck. I noticed her eyes glowed brighter.

“What did you say?” the girl glared at me.

“My mistake, just my... Dad said that something about a girl named Laria nothing else... It was an honest mistake.” She released me. I thought she chuckled for some reason.

“It will be your last mistake, ever do that again I’ll kick your butt.”

“How did you stand up to the guy, he is giant and you are tiny...” She glared at me. I frowned at her, I seemed to be ticking her off. I closed my eyes and winced as if I was getting ready to get punched. I opened my eyes seeing how long it would take for a broken nose.

But instead she had her eyes closed muttering small words to herself. She stopped whispering and stormed away.

“Wait! Krystal!” I yelled she seemed to ignore me even during the class.

When the teacher was calling on the roll, the teacher called my name and asked for a note. I shook my head apologizing quietly.

The teacher also called for Krystal’s note but she walked towards the teacher with a piece of paper in her hand. She placed it on his desk and walked back to her seat.

“You had a fever... How are you feeling?” I froze, she was away for 2 weeks like me, she had a fever... something didn’t add up.

“I’m feeling much better, Sir. It only felt like a day to me,” she admitted.

“Interesting, ok children we are learning how to count and write one to ten, is anyone able to do it?” I raised my hand at first but the teacher was glancing at Krystal.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten...” Krystal answered correctly. The teacher was far by shocked to see the answer without even thinking. I had the same expression on my pale face.

Get over it, said a female voice in my head. I raised my head looking around in confusion; I was probably just imagining it.

“.... Ok that was good...” Mr Roman muttered.

“Tara taught me alot of things, including how to count,” Is that Krystal’s mum? Or is that just her old teacher?

“Well Tara is a smart girl,” his cheeks turned slight red but went to face the board. He wrote a straight line down that I was unfamiliar with.

“This is a one, first number when it comes to counting, well there is zero but that’s not including because it values nothing,” he took out a pencil from a pile but hid it. “If you add one pencil when there are no pencils how many pencils are there?”

“Is there one?” Taro wondered.

“That’s right,” the teacher smiled cheerfully.

Class ended quickly as the children screamed there way out. I was one of the first students out, Krystal was last.

“Hey man,” Seth cheered.

“Uhh... hey, hey listen do you mind if I stay over your house?”

“On a school night?”

“Yeah but here’s the thing, my parents... well kinda kicked me out.”

“Oh man, I’m so sorry. Yeah sure you can come over I’ll tell my mum that...” he trailed off and ate his lunch muttering to himself. Taro on the other hand was watching the sky while I couldn’t stop staring at Krystal. Her glance rose into my eyes I suddenly felt very afraid.

I looked away as soon as I felt the fear creep over me.

I was thinking to myself when the bell rung for our next class. We didn’t say anything until I walked in front of Gordon

“I’m sorry.” I stated. He shook his head in disappointment.

“I can’t believe you.” He growled, I tilted my head at him.

“What?”

“You are adopted and you act as if everything’s ok.”

“How did you know?”

“Because I know ok? Just let me tell you something bro, you hurt my little sister I will find out where you live I’ll sneak there then I will rip your throat out then punch you so hard that you would be in a coma for the rest of you life understand?” I stood still confused about his action. Gordon stormed away to his class. What is with Forte’s? They were always so serious.

I shrugged my theory off and walked to my own class. For the whole time I stared at Krystal, she seemed to ignore me or not have noticed.
School ended faster and I was waiting with Seth. A bird screamed in the air, he glanced at the bird and nodded.

“We’re walking,” Seth sighed. I followed behind shyly unsure if it was ok.

“Perfect...” I muttered. As we travelled back Seth took me to a forest as a shortcut, this was the same forest that I woke up in this morning. I leaped over the creek and we were about to leave.

“HEY BRAT!” I recognised that voice anywhere. Mike was standing on the edge of the forest, growling viciously at me.

“Get lost fatty we don’t want you here.” Seth protested.

“What are you going to do tell your mummy brat?” Anger boiled all over me as he mentioned my mother and I ran towards him, until a cheetah pounced on Mike. The cheetah was huge about the size of an adult human being and definitely able to rip us to shreds.

The cheetah snarled at Mike and grabbed his throat and snapped it. The cheetah turned his head towards us, showing no facial expression. He walked towards me and he put his head on my hand. I petted the cheetah that was so vicious just recently. His dark brown eyes were so familiar but his spots didn’t help. I tried to run, knowing that this is a wild animal and it will rip my bones out but my instincts told me to that he was someone I knew.

“I know you from somewhere,” I muttered. The cheetah flinched all of a sudden and ran away.

“Jason!” Seth called. I had realised I was daydreaming until I saw the body on the ground. Mike’s lifeless body just laid there not moving an inch.

“Let’s go!” I panicked. We ran straight to Seth’s old peeling house. He walked in first allowing me afterwards. The floor creaked under my feet but not under his. We turned left and left again until he opened his bedroom door.

There was a mattress with a bed in the room other than that clothes were everywhere, leaving the carpet floor covered in different colours.

I sat down as I told my story about my past to Seth.

[*(L)aria~]

Eight years later

[*(L)aria~]

Ambushed
Laria Alfero

I sighed as I stared at the creek, the whipping water that was collecting every rain drop that will pass. Today was July 23rd. It wasn’t normal that this was happening, I felt upset- exactly eight years ago Lesley died and the murderer has still not been found.

Leon keeps saying that he will find him but I don’t believe him. So every year I come here and let the rain fall down all over me. I made it rain harder, letting the icy cold drips mix with my warm tears.

I cannot remember why most animuins felt colder than the rest but I am never able to ask these days.

“Hey kid?” asked a familiar voice. My head looked at Ruddy, I smiled slightly.

“Hey Ruddy,” I whispered. He walked over and snuggled up to me, I hugged him the tears went down into his fur.

“Come on I’ve got something to show you.” He cheered and got out of my grip. I walked in the bushes and took my wet clothes off.

I dropped them on the ground and shifted, my wolf form has grown massively my fur was a dark gray all over my body in fact the only place where white was, was my paws, chest and my stomach.

If humans observed me they would think that I was an adult. Talon told me that animuins grow more than animals; it puzzles me when you think about it.

Ruddy and I went through Garden, we travelled so far but when we had made it to the place that Ruddy was taking me there was burrow.

“What is it?” I asked, Ruddy looked at me with a certainty.

“Inside there is an animuin that has the ability to communicate with the dead... he is the only one with that ability.”

“So I can talk to Lesley!?”

“Yes... but do it only once a year, I would get in trouble if Talon finds out that I’m showing you him.”

“Who is he?”

“That is something he never says, so go now before Talon catches you.” I walked down the burrow, it was impossible to see but instinct told me to keep going forward.

Laria... Is that you’re name? The stranger asked.

How did you know? I wondered curiously.

I know Lesley. The shadow said placing his paw on my own. It was cool but to him it was probably warm. Your mother... she still is alive but not in body, she is in spirit form. Close your eyes and talk to her...

I did what he said closing my eyes.

“Mama?” I called. Then I discovered I was in my human form wearing a long silky dress, it was the same colour as my wolf fur. Lesley came as a human she had a dress also but pure white. We stood on a familiar grassy plain

“Hey Laria how are you?”

“I’ m much better now that I have seen you again.”

“We don’t have much time, Laria I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you. Seeing you in pain kills me. I just want you to know that the Keallur you are after is going for you soon, get your friends and hunt him down...” Lesley faded with the wind. Then suddenly I noticed why I know this place.

I sat right up from where I had passed out. I leaped into the air and tackled him.

I HATE YOU BRODIE! I growled. He looked shocked and confused, but it was hard to see.

I have no idea what you are on about Laria, The voice remained calm as if I didn’t touch him.

YOU PUT ME IN A STUPID COMA! My mind screamed, I stormed out of the burrow and snarled at Ruddy.

“You are such a liar Ruddy, all I ask for is kindness and this is how you treat me?” I sped away from Brodie and Ruddy. All they could have done was leave me alone but no... They have to be so complicated. Sheesh boys these days.

I ran to Talon’s den when I stood froze still; Brodie and his dad were talking to Talon. Confusion swept my face, Brodie was like an exact copy of his dad except the fact that his spots were in different place.

“What’s wrong Laria?” Talon asked.

“Nothing.” I said humbly. I crept away slowing, puzzled by my actions.

Today has been too much of a rush, I ran back to the forest but not to see the creek to see someone else.

I ran up a street, and ignored the gazing eyes that I passed until I saw an old, two story house. I walked on the front porch and knocked on the door impatiently. I heard an annoyed groan but Seth answered.

“Laria..” he whispered “You know you shouldn’t come here, he can discover you.” Seth was an animuin so he knew about me.

“I know,” I answered back. “But I want to see Jason.”

“JASON!” Seth yelled, he walked away quietly, Jason looked glad to see me. Jason’s blue eyes never changed his dark brown hair grew down to his ears. To my opinion he did look cute.

“Hey Krystal enjoying the holidays?”

“Yeah I guess I am...” I sighed. He opened the door and let himself out. I was still using my undercover name.

“I’ve discovered something new... the animuins they can apparently have mind communications.”

“Jason... Come on animuins don’t exist if they did, they would probably been noticed by now,”

“I know about the town’s history around the 1900’s there was these huge animals always chasing the rectocs.”

“Jason, are you saying that our lives are threatened because of some giant animals on steroids?”

“No, Krystal when Laria’s house got burned down I had a dream that a huge animal was staring at the house.”

“Are you listening to yourself? A dream was just a dream.”

“Krystal if where going to be together you might as well pretend that it’s true.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I wanted to take you out for a movie... your friends can come too.”

“I’m sure Jenna and Maya would like to come. They would come if Vegetable and Seth come along.”

“That’s why I invited you to come.”

“Ummm sure... So what has this got to being a couple?”

“Nothing, nothing. Come on I’ll take you to the book store.”

When we arrived at the book store an animuin was at the counter.

“Laria?” The old man asked. I shook my head quickly before Jason was turning to face me.

“No, I’m Krystal.” I answered pulling my hair back.

“Oh ok what can I get you?” The man asked.

“Leon?” I wondered Leon smiled; his gray hair looked like silk.

“Here.” Jason gave me an old book called History of Dixon. I opened it slowly afraid that I’ll rip the pages. “Go to page seven.” I flicked to the page showing a sketching of a familiar wolf attacking strange beings.

“This is just a drawing Jason,” I told him.

“Not just any drawing, you see this wolf his name is Lucifer.” Leon and I both flinched when the mention of my father’s name appeared. “Does that name mean anything to you?” I quickly shook my head.

“No it’s just that’s the name of the devil.”

“That’s what this story says, that his parents had foreseen his evilness so they called him Lucifer and trapped him in a cage. When he escaped he burned down his house in rage but killed his mother. She was a human but she did not believe that he would cause misery. He cried then fled, year’s later animuins were well known around this very town, understanding that the animuins were protecting them from the rectocs.” He pointed to the unfamiliar figures charging at my dad.

“This town is well known for myths it doesn’t mean anything.”

Leave him Leon told me.

But Leon…

He will soon be an animuin can’t you sense it?

Because one of his parents is an animuin he will turn animuin…

Yep… But you need to make sure he goes through the correct procedures explain to him what you are first.

Why I thought if there were genetically animuin you make sure there hearts are beating.

It is natural if the animuin have twins one will be human another will be animuin. Jason is my son, he will not get scared but he might faint if he saw you shift.

Ok…So how long?

In a week but you can tell him sooner

Yes Leon

To make Jason silent I bought the pathetic book for him. He stayed quiet until we walked into the clearing. I heard a growl which made me growl too.

“Well, well, well the little puppy has grown up,” chuckled a dark shadow. I stood in front of Jason, glaring deeply at the shadow and at the bushes where the noise was coming from. Two wolves crept out of the bushes, both very familiar. The bigger wolf was pure white and had a few scars, the other wolf was light brown, and she had more scars than the other wolf.

The shadow stepped forward, only to be a slightly familiar man.

“EDDY?” Jason yelled. Eddy saw Jason and snarled viciously.

“I thought I told you to never come back, Jason. So you did hang out with Laria after all.” Eddy growled. I had growled also.

“Wait Laria? Laria?” Jason asked flabbergasted.

“Shut up Jason get over it my name is Laria I hid so no one discovered who I was. Brad, Charmí great to see you again but this time I’m going to kick your ass.”

The wolves howled in laughter. Eddy finally held up his hand.

“I’m afraid you don’t need an introduction but since you are so puzzled I’ll tell you. My name is Edward does the name Lesley ring a bell?”

My tears welled up, my body shook violently and I growled darkly.

“Laria if you don’t come with us I’m afraid your friend will die,” Edward warned. I couldn’t control myself I leaped into midair shifting into my wolf form.

My clothes have ripped to shreds and Jason was staring with shock. I growled viciously to protect Jason. He seemed to flinch when I growled at Edward.

Instantly I fell down in pain, the familiar pain that disappeared a long time ago.

I fell to the ground, unable to move properly. Edward walked towards me smirking darkly.

“You are coming with me pup.” Edward wrapped his cold arms around my body, lifting me with ease.

No... I won’t let you! I growled. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Charmí, Brad kill the human.” No… My opened my eyes and glared at the ground between Jason and the wolves. Before they closed in on him the ground cracked open, Charmí Jumped back while Brad fell in the ground, he yelped as he fell deeper and deeper. Charmí whined quietly then glared at me.

Hey Edward give me the pup I’m going to teach her a lesson both of my brothers have died all because of her.

“Well it’s your fault, don’t play silly games.” Edward snapped. I finally growled and bit onto Edward’s arm. He yelped as I leaped off him. I closed the fissure and I stood in front of Jason.

“I’ll fight you without a problem.” Edward chuckled shifting into a chocolate brown wolf with dark red eyes. Jason panicked as I charged at Edward and went straight for his neck. I grabbed it but his fur was too thick. He bit onto my shoulder and pinned me down.

I kicked his mouth with my hind leg. He jumped back which gave me time to quickly get up and attack him again.

He bit my other shoulder, I yelped loudly glancing at Jason with one of my eyes; he stumbled back on the ground. Charmí went for him instead.

I pushed Edward away from me, and charged at Charmí. I crushed her shoulder with my jaws.

GET OFF ME YOU BRAT! She flung me off; I released her then growled darkly.

“Laria!” Jason yelled. I noticed Edward was after me this time. I turned around and went for his throat. Edward jumped back, causing my reflexes to growl.


I turned around again and went for Charmí; Jason was on a tree, clinging for his life. She leaped on the thick trunk that Jason was on.

“I thought wolves couldn’t climb trees!” he yelled out panicking as he climbed on a branch higher. I leaped towards Charmí, she noticed me but it was too late when I went for her side and we both fell out of the tree.

JASON! I howled when I landed on top of Charmí. The branch that Jason was started to crack. When it snapped I ran directly towards him.

I had just made it when he landed on my back awkwardly. We both crashed onto the ground. I stood weakly; I had never fought two wolves at once. I actually never had been in a fight.

Edward and Charmí were too fast; he reached me in a blur while Charmí went for Jason.

Edward managed to pin me again, his teeth were so close to my throat.

You will come or he dies… Edward growled. Charmí glowered at me, and I snarled back.

Why don’t you just kill me? I protested angrily.

Because I can’t, Edward chuckled. Suddenly a shape attacked Edward. He rolled over as I recognised who it was.

Brodie! I cheered softly.

Is my brother alright? He asked. Jason’s face was a frightened teenager. I snarled at Edward and Charmí again. They both glared at me when they quickly fled.

Then all of a sudden I heard a thump on the ground. I guess Jason couldn’t take all of the fight. Both of my shoulders had bite marks, Brodie walked towards me to examine the scars.

You did pretty well protecting my brother... thanks. Brodie nudged me gently. I smiled back kindly.

No biggie, I guess Jason has fainted. I walked towards Jason and I rested my head on his hand, until I heard footsteps along the way. Brodie and I looked up and retreated to a bush. Seth came out, then noticed Jason.

“JASON!” he yelled, running towards him. Brodie and I shifted slipping our clothes on. Brodie did not care that I dressed in front of him yet he seemed a little dazed whenever I do it. I don’t mind him getting dressed either. After all he was like my brother to me. But Brodie had his father’s hair, he had it short but it wasn’t too short and his eyes were still the same hazel. Brodie and I exited the bushes when Seth glared at the both of us.

“What did you do?!” Seth hissed darkly.

“Leon told me to tell him and I did,” I muttered towards him.

“Wait dad told you to shift when he told me he couldn’t find out?” Brodie muttered.

“Laria!” Seth complained

“WHAT YOU GUYS KEEP THROWING THINGS AT ME AND....” I got distracted very quickly.

“And...” Seth urged but turned his head to where my eyes were glancing at. Jason was staring at us as if we just got hit by buses.

“What the hell are you?” He asked us.

“Use your power... I don’t want him to find out yet.” I ordered to Seth.

“Oh yeah because you trained me and your the boss of me.” Seth whined.

“Hate to break it to you but I’m the leader of this newly formed pack so you must listen to me.” I ended and folded my arms. Seth muttering angrily walked to Jason whose eyes were scared of us.

“You will forget this ever happened. You were with your friend Krystal when people tried to mug you two, then Gordon and I came to the scene and you were knocked out.” Seth told him with power in his voice.

“Oh yeah... thanks for reminding me,” Jason muttered in confusion. “So Seth let’s go home.” Brodie grabbed my hand and squeezed it slightly.

I want to see my brother. Brodie told me, ever since a fever struck after the first day he seemed to know that Jason was his younger twin brother.

I know... I wanna go in his dreams tonight will it be ok?

But Laria... Dad says I can’t use my powers 24/7

I know but I don’t know why I’m about to do this...

Do what?

This... I leaned forward and kissed him passionately on the lips. I couldn’t believe it, my first kiss and it was wasted on my best friend. I was about to lean back when Brodie’s arms wrapped around me tightly, preventing me escaping. But I didn’t care; hopefully it would calm him down about everything that has occurred to him.

He leaned back slightly and saw me smiling.

“Will that get things off your mind, so can I go into Jason’s dreams tonight?”

“What is so interesting about Jason anyways?”

“Nothing really, I wonder about how he told me that he had a dream about my father. So I got curious.”

“Ok let’s do it tonight. In your room,” Brodie decided. I frowned at first; I blame it on my friends from school Jenna and Maya. They taught me to be sick minded but then I realised what he meant and I smiled.

“Thanks.” I said sweetly, kissing him on the cheek and running out of the forest.

I was walking in a street when I saw a man, his hair was short, dark brown but extremely messy, he kinda reminds me of someone. His eyes were
earth coloured, which was scary his eyes were the same shape and colour of mine.

“Hey, I recognise you from somewhere...” he muttered to me. I remained silent, slightly grimacing at the strange man.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know you from anywhere and I shouldn’t talk to strangers,” I replied sharply.

“THAT’S WHERE! You were the girl from the fire!” The man answered, pointing at me.

“I’m sorry... I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It was eight years ago, a girl the age of five was in a fire, it’s a shame to believe that you happen to look exactly like her but with a different name... Laria,” the man chuckled.

“No my name is Krystal... Krystal Forte.” I answered boldly.

“Who was your mother’s name?” the man growled. I was going through a list of names that wasn’t Lesley.

“Deborah, she died giving birth to my brother and I and my father is raising us.” Deborah was Brodie’s mother name; I hope that he doesn’t take any offence to it.

“Yes your brother whose real name is Brodie... and which I saw you kissing him just recently, I thought siblings didn’t do that, then again I never had siblings. Well it seems to me that your scent is the same as Laria, Laria.”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” I threatened, I sprinted away, going straight back to the forest. I was about to reach the clearing when the stranger appeared in front of me.

“You can’t run, I’m 110 years old, you can’t outrun a Keallur.”

“What do you want?” I growled taking steps back slowly.

“I think you know exactly what I want...” the Keallur stalked closer. I glared at the ground, forcing it to crack into a massive fissure.

“If you want me you will have to pass my abilities!” I threatened again, causing the wind to blow harder, hard enough to make people fly. The man leaned forward, as if nothing was affecting him.

“You have mastered your ability pretty impressive but you are not close enough to defeat me, as the leader of the keallurs. You are coming with me!”

“NO! I LOST MY MOTHER BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPID WAR!” I screamed.

“We can bring her back... Laria come with us... we can help you, we can save the ones you care about, just join us.”

Everything stopped, the wind, the anger in my voice, my bravery as soon as I heard that the keallurs could revive Lesley. Something drew me closer to him. I looked into his familiar eyes they were telling the truth. I walked forward, at the same time, closing the fissure that separated me from the man. The man held out his hand.

“You can bring back Lesley?” I muttered to myself. He smiled and nodded, not caring about the distractions. “Bring my mother back, and then I’ll go with you.” The man looked long and hard.

“No, the keallur that revives people cannot move very well you must come with me, it is not far away.” The man did his familiar smile, I couldn’t help but reaching for his hand, I was ready to smile again, to introduce Lesley to my friends.

Laria don’t! Warned Kio’s voice, I froze, it seemed so real.

This is for Lesley I told the voice.

Laria do you think Lesley would want you to feed on animuins just for her own life?

I don’t care I want to see my mother again!

This is wrong Laria... One day you will see that.

The voice left my head. I grabbed the man’s hand, suddenly he disappeared. I snapped back realising that I was being compelled by the man.

[*(L)aria~]

Guarding

My body was still in frozen shock when I discovered, that the keallur was compelling me. But then I focused on the man. He shifted into a dark brown wolf; the one who got him was Leon who was snarling viciously at the keallur.

“Lucifer...” I whispered, suddenly my anger exploded forcing myself to shift into my wolf form.

Well I guess you don’t need an introduction for me then Lucifer chuckled darkly, before sprinting towards Leon.

LEON! I howled. The fight was nearly a blur but my instincts manage to capture the moments like a home video. I started to run, then I noticed Lucifer, crushing the life out of Leon had turned to face me.

I wouldn’t child I ignored him and he probably was right. He got me so fast and I ended up flying into a few trees.

I felt blood ooze from my head after I hit it badly.

Laria... Laria... Get everyone else; we can finally end the misery. Leon told me.

I can’t move Leon....I replied, whimpering, just let Lucifer take me, so I won’t hurt you guys ever again.

What do you think keallurs do for a living, they kill, nothing else.

I’ll betray them... I promise

The world isn’t like that kid... listen Laria you are a truly gifted child...... Laria if Deborah had met you, we would have adopted you and Jason would have been your brother.... So to sum up I love you even if you’re not my daughter, you were the best daughter to me...

Leon... I’ll tell you that you are the father I never had... I saw Lucifer walking slowly towards Leon; with Leon’s blood was all over Lucifer’s mouth. He grabbed Leon by the throat then raised him higher.

Such a shame... I love heart touching endings Lucifer growled.

Laria... Before I die... train Jason... make sure he turns as soon as possible... tell my sons I love the- He was cut off by Lucifer’s loud crushing jaws as he snapped Leon’s neck.

Leon? My eyes water... it was my fault, my fault that he died that instant. My anger boiled so badly that I erupted, snarling viciously at Lucifer.

I stood up, limping but then I blacked out...

LARIA! I heard Nanami scream in shock. I barely opened my eyes, I couldn’t move.

LARIA! I heard Brodie call. I felt real bad; of all people it had to be me that admitted his father’s death. I felt a bucket of water dump on my head, then a sharp pain. What happened to my father?

It was proven that a keallur killed him. A voice I recognised as Seth’s who was full of sorrow.

Do you know who did it?! Brodie had growled with so much anger it wasn’t funny.

The scent reads Laria’s dad Seth had told Brodie.

No... Dad... Why?

Come on, we should leave Laria.

No... I’m staying even if it’s for eternity

But Brodie...

Don’t care, she is the only one that knows.

Ok bye...

I opened my eyes, his head wasn’t even facing me. All I could sense about him was anger and sadness.

Brodie? I thought to him, my voice was full of sorrow. Brodie turned his head towards me, and his hazel eyes were watering.

Laria... Why? Why me? My parents died giving their lives for me and Jason.

I’m sure Leon would want you to keep fighting.

I don’t think I have any chance, no one else can help me.

I can help you... Leon told me that he loved you and he loved me like a daughter that he never had.

Would it be ok if we don’t go to Jason’s dream tonight?

It’s ok, I have to watch Jason, make sure he is safe.

I’m helping you, I don’t want to lose my brother.

We can take turns. I promised.

Yeah... I want to thank you

For what? It was my fault.

Laria, you did so much for me, I can’t pay you back but I’ll help you as much as possible.

Brodie, your dad died on the exact same day as my mother.

I know... we both have something to mourn for.

So what are we going to do about Jason?

Just for tonight, get some rest. Brodie left me alone, I sighed quietly and waited until he was gone. I stood and walked slowly out of Garden.

As I entered the forest, something came up my throat. I started to cough, but something got caught in my throat. I finally managed to cough up blood, I looked at the ground. I walked into the bushes, shifting into my human form. I put on jeans and a singlet and put on my shoes.

I walked up to where Seth lived, the lights of his and his parents room were still on, they knew I came from time to time so they ignored the fact I came. I went around the back, and then looked at a window. It was opened and the light of it was off. Beside the window was a giant tree, strong enough to hold me. I climbed the tree swiftly then when I made it to an appropriate spot I leaped through the window. I landed softly on Jason’s floor, he didn’t even stir.

I walked up to him, watching him twitch uncomfortably. I sat on the bed, stroking him gently across the cheek. I combed through his dark hair.

This kinda made me feel like I was a stalker. But there was something about him I liked. I pecked him gently on the cheek; I noticed he started to wake. I leaped out of the window and landed on the ground without staggering in confusion. I started to jog my way back to my room in Garden.

When it was time for me to go back to school, I had blank thoughts in my head. Nanami entered the room soon after in her animal form.

Umm Laria... do you wanna go to school today? Nanami asked with concern.

Yeah... It should get things off my mind

Hey, cuz don’t worry, if anything happens come straight home.

Why are you not going?

Oh well I have a week holiday

Man I’m jealous.

Is it me or is your hair always straight now? Another thing that has changed about my appearance, my hair was straighter than my mother’s was.

Well the kids at school can complement on it

Oh by the way did you go see Jason a couple of nights ago? How did she know about that? Raphael tells me alot more than you could imagine.

Well, Jason has this thing...

Does Brodie?

Brodie and I.... yeah maybe

Oh ok see ya

Bye Nanami

I grabbed my brown and pink shoulder bag with my mouth. Then a slip fell out of the bag and I looked closely to observe it.

You have been invited,
To the 100 years, legendary party
Learn about the history of the animuins and the rectocs. We celebrate our myths and legends.

It is on July 28th at 8:00 pm, invite anyone at Haroni’s Mansion.

Hope to see you

Haroni. I thought to myself. Nanami? Did you put this in my bag? I asked. I checked the date, it was on tonight.

No... Let me see... she observed the letter. That was weird but I’m going.

I have a bad feeling about this. I thought suddenly.

Laria... Shut up we’re going. I sighed as I exited my room and into the forest. I shifted to get changed, I grabbed my skateboard and helmet.

I exited the forest with a red tee-shirt, dark blue jeans, and white shoes on. I let my straight hair down; it has been straight since Leon’s death. I knew Brodie wasn’t coming so I would have to make up some excuses.

As I rode the skateboard, the wind whipped my face. I closed my eyes, relaxing and absorbed every bit of focus energy I could receive. I allowed the wind to push me, so I didn’t bother to move.

Luckily Tara had signed me and Brodie up for our new school. It was its first year too so I hope we’ll get along. I walked to my locker, and saw the number 22. I opened it slowly, placing my books in there.

“Hey Krys... Where’s your brother?” An idiotic blonde asked. “Because I have a crush on him.” She laughed loudly then strolled to her group of friends.

Most students here do know me as there were in my primary school. I heard a locker slam behind me and I turned around quickly. Brodie smirked wickedly. He was wearing a blue tee shirt with Jeans. I didn’t pay much attention to his shoes.

“You honestly think that I’ll leave you on the first day in summer?” he said seductively.

“To be truthful... Yes...” We laughed; I gently punched him on the arm.

“Hey Ria... I wanted to ask you to that party that’s on tonight.” Brodie asked leaning on the locker door.

“Did you get one too?” I wandered.

“Yeah... Most of the animuins got it in Garden... I thought someone knows about it.”

“About animuins? Impossible.”

“I don’t know but do you want to come with me to the party?”

“Yeah umm sure... could Jason come?”

“Yeah... sure he has to learn a bit about us.”

“So what’s the real reason you came?”

“Because a really pretty girl went to school and I couldn’t help myself.” I blushed when he said that. His light brown hair had been gelled up to keep it back.

“Hey Krys!” cheered a new voice. I looked back, it was Jenna. Her dark blonde hair was straight down to her shoulders; her eyes were a chocolate brown. She hugged me tightly.

“Hey Jenna.” I replied suffocating.

“Hey Gordy.” Jenna greeted politely.

“Jenna.” Brodie looked the other way after that.

“I like your hair like that.” Jenna smiled, she looked around crazily. “Have you seen Maya?”

“Jenna! Krystal!” A new girl sprinted towards us. This was Maya; she had curly brown hair that was shorter than the rest of our hair length her eyes were baby blue. Maya squeezed me tighter than Jenna did. She then hugged Jenna I heard her suffocating. I looked at Brodie who was still with us.

“I’m going to find Jason now... stay safe sis.” Brodie hugged me softly.

“You too.” I threatened. Brodie nodded and walked into the crowd of humans. But it was just perfect when you are stuck with two girly girls. I stuck my board in my locker then closed it.

“So anyways guys are you going to the party?” Jenna had asked. I frowned; I guess humans were also invited.

“Hell yeah! I just hope Seth is there... my knight in shiny armour.” Maya sighed, it looked like she was going to faint at that moment.

“Maya, Seth barely looks at you in class.” I snapped.

“Don’t worry Maya; Krys just wants to go with Jason.” Jenna teased.

“Shut up Jenna, I have no intended feelings for anyone right now.” I growled.

“Sheesh you got a temper when you want to.” Maya sighed.

“I have no time for boy friends or anything right now...” I said stubbornly, before storming off.

As I was walking I checked my timetable that I got before today. Suddenly I bumped it someone.

“I’m sorry...” I mumbled and I looked up at the stranger. His face was familiar, he was full of shock. His eyes were green like Lesley’s and his hair was messy like Lucifer’s was.

“Laria?” the boy asked in so much confusion. I tilted my head to act as if I had no idea what he was talking about.

“No... My name is Krystal... I’m known to be a familiar face to everyone.” I lied; at least this lie was good enough.

“Oh sorry about that. I’m Chris...” The much older boy gave out his hand. I took it shaking it slightly.

“Yeah.... so I’ve got to go.” I backed away from him holding my bag over my shoulder. I knew I recognised him. He was my brother, I turned around to look at him again, and he was still staring at me. I looked away and all of a sudden felt guilty.

The bell screamed as it was time for us to go to class. I walked into an unfamiliar room, I was lucky I went for a quick tour here before.

I sat on the far corner of the room, while the rest of the class sat forward; a girl was sitting next to me. She kept looking at me for some reason.

“Hi...” the girl muttered. She wasn’t shy I could tell that, I leaned back on the chair and folded my arms. I glanced at her appearance she had long, blonde hair that was around my hair’s length, her eyes were a storm blue, and her skin was white.

“Name’s Krystal.” I leaned my head back in boredom while the teacher was blabbing her mouth off.

“I’m Cher.” The girl introduced. Her voice had a weird accent in it. Other than that, like Maya and Jenna it made me seem that she was a future animuin.

“I haven’t heard your accent before, what is it?” I asked.

“I’m South African; yeah my family came here because of my dad getting a job here. What’s your story?”

“Well... my brother and I were born here... My mother died giving birth to us, so my aunt and father are raising us.”

“You have a twin?” She presumed.

“Yep... It’s ok when you think about it.”

“Cool, I only have my older brother, he is a dickhead.”

“Anyways I’m Native American and Portuguese, I thought there was so much random cross breeds but I’ve got the most confusing one that I know of.” That part wasn’t a lie. It was probably the only thing that I wouldn’t lie about.

“Oh that’s cool...” she said amazed.

Since this class is only for fifteen minutes we emerged out of the room into my Gym class. I walked silently there until I saw Chris.

“Hey Krystal, I was wondering do you know about Laria? The girl I called you before?” I inhaled a bit, glancing at him.

“All I know it happened eight years ago.... Nothing else.”

“Oh I thought that you would have known.”

“Why do you say that?” I sighed out.

“Because... you are unique... different most of these people are different, and you. You are unexplainable.”

“Look Chris... I like you but let’s face it... We just met this morning.” I took longer strides away from him, but he caught up to me quickly.

“But Krystal... think about it, you remind me of someone I met a long time ago.”

“Let’s get this straight; I’m not the Laria you keep speaking of. Just leave me alone.” I walked faster away from him into the gym.

The gym was a basket ball stadium and it was huge. I walked towards the crowd of people that was in the middle of the stadium. I was minding my own business when I felt a sudden push. I turned around; it was Maya, she seemed to be grinning so happily that it freaked me out.

“I saw you talking to a hottie.” She smiled. I thought about gagging for a second but I managed to gulp it down.

“He’s twenty years old.” I sighed.

“Sad story for him actually, he lost his mother and little sister in a fire, then he didn’t do school for a year.”

“Yeah...tragic.” I agreed, the gym class didn’t shut up until the teacher arrived.

“Hey, my name is Joey Dripper. Just call me Joey and I would not mind if you called me Sir.” The teacher was very built, his hair had been shaved off and tribe tattoos were on his arms. “We are going to do dodge ball.” Some people cheered, I know Maya didn’t. A much younger person dragged a bag and poured out the bag of dodge balls.

Jason came up behind me, poking my arm. I turned around and looked at him with sad eyes. He didn’t even meet his father officially.

“Are you ok?” He asked me with a worried face.

“No... One of my friends’ dad died and one of his sons don’t even know.” I told him truthfully.

“I’m sure you should tell him...” I looked at Jason; it killed me that he didn’t even know about this.

“Hey! Ma’am the one with the straight, brown hair!” Joey called. I looked at him with a dark face, but I answered politely.

“Yes sir?” I sighed.

“Do you want to volunteer?” I glanced at Jason, and then I nodded.

“Sure... I’ll be easy.” The teacher laughed loudly, causing me to pick up the ball.

“Ok kid... Throw the ball. Give it your best shot.” I threw the ball at his head knocking him down to the ground. The crowd of people recoiled in excitement. Joey stood back up, glaring at me.

“You did say to give it my best shot...” I accused.

“Ok if that happens to you, instead of flying down to the ground. You are out, unless you caught it unlike me.” He pegged the ball at me, I didn’t move a muscle. Jason glanced at me with shock, but I raised my hands and grabbed the ball once they touched my hands. Joey frowned at me but then told me to go back.

I snooped standing back where I stood before. Other kids slightly backed away, I could tell they were afraid of me already. But they didn’t know that I had more strength than the humans.

“Get in small groups of three and start practicing.” Joey ordered. My group was with Maya and Jason. I always gave the ball to Maya or Jason, they already knew what happened.

Joey called me; I walked up to him listening.

“I wanted to talk to you... you see eight years ago, a girl named Laria was apparently in the same fire as her mother Lesley.” He stopped and glanced at me. “Yet they missed something, that there was only one human body in the house... But here’s the thing. After that Laria turned into a wolf, and was still alive, then entered her new home which is known as Garden... But you already knew that didn’t you Laria?” I straightened my posture.

“You know nothing about me and what I’m capable of.” I whispered in a deadly tone. “I could kill you faster than a blink of an eye.”

“But here’s the thing Laria... You see those two are grouped up with... they will soon find out the truth about you, but not only them.”

“What do you want?” I growled at him.

“Since my ancestors knew about the animuins he wrote journals to record them all. Not only that, there are missing humans, and if your father chased the rectocs then who killed the humans hmmm?”

“I assure you we do not kill humans.”

“The animuins are traitors they killed innocent lives, so the council is planning something big.”

“You’re a part of this council aren’t you?” I figured.

“You got me... and don’t try killing me, I’ve got something that is on me that prevents me from getting killed by you demons.” Joey walked to the class, talking to them. I couldn’t move, his scent read human but he seemed different from them.

Luckily the bell ran and it was time for break. I walked out of the stadium with Maya and Jason. They were talking about the party of the History.

I looked every constantly for Brodie. Until I discovered he was with Jenna and the new girl Cher.

“This is Cher...” Jenna introduced.

“I know...” I replied. “But I need to talk to you Gordy. I yanked his arm and pulled him away from the group.

“What is it Laria?” Brodie asked.

“There are humans... that know about us.” I told him.

“That’s not good, ok we have to act more human.”

“Like how?” I asked in an annoyed tone.

“I don’t know, maybe we should get out of here.”

“Brodie... here’s the thing... they are going to find out soon I’m not sure when...”

“Look Ria, we should go to the party together, maybe if we blend in the humans won’t suspect us.”

“Ok I’ll go with you tonight without Jason.”

Brodie smiled with joy. “Let’s get it done.”

[*(L)aria~]

Discovered

School finished faster than expected but I was glad. I walked to a brand new house and I knocked on the door. I stood on the porch and I laid all of my weight on my foot.

A woman, who had tanned skin with short dark brown hair with blue eyes answered. Her muscles were extremely built but she was only a few inches taller.

“What is it kid?” The woman leaned on the wall.

“Are you going to the party tonight Tara?” The carnivore leader nodded.

“Let me guess you need something to look good in?” I nodded in reply. “Come in...” She sighed, I followed her in. I haven’t been in her house before; the walls were covered in her medals, titles and photos with her autograph on them.

She walked into a room as soon as I entered. She came back out in a second holding a dress case.

“Uhh Tara I think of all people you should know that I don’t wear dresses.” I told her.

“Yeah but kid... this is a party it won’t hurt.” She unzipped the case, which revealed a scarlet dress, it would go down at least past my knees, it was beautiful and I’m saying this as a tom boy.

“Wow...” I muttered unsure if I can accept it.

“That’s not all of it.” She pointed to a white box. I walked slowly towards the box and I opened it. It held high heels; there were tiny rubies on it with a cherry coloured purse.

“I’ll take it.” I answered.

“Ok go get dress we are leaving soon.” I walked into the room with the box and the dress, and I put them on quickly.

I walked out Tara glanced at me as if she had saw something extraordinary.

“How does it look?” I asked. Tara nodded quickly, frowning.

“If I was a guy, I would fall in love.”


“Actually... Does Brodie know I’m coming here?”

“It’s Brodie, he can find you with ease.” She smiled. “Are you hungry? I could hunt for you so you don’t get out of the dress.”

“Nah I had something to eat this morning.” I explained.

Time had flown as it was time to leave. I heard a knock on the door; I smiled and opened the door. Brodie and Nanami were completely dressed; Nanami was wearing a blue dress and had curled her caramel coloured hair and put them in pig tails while Brodie was wearing a black tuxedo. Brodie passed me a red rose.

I accepted it but I ripped half of the stem off and put it in Brodie’s front pocket.

“Are we ready?” Nanami asked.

“Yep... TARA!” I called, Tara came out, and she was wearing a blue dress her short hair was tied up.

“Ok let’s go.” We walked into the limo that Tara had hired for us.

The Mansion was huge when we arrived, it was the first time I came here with my fake family. I remember when Lesley use to go and she would leave Chris in charge.

We waited patiently in the line and once we were in we didn’t want to get out of them. I glanced at the golden painted walls, they were so glorious. We walked behind Tara, who was looking for someone in particular.

“Mayor.” Tara said behind a person’s back. The man turned around smiling his was around Tara’s age, he had light brown hair, and his eyes were pure blue. His scent didn’t read animuin or human.

“Hey sweetie... who are these angels?” The man asked. I lowered my body; I didn’t agree to be called an angel even though I was a protector.

“These are my nieces and my nephew, Krystal, Nanami and Gordon. Kids this is Haroni; he is the mayor.” While the two talked I saw Jason, he was also wearing a tuxedo.

“Let’s go Brodie and Nanami,” I whispered to them and walked my way slowly towards Jason. Next to him stood Raphael, he had spiked up brown hair, his skin was really tanned since we met.

“Come Nanami,” Raphael offered his hand; Nanami took it gladly and walked away quickly. I was alone with the brothers. The music soon turned romantic, I smiled slightly

“Do you wanna dance sis?” Brodie offered, Jason snorted softly.

“Sure, one song.” I walked with Brodie; he held me and twirled me around.

“You know what’s funny? We are only thirteen and we are dancing like adults do.” He looked at me; the song was sweet and irresistible.

“Well we are more mature than most of the humans,” I remind him.

“Yeah but apparently they are going to kill us according to the sports teacher.”

“... Yeah how could they kill us I mean, they are humans we are much faster than them.”

“Maybe he was trying to scare you.”

“By knowing my real name?” I frowned.

“Ok I don’t know, you are good at that kind of stuff...”

“What stuff?”

“Getting me to think of an impossible answer.”

“Oh right...”

“I went to Jason’s dream last night.”

“Wait you did what?”

“Just listen... he was watching this exact same moment but instead he was said to me that he hated me.”

“It was just a dream after all.”

“But Ria, he was serious, he said he was glad that I wasn’t his brother... Yet I am.”

“Speaking of when are we going to tell him that you are his brother.”

“I don’t know sometimes I don’t want to say that I’m his brother.”

“Why not?”

“I barely know him, you know him more than me... and I can’t face dad’s death to him.”

“Hey how about this I’ll tell him soon so you don’t have to do anything.”

The song was over and Jason was right next to us. The next song was starting up.
“Krystal Forte, may I have this dance?” Jason slightly glared at Brodie.

“Yeah sure....” I released Brodie and held onto Jason, I never realised that he was such a good dancer.

“Hey so... I found out something about my father... his last name was Forte... that’s your last name maybe we’re related.”

“No... That’s not true...” I answered.

“I believe it, speaking of... your brother... I don’t trust him.”

“Why not?”

“He is in my dreams sometimes and they seem real...”

“Look, Jason forget it.”

“But I can’t....”

“Jason, he is your brother.” I told him quickly. At first he didn’t reply.

“What did you just say?” he finally replied.

“I’ve got to go.” I pushed him away from me and I ran up the stairs, giving a quick glance at Jason. He stared at me, in confusion. I followed the path then walked towards a balcony. I stared at the night sky; the stars twinkled over the world.

“Hey Krys.” Jenna walked behind me, she was wearing a purple dress her hair was curled and tied back.

“What Jenna?”

“Keith was meant to be here, I haven’t seen him at all.”

“I don’t know...” I sighed looking away sadly. Suddenly something drew me back inside, it was as if an elder of Garden had walked in but I would have sensed that. I started to walk back inside, Jenna tilted her head.

“Krys are you ok?”

“Yeah fine.” I bit my bottom lip. “I’ll be back.” I walked backed down stairs only too find out that the Mayor was standing on a plat form with other people one of the men I could detect that one of them was Joey.

Haroni tapped the microphone in front of him, and then he cleared his throat.

“I’ve been Mayor for five years, but I just only discovered that something else was among us.” I straightened my posture, glaring at the Mayor.

“Hey Krystal!” Jason whispered at me, I didn’t turn to face him I was focused on Haroni.

“Let’s say this official day, is the day of the myth and legends for it all to be real.” I looked at Joey, he noticed that I was gazing at him. He smirked darkly, and nodded towards me. Suddenly I understood why I didn’t like this feeling from the start.

GUYS! WE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW! I yelled in my head.

Why? Nanami asked.

They are going to expose us. I replied.

Wait what? Tara had now joined our chat.

We must leave! I said again before backing away.

“We are going to countdown, a toast to the town’s myths and legends! 100 years!” Haroni raised his glass and tapped it with the microphone. Probably to humans the noise seemed very quiet but to us it felt like the school bell screaming in your ear.

“TEN, NINE, EIGHT” The crowd cheered. I recovered then I started to leave the crowd “SEVEN, SIX, FIVE!” I noticed that we all came together. “FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!” Suddenly a loud noise screamed in my ear.

“What the hell?!” I yelled in pain, I barely opened my eyes but I noticed most of us had fallen down, crippling in pain.

I screamed loudly, but I discovered I wasn’t the only one. I fell on my knees and hands, I must shift the pain was too much and if I shift I could absorb it. Imagine sharp needles going through your brain that is nothing to the pain. I clenched my teeth to lower the scream down.

My eyes searched everywhere for Jason.

Jason! I cried, I felt the tears come down.

“You see people, these are the real myths. They’re animuins, so many live by you everyday. Let’s take an example.” I think it was Haroni’s voice that said that.

“You see the sweet child in the red dress?” I could defiantly tell that was Joey’s voice. “She is Laria... The girl in the fire eight years ago.” I heard the humans gasp.

I crawled back to my feet, still feeling the pain. I opened my eyes, everyone was staring at me, and like the outcast I am.

“Krystal!” Jason ran towards me but people pulled him back.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!!” I threatened; they didn’t listen to me and continued to pull him away. I couldn’t control myself, I started to run then I pushed people out of the way, I felt my body shifting, I snarled viciously at the humans that had touched Jason. The beautiful dress ripped into tiny pieces.

The animal control came in front of me. I snarled darkly. Since I was the size of a normal adult, they got out a pole.

“Krystal...” Jason said, the pain still rang in my ears but not as loud.

Jason... I took a step towards him. He backed away, unable to answer back. He ran away, from me. Jason...? One of the humans walked up to me and stabbed a dart on me. I closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes I discovered that I was in a basement it seemed. I couldn’t move, I raised my head; Brodie was beside me in his animal form and so was Nanami and Raphael.

Laria? Brodie turned his head. At least I could hear him before my death.

“Animuins! Pay attention!” said a familiar voice. I turned my head towards Joey who was smirking with victory. I noticed that animuins that I didn’t even know of were here. I growled through my teeth then I turned my head and noticed Tara in her animal form glaring at Joey.

Easy kid... someone is going to help us... Tara warned.

Like who? I thought back.

Lucifer would never want you to die... he won’t probably come but I know a messenger will come. She nodded. Trust me.

I rolled my eyes to say fine. But Joey was still talking.

“You see, the numbers of missing humans are HUGE so we decided to tell your little secret in front of the ones you care about most before you are dead.” Joey grabbed a bucket of petrol and poured it all over us. It seemed that he poured it on me the most; emptying the bucket. He grabbed a match and dropped it on the puddle of petrol.

A fire was born inside; it grew once it had touched the strange liquid.

I struggled to stand up, so I remained where I was. Some of the animuins fell victims of the fire as it burned through them. Flash backs of the fire a long time ago came back.

I remember being alone, in a dark world.

“Lesley?” I asked the world echoed around me. My mind screamed at me, saying to escape the illusion.

Every thought, every memory came back, I just needed a shortcut home. But it was too complicated.

My eyes opened again, this time the fire was reaching us, I looked at the fire. That just made it grow even more. Suddenly the door sounded like it had busted opened. I started to suffocate.

Goodbye everyone. My mind whispered I closed my eyes slowly; I guess this was my destiny. Destiny was different to everyone else. I fell into a dark world again, falling into unconsciousness.

Laria... Said a slightly familiar voice. I opened my eyes and noticed Lucifer was sitting beside me. I tried moving but I felt so sick. Don’t move he warned. I noticed all of the scars on his body from previous battles from the past.

Where are my friends!? I growled, Lucifer growled too.

Laria your friends are in the forest, unfortunately. This is the last time you will see me as a teenager. The next time you meet me I know you will be fighting to save your past.

So why did you kill Leon?

The thing about Keallurs we can kill anyone

So it was you who killed all of the people.

Laria, we kill because we are watching out, I killed those humans because they were threatening you.

That’s different when it comes to Lesley.

I never intended Edward to do that... I loved Lesley...

Correction, you loved her back then until she was pregnant with me.

Correction then, my love for Lesley, you and Chris travels further away than anything.

Just leave me alone, it already proven that you hate us...

I’ll see you in at least a decade. He disappeared after that, I looked where I was. It was inside of a house. Luckily no one lived here other wise they would scream and run in terror.

I exited the house, I realised that this house was the replacement of my first house. No wonder he took me here.

I ran back into the forest, eager to see my friends again. I skidded a stop when I arrived at the clearing; my friends were the only animuins that laid motionless on the ground.

I freaked; I ran straight to Garden. I bumped into Ruddy, who was surprised.

“Hey kid where were you? We were all worried about you guys at the party.” Ruddy tilted his head.

“We never came home…” I muttered to myself. Ruddy gave me a confused look. “Ruddy! Come on help me!” I ran, I could tell that Ruddy was following me.

I arrived back at the clearing where all of my friends were. A black jaguar, started to move slightly.

Seth! I sighed in relief. Ruddy walked up to the black jaguar.

“Seth?” Ruddy checked, checking for a pulse. Seth started cough and he opened his eyes. They were ice blue, an interesting colour.

Thank god… I sighed again, and then I paid attention to Nanami. While Ruddy was getting Raphael, making sure he wasn’t dead.

Soon after the two of the started to cough, so glad of fresh air they now breathed. I checked Brodie and Ruddy checked Tara last. Brodie started to cough then he looked into my eyes.

This is heaven isn’t it? He said lovingly. I frowned in confusion, he must think we died.

No silly, we are alive and in the forest. I explained.

All I remember is that we were at that party then the fire, and then it’s just blank.

I told Jason you are his brother…

Why did you do that?

I know you guys will in the end be best friends even if it isn’t me as your sister.

Laria I-

Relax. I’m going to take Seth to his house, his parents must be worried.

Laria… Seth’s parents were at that party…

And he saved only my friends, I’m so sorry that I didn’t see this coming sooner.

It’s ok. Go take Seth home, he must be really depressed. Brodie stood up weakly with the rest of my friends and limped slowly to Garden. I walked into the bushes and shifted. I put my white tee shirt and shorts on. I ignored the shoes, when I was done I looked at Seth who was on the ground, he stared at him wondering how I could help him.

He was twice the size of me and I could pick him up.

It’s ok I’ll shift. He crawled to the bushes, I heard him shift slowly and put on his clothes. He came out, I quickly walked to him before he slipped over, and I grabbed him as he fell. Since his human form was smaller than me, I picked him up.

“Hey… I’m sorry about your parents.” I started a topic.

“It’s ok… they treated me like crap anyways… you know what confuses me… You are a woman and you are picking me up?”

“That’s the thing about animuins, usually the longer you are an animuin the more strength, speed and stamina you have.”

“Oh… am I going to erase Jason’s memory again?”

“No… he needs to know, but erasing Jenna’s and Maya’s memories would be good.”

“That’s a shame, I liked Maya.” I stopped for a second.

“That’s cute she likes you too…” I told him honestly.

“I like you Laria, you are better than you usually are.”

“Getting saved by a fire life teaches you things.”

“Yeah… who did save us?” I looked around but then stepped out of the forest.

“I don’t know…” I lied. I started walking to Seth’s house.

“So do you like him?”

“Like who?”

“Jason. He really has something for you.”

“He is a future animuin of course he has something.”

“Jason told me that he didn’t like Brodie much.”

“Because Brodie was my brother now he is his brother.”

I arrived at the front of his house. I put Seth on his feet and knocked on the door while Seth was leaning on me.

Jason answered the door; his eyes didn’t look at me but were wide in shock at Seth. He opened the door wider and took in Seth. I followed him in unable to say anything. It seemed Jason didn’t even notice me because he seemed to flinch when he noticed that I was behind him. Seth collapsed on the couch and fell unconscious.

“Let’s cut down to the chase. You are an animuin and so is Seth.” Jason glared at me. I swear I had never seen him like this.

“Yes… I can answer any question you have…” I replied softly, showing my weak side.

“Just go… Krys…. Laria just go before something happens.” He walked to Seth. Some tears ran down but I quickly wiped them. I walked to the front and I continued to cry until my tears ran out but that seemed impossible.

The day flew and turned dark more quickly than expected so I sat in the back of the house, watching the window, when I saw Jason’s head poke out as I hid in the darkness. Jason closed the window then I sighed and leaned on the tree, I didn’t move or fall asleep.

It was a few days later when I came back to school, Seth like he had promised had gotten rid of the animuin memories, but he added a little twist once they become animuins they would instantly remember.

Jenna was watching me sigh sadly every minute.

“What’s wrong?” She asked. “Krystal… it’s boy problems isn’t it… Well I got you something.” She gave me a gift bag from her locker which was on the other side of mine.

“What is it?”

“I was going to save for your birthday; go on open it.” I did what she asked, it revealed to be a cell phone, a green and white web slider to be exact.

“Why?”

“Krystal… you are my best friend… we don’t keep any secrets from each other, since we all have mobiles I decided to buy you one.” I felt bad, she doesn’t know a thing about me.

“How did you get the money?”

“I have a job remember?” she gave me a small booklet. “That holds everyone’s numbers that have been given to me.”

“Even Jason’s?”

“Yeah… turn it on… I need your number.”

I opened the box that the phone was held in and I quickly put the technology together in a few seconds. Jenna watched with astonishment as I was quick to get it working.

“I’m good with electronics.” I told her. She nodded in confusion, watching me get on the number. I gave her my phone number, after that the bell rang.

“See you in Maths…” she sighed and walked slowly away.

“Jenna!” I yelled. Jenna turned around quickly. “If you see Jason, could you give him my number?”

“Sure…” she smirked and turned to her class.

I sat next to Cher in my everyday class; I guess she was our friend also. I was walking to English when I saw Chris looking for me.

“Hey Krystal… So I haven’t seen you in a while…”

“And…” I frowned and walked away, when he isn’t my brother he can be exasperating.

“I was wondering where you were?” I stopped dead and turned around.

“Did you ever be this annoying to your sister?” I asked him

“No…”

“Well then… stop with the stalky attitude and leave me alone.” I started to walk away.

“Wait Krys!”

“What? Look you are twenty years old I’m only thirteen.”

“I didn’t go to school for a year that doesn’t mean anything.”

“I don’t like you.” I told him seriously.

“Well I just happen to know who you do like.” I stopped again, this time I turned around and walked towards him.

“What did you just say?” I growled.

“I know who you like… you see I know what you are…” I growled again.

“You are telling me this… why?”

“My dad was an animuin… he lost control one day, but he told me once that my grandmother was one… but from my mother’s side.” I turned my head towards him when he mentioned Lucifer saying that Lesley grandmother was an animuin.

“Why are you telling me this? I could kill you.” I took a step forward looking straight at his Lesley eyes.

“I know you wouldn’t… you could see my great grandmother, I never met her but I was thinking you might make her tell me about my mum a bit.”

“What’s her name?”

“Isobel…Isobel Kerville.”

“How am I meant to know what she is?”

“You will know, instinctively.” He walked away, this is good I can finally meet my great grandmother who has been an animuin for ages.

I went to class; Jason was forced to sit next to me in this class. He was writing a note then he slid it on my desk.

Tell me what’s going on?

I sighed heavily as I wrote quickly and neatly. By the time I was done I sent it back to him.

As you figured out, I’m an animuin. My name is Laria; the history books missed a load of information… After school, can you meet me at the Café? I promise I will explain everything and at the end of today you tell me what you want to do with the information. You can get rid of your memories and wait, you can keep the secret of the animuins so you are safe or you can tell everyone about me so everyone treats me differently.

He quickly skimmed through it and nodded slowly. I gave a slight smile and held the note. Our teacher walked towards us, his huge nostril flaring like a horse.

“Sending notes Miss Forte? Or love letters Mr Amarel?” the class chuckled quietly. He held out his hand. “Note please.” Jason was about to take it off me and give it to the teacher when I shook my head. I looked him in the eye.

“No we are not writing notes to each other…” I told him softly that Jason and the teacher were the only ones to hear.

“You know what? I guess you weren’t writing notes.” The teacher nodded and started talking again. He looked from me and the teacher continuously.

Class ended quietly and Jason got his bag and left for his class, I was passing by to my history class when I bumped into Keith, Jason’s best friend.

“Oh hello Vegetable.” I told him. Vegetable was my nickname for him because he preferred to be called Taro.

“Shut up…” he growled.

“What do you want?” I snapped.

“I know who and what you are Laria… I became an animuin on the first day of school. That’s why I didn’t go.” He looked at the ground admitting the truth.

“Oh… and let me guess, I need to train you?” I said annoyed.

“Ruddy told me to ask you… but I don’t like the sounds of this…”

“This is your task, while Seth and I aren’t around him, can you watch Jason, make sure he is safe.”

“Why Jason?”

“Jason is a future animuin, but he does know about animuins so you can tell him.”

“Oh…” He quickly left my sight. I expected Chris to stalk me but I didn’t see him. I walked to my history class, sitting behind Maya. Joey was our original history teacher but he disappeared ever since the party so we sat in the room, chatting.

Seth sat on the seat beside me while Maya sat in front of me. While I was waiting for the teacher, I opened the booklet Jenna gave me and quickly wrote down the numbers on my new phone. I noticed that Seth was staring at Maya a lot so I got out my phone without making a sound. I typed on the phone quickly.

[glow=red,2,300]The LOYL is starin @ u[/glow]

Maya noticed she got a text on her phone. She turned around to face me and quickly saw Seth staring at her. She went typing back on her phone and I got a reply.

[glow=red,2,300]Lol… thnx 2 u 2 uh who is dis[/glow]

I sighed heavily and typed a reply message.

[glow=red,2,300]Krystal[/glow]

She turned around and gave me thumbs up. I smiled until a teacher walked in. He had dirty blond hair that was spiked up, he had blue eyes. He started to write down something on the board the word said Ethanian Somerhalder

“The name is Ethanian Somerhalder, you may think that that is a long name but my mother combined the names. So just call me Ian. I’m your new history teacher. So we are… well on the animuins, can anyone tell me what they are?”

No hands were raised; I shook my head at Seth, so he let it stay down.

“Come on class, we have to have something.” Finally Maya’s hand rose. Ian pointed at her. “Miss…”

“Rosa, animuins are considered to be protectors. That’s all I know.” Maya answered politely.

“That is good anyone else?” Ian’s looked towards both Seth and me. Seth raised his hand slowly. I nodded. “Yes Mr...”

“Laurence. There were tales saying that guardians of the people would protect them from demons.” He answered. “Then they said that would be considered traitors, so they were hunted until not another giant animal was in sight.”

“That’s descriptive… does anyone know of these demons?” I raised my hand.

“The rectocs were hardly called demons around those times; they were more preferred as gods, or the original ones. Then after the rectocs disappeared; the animuins had new rivals to take out the animuins and humans.”

“Yes… Miss Forte?” My face frowned.

“How did you know my name?”

“You are related to the Tara…. Of course I would know her sister’s family.”

“Oh…”

Class after that was less focused on me as I kept watching Seth and Maya continuously staring at each other. By the end of class, I walked quickly next to Maya.

“Why don’t you sit next to Seth next time?” I told her. She giggled silently in reply.

“Krystal? Can I talk to you?” Ian called. I closed my eyes tightly but listened I stood behind his desk.

“Yes Ian what do you want?” I asked politely.

“Hey I looked at your records from the history class… you didn’t do well in them.”

“I know but like all people I have strengths and weaknesses from some topics.”

“How about this, if you hand in a report on any historian topic I’ll start you fresh.”

“Yeah… thanks.” I started to back away. As soon as I exited the door I heard him call after me.

“YOU HAVE TWO WEEKS!” I think he said before I ended up bumping into Jason.

“Hey... I muttered.

“Yeah hi... I was looking for you.” He said honestly

“For what?” I asked with an extra tone of excitement.

“Your number... I need to contact you in case Seth is in trouble... And Jenna said that you asked her for me to get your number.” I nodded and got onto my contacts. I wrote as Jason Forte as Leon’s son.

“So what is your last name?” he asked me. I smiled slightly.

“Alfero, its Portuguese... my mother was a school teacher.”

“Oh that’s interesting...” He installed my number on his iphone and put it in his jacket pocket.

“So why aren’t you afraid of me?” I asked in confusion.

“Because aren’t the animuins the guardians of Dixon? Not the enemies.”

“Well... Um I should go... need to go to my next class soon.”

“Yeah... well see ya.” We went our separate ways, I turned around while I was walking. Not once he turned around, perhaps he was too afraid to see me.

As I sat in my class, I was watching the birds fly freely in the sky. I was thinking of Jason, and then I was thinking of Brodie who I haven’t seen all day.

That class went pretty quickly and before I knew it school was over.

[*(L)aria~]

Explaining

“So... what can you guys do? Because if you Google animuin it comes up with fictional facts but it’s the reality.” Jason asked in the cafe, his face was showing no emotion.

The Dixon Cafe is well know for meeting people, there was also a grill that we would hang out but this is more preferable because we weren’t that hungry.

“As animuins, some live and act like humans, animuins like me prefer to act more animal.” I explained to him.

“Like...”

“Most animuins have certain powers, like me for example, I can create the disasters. Brodie can do anything as long as it has something to do with unconsciousness. Hi- your dad could change age.”

“So... who is Brodie?”

“He is my best friend... he is your twin... I’ve known this since we met.”

“Is he the Gordon you spoke of...”

“Yeah...”

“So why did you fake it? Your name and everything else.”

“I admit, when my mother died I did not want to go on living, I was scared. I wished that I would be able to avenge her death... my wish came true but now I’m powerful in many ways... well according to the legend.”

“What legend?”

“The elders of my home told me this story a couple of times, I do not like being the key to the legend it makes me feel centre of attention something I dislike.”

“Are you immortal? Indestructible? Like a vampire?”

“Yes I’m immortal but I don’t stop aging until I hit a older age around 22, or 23 some animuins are until 30 and very little are forever 17. No, I can get killed. I have been scarred trying to protect you and the people I love. And no I’m not a vampire, vampires do exist I heard but they are not like how the legends speak of it.”

“Your Ice chocolate?” a waitress asked holding two glasses. She served me one and then to Jason.

“Thanks...” I muttered. We both waited until she was gone. “Anyways, vampires are just like human beings, able to eat, don’t have lame sparkly skin, or don’t burn. They go for the animals, because humans taste more disturbing. You can only tell that they are vamps by rubbing some herb on them.” I gagged at the thought of eating a human.

“Wow.... Why is your hand warmer than Gord- Brodie’s?”

“It is something I cannot explain of... I think I was told a long time ago but because of my everyday routine it is buried with other stuff.”

“So do you know that Lucifer from the book?”

“... Yeah I know... him... and I hate him... you should too...”

“Why is that?”

“He killed your dad... and even worse he is my dad.” Jason was silent for a long minute. “Leon said that he loved you... and he died protecting me because I’m in danger all the time.” I took a mouthful out of my ice chocolate. “Come on I’ll show you something.”

“Wait... you said something about Brodie... about his power... did he go to my dreams?”

“Yes... he did he didn’t want to tell you the things I’m saying right now.” I quickly finished my ice chocolate and put it down. I discovered Jason didn’t touch his drink so I snatched it and gulped it down. He laughed as he watched me being a little myself.

“So why are you so interested to me...? I mean you are beautiful, powerful yet you pay attention to me the most out of all of your friends.” I looked at his blue eyes.

“Jason... I don’t know... to me, most of you people are the same, but except for you; unlike everyone else you have this spark in your eyes that lights the fire in my heart.” He looked away thinking perhaps.

“So wait... what is Tara, does she know? Is she-”

“Yes... she unlike the rest of us ages, they say it’s because she is a Leader and though they have that power, they have a disadvantage.”

“So you what you did to the teacher? That thing?”

“That is known as mind compulsion, as animuins we can lure humans and force them to do small actions such as admitting the truth or something. Some animuins can actually control minds to do whatever but that is not my ability just part of the animuin.”

“Did you ever do that to me?”

“Jason… I would never do that to you, I would never force you to do something. I will never hurt you.”

“Why?”

“Cause like I said you are different from the rest of our friends.” There was silence for a while.

“So you were going to show me something?”

“Yeah come on.” I walked with Jason to the forest, I told him to wait by the clearing. I walked into the bushes and took off my clothes, my body shifted into my wolf form. I stepped out of the bushes, I noticed Jason flinched when I walked in my wolf form. My paws sunk in the soil as I watched the creek. Soon a whirlpool started to float from the creek, fish were swimming in confusion.

I let go of my concentration and I let the water fall down in a huge splash. Jason watched with astonishment as I glanced at him before going in the bushes to put my clothes on again in my human form. I exited then stood straight. I noticed Jason put his phone in his pocket.

“Hey Laria... I got to go make something, no one actually knows that his parents have died... speaking of how they died?” he watched me with curious eyes. I flicked my hair up away from my face.

“Remember after they exposed us?”

“Yeah?”

“Someone saved most of us in the fire, they rest of us didn’t make it. Seth’s parents were two of them.”

“Oh...”

“Come on, I’ll escort you home.”

“Thanks but isn’t the man meant to do that to the girl?”

“I can protect you and let’s face it your more girly than me.”

“Oh thanks.” He said sarcastically.

“You welcome.” I poked my tongue at him.

We walked to his house and he opened the front door, he stopped before stepping inside.

“Laria... what did you mean you could make me forget? In that note?”

I sighed in reply. “Seth... has the power to erase your memory... I did that a few times...”

“And you said about me forgetting....”

“Yeah so we could be together...”

“So I would call you Krystal? When you hid everything away?”

“I know... I regret it sometimes... it’s for the best...”

“Laria.” He said seriously. “What are you hiding?” I looked around and sighed sadly.

“You will be an animuin... You don’t really have a choice with this.”

“No.... so that was why you took my memory.”

“Please understand Jason. I did it to keep you safe.”

“So I am going to be a giant animal and you didn’t tell me?”

“I knew your father before I met you... before he died he told me that you will become one of us because that’s how twins are.”

“I gave you your day.... Like I promised... I will keep your secret but please... we shouldn’t be friends, I’ve got my own problems and so do you... If you are in danger all the time I must stay away from you.”

“But it is my job to keep you safe.”

“I know, I know you will never do anything to hurt me but what happens if someone knew that I knew, they would go after me, kill me and then you will upset.”

“Jason...” Was all I was able to say, Jason didn’t look up.

“Laria... I like you. No wait change that I like you a lot but I need to be human for this part.”

“But Jason...” I whispered. His kissed my cheek gently. I looked at his eyes, I swear I saw them watering. Jason turned around walking inside, before he closed the door he tilted his head towards me.

“I’ll call when Seth needs you.” He closed the door behind him. I stood with shock and pain; I felt a thump on the door and a quiet mumble.

It felt like hours later when I left Jason’s front porch, but it was only minutes. I trudged slowly to the forest, tripping over roots that my feet came across. I tripped over the forth time; as I fell to the ground I shifted. The clothes shredded anyways as I picked myself up, I ignored the shreds as we would usually clean it up so no one suspects us.

Speaking of where are those people that tried to expose us? I instantly sensed a presence of another being, I turned my attention towards the darker side of the forest. My growling didn’t help as it sounded like a soft whimper. The human looked familiar as he revealed himself to the moon light it was the Mayor. He lifted his arms in surrender, but that just caused me to snarl and pull my ears back.

“I’m sorry” he cringed at my snarling. My face didn’t change but my eyes glared at him, he is the reason why Jason is staying away from me. “Please Laria... I am sorry for your friend but let me talk.” Once he said my name I stopped but I sensed something odd about him.

“Somehow I don’t believe that.” I growled, I know it was stupid trying to talk to him in my wolf form, but what choice did I have?

“Laria as you may have noticed I’m not human... I am a fallen, I can understand you.” He explained, slowly walking towards me making sure that I wasn’t going to attack. I growled and pulled my ears, he shot back again he wasn’t going to get me that easily.

“You are a what? You tried to expose us... speaking of... where is the rest of your buddies? I’m ready to kill them one by one.” He put his hands in front of him.

“I am an angel, and the council was burned alive by Edward! I went in and took your friends out.” He kept a distance as he should. I snorted in reply. So that was how Jenna and Maya are still breathing

“You an angel? Like I said you tried to expose us and you call yourself an angel.”

“Let me explain-”

“No you let me explain! We are trying to protect this town from the keallurs and we must be kept secret because the humans consider us freaks or outcasts. Then your council locked us in a mansion and lit it on fire. I was considered lucky when I was saved.”

“I just want to apologise. The council was never meant to do that and we didn’t light the fire, it was Edward.”

“Apology not accepted.” I snorted rudely.

“I can’t blame you for being mad but they seriously thought that it was you guys.”

“Oh I see... you accuse us why didn’t you just ask us? Oh no I forgot, you humans don’t think.”

“I told you-”

“Yeah whatever you an idiotic fallen that claims to be an angel... speaking of where are your wings? I thought angels have wings.”

“I’m a fallen, we do not have wings. Look about the keallurs your father did not mean to hurt you; I have known him since he was ten. I never expected him to betray you.”

“I guess you never knew what keallurs were because of Lucifer’s dumb choice.”

“Is that what you think? I guess you have every right to be mad at me... I wanted to apologise to everyone.”

“Well why you don’t say that to Seth’s parents and other innocents that were highly respected.”

“I guess apologising isn’t going to help... you animuins are known to not forgive.” I growled and snarled.

“You say that you are peaceful yourself?”

“Oh no. Most fallens are harmless, working to protect their human but I’m a battler.” He extended his hand a huge fireball came from his hand. He was about to attack me when the fire vanished quickly.

“Too afraid of a wolf?” I growled.

“No you are a kid... I don’t harm children.”

“Well that’s fine because I can harm you!” I growled and charged at him. I leaped in the air opening my jaw, ready to attack. He raised his arm in front of his face. I crushed it as hard as I could but only got a weird feeling. I saw Haroni’s eyes widen with shock.

“You can’t be the one, you? An inexperienced child?” I released him and plopped on the ground, growling at him. He backed away running from something about me.

Confusion swept my face. “What just happened?” I asked myself. I shook my head and made my way to Garden. I was staring at the ground as I took an extra step.

I walked to my room and lazily fell on my bed.

Rough day? Nanami asked me gently. Her dog form was around an adult’s size but nothing else about her changed.

Yeah.... Jason knows. I closed my eyes and prayed that she wouldn’t go all crazy.

WHAT? I sighed heavily at her. That was exactly everything I expected.

To be honest he knew since the party I didn’t move as I could tell she was chucking a hissy.

BLOODY HELL LARIA WHAT IF JASON TELLS JULY! I shrugged in reply. All of a sudden I felt like I was thrown off my bed as I fell on the ground.

Ow... I thought opening my eyes. Nanami was snarling at me as if I did something wrong.

You are taking this way too far...

No offence Nanami I have no idea what you are on about...

I’m on about the animuins power... when you got it you have always acted like you are practically royalty.

Nanami, this is the life I appreciate... I told her growling at her.

Oh yeah how about the fact that you continuously tell everyone about yourself to the humans, everyone can know my name but they can’t know your name why is that?

Nanami! Calm down! All because if they did know my name they would want to know how I survived the fire.... She was silent for a moment before she calmed herself.

Sorry Laria, I forgot that Jason meant a lot to you. Nanami went back on her bed and went to sleep, I laid on my bed for hours, hoping an idea would spring.

How do I keep him safe? I shifted and put some casual clothes on. I walked to a box and revealed a small journal. I opened it, it revealed to be memories that I wrote when I was 10. I got out a pen and started to write.

So I finally told Jason the truth about me, but why isn’t he afraid and why aren’t I? I mean he is someone special to me and if he did get hurt he is right. I would be upset, but how? How do I keep his safe while I’m not around…? I mean Seth has recently lost his parents and the last thing we want is for him to be upset.

I turned my head to face Nanami, she was snoring softly as I looked continuously for an answer. A box full of Nanami’s equipment for her job it was on a puddle of water from Nanami’s fit. Other than she is a healer, she researches items that are weaknesses to animuins.

I glared at the water puddle. Slowly the puddle rose into a tiny whirlpool. The whirlpool picked up the box. I moved the whirlpool towards me, when it was close enough I stopped the whirlpool, making water go everywhere.

The box fell onto the ground, not making too much noise. I checked on Nanami who was still resting peacefully. I then turned my attention to the box by opening it, revealing items with labels.

There was a bracelet with an apparent stone. It was a gold chain that had a black cold stone. The surface is smooth but it had an unusual marking on it.

That’s it! This stone that I’m looking at right now is a stone called Caligriffy. That stone can actually burn animuins if the user is in danger, it senses the emotions of it’s wearer, all I need to do is give it to him…

I put the bracelet next to me, glancing at it every so often that I wrote more on my day. So when I checked here a hundred years later I would remember it. I glanced at Nanami again, she rolled to the other side not facing me. I shrugged and wrote more.

I met a fallen today… It turns out that the mayor is an angel… bleh like I can believe that… he is the reason why Seth had lost his parents. Then again angels protect humans from threats…. I’m a threat and so are the keallurs. I will kill Lucifer with my own jaws because he changed my life. Nanami is right; I am taking this ability way to far…


I closed the journal, my warm hands wrapped around the bracelet as I closed my eyes…

I was in my human form, as I was in a dark room with at least two doors on each wall.

“Laria!” Lesley’s voice screamed.

“MUM!?” I asked so confused of everything. My body shook and I ran straight forward to the closet door. I yanked it opened but it revealed to be a wall. I opened the door next to it. It was also a wall.

I ran around the room trying to open the doors that just revealed to be the walls. I stopped in the centre closing my eyes. Then I opened my eyes looking ahead a door that I didn’t check, I opened the door it opened to be a cave.

I walked in, unsure if I had been in the place before but I followed the cave. The cave all of a sudden lighted, revealing Lesley. I stood with absolute shock.

“Mum?” I asked again.

“Hey Ria…” her voice sang. I ran towards and hugged her tightly.

“How did you come here?” I asked.

“You called me… don’t you remember?” I thought back. My memory took me to when Ruddy was showing me that Ghost whisperer.

“That was real? So it wasn’t Brodie who did it?”

“That’s right…”

“So you were part animuin?” I asked remembering Chris.

“Yes…I’m only a quarter animuin.”

“So what can they do?”

“They are not as powerful as the halfs of the fulls but we can sense danger, we can still communicate with animals and animuins but that’s it.”

“What is this Isobel chick?”

“Laria… Chris doesn’t know this but she was in that party.” I stood with shock the only family member that knew Lesley was dead.

“Why… me?” I asked myself. Lesley rubbed my back; her hand was warm like mine.

“Cause you were chosen.”

“I don’t want to be chosen.” I told her truthfully.

“Sorry Ria…”

“Why didn’t you just tell me? You know I could have saved your life! But no you kept secrets from me; I thought we were closer than that.”

“Cause I needed you to be safer like that!”

“No I wasn’t safer if I didn’t know, I would have been the same, you would have been safer if I knew.” I started to walk away from her.

“Ria wait!”

“Don’t want to hear it!” I growled. “I’ve been fine for the past eight years, I can be good for another!”

“I know someone who is related to you that you can talk to.” I stopped and turned around.

“You’re lying.” I told her.

“No, her name is Tahani, her mother was with Lucifer before he met me.”

“What is she?” I growled.

“She is a wolf a nice brown colour, just please don’t be mad at me for my stupid mistake.” Lesley pleaded. I looked at her I sighed in forgiveness.

“Fine… I forgive you but I must go…”

“Yes I understand that… I might see you later on in life… not right now.” Lesley walked towards me, she put something in my hands; it was an herb. She slowly disappeared into the air. It was the exact appearance that I remembered. Her eyes a beautiful green, her hair a silky, chocolate brown and her skin was a glorious tan.

I suddenly opened my eyes and discovered it was just a dream. Then I opened the hand that didn’t hold the bracelet it was the herb that Lesley gave to me.

“So it was real…” I muttered to myself. The sun had slowly risen above the continuous mountains. The amber touched the mountains as if they were on fire. The sky slightly above was a slight blue.

I looked to where Nanami was, she had been too tired recently after healing animuin after animuin. I took off my clothes and shifted without leaving the sight of the bracelet. I grabbed the bracelet with my mouth and put it in my school bag.

I wasn’t going to go school today… I needed to meet my niece, but first I must ask Talon where she is.

I ran to Talon’s den. He was barely awake when I ran in. He jumped in surprise startled to see me. He knew that I only came in the worst cases.

“Laria. Is anything wrong?” Talon frowned in concern.

“No, I just want you to tell me some things… Do I have a half sister?”

[*(L)aria~]

OOs: I am no longer caring about the font and etc; if you don't like it shove a brick up your ass

Animuins
Jason Amarel

“Come on Jason! I thought you were better than this!” Seth was mucking with his controller. We were playing Xbox 360 and this driving game. Seth had the Mazda RX 7 while I had the Mazda RX 8.

“You haven’t seen me play mate!” I faked an Australian accent and drifted my car, smashing his. Our game was interrupted by a soft sound.

“Got it. Oh yeah Jase. Don’t play being an Aussie, it doesn’t suite you.” Seth paused the game then ran out of his room downstairs.

Seth’s parents adopted me but never changed my last name. They said that I didn’t have to if I didn’t want to so I chose not to. I had my growth spurt just recently, I was nearly bigger than Seth, and he always seems to cower under me these days.

“JASON!” Seth yelled, he walked away quietly, I answered the door. Yeah sure the sky was grey and it was raining but she still looked glorious.

“Hey Krystal enjoying the holidays?” I asked her quietly.

“Yeah I guess I am...” she sighed. I opened the door and walked out.

“I’ve discovered something new... the animuins they can apparently have mind communications.” I told her excitedly. I was a nut head when it came to animuins and I would always tell Krystal

“Jason... Come on animuins don’t exist if they did, they would probably been noticed by now,” Krystal groaned.

“I know about the town’s history around the 1900’s there was these huge animals always chasing the rectocs.”

“Jason, are you saying that our lives are threatened because of some giant animals on steroids?”

“No, Krystal when Laria’s house got burned down I had a dream that a huge animal was staring at the house.”

“Are you listening to yourself? A dream was just a dream.”

“Krystal if where going to be together you might as well pretend that it’s true.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I wanted to take you out for a movie... your friends can come too.”

“I’m sure Jenna and Maya would like to come. They would come if Vegetable and Seth come along.” Krystal’s little nickname for Taro was vegetable, because after all his nickname is a Taro.

“That’s why I invited you to come.”

“Ummm sure... So what has this got to being a couple?”

“Nothing, nothing. Come on I’ll take you to the book store.”

I took her to a bookstore not to far from my home. We entered and an old man stood, looking at her in confusion.

“Laria?” The old man asked. I was paying attention to the books until the man said that, I turned my head to face her.

“No, I’m Krystal.” She answered pulling her hair back.

“Oh ok what can I get you?” The man asked us. I found the book I was looking for, so here is her proof.

“Here.” I gave her an old book called History of Dixon. Krystal opened the book slowly, I was impatient because she was taking her time. “Go to page seven.” She flicked the pages to page seven like I asked her to do. She rolled her eyes at me.

“This is just a drawing Jason,” She grumbled to me.

“Not just any drawing, you see this wolf his name is Lucifer.” Krystal flinched when the mention of the animuin’s name appeared. “Does that name mean anything to you?” She shook her head quickly as if to wipe a thought down.

“No it’s just that’s the name of the devil.”

“That’s what this story says, that his parents had foreseen his evilness so they called him Lucifer and trapped him in a cage. When he escaped he burned down his house in rage but killed his mother. She was a human but she did not believe that he would cause misery. He cried then fled, years ago animuins were well known around this very town, understanding that the animuins were protecting them from the rectocs.” I pointed to the rectocs who seemed to be charging at Lucifer.

“This town is well known for myths it doesn’t mean anything.”

I sighed. There was nothing that was going to persuade that girl from telling her that animuins existed.

Krystal bought me the book; she muttered that it would keep me quiet. As I was flicking through the pages I didn’t realise we turned into the forest until it was too late.

“Well, well, well the little puppy has grown up,” chuckled a dark shadow. Krystal stood in front of me, glaring deeply at the shadow and at the bushes where the noise was coming from. Two wolves crept out of the bushes, both very large in size. The bigger wolf was pure white and had a few scars, the other wolf was light brown, and it had more scars than the other wolf.

The shadow stepped forward, only to be a slightly familiar man. It was Eddy, I couldn’t believe it. The last time he spoke to me was a threat saying that he would kill me.

“EDDY?” I yelled. Eddy saw me and snarled viciously.

“I thought I told you to never come back, Jason. So you did hang out with Laria after all.” Eddy growled. Krystal growled at him, I frowned at her in disbelief.

“Wait Laria? Laria?” I asked stunned. Krystal... Or Laria snapped in reply.

“Shut up Jason get over it my name is Laria I hid so no one discovered who I was. Brad, Charmí great to see you again but this time I’m going to kick your ass.”

The wolves howled and I got very confused at this. Eddy finally held up his hand.

“I’m afraid you don’t need an introduction but since you are so puzzled I’ll tell you. My name is Edward does the name Lesley ring a bell?”

I couldn’t believe it, it was Laria... All along and she had fooled mostly everyone. Now from a different point of view I realised that I liked her even more.

“Laria if you don’t come with us I’m afraid your friend will die,” Edward warned. Laria leaped in the air as she was in midair her body exploded into an adult sized wolf.

Her clothes shredded everywhere I couldn't stop staring with so much shock. The Laria wolf growled viciously as she stood in front of me even more. I flinched when she growled at Eddy.

She went to charge but then crippled in pain, something that looked too painful to bear.

She fell to the ground. I couldn’t say anything because she was in too much pain and I didn’t know what to do.

“You are coming with me pup.” Eddy wrapped his arms around Laria’s wolf body, picking her up with ease.

All I heard was dark growls and rumbles but they seemed to be real.

“Charmí, Brad kill the human.” Oh lord no. I backed away slowly as the wolves closed in on me. Just before they were too close, the ground cracked opened; the light brown wolf leaped back while the white one fell into the fissure meeting his death.

I heard a few more growls but from the wolf. It seemed to be a female due to her girly eyes.

“Well it’s your fault, don’t play silly games.” Edward snapped. Laria bit into Eddy’s arm, he yelped but Laria was faster leaping off him and glaring at the fissure. The fissure closed and Laria stood protectively in front of me, growling fiercely.

“I’ll fight you without a problem.” Edward chuckled shifting into a chocolate brown wolf with dark red eyes. I felt like I was having a panic attack as Laria charged at Eddy and went for his throat. She seemed to have his throat but he bit onto Laria’s shoulder and pinned her down to the ground.

Laria kicked his mouth with her hind leg. He jumped back and while that was happening the light brown wolf was stalking towards me. I stumbled back, scared half to death that my death would have appeared sooner than I had expected.

I saw the female wolf towards me with her mouth wide opened and snarling ready to go for my throat until Laria bit onto the she-wolf’s shoulder.

GET .........BRAT! She flung Laria off... but the voice in my head sounded vicious and I knew it wasn’t Laria or Eddy. Speaking of him I turned and saw him behind Laria.

“Laria!” I warned. She turned around when Eddy was close to her. She went for his throat but Eddy jumped too soon for her to grab him. I looked around me and noticed a tree. At least I could avoid trouble, I started to climb and I realised it was a big mistake when I started to slip. The she-wolf leaped on the thick trunk that I was desperately trying to climb.

“I thought wolves couldn’t climb trees!” I yelled out panicking as I managed to climb up then the one above me. I was too busy making sure I didn’t fall then checking on Laria and the she wolf. I found Laria as my hero; she was keeping me safe from two larger wolves, man she must care for me.

JAS...! Laria howled I looked down at Laria; she was on top of the other wolf. I tried to pull myself up until I heard a crack.

“Holy...shit!” I muttered, knowing that no one would have heard me. It completely snapped, I fell down but it felt like I was slowly falling. I felt a too sudden thud and then I landed on the ground with no opened wounds. I barely opened my eyes but I saw Laria standing up weakly.

Too instantly the light brown reached me. I nearly screamed but I swallowed it down. She was snarling at me... I didn’t know what I did wrong.

...will come... dies… Eddy’s voice growled in my head. I can’t believe it, I think I’m understanding what they are saying.

......just kill me Laria’s voice protested angrily.

I couldn’t hear what the next growl meant. I was paying attention to the wolf in front of me. She growled darkly, I was unsure if she was saying something at me or not. Her head raised when she was looking for something, the wolves glared at Laria before fleeing quickly. I admit that was something random. Then all of a sudden I fell to the ground with full darkness overtaking me.

“JASON!” I heard a yell but I couldn’t recognize the voice. “What did you do?!” the voice hissed darkly. Then I could tell it was Seth.

“Leon told me to tell him and I did,” Laria’s voice muttered.

“Wait dad told you to shift when he told me he couldn’t find out?” someone else’s voice joined in.

“Laria!” Seth complained, I wanted to find out what was going on, so I opened my eyes. Standing over me was Laria, Seth and Gordon.

“WHAT YOU GUYS KEEP THROWING THINGS AT ME AND....” Laria noticed me. I stared at her in horror, as well as Seth and Gordon. But they didn’t notice me yet.

“And...” Seth urged but turned his head towards me. Gordon’s eyes glanced at me with his hazel eyes.

“What the hell are you?” I managed to squeak out. Fear overtook me this time and it was quite nerve racking.

“Use your power... I don’t want him to find out yet.” Laria told Seth. What did she mean by find out yet I just did.

“Oh yeah because you trained me and your the boss of me.” Seth whined.

“Hate to break it to you but I’m the leader of this newly formed pack so you must listen to me.” She ended and folded her arms. Seth muttering angrily walked to me, my eyes were in fear of the three animuins.

“You will forget this ever happened. You were with your friend Krystal when people tried to mug you two, then Gordon and I came to the scene and you were knocked out.” Seth told me. I inhaled then looked around in shock.

“Oh yeah... thanks for reminding me,” I muttered in uncertainty. “So Seth let’s go home.” Seth helped me up. I glanced at Krystal and Gordon before we left the forest’s sight. As we walked in the house Seth’s parents were arguing about something.

“Mum, Dad.” Seth cheered. I followed Seth silently up stairs, his room was tidier than usual.

“What is it?” I asked. Seth smiled and switched on the screen of the computer which revealed a facebook page.

“I found out about your father while you were on your date.” I blushed with embarrassment.

“Shut up man... It wasn't a date."

“You asked her out to the movies didn’t you?”

“Well yeah unless you consider it a triple date.”

“... You know how much I like Maya.”

“Yep and if you continue ranting I’ll tell her.”

“You are a cruel, cruel person.”

“I know... hey so what did you find out about my dad?”

“Why don’t you look for yourself?” I paid attention to the screen. It read “Leon Forte”.

“Oh my god... I can’t believe it... Forte that’s Krystal’s last name.”

“That’s weird.”

“Yeah... I mean I was liking my own sister... Wait a second... how on earth... We must be triplets.”

“Maybe if that’s what you want to call it.” Seth said taking a sip out of a cup he got from the table.

“But I was told I was a twin not a triplet...”

“Maybe they didn’t know... until your mum gave birth to Laria.”

“What?”

“I mean Krystal.... Man why was I thinking of the name Laria?”

“I don’t know... oh well the point is that I found out Krystal might be related to me. Maybe I can ask about her Dad.”

“Yeah maybe... who knows no one really knows about her father. I’ve heard that he was a killer and the reason why Krystal is staying with him is because he threatened her life or something.”

“SETH!” Sera, Seth’s mum yelled. Seth turned around and looked at me.

“Jason... I wouldn’t think about it much... Besides it was just a joke.” Seth ran out of the room but he quickly walked back in. “Oh yeah can you stay here, don’t leave the house.”

“Yeah sure.” I told him. Seth nodded and walked out of the room for the last time. I walked into my room which was behind Seth’s. I opened the window and felt the fresh breeze cool my face.

But it wasn’t long until I fell soundlessly asleep on my bed.

I could tell it was a dream, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the fog.

“Jason....” the voice was calm and it sounded too familiar.

“Krystal?” I asked fighting my way through the mist of coldness. The wind blew madly and appeared a giant grey wolf, way bigger than me. The wolf glanced at me with it’s massive golden eyes... it sat down tilting it’s head at me then raised it’s giant paw which then morphed into a human hand as it gently stroked my face.

“Laria?!” I sat up but nothing was in front of me but my room. I stood and walked to close the window there was no one around so I closed it and went back to sleep...

Time flew, so fast that I was standing in a mansion watching Gordon dancing with his sister. I walked up to him, glaring intriguingly.

“What is your problem?” Gordon snorted.

“Guys stop.” Krystal walked in between us.

“Oh I have the problem which is you Gordon.” I growled darkly.

“What did I do?” Gordon asked innocently.

“I’ll tell you. Your sibling doesn’t want to dance with you.” I growled again.

“Guys seriously.” Krystal growled.

“You trying to pick a fight?” Gordon threatened.

“Yeah pretty much...” I puffed my chest bravely. Gordon was more built than me so he would win this fight.

“I won’t hurt you...” Gordon told me softly.

“Wow... you are a pansy... Krystal is not going to be your Girlfriend... and if you love her like that that is sick... I hate sickos like you, I’m so glad I’m not your brother.”

Suddenly I sat right up, looking around. On the wall a sheet a piece of paper was taped to the wall. I read the paper quickly.


You have been invited,
To the 100 years, legendary party
Learn about the history of the animuins and the rectocs. We celebrate our myths and legends.

It is on July 28th at 8:00 pm, invite anyone at Dripper’s Mansion.

Hope to see you

“Seth?” I asked. Seth was there in an instant. He leaned on the wall. His forehead furrowed and his eyes squinted at the paper.

“Where did you get this?” he muttered ripping the paper from the wall.

“I just found it... Seth what is it?”

“That is something I don’t know...”

“So are we going to this party?”

“I don’t know... go get ready for school, I’ll ask mum and dad.” He left the room. I put on jeans and a navy blue tee-shirt. I put on my jogging shoes and grabbed my brown leather bag. I combed my hair then made it in a mess, when it was perfect I walked out of the room.

“We are going Seth. Look I know that you sense something bad about it but we will be fine.” I was about to turn into the kitchen but I hid behind the wall. That was Guy, Seth’s dad.

“Understood... but are you sure?” Seth had asked him.

“Yes son... it’s going to be great, we can celebrate the past 100 years... Jason... come here.” Guy had noticed I was hiding and I silently walked out without a word.

“So you wanna eavesdrop? I heard that is bad for you.” Fear struck me as I trembled.

“Dad! Stop it!” Seth growled at his dad. Guy looked away from me, being able to calm myself. Seth walked towards me. “Come on Jason...”

“Ok....” I shuttered as we ran out the door.

“Yeah we are going to that party.” Seth told me on the way to the bus stop.

“Oh... Do you know if Krys is going to be there?” I asked with an extra tone of excitement.

“Jase... there are things I know and one of them is that Krystal is defiantly going to that party.” Seth answered looking up in the sky.

“What I don’t get is why does your dad creep me out?”

“That is one of his natural talents.” Seth sighed rolling his eyes.

We sat by the bus stop, waiting patiently until the familiar yellow bus pulled up. We walked in, sitting at the back of the bus on the old leather seats.

“So... Maya sent you a text yet?” I asked in boredom on the way to school.

“Nope, I heard her mum is really strict. But her mum likes me and thinks Maya should marry me. To be honest I think Maya disagrees with that.” Seth explained.

The rest of the way was silent as the bus screeched at a stop in some other streets. When the bus finally stopped at the school, we hopped off. I walked in the large building full of random students, I check my locker number which I realised was across from Krystal’s. I opened the locker putting most of my stuff in the locker. Seth’s locker was right beside mine. She didn’t seem to notice me as her brother and Jenna stood next to her.

“Stop staring man...” Seth told me. I sighed then listened grabbing my bag and walking to my first class. The bell rang by the time I arrived to the room; we walked into a odd classroom. The walls were painted yellow there were sinks surrounding large desks and high chairs. That was when I realised that it was a science lab.

I walked in the room, not paying any attention until Gordon walked in. The dream hit me again when I saw the same look on his face, the exact same facial expression in the dream.

I was edgy, maybe it was because of Gordon. The bell rung and it was time for us to leave our first class, on the way out I bumped into Gordon.

“Oh sorry bro...” Gordon told me.

“Don’t say that.” I snapped “I’m not your bro... in fact bro is a term for brother.”

“You think I don’t know that?” he furrowed his brow. Good I was getting on his bad side.

“Just leave Krystal be, she doesn’t want you to chase her tail all day. She doesn’t need you.”

“You have no idea...” Gordon finally said before walking away. I growled after him.

“Typical....” I muttered angrily. I kept muttering to my next class which was Gym.

“Hey, my name is Joey Dripper. Just call me Joey and I would not mind if you called me Sir.” The teacher said as I made my way closer. I noticed Krystal and started to go through the crowd. “We are going to do dodge ball.” Some people cheered, I was one of them. I wish Gordon could have taken this class so I could throw the ball continuously. A much young person dragged a bag and poured out the bag of dodge balls.

I gently poked Krystal with one of my fingers, she turned around her eyes were watering. I know it had something to do with Gordon, I swear I will kill him.

“Are you ok?” I asked her with a worried face.

“No... One of my friends’ dad died and one of his sons don’t even know.” She whispered.

“I’m sure you should tell him...” I told her softly, she looked at me with a pained expression.

“Hey! Ma’am the one with the straight, brown hair!” Joey called. I raised my head towards Krystal. I noticed that her hair is straighter than usual.

“Yes sir?” She sighed.

“Do you want to volunteer?” Joey glanced at Krystal but she ignored the glare.

“Sure... I’ll be easy.” Krystal smirked. The teacher laughed loudly in reply, Krystal picked the ball up, smirking silently.

“Ok kid... Throw the ball. Give it your best shot.” She threw the ball, the teacher was expecting to catch the ball but the ball collided into his face. I flinched as well as the crowd did as soon as he hit the ground. Some students chuckled at that but the rest of us were too shocked to care about laughing.

“You did say to give it my best shot...” she said innocently. She didn’t sound like Gordon when she said that, it kinda crept me out.

“Ok if that happens to you, instead of flying down to the ground. You are out, unless you caught it unlike me.” He pegged the ball at Krystal, she didn’t move an inch. I watched her with shock, but she raised her hands and grabbed the ball once she had a chance to.

Krystal walked back, most of the students back slightly away from her. I wouldn’t blame them but it wouldn’t be good if I got on her bad side.

“Get in small groups of three and start practicing.” Joey ordered. My group was with Maya and Krystal. She always gave the ball to me or Maya, I knew why. Krystal left to go talk to the teacher.

“So how long have you been crushing on my best friend?” Maya asked throwing the ball at me. I gave her the look that I usually had, brows furrowed, eyes squinted and a confused look on my face.

“Sheesh I don’t like her.” I lied shaking my head. I missed the ball. Maya groaned and rolled her eyes. I chased the ball then threw it back at her. “What made you think that?”

“Seth.” She quickly replied catching the ball before throwing again. This time I caught it, pausing for a moment.

“Seth aye...” I growled. He will be avenged for this, I will give revenge to him. “You know... Seth likes you that’s why he told you.”

“Really?... I don’t believe you.” I threw the ball at her, she caught it with ease. She waited a moment throwing the ball back.

“Go on ask him yourself, it’s the truth.” I stumbled a bit when I caught it. I threw the ball back at her.

“Yeah whatever... Krys likes you too.” Maya admitted grabbing the ball.

“I’ll believe that when she can transform into a wolf.” I rolled my eyes. Maya threw the ball back at me, I caught it without any problems this time.

“Why wolf?” her curious light blue eyes flickered with rarity.

“I like wolves...” I explained. Krystal came back but she was more silent and she never talked. As we were throwing the ball at each other she never had trouble catching or throwing it. Maya and I had trouble.

Luckily the bell ran and it was time for break. We walked out of the gym, I was talking to Maya about the party.

“Yeah I got invited.” Maya noted. I tilted my head, Krystal never talked about it I noticed, she must be thinking of it.

We met up with Jenna and another girl that I have never seen before. She was with Gordon, which made me growl slightly. Just seeing him gets me upset.

“This is Cher...” Jenna introduced.

“I know...” Krystal replied sharply. “But I need to talk to you Gordy.” She yanked Gordon’s arm and took him away from us.

“So are you going to the party?” Maya asked Jenna.

“Yeah...” Jenna smiled, “I’m wearing that purple dress mum got me.”

“I’m going to wear that green dress...” Maya smiled.

“What are yous talking about?” Cher whispered, her voice was soft.

“A party that’s on tonight, since we are fourteen this year we would be allowed to go, would you wanna come with us?” Jenna flicked her hair back. Perfect. I had to spend time with girls that are going to talk about some stupid party.

“I can’t- I’m helping my mum at work.” Cher muttered.

“Where does your mum work?” Maya had asked.

“She works at the old bookstore... the man that use to work there had a heart attack.” The blonde replied.

“Mind if I come and buy some books?” Maya asked kindly. Krystal’s friends had something different about each other. Jenna has a mum and a step father that she treats like her own. Her real dad use to abuse her and her mother that was why she was glad when he moved out. But Jenna was the kind of girl that is responsible and talks alot about herself, in other words making others feel bad sometimes.

Maya’s parents were together, though Maya has a little brother and sister they never got along. Maya’s mum is one of those strict mothers pretending to know what is best for their children when they just want slaves. Maya was known as a book worm back in junior school. We would see her planting her face in a book in front of a library.

Krystal was a serious person. She would still smile and laugh when needed to but she was very defensive when it came to her brother. They seemed very close at the same time I believe that she doesn’t want to be that close.

“Uh yeah sure I guess.” Cher muttered, looking away.

Though it was beginning of the day, school ended fast. I was in my room putting on a tuxedo that Sera got for me while we were at school. I brushed my hair then messed it up, like I do every time.

When we arrived at the mansion we were greeted by some people. Seth’s parents ditched us as it was only us two.

“Lets go find the others,” I heard Seth mutter. I followed him until we saw Maya. He got excited and left me alone. I bumped it Raphael, Raph was considered a friend to me. I mean he is kind and he cares for his girlfriend Nanami.

“Hey,” he mumbled to me. I gave him a slight smile before we walked together, knowing that Nanami would be with Krystal.

“So how is Krystal? I know you hang out with her more than me.” Raph’s green eyes flickered from one spot to another.

“She is good... I mean, she seems to smile a lot more which is an improvement.” Raph raised his head, noticing Nanami with Krystal and Gordon. “Come Nanami.” He lend out his hand, Nanami blushed furiously but accepted it, leaving the three of us.

The music soon turned romantic, I saw Krystal smiling slightly. I noticed she let her hair down, despite the fact it was very straight. Her red dress made her look more like a goddess.

“Do you wanna dance sis?” Gordon offered, I snorted softly, hopefully Krystal didn’t hear.

“Sure, one song.” She walked with her brother, while I watched with envy. The scene reminded me of the dream, which crept me out even more.

The song was started to end, I walked to the siblings, ready for my dream to come true.

“Krystal Forte, may I have this dance?” I glared at Gordon darkly, hoping he would get the message.

“Yeah sure....” she released Gordon and held onto my hands, they were warm under her touch despite they were already warm.

“Hey so... I found out something about my father... his last name was Forte... that’s your last name maybe we’re related.” I told her cheerfully. Her face was so serious when I said that.

“No... That’s not true...” she shuttered.

“I believe it,” I assured her. “Speaking of... your brother... I don’t trust him.”

“Why not?” Her eyes seemed to lighten slightly, that was because I couldn’t stop staring at them.

“He is in my dreams sometimes and they seem real...”

“Look, Jason forget it.”

“But I can’t....”

“Jason, he is your brother.” She said too quickly. I didn’t absorb the information at first until I repeated it in my head. No, he wasn’t my brother I hate him too much for him to be my brother.

“What did you just say?” I managed to say.

“I’ve got to go.” She pushed me away and ran up the stairs. I tried to follow her but something stopped me. She looked back at me, as if she feared me... or herself. A hand grabbed onto my shoulder.

“Hey I think you should leave her alone.” Gordon’s voice said to me. I turned around, glaring at him.

“Dude what is it? I like her...” I growled stubbornly. Apparently he is my brother; she said nothing about me being her brother.

“Krys is a good person she deserves the best.”

“So what are you saying?” I snapped.

“She isn’t your sister, she isn’t mine either... but I’ve known her longer and way more than you ever would.”

“What?”

“Yep... but I would leave her alone, because if she got hurt because of you I swear on my father’s grave I will kill you.” He continued glaring and walked away. To be honest that made no sense.

I saw Krystal coming back down the stairs, staring at something. I turned my head to what she was gazing at. Haroni the mayor tapped the microphone in front of him, and then he cleared his throat.

“I’ve been Mayor for five years, but I just only discovered that something else was among us.” She walked deeper in the crowd. I reached her quickly before anything happened.

“Hey Krystal!” I managed to whisper at her. She didn't hear me by the looks of it. She was focusing on the Mayor.

“Let’s say this official day, is the day of the myth and legends for it all to be real.” Krystal was looking at someone until she panicked and ran away from the Mayor. I tried chasing her.

“Krys!” I whispered but once again she didn’t hear me.

“We are going to countdown, a toast to the town’s myths and legends! 100 years!” Haroni raised his glass and tapped it with the microphone. The sound was not too loud but some people flinched when that happened.

“TEN, NINE, EIGHT” The crowd cheered, I cheered too, not only because I was bored it was because I was agreeing to this. “SEVEN, SIX, FIVE!” I turned around looking for Krystal. “FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!” A strange noise came in my ears, I was confused. It was around the same pitch as the bell, very annoying but liveable.

I heard a familiar scream. As soon as I heard her voice I started running to the voice like the hero I am.

“Krystal?” I yelled pushing people. She wasn’t the only scream; many other people including Gordon and Nanami had fallen to the ground. As I ran I managed to ignore the annoying sound.

Jason! I heard a cry, I could tell it was Krystal. I pushed more people out of the way though most were crippling, finally I found Krystal on her hands and knees.

“You see people, these are the real myths. They’re animuins, so many live by you everyday. Let’s take an example.” The gym teacher explained. I widened my eyes, so animuins did exist, so people who are having a breakdown are classified animuins?

“Animuins? Impossible!” Someone had said, it was someone I didn’t know.

“You see the sweet child in the red dress?” the gym teacher said.. “She is Laria... The girl in the fire eight years ago.” I gasped, I know it was a dramatic thing but that was all I can think about.

Krystal... Or Laria stood up weakly, but I still didn’t believe the girl I like is Laria.

“Krystal!” I tried to run towards her, to comfort her but some people grabbed me from behind and pulled me back.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!!” the so called animuin threatened; they didn’t do anything but they pulled me back until she was out of my sight. Instantly I saw Krystal shift into a grey wolf. The exact copy of the wolf of the dreams, now I believed that she was really Laria.

“Krystal...” I whispered then started to back away. Laria was the one that saved me, from all those times, she was that wolf that always watched me and now I know. I ran from her, I didn’t fear her, I just couldn’t think.

Suddenly I heard a girl scream but my head was full of confusing thoughts that I didn’t care right now.

“The building is on fire!” the girl screamed. Since I was near the only escape route, I started to run and I saw Laria in her wolf form running after me, having an unknown reason. I got out of the building just before the exit fell to the ground.

“Laria...” I whispered with shock, I turned my head. I saw a man making the fire go higher, the man glared at me before he leaped out my sight changing shape. I caught a bus home and I ignored the people complaining about me smelling of smoke. I walked into the house, walking into my room and collapsing on my bed without any dreams.

I woke up the next day, knowing that last night wasn’t a dream. I scanned throughout the house, no one was here. Not even Seth, today is a Saturday so we got to stay home. I know pointless that we had to go to school on a Friday.

I heard a loud knock soon after that. I answered the door; Laria and Seth were wounded and they looked like they were just bashed. I didn’t pay much attention to Laria as I saw Seth’s condition.

I opened the door wider for them so Seth could come in. I didn’t realise that Laria was right behind me when Seth collapsed on the couch.

“Let’s cut down to the chase. You are an animuin and so is Seth.” I growled. Laria’s face was full of shock.

“Yes… I can answer any question you have…” She explained to me, I couldn’t stop looking into her brown eyes.

“Just go… Krys…. Laria just go before something happens.”I whispered. I was heart broken saying that, it made me feel like a dickhead. I saw some tears from her eyes as she walked out, letting her hair flow behind her.

As the time flew I was asked Seth about the incident at the party, he explained the brief things. Such as his family were all animuins, so I was living in the same house as non humane beings. Seth also announced of his parents death.

I admit, I wasn’t proud of it but I could tell Seth was glad that they were gone. No longer putting me at risk.

But for the whole day I was taking care of Seth, he told me he wasn’t feeling well. I just have to endure the fact that the girl I liked wasn’t even human. That night I went to sleep without dreams of Laria.

“Hey Seth are you ok?” I asked. Seth has been acting very weird recently, it has been a few days since I found out about animuins existing but it didn’t help that he has been taking pain tablets. He might die of an overdose.

“Yeah… I’m fine.” The voice cracked. I walked towards Seth who was lying on his bed of his room.

“What happened?” I asked again for the fifth time

“I told you already. I’m feeling a fever…”

“Hey you know how you said you liked Maya… does Laria know about it?”

“Yeah… I mean she can be strict but that’s because she has been going through a rough road… to be honest she really cares about you Jason.”

“I’ll believe that when I’m forty and she is probably the age of twenty-two,” I sighed unhappily.

“Hey if you want I can erase your memory, that you ever knew her.”

“No… I like her and I think that my brother does too.”

“Brodie? Brodie and Laria? Sheesh Jason you must be love depressed.”

“What?” I snapped.

“Laria finds Brodie as a friend, I hate to break it to you but did you know how she got the scars from her shoulders?”

“No.” I told him honestly.

“Well she got those scars protecting you. If I were you I would learn a bit about her because she wouldn’t protect anyone like the way she did.”

“How come I can’t remember it?”

“I erased your memory; you were scared to death when you saw us.”

“I can’t believe it…” I sat down on a wooden chair and looked at Seth. “Are you sure about this?”

“Am I sure about this… of course I am… I erased your memory! Of course I would know. Trust me I know that she wouldn’t do that for just anyone.”

Our conversation was stopped by my watch, which beeped like hell. I pressed the button and it shut itself.

“Time to go to school.” Seth said, “Come on.”

We caught a bus, because of Seth’s fever it doesn’t help us walking. The bus ride seemed slow… just too slow.

When we arrived to school which was a little later, the bell rang I went to my class and saw Gordon. My school day was quite boring, until I had my English class with Laria. I was forced to sit next to her, in the middle of the lesson I quickly jotted a note down and passed it to her.

Tell me what’s going on?

Laria was an extremely fast writer, finishing a paragraph before I would have finished half of it.

As you figured out, I’m an animuin. My name is Laria, the history books missed a load of information… After school, can you meet me at the Café? I promise I will explain everything and at the end of today you tell me what you want to do with the information. You can get rid of your memories and wait, you can keep the secret of the animuins so you are safe or you can tell everyone about me so everyone treats me differently.

I read through the note quickly. I nodded so she would get the message, I could see her small smile. Something I would die for. All of a sudden the teacher was in front of us.

“Sending notes Miss Forte? Or love letters Mr Amarel?” the class chuckled quietly. He held out his hand. “Note please.” I was about to take to the note from Laria, when she shook her head. She glared at him through her eyes.

“No we are not writing notes to each other…” Laria whispered. I noticed that no one else heard it because they didn’t react.

“You know what? I guess you weren’t writing notes.” The teacher nodded and started talking again. I looked at her, and the teacher. How did she do that? I guess that is part of the animuin pack.

Class ended and I went to my class with Jenna, though she was a friend, she totally trusted me. She would rant on all about her day and if she had any problems she would tell me. Keith came into the room and sat near by. I tried to communicate, but he was different. Yeah sure I haven’t seen him since a few weeks ago but he seemed more mature.

“Yeah anyways Krystal wants your number...” Jenna packed her books in her purple bag.

“Why does she want my number?” I wondered.

“Why do you care? I think she likes you.” She snorted.

“Yeah... I’ll believe that when she’s twenty two and I’m forty.”

“Right... you’re weird... just go talk to her.” She grabbed her bag and left the room. I didn’t give myself much of a choice when I bumped into Laria again.

“Hey... she muttered.

“Yeah hi... I was looking for you.” I admitted, shyly.

“For what?” Laria tilted her head slightly with a glint of happiness.

“Your number... I need to contact you in case Seth is in trouble... And Jenna said that you asked her for me to get your number.” She got out her phone while I got out mine. I swiftly typed the number on my phone.

“So what is your last name?” I asked her while entering the information.

“Alfero, its Portuguese... my mother was a school teacher.” She replied.

“Oh that’s interesting...” I put the phone back in the pocket of my jacket.

“So why aren’t you afraid of me?” She asked all of a sudden.

“Because aren’t the animuins the guardians of Dixon? Not the enemies.”

“Well... Um I should go... need to go to my next class soon.”

“Yeah... well see ya.” We went our separate ways; I didn’t want to see her look at me. Not as an offence but I was too afraid to show her that I cared for her.

As it was time for my media class, I was researching the animuins on the school computer, they had giant animals snarling down at the rectocs. I binged animuins and news articles popped up. I clicked on the window it had an image of people; they had their faces ripped off.

School finished slowly and I quickly walked out of the school grounds. I didn’t bother catching the bus, so instead I texted Seth about my explanations so he wouldn’t get worried sick about me.

I walked all the way to the cafe, the wind blew quietly making my messed up hair go everywhere.

I saw Laria sitting at the table. She smiled slightly at the sight of me.

“So you decided to come.” Her light voice cheered. I wondered if she was faking it, I mean the kindness of voice. “I bought you ice chocolate.” She smiled, she knew that ice chocolate was my favourite. I sat down my face was emotionless.

“So... what can you guys do? Because if you Google animuin it comes up with fictional facts but it’s the reality.” I asked, remembering the images.

“As animuins, some live and act like humans; animuins like me prefer to act more animal.”She explained.

“Like...”

“Most animuins have certain powers, like me for example, I can create the disasters. Brodie can do anything as long as it has something to do with unconsciousness. Hi- your dad could change age.”

“So... who is Brodie?”

“He is my best friend... he is your twin... I’ve known this since we met.”

“Is he the Gordon you spoke of...”

“Yeah...”

“So why did you fake it? Your name and everything else.”

“I admit, when my mother died I did not want to go on living, I was scared. I wished that I would be able to avenge her death... my wish came true but now I’m powerful in many ways... well according to the legend.”

“What legend?”

“The elders of my home told me this story a couple of times, I do not like being the key to the legend it makes me feel centre of attention something I dislike.”

“Are you immortal? Indestructible? Like a vampire?”

“Yes I’m immortal but I don’t stop aging until I hit a older age around 22, or 23 some animuins are until 30 and very little are forever 17. No, I can get killed. I have been scarred trying to protect you and the people I love. And no I’m not a vampire, vampires do exist I heard but they are not like how the legends speak of it.”

“Your Ice chocolate?” a waitress asked holding two glasses. She served one to Laria and passed one to me.

“Thanks...” Laria muttered. We both waited until she was gone. “Anyways, vampires are just like human beings, able to eat, don’t have lame sparkly skin, or don’t burn. They go for the animals, because humans taste more disturbing. You can only tell that they are vamps by rubbing some herb on them.”

“Wow.... Why is your hand warmer than Gord- Brodie’s?”

“It is something I cannot explain of... I think I was told a long time ago but because of my everyday routine it is buried with other stuff.”

“So do you know that Lucifer from the book?”

“... Yeah I know... him... and I hate him... you should too...”

“Why is that?”

“He killed your dad... and even worse he is my dad.” I can’t believe it, my father was dead... and he was killed by Laria’s dad. Just perfect. “Leon said that he loved you... and he died protecting me because I’m in danger all the time.” Laria took a drink from the ice chocolate. “Come on I’ll show you something.”

“Wait... you said something about Brodie... about his power... did he go to my dreams?”

“Yes... he did he didn’t want to tell you the things I’m saying right now.” She finished her drink but then looked at mine and quickly drank it. I laughed a little.

“So why are you so interested to me...? I mean you are beautiful, powerful yet you pay attention to me the most out of all of your friends.”

“Jason... I don’t know... to me, most of you people are the same, but except for you; unlike everyone else you have this spark in your eyes that lights the fire in my heart.” I looked away, she is proven that she is a close friend, telling me about herself.

“So wait... what is Tara, does she know? Is she-”

“Yes... she unlike the rest of us ages, they say it’s because she is a Leader and though they have that power, they have a disadvantage. And, she is your Aunt.” I stared with shock. Wondering if she knows about me, I quickly remembered what Laria did to the teacher during class.

“So you what you did to the teacher? That thing?”

“That is known as mind compulsion, as animuins we can lure humans and force them to do small actions such as admitting the truth or something. Some animuins can actually control minds to do whatever but that is not my ability just part of the animuin.”

“Did you ever do that to me?”

“Jason… I would never do that to you, I would never force you to do something. I will never hurt you.”

“Why?”

“Cause like I said you are different from the rest of our friends.” There was silence for a while.

“So you were going to show me something?”

“Yeah come on.” We walked to the forest, she answered all of my questions without hesitation. She told me to wait by the clearing so I listened, watching the creek rush with water. Then I heard something come out in the bushes, I flinched when I saw Laria in her wolf form. I still wasn’t use to seeing her in a different way.

She created a whirlpool, it was so amazing that I didn’t pay attention to the phone vibrating until she released the whirlpool making the water splash everywhere. She walked into the bushes and while she did that I checked my message. It was Seth saying that he needs me over urgently. Laria walked out of the bushes as her human form.

“Hey Laria... I got to go make something, no one actually knows that his parents have died... speaking of how they died?” Laria flickered her hair out of her face.

“Remember after they exposed us?”

“Yeah?”

“Someone saved most of us in the fire, they rest of us didn’t make it. Seth’s parents were two of them.”

“Oh...”

“Come on, I’ll escort you home.”

“Thanks but isn’t the man meant to do that to the girl?”

“I can protect you and let’s face it your more girly than me.”

“Oh thanks.” I groaned sarcastically.

“You welcome.” She poked out her tongue at me.

We walked to my home, I opened the fly screen and thought about what Laria wrote to me during the class.

“Laria... what did you mean you could make me forget? In that note?”

“Seth... has the power to erase your memory... I did that a few times...” she admitted sadly.

“And you said about me forgetting....”

“Yeah so we could be together...”

“So I would call you Krystal? When you hide everything away?”

“I know... I regret it sometimes... it’s for the best...”

“Laria.” I said seriously. “What are you hiding?” she looked around and sighed sadly.

“You will be an animuin... You don’t really have a choice with this.”

“No.... so that was why you took my memory.” She took my memory because she knew I wasn’t ready for it.

“Please understand Jason. I did it to keep you safe.”

“So I am going to be a giant animal and you didn’t tell me?”

“I knew your father before I met you... before he died he told me that you will become one of us because that’s how twins are.”

“I gave you your day.... Like I promised... I will keep your secret but please... we shouldn’t be friends, I’ve got my own problems and so do you... If you are in danger all the time I must stay away from you.”

“But it is my job to keep you safe.” She protested.

“I know, I know you will never do anything to hurt me but what happens if someone knew that I knew, they would go after me, kill me and then you will upset.”

“Jason...” she whispered. I didn’t look at her once when I said all of these things

“Laria... I like you. No wait change that I like you a lot but I need to be human for this part.”

“But Jason...” she whispered again. My eyes watered with tears, I walked up to her and kissed her cheek gently. A tear fell down my cheek but I wiped it off. I walked inside the house turning my head towards her.

“I’ll call when Seth needs you.” I whispered, regretting everything I just said. I walked in the door leaning on it, mumbling to myself of how much of an idiot I was.

I spent the rest of the evening taking care of Seth, around late time he didn’t wake up.

“SETH!?” I checked for his pulse, his beating was faster than usual and his body was a lot warmer then before. I guess he was running a fever, maybe he’ll do better tomorrow.

I never slept that night, I sat in the chair next to my best friend, thinking about my history...

[*(L)aria~]

Meeting Family
Laria Alfero

Talon was silent when I asked him the question. I growled deeply.

“Tell me.” I threatened. Talon still didn’t say anything in reply. “Now.” Talon sighed in defeat.

“Laria… you don’t have a half sister…” I stood with heart struck. Lesley lied to me again. How can she do this? And she wonders why I’m always mad at her. “But you did.” My head rose when he said that.

“How did she die?” I asked curiously.

“Like most animals… She grew old…” What Talon just said confused me.

“You mean my father mated with an animal?!” I gagged.

“Laria… it wasn’t like that… he was in love with her until he met Lesley.”

“So who is Tahani?”

“Tahani is the alpha female of one of the wolf packs known as the Golden roots pack.” Talon explained.

“Is she... My niece?”

“Yes... She did also recently have pups.”

“Great where can I find her?”

“You know that answer.” I went through my memories when the valley appeared in my head.

“Ok I'm finding her, bye Talon.” I bolted out of Talon’s den and through the long grass. I felt the breeze across my face but it didn’t help when Jason’s face randomly appeared. I stopped, since I was uncontrollable of my stopping I flipped to the ground. “Ow….” I muttered angrily to myself.

I got back up to my feet and ran again to the wolves. When I appeared in their territory I took a sniff around. It was recent scents around here so I must be close I could sense it.

The trees became more and more as it turned into a forest, I followed the scent as if lead me to a small den, revealing tiny heads. They must be the pups, I walked closer to them and there were three heads at most. All of them having the same colour of dark brown and navy blue eyes, they all raised their heads at the sight of me as they cowered back in the den. I knew they were afraid, I wouldn’t blame them. An unfamiliar wolf entering their den… that has to suck.

Suddenly one of the smaller pups approached me. She was also the less chubbier than the two other ones. She tilted her head at me in confusion.

“Mama?” was all she was able to say.

“No, I am Laria… who are you?” I was shocked that she was able to speak at such a young age.

“Wya?” the pup whined. I took a step forward but that caused them to step back. “I don have name, I just called Manha.”

“Manha?” I tilted my head, it seems so unusual.
“That is who you are.” I told her, she yapped excitedly.

“Weally?” she yapped.

“Where is you mother?” I asked.

“Shwe wen o hun” I frowned. I guessed she said she went to hunt. Suddenly unexpectedly I got tackled. I fell to the ground then rose back up again. A female wolf only a few inches taller than me snarled viciously. Her fur was a chocolate brown and her eyes were a deep warm brown.

“Manha! Want did I say to you about talking to those beasts? They are the reason why we are always at threat?”

“Sorrw Mama,” Manha lowered her head. “Shwe whas askin.”

“She could have killed you!” the wolf snarled at me.

“Tahani?” I asked.

“How do you know my name?” She took a step in front of her pups.

“I will explain everything, just tell me. Is your grandfather Lucifer?”

“Why should I say anything to you, intruder?”

“Because I am his daughter, I can kill you in a flash.” I didn’t really mean that but I pray she believes it.

“I know who you are Laria… Most wolves here do, and I doubt you can hurt me.” I looked at Manha.

Manha I need you to be afraid of me when I do this. I tried to send her a message. Then I quickly ran towards Manha, dodging Tahani along the way. I grabbed Manha by the head.

“Let go of her!” Tahani growled. Manha who must have gotten my message was horrified.

“Mama!” Manha faked a scream.

“Ok let go of her I’ll talk to you just please don’t hurt her.” I looked at Tahani, she nodded. I then sighed and put her down, Manha ran in the den, feeling safer.

“I just need to ask some things about my father and about you part animuins?”

“Part animuins from animal are different to human animuins, for example we are able to shift.”

“Do you shift?”

“Never, I hate the humans they were responsible for the rectocs chasing us and then giving animuins life then creating the keallurs.”

“Do you age?”

“Yes, it is a downside but most of us age anyways.”

“Do you know an animuin named Edward?”

“Nope and don’t plan to, you are probably the first animuin that I have talked to. Now let me ask you a real question. Are you really the one that they say?”

“I am, you see before I wasn’t really going to hurt Manha, I would never do that to my own nieces.”

“Yeah I know I just wanted to see if you had kindness in your heart… otherwise you have never touched her.” I smiled a bit.

“I was wondering… would it be ok if I joined your pack? Not as an aunt but as a dispersal wolf?” Tahani looked at me.

“You are the first animuin for a long time.”

“Thank you.”

“Just to let you know, the outcome could have gone a completely different way.”

“I know.”

“Just wait with me, I can tell you about the pack.” I sat down besides Tahani she explained to me how the wolf pack hunts, and how they travel.

When other wolves returned they growled at short notice of me, however Tahani stood.

“She is no threat… She is the one they speak of.” Tahani looked towards me. “I assume you are safe with the pack but if anything happens-”

“Don’t worry Tahani, nothing will happen.” I promised her. She slightly smiled in her wolf face.

“Good, now come on. I’ll introduce you.” She familiarized everyone to me. Alcide, Tahani’s mate was black with white markings. Almost like a husky dog. He is friendly and he accepts anyone to the pack, like a big family.

Manha’s siblings are known as Tuck and Jerry. As they are both Manha older brothers they are bigger than her.

I checked the sun, for the time. It isn’t very late as it was middle of the day, I learned a bit more about the wolves and my heritage. Lucifer turned out to be the biggest wolf that Garden has ever seen which made them think that Lucifer was the one to give peace.

The one, told by the legends was supposed to be peaceful, to care about others and not betray anyone. Maybe that’s why Talon sees goodness in me.

The day flew fast with the pack; we mainly talked and travelled, the wolves were very kind to me; barely caring about my father.

As the sun sank I was already on my way back to my room and get a night’s rest. The travel didn’t seem long when I saw that I was already in my room looking at the desk. I heard something on it, I turned my head towards the table. It was my phone that was set on vibrate. I shifted human and put on my shirt and jeans then looked at the message.

Urgent! Plz come there is something wrong with Seth

I didn’t reply on my phone, I took off my clothes and put my phone and my Caligriffy bracelet for Jason in a small black handbag. I shifted into my animal form not ripping the bag. I ran out of Garden and into the forest. Animals gave me confused expressions on their faces.

I went in the bush and I shifted and slipped on a tee shirt, jeans and my sandshoes. I quickly got out of the bushes, noticing Nanami was walking towards the same bush.

“What’s wrong cuz?” she tilted her head. Her hair was straight down to her shoulders, she was wear a skirt with a long sleeved shirt and she was wear black flats obviously with socks that went to her knees.

“I need your help.” I panted, because she was extremely intelligent she would know what was wrong.

“Why what’s wrong?” Nanami was one of those kinds of people that she can get really mad at but later on she can forgive and forget it.

“No time come on!” I started to run, I was ahead of Nanami. The main reason of this because I’m the tomboy and she is more girly. Another would be that she is wearing a skirt so she would be careful.

We both ended up at Seth’s house. I knocked on the door impatiently. Jason opened the door immediately a few seconds later.

“Come in, he is in his room.” There were times I’ve been to his house but only the bottom floor, except when I broke into the house to see Jason. As I walked up the stairs, the creaks freaked me out. We entered his room which was on the right to the stairs.

Jason opened the door and Seth was lying down on his bed. I frowned in confusion.

“You called me because Seth was sleeping?” I snorted.

“No, well sort of... ever since Friday Seth has been on his bed, nothing but sleeping. I haven’t seen him wake up once, not even during the night.” Nanami walked towards sleeping Seth, she rested her hand on him.

“He has the spark fever.” She whispered. Jason and I tilted our heads at her.

Jason leaned toward me. “Is she a...”

Yes... she is.” I told him. “And what are you talking about Nanami?”

“Don’t you remember, eight years ago this same thing happened to you.” I tried to think back but it came blank.

“Nope still nothing.” I sighed. Nanami shook her head at me.

“Jason do you remember it?” Nanami looked over to him, there was something that didn’t add up.

“I remember having a fever for two weeks.” He muttered.

“Well, it’s an animuin thing.” Nanami smiled, Jason furrowed his brow and squinted his eyes.

“But Jason isn’t an animuin... yet...” I whispered.

“Yet....” I heard him grunt.

“Ok. But it was caused by you.” Nanami explained. Jason turned his head at me, which made me frown. “You think that yous are really close because of twist of fate?”

“I did believe it but by the tone your voice is in I would say no, it is a coincidence.” I told her. She snorted.

“First day. Spark. Fall in love later in life.” I still didn’t have a clue of what she was on about.

“Ummm could you give me another clue?” I asked her.

“Urged fuck sake, Laria! On the day you guys met you had a spark between yous too. We did not understand this until we talked to Leon about it. He told us when it happened the two who sparked are meant for each other.” Nanami growled.

“So you saying that Seth had this spark with a girl and now she is going through the same process?”

“Yes. It happened to me and Raphael, it happened to you and Jason. You guys became friends because of this spark.”

“Look Nanami I know you are trying to help but there’s only stuff I can take like everyone in this room except me are animal shifting creatures.” Jason finally said. I flinched when he stepped in, I totally forgotten that he was beside me. “So Nanami just go.” She stood silently, but then she nodded and walked out off the room.

Jason took a deep breath and sat down on a chair. I could tell he was taking this harshly.

“Jase... I want to give you something-”

“No. I’m sorry but it starts with gifts, don’t take this offensively but I don’t want to be with you.” I was shattered and here Nanami says that we were meant for each other.

“Jason let me explain... this bracelet is not a gift of kindness, but for protection.” I took out the bracelet and shown him. “The stone is called Caligriffy; this stone protects its wearer. As long as you got it with you or on you, no animuins can mind control you. You are immune to their powers, like mind read or compulsion.” He shook his head.

“But not to your power.”

“True, not to my power but you know that I will never hurt you.”

“Look uh... Laria, you told me what is wrong with Seth and that is all I care about, I will wear this bracelet and never take it off for my protection but Laria, and I have got to stay away from you, so just go home now.”

“Jason I-”

“I don’t want to hear it... Maybe the spark thing was wrong and it was meant to be Brodie.”

“No, animuin abilities are never wrong.”

“See that’s the problem!” he yelled. I checked on Seth, he didn’t move. “I never want to be an animuin! Not before, not now not ever!” I was silent for a minute. “Forget I said that.”

“Are you calling us different or something?” I whispered.

“No... Just I didn’t want to be a...”

“Freak? Outcast? A non human being? Maybe I should have just gone with the keallurs when they asked me. Now I have to fight every day of the rest of my immortal life... and you are going to grow old then die and I will be with Brodie because apparently my freak show of me is wrong. Bye Jason, don’t ask me unless it is for Seth.” I stormed out of the house. Muttering angrily to myself, I didn’t want to go to Garden, not just yet. I walked around the street when I bumped into Haroni.

“Laria, are you ok?” he asked.

“No why in the world would I be ok?” I growled.

“Hey... but I just want to make sure that you have your things.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m taking you out somewhere, just a break.”

“You tried to expose us. Why would I trust you?”

“Because we both want to know the truth. You see a witch in a town called Hanna can tell the truth.”

“A witch? And why do you want to take me?”

“Witches are just human beings that believed in powers so she or he was able to use powers. And I want to kind of use this as an apology.”

“An apology?”

“Yeah... I have seen you depressed recently... I thought it had to do with that Jason kid.”

“How do you know about him?” I growled.

“Don’t take this abusively but I have been watching you two.” I snorted in reply.

“As a fallen you are very annoying.”

“As an animuin you are very stubborn.”

“Why thank you.”

“So is it a deal, because if you decline I can force you.”

“And how is that?”

“You are only at the age of thirteen; I have been alive since the earth has been made.”

“Whatever... I’ll go with you.”

“Juveniles.” He rolled his eyes.

“Let’s just go before I change my mind.”

“Juveniles” he repeated. “Let’s go, the sooner we start the better.”

“Oh yes.” I agreed. We walked together, generally greeted by people because I was with the mayor.

We walked for a short time, arriving at the mansion. He had a black Lamborghini.

“You are pathetic you know that?” I snorted.

“Why is that young Laria?” he stated charmingly.

“You are rich and you are spending money on pretty cars, you know kids around the world are still starving.”

“Well sorry, I thought as an animuin you wouldn’t care much for human life.”

“I thought as a fallen you would care for human life.”

“Get in.”

“Whatever.”

“Watch it.” He warned, as he stepped in the car. The seats were made of some material I was not familiar with. The scent was fresh and the windows were tinted black.

“So this is one of the best cars they say?” I wondered.

“Yeah... it’s a beauty.” He muttered. He started up the car when I felt a vibrate on my phone. I checked who it was, it was Nanami.

“Where are you?” Nanami’s voice yelled. I held the phone, away from my ear so she wasn’t so loud.

“I will be gone for a short time.” I answered her.

“Where? And with who?”

“If I told you that you would be screaming so loud that China will hear it.”

“Hello Nanami.” Haroni said to my phone.

“WHAT THE HELL LARIA!” she screamed.

“I got to go.... reception.” I purposely hung up the phone.

“And I presume she is your cousin?” Haroni started to drive out of his mansion.

“Yes how do you know?” I snorted.

“I’m an angel, I know certain information if I have touch with an object or being.”

“Interesting. What creatures have you met?”

“There are so many; vampires, witches, maenads, mermaids, kitsunes, mages, shifters and werewolves.”

“I was told werewolves and Shifters were just animuins.”

“Oh no, difference. Werewolves are more stubborn than you, they are descendants of animuins, shifters are less stubborn but also are descendants.”

“So what are the differences between a mage and a witch?”

“Witches were originally human; they have just powers and have limits. Mages are more powerful being able to heal, chant, curse, cast, etc;” he stopped at a light.

“Have you ever been in love?” Haroni laughed in reply.

“I’m an immortal, I cannot fall in love. But you guys can, because the humans can always turn into animuins. Humans cannot transform into fallens.”

“Well, I think I’m in love...”

“With Jason?”

“No.”

“Brodie?”

“No...”

“Who then?”

“With both of them.”

“Oh, why both?”

“Think of it Haroni- One of the brothers have been my best friend since we met... he has known me longer than Jason. But I had the spark with Jason, he hates what I am.”

“That’s exceptional.” He muttered before going again.

“So like I asked before why do you need me?”

“Laria... I might be able to help you... to your Keallur murderer. Edward isn’t it?”

“Yeah... how could this witch help?”

“This witch has been around for a while and she met you in the past... and future, she is one of your closet friends.”

“What do you mean she met me in the past?” The mayor slowed down narrowing his eyes at me.

“Laria... you go back in the past. You even met me, that is how I know your name.” He said to me then looked on the road.

“What does that mean?”

“In nine years you go save your own life.”

“How?”

“Young Laria... I cannot tell you... you must do that.”

“Wait... when you said that I was the one?”

“We never had contact Laria... we just talked, I offered to escort you but you said you were good.”

“So-”

“Did I ever mention you ask so many questions? Go get rest... I’ll be there by tomorrow.” I sighed, Haroni must have read my mind when he turned on the radio. “Do you know where your heart is?” he sang. This song was one of my favourite songs. Say (All I need) by the one republic.

“Say... All I need” after those words I closed my eyes and fell asleep.















Hanna

I ran, wasn’t feeling fear. At least I thought I wasn’t; I saw nothing but trees. I stopped in a clearing full of darkness.

“JASON!” I yelled, my eyes were scanning every spot that my eyes passed. “BRODIE!”

“You have to choose one!” Edward in his human form chuckled he was standing on a rocky ledge. I growled viciously at him. I leapt on the ledge standing a metre apart. I shifted into my wolf form.

OVER MY DEAD BODY! I snarled and ran to attack him.

“Not yours...” His chilly voice echoed. I looked and saw Brodie and Jason faces were near fire. One of animuins biggest weakness if they don’t have powers to save themselves.

“Laria! Save me I lied to you about before, I love you!” Jason cried.

“He is lying Laria! I love you!” Brodie growled. I didn’t want them to burn in the fire so I glared at the fire then moved my hands around. My powers were useless against it.

“Laria?” a new voice interrupted. “Hey Laria?”

I suddenly snapped awake. I realised I was still in the car. I looked at Haroni who was staring at me with concern. I looked around the car, it was just an opened road now. Not one car was in sight.

“What happened? Why are you waking me up?” Haroni quickly pulled over.

“I want to talk to you about something. Do you want me to tell you about your mother?”

“Why what do you know about her?”

“Lesley and I were close... not like lovers close but she had been my friend since she started high school. She noticed at first that I was not getting any older as we hung out through the years.”

“Well let’s face it you look like a 25 year old.”

“Yeah.... Anyways this was around the same time she was an alcoholic.”

“My mother was an alcoholic?”

“Yes young Laria, her parents divorced and she lived with her non drinking father until he passed then was given to drunk mother.”

“Wow... she never told me about that.”

“Laria... I’m your godfather.” I suddenly jerked my head at him.

“What?”

“When Lesley found out about you she begged me to keep you save because of Lucifer, she didn’t want you to have the same fate.” I started to cry, I could tell this because of my wet face.

“Why are you saying this?”

“Because in your sleep you were screaming out Lesley’s name.”

“But why are you taking me? I mean is this so you can tell me the truth?”

“Mainly.”

“Oh my lord...... I don’t want to hate you...”

“I know... I’ve been long enough to know that”

“Seriously... what is the thing with me and my relationship with everyone I meet?”

“Look Laria. I’m sorry that I told you but you needed to know. I never knew why Lesley begged me to protect you until I touched you.”

“What else do you know?”

“... Lesley asked me to do something just recently... she asked me to tell everyone who you are Laria... Not the animuin part just the fact you are really that girl in the fire.”

“Are you nuts?”

“No think about it, I will offer you to stay at my home.... but think about it you will become the most popular girl around.”

“So when I come back you are going to tell everyone my real name?”

“You are in love with Brodie right also? Well if you let people know who you and Brodie are you could go out.”

“Police could arrest us for false information.”

“Compulsion.”

“I forgot about that...”

“Ok...” He started the car up again. “You were having a nightmare before weren’t you?”

“Yeah but how did you-”

“Just go along with it Laria... Just go along with it, go back to sleep. You will need your energy as it is a mythical town with rarely no humans roaming around.” I wondered what he meant by that. As I closed my eyes and let the darkness take over me again.

I slept with no dreams the rest of the night just listening to the song Haroni had been softly singing.

When I woke up it was when I was in a non deserted town with packs of people walking to their daily jobs. I thought Haroni had an impressive car as there were people who had butlers.

“They are immortal... they have been living long enough for the money.” Haroni explained to me.

“Wow... and here I thought that they would be less of them.”

“I may have the power as the mayor in Dixon but it is not the power in Hanna, please... Laria do not go wandering off on your own because these creatures are much older than you and they can rip you to shreds.”

“Don’t worry... godfather... I will be polite.” I promised with a smile.

“Laria be serious here... stay by my side the whole time... If Edward is here he could take this as an advantage.”

“True...” I admitted. Haroni parked his car by a car park. I got out stretching my legs, comfortably.

“You hungry?” he asked.

“You serious? Asking an animuin if they are hungry?”

“Well I thought you weren’t that close to werewolves.”

“Ha, ha,” I rolled my eyes sarcastically.

“Oh yeah by the way... the humans that live here know so you don’t need to act dumb.”

We walked towards a bar. I frowned at him in confusion.

“You kidding right? That is a bar, they won’t let me in.”

“Yes they will, you are only going to eat not drink unless-”

“No Haroni I’m not that rebellious.”

“Yeah ok come on,” he told me. I sighed, having no choice but to listen to him. We walked in silently, despite this I saw most of the people turn their heads towards us as newcomers.

“No way! Haroni! My best man!” A eighteen year old tanned man swung over the bench that he was standing behind. His eyes were dark red with charcoal cropped hair. His scent smelt like a dog, so I presumed he was a werewolf.

“Yeah way!” they both hi fived, that made me tilt my head at the werewolf.

“Who is the pretty little animuin?” I flinched when he noticed that I wasn’t human. But then I slightly growled. Haroni bumped me with his arm which made me stop growling.

“This is Laria...” He introduced.

“You mean fire Laria?” how many people know about me and the fire? I was kind of getting sick of the reason to change my name so I could live normally just for most people and creatures to know my name.

“Yeah I guess so...” I muttered dryly.

“Yeah!” he yelled.

“I got two things to say... One who are you? And two how did you know about my past?” I cracked.

“Laria!” Haroni scolded.

“No it’s cool Haroni... she is a young one... I’ve got two things to say to you one my name is Jeremy and two I know you because we knew Lucifer.” Jeremy flirted.

“Forgive the werewolf... he flirts with any lady, even if she is under aged.” Said a woman, she looked like a goddess. Her skin was looked human, her eyes were a hypnotic, midnight blue her hair was a dark colour.

“She is Angela... a vampire.” Haroni whispered.

“So what do you want Haroni?” the vampire growled. I thought she would look more human than expected.

“I need to talk to you... alone about Liza.” She widened her midnight eyes.

“Jeremy talk to Laria for a short time.” She commanded. Jeremy nodded pleasingly.

“But I was told not to leave Haroni’s sight.” I protested.

“It’s ok Laria, as long as you are not alone you will be fine.” Haroni told me. I didn’t really want to go with the werewolf as he was always so happy to keep staring at me.

“Come on I’ll show you around the place you will be staying.” Jeremy grabbed my hand, his hand was also warm. It was the first time in a while that someone who wasn’t Jason had a warm hand.

“Oh we are staying?” I frowned glaring at Haroni before I was pulled out of the bar.

“Yeah... Liza won’t be here for a few days.” Jeremy explained to me.

“Why is that?” I tilted my head.

“I don’t know witches are often secretive about their trips.” He explained.

“You have lived here your whole life?” I wondered. He turned around to glance at me.

“Laria... I’ve been an eighteen year old since 1954...”

“Wow.... so what is it like? No secrets you don’t have to hide...”

“To be honest I don’t like having no secrets it just takes the fun away, animuins in the past had always said that they wanted to protect humans from those rectocs.”

“What were rectocs like?” I asked as we held hands and walked past people.

“Rectocs were nasty things, always bugging us at a really annoying point. I’m so glad your dad finished them...”

“Yeah...” I agreed. He stopped then turned to face me.

“Did you have the spark? I just noticed that your hand was warm.” Instantly my feelings dropped.

“Yeah... but the guy doesn’t even like me...”

“Ria...” he whispered. I looked up at his calm eyes when he said my nickname. “He loves you in the end.”

“When is the end?” I whispered to him. He grabbed my face with his giant hands.

“When this Jason knows when to accept the reality.”

“WHOA! How did you know his name?”

“You don’t have the ability yet? Most Supernatural’s have the ability to know someone by touching them.”

“Oh Haroni has something like that.”

“Yep most supernatural abilities are familiar... you just need to grow into them.”

“Oh...” Jeremy released my face then grabbed my hand and started to pull towards a hotel. The building was a castle. However it wasn't crumbling and it looked like it was built yesterday.

“Like it?” Jeremy smiled proudly.

“Yeah why is it a castle?”

“Most of the families living here came from those medieval times so I built the castle for them.”

“You built this?!” I asked shocked. Jeremy winked at me seductively.

“Yeah my brothers and I built it after I turned into a werewolf.”

“So how do you turn werewolf?”

“Familiar to animuins... however, werewolves turn if they must... Usually when the pack alpha calls us or something.”

“Wow that’s weird.” I admitted.

“Yeah... come in I insist.” I walked through the giant gate. But they had doors that were around the same size as the opening of Garden.

The inside looked like a normal hotel expect the walls were covered in gold.

“We supernatural’s all get along... in fact the worst rivalry is probably witches and vampires.”

“How come?”

“Witches are still human beings... and they were the ones to discover the herb known as Caligriffy.”

“Wait Caligriffy is a name of a stone to protect wearers from danger.”

“Yes but the Caligriffy I am speaking of was discovered after the stone. Because it has the same effects as the stone they called it Caligriffy.”

“So you are saying that there is an herb that we are weak to?”

“That’s right...” he chuckled. I realised that a whole field back at Dixon was covered in that herb.

“Ok... let’s just go look at my room.”

“Sure... follow me.” He took my hand again and we stepped in an elevator. We arrived at the highest floor and we exited out of it.

Jeremy then got out keys and unlocked the door and it revealed a living room. The room was completely red; the wallpaper, the carpet, the bedspread, the pillow case. It had so much red it crept me out. He led me to a room which was mine. It had a closet full of clothes and it had a shower. He sat on my bed, and then yanked me on top of him.

“No one is around....” he muttered. I looked at him straight in the eyes.

“No, I do not want to do want you are thinking.” I told him truthfully. He flipped me and pecked my lips. I was stunned.

“You don’t want to make some food? You came to the bar for a reason didn’t you? Come on I’ll cook you something, while that is happening you go for a shower.”

He hopped off me, and walked another room while I opened the closet. I picked out a purple tee shirt, jeans and a denim jacket. I stepped in the shower and turned on the tap.

The icy cold water touched my skin I relaxed. It felt great on me, I wanted to stay in there forever but time flew too fast. I quickly got out and dressed, then brushed my hair.

“Jeremy?” I wondered. It was quiet just too quiet. I stepped out of the room slowly. Then all of a sudden a familiar scent hit me. “Edward!” I whispered to myself. I tried to run out when the door was blocked by Edward and Jeremy as hostage.

“Now this is going to be the last time I would have to ask you or by force.” Edward muttered darkly.

“NO!” I yelled. “How did you find me?”

“Simple tracking power is easy enough for me to follow you.” Edward chucked.

“Well it isn’t going to pass me.” I growled. Edward threw Jeremy to the ground. He growled at Edward.

“Shut up pup... you are no stronger than me!” Edward replied, I think it was to both of us.

“Oh yeah...” I finally said, “Try me,” I walked towards him.

“How many times have you been wound up injured because of your continuously picking on fights?”

“I haven’t been in a fight.” I stated, nearly growling.

“Whatever I’m not here to fight... just a simple message from daddy.” I growled when he said that.

“What does Lucifer want?” I tensed my whole body, ready to attack him and rip his throat out.

“This is the last time I’m going to ask if you refuse, this time... I’m going to kill unless you surrender.”

“Why don’t you do it now?” I sneered.

“Not worth my time, don’t think about attacking me in that position it will get you killed.”

“What makes you think I’m going to attack?”

“Your tensed muscles. So what will you do? Join or die?”

“I would rather go through 300 years torture.” I snapped.

“Next time Laria... I killed your mum... I can do the same to you...” the murderer walked out the door. I ran to Jeremy, his eyes were still full of shock.

“Laria...” he whispered, then he stood up. “I was stunned the whole time... I couldn’t do anything.”

“Don’t worry... he’s gone,” I whispered as my voice shook. Haroni suddenly ruptured in.

“Laria! Where is Edward?!” he yelled.

“He left…” I whispered, looking down. “He will be killing me sooner or later.” I felt tears go down my cheek.

“Laria…” Haroni sighed. “I’ve got good news, the witch is back sooner than expected.”

“I’m going to ask you one last time why is it you dragged me along?”

“I wasn’t going to tell you but I want you to live with me… No one would have known you lied… I was going to ask Liza to put a spell on the town.”

“You can do that?”

“Not me Liza can.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Laria… that wasn’t the reason… I wanted you to know about your family’s history.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Alfero’s were animuins since they started to live…. Your mother’s side the Lya’s were not animuins, your great grandmother was adopted.”

“What….?”

“Yes… Anyways there is a time of year where these Lya’s were cursed by some witch saying that the Lya’s would be running as an animuin after the planets would be equally lined together.”

“Wait this hasn’t happened to me in the past.”

“It happens after eight years of being an animuin. Tomorrow is that day… Liza is a powerful witch; she might life the curse off.”

“So I wouldn’t be exposed… and you wanted this to be an apology.”

“Yes.”

“Holy crap… So is Jason going to forget that I ever changed my name to Krystal?”

“All humans will forget… that you are Brodie ever changed names.”

“So when is this happening?”

“Tonight. The sooner the better.”

“Yeah… But I don’t want Jason to forget.”

“Laria,” Haroni grabbed my shoulders and lowered his face down. “You have to… it is the only way…”

“But-”

“Laria, I would take this as an advantage.”

“Haroni, I… I thank you.”

“No problem put some shoes on, we are going now. Thank you Jeremy for trying to protect her.”

I had totally forgotten about the werewolf who was watching us having our conversation. Jeremy walked to the stove then turned it on.

“It’s no problem…” He muttered. I grabbed white sandshoes and slipped them on silently. I tied my hair back, and then left with Haroni.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at a large purple building, we both entered without a sound. Fog was everywhere in the darkness.

I felt a cold hand touch mine. I grabbed the arm and yanked it closer revealing a teenager around my age.

“Laria?” the girl smiled. “It’s so good to see you again...” I tilted my head at the girl.

“I’ve never met you in my life.” I growled.

“Not yet anyways... ah that’s exactly how you said you were going to be.” The girl all of a sudden disappeared out of my grip.

“Liza.... this is serious.” Haroni stated. All I heard was a child’s laugh.

“Yeah I know... you want me to lift the curse off her.” Liza sighed.

“You’re a witch? You look a little too young.” I whispered.

“Yeah you were too old in the past but look where we are.”I heard her say, and then she spoke an unfamiliar language, revealing the light when I properly saw her face. Her face was like a twenty seven year old, her hair was a really dark brown; almost black, her eyes mixed with brown and green. She was standing next to a table of candles. “Well it’s good that we meet again... this time I can save you... You might not know yet but my name is Liza.” Liza smiled brightly.

“Well are you going to erase everyone’s memory... about me and Brodie changing our names?”

“No not everyone’s just the humans.” She muttered as she flicked her hand up; the candles lit up brightly.

“Ok, let that be done and then get the curse dealt with.” I sighed.

“Yes with pleasure Laria.” She closed her eyes and spoke some strange words. Defiantly unfamiliar to me.

“Why is she speaking that language?” I whispered to Haroni.

“Witches language.” Liza answered loudly with her eyes still closed, “Now everyone will forget by the time you arrive back, now to remove your curse. Please shift” She opened her eyes and watched me patiently.

“What about my clothes?” I asked looking around for a change room.

“Yeah... I got a trick up my sleeve, just shift.” I shifted like she asked me to. My clothes faded as I shifted into my wolf form. I at first howled in excitement.

“How on earth did you do that?” I howled. Haroni translated to Liza, she smiled in reply.

“I have my ways... sooner or later I could chant your friends.... If you want...”

“Yeah... this is cool...”

“Now with the curse of the shifting thingy.” She walked up to me, resting her cool hand on my forehead. She spoke in an unfamiliar language again, and then an ear splitting noise came. I winced; trying not to howl out in pain. The pain quickly stopped, I raised my head. Liza looked at me and nodded.

“Is it done?” I asked.

“Yes... Just be slow and I hope your new ability of not having to strip whenever you shift helps.”

“I’m pretty sure it will... Nice to meet you Liza... I’m glad I save you.”

“Yeah... me too,” I shifted, discovering that my clothes were on me as if I didn’t take them off in the first place. We hi fived like best friends would, but Haroni dragged me out.

“See hanging out with your godfather isn’t hard.” He settled with me.

“Shut up... I hate it when others are right.” I grumbled. We walked towards Haroni’s car, he pressed the button and we opened the doors then stepped in.

“I’m sorry... about Jason...” Haroni all of a sudden said when we were sitting in the car.

“Why... he already admits that he hates me... but I can’t admit I love him... and his brother.” I wallowed as he started up the car.

“Laria... he is your spark mate- he will love you.”

“Yeah... Jason believes it was wrong that it was an accident it was meant to be Brodie.”

“Did you tell him animuin powers are never wrong?”

“Yes... but he doesn’t want face the fact the thing he was trying to discover exists.”

“You can rest if you want it is a long drive...”

“Nah I have still got questions.”

“You can be annoying.”

“I’m a wolf, curious and interested in certain beings.”

“You are also stubborn and independent.”

“That is true... So am I going to live with you?”

“You don’t have to... I might discuss with Talon what I have been thinking.”

“Like...”

“How about this, on school nights you go to Garden very late at night so no one sees you go there, and on weekends you sleep over my mansion.”

“Why that?”

“Your friends would want to hang out with you sometimes and it’s best if we got you moving, Edward will draw to more conclusions than he expects.”

“Oh so I can keep Garden still a secret?”

“Pretty much... there is a party happening tomorrow... You can help send invitations.”

“Yeah last time I went to your parties I nearly died.”

“Ouch.... here I thought we are bonding....”

“We are... slowly...”

“Yeah I noticed. Well then ask away.” He was looking at what was in front of him.

The drive was long and time wasting I swear that I would run this and be there before his car got back to Dixon.

“Well then... we can speed up because no one is around...” the car picked up speed. I watched curiously as we saw things going faster and faster. The engine was getting louder, but Haroni got rid of that sound by putting on songs on the radio. There were unfamiliar songs that I never heard.

“What the?”

“You never heard this song? Man this song was one of my favourites the all American rejects back to me.”

“It does have a beat...” I admitted shyly.

“Yeah this kind of music can never get old... the youth of today’s music is garbage.”

“Agreed.” I laughed. I discovered we had a lot in common, we hate new stuff, we prefer the later stuff from a few years back, we like the same kind of people and foods, I told him about Jason. Despite he already knows him, but he is a great listener.

“So Jason and Brodie seem close to you... it is quite stupid to even ask how you fall in love.”

“Well falling in love is complicated... you can’t just fall in love you have to just sit back while your emotions kick in.”

“That is a weird way to describe it but good.” I winded down my window and took off my seat belt. I held my head out of the window, feeling the fresh blast of wind whip my face. I heard him laugh from inside of the car.

I saw a gas station on the way, he parked his car to get some gas.

“You hungry? Go knock yourself out.” He gave me a $100 note, for including the gas. I walked to the counter; there was a chicken burger that look disturbing so I bought snickers bars at least twenty of them.

The person who was serving me didn’t smile once; it bugged me for her to do that she must have hated her job.

“63 dollars and 23 cents.” The lady said with no emotion. I gave her the note; she took the note and gave me 26 dollars.

“Hey where is the extra ten dollars and 77 cents?” I growled. In the corner of my eye I saw Haroni giving me a confused look.

“What are you talking about?” the lady said with still no emotions. I glared at her.

“Don’t play idiotic with me you dumb blond... you owe me, or unless...” I punched the counter just below the lady, I grabbed a cold surface and yanked it.

Haroni saw and came running in. The person I got had a gun, obviously robbing the store, I know why- no witnesses around here since it is such a deserted place. The guy was handsome having dark brown hair that was recently cut. His eyes were a brilliant blue, creeping me out because they were dead set familiar.

“Give me all the money brat.” The guy said having the gun pointed to my head.

“Go ahead shoot me... doubt you will walk out of here in one piece.” I explained.

“I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL SHOOT YOU!” the guys screamed quivering. I turned my attention to the scared lady.

“You will hide... don’t watch, hide because it might get bloody.” I commanded her. She nodded and ran out to the door behind the counter.

Haroni came running in, typical hero he is meant to be. The guy got too distracted and shot Haroni.

“Haroni!” I yelled. He stumbled back and fell to the ground. I then glared at the man. “Why are you robbing this place?” I compelled the man.

“Because... I need the money to support my three kids... my wife is too sick and we cannot afford medication.”

“You’re afraid... you never shot someone, and you just did and you are afraid to go to prison....”

“How did you know that?” I thought for a moment, how did I know that? I also thought if he could become an animuin, he might be able to get a better job and be able to afford the bills and feed his family.

“I have got an offer for you... would you like to live an immortal?”

“I will never become an immortal!”

“Let me finish... your wife and children can be immortals also...”

“Laria... should he be an animuin? He just shot me?” I heard Haroni mutter, the guy looked at Haroni. Haroni was completely healed as if no one even shot him and he just came back with blood on his clean shirt.

“Animuins?” the robber started to laugh his head off. “What drugs have you been taking?”

“None what is your name?” I growled.

“Jake...” the guy nodded. I frowned in confusion.

“Ok... Jake let me assure you I am an animuin...”

“Ha ha and let me assure you that until I see you turn into an animal I believe you.”

“Ok...” I shifted into my wolf form. Jake widened his eyes and stumbled back.

“And what the hell are you hulk?” Jake yelled at Haroni. I shifted into my human form, I was so glad that Liza put the chant on me.

“Is it a deal?” I whispered.

Jake looked around timidly. “I will ask my wife... if she wants to I know the kids would love to but my wife Cathy she has a tough time being sick.

“Here” I threw him my phone. He caught it with ease and quickly dialled the number.

“Hey Cath... while I was at work... you will never believe this but I met an animuin, this animuin was kind asking if we want to be animuins.... So you can heal better...” I heard a soft whisper to what she was saying.

“Animuins are demons and you want to side for them?”

“But Cathy-”

“No, don’t you dare but Cathy I said no and unless you plan on taking your kids than go and leave me.”

“But I love... who is with you?”

“No one...”

“Are you cheating on me?”

“No....”

“Talk to the animuin, she has a pure heart.”

“DON’T YOU DARE GIVE THE PHONE TO THAT DEVIL!”

“Kid take the phone, check if you here anyone...” Jake threw the phone back to me.

“Hello... Cathy,” I greeted.

“You are a devil... get off the phone.”

“I assure you that my father may be named after a devil but I am more peaceful than him.”

“How dare you say to my husband about being with you freaks.”

“Hey honey... who are you talking to?” whispered a male voice.

“Just a stranger honey get on the bed, I don’t know when my husband is coming back... so we can do a quick quickie so I can pretend to be sick again.” She whispered back, I could tell she was trying to keep her voice quiet.

“Ok... I love you...” that was the last thing I heard the guy whispering before she was talking to me again. I hung up the phone, then faced Jake.

“She is having an affair.” I said to him honestly. Jake gripped on his hair.

“Crap... I’m going home, me and my kids will do it... first I will go to the house and see if you are telling the truth.”

“Let’s take my car, it is fast and Cathy won’t tell who it is.” Haroni explained.

“Agreed.” Jake muttered. We quickly ran in Haroni’s car I had to shift in my wolf form and sit in the boot. There was a little opening that I could keep my head in so I wouldn’t feel car sick.

Haroni was a fast driver.

“Do you live in Dixon?” Haroni asked all of a sudden.

“Recently moved why?” Jake wondered.

“Oh I thought because we live there and I’m the mayor.” Haroni explained.

“Oh... the invincible mayor lives in a small town.” Jake chuckled.

“I’m his goddaughter.” I muttered. Haroni translated what I said to Jake. Jake nodded calmly, not freaked out one bit.

“So tell us about you... all we know is that you robbed to try to save for your sick wife.” Haroni coughed out the last words.

“Well... I don’t really have a job, we are extremely poor, and I am a biological father to a girl in this town.”

“Who is this girl?” I growled thinking of Jenna. Haroni translated what I said.

“Her name I think is Maya... Rosa yes that’s the name Maya Rosa.”

“I know her... she is one of my best friends.” I whined. Haroni translated for him, he turned around and looked at me.

“What is she like?” he asked with a shocked voice.

“Maya... is the kind of quick tempered, but she can care for others....” Haroni translated the words for me.

“That is a lot like me... does she do anything to be with a boy?” Jake asked me.

“Oh yeah....” I told him, while Haroni translated I thought of Seth which made me think of Jason.

I felt a sudden stop as Haroni and Jake got out of the car. Haroni opened the boot and let me out, I didn’t bother to shift as I was tracking down where Cathy lived.

“She is a slut...” I told myself, growling.

Jake didn’t bother asking for a translation but when we arrived at Jake’s house it wasn’t expected that it would be dirty. The house was one story and a baby blue colour. His house was beside other houses.

We stepped in; the house in the inside was dirtier than I thought it would be. Clothes were everywhere the dishes weren’t clean. I sniffed the scent; I could tell that another guy has been in here.

“Follow me” Jake told us as we followed him to a hall. There was a door and he opened it, I could tell this was Jake’s room but not his stuff all over the ground. I didn’t want to look on the bed but I did, two people were sleeping next to each other.

“BUSTED” I barked. That woke both of the people up. One of the people who was a woman had light brown, messy hair from all of the intercourse she had with the guy next to her. The guy was built up. His hair was cropped but his eyes were green,

“Cathy how could you with my best friend?” Jake whispered.

“Jake... you are weak... you know nothing about me, Steven answers all of my wishes.” Cathy whispered. “And is that the animuin?” she snarled pointing at me. I could tell Jake nodded. She got out of her bed, I quickly covered my eyes to avoid seeing her naked.

She came back out with clothes on, and something in her hands. She was wearing a jacket all buttoned up

“What are you doing Cath?” Jake asked.

“Killing a demon so the angels can send me to heaven.” She growled, she opened her hand. A caligriffy stone was in her palm, she quickly close her hand and went running towards me.

“I’m warning you Catherine, she can kill you faster than a blink of an eye.” Haroni warned stepping in front of me.

“What are you meant to be? Her guardian move out of the way mayor.”

“I’m an angel and I will kill you if you hurt her, because I am her guardian.”

“You are no messenger of god... no one sides for these demons... except fools.” She growled.

“I do... Jake, go get the children and get in the car drive to my mansion, Laria, stay behind me.”
Jake ran from the room, confused of his order. I remained where I was behind Haroni.

“You are quiet stupid to do that.” Cathy removed her jacket a bomb was attached to her.

“HOLY COW!” Steven from the bed fell off.

“Last chance angel boy... side for the humans, be the guardian angel you were created for.”

“I will not side for any evil.” Haroni muttered. Cathy smiled and pressed the button. That was all I remembered before waking up in the forest with a note in my hand. I realised that I was in my human form.

Laria... Jake and the kids have turned into animuins, he moved away from here and to Hanna so he can live a life and get a job. Tomorrow is a school day; get your rest for tomorrow... you will need it. I will see you soon. Haroni

I looked at the note then crumpled the paper and threw it away. I shifted my wolf form and ran to Garden, it felt like weeks since I haven’t been to Garden but it has only been a few days.

I ran to my room and Nanami was lying down on my bed in her dog form, waiting patiently for me.

LARIA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? She yelled.

I went to Hanna. I told her quietly, and it is astonishing... everyone there was very nice and I got a chant on me!

A chant? Nanami tilted her head.

I no longer have to worry about clothes... the clothes disappear and appear every time I shift. I told her excitedly.

That’s cool... but Laria... do you know why I worry about you?

Why is that?

Because Laria... I love you and we have known each other since you were two years old I don’t want to lose you.

Yeah I know... you won’t.

Well come on a trip to a mythical town earns you some sleep. She hopped off my clothes.

Before I fell asleep I told her my trip to Hanna, I told her about Liza, Jeremy and Jake. She seemed to like Liza a lot.

I finally passed out talking after I told her what happened with me and Jason. I felt a tear sliding down my face.

[*(L)aria~]

Learning the new ways

I got my skateboard and met Brodie by the clearing; he gave me a tight hug once he saw me.

“So Laria... we are going to be walking around the school being ourselves.” He smiled and stroked me gently, his cool hand gave me Goosebumps.

“Well I wanted to be Laria Alfero for once.” I smiled back; I wrapped my fingers around his hands. I was wearing a teal tee shirt, denim jeans and red sandshoes. I definitely was Laria Alfero.

“You are astonishing...” Brodie admitted, his lips were touching mine. I pulled away quickly grabbing his hand and taking along to school.

Suddenly the dream of Brodie and Jason appeared in my head. I pushed that thought away, ignoring it. Brodie grabbed his skateboard and we started to ride them with the wind pushing us from behind.

“We should stop cheating.” Brodie chuckled. I smiled but shook my head.

“Nope...” I told him.

“Hey... I have a question to ask you? Do you want to go out with me?” Brodie had almost whispered as if someone would stab him if I said no or something. I slowed down on the board looking at him.

“No...” I told him, he looked down, watching the skateboard. I started to laugh my head off, Brodie frowned at me. “I was joking... I just wanted to say that... Just for humour, but of course you can go out with me.”

“Great...” He smiled. I smiled warmly back. “So do I kiss you now?” I nodded in reply. We stepped off our boards; he wrapped his arms around me and pressed his lips gently against mine. He put his tongue in my mouth. I flinched slightly because I never have kissed a guy like this.

“Hey... Brodie... can we do it later, people are watching...” He looked up at the people.

“Let them watch,” he chuckled then kissed me again. He combed my hair with his fingers but then pulled away. “We should go... to school.”

“Yeah...” I agreed. We skated to school, I told him about Haroni, saying that I will have to go to Garden at night very late.

We arrived at the school building. I felt like we were the only two people walking through, as the students watched us as if we were new students. We walked to our lockers, I opened my locker quietly.

“Hey Laria!” Jenna said. I looked at her she seemed to be too happy. “What is going on with you two?” I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“We are going out.” Brodie grinned, wrapping his arm around me.

“Can you believe that twenty year old student left the school?” Jenna looked around.

“Chris?” I thought of my brother, and then thought how he was going to act with his little sister around the school. For a tiny fraction of a second I felt bad getting rid of every human’s memory that my name was Krystal.

“Yeah... I guess not living with his sister kills.”

“Yeah... maybe.” I walked away from her. That was when I bumped into Ian.

“Do you have your report yet Laria?” he asked. I shook my head, thinking about it.

“Sorry I will do it tonight.” I explained to him.

“Yeah I noticed you were away recently.”

“Yes life problems...”

“How about this, we can discuss your topic after school at the grill?”

“I’ll be there... I’m going to class.”

“Laria... you have history first up, you are an incredible student about animuins... you should do your topic on that.”

“Yeah maybe...” I sighed. It was what I was planning to do anyways.

“I’ll see you in history.” Ian walked away from me, I stood still before turning around. The bell rung, making me walk to my everyday class before history. I sat at the back next to Cher while we talked.

“Hey Laria.” Cher greeted. I never realised she was so much taller than me.

“Hey... one question.... how old are you?” I wondered.

“I’m fifteen... why do you ask?” She tilted her head at me.

“Oh you’re just tall... yeah I’m thirteen.”

“A year behind?”

“Yeah... long story.”

“Ah... so anyways I know this is soon as friends but do you want to come to my dad’s birthday party?”

“Who will be there?”

“Family friends.... that’s about it. And let’s not forget some of our friends.”

“Yeah sure.... this weekend?”

“Yep” the bell rang, making students get out of their chairs to their next class. I heard some groans some cheers.

“Well I’ll see you...” I muttered, walking away from the class to History.

Ian was already at the room, I entered the room without saying anything to him. I took my seat at the back, checking my phone for messages. But there was none. I sighed miserably, closing the phone before putting it in my pocket.

“Are you expecting a message?” Ian called from the front. No one had arrived so he was talking to me obviously.

“Sort of...” I muttered quickly.

“Oh well...” I waited until Maya and Seth arrived, they wouldn’t stop looking at each other.

I also noticed they sat next to each other and not once Maya looked at me to wave. I frowned in suspicion and overheard their conversation.

“When are we going to tell Laria?” I heard Maya whisper. I silently walked towards them, they didn’t even notice.

“I’ll tell her soon.” Seth whispered back.

“Tell me what?” I said loudly behind them. They both flinched when they heard my voice.

We are going out Seth’s voice admitted.

Seth who did you have to spark with? I demanded.

Maya... I asked her out this morning, so I heard about you and Brodie... I thought Jason would be the one for you. Seth seemed so calm every time he said something.

Jason made it clear that he doesn’t want to do anything with us. I snorted angrily.

Sheesh... you need to have the spark with someone... badly.

Uhhh no because the world chose Jason for me... now the world is laughing at me.

Laria.... it won’t be like this- forever, see Maya for example.

So when are you going to tell her about yourself?

Uh.... soon.... Seth left the conversation.

“Alright class... we are going to learn about the original story.” Ian walked around holding his marker. “Laria?”

I raised my head when he asked. “Yes?”

“The story... the original story...”

“Well... the story... around the 1900’s an animuin was born, his family except for his mother believed that he was evil so they named him Lucifer....” I felt my eyes water but I hid my face so no one saw. “He escaped and burned his house down, accidently killing his mother.... he cried before running into his new sacred home....” I whispered. “He protected the town from the rectocs, getting rid of every last one of them... he knew life wasn’t perfect.... Not yet....” I looked up and saw everyone facing me. “He met the love of his life, then they had a son... Lucifer was not happy because he wanted an animuin child... six years later...” I got up and ran out of the classroom, balling my eyes out.

Laria are you ok? Seth’s voice asked.

No just leave me alone. I told him, he left our conversation. I ran to the bathroom and stayed there until I saw Ian opening the door.

“Laria? Laria are you ok?”

“Just leave me alone.”

“Laria... can I ask you a question?”

“No....”

“Is Lucifer your father?” I glared at him darkly.

“Why would you ask about that?”

“I know... what you are... I’ve known since we met....”

“I can kill you in a blink of an eye.” I threatened.

“You won’t... we met in the past you saved my life.... I would never tell anyone.”

“I never met you.”

“Yeah you were apparently saving your past? I don’t know but you told me who you were.”

“Why are you here?” I growled.

“I came here... trying to find Edward... he killed my wife.”

“What are you to us?”

“I live as a Keallur hunter, ever since you told me about them... I hunted the Keallurs....”

“You know they are a lot stronger than I am.”

“For now they are... when I met you were able to take down a whole crowd of Keallurs in a matter of seconds.”

“So why did you ask me that question?”

“I never thought it would hurt you...”

“It didn’t hurt me; it struck me like lightning would. You will never believe what I go through just to keep this stupid town safe.”

“I know....”

“No you don’t because you wouldn’t force a stupid report on me... you wouldn’t ask me the questions.... You are a liar.”

“No Laria... listen, when I first met you. You were happy, nothing like how you are these days.”

“Sheesh thanks.” I growled offensively.

“Anyways... you saw me walking through the streets alone in Hanna, and then a bunch of Keallurs came closing in on me. I was afraid and still afraid when you snapped their necks.”

“What were you doing in Hanna?” I rolled my eyes.

“Just listen, let’s go back to the room and we can talk about this in the afternoon, at the grill then if still think I should die then compel me to die or whatever.”

“Fine.” I growled.

We walked back in the room; I sat back down on my chair. Plenty of students stared at me; I gave them death glares- that made them turn around.

“Enough class.” Ian ordered, he turned around when I decided to finish the story.

“His wife had another child... a girl, Lucifer was enraged nearly killing his wife and retreating to the sacred place, he hunted an animuin by accident and fed on it, he then ran telling other animuins about this new deal... when the original families were notified of this, they noticed people started to disappear... one by one, until a few of the original families remained.” Ian looked at me, I nodded slightly.

“Ok... class right these notes down.” I never wrote down these notes, instead I was writing the report up.

As my best friend is a forte, he is one of the original families, around the 1900’s lived thirteen original families that lived in peace with animuins. These families were the Fortes, the Drippers, the Rosa’s, the Sommers, the Launtens, the Goudies, the Parolies, the Libris, the Charlmans, the Derwoods, the Minurs, the Starfires, and the Lya’s. They all lived peacefully as they were protected by the warriors of animals known as the animuins. The original animuins were different from the younger ones as they adapted more and more into Garden, their sacred home. The younger animuins were always weaker than the original animuins because the original animuins had a certain element known as heartvain. This element was very powerful, able to wipe out a population without anyone noticing, it can create the worst of disasters.

Anyways back on topic of the original families, they were starting to disappear, few of the members were unsure of this reason until they had found the bodies ripped from head to toe. The families blamed this on the animuins when deep down, there was another danger. The families discussed this with the animuins but they promised to put this behind them, they wrote journal entries to say to never explain to anyone that animuins exist. The families passed their stuff down to their grandchildren, and those children would become the new members of the secret council. But there was still confusing things going on, the people still disappeared- the council was threatening to expose Garden and the animuins explained that it wasn’t them. The Goudies, the Parolies, the Libris, the Charlmans, the Derwoods, the Minurs, and the Starfires were killed, leaving only the Fortes, the Drippers, the Rosa’s, the Sommers, the Launtens and the Lya’s.

So the council kept secret, watching the animuins from different points of view, seeing if they would kill a human being until they bumped into a keallur, since there is no difference between animuin and keallur they believed it was an animuin that was killing them. It wasn’t long until they discovered about the one.

I finished the report just before the bell rung. All of the students got up from their chairs and left, except for me. I got up and passed the paper to Ian.

“It is more information about the original family, I’ll see you this afternoon.” I whispered before walking out of the room.

“HEY LARIA!” A familiar voice yelled.

“Get lost Jason.” I growled.

“I’m sorry,” he apologised.

“Are you apologising because I am going out with your brother?”

“No, I am apologising because I’m an idiot.”

“Yes you are... but you hurt my feelings...”

“Where were you?”

“Since you care?”

“Since I had the spark with you.”

“Last time I saw you, you said the spark was wrong.”

“I thought about it... I realised that it is real, like every time you would protect me... you or I didn’t even know it was because we deep down loved each other.”

“You were afraid of being an animuin.”

“I know I just needed some time to absorb it.”

“I was five when this happened to me; I absorbed it in less than an hour.”

“You wanted to protect me before with the bracelet.”

“I’m an animuin I want to protect everyone.”

“Seth told me that you wouldn’t jump in front of your mother’s murderer just to protect anyone... and you did that to me... that’s how you got the scars all over your body.” I bit my bottom lip.

“You are just jealous because I’m going out with Brodie.”

“No I’m not... Well actually I am but I am not saying this because you are going out with dimwit.” He growled.

“Stop it.” I said. “I thought you would respect this as you deserved it, maybe it would have been different if you didn’t say all of those things.” I stormed away from him, I was glad that my next class was maths as Jenna would just talk, get thing out of my head.

School ended quickly after I had my two other classes and I was taking my stuff out of my locker. Brodie came from behind.

“Hello pretty wolfy.” Brodie muttered, he kissed my forehead softly, he chuckled sensitively.

“Hey sneaky cheetah... I’ve got to meet up with the teacher than help the mayor...” I explained to him.

“I heard that you were balling your eyes out because of the teacher.” Brodie looked at me; his hazel eyes were full of emotions.

“Just a misunderstanding... I be in my room around 11.” I told him. He kissed my forehead again then grabbed his board and walked away.

I took my board and shoulder bag out then walked out by myself. I started to ride the human way when I felt my phone vibrate. I realised someone was calling me.

“Hello?” I asked calmly.

“You may be able to run but it doesn’t mean I can’t call you.” Jason’s voice said.

“Get lost Jason we all know you aren’t doing this for the right reasons.”

“But Laria-” I hung up the phone on him and put the phone in my pocket. I felt the vibrate again but ignored it.

I arrived at the grill and sat by the table. A waitress came up smiling.

“Hey Laria how may I help you today?”

“Hey Helen... I would take some fries and steak burger.” I asked, getting my wallet from my bag.

“Ok then...” the waitress walked away quickly. Ian sat down on a chair in front of me. I noticed he was holding his bag with him, just like me.

“Sorry about being so sudden.” He muttered.

“Why did you actually bring me here?”

“Laria... do you want to know about what happens in nine years or to me 14 years ago?”

“Yeah I do but I have had a bad day today.”

“Well it won’t take long.” Ian went through his bag and took out an old, musty book. He slowly went through the pages and it turned out to be an image of a ruby like stone. Beside the stone was slightly familiar language. “Could you translate it for me?” he asked.

“Whoa... I don’t study the language of animuin.” I protested.

“Apparently, every animuin could understand it if they pronounced the words, humans not so much.” He looked at the picture then to me. “Please.”

“It is true about the humans but I’ll see what I can do.” I took the book and looked at it closer. “Ο μόνος τρόπος για την καρδιάμάταια μπορεί να αναζωπυρωθεί η πηγαίνοντας πίσω στο χρόνο για να αποτρέψει την καταστροφή του, και τα μόνα που μπορούν να έχουν πρόσβαση πρέπει να είναι τουλάχιστον ένα αιώνα ετών.” I muttered, in an unknown language, but I understood what it meant instantly.

“What does it mean?” Ian whispered.

“It is about the element heartvain...”

“The destroyed element? The one you described in your paper.”

“Yes... it says the only way the heartvain can be revived is by going back in time to prevent its destruction, and the only ones that can access it must be at least a century years old. So why did you want me to look through this?”

“There is your reason... you stop your father from protecting the element, because he is planning to wipe out all of the animuins. He is enraged that they tried to get rid of his ability.”

“Well I wouldn’t blame him but this is in nine years right? Why wait? Let’s go back now.”

“Yeah... about that... I don’t know how you stumbled through time.”

“Oh... Anyways when I met you in Hanna? Why were you alone there?”

“Well I was told they had good things there, I liked to travel, I didn’t know it was a town full of supernatural creatures until you showed up.”

“What happened then?”

“You growled at me because I was alone in Hanna, we talked for a few hours about what you are... and what you were doing.”

“So that was how we met huh? I guess it could have been worse.”

“Yeah.... look I want you to know if Edward is around...call me.” He passed me a card with his number on it.

“Maybe I should focus on Edward... he killed my mother, and I don’t want anyone to get in the way.”

“Laria.... I don’t care, he killed my wife.”

“Fries?” Helen the waitress asked. I smiled and nodded while she passed me the fries and steak burger. “Need a drink?”

“Coke please.” I told her.

“I’ll have a Burben.” Ian nodded to Helen, she winked and walked away to get our drinks.

“That chick was just flirting with you.” I told Ian.

“Yeah.... right.”

“I admit you are a cute teacher, if my mum was still alive she would flirt with you too.”

“What did she look like?” I narrowed my eyes at Ian.

“She was the most beautiful lady on earth... she had dark wavy brown hair...”

“Unlike yours.”

“My hair was like hers then magically the hair got straighter...”

“That’s weird...”

“Anyways her eyes were like green gemstones...”

“Unlike yours.... again.”

“But exactly like Chris’s eyes.”

“That twenty year old student?”

“When my mother’s house got burned down he skipped two years.”

“Oh yeah I remember meeting him... he was an animuin too.”

“Say what?”

“Yeah he was a black wolf.” I said nothing in reply.