Chapter 20: Wolf

Raven hadn't returned with Derek from wherever they had went off to  "talk", so I decided I would just leave for class since I wanted to plan something else to get Flora better again. It was so sad to see her losing weight and so depressed.  It was as if she didn't want to be pretty anymore.  I had noticed that she wore an elephant necklace every day, and sometimes, she would clench it, as if she needed strength or something.

            I sat in Sketch art/Drawing class when my name was blared on the loudspeaker. Rhett sat next to me, drawing a beautiful picture of a cat sitting on a wall, flicking its tail.  The details were so crisp and clear, it blew my breath away.

            "How are you so good?" I wondered out loud,

            "Practice, lots and lots of practice." He smiled as he kissed my cheek. I blushed.  Everyone in the group labeled us as a "Couple" even though we really weren't going out.  I mean we kissed and stuff, but we weren't officially dating like Raven and Derek and Flora and-

            "Ms. Pinter, please come to the main office." Jan's voice interrupted my thoughts. I sighed as I picked up my coat and bag.

            "Good luck," Rhett called with smudged fingers as I waved to him.  I hustled through the building and outside where I changed to a wolf and trotted through the ankle deep snow. Once I made it, I shook the snow off my snow white fur and changed back, trying to warm up my hands and feet.

            "Principal Williams wants to speak to you," Jan said, not even looking up from her keyboard. I nodded solemnly and walked through the doors to the office.  Williams sat in his desk chair, shuffling through papers of what looked like the victims' personal information on it. He noticed my presence and had me sit.

            "Are you thirsty dear?" He asked kindly, but I declined. He sighed, pushed the papers aside and rubbed his eyes.

            "Dear," he began, "Do you remember in September, when you first arrived that I told you that the Wolf was "the devil's pet?" I thought back a ways and remembered vaguely him saying so.

            "Yes Sir."

            "I didn't tell you everything and I think I need to explain everything fully." I was confused, but I nodded and let him speak.

            He cracked his knuckles and then began, "Years ago, when the first changers were born, there were 5 different animals that formed a pact. You see, there were changers all through history, but we just never stayed together for too long.  The five animals were The Eagle, The Lady Bug, The Shark, The Deer and The Wolf." He stopped to make sure I was listening before he continued, "They were all friends and had each other's back.  The Wolf would help protect while the Eagle and Deer would hunt for food.

            "The Longer they stayed together, the more annoyed they became of each other.  Eagle would be outraged that Lady Bug wouldn't do anything, what could she do anyway?  You see, Wolf hated fighting and he would whine whenever a fight broke out and even sometimes run off and sit alone until the fight was over.

            "One day, while a fight was going on, Wolf ran off deep in the forest they were staying in and sat by a creek. Legend says that the Devil himself took great pity on Wolf and gave him a choice to join him and never have to hear another fight again.  Wolf chose to go with the Devil and so he was turned into a demon, one of the first actually.  Wolf did the Devil's bidding and was greatly rewarded by the devil, getting the name "The Devil's Pet". "

            "Why did you tell me this story?" I asked a little creeped out by it.

            "The reason I'm telling you is the only way you can have the ability to change into a wolf, since it is the devil's pet is you reincarnate into it, or you’re a desendent of someone who has the ability." I still didn't understand. "Whitney, unless you were a demon before which I don't think is likely, you are my daughter."
            I nearly fell out of my seat. Daughter to Williams!?! How could that be? And to think I was in love with my brother for a short time period if this was true?!?

            "What? That-That can't be right."

            "My wife was a changer as well, a leopard.  She was pregnant with another child after Derek before she left me. After the baby was born, she was killed by a demon, but the baby disappeared.  Whitney, I was a demon after Derek was born, but she didn't give up on me.  She loved me and when I was given the choice, I took it.  I'm a wolf, Whitney.  A while after I became a demon, I did the Devil's bidding.  It's my dark past, but I was given a second chance and I took it.  After I was reincarnated, my wife was pregnant again, but before she gave birth, she left me.  She didn't even tell me why, but she just packed up and left one night."

            "How can I be your daughter?" I breathed, holding onto the arms of the chair I was sitting in to steady me. I couldn't breathe.

            "I am the only other wolf here in the nation at the moment. It’s the only explanation."

            "I don't believe you."

            "Then I'll show you." He stood up and stretched and then let the change happen onto him.  He morphed into a Wolf, as white as snow as well with gray speckling his head. His fluffy tail wagged away. He trotted over to me and sat down, placing his head in my lap. I was stunned.  I couldn't understand what was going on. Williams changed back and sat in his chair.

            "I just needed to tell you that.  I don't want to lose my daughter again.  If you're still skeptical, we can do a DNA test to confirm it."

            "I-I believe you," I whispered.  My brain was boggled by all this.

            "Why don't you take the rest of the day off? You look like you could use it."

            "Thank you, sir." I mumbled as I picked up my bag and coat.

            "Please, call me dad." I was warmed by the thought of finding my father, but I couldn't bring myself to say the word. I smiled and walked out, needing to get out of here.  I needed fresh air right now.  Once outside, I changed to my wolf form. As I changed, visions flashed into my head; me as a baby being held by someone, Screams as blood splashed onto my small face, something carrying me outside in its mouth. I shook my head in frustration.

            "Whitney," A voice sounded, a younger voice. I looked up to see Derek standing there in uniform. "Rhett's in danger."  I changed back and stared at him with astonishment.

            "What do you mean?"

            "I mean, we need to leave tonight, with Rhett if you want him to live. We've figured out a pattern to the killings."

            "You're joking," I said, but Derek was serious. "You're not the only one who has found out some information." I continued. Derek took my arm and started guiding me to the boys dorm.

            "Oh?" He asked kindly.

            "Apparently, I'm your sister." He halted in his tracks and then turned around.

            "Are you serious?"

            "Dead serious. Your-Our father called me into his office to explain that I am your long lost sister. He is a wolf as well and told me about how he was demon after you were born and then got "the choice" as he called it and then reincarnated back to become a wolf and then I was born a wolf, but our mother had left before you ever saw me." Derek's jaw dropped.

            "So the reincarnation thing is real!" Derek jumped for joy and then guided me to the dorm rooms. Right outside the door, he unzipped his sweater and had me take my jacket off, but keep my hat on.

            "Stick your hair in your hat. Mr. Lee is blind as a bat, just act like a guy." I nodded and buttoned his oversize sweater. We entered and snuck past a guy who was doubled over on his desk, asleep. Derek smirked silently as we tiptoed up the stairs.  When we reached the 8th floor, Derek said, "It's nice to finally meet my sister." I smiled with happiness.  Once we hit the 9th floor, which was the top floor, we scurried down the carpeted hall and to his door.  Derek opened the door quietly as Raven was in a ball of blankets.

            "You can hide out here just until I have everyone else."

            "I can help though!" I protested. I didn't want to be cooped up here with an out cold Raven, staring out the window, watching the snow fall. "Flora's in the counseling office until 2:30 where then she retreats to her dorm room. Rhett's in scketch art/drawing class right now.  Jane and Betty are in some fashion class and Raven's right here." I knew where everyone was. Derek laughed quietly.

            "Alright. You might as well kick Raven awake. She can go find supplies or something. She's good at stealing stuff."

            "There you go!" I poked Raven's arm and her dark eyes shot open.

            "Who disturbs my slumber," She growled lightly, not trying to be mean.

            "It's Whitney," I called. "We have stuff to do." I smiled as I gave her a hand to get up. She stretched like a cat.

            "Well, I need to change into some clothes first. I shall prepare the girls clothing because we need to blend in and I know how to dress.  Once we get far enough, I have some cash we can blow on clothing, but right now, we need to be prepared."  I grabbed Whitney's hand and we ran out of Derek's dorm.  He followed.

            "I'll get as many of them as possible and bring them to the dorm room."

            "I'll help Raven and then help you," I told my brother. He nodded with a smile and then ran off, changing into a Eagle half way down the stairs.  Raven changed to a raven so I had no choice but to change to a wolf. We raced through the winter cold and to the girls dorm where no one sat behind the desk. We crashed up the stairs and changed back in front of Raven's door.  Raven jiggled the doorknob, but the door flew open.  Flora stood there, skinny as a bone and sunken eyed.  She wore a large sweater that probably fit her before she lost all her weight and a pair of sweatpants that were hanging on her hip bone.

            "Why are you here," she rasped. Her voice sounded dry and strained.

            "It's my room too and besides, we need to leave."

            "What are you talking about?" she croaked as she let us in.

            "Flora, just trust me, we need to leave tonight. I'm gathering clothes for us to wear." Raven pulled out tee shirts and pairs of skinny jeans.  Jackets were thrown on the bed and boots, lots and lots of boots were thrown on the floor.

            "Boots?" I asked.

            "Do you want to wade in heels in this snow?" I shook my head and let her do what she needed to do. Then she wadded all the clothes and had me take all the boots.

            "Flora, get dressed or at least put some shoes and a jacket on and follow us to Derek's dorm room."

            "You haven't told me why we need to leave." She said bluntly. Raven was now getting pissed, I could tell in her eyes. She took a deep breath.

            "Flora," She said straight in her lifeless eyes, "If you are not ready to go out in the snow by the time I'm back, I will personally carry you to the top floor of the boys' dorm and toss you through the window and then you can wade back up with whatever strength you have in your skin and bones. Understand me?" She nodded slowly and then we left. When we came back, she had a large jacket on and snowboots. Her sweat pants were tucked inside. Raven smiled and took her arm. We led her up to Derek's dorm without Mr. Lee even waking up.

            When we got there, Betty and Jane were both sitting on the bed, wondering why they were here. We had Flora sit next them.

            "I'm going to get some food from the kitchen," Raven announced. "We need to get something in her before we leave. You two make sure she doesn't try to escape."

            "What's with all the clothes?" Jane questioned.

            "What you get to change into before we leave. We are not wearing uniforms through the snow." With that, Raven and I both headed out to the kitchen. My bird friend's plan was to steal as much as we could. Of course. The kitchen was giant with large stoves and long counters.  Women hustled everywhere, trying to prepare the evening's meal.  Raven went in and snatched up some unhealthy foods that they stored away.

            "Flora can eat these and it will give her some fat on her body again." She also grabbed bottles of water.  We ran away as fast as we could.  When we got back to the room, Derek and Rhett were there warming up and rummaging through Derek's closet, looking for something they could both change into.

            "Eat Flora." Raven commanded and she did. She ate just about all the food we brought her. She looked a little better, but it would take time for her to get her strength back up.

            "We got everyone a bottle of water. Don't lose it." I told them. Raven began wading through the wad of clothing and handing out what everyone will be wearing. We blindfolded their eyes and we all changed.

            Raven wore a grey teeshirt with a large USA lipstick print on it that was covered up by a black leather jacket.  Dark skinny jeans for her pants and black, laced leather boots finished it off. Flora wore a grey long sleeved shirt with light blue skinny jeans and a black varsity jacket. Tall, black leather boots went with her outfit. Betty wore a white, butterfly teeshirt with black skinny jeans and Tall, brown boots.  A grey peacoat went well with it. Jane wore a sweater that said Paris on it. Blue jeans and brown boots gave her some color and a black peacoat kept her extra warm.  I wore a white shirt with two horses on it.  Bright blue skinny jeans and grey boots accompanied it. A grey, wool pea coat kept me warm.

            After we were done changing, we let the boys change while we emptied our backpacks of anything that was unneeded.  Then we stored our uniforms in Derek's closet and pulled on our hats and gloves for warmth.

            "Are you guys ready?" My brother asked the group.

            "You never explained why we're leaving?" Jane said.

            "I'll explain after we cross the border." Derek turned the Betty, "You can manipulate minds. You will have to do that against the guards if we are to cross the border of the school." Betty nodded and we headed out silently. Students were still in class so the group hustled through the snow to get into the tree line.

            "Flora, hold onto my arm," Raven called. Derek fell in step with Raven. "I think we should go to Jacobson's house. It’s a safe haven and besides, we need to get some meat on Flora. It's going to be a hard journey."

            "I know." Derek said. I hung back with Rhett. He looked sort of sad to leave, but he was more confused than ever.

            "Did you bring your sketch book?" I asked, trying to get his mind off things.

            "Yeah, never leave home without." I giggled. "Do you know why we're leaving?" I shook my head. Some of my blond hair escaped. We stopped and Rhett tucked it behind my ear.

            "All I know is your in danger." I confessed. "I don't want you to be in danger."

            "I'll be ok." He slipped a gloved hand into mine. "We'll protect each other." I smiled and Rhett leaned over to kiss me. Our lips brushed and soft snowflakes fell. I could feel them melt on my cheek.

            "Hey, let's go!" Derek called. "We need to cross the border by sunset." I squeezed Rhett's hand reassuringly and we hustled over to the group.

Author's Note

ignore grammar