In dedication to my aunt.

Someone once told me, that the way to stay true was to surround yourself with good people. 89 years ago, I did just that. I found loyal, good people to keep me grounded. They taught me the rights and wrongs, helped me through my rough patches. I'm not saying that they didn't have their problems either. I think it's fair to say that we helped each other. Being Human was a little dramatic at times. Well, that's a bit of an understatement. Being supernatural is dramatic, 24/7. But these people were the ones who kept me on the wagon, told me the true morals of life, and made a simple statement of 'shit happens'. Indeed it does. I think I can tell that you agree. The reason why I write this today is because I have been reminded of the love I received from them. Reminded of the times we shared. I saw one of my closest friends get everything she ever wanted. I saw her pass over, knowing that she had made her mark on the world, which she never thought she would have the chance to do. My other friend passed over with happiness in his heart, something he didn't have the time in which he was living. He had to be murdered before he found what he was looking for. What I'm trying to say is, whatever life you lead, live it. Use it to the best of your advantage. Maybe there is something you have always wanted to do, but have put it on hold because the people around you have pointed out the negatives. What about the positives? I took chances. I dived straight into the deep end. What did I get? I had gained friends, for ever. Now it's your turn to do the same. This story is my view of the world. I am retelling it to you from the very beginning, hoping you understand that you are lucky to be normal.

I wish you all the best,

Adam Jacobs.

August 6th, 1980

The overpowering smell of booze and cigarettes spilled out of the jazz club windows, the distant echoes of laughter and music drifting into the empty street, sending a thrill up Adam's spine. This was the first time he had been out so late, an argument with his parents led to him grabbing his coat and making a break for it. He was never sure of where he was heading, just somewhere. He needed to have some time to think, by himself. He had become the offspring of extremely protective people, which was fair enough. They didn't let him go out with friends after nine at night, or let him cross roads by himself, despite being sixteen years old. Their obsession with his safety became worse since a girl was run over and killed last week, just around the corner from where they lived. She had gone to his school. It was her fault she died, though. She was nattering away to her friend who was distracting her, so she stepped into the road and bam. Dead in seconds. Everyone got a whole day off school to 'mourn'. Even the ones who didn't know her, which seemed a bit weird. The accident even made the front page of the town's local newspaper. Adam's mother had made a comment about visiting his uncle Jim at the weekend, and for the first time in his life he answered back. He put his foot down, and said no. Why did he always have to do what his parents said? He didn't even like Uncle Jim. He smelt of fish. But he was turning 17 at the end of the year. What was the point? always telling him what to do, every second of the day? Adam was practically an adult now. He had to learn to take care of himself as well, they won't always be around. The musty air filled his nostrils as he turned down a small side street, which was poorly lit. Where was he? His eye's searched the area, to see if any signs could signal the specific place. Nothing. He began to pick up pace, uncomfortable with being alone in a dark street. His mother always said 'bad things happen in the dark. You never know who is in the shadows. I had a friend who got mugged, then stabbed in the leg' Adam had always grown up with a protective shield around him, he hadn't really been exposed to the real world before. Never knowing the dangers. He turned around, to check no one was following him. The coast was clear. He walked on, the street seeming to carry on endlessly. The wind howled in his ears, leaves rustling on the floor beneath him. A cat ran in front of him, the bell on its collar jangling, making him jump slightly. The wind got louder, whistling through the air. Adam clutched at his thick jacket, zipping it up further. He wasn't cold, but it offered him protection in a strange way. Suddenly Adam felt the urge to stop. A lump developed in his throat, he couldn't speak or move. His bottom lip trembled as a dark figure grabbed his neck, ramming him into the brick wall. His head smashed into the hard, bumpy texture, a crack filling the empty street. His mind fuzzed over for a second or two, before he regained full consciousness. Adam took a blow to the chest, it was only a natural reaction to protect himself. His leg whipped into the air, striking the figure, but they didn't seem to be hurt. In fact, they laughed. He swallowed nervously, trying to think of something to do, but all his ideas were blank. Another blow, but this time to the stomach. It winded him, making it nearly impossible to breath. He felt his body lifting off the ground, then being pinned to the wall. The moonlight shone down, highlighting a person's face. In fact, Adam wasn't sure if they were human. Their eyes…the eyes were black. Not the iris, the whole eye. Black. The small light traced soft lines of the face; a female. He couldn't help but think that she would be a beautiful person if…she wasn't this thing. This thought instantly disappeared as her jaw elongated, plunging into his neck with a hiss. The darkness took hold, as he slipped away, from his last moments of living.

January 1'st, 2012

Another year. Adam rolled out of bed, grunting at the light shining through the slits of the blind. He glanced over at the clock before wearily rubbing his eyes and pulling on some clothes that were on the floor. The sound of a boiling kettle could be heard outside the door, which was the only problem with the layout of his flat; the kitchen was always too close to the bedroom. He walked through to find Christa staring intently at the steam rising into the air. He coughed, but she didn't look up.

'If you're seriously going to ignore me because of last night-'

'Don't, Adam' Christa held up her hand, and then busied herself with making a coffee.

'It happened, and you can't pretend like it didn't'

The metal spoon hit the sides of the mug, making clinking noises.

'You're so pathetic'

Christa dropped her spoon on the kitchen worktop angrily.

'I'm pathetic? What's pathetic is that you took an advantage of a fucked up drunk'

Adam scoffed and stared at the wall.

'I didn't take advantage. You said you wanted to'

'I was drunk Adam! I was clearly out of my head'

'No, you were moping around because Tom had left'

'whilst being drunk'

'You weren't'

'Yes. I was'

'No'

'Yes'

Christa gulped the coffee down, before pulling a face as it scorched her tongue.

'I wouldn't feel like I had been hit by a car this morning, if I wasn't drunk last night. Plus, I can't remember half the things I did, or said'

Adam hesitated as she picked up the mug, shuffling into the living room and sat on the sofa. He followed her slowly.

'Are you trying to make me feel bad about it?'

'Yes'

'Why?'

'Because I do, and you should to. You cheated on Celia'

Adam shrugged, even though Christa was facing away from him.

'We're on a break'

'Since when?'

'Since I said so'

'Does she know about 'this break' as you call it?'

Christa laughed weakly when Adam didn't reply. He sat down next to her on the sofa, studying her expression.

'I still like you, Christa'

She paused from drinking, and placed it carefully on the small table in front of her.

'We've been through this before'

'It's possible to like two people at once, you know'

'Yes. But when that happens, someone always gets hurt'

'In this situation it would be-'

'Me, Adam. This whole thing, it will blow over. You'll go back to Celia and I'll find someone else. Nothing will be said, okay?'

'whatever'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'It means, whatever'

'If you want to leave it then, fine'

The door swung open, catching them both off guard. Celia bustled in with Tom not far behind.

Adam sprung off the sofa, like sitting with Christa was a crime. He fiddled around with the pockets in his jeans until Celia walked over and hugged him.

'I'm sorry about last night Adam' It was difficult to hear her, because her face was pressed into his shoulder, making all sound muffled. He could feel Christa's eyes burning into the back of his head as he hugged her back, stroking Celia's hair.

'I'm sorry too'

She pulled away from him slowly, her face dark and upset.

'What's wrong?'

'I, um…' - Celia glanced over to Tom nervously - 'It's nothing, don't worry'

Adam laughed softly, taking her hand in his.

'You can tell me'

Celia shook her head and stared at the floor.

'It's awful, really bad'

'I'm sure it's not that bad'

Celia hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. She led Adam to the sofa opposite were Christa was sitting, and let her hands rest on his lap.

'Well, after our argument last night, I left in a bit of a hurry. I bumped into Tom, he was sitting on a bench all alone, in the dark'

'Wait, what? Tom, you could have stayed here for the night' Christa spoke up, interfering Celia's 'story mode'.

Tom shrugged at Christa and leant on the arm of the sofa.

'Anyway, me and Tom got talking and…uh, we kissed'

Adam frowned at Celia, before Christa's glare made him realise that it wasn't a big deal. Well, it wasn't a big deal compared to what he did last night. His expression softened and he locked his gaze onto Celia.

'Tell me it was nothing'

She nodded quickly and gave him a hug again.

'I don't even like him in that way, I mean – he's a werewolf'

Out of the corner of his eye, Adam saw Christa sigh grumpily.

'Adam – thank you' Celia muffled again.

'For what?'

'Forgiving me'

Guilt tore through him like a fire. Celia had the guts to tell him about a mistake she made. What he did though, it was so much worse. He couldn't tell her. It would destroy their trust. He couldn't tell her.