I put on my hood, hoping it would help, but it didn't at all. The rain still fell down, hard. It's been a rough day. Actually, scratch that. It's been a rough life. Thrown into an orphanage, obtains a supernatural ability, runs from things that lurk in the dark, that's me. My name is Maggie. Anyways, I'm fourteen years old and as you already read, live in an orphanage. Technically, I don't anymore. I kind of just… you know leapt out the window. Don't worry, I was only on the second level. That didn't assure you, did it? Okay, fine, I'll tell you how I did it. So… about my supernatural, well, ability… I can change. No, I'm not a shape shifter, but I'm pretty damn close. Instead of humans, I can change into animals. I can't do anything major yet. All I can change into as of right now is a cat and a dog. Yep. I can change into two fur balls. Amazing isn't it? If I wanted to change into a different animal, I would have to practice non-stop, since it takes a lot of energy and concentration for a new animal. I like to think of it as a game with multiple levels. Every time I beat a certain amount of levels, I get a prize. And that prize is another animal. So, yeah, back to the orphanage.

"Okay! Everyone lights out. Into your beds!"

Crap. I am so dead. Currently I was in Ms. Lindsey's office, on her computer. To be fair I was doing research. On Wendigos. Hey! Don't blame me, blame my curiosity.

I quickly exited the tab, making sure to delete the history first. Perfect timing, Lindsey just walked in.

"Maggie!"

"Ms. Lindsey! What a surprise, didn't expect to see you here."

"What are you doing in here?" she gritted her teeth.

"I was sitting here and admiring your desk. It's very organized, you know. And this wood-"

"Maggie, get out right now!"

I quickly hopped up from my chair and ran out of the office. Before I made it to my room I heard her yell, "You get twice the chores tomorrow!"

I shut the door and lean my back on it. "Ooohhh. Is some one in trouble?"

Rolling my eyes and smiling, I said, "Shut up Riley."

Taking my hair out of my ponytail, I tossed it on the floor and got on the bottom bunk. Peeking her head underneath she asked, "What'd you do this time?"

"Nothing." She gave me a look. "What?! I'm serious. I was only doing research."

"On what?"

"Wendigos."

"What are they?"

"Settle down and I'll tell you." Oh, Riley. She's the same age as me, but looks completely different. I'm pale-ish, she's tan. I have shorter, wavy, brown hair, and she has long, lighter brown hair. I have green eyes, she has brown. You get it.

"Okay. Wendigos. Imagine a tribe."

"An Indian tribe?"

"Yes. Imagine a whole tribe, and they were all so very hungry, and they couldn't find enough food for them all. One of them couldn't take it anymore, so he started eating other men." I heard a little gasp and an 'ew' come from Riley. I just chuckled. "He would become addicted to eat human meat. And most people believed that if you eat another human's flesh it would give you special abilities. Like running faster, or jumping higher. Over time the cannibal would turn into a monster, which some call Wendigos."

After a few moments of silence Riley spoke up. "That's nasty."

I laughed. "I know."

"Why are you wearing your clothes to bed?"

"Goodnight, Riley."

Silence.

"Goodnight, Maggie."

After about an hour of waiting I strained my ears for any evidence that Riley was still awake. All I could hear was the pouring rain from outside our open window and Riley's soft snores. I carefully got out of bed and walked to the dresser. I grabbed my small satchel filled with all the bare necessities and twenty bucks. I walked over to the window and dropped my satchel outside. I closed my eyes. I felt tingles starting at my head progressing down, all the way to my toes. I could tell that I was growing shorter, and I felt warm fur grow rapidly out of my skin. Nasty, I know. When I opened my eyes, I found myself looking up at the windowsill. I gazed at my hands, paws now, which were a dark shade of grey. I checked to see if Riley was still sleeping, and lucky for me, she was. I leapt onto the windowsill and jumped, landing on a soft patch of grass. Hiding behind a shrub, I transform back and grabbed my satchel and started following the sidewalk. I put on my hood, hoping it would help, but it didn't at all. The rain still fell down, hard. It's been a rough day. Actually scratch that. It's been a rough life. Thrown into an orphanage, obtains a supernatural ability, runs from things that lurk in the dark. That's me. I looked down the street and noticed two lights getting closer. Just look forward, don't draw any attention to yourself. When the lights came closer, I realized that they belonged to a truck, which was now pulling to the side of the street. Right in front of me. Great. I waited for the driver to roll down the window. Next thing I did was take in as much information as I could.

Gender: Male

Age: In 40s or 50s (uncertain)

Name: Unknown

Hair: Brown

Skin Color: White

Eye Color: Brown

Need/Want: Unknown

"What is a kid like you doing out here at this time of night? It's pouring."

"Um. I got lost."

"Well, get in here, I'll take you home." I raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I'm not just gonna hop in a stranger's car."

"You are walking in the streets alone at night."

While I weighed my decisions, he said, "Listen, kid. There have been a lot of abductions lately."

"You mean the girls?"

"Yeah. You know about them?"

"Know about them?! I lived with them."

"But they were all orphans."

"Who says I'm not an orphan?"

Realization struck his face, "You ran."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I ran. So what? I needed to take my research somewhere else."

"What do you mean research?" He actually sounded interested.

"I've been researching all of the girl's disappearances. I think I know who... what's doing it."

"I think you should get in right now."

"Well now you just sound creepier. Why?"

"My name is John. I'm a hunter, and I can help you."

…So? How'd you like it? I know it's not that much to go on. I write much better with a template, like an episode, you know? Well, I'm just going to update my current Doctor Who story, and I'll be back.

As for Riley, yes I based her off of Riley in the DLC for The Last of Us. I just thought she would fit. Don't know why.

And no, the creature is not a Wendigo.

Till Next Chapter!