Chapter Two- Bleed the Freak

"These stand for me

Name your god and bleed the freak

I'd like to see

How you all would bleed for me

If you scorn my lover

Satan got your thigh

If you steal in hunger

I will kick you when you try"

-Alice in Chains- "Bleed the Freak"

(Ryvre's POV)

Dad was still on edge about the murders that were happening all over Seattle. One happened a few blocks from our house. I could see dad growing more anxious with each passing day. He wouldn't even let Collin and I out of the house after dark. Fine by me honestly. It was Saturday and dad wanted us to go out as a family for the day. So we all got up around ten and went out to brunch. I was still amazed at how much my brother was eating. He was getting bigger every day. I could almost see him growing; it was ridiculous.

Around twelve we finished eating and mom suggested we go to the mall. Collin needed some new clothes, since his old jeans were becoming high waters. When we got there, mom went off with Collin, chattering happily as they walked away from us.

Dad and I wandered aimlessly around the mall. After a while he asked, "So little Ryvre, are you still planning to follow in your old man's footsteps and become a medical examiner?"

I could tell he was proud that I wanted to choose his career path. I smiled, "Yes, but I was thinking I might get a degree in forensic anthropology." He opened his mouth but I quickly cut him off, "I know I'm only a junior and I still have another year and a half of school left before college, but it's something I really want to do."

"Do you know what university?" He asked.

I smiled. "UNC."

Dad stopped and faced me. "University of North Carolina?" I nodded. "But that's all the way across the country."

I sighed. "I know dad, but it's the best school you know that. I could get a job at just about any university or museum. Plus, I hear their basketball team is good. You love basketball."

Dad looked down at me. "Honey, they're not just good, those Tarheel boys can't be beat. Maybe it's a good thing you want to go to UNC." Then his eyes turned sad. "Do you really have to go so far away?"

I smiled. "I'm not leaving tomorrow, calm down." He smiled back down at me and we kept on walking. A few minutes later I said, "Hey, I'm going to find the food court and get something to eat. I'll be back."

"Okay, hurry back." He said walking into Spencer's. I started walking away shaking my head. I didn't even want to know what my dad was looking at in Spencer's.

Standing in line, I pulled my phone out to text Kelly. She had a blast at the club last night and wished I'd gone with her. Then she sent me a text that made me frown. 'I don't want to go out tonight. They found a body two blocks from your house. Two fucking blocks, Ryvre.'

I replied that I understood, we wouldn't sneak out again until they found whoever was killing all these people. To be honest I was glad. Just thinking about it scared me. After paying for my food I started to head back in the direction I had left dad when I suddenly felt like someone was watching me. I turned around and saw two people staring at me. The boy had black eyes and looked like he wanted to eat me. The girl had flame red hair and red eyes.

They reached me before I could walk away. The boy couldn't help but smile as he said, "Hi, my name is Riley. I saw you from across the mall and wanted to know if you'd have lunch with my sister and I."

The girl grabbed his arm. "Yes, my name is Victoria and we'd love it if you'd have some lunch with us."

Chills ran up and down my spine. I shook my head. "I can't, my dad is waiting for me." I turned to walk away, not giving them a chance to answer.

I heard Riley say behind me, "Victoria, stop her! She's my singer, I need her!"

She said something to him I didn't catch since I was nearly running away from them. When I reached my mom and Collin were standing with him. My appetite was gone so I shoved my box of fries at Collin. "Are we ready to go?" I asked.

Collin gave me a funny look, but I ignored him. Dad led us out to the car where we all climbed in. My brother glared at me and rolled his window down, a blast of cold frigid air hitting my face.

"What the fuck Collin?! Put your window up, asshole!" I screamed.

"No! You stink, Ryvre!" he yelled back. Dad put his window up and then put the locks on.

"I don't stink, Collin," I told him.

He growled. "Yes, you do. You smell like you rolled in syrup or something. What did you do spray yourself with every perfume in the mall?"

Dad glanced in the rearview mirror. "What do you mean? Like sickly sweet?"

Collin nodded. "Yes. Like bleach and syrup and it's making me sick!"

We pulled into the driveway then. Collin hopped out and dramatically breathed in fresh air. I rolled my eyes and went inside, mom, dad and Collin following.

I was almost to the stairs, when dad stopped me. "Wait a minute Ryvre."

"What?" I snapped, spinning around.

"Did you talk to anyone when we were at the mall?" he asked calmly, the worry swimming in his eyes completely disarmed me however.

I deflated. "Kind of. There were these two creeps following me and asked me to have lunch with them. But I told them no and came to find you," I said.

"What did they look like?" Dad asked, looking at me seriously.

Mom looked at him worriedly. "Nick, what is going on?"

Dad shook his head. "Hold on, I need Ryvre to explain everything first. Tell me what they looked like." I'd never seen my dad like this before. It scared me and I didn't like it.

"I mean, I really don't understand why you're worried about it, dad. They were teenagers."

"Humor me, little Ryvre." He stared at me.

"The boy had brown hair and black eyes and his skin looked like wax. Now that I think about it, it's weird because the girl had the same skin, like they could be siblings. But they didn't look anything alike. She had red hair and the weirdest eyes. I could swear they were red," I described.

"Red eyes? Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Probably some cheap contacts."

Dad asked, "Did they say anything else at all? I need to know."

"No, I didn't give them the chance. But I did hear the guy say something about a singer."

Dad's eyes widened. "Did he say you were his singer?" I nodded.

Mom was near hysterics. "Nick, what the hell does all this mean? What is going on? Tell me!"

Dad ignored her again. "Have you ever seen these people before?" I shook my head. "Okay. Listen, if you ever see them again, run into a big crowd. They won't attack then." He started to pull out his phone.

Collin looked scared now. "Attack? Is Ryvre in danger?" He started shaking again. "If I have to, I will go and find those freaks and tear them limb from limb! How dare they threaten my sister!" He started shaking more violently than I had ever seen him. Dad pushed mom and me up the stairs away from Collin.

"Nick, what is happening?!" Mom commanded. Dad didn't answer; he just watched Collin's shaking form until he exploded into a giant wolf in our living room. Mom fainted, dad just barely catching her.

My eyes bugged out of my head. "What the fucking fuck?" I sputtered.