Chapter 4

Oh my God was the only thought running through my head. The blood red eyes that stared back at me were filled with hatred and resent. This couldn't be my Julius. There was no way.

I quickly got off my knees and looked around the park for him again, shouting his name at the top of my lungs. I could just imagine seeing myself in the mirror. My hair unkempt from running my hand through it so many times, my jeans dirty from kneeling, my eyes strained with worry. I frantically looked around, knowing that soon, Nora would be expecting me to return home with Julius. I had to go to the police. I had no choice.

I took a quick look one last time around the park and then sprinted off towards the station. I only had enough money for ice cream, so I knew I wouldn't be able to take a cab. I sprinted as fast as I could, urging myself to go faster. That's when the same type of instinct that took over this morning grabbed me once again. I felt the wind rush past me, and my surroundings were a blur. I was navigating through the city so quickly that I arrived in front of the station, which was about six miles from Central Park, in a matter of a second.

"Whoa." I muttered. Then I shook my head in an attempt to clear it. I had to set myself back on track. This was about Julius. My freak show could continue later.

I jumped up the steps to the station door two at a time and burst through the door, nearly taking it off its hinges. I didn't care. All I cared about was getting Jules back.

"I need help!" I yelled, my breathing rapid from the amount of pressure, stress, and fear my body was being put through at the moment.

"Calm down, sir. We'll be right with you." said the officer behind the front desk.

"No, you don't understand. I. Need. Help!" In less than a half a second, I had moved to the front desk and I had the officer's shirt in both my hands, his face inches from mine.

"Y-yes, sir. What can I do for you?" stuttered the nervous policeman. I could only imagine the fury in my eyes.

"My friend Julius is missing. He's only eight. I think someone took him! And I want them found." I snarled, shaking the man.

"Y-yes, sir! Right away. Please, if you could just let go, I'll get on it right now."

I reluctantly let him go. I still didn't think he understood the importance of what I was saying, but at least I had scared him enough to get results.

The officer quickly dialed a number into the phone that was sitting on his desk and whispered into it quietly. I stared at him warily, wondering what was taking so long.

"Hurry!" I snapped, digging my nails into the wooden desk and leaving inch deep penetration marks.

"They're coming, sir. Now. Please be patient." begged the officer. I had half the mind to grab him by the shirt again and throw him across the room.

Right then, I felt three bodies smash into me, and my face was bashed into the hard, cement ground of the station. I felt my nose break and the blood gushed down my chin, forming a dark red puddle. Suddenly, I heard the voice of the front desk officer. It sounded like he was standing right over me.

"You are hereby arrested for assault on a police officer, buddy." I could hear the smirk and satisfaction in his voice and my blood boiled.

"All I needed was help." I muttered slowly and angrily. I struggled under the three bodies, trying to get free.

"Well, looks like your little friend isn't going to be found now, kid. All because of your stupid little temper."

That was it. It was the only little push I needed. I snarled, a sound coming from deep within my chest and jumped up to my feet, knocking the officers off my back. Something took over me, and I began to throw punches and bodies across the room, roaring with anger the entire time. It felt like another part of me, a part that I had kept at bay, finally being released. Finally, my fist connected with the front desk officer's nose and his blood dripped down his chin and onto his perfect officer's uniform. My senses sharpened and I could smell his blood, so deliciously fresh. This craving was more than the one I had had this morning. It was overwhelming. My entire body began shaking with a snarl that was building inside my chest, begging to be let out. I didn't deny it exit. The room seemed to shake at the sound of my deafening roar, and the officers all took a step back, holding up their hands in an act of surrender, but I was far beyond negotiating.

I pounced on the front desk officer, the one that was bleeding, and knocked him to the ground. The smell of his blood filled my nostrils and I took a deep breath of the tempting scent. My instincts took over, and I sank my teeth into his tender skin, immediately feeling the rush of warm, sticky blood fill my mouth. I drank rapidly, trying to satisfy my burning thirst. It was no longer than right after I had finished my drink, when my instincts and anger subsided and I was once again back to my normal self. Or as normal as I can get these days. I stood up from the cold, rigid corpse and looked at the rest of the officers, all cowering in a corner and staring at me like I was a monster. Then I realized it. I was a monster. I stared at the sticky, wet blood stuck to my hands. I was a murderer. Not only that, I had lost Julius. Thoughts of Jules brought my anger back.

"You men were of no help." I yelped involuntarily. My voice had changed. It had become low and deep, totally different from the average tone I had before. I quickly recovered and glared at the trembling officers. "A little boy is lost in this city and now, we don't even know where he is! Justice will be served to you soon enough." I looked back at the corpse lying on the floor, almost as white as the concrete beneath him. I knew I couldn't stay much longer. The authorities had to have called for back up. I walked out the door, feeling renewed and stronger. I felt the fresh new blood pumping through me, and I felt as if I could do anything. I stood on the top step for a second, soaking it all in, when I heard sirens. I looked up towards the direction of the sound and panicked. I had to do something. Suddenly, a strange voice that wasn't mine entered my head.

Leave, it said. Run. Let your instincts guide you to Forks, Washington. Run.

I shook my head in awe. What was happening to me? I was woken from my thoughts as the sirens came closer.

Now! urged the voice.

I took another deep breath, and I could smell every small scent in the world. My eyes snapped open, and then I let out a thunderous snarl. The blood in my veins pumped faster, and abruptly, the world became a blur on all sides as my powerful legs pushed me through the city, state, and nation.

Let your instincts guide you. Give in to your instincts. Give in. advised the strange voice.

So many things were rushing through my head. Who was in my head? What was happening to me? Where was Julius?

Stop thinking. Give in. it repeated.

Fine, I thought back. Forks, here I come.