Well well Wells
Charging towards the village, she burst into her wolf form letting loose a deep threatening growl as a clash of lightening lit up the night sky and heavy raindrop began pelting the ground. She could feel the hatred consume her as she entered the village square, unable to stop herself, she watched as she ripped the throat out of the first person she came across with her teeth, with every intention of ripping all those around her to shreds. Nobody would escape. The blood-curdling screams that followed, from men, women… children, echoed hauntingly in her head as she screamed internally to stop. Sharp claws tore into material and flesh indiscriminately, teeth snapping like a bear trap crushing bones. A metallic taste permeated her taste buds as the carnage ensued.
Some tried to stop her, pelting her with stones and arming themselves with sticks, not that it saved them. Others ran, but they just weren't fast enough. Some begged for life, their pleas emphatically ignored. All Max could do was sob internally as she watched, powerless as each person was cut down by her own hand.
Realizing that she was not going to surrender or be taken down easily, people shifted to beasts, werewolves. Only some of the village were truly human, the ones she had already dealt with. Faces morphed, fur sprouting, eyes becoming more predatory, teeth elongating and claws extending. The muscled beasts snarled threatening, murderous intent in their eyes. They lunged at her, jaws snapping and claws scratching. What she lacked in brute force she more than made up for with her speed and her orb.
She was outnumbered, battered and bruised, blood oozing out of several wounds where tooth and claw met with her fur, staining it, but that didn't matter. Bloodlust had taken over now, making the 'impossible' irrelevant.
Soon, the cries gave way to eerie silence. Not a single sound in the aftermath say for the pelting rain. The village was in ruins, she stood alone in the centre, surrounded by mangled bloodied bodies, The red blood being washed away by the rain and seeping into the ground around her, she looked down at her paws, the sight of the blood sticking to fur and claws, the countless bodies lying lifeless around her, made her feel sick to her stomach. Why had she done this? So much death at her own hand. She couldn't process it, it was way too much, the guilt crushed her like a weight as everything faded to black.
Her eyes opened once more, met with almost complete dark save for the light of a couple of flickering candles circling her. It took a good few moments to adjust to the drastic shift in lighting, Infront of her a pair of brown eyes shifted to a deep crimson red, the stuff of countless horror films and nightmares. The firm grip of another person holding her fast, a second of pain as she felt a pair of needle-sharp fangs pierced her neck. She could feel her blood being drained, her life force slowly ebbing away. She tried to fight it, to call for help, but her body refused to obey. This couldn't be happening. She didn't want to die, wasn't ready. She pleaded for someone, anyone to help her, but her voice was silent. Her body struggled to remain active, mind flashing with images from her past, Chloe, Rachel, Kate, Joyce, her mom and dad. All she could do was watch them flicker like a film before her eyes. Each breath becoming weaker, her body growing cold as her vision became hazy, with a final slow exhalation, she felt the darkness claim her.
Max shot upright gasping heavily, her skin clammy from sweat. As the room around her came into focus, the patio doors let the morning light dance into the living room. The sound of someone pottering about in the kitchen filled the air along with the moreish smell of fresh pancakes.
"Morning, Max... Sleep ok?" Joyce's voice came as the older woman poked her head around the corner, giving the young Ahri a gentle smile.
"Not bad..." Max stopped looking down at herself in surprise to see she was human. Instinctively putting her hand to her neck, she found her necklace hanging there. She was covered in a light brown blanket. On the floor next to her, her clothes were neatly folded well within arms reach. She looked over at Joyce with a frown.
"Kate said to say thank you and she would see you at school later. She had a few things to take care of. I don't think she's slept that well in a long time, she looked really refreshed," Joyce offered, seeing the young Ahri's confusion she carried on, "She put the necklace on you this morning. You really are a heavy sleeper, glad to see somethings don't change."
"I wish she woulda woke me," Max muttered as she started shuffling around under the blanket to get dressed.
"You mean so you didn't have to go through whatever it was you were going through?" Joyce questioned tilting her head slightly to one side.
As much as she tried to make sense of the weird dream, she just couldn't. "You heard that, huh?"
"Bits of it. Mostly asking to stop... you wanna talk about it?"
Finishing buttoning up her shirt and making her way to the kitchen to raid the coffee pot, Max rubbed the side of her head with a frown, "Not sure what to say really, both dreams are... disturbing, scary I guess. In one, I'm killing everyone around me. I try to stop... but I either can't or..."
"Or?" Joyce pressed lightly.
Swallowing hard as she remembered the emotions she had felt during the dream. Rage didn't even cover it. She had wanted to see everyone ripped to shreds, no mercy. "Or I don't want to stop."
Joyce was quiet for a time, focusing on cooking as she gathered her thoughts. "I see... and the other one?"
The second dream had been just as scary. "It's kinda the reverse. I'm... being killed. The same way my mom was."
Joyce thought for a moment while she tended to the stove. Bad dreams were to be expected, especially after what Max had been through. Letting out a sigh, she began piling some pancakes onto a plate. "Well, the second one is easy, Max. It's how you saw your mom go, and its playing on your biggest fear. And the first one sounds eerily familiar to what you said last night. About death and destruction," she offered as Max made her way to the table with her coffee.
"Maybe... They just seem to be getting more and more vivid, I could actually smell the blood in the air, and the dying bit..." she shuddered as she recalled the sensation of death, "Felt so real."
"It's as real as you let it become, I guess. These, however, are VERY real." Joyce signaled to the plate of pancakes in her hand as she placed them in front of Max with a smile. "There no mountain lion, but they should fill a hole."
Max eyed the plate of pancakes dripping in syrup as her stomach let loose an agreeable rumble. Eagerly, she cut a large chunk of the tasty breakfast, hungrily shoving it in her mouth and letting herself slouch backwards letting out a satisfied sigh as she chewed and swallowed. "Better than I remember," she commented as she got another forkful. "Where's Chloe and Rachel?"
Sitting opposite the young Ahri, Joyce cut into her own food. "Rachel left with Kate this morning. I heard Chloe getting home as I woke up... Guess I'm gonna have to get used to seeing less of her now, but at least I get to see her." She smiled as she began eating her own food.
Washing the last of her pancakes down with a mouthful of coffee, Max leaned back in her chair patting her full stomach. "I am NEVER leaving this table." She smirked at the older woman.
Joyce gave a nod, "Good, you can clean," pointing to the mixing bowl and pan in the sink.
Following Joyce's direction, Max groaned internally and then looked at the clock on the wall. "I'd love to Joyce, but I really have to get going, or I'll be late for school." Getting up from the table, she offered an apologetic smile.
Joyce gave her a mock scowl. "You get out of it this time, Miss Caulfield," she shot with a playful smile.
"I'll do the dinner dishes tonight," Max promised as she quickly slipped on a pair of Rachel's trainers, finding them a better fit than Chloe's boots.
"Who says I'm cooking tonight?" Joyce commented, folding her arms and leaning back in her chair trying her best to keep a straight face.
Max raised an eyebrow at the older woman. It was a known fact Joyce would use any excuse to cook a decent meal, "Well, I got no issue finding some FAST food... in the literal sense, of course." Max shrugged playfully. How she had missed playing about like this. Sure, she had Akira, but she wasn't always around, and when she was, she was usually badgering her about coming back to Arcadia or trying to embarrass her.
"Fine, I'll cook," Joyce conceded shooting Max a playful smile, "but I ain't telling you what it is."
"Deal, I like surprises," Max agreed as she used her illusion to change back into her former Sophie self.
Joyce let out a slightly depressed sigh as she got up and stepped towards the now blonde girl, "I can't wait till you don't have to use that to hide anymore," wrapping her arms around Max.
"You're not the only one," Max replied reciprocating the hug. "As much as I complain about them, I'm rather attached to my tails... And it would make getting to school easier."
"I'll need to know who's here for dinner tonight. You and Chloe are a given, I'm assuming," Joyce theorized.
"I'll see what Kate and Rachel say..." Max allowed herself a smile at Joyce's overeager hospitality. "Might wanna be careful though. Keep offering up food and lodging, you might end up with three permanent lodgers."
Joyce thought it over for a moment, seeming quite taken with the idea. "Ya know... I don't think I would actually mind. Rachel is nearly always here when Chloe's here anyway... It might be nice to have a houseful again."
Max nodded in agreement. "It would be nice to have a home, a family again."
"You always did, Max," Joyce mentioned with a warm smile. "That never changed, and it never will. This always has, and always will be your home."
"I know. It's just... gonna take some getting used to." Glancing at the clock, Max let out a groan, "I really have to dash... I so wish I could just wolf it there." She grinned, giving Joyce a final squeeze before heading to the door.
"One day, Max, and hopefully soon." Joyce smiled. "Have a good day, give the others my best."
"I will and I will," Max acknowledged, giving Joyce a quick wave as she dashed out the door for school.
...
Rachel and Kate had gone on ahead of Max, already at Blackwell by this point getting ready for their morning classes
"So, you slept well, I assume." Rachel smiled playfully as she rooted through her locker, looking for the book she needed for her next class.
Kate could feel a light flush in her cheeks, knowing full well what the young hunter was getting at. "I slept very well, thank you," she replied as she leaned far too much into her own locker to make sure she couldn't see her face.
"I'm not sure how Alice is going to take the news that she's been replaced," Rachel teased, enjoying every second.
"Ugh, you're like a dog with a bone," Kate groaned in response.
Smirking, Rachel reveled in the chaos she was creating. "Oh, I've got more than a bone."
"Dare I ask?" Kate started, sounding equal parts worried and curious about the answer.
Before Rachel could answer Kate felt herself get pushed into her locker more so than she already was, along with stifled laughter from several males behind her, "damn freaks," a male voice jeered.
Slamming her locker shut, Rachel spun around glaring at Kate's tormenter. She narrowed her eyes on one Logan Robertson. "You got a problem with Kate, asshole?" she snapped.
"Oh look, it's the freak's girlfriend. Why not head back to that pathetic guild of yours?" Logan retorted, giving Zachery who stood next to him a high five while they snickered.
Putting herself between Kate and Logan, Rachel looked up at the taller lad placing her hand on the handle of her sheathed sword, a warning. "Back off, Logan" she snapped.
"Or your gonna what, BLONDIE?" he taunted getting in Rachel's face, towering over the shorter girl.
"MR ROBERTSON!" a deep voice boomed from down the hallway.
Backing off from Rachel, Logan looked down the hall towards the voice, a flicker of panic in his eyes as he saw a tall, dark, bold man marching down the corridor towards him. "Principle Wells," he stammered.
Rachel couldn't help but smirk as she quickly withdrew her hand from her sword, thankful it was obscured to the principle by Kate's open locker door.
Stopping in front of the two girls and small group of lads, some of which had already made tracks towards their class, he took in the situation with an accusatory glance before returning his focus to Logan. "You wouldn't be harassing other students now would you, Mr. Robertson?"
"She started it, sir, ask anyone," Logan responded signaling Zachery who was stood nearby
"Bullshit, he started it by shoving Kate into her locker and calling her a freak," Rachel countered defensively.
Principle Wells' eyes shifted from Logan to Kate and then to the young hunter before settling on Zachery. "Well?" he questioned. "Bear in mind if you're caught defending a bully, I'll have no choice but to put you in for a referral to the school board. It would be... a real shame if your scholarship were to be... jeopardized over something like this."
"Err, I dunno. I wasn't paying attention, sorry man," Zachery replied sheepishly as he began making a hasty retreat to class.
"Pussy," Logan muttered under his breath.
Turning his attention back to Logan, Principal Wells narrowed his eyes at the jock. "You, my office now, where we will discuss the conditions of your continued education at this school," he said sternly, pointing towards his office.
Logan looked like he was going to protest but seemed to decide against it and stormed off towards the office with his shoulders hunched, several of the students muttering as he passed them by. "Dude, I didn't think he was in today"..."I didn't see his car in the parking lot"..."No way, Logan in the Principal's office."
Turning back to Rachel and Kate, the principal took a breath before speaking again. "You two come with me. I'd like a word with you, in private," he scowled before briskly walking down the corridor.
Rachel groaned internally. Perhaps the locker door didn't obscure as much as she thought it had. Threatening a student with a weapon, even if just self-defence was a sure-fire way to lose her scholarship. At the very least it would be a black mark against her otherwise spotless record, surprising considering she hung with Chloe 95% of the time and that girl was a trouble magnet.
Following the principal as he led the girls down the corridor towards the cafeteria, Rachel noticed that Kate was looking a little nervous, giving her friend a gentle nudge she smiled reassuringly. Kate offered up a weak smile before returning her attention to the small bracelet on her wrist.
Entering the cafeteria Principal Wells stopped giving the place a once over before turning to the two girls, his gaze resting on the young hunter, completely unreadable. "So, Miss Amber, would you mind telling me what exactly it was you were planning on doing to Mr. Robertson with that sword of yours?" he barked in a low voice.
'Shit, he saw,' Rachel thought, realizing she might be in big trouble. "Sorry sir, I wasn't going to use it. He was harassing my friend," Rachel pleaded glancing at Kate and suddenly frowning as she appeared to be stifling a giggle. Looking back to the principal, her frown deepened further as she saw a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I'd have probably put him through a locker myself," he chuckled, his voice becoming much softer and breaking into a full-on giggle.
Rachel watched completely dumbstruck as Principal Ray Wells shrank, his skin becoming lighter as blonde hair sprouted from his head. In a short few seconds, Ray Wells had turned into Sophie, who was clutching her sides in hysterics. Kate was almost crying with laughter.
Snapping her head to check down the corridor to make sure no one was coming, Rachel turned to the giggling blonde, wrapping her in a bear hug. "You bitch, that was AMAZING. You got me hook line and sinker," she joined in laughing and turned to Kate, "You knew."
Catching her breath, Kate nodded. "Of course, I knew the second she came up to us. Why do you think I didn't say anything…? Although, much longer and I think I might have given away the game."
"That's gonna cause a bit of confusion at the office," Rachel chuckled, just imagining the scene play out in her head.
"Oh, that's right. The principal isn't in today... I think it's a fishing trip if I recall," Kate thought aloud, her smile widening as she realized the full situation.
Max shrugged, looking very proud of herself. "Well, there never gonna find out. No one here knows what I am, except you two and Chloe."
"Err, Victoria might know, if she's started the assignment anyways," Rachel swiftly corrected.
Kate shook her head, grinning from ear to ear. "Who cares? She should get a medal. That performance was exemplary, might have even fooled me... If I couldn't read her from a mile away."
"You can thank Akira for that," Max admitted, not being able to take full credit. "She really knows her stuff."
"Did you see the look on Logan and Zach's face? They were mortified," Rachel chuckled, finding the whole situation hilarious.
Akira cut in here. 'I'll take that credit, but it was your idea and quick thinking. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be able to pull it off.'
'And I'll take that as a compliment,' Max thought back, happy that she and Akira were on the same page for once.
"Now, I can only imagine the kind of trouble our parents caused if you're anything to go by," Rachel mused as she put an arm around each girl, leading them out the cafeteria and heading for their class.
"What's the first lesson today then?" Kate asked, not having the time to check in all the confusion of last night.
"Double science, Ms. Grant," Rachel replied as they continued down the hallway.
Max let out an audible groan. "I suck at science."
Rachel nodded sympathetically. "So do I, but I have a secret weapon. Well, two actually."
"Huh?"
"She means me and Chloe," Kate explained, answering the unspoken question. Don't worry, we've got your back."
"But Chloe's still in bed," Max observed. She would like to put it down to her new vampire side, but the bluenette had always been impossible to wake in the morning.
"And Chloe misses about two-thirds of her science classes yet has a 4.0 GPA in that class alone," Rachel added, sounding impressed. "I'm telling you, that girl would be very dangerous if she ever turned her hand to true chaos."
"Don't worry, Ma…" Kate stopped herself, clearing her throat, "Sophie, Chloe has Science covered, Rachel has Math covered and I have English down."
"And I have drama," Max mumbled, not being able to think of what she could bring to this seemingly perfect study group.
'Ahem, enter the personal history teacher right here,' Akira eagerly interrupted. 'Not to mention this term you pretty much have your History of the Races project in the bag, seeing as it's... well, you, or should I say us.'
'You offering help... what's the catch?' Max asked suspiciously. She'd been around Akira long enough to know how this game was played.
'You wound me.'
Max didn't buy the innocent act. She had fallen for it before but not anymore. 'I know you... maybe not as well as I'd like, but well enough.'
'Well, now you mention it…' Akira began, getting cut off by Rachel seconds later.
"That's not true, Sophie," Rachel voiced unaware of Akira's bribery of Max, "For a start, you're our Ace in the hole on this project... Oooh, Chloe's gonna be pissed she missed out on the fun today."
"Funny you should mention the project, someone else just said exactly the same thing," Max replied tapping the side of her head with a small grin. "Also, apparently history is gonna be my forte... Although there's a catch that I'm still waiting to hear."
'It's simple, maybe a little out of your comfort zone, but…' Akira left the demand unfinished, trying to get the girl's unwavering attention.
Taking the bait, Max prompted her. 'Spill it.'
'Ok, ok, well, Chloe had an idea last night, didn't she,' Akira stated, getting ready for some resistance.
The tone Akira was using tipped Max off immediately. 'Uh-oh, I don't like where you're going with this…'
Wanting to finish the idea before it was shot down completely, Akira pressed forward. 'Just hear her out, and give it a try. You deserve to let loose a little.'
'Not at the expense of my friends. If I know Chloe, it's probably something involving me as... well, ME.'
'I'm sure she wouldn't suggest anything that would arouse suspicion. Besides, don't you think it would be funny to wipe that smugness off her face... all those times she won against you in the past?' Akira coaxed, trying to encourage her competitive streak.
Max thought about it for a moment, a small smile creeping on her face. "Rach, any idea what Chloe has planned for later on today?" she asked questioningly.
"No idea, she didn't mention anything to me… why?" Rachel shrugged, very curious.
"Oh, nothing. Just thought you might know." Turning her attention back to Akira, she decided to go with the crazy idea. 'You got a deal, PROVIDING its nothing too outlandish, no sense blowing my cover.'
'Deal,' Akira agreed. The young Ahri needed to blow off some steam, and Chloe came across as just the right kind of catalyst for the situation.
Entering Ms. Grant's class, the three girls quickly found themselves a desk where all three could sit together, Max and Rachel sitting either side of Kate so she could help both out if they needed it.
...
During their lunch, both Kate and Rachel had eagerly accepted Joyce's dinner invitation but had declined staying the night again to give Max and Chloe time to catch up. They did, after all, have a five-year gap to fill. Entering Mr. Jefferson's classroom, the girls noted that very few people had turned up. In fact, other than themselves only Taylor and Courtney were present, busy chatting among themselves.
Taking their seats, the three girls set about getting their pads out and started making notes for their project, drawing on what Max had already told them the night previous, and what they had seen so far. Max caught sight of Kate, who was busy doing some sketches that closely resembled Max in both her Ahri and wolf forms.
"They're pretty good, Kate," Max mentioned approvingly.
Kate gave her an appreciative yet shy smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, they're only quick sketches, though."
"You should see the other half of her book. It's filled with pictures of Alice," Rachel added with a smirk.
"So?" Max shrugged unaware of the blush entering the young empath's cheeks.
"It's not all just Alice... I just draw what I like," Kate corrected while putting the finishing touches to the sketch she was working on.
'Guess that means Kate likes you, huh?' Akira pointed out gleefully.
'Don't go starting this now. It's too early for that,' Max replied, trying not to give her the satisfaction of getting overly flustered.
"Why not try one of how you slept the last two nights?" Rachel suggested as nonchalantly as possible to hide her true intentions.
"Bit difficult when I can't see it," Kate mumbled, instantly regretting taking Rachel's bait as she felt the young hunter emitting a wave of mischief.
"You could just imagine it," Max encouraged, as she continued to scribble down notes, not taking her eyes off her own pad.
"One word, Kate… BONE," Rachel teased as she tapped on her phone a few times.
Max frowned, looking up at the young hunter who was wearing a big smirk, her eyes fixed on Kate. Rolling her eyes and picking up her phone, Kate saw she had a message from Rachel and quickly checked it.
Rachel - BONE
Under it was a picture of herself wrapped in Max's tail, curled up on the sofa asleep. She could feel the blush in her cheeks as she stared at the picture.
"That's a nice picture," Max observed, admiring the picture on Kate's phone.
"Uh..."
"What's wrong, Kate? You don't like it" Rachel queried, genuinely curious.
"It's nice," she mumbled putting the phone down as she started doodling again.
Seeing an opportunity arise to start some embarrassment, Akira took it. 'I can see why she took that picture.'
'Oh…'
Giving her a mental nudge in place of a physical one, Akira continued. 'Come on, you can't tell me that's not just a little bit cute.'
Max rubbed her temples, wishing that she could switch Akira's smartass comments off. 'Ugh, I might have guessed, so glad you're only in my head.'
'If I wasn't, you'd be redder than your shirt… or Kate for that matter,' the elder Ahri mentioned, knowing that Max would just have to look now.
Ignoring Akira's goading, Max turned her attention back to the drawings feeling a smile tug at her lips. Kate wanting to draw her and take pictures was quite flattering really. She didn't mind in the slightest. It was almost enough to distract her from the possibly dangerous idea Chloe wanted them all the follow through later. Almost.
After Class
The end of class came soon enough, everyone packing up and escaping to temporary freedom. Rachel had sent Max and Kate on ahead to meet up with Chloe. She had something to attend to first, or someone more specifically. It didn't take long for her to track down who she was looking for. Victoria Chase.
Rachel approached her, slinging an arm over her shoulder. "Ah, Victoria. Just the girl I wanted to see."
Frowning at the unexpected contact, Victoria gave her a questioning look. "What do you want?"
"Remember that thing we talked about with Chloe? Making sure she was fed so she didn't try to eat her friends and family?" Rachel reminded with a hint of accusation.
She sighed, rolling her eyes at the questions. "Give me a break, okay. I got… distracted. By Nathan."
Curious to find out what had happened, Rachel pressed for more details. "What did he have to say for himself?"
Victoria gathered her thoughts before replying. "He just wanted to check if Chloe was okay, then it escalated and…." Her sentence trailed off into silence, confliction crossing her features.
"And?" the blonde hunter prompted as she let the other girl go, wanting to know the rest of the story.
With a sigh, Victoria ran her fingers through her hair. "I may have totally kicked his ass."
"Not that I blame you."
Not as convinced, Victoria's expression turned guilty. "I think he was trying to apologize at one point, but… all I saw was red. He's seriously fucked things up for me. Nobody wants to hang around with me anymore and I can see why…"
Rachel shook her head, gently bumping her shoulder. "That's not true. I do. In fact, that leads nicely onto another topic. Want to join my group for Jefferson's project?"
"I've been informed that the group size has a limit," Victoria stated, looking a little confused by the offer.
Feeling sorry for her now, Rachel told her the truth. "Not as far as I've heard. Guess you missed all the explanation when our dear friend 'Sophie' made an appearance."
"Oh, I see…" she looked down at the ground for a moment, disheartened before focusing on Rachel again, "well, in that case, sure why not?"
Giving a trademark charming grins, Rachel lightly punched her arm. "Great, we're actually about to all leave so… hope you're ready."
Victoria glanced back at Blackwell, shrugging. "More or less."
It would be next to impossible to fit all five of them, Chloe, Kate, Max, Rachel, and Victoria, in the truck. At least Victoria had a car. "Unless you fancy giving me a piggyback all the way to where ever it is Chloe has in mind, we should probably take your car. Chloe's truck can only really take two people, three at a squeeze."
That made the blonde vampire smile. "Nice try with the suggestion, but I vote car."
Rachel snapped her fingers. "Damn, I was hoping you'd go with the first one."