Three Years Ago

Hi. My name is Ember.

I'm twelve years old and I live with my mother, Blaze, who, like me, has pyrokinesis. Unlike me, though, she can also control and turn into smoke, always telling me it's okay I can't.

I guess it's because I have other powers.

They are shifting into a wolf, being able to speak and understand not just their language but that of all birds and I can also see in the dark, even when I'm not a wolf.

Mom says those powers, like my amber eyes, come from Dad. Same for the pointed ears and slightly elongated canines that I was born with.

I strongly favor a man I've never known. I have his last name, Wolfram, which means wolf-raven.

Since I also have my Mom's bright red hair, I like to think that I'm the best of both my parents.

I have had a pretty happy life.

Until now.

Ironically, our house has caught fire and, while I don't know how, I'm going to have to cut any further introductions so I can get the heck out.

Wait, where's my Mom?

I call out, trying to find her but smoke leads me out.

"Mom!"

I try using my pyrokinesis but, before I can even step beyond the threshold, water's poured on me, making me unable to use said power.

A smoky voice that has to be from my Mom tells me that I'm loved by both of my parents and to go. To save myself.

I nod then lope away, eventually finding myself in a forest where I shift into a wolf and howl.

Good, there are other wolves here.

I go to find them, feeling confident that, since my Mom knows what I look like as a wolf, I'll see her again someday.

Clark's P.O.V.-now

It's nice to be in the forest. It certainly feels easier on my senses than Metropolis.

With all the wildlife I can't help but hear, it sometimes feels like you'll never know what you might see.

There's a bunny.

Oops, I startled it.

No, something else did.

It's a deer, being chased by wolves.

Well, that's the food chain.

One of them falls a good distance behind and I can't help but notice that it's limping.

I get closer, wanting to help but being careful not to startle it.

Huh.

I've never seen a gray wolf with a bright red streak down her back before.

Have I found a new speices?

"What kind of wolf could you be?"

To my surprise, it seems to ripple then my eyes widen at what meets them.

It's not a wolf at all, it's a Meta. A girl.

My God, I've discovered a feral child.

I wonder what, if any, languages skills she possesses. Just in case, I should make sure to start simple.

As I get closer, still being careful not to startle her, I notice that she's nearly naked, on all fours, with a broken leg. Her bright red hair is matted with twigs and grass, hiding her ears which are...She has pointed ears.

I guess she heard me because she turns around, facing a stunning pair of amber eyes toward me, staring me down, which I know means a challenge.

It also tells me that she has night vision because, even though the moon is cloud covered, her bared teeth, with slightly elongated canines, suggest that she finds me to be a threat.

Just how long has this girl been feral?

I tell her that I mean her no harm.

The words must have meant something to her because she covers her teeth.

I point to myself. "My name is Clark."

I point to her. "What's your name?"

She points to herself then says something in what has to be wolf language.

I think that she understands English, just not very well. The fact that she can't seem to speak it complicates things.

After the cloud cover falls away, a wolf howls, causing her ears to perk up.

She seems to ripple again, changing back into a wolf, though it looks as if the effort's too much for her because, after her tail seems to flicker in its place, she collapses in the form of a girl.

Concerned and wanting to help her, I carefully pick her up.

Her broken leg needs tending to but, first, she needs a bath. She's dirty and smells gamy.

Sure, I certainly wasn't expecting to bring a girl home with me but, to be fair, I did tell you that you never know what you might see in the forest.