Flashbacks.

Set the scene:

Children cluttering an elementary school's hallway, the day having ended and not but stragglers remaining. The cul-de-sac kids form a disjointed circle around Eddy, who is busy making excited hand motions and gesturing to unseen items. He is weaving a 'plan' to obtain something, likely either sugary or monetary in nature. Ed stands aloof beside the group, his sister Sarah hanging on Eddy's every word. Nazz and Kevin watch from opposing sides, Kevin from behind and Nazz facing Eddy. Behind Kevin, Lee and May Kanker lean against the wall, Lee's eyes never leaving Eddy, May watching her sister. The third Kanker, Marie, stands at the other end of the hall, listening to music on her CD player. I stand opposite of her, the same distance from Eddy as she.

Action.

I play the memory through my head as it happened that evening, so many years ago. Long before I'd become feared, I remained in the shadows, and preferred to be unnoticed and unheard. I had befriended Marie, or, rather, she had been the one to befriend me. She was persistent, and I gave in to her advances, and we found kinship. Only with her.

As such, I was left with the unfortunate task of crossing the hallway to meet with her, somehow trying to avoid the group that infested the area before me. It was something I never enjoyed, and often came with its own pleasant 'surprises.' For instance, as I quietly walked past, Eddy's exaggerated speech caused him to step in my direction, and bump into me. I kept walking, but Eddy was not going to allow me that peace.

"Hey, watch where you're going, Sockhead!" he shouted, but I didn't react. Marie did, and I saw her eyes shoot in our direction. She pushed herself off the wall and started to walk my way, and I tried to speed up to meet her. I felt a hand land on my shoulder.

"Didja hear me? I have a bone to pick with you. Say excuse me when you bump into someone, jackass!" I winced, since only Marie could see my face at this time. She looked pissed.

"Hey, lay off him, scumbrain!" Marie stomped over, and I moved away, pulling from Eddy's disgusting grasp. Marie and Eddy locked eyes, and I closed my own.

"Marie," I began, and she looked my way, confused, "I can handle this. Don't trouble yourself with the likes of him."

I watched her step away, a little disappointed. Eddy, on the other hand, looked pissed.

"What the hell do you mean by that, Sockhead?"

I glared at him, letting my body share how cold I felt towards this situation, "Oh, how foolish of me, I forgot all about you being here. Pardon that; Eddy, is it? I'm afraid I must inform you that it was you who bumped into me. I await my apology."

He went silent, eyes widening, before his voice became laced with anger, "The hell are you talking about, freak?"

My patience was limited, "If apologies are too far above you, I'll settle for you shutting up."

"Yeah? And why the hell should I?" he walked straight up to me, and everyone was staring. Marie was clenching her fist. I glared into his eyes, weighing my options. I believed I'd use that piece of information this time. Yes...that would work quite nicely.

"Oh, well, if you'd like for your mother to learn of the reading material you hide in your locker, I'm certain she'd be oh-so-ecstatic."

I think, for a moment, he thought to question me. But his silence proved he knew better.

"...Come on, guys, let's go get started on those signs," Eddy said, hoping to change the subject.

Sarah piped in, "But what about-"

"Last one to Eddy's is a rotten egg!" Lee yelled out, grabbing and tugging at Eddy's sleeve.

He smirked, a catty grin playing at his eyes, "Whatcha all waiting for?" He ran off after Lee, who was obviously slowing her stride so the shorter boy could keep up. The others look at each other, and followed after. May walked slowly, her eyes looking back at Ed, who had finally decided to follow. He was always last, but she tried to stay near him. Marie had already informed me of why.

I glared at all of them as they left, feeling Marie's presence nearby. Soon, she spoke.

"Wow. You weren't kidding when you said you could be scary."

"When do I ever kid, Marie?" I looked at her. She stared back, and a forced smile slid across her lips.

"Anyways, let's blow this popsicle stand. Heck, we can even hang out at my place today since the sisters aren't gonna be home!" She took my hand, and I bit back a blush at the unfamiliar feeling. She'd been becoming more clingy recently, but I chalked that up to her simply being protective of me.

I didn't want to go to her home, though, but...she was my friend. And I would follow her wherever she took me. For better or for worse.

"You know, he's kinda like a wolf," I said to Nazz as I leaned back against my locker, twiddling my fingers. We had some time to kill before class started, and I was a bit stressed. I figured blowing off some steam with Nazz would help me calm down.

She giggled playfully, "Yeah, just give him teeth and he'll be spot on for one!"

I smirked, biting my lip, "I think his words are teeth enough, but he definitely has the eyes of one already." I'd been thinking that for a while, but I'd never told anyone it before. I was relieved when she nodded in agreement.

"Haha yeah! Maybe when he hits puberty, he'll get the hair of one too!" We both laughed at that one.

-click- -clack-

We froze.

"Quite the imagination you two have. I must applaud your far-sightedness, Nazz," his words sliced the air with a tinge of amusement, but when we looked, his lips carried none of the sort. We stayed silent, and watched him. He furrowed his brow, "Oh, nothing to say? Very well then..."

He walked up to Nazz, two steps taking him directly in front of the trembling blonde. His eyes narrowed, "I would suggest you hold your tongue next time you desire to speak ill of someone. Or, perhaps, your gymnastics coach would enjoy the looseness of my own as I indulge her in your...interesting appetite."

Had it been anyone else, I'd have been confused, but I knew exactly what he meant. The snacks she'd been sneaking would definitely get her in trouble with the coach, but I couldn't stand the fact that Eddward was using it against her! It was bullshit!

"H-hey!" His eyes locked with mine, and I cowered, forcing myself to speak, "You can't talk to her like that!"

An amused huff, "Oh, but I did, mon petit...and I shall. For one deserves what one gives, do they not? That reminds me, would you like me to reveal a flaw for you as well, Little Red?" He punctuated the nickname with foul focus, and I looked down. He 'hmmed,' continuing, "No? Very well then. I'll be on my way, children. Do carry on," his steps were slow, and his voice carried the malicious message, "Au revoir."

I was pissed, but fuck if I could do anything. This wasn't the first time something like this happened, but it was the first time we'd bothered to talk about him. It really must have set him off, because he was freaking frightening. Those damned calculating eyes, they burned me. And that threat...I have nothing to hide! What could he possibly have on me?

Whatever. I turned to Nazz, "Let's just go." She nodded, and we headed to class.

But I kept my eyes out for the wolf from then on, because I never knew when he'd show up again...and I was afraid.

I felt...hunted.