9

-What's this pain-

I turned my neck towards the left and heard a slight crack. I did the same to the right. I slowly lifted my sore arm to reach the back of my neck as I slowly rubbed it to ease the pain in the back of my head. I tried to remember what happened.

-Flashback-

"Will you join us… Cory… Corvin?" As Odin stood above Cory.

-End of Flashback-

"I can see that you're awake…" Odin was sitting next to a fireplace with his sword leaning on his shoulder in front of him.

"And alive surprisingly. That blow sure did hurt." I said while still rubbing the back of my neck.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Out in the woods having some fun."

"Fun?" I stared quietly.

"Yeah. Shirley likes to chase animals around, Xen likes his tranquility time and Ruby usually takes a nap under the moonlight."

"And you?" I was curious to find out. He turned his head to face me and with a really serious face he said.

"My hobbies and interests are none of your concern." I felt a slight bit of fear rush trough my veins as I sat there quietly fearing to ask any other questions. After about 5 minutes of silence, a question that I wanted to be answered entered my head.

"Uh.. Odin… I got a question." He faced me once again. "Did you ask everyone out there to join you like you asked me?"

"Everyone out there joined me on their own except one."

"Except one?" I was gaining interest.

"5 years ago something happened but the story is long so come here" I walked towards him and sat beside him. He extended his arm and pulled up his sleeve.

"One bite." He proclaimed as I looked at him confused at what he had just said.

"What?!" I said louder then I intended to.

"Take one bite of my blood on my arm."

"Why would I do that?" I yelled.

"Every memory or knowledge in your brain is also stored in your blood. The only way to extract those memories is to devour the blood and that can only be done if you have vampire blood in you. Vampires have the ability to pull the memories out of the blood cells. One bite for you should be just enough for you to find out what my memory of that incident is." I looked at him, startled. I didn't know what to do.

"You wanted to know who and how they joined me correct? Then take one bite." I grew my fangs and placed them against his skin. At first, my fangs felt cold when they were on his skin as if there was ice all over my fangs. Then the cold feeling went away and my fangs pierced his skin. I felt one gush of blood before I pulled back and sat down trying to gather my thoughts up. His memory was flashing in my head and I was soon able to see his memory clearly. I took some time to study it.

-December 6, 5 years ago-

Odin walks down a busy street. He looks at the sign at the end of the block and it read 86th ST. He looked at the other sign perpendicular to it and it read 20th avenue. He was lost and had no idea where he was going. He felt alone… different…

It was early in the afternoon as he walked into a nearby Starbucks. He ordered a small coffee and added about 2 bags of sugar. He took a seat at one of the sofas that faced the outside of the shop. He sat down crossed his legs and held his coffee with both hands close to his mouth to breathe in the smell of the coffee which smelled rather bitter. As the sound of a passing by train slowly disintegrated into the distance, he overheard a conversation of a few girls sitting across from him. He saw 3 girls but only one caught his attention. All 3 of them were young. Near the ages of 16 or 17. One girl in particular had a very pleasant smile. It had been a long time since Odin has seen a smile like hers. He took some time to gaze at her freckled face before he realized that they noticed his staring. Instead of thinking that Odin was rude, they laughed at the fact that he was wearing a suit. Odin may not be 19 years old but in terms of appearance, he looks 19 adding the fact that he isn't human and vampires and werewolves get to choose how old they look after a certain point of skill is obtained. He quickly stopped staring and got back to his coffee only to realize that he was eavesdropping on the girls' conversation, unintentionally.

Odin sat in the shop holding the coffee as he slowly closed his eyes to listen to his surroundings and also the girls' conversation.

Girl 1 :So did that guy give you your present yet?

Girl 2 : Seriously. That guy must've got you something good.

Freckled Girl :He already gave me my presents.

Girl 2 : Woah woah hold on! Presents? More than one?!

Girl 1 :Oh Shirley got a little crush she laughed and winked at the freckled girl who was apparently Shirley.

Shirley : You both know he has a crush on me since mad long ago.

Girl 1 : But still. To get you more than one present on your birthday? I don't think its just a crush.

Girl 2 : I agree with Allison. How many presents did he give you?

Shirley : Well… its technically 2 but it counts as 3.

Allison : Three presents?! Even my boyfriend doesn't get me three presents. You sure are lucky.

Girl 2 : So what did you say to him? He's coming to your dinner tonight right?

Shirley : Michelle… what else was there for me to say? He's just a friend. I said thanks and yeah I invited him to the dinner.

Michelle : Are you sure he's just a friend Shirley? she laughed and teased Shirley

Allison : Well guess there's nothing else we can do but wait to see if he tries anything tonight.

Shirley : Oh god…

The 3 girls stood up and threw out their trash as they walked out of the store linking arms and laughing in joy. Odin opened his eyes and slowly drank his coffee. About 15 minutes later, he finished his coffee and stood up to throw it out. He walked out and continued on his journey throughout the area. By the time it was around 8 o'clock at night, Odin had reached a large intersection in a huge city crowded with people. The area was so filled with people that everywhere he walked he almost bumped into someone. He felt hungry and decided to go and grab some food before he left the city. He walked into a restaurant that was basically the center of this huge intersection that contained a giant screen with a bottle of Coca Cola. He walked inside the restaurant and found an area to sit on the 3rd floor. As he sat down and took a look at the menu, a waitress walked over.

Waitress : Hi Sir. Welcome to Olive Garden. My name is Debbie and I'll be your waitress for today. May I start you off with something to drink or an appetizer?

Odin : Hi there.Um I'll have an Iced Tea please. I still need a few minutes to order.

Waitress : Very well. I'll be right back with your drink in a few minutes.

Odin took a few more minutes to look at the menu before realizing that there was a big dinner amongst friends going on at a table near him. He looked up only to recognize the 3 girls he saw that very afternoon plus about 8 other people. They were just finished ordering their food and were all chatting. Odin didn't pay much attention as soon as the waitress returned with his drink.

Waitress : Here you go sir. she handed him his drink. Are you ready to order?

Odin : Yeah. I'll have a Chicken Alfredo.

Waitress : Very well. Soup or salad?

Odin : Salad please. Serve to me at the same time please.

Waitress : Very well. Thank you. Your food should take about 15-20 minutes.

Odin : Thank you very much.

Odin sat up and put his arms on the table as he folded his hands and placed them at the tip of his nose. He fixed his glasses for a moment before listening to the background noises once again. He took once again a little sneak into the conversation of the girls at the table.

Allison : Shirley! Where are we going after this?

Michelle : Yeah Shirley. Where are we going after this? I'm sure this isn't all that you had planned.

Shirley : I honestly don't know except going back to my house to hang out or something.

Michelle : Sounds good to me. Is he going to come along also? she winked at Shirley once again.

Shirley : Be quiet Michelle. she laughed and smiled.

Fifteen minutes later, Odin's food arrived along with the food of the girls at the other table.

Waitress : Would you like some cheese?
Odin : Yes please.

Waitress : Very well. she sprinkled some cheese on his pasta and set the salad to his right side. Enjoy your meal!

Odin : I will. Thank you.

The waitress walked away as Odin slowly ate his meal savoring every bite to compare it to the food he has eaten over the years. Odin thought to himself.

-True pasta tasted so much better in Italy.-

He finished his pasta slowly in about half an hour before he wiped his mouth and sat back on his chair. He looked out the window to look at the busy city which probably attracted thousands of people daily. The girls had finished their food as well and Odin had already begun to listen into what was going on at the other table.

Shirley : Hey Michelle I'm going to go to the bathroom.

Michelle : Okay. I'll go with you.

Shirley and Michelle walked off to go to the bathroom as the rest of their friends chatted amongst themselves. Most of them were laughing a lot and having a very good time. A young man around the age of 18 or 19 walked next to Allison and asked her something.

Young Man : Hey Allison.

Allison : Yeah?

Young Man : Do you think I should order Shirley cake?

Allison : You're going to? OKAY! I'LL GO DISTRACT HER!

Allison walked off to the bathroom as the young man turned around to look for their waitress. He waited for about 2 minutes before he saw the waitress and he approached her.

Young Man : Hi. I'd like to order Tiramisu for my friend. It's her birthday.

Waitress : Sure. Where does she sit?

Young Man : All the way at the end of the table facing everyone.

Waitress : Very well. I'll wait until everyone is back before I send it out.

Young Man : Thank you very much.

The young man sat down and that was the first time that Odin realized something. Odin took another sniff and said to himself.

-That boy isn't human.-

-Smells like… wolf.-

The girls finally returned and all sat down. The young man looked for the waitress and the waitress saw that the girls were back. She walked into the kitchen to get the small piece of cake. Everyone in the table was chatting until the waitress returned with the cake and 3 other waiters sang a birthday song for Shirley. The young man said Happy Birthday to the girl and smiled. Odin had a slight smirk before waving for the waitress and asking her for the check. Odin paid for the bill and left the waitress a 20 tip before standing up to leave the restaurant. At just about the same time, the girls and their group was leaving as well. Odin walked first and left the building to go take the subway out of the city. Odin was tired of such an crowded area and wanted to go back to the Starbucks he was at earlier that afternoon. He knew what train to take as he walked towards the train station. Following him from behind was the entire group that was at the birthday dinner. Odin got into the train station and took the R train so that he would be able to switch trains once he reached Atlantic Ave. The group took the same train but 3 people from the group didn't enter the train. That left only 5 more people including the 3 girls which is 8. Odin sat at the opposite end of the cart as the mysterious group as he slowly drifted off to sleep. He awoke hearing the words "This stop is Atlantic Ave. Transfer to the N, M, D, Q …" He got out of his seat to exit the train just to enter a D train that just arrived. He found a seat and looked to his right to realize that the group was taking the same train as him. He noticed the girl Shirley wasn't very near the young man as the young man talked with her other friends. Odin noticed that the group was shortened once again. Now there only remained the 3 girls and 2 other people. Odin was about to fall asleep before another scent caught his attention. He looked at 3 guys sitting near the group who were taking small glances at the girls. Something about them smelled familiar to Odin and that scent was too familiar for him.

-Vampires.-

Odin tried not to laugh as he thought about how the dinner had not filled him and that now he would get his filling. He didn't sleep for that ride but yet he paid close attention to the group and the 3 vampires stalking them. As the group got off at Bay Park Way at about 11 at night, the 3 vampires followed the group. The group now only remained of the 3 girls and the young man. Odin got up and slowly walked out the door to trail the vampires in which he wished to feed upon.

Odin followed them out of the train station but kept a big distance so that the vampires wouldn't be suspicious of him. The last thing Odin wanted was for his prey to run. Odin didn't like chasing. The 3 girls and young man turned at a corner to walk down a very dark street. The vampires now took speed and jet towards the 3 girls. Each vampire aiming for a different girl. Odin stopped to watch the scene knowing that it is none of his business to interfere. In a split second, the other 2 girls had been devoured and Shirley remained. Odin saw what had happened and laughed.

-I knew it-

The young man was in full howling form. It had already killed the vampire that tried to attack Shirley. Shirley stood behind him in fear and astonishment.

Shirley : ALLISON! MICHELLE!

Young Man : Its no use. They're dead. And so will these 2 in a minute.

Vampire 1 : Oh you talk of such confidence boy.

Vampire 2 : Looks like brother there got his ass kicked.

Vampire 1 : More food for me and you brother.

Vampire 2 : Then I say Lets feast.

Both vampires tried to go straight for Shirley as the young man ran in front of her to protect her. Odin was able to tell that the young man was stronger than both of the vampires combined but something happened that even Odin didn't anticipate. The young man stood in front of Shirley once again but this time bleeding and holding his chest with one arm. He had shifted back to human form as he stood still trying to hold his stance.

Vampire 1 : Aww guess this one isn't immune to silver.

Young Man : Silver.. On… your fangs…

Vampire 2 : They're like braces for vampires. Hurts doesn't it?

The young man fell to the floor as he gasped for air. The silver was slowly killing him. The 2 vampires charged at Shirley to finish her off before the young man seeing that he had such an interest in her.

Young Man : "Freeze those who oppose the snow. Snow Hyouden"

The 2 vampires stopped in their tracks. Unable to move as a hail of snow was shed upon them. Odin realized what has happened and he studied the move as well. The young man's element was ice. The young man had used up the rest of his energy as he laid back on the floor shedding a tear knowing that the ice he cast on the vampires weren't going to last forever. Suddenly, from a rooftop near the scene, came another individual. The mysterious woman jumped onto Shirley and bit into her neck.

Vampire 1 : Sister arrived.

Vampire 2 : When you're finished. Mind helping us sister?

The young man was horrified as it tried to get up but couldn't muster up enough strength to even lift his arm. Odin decided to move.

Odin : Your methods disgust me and your strength amuses me.

All 3 vampires turned around to face Odin who had just appeared while walking towards them with 1 hand in his pocket and the other hand fixing his glasses. Odin walked towards them and said one last thing to the vampires.

Odin : You're body is filled with water. Water can be frozen. And frozen water is death for you. Good bye.

The 3 vampires suddenly had tiny shard of ice suddenly shoot out of their bodies in all directions before falling to the ground. The shards were red like blood and it took the young man a few seconds to realize that the tiny shards… were... blood.

Odin : You did a good thing young man. Sorry to inform you but you wont be living much longer. Rest in peace and hope that your pain ends fast.

Young Man : Wait….

He tried to say a few final words.

Odin : Yes?

Young Man : I'll… be … dead… but…

Odin : What do you want young man?

Young Man : Her life.. save.. i..t…

The young man's voice died off into the darkness as he lay still on the ground no longer breathing. He was dead. Odin walked over to the girl realizing that she was close to dead already. He had no intentions of saving her because a living girl who has seen him would only be a menace unless she was one of him. He didn't know how to convert humans to hybrids so he only bit onto her neck to feed. Not noticing that after a few seconds, he pulled himself away. He didn't know why. Normally, he can't stop himself from feeding yet this one girl who he doesn't even know seems needed to him. Seems important. He felt like he couldn't feed on her. After all the time that it took Odin to gather his thoughts, he realized that the girl started to shake and her eyes grew black. Her teeth grew and her fangs as well. He knew what had just happened.

Odin converted her to a hybrid, unintentionally. The girl finally stopped shaking as she gained her thoughts back. She stood up looking around at everything as the aftermath of the young man's move left the area snowing.

Shirley : What is going on. What is happening? Why am I standing here?

Odin : You are now a hybrid. Half vampire half werewolf. I don't know why but I believe that my own thoughts stopped me from feeding upon you and saved you by granting a dieing wish to the young man laying beside you. As you can see, he wasn't human. He was a werewolf. Surprisingly strong for one but he was one none the less. But for now, you are immortal with a few weaknesses. I hope your dreams can be fulfilled with the time given to you now. Immortality is more than just a gift. It is also a burden. You will feel pain that you never knew existed until now. You now have one choice Shirley. Since I changed you I give you a choice on what you do with your new given life. Use it to your benefits or the benefits of others. I leave the decision up to you.

Odin began to walk away before Shirley stopped him.

Shirley : Your name. I want to know your name.

Odin : Odin.. Jayoku.

Shirley : Then I choose to follow you. I choose to have you protect me like an older brother. Can this decision of mine come true?

Odin : Then so be it. From today on. You are my younger sister. Come. I'm leaving.

Shirley : Hai. Oniisan.

Odin : Ha. We share something in common. You speak Japanese.

-End of December 6-

My head hurt from the rush of memories that burst through my head. I now sat about 3 feet away from Odin staring at him.

"Now you understand Cory. Now you can no longer question me."

"Understood" I felt like I just learned about his entire life but at the same time I felt like I was missing a lot of things from his memories. Things that I wish that I will soon learn from him. But for the time being, I felt tired and exhausted from the thinking. I lay down as I slowly drifted off to sleep thinking about the memory. Something was suspicious about it but I forgot what.

-----------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 9------------------------------------------------------

As everyone can see, this entire chapter mainly talked about the birthday of Shirley which was in the memory of Odin. This is because this is a tribute to Shirley Chan.

Happy Birthday Shirley and May all your wishes come true. Hope your dreams and wishes come true this year and may this year be another great one in your life. Happy Birthday ;

December 6, 2007.