Chapter 6! This one is pretty OC oriented, but I made it, I'm satisfied, and I hope you'll like it too :)
"Shane, your behavior is absolutely intolerable!" Mr. Herriman said with a heightened voice, giving the boy an infuriated look. "Even master Blooregard can control himself better than you have been able to!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Herriman! I'll shape up. I'll do something, anything. You'll see!" Shane pleaded, throwing himself to Herriman's mercy.
"Not this time, master Shane. You are hereby expelled from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. I want you to pack your belongings and be out as soon as possible."
"I don't have anywhere else to go!" the wolf yelped in fear, trying not to cry.
"I am sorry, but majority of the house finds you a nuisance, frightening, dangerous, or all three put together. You must go!"
"NO!" Shane yelled, awaking from what he believed to be one of the worst nightmares he'd experienced in a while. Poor Shane was drenched in sweat, his hair stood up, and his claws must have torn away at his sheets while he slept—they were a ripped-apart mess.
Instead of using the ladder, he jumped from the top bunk, creating a *thump *, and rushed out of his room, which he now felt was a bit claustrophobic with all his friends sleeping there. The noise was enough to rouse Kay, who looked at the clock and read 3:30 a.m. She looked over to find Mac and Bloo sleeping peacefully, then took a step up the ladder of the bunk bed, enough to see that Shane wasn't there.
"Something doesn't feel right," she said to herself, and tried to wake up Mac.
"Mac, Shane's gone," Kay said softly, as to not wake up Bloo. If something were actually wrong, she doubted he would help the situation.
"Huh, what? Gone?" he mumbled sleepily. "Are you sure he's not in the bathroom or something?"
"I thought so at first, but a weird noise woke me up, and he hasn't come back yet."
"I'm sure he's fine, Kay," Mac reassured, and drifted back to sleep.
"Fine," Kay said to herself, "I'll find him." So she slipped out of the room and checked the nearest bathroom, which was vacant. So was the one further down the hall. And by the Foyer. And by the dining hall.
"Something tells me he didn't have to go," Kay thought, and returned to the Foyer. "If I were Shane and woke up at three in the morning, where would I go? Apparently not back to bed." Then she looked out the window and found him—sitting on the stairs, perfectly still, his eyes fixed on some random yard object. Cautiously, she opened the door, and walked out, startling him.
"I'm sorry," Kay said sympathetically, seeing how he jumped violently.
"It's fine. What are you doing up?" he said, keeping his voice calm. However, his eyes were a dead give-away that he had been crying.
"Ya know, I always wake up at three in the morning just to sit outside and stare at my yard," she said sarcastically. He smirked, but it quickly faded and he turned away.
"What are you doing up?"
He didn't say anything at first. The silence created tension, until he said, "Thinking."
"Just thinking?" Kay asked, doubtful about his claim, and her look said so. He sighed.
"Thinking about.. losing this place.. I don't know what I'll do if I have to leave again..."
"Again? You've been kicked out of Foster's before?" Kay asked, eyes widened out of concern.
"No, not Foster's. Other places, a couple of times before," he explained. It was painful to hear, let alone have gone through it.
"Does Madam Foster know?" Kay asked.
"No one knows where I've been up until she took me in."
"Do you want to tell me?"
"No."
"Talking about it might make you feel better."
"I'm fine." Kay was actually getting irritated at his severe hard-headiness.
"Shane, come on. I know we haven't exactly been friends forever, but I think we will be," she had his attention now as he stared intently at her as if he were reading the words coming from her mouth.
"In that case, you've gotta learn to trust me."
He stared until she stopped talking, then was silent. He looked around as he thought, until finally he said, "Fine. But I'm only telling it once, I'm not answering a lot of questions, and I don't want interrupted." Kay nodded in agreement to his terms.
"All right. I was about four years old... You know that saying, 'He was raised by wolves?'"
Kay nodded again.
He smirked, and said "Well, I actually was.. Kind of."
Flashback
The four-year-old black-haired, green-eyed boy sat alone in a run-down orphanage. There weren't very many children their, and the ones that were there included Shane and a couple of older bullies, who picked on him for being so small and weak, as opposed to them. Shane just happened to be the smallest and youngest, also making him the most defenseless.
"Hey, shortie," called out an older kid named Danny, who had short brown hair and was a bit on the heavy side. The child was about eight years old, who's parents died for their country in a war. You'd think a child who's parents were soldiers would be more disciplined and respectful.
"Leave me alone, Danny," Shane said, but he didn't know why he bothered saying it—no one listened to him.
Danny just smirked and said "Make me," as he grabbed the collar to Shane's shirt, hoisted him up with almost no effort, and threw him back to the hard-wood floor. The four-year-old bared his teeth, refusing to show Danny how hurt he was. He would try to counter, but he was no match.
After tossing him around the room and throwing slaps and punches at the poor child, Danny had him cornered, and was about to deliver a swift blow that would surely leave Shane with a black-eye, until the caregivers called the boys to lunch.
"I'll finish you off later, squirt," Danny said threateningly, and left the room.
"No you won't," Shane said to himself, and climbed out of his small, dirty window and ran to the woods just beyond the run-down place.
It was the only place he found peaceful, and it was unfortunate he could never stay long—the caregivers' punishments were sometimes worse than the daily beatings he received from kids like Danny.
Shane found his favorite spot by a little creek to rest. He looked in the water to find his scarred and bruised self. The boy brought his knees to his chest, folded his arms, and sighed, and was going to wash away the dried blood and tears until he looked up and saw a wolf, staring at him from across the shallow creek. This wolf was different than the average wolf someone would picture. It was thin but strong, and it's fur was so brilliantly white it appeared to be glowing. It's eyes were red: beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
Shane was scared, but he raised his voice, "You wanna tear me up too? Fine, go ahead!" Clearly fed up, he buried his head in his arms and sobbed, waiting for the wolf to pounce. A couple seconds had passed, and the boy realized he was still in one piece. He looked up and the wolf was now inches away from him, looking to him with curiosity.
Shane remained completely still with his heart pounding at what felt like 300 miles per hour. This bizarre wolf than did the unexpected—licked Shane's small hand.
Engrossed in this strange creature, the boy carefully took his hand and stroked the wolf's ear, and it muzzled his neck in return.
"You're not normal, are you?" asked Shane in total awe. The wolf slowly shook it's head 'no.'
His eyes widened. "You can understand me..." The white beast nodded.
"I've been watching you struggle for quite some time," Shane heard, but the wolf hadn't made a sound.
"Whaa..?"
"I am speaking to you telepathically, or through your mind. This way, you can understand me as well as I can you."
The boy stood in shock and disbelief, trying to decide whether or not this was a dream. Then Shane heard the wolf chuckle in his mind.
"You are not dreaming, my boy. I am here to help you. Come, look in my eyes."
The wolf's eyes, beautiful, crimson-red, drew the boy's attention almost instantly, especially when they began to glow.
"What's going on?" Shane asked, terrified yet unable to look away. At first, the wolf didn't answer. Instead, the boy gasped, and let out a groan in pain as his nails grew into claws, his ears grew to resemble the wolf's, and grew a tail. Fangs also grew in, which caused him to yelp when they stabbed the inside of his cheek. Lastly, his midnight-black hair grew red streaks to match his once green, now glowing, beautiful red eyes. His transformation was complete, and he quickly made his way to the creek to look to his reflection.
"My child, I have gifted you with not only exterior wolf qualities, but with interior ones as well. You shall have the speed, strength, and mind of our kind."
"Our kind?" Shane whispered. "So you've made me a wolf?"
"Not completely. You have the ability to hide your qualities, to disguise yourself and live amongst the humans. I would not confine you to the woods so impulsively. Also, you have purpose in the human world," the beast said wisely.
"It doesn't feel like I do. No one wants me—how could I have purpose?"
"The time will come, child. Just be patient, I promise. Now, return to your shelter, my son. Use your abilities for protection. When all else fails, I will come to you, just howl."
"But how do I hide my wolf side?" Shane asked, looking drowsy.
"Ah, just focus, child. Your wolf spirit will follow your command."
Shane closed his eyes, and saw himself as human again in his mind. He could feel his claws, ears, and tail retract, and he looked in the creek again.
"My eyes and hair... They didn't change," he pointed out.
"I am sorry, my son. Those qualities retain your wolf spirit, and can not be hidden."
Shane actually smiled. "That's okay. I like them this way."
The mystical wolf appeared to smile back. "Now, child, I must go. Remember, I will be with you, always. Defend yourself, and defend those who can not."
He gave a nod and replied, "I will." The white wolf pressed his forehead to Shane's palm, almost like a dog to it's master, and sprinted back to the woods, while Shane turned to walk toward his "home", where he was more confident in facing Danny and the other older kids.
"Hey, runt," Danny greeted at the door. "We have unfinished business."
Shane felt the adrenaline course through his body, as he always did before he was about to be beaten. But this was different. This feeling told him to stay, not to run.
"You're right. Let's finish this," Shane said, not feeling as confident as he sounded.
Danny walked over menacingly, and grabbed the boy up by the collar of his shirt again. Shane tried to remain calm, and bring forth his new wolf spirit. He felt his fangs grow back in, and he bit Danny's hand, hard enough to draw blood, and Shane was released.
"OW! What the heck? You little-," but the ranting bully was cut off as the smaller boy kicked
Danny's legs out from under him and he landed on his back. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and a part of Shane enjoyed watching Danny struggle, while the other part told him "enough." Shane had enough sense to listen to the "enough" part, but before he went inside, he put his face in Danny's and growled, "Next time, when I say leave me alone, leave me alone!"
Shane recalled his wolf spirit and walked back inside to find one of his caregivers talking to a strong-looking man, looking like he was in his late twenties. He had short, light-brown hair and sparkling green eyes, and was dressed in a navy man's uniform. Clearly he was from the military, so the woman almost let him adopt a child immediately.
"I insist ma'am, run a background check. I want the new child to know I'm okay, whether they can understand it or not. It's still good to have." the man spoke gently, and looked over to Shane, who got shy all of a sudden and quickly looked away.
"Well, only if you insist. Feel free to look around, I'm sure there is a boy here you would be satisfied with," the woman said, with no enthusiasm or caring tone. She just wanted the boys gone.
The man stood and carefully approached Shane, who was trying to make a quiet walk to his room.
"Hey, there," the man said. Shane stopped and turned around, barely making eye contact. He was never sure about adults anymore.
"My name is Ron. Will you tell me your name?" he asked gently, already aware the child was scared.
"Shane," he said, turned to face the officer, and stood up straight.
"Well, it's a pleasure, Shane," Ron said, and held out his hand to shake. Shane took it firmly. "Wow, quite a grip for a little guy. You must be pretty strong."
Shane scoffed and thought, "You have no idea."
"So, would you like to come home with me?"
Shane's eyes widened. He knew the officer was looking to adopt, but he figured he was just being nice. Had someone really chosen him?
"S-Sure, yeah," Shane said, lost for words.
"Awesome! Let's go get the paper's signed, then we'll go back to our place," the officer said with a smile and full enthusiasm. He picked up Shane and was able to hold him up with one arm, while Shane wrapped his arms around Ron's neck, and was so excited he couldn't hold back the giggles building up inside.
End Flashback
Shane's eyes got teary again. "So, what happened to Ron?" Kay asked.
"I lived with him for about two years. It was one of the best times of my life. He even found out I was given a wolf spirit, but he didn't care. He just cared about me," he said softly, smiling at the memory.
"He taught me basics. How to treat a woman, to respect elders, help those in need. He was the most selfless person on the planet." Shane's smile faded.
"Then he got called back to war. He hurried to find a home that was better than where he'd found me, and he found Foster's. He begged them to watch me, and they agreed. He looked me in the eye and said 'Listen, Shane. I'll be back for you as soon as I can. Be yourself and keep your head up, you'll be fine. I love ya, little guy.'"
He looked like he was about to have another break down, and Kay offered to take his hand. He did, but refused cry again, and solemnly said, "He's not coming back."
Kay seemed to be crying for him, and asked, "Do you know for sure?"
Shane shrugged. "I've never gotten a notice, but I quit getting letters from him. He's either forgotten me, or... you know," He was used to being forgotten, but to think that one of the first people to care for him had past was unbearable.
Kay gave Shane's hand a reassuring squeeze and said, "I don't care how cheesy this sounds, it comes from the heart—don't lose hope. I believe he's still out there, fighting for you. He'll be back."
Quickly and unexpectedly, Shane pulled Kay into a swift hug, burying his face into her shoulder. She smiled, and began to stroke his wolf-ear. "I'm here for you. You can count on it." She felt his grip loosen, and he seemed to be dozing off. "Let's get back to bed, okay?" He nodded silently and followed Kay back into the house, not letting go of her hand until he climbed the ladder on the top bunk.
"Thank you, Kay," Shane said wearily, but sincerely.
"Anytime. I mean it, anytime." Almost instantly, both children were back to sleep, completely ready to take on whatever the day had in store.
It seemed as though morning came too soon, what with being up half the night.
"Well, better get this over with," Shane thought to himself, staring at the ceiling. He knew Mr. Herriman would be up bright and early, ready to ream his butt, and possibly send him packing. But he remained calm, and climbed down the ladder of his bunk to find his friends sleeping peacefully. He reached out to touch one of Kay's fox-ears, and stifled a chuckle when it twitched suddenly. He got himself dressed and brushed his hair, then left quietly to find, thankfully, only Herriman awake and in his office. He didn't want others around to hear him be punished.
The boy peeked inside to find Mr. Herriman organizing papers on his desk and whatnot. Shane knocked gently and almost whispered, "Mr. Herriman? Did you need to see me?"
Herriman was slightly surprised to see him awake, but looked almost pleased to see him. "Ah, yes Master Shane, do come in. Have a seat."
He sat nervously in front of the rabbit's desk. "Now, I wanted to discuss your behavior..."
"I know, I'm a bad kid, probably worse than Bloo, but I don't have anywhere else to go, just tell me what to do and I'll do it, I just can't leave," Shane jumbled into one long sentence, utterly shocking the rabbit.
"First off, please do not interrupt, Master Shane. You know that is not proper conduct," Mr. Herriman said, standing and hopping around the desk to get closer to the boy. When he made the last hop, directly in front of him, Shane flinched. Why? He didn't know, Herriman surely wouldn't hit him.
"Second," his voice was much calmer this time, placing a hand on Shane's shoulder. "you need not worry. I was going to comment about how your behavior has improved tremendously. Yes, you are still a trouble-maker, but I see great improvement."
Shane couldn't help but smirk at the trouble-maker comment, and surprisingly, neither could Herriman. The young boy also couldn't help but feel relieved—Mr. Herriman was showing a much more gentle side of him than normal. Then fear washed over him again.
"What about last night? With Duchess?" Shane asked carefully. "Ah, yes. To be quite honest with you, I was fond of the idea that you were acting silly, with the wrestling and tickling and whatnot. You should be aware of how Duchess is, however."
"I thought you didn't tolerate silliness... And why are you being so soft with me? I'm confused, Mr. Herriman," Shane stated, suspecting something to be wrong with the old bunny, but there wasn't.
"Yes, well, I've done some thinking about you and your situation. It was wrong for me to judge based on the simple fact that you are not an imaginary friend. What you are is a friend in need, and you need not worry—we shall not have you leave any time soon."
Shane couldn't believe his ears. The up-tight Herriman... Cutting him a break? Since he had cried enough for one morning, he decided instead to stand and wrap his arms around him.
"Thank you, Mr. Herriman. I will be better, I promise." Mr. Herriman returned the gesture, and when the hug broke, Shane was prepared to leave, until Herriman called, "Master Shane, there is still the matter of keeping some of the friends up all night with your shenanigans."
The wolf-boy cringed—should've known it was too good to be true. But Herriman shot him a grin.. Was that a hint of mischief in his eyes? The question was answered by his next, simple statement, "I will sent Master Wilt after you once he awakens."