August 4, 17

Hope you enjoy!

:)


Wendigo

"(In the folklore of some northern Algonquian peoples) a cannibalistic giant; a person who has been transformed into a monster by the consumption of human flesh..."

Carnival

[1]- "A period of public revelry at a regular time each year, typically during the week before Lent in Roman Catholic countries, involving processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade..."

[2]- "A public event or celebration, typically held outdoors and offering entertainment and exhibitions..."

[3]- "An exciting or riotous mixture of something..."

-Yay for google


No One's Perspective-

All was quiet in the house. Leftover laundry rolled in its cycle up the stairs, the hum of the family car rolling out of the driveway whilst the fan blurred above her, bathing the youngest in a rhythmic sound as she sat in the sun's shine. Her heart thudded against her chest soothingly, eyes blinking towards the paused screen before her, her sister bobbing her head with the music playing through her headphones - music which wasn't blasting for a change. Chirping with tranquility, Tori strolled from the couch, the eldest arching a brow.

"What are you doing?"

"You remember what time of year it is, right?" the singer responded, the screen blinking to black.

Trina furrowed her brows, allowing the cucumber to sag in her grip. "February?"

"Carnival," the other snapped, "Mom and Dad just left for Sleepy Hallow?" Tori smirked at the growing grin across her sister's face, the other humming with her music.

"Carnival... It snuck up on me this year," she murmured, "Starting tonight?"

"Yup. I don't know what I'll do though," Tori deflated, running her hand through her hair.

Folding her arms as the headphones rested around her neck, Trina asked, "What are you looking for then? Fun or fun? I know they're doing the latter." The half-Latina nodded, eyes following the gesture towards the garage before sighing.

"Something Jade would enjoy..."

"So...what's that?" Her gaze lifted towards her sister, spitting hotly at the stare received. "What? I don't know! You're the one who mated with her..."

Rolling her eyes, Tori growled, "I'm just asking if you know any places. I mean, there's Jekyll & Hyde Blvd. but that's being hosted by vampires and nymphs this year."

"And?" Trina asked through cucumber.

"And they suck at throwing any type of werewolf celebrations," the singer huffed, "Never enough deer."

"Oh..." Trina drawled, "I know one you could go to." When she only was given a blink, Trina rolled her eyes. "Oh come on. The one I went to last year?"

"You got kicked out for a week."

"So? I'm going again this year-"

"We'll get caught."

"Okay," the sister hissed, "Do you want my fucking advice or not? We won't get caught, alright? We just have to make sure that our masks don't slip...into a moose's ribcage...and have someone from the Occult Elite see."

Nodding, Tori muttered, "That's very specific."

"Yeah...you going or not? And if you're not, can I borrow your mask? I haven't been able to get the stains off of mine still..."

"No..." Tori smirked, "I actually have a better idea."

"And what's that?"

"D'you know if Travis is still holding that one on his property?"

At that, all Trina could do was sigh. "Tori, I just said to not have someone from the Occult Elite see. And really? You want to brawl in mud and dirt and dive into meat piles? That's your idea for Carnival?"

"Okay, first of all, I don't think Travis ever gives a shit. That, and he's been inviting us for years," Tori pointed out, the elder reluctantly nodding in agreement, "And it's authentic. We haven't been to one for years."

"Fine, whatever, get yourself caught by the cops. You do realize that every single time Travis throws a party mortals are afraid people are shooting each other."

Darting back up towards the stairs, the half-Latina chuckled. "Then it's perfect for Jade!"

"Bullshit! You just want to gorge in all of the hunt and brawl!"

-(:)-

The cool air sifted against their skin, the moon pitched at the horizon of the sky. Jade, glancing back towards the parked vehicle, growled, nose twitching at the mask resting along it. "I swear Vega, if this is some kiddie-"

"No, it's definitely not," the half-Latina snapped quickly, rolling her eyes.

Huffing, the goth glanced towards the small blips of light through the trees, steps remaining attached to the sidewalk. "We looks stupid," she mumbled, eyes resting on the half-mask Tori wore, a long beak protruding from it.

"Yeah, well, tradition. If we don't wear these, we're not going in."

"You said we wouldn't have to wear these!"

"It's just to prove we're going in to have a good time, Jade. That, and so no one recognizes us at the entrance," Tori sighed, stepping towards the trees as the path curved, covered with loose leaves. "After we get in, it'll be fine. We'll be able to take it off and go about and do stuff." Her gaze lifted to the trees, the pounding of her heart - quiet as it was - echoing, birds scattering through the air.

Drums.

They bellowed through the wooded area, hollers and laughs masking the riveting atmosphere. Her heart began to pulse with the beat, anxiousness getting the best of her. "Now are you into it?" Tori smirked, Jade snapping out of her sudden blast of excitement.

"There better not be any kiddie parties, I swear," the goth muttered.

"There's no kiddie parties, trust me. Even by Occult standards," the half-Latina groaned quickly, turning as the path had. Jade remained quiet, following the other into the trees. The roars and howls thickened with the drums, Jade furrowing her brows at flashes of lights through the leaves. "Here we are," Tori grinned, halting as a voice demanded her to do so.

"Carnival?" Tori nodded, a large figure moving in the dark. "Now is that... Tori, glad you can make it," the large man smiled greatly, red hair glimmering in the light.

"Hey Travis," she slipped her mask off, "I see you changed the path."

Shrugging, he muttered, "The house is a bit cluttered at the moment. Anyway, Vendor's looking over it. It'll be sorted out."

"What mess?" Jade asked, Tori sputtering.

"Just some stuff," came discreetly from the teen beside her just as Travis answered bluntly, "Orgies."

"Jesus Christ Tori! What the hell are you bringing me into!" Jade snapped, mask dropping to the ground.

Rolling her eyes, Tori growled, "I told you it was a Carnival, true to what it was centuries ago for us. And besides, sex isn't the only thing that happens, there's food and drinks and talking and, erm, brawling."

"Is that all you do?" Jade asked. The other only shrugged.

"Now come on, there's so much stuff out here! Let's go!" Tori jumped excitedly, the Lycan picking up the mask. She hesitantly gave in, shaking her head with a sly smile.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Where's the drinks?"

Smirking, Tori gestured towards the long table where people gathered, chatting heartily with a drink at hand. "Over there. I'm going to go and look around for the food... We might not be here for too long, by the way."

"How come?"

"Police," the half-Latina muttered simply, "They always get complaints. It's only my dad who stops Travis from being arrested, I swear. Anyway, you want anything?"

"I'll go and gorge myself later. I don't trust what you'll find," Jade shook her head. Tori only smiled sheepishly, shrugging at her werewolf ways. She quickly pressed her lips against Jade's before departing, jogging off to where her nose pointed to. The goth only scoffed lightly, striding towards the table of drinks.

Wines, beers, grapes and oddly oils filled her senses - she casted a look towards the end of the table, finding several bottles of vinegar at the end. She arched a brow, halting for a second before finding another rushing with a plateful of what had to be bread. Continuing with her pace, Jade was genuinely surprised to find several antique bottles of different alcohols mixed in with the cheap cans. "Hey pretty lady," she heard from the side, "Want a drink?"

Pale eyes switched to the man beside her, eyes lingering on the full glass of red. "Sure," she muttered slowly, taking the glass before taking a sip. "Now...what do you want?"

"Aw," he chuckled, scratching his dark, grey hair as dark eyes pierced down towards the teen, "Just wanted to say 'hi' is all. That, and we could have some fun."

"I'm taken," Jade muttered flatly, the man blinking.

"Really?" Jade nodded, his brows furrowing. "Well, makes sense; there's way to much shit here to tell what is what... But, how about we all can join? You and your man could have a good time with me, right?" Once receiving no answer, he gasped, "Oh come on, it's Carnival. It's fun, remember?"

"Is this the only chance you can get laid?"

Dark eyes widened at the quick comment, his mouth creasing into a large grin. He blubbered through his slurred laughter, hand at his forehead as wine slopped on his blue t-shirt. "My god, are you good. Jesus! Never have I ever had a girl be that good before..." he grinned, "Now how'd you know I was a lonely bastard?"

"Well, you just offered me to have a threesome with you," Jade muttered pointedly through her glass, brow raising as he shrugged.

"Name's Gerson, by the way. And, actually," he sped on, "Didn't catch yours either."

"Jade," she answered, setting her empty glass down.

Nodding sincerely, he mumbled, "Nice name, that. Really nice... Had a daughter named the same before she changed it to Sicily." He shook his head, sighing heavily. "Anyway, kinda want to brawl," he commented honestly, "So, you think I could fix a bet with your mate?"

"What d'you mean?" Jade folded her arms.

"Well...I beat him and we have our fun and he beats me then I lay off, yeah?" he tilted his head, adding, "I'm really bored. And none of the ladies want any of it..."

"Aw," Jade gave in pitifully, wondering how anybody with biceps nearly ripping his own shirt wouldn't have a chance. "Too forward for them?"

"Yeah, probably it," he shrugged, "Anyway, show me the way!"

"Alright," she sighed, "She'll probably be by the food."

"She? You mean...you're lesbians?" he asked with a large grin.

"Oh calm down, hot shot, you ain't getting any of it..." Jade murmured. "But do you know where the food is?"

He nodded, leading the way casually. "It's kinda skirted off since a lot of them are hunting. Not everyone can, we already have had all of the list filled but they do get good ones. Don't blame her. Anyway, talk time, like to make friends, see?" he grinned to his side.

Nodding, Jade murmured, "Go ahead."

"So, uh... What breed are you?" Gerson asked curiously.

"Lycan," Jade replied, adding, "And you?"

"You're a Lycan? Damn. I mean, that and an alpha...real strong one too, can smell you for miles," he clipped his nose with his fingers. Rolling her eyes, Jade punched his shoulder, Gerson trotting off to the side. "So are you the dominant one then? I mean, I have to know since..." He gave a chortle, Jade scoffing hotly.

She furrowed her brows as Gerson sidestepped towards her, eyes out before him with the trees. "I don't actually know... We're both alphas," she mumbled.

"Really? Now that's kinda cool," he muttered, his tone not hinting of any trickery as was laced in his words before. "What breed is she?"

"Rocky Mountain, I think. You?"

"Oh, Schiehallion with a mix of Kreuzberg," he answered, chest puffing with pride.

Jade hummed to herself. "Are all of the breeds named after mountains?" she asked.

"Yeah, some of them are named after mountains that have been changed since then and others change with the mountain titles... I think Lycan and some other weird breed are the only two which aren't," he informed. "You newly bit?"

"Yeah, just ah...three, four months ago?" she furrowed her brows. It amazed her how much time had gone by.

Whistling, Gerson muttered, "Damn, got real lucky there with your breed, able to control and everything! The one weird one's the mortal turning to a Mutt if they had no genes in them already. So, how then?"

"My girlfriend, actually," she sighed, "Was all everywhere because she was turning and it was a full moon, then I went and followed her into the bathroom and...yeah."

"Whoa... Doesn't she have the vaccinations?" Gerson asked.

Shaking her head, she muttered, "No. Her body doesn't take it."

There was a short silence that breached their conversation. Clearing his throat, he eventually asked, "Did she have white eyes when she attacked?" Jade bobbed her head slowly, arching a brow. "God damn witikoes..." he murmured sadly, shifting his attention to the side. Clarifying himself, he explained, "My friend was one of them... He's a great dude, no doubt about it, but damn, when that full moon's out and you don't have the medication, your mind's just gone. He was an absolute beast too...absolutely difficult to control. I nearly died myself, really nasty creatures when them person isn't around - in the head I mean. But...well...I don't have to do that anymore."

"How come?" she asked softly, Gerson shrugging.

"Kidnapped by those damned elves. I swore to myself when something like that happened I would join the elite but...I'm too much of a coward."

Pity filled her gaze at his distraught expression; she wondered if his eagerness to land anything with a girl was just to distract himself. "So, what exactly do you do when you're not going around and trying to catch girls?" the Lycan continued, attempting to lift the subject.

"Bank teller," he shrugged, "I'm not really that brave, honestly. I mean, spend a hell of a lot of my time at the gym and such but I can't pick up a single bullet, let alone a gun to shoot it with. Rough housings' a bit different, you know?"

"Yeah, I get that," Jade nodded.

"And you two?"

"We go to Hollywood Arts," she murmured.

"Oh! Is that the college prep school near the, erm...the new mall they're building?"

"Yep," Jade nodded, "And don't forget all the arts with it."

"Right, right," Gerson admitted, "And there's the food!"

The distant aromas reached her nostrils, mouth watering as she made her way around the corner. Jade gawked at the large tables curling around trees, fresh hunt waiting to be ravished by any hungry werewolf. Several snacked along the tables, enjoying their meals. She arched a brow once finding a familiar figure to the furthest side, wolfing down anything in her grasp. "Uh...Tori?" she asked hesitantly, the half-Latina jerking around, startled.

Jade shrieked as a great mound dropped to the floor in a grotesque splatter, more of the intestines tangled in Tori's palms slipping from her grasp. "JESUS FUCKING CHRIST VEGA!" she bellowed, the singer hiccupping her last bite. "What the fuck is all of that?" she spat as Gerson sat, laughing behind the two.

"Erm...they found some elk and - hick - you want some?" Tori blinked, gesturing towards the tables, "They're warm and - hick - fresh and all that... Hick."

"Is that a kidney?" Gerson asked, gesturing towards the foodstuffs that had dropped to the ground.

"Looks more like a pancreas," Jade frowned, sending a quick glare towards the half-Latina. "What the fuck is your problem? How much did you eat?"

"Uhm... I might have - hick - eaten a leg...and a pig and, uhm - hick - some other stuff."

Jade gawked along with her new acquaintance, eyes bulging towards the skinny frame. "Where do you pack all of that?" he asked, adding, "And are those cheekbones?"

"I don't know," Tori leaned in, pressing against the white sticking out of the mass laying on the table.

"Tori, you are such a fucking idiot. He was talking about your face," Jade barked, a strong blush coating Tori's cheeks. She hiccupped, nodding her answer.

"Why are you here?" came a low growl, doe eyes narrowing at the two, "And who's he?"

Casting a quick look towards Gerson, Jade introduced the two before explaining the situation at hand. "And so now, you fight him."

"...I think I might throw up if I do that," Tori patted her stomach.

"So go and throw up! That's your fault, you know," Jade growled, adding, "And go brush your teeth too."

"Where's that at?" Jade pointed towards the circle of portable sinks with toothpaste and brushes. "Oh..." Tori mumbled, shuffling towards the station as Jade turned towards Gerson.

"Is there always one of those?"

Shrugging, he explained, "Generally I see Travis do that. It's convenient, no?" Once Tori had scrubbed her mouth clean, refusing to vomit all over, the three trailed through the trees, the two girls following Gerson who had an idea as of where to properly go. Once both stopped short at a clearing, he glanced to and fro, nodding. "Uhm," Gerson breathed, "Right here? There's a lot of room and some obstacles around." He gestured towards the trees lining the open area, several boulders sitting along the overgrown grass. Tori shrugged, nodding as Jade shifted to the side. "Alrighty then," he grinned a goofy smirk, "Get ready to have some fun in the house!"

Chuckling along with him, Tori growled, "I don't think so... Get ready to have your ass stuck in a tree."

"Got some balls there, girl!" he wheezed, tugging off his shirt before wrenching violently. "God damn it," he snapped, glancing at the torn piece of clothing, "That was my favorite shirt." The girls chortled as the ring along the trees began to form, others curiously looking in on the two stripping adults - by Occult law, anyway. "Hey there guys!" Gerson began, bellowing to the small crowd, "So, these two girls think that that one, Tori's her name, could beat me in a match!"

There came a roar in favor of Gerson as he turned, grey fur covering dense muscles, giving him the build of a solid tank. "I don't know," came a hum behind Tori, doe eyes switching towards a brunette behind them, his beard rubbed calculatedly, "He might do somethin'." His eyes lingered over her frame, Tori shaking her head.

"Don't worry, I end up packing all of my food in other places," she chuckles, the man still remaining quiet. He wasn't convinced.

As Gerson settled down the building crowd and its chants - though it proved to be impossible - he boomed, "Come on girly! You say you can beat me and let's bring it on!" His dark eyes wafted towards the trees as twigs snapped, the ring around the opening dying down almost immediately. He blinked as large palms rested against the boulder before him, black horns shining in the moonlight. She stood to her fullest height, finding herself two heads over his ears. "My, my," he breathed, "Nice horns you got there."

Tori merely snorted, getting back down to her palms. Both turned their attentions towards Jade, who leaned against a tree with the brunette stiffly watching. With a nod, both backed away, beginning their pace around the boulder - a boundary between them. Stares held each other's, the crowd watching with a silent roar of anticipation. In a sudden, abrupt movement, Tori leapt towards the other, beginning the brawl.

With a yelp, she plundered towards the tress, successfully picking herself to her hind paws quickly. Gerson tore across the circle, eagerly charging to find the other gone. His attention swiveled around, ignoring the shouts protruding from the crowd. A deep, thunderous roar sounded above him, Gerson just able to leap from claws. Tori landed right where he had stood moments before, the grey shaking his head.

"Should've known that you'd play dirty," his rasp chuckled. Tori snickered along with him as a response, shoulders lifting. "Well, I can too," he promised, once again charging towards mousy fur. Ground eating strides, however, bounded towards him at the same time, horns pressing against his chest. They wrenched back, carrying Gerson briefly before he flew towards the trees. With a lurching crash, he disappeared into the dark night.

Tori waited in the soft breeze, the flock of others cheering drunkenly. Seconds later, claws scraped against the ground, hurling his body over the few searching to see if he was alright. They clapped at his return until hind legs pushed against his chest, rocketing him back towards the other side of the circle. Tori, raising from her back, glanced to the side to find a figure - significantly smaller than that of his turned form - raising his white underwear. "You win! You win!" he grinned weakly, "Go back to eating your kidney."

"Pancreas!" Jade barked, correcting him. Gerson merely shrugged, rummaging through his clothes. Tori bowed, earning a similar one from the half-naked man in the trees. Fur receded as horns had, Tori limbering her way towards the goth standing, shouldering her clothing. "You sure did that fast," Jade hummed, the half-Latina shrugging.

"Interrupted my meal," she mumbled quickly, pecking Jade's lips. "But I have an idea on what to do next...care for a swim?"

"Yeah," Jade nodded, "Take the lead." Morphing into a wolf, Tori trotted off, constantly looking over her shoulder as the Lycan followed behind. In a matter of a minute, both stood, observing a large pond, others leisurely basking in the moonlight whilst few swam about, laughing heartily at the water games played. "Holy shit, Travis wasn't kidding when he said just about everything was here," Jade gawked.

"I know," Tori hummed, "It's really quite funny what's around here. Not really for any mortal since we still like keeping our stuff..." Steps glided down the grassy hill, meeting the edge of the water where not another soul ventured towards, seeing as it was shadowed from the natural, bright light. As she slinked into the water, Jade slowly stripped down, careful to set the folded clothes on the dry patch of grass yards off.

As water rippled around her, the singer twisted around, finding Jade stalking towards her with a soft grin. "Hey there," she murmured, Jade rolling her eyes.

Nevertheless, she responded gingerly, "Hey." She jerked as water spewed towards her, pale eyes blinking furiously. Tori only giggled, adding to the false scowl painted across Jade's expression.

"Oh come on...it's fun," Tori grinned, laughing once water splashed against her skin.

-(:)-

Sirens sounded, disbanding the entire, thrilling Carnival party. The policemen grew baffled as wolves tore off, hurling themselves over the hoods of their cars, leaving muddied footprints along the black paint. Several others from the house - upon being noticed by the mortals with tasers in their palms - only streaked down to the forest. "My god, this house every year, Bill," once scoffed, shaking his head as several full moons disappeared into the wooded area. "You'd think they'd get the idea."

"Who even owns the place?" Bill sighed, leaning against his set of wheels as other officers charged into the wooded area with them.

Shrugging, the first officer suggested, "Maybe some crackpot."

"With a bunch of wolves? The man's nuts," Bill carried on, oblivious to the sneaking pair of steps behind them.

Two teens, dripping from their abrupt need to get out of water, carefully maneuvered along the edge of the trees. Jade blinked as Tori snaked off, following closely behind. The half-Latina shook her head, muttering about how easy it was to out-smart those who didn't believe in the Occult community; even so, she wished that horns wouldn't restrain her from not turning and bolting off. Jade, meanwhile, grumbled bitterly, rubbing her side at newly marked skin.

Within minutes, wheels tore down the street, limited to the reminding signs as they blurred passed. "Jade, we're going to get a ticket if you don't get your foot off the gas like that," Tori groaned, shivering as the AC hit her rather damp skin. Jade only muttered incoherently, giving in as she turned a corner. The padding of steps rushed along the trees aside from them, all of the passing wolves barking at the vehicle, bidding them a good night. Tori waved at the few who had spoken to her at Travis' party, finding the man himself sprinting off with them.

"What's his deal, anyway?" the goth asked once he was pointed out.

"He's always been a mess from what my dad said. He's a little older than my dad, about a hundred and something, I think."

"A little older than your dad?" Jade raised a brow, "How old his he then?"

Shrugging, Tori murmured, "About eighty something I think. Doesn't say a lot since he invites most of his coworkers at his parties. Anyway, Travis is a part of the elite and he does a good job at what he does, generally. He'll complain and all that but he won't ever back down from his duty."

"Is he a crackhead?" the thespian recalled the officer's comments.

"No," Tori shook her head, "Not that I know of. He's just a weirdo. And now that I think of it, he probably left Vendor to clear everything up again."

"Again? How many times has he been caught?" Jade wondered aloud.

"Oh," Tori sighed, "Every year for the past...several years. My dad keeps getting a hold of the records one way or another to keep his ass out of mortals and their court system. It's not good for anybody to be in their files, easier to find them."

"Makes sense," Jade murmured slowly. "Now, are we going to your house or what?"

"Which ever," Tori hummed.

-(:)-

The pale light shone across the room, blanketing everything in a wide sliver. Along the walls it danced in distorted lines with the bookshelves and tables as cars rolled passed occasionally in the dead of night. Neon numbers shining beside the bed blinked, presenting '3:33' to the nonexistent audience. The two girls slept soundlessly, their bare bodies covered by the warm sheets, backs facing one another due to the time spent in their individual dreams.

Brows narrowed softly along her pale expression, face naturally stern and set if it wasn't for the gentle, subtle smile crossing her lips. Raven hair fell over her shoulders, arms tucked under the pillow while her mind replayed old times spent under the moon's shade, giggles and quite laughs of her childhood - a relatively happier time - fading away as it had done into her teen years. Her skin grew cold underneath the fan, the sheets only reaching to her mid-bicep, unable to cover one light love mark left, being the tip of the iceberg. She growled softly as dogs barked noisily from the neighborhood, her subconscious groggily noting that Carnival was still in motion. And so the young teen shifted to the side, snuggling into the pillow, the dull pain along her ring of scars subdued.

Across from her - barely a few inches from her lingering fingertips - lay the other teen, brows furrowing as her mind became sloshed with images. She grimaced, shuddering as nails dragged slowly along her back before retreating towards the pale, unconscious girl. However, a small smile stretched along her features, exposing the tip of a white canine, brows softening. Her knuckles relaxed from their natural hold on the corner of the pillow, permitting the half-Latina to dive further.

She giggled softly, hands holding up the soft, newly-woven, white pillow stitched with - as it had been told - love. The little girl set it carefully down along the couch, smiling toothily before glancing at the microwave. Blinking, her eyebrows furrowed gingerly; it usually didn't take long for the others to check up on the neighbor. Though, with the understanding that the neighbor was 'sick' just like the poor old woman up stairs - as her mother had described - perhaps it was a rougher night. That was what she had concluded anyways. Or she really didn't want to be left behind, as her thoughts had glossed over the fact that they really hadn't been gone for that long.

Dark eyes blinked over towards the wide windows, whining softly. It was Saturday that night and - as always - she wanted to launch towards the scattering rabbits, earning herself another fresh meal. 'Why couldn't I have gone with them?' she pouted, crossing her arms on the couch, 'Grandma's just napping and they said they wouldn't be long...' However she was a loyal pup as she was constantly reminded, her small bum remaining on the couch as she was told.

With a quick glance she grinned at the pillow, stroking it gently, the fuzz running along it tickling her hands. Within the silence of the house she giggled, looking over the crafted piece in awe before her neck prickled morbidly against her thin robe.

All was silent in the house, as it had been for minutes. No sounds came of the laundry running. Though, she knew that the load had been put in nearly an hour before. The family of owls didn't hoot as they normally did. But she figured they were out hunting; after all, they were nocturnal right? Nothing was heard from up the stairs. There were no dreadful coughs, concerning hacking and sickening wheezes. As she stood then - eyes focused on the door as she felt a hard stare at her neck - it dawned on her that her sick grandmother had not made a single sound for the past ten minutes. She hadn't made a sound ever since the front door closed, her older sister giving a short wave.

Slowly, her eyes slid towards the television, the black screen reflecting what she hadn't seen. A dark figure crawled slowly down the stairs in a stalker's crouch, hands gripping the edges firmly. Two wide objects impaled it at the head, two full dots glowing, following the figure's path. Her head turned to the side, staring at the creature with her own eyes.

Her heart plummeted as her glances raced along the white-peppered fur, black then smoking along the limbs. Dark antlers protruded from its skull, pearly white, glowing eyes not moving from her as its mouth began to sag, heaving a rough - though familiar - breath. "Gr-grandma?" she whimpered hoarsely, the sick werewolf not affected by the title. Smoothly she let the robe drop to the ground, her body turning to a small, young creature, light brown coating her from the point of the ear to her hind paws. Just so, the grandmother stalked slowly, claws tattering against the floor gingerly.

The young girl's heart hammered, a low, soft whine escaping her snout, halting the other as it gripped the couch.

She whimpered softly, clawing at the sheets beside her pillow, brows stitching themselves together. The pale teen's sleeping form groaned quietly, grimacing at the unneeded, soft cries coming from beside her. She shifted back over towards the other side, nestling in sleepily to the pillow. However as the half-Latina shivered, the white, glowing eyes staring down at her soul, the goth's expression flickered, pale eyes blinking open.

They rested down at the porcelain-bathed sheets in thought, mind working out the vague amount of time she had been resting. Her eyes shifted towards the curtains, the moon winking from between them. She propped herself up by the elbow, the rustle of the blankets behind her not registering in her awaking mind.

"Grandma...please don't..."

Her head turned towards the singer behind her, the whisper strained and quiet.

She didn't listen to her pleas, her own nails scuffing against the wood floors as the hunched werewolf continued to growl menacingly. 'Run,' was all that had fled her mind, 'Run...'

And so she did. The small girl scampered towards the windows, the other howling savagely at the sudden movement. Ears flicked back as snarls almost breathed against her tail's tip, jaws snapping viciously. The young wolf whimpered, wildly scratching along the glass before grimacing; she knew it was thin; she knew it was sharp. Though, at the moment, it hadn't mattered. In a quick panic, she hurled herself towards the glass, her small body flailing down, tumbling along the mountain edge and into the abyss of trees. After groaning weakly, dark eyes flickered up towards the house, the older wolf growling murderously as it clawed down the rugged path.

Haunches abruptly rose, sending the young girl through the trees, constantly searching for hidey holes or any large logs to bury behind. Quickly, she picked up her nose towards the moon, weak, bellowing howls escaping her lungs in brief seconds. She never attempted to halt in her running, the wheezes and barks chasing her as she would imagine a dog fight would be. Though her lungs gave her limited time for her frantic calls, her mother not coming soon enough.

Doe eyes flashed open, the marked off path ending her sudden escape. It was a dead end, one that may very well be her own. "Grandma," she husked nervously, "Please stop...please..." She took no notice, her breathes matching her granddaughter's: tired, exhausted yet needed. "Please...don't hurt me...please."

Her mind raced when the eldest lunged, sending the young girl to a scattered mess. She abruptly hurled herself towards the wooded planks, stomach shoved against the rails as teeth sank down at her ankle. She groaned, the other leg jerking in an effort to get out of this monster's grip. It wasn't her grandmother - as she figured - but a ruthless monster. "Help! Help!" she whined, the jaws not letting loose. In a vain effort she blasted out her youthful howl, birds disbanding into the air.

With one final blow, her claws connected painfully against the older werewolf's jaw with a sharp 'crack,' sending it off from her leg and whimpering back a few steps. All of her weight shifted towards her head, the small girl rolling down the hill, vision blurring and body in a sudden ache.

She landed down on the cold, hard ground, leaves blanketing everything. Horrid coughs sounded from her throat, the wolf jerking and tensing violently. Her back arched before hands gripped her muzzle, white hot needles lighting her bones in flames. Bones lengthened as hair darkened along her limbs, hacks scratching against her esophagus. Doe eyes glared out towards the trees, sinking away while white clouded them effortlessly. It grunted savagely, holding the top of its head as two sharp, hard stubs poked through.

"Tori?" came a croak, the pale teen staring down as the other trembled, groaning softly into the pillow as nails sunk through the sheets. "Tori, calm down..." Jade whined, her hand brushing against the other's shoulder. The half-Latina jerked nevertheless, whimpering incoherent thoughts. Pale eyes maneuvered towards the window, another car twisted about the corner. Her gaze slid towards the clock, narrowing distastefully at the time; '3:45' shouldn't be a time for cars to roam about - in her mind anyway - even if it was a late night and there were several werewolves in the neighborhood.

As Tori cried out, her breaths shuddering there after, the goth furrowed her brows. "It's okay," she cooed, "It's okay..."

"It hurts...it hurts..." came a weak answer, teeth then grinding against one another, the Vega shivering.

As quickly as it came, the pain throbbed away, leaving nostrils to flare and white eyes to glance about. Its limbs creaked as it stood a foot taller than the girl had before, head turning where ears had pointed. Silently, it crawled on its fours towards a tree in its path, bark darkened by the shadows of all around. Standing on its hinds, nails reached the top of the trunk - or until fingers brushed against the leaves - before dragging down towards the bottom.

Detaching itself from that oak, it limbered towards its brother in a casual pace, repeating the same ritual. By the time it had marked thirteen trees, twigs snapped behind, dark ears pointed towards the intruder. Haunches rose as canines presented themselves, large hands leaving the bark as it met with another pair of white orbs. It growled lowly, strides trailing around the older wolf. Another warning snarl came, though what was received wasn't welcoming.

White eyes narrowed as it watched the older wolf sink its claws at the tree, attempting to mark it as its own. It unleashed a baritone roar, immediately shrinking the other's frame. Claws swiped viciously towards the other, its steps stumbling back at the younger opponent. A weak, hoarse growl escaped its cracked and weathered teeth, though the strong, white canines flashed, silencing it. It blinked as the younger crawled forward before twisting around and darting off. With a pound to the ground the newly turned creature bellowed, tearing after the other, its eyes set on its hunt.

"No...no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry Grandma," she cried, the goth shaking her head as Tori jerked suddenly.

Jade frowned, mumbling, "Tori, wake up, it's just a dream... Calm down baby." White teeth bared as the youngest Vega shivered, the lining of her hair becoming damp. "Calm down baby," her soft voice repeated, "Calm down..."

Pale eyes darted towards the door in concern, her mind half debating whether or not she should leave the distressed teen. Nails dug into her arm, Tori hissing, "Don't make me do it...don't- stop me, I don't wanna...wanna..." Jade whined as she tore her arm from the half-Latina's grasp, wringing her wrist as flesh stitched itself back together.

With red smeared along smooth, pale skin, Jade murmured, "Tori, it's okay...it's okay...

"It's just a dream..."

Claws scraped against the concrete of the road, slipping just as the other had, though no weak shoulders made contact to the ground. Its glowing eyes glared at the older wolf as it gingerly picked itself up, hacking as its limbs shook. Hackles raised as teeth bared, ears pinned down and stomach close to the ground as the alpha loomed closer. The younger lunged forward, jaws snapping while the other hurled itself away, tearing up the street as it curved along the mountain towards the houses. Its throat rattled at the sight of it, younger - faster - limbs then moving behind it. As it reached the top, white eyes met the back of the other, the older wolf twisting and squirming about, frantically searching for an escape root.

A snarl sounded behind it, whirling it around. It hissed lowly at the younger wolf, engaging. Within a split second, both tore after each other, clawed hands reaching back before swiping. The youngest ducked as a fist darted past, its own connecting with its upper jaw savagely. The oldest yelped, backing off to hold its jaw wearily. Glowing eyes glanced up at the stalking predator, jaw left slacked as the bone healed improperly.

In a final burst of energy the eldest lunged forward, attempting use its antlers as a battering ram. The other scowled, an arm reaching back with claws bared, coming down on its victim. Nails shredded skin with ease, the eldest gagging suddenly, lurching off before another swipe came, shattering bone. At the last swipe, white, glowing eyes watched the eldest wolf bow to it, the loose head tumbling along the road. It glanced over - undisturbed - as the distorted ball halted in its roll, white eyes faded and teeth cracked.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry grandma..." Tori cried quietly, her body shaking as beads of sweat raced down the side of her head. Pale eyes narrowed in concern, Jade's mutterings falling upon deaf ears. Her mind whirled at the several different scenerios playing through her consciousness, though - from what she suspected - nothing good came to mind.

"Tori..." she whispered softly, unable to control the waver, "Calm down, just wake up...come on..."

It lifted its head towards the moon, lungs full until the air rolled out evenly. It howled its victory, the sound emitted a low, scratched baritone. The cold air sifted around it, brushing against the darker fur, white eyes glowing smugly. What its throat gave wasn't a gift of a little girl any longer; no warm, mellow tune played nor a soft, light, feathery tone. It was as if the howl was dipped in ice then staked in fire, the tone rough and wavering. The deeper husk rustled the bushes, critters scattering off for a new home.

Once done, its gaze lingered over its hands, glaring distastefully at the red dripping. Its tongue dragged along the ruffled fur, the coat becoming cleansed casually in the middle of the moon-bathed street.

A grunt sounded from the girl beside her, pale skin prickling against the sheets. Jade furrowed her brows as the half-Latina began to breath heavily, hot tears still sculpting along her cheeks. With brows stitched together, Jade thumbed over Tori's smooth shoulder. Her body tensed as the Vega shuddered, expression contorting into a distasteful grimace. She hissed quietly, vocal chords scratching while her jaws clenched together with an unbearable force. "I-I'm sorry mama... I didn't mean to- I didn't mean to hurt grandma..." she whined, fears beginning to gnaw at Jade's chest relentlessly.

"Honey, I'm getting a bit worried about Tori," the woman muttered, the destination in mind being a mere street away.

The man beside her nodded gently, his hand waving while the older daughter trailed behind them, eyes constantly flicking about them. "Relax, it'll be fine. You know what your mother said. She knows she won't do anything at the moment."

"But you never know with this wendigo shit," she snapped tersely, "One moment you're fine and the next you're thrashing about your house, shredding your favorite recliner to bits while your poor, old wife is calling the neighbors to go and help." The father nodded solemnly, shivering at the frantic call that rang at his home phone. Their steps curved as the street had, eyes wondering along the scattered, planted trees in an effort to make up for the amount of concrete along the area.

With their attentions then set towards the sprinting woman in front of them - eyes thankful for the newcomers - the two adults gave ginger smiles. "So where is he?" the father asked quietly.

"The bedroom. He won't get far, I know, but I can't handle him on his own. I'm just thankful that he's not a witiko; nasty they can be," the old woman nodded, yellow eyes shifting towards the newly trimmed bushes along the road. "I'd just hate for a poor mortal to be bitten by a windiga like him; one of the worst ways to be welcomed by us. If not, the worst."

The group shook in their robes as a string of howls rang through the distance, dread and terror among it. "Trina," the mother whined, gripping her daughter's shoulder, "Go check on Tori now. She's in trouble..." The young wolf nodded, scampering off as her body morphed into the creature, robe stringing off easily. Dark eyes glanced back wearily at the other three, though she knew it was no use; its not like a simple kid as herself could deal with a windiga like Mr. Travers.

Her steps trotted passed the curb, tail low and eyes wide with a sudden fear. The same fear that had laced her mother's gaze as she shuffled towards the door, hands gripping her biceps anxiously. As she nodded along the woman's explanation, her mind trailed back towards her daughters, brows furrowing with guilt. As the father gripped the door handle, eyes blinking towards her, a sudden howl ripped through the air, the hairs on their skin rising.

"Tori?" the mother whimpered, whirling around. If she had known the string of calls would be the last that the world would hear of the harmony in her daughter's voice, she would've bolted down the street. Instead, a ghastly, cold and rough voice nestled against it, bringing a chilling tremor to her daughter's vocal chords. "No," she shook her head weakly, lunging towards the road, her body turning on a flip of a coin, mind racing sporadically. She broke fifteen, then sixteen, then seventeen miles as she tore down the street, ignoring the father's quick yell.

Both the old woman and the father lurched back as whimpers came from the door, nails clawing at the walls in a sudden effort to escape. Small howls clawed at its throat, ears pinned back and mouth nose flaring anxiously. Yellow eyes met dull brown, their worries now a reality. "Go get her, I'll call Dr. Retter."

"Okay," he nodded, tearing through the street once he turned abruptly, nails clawing at the concrete. His strides brushed against the curb, eyes ahead, the others not in his view.

Her breathes echoed balefully in the confines of her skull, bringing a series of knots in her throat. Cooing softly, Jade through her scratching throat murmured, "It's okay Tori... I'm here, you're dreaming... It's okay. Please just wake up...please."

The pleads hadn't any affect; the half-Latina still shivered in the Lycan's gentle hold, her apologetic mutterings filling the room in despair. Her chest rose and fell with quick movements, the goth beginning to worry about Tori's air supply. "Don't- help me... Don't go near, don't- please help," she growled tiredly, limbs shaking.

"Tori, wake up, please," Jade murmured, unable to find any ways to lift the memories flashing through the other's mind.

The young wolf slowed her pace, eyes darting along the ground as her mother twisted her attention left and right. "Do you think Tori's around here?" she rasped softly, nails tattering up the road as the other continued to visually search.

"She has to be," Holly cooed softly, amber eyes narrowing towards the street edge.

Trina padded her way towards the road, eyes moving about slowly. The house - as she saw - sat just a bit above her on the hill, a huge window pane smashed through. She jerked suddenly as her hand brushed against soft fur. Her eyes darted down before she let out a quiet yelp; "Grandma?" she barely breathed, gaunt eyes staring at her with a hallow gaze. Dark eyes trailed along the road, the rest of the body sprawled limply over the dividing line. She felt her mother freeze beside her, eyes trailing towards the hunched werewolf, limbs looking as if it had been dipped into coal. "Tori?" she called lowly, her thoughts doubting as limbs creaked, it standing taller than before. It twisted around slowly, white, glowing eyes piercing through the two with bared teeth.

"Get back Trina," Holly choked, the sister's steps reaching the curb, "That isn't your sister at the moment."

"Wha-" she started before a snarl tore through her ears, it hurling itself towards the two. Both scrambled out of the way, jaws snapping viciously. Trina howled in pain, teeth sinking around her foot, shaking as she trembled for it to let go. Dark eyes ventured back towards the witiko, white eyes staring into her soul. Claws swiped at it, tearing the teeth from Trina immediately. It whimpered as she scattered off, her skin healing rapidly, eyes watching her mother engage in a savaged brawl. No one held back as teeth and nails whistled past their ears.

In an abrupt movement - David's wolf head popping from the curve of the road - hind paws smashed into the mother's gut, sending her hurtling towards the trees. With a loud crack the werewolf screeched, turning immediately into her human form, hands clutching her back. "Fuck..." she cried, pain ringing through her spine as the bone instantly healed as incorrectly as the grandmother's jaw.

"I'm sorry..." she repeatedly whimpered, the thespian unable to let any words pass, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean- I didn't mean to..."

Clearing her throat, Jade mumbled, "Tori, wake up. You're dreaming. Come on, wake up."

"Mommy, come on, you can turn," Trina nudged her mother with a wet nose, eyes darting towards her father's and its circle, eyes determining their opponents.

"No I can't sweetie," she grunted, her breath rugged, "She broke my back, I can't..." David's roar broke their locked gaze, Trina's fur rising as she watched the two brawl intensely. "Trina!" Holly growled, snapping her eldest daughter's attention back to her, "Go to the stop sign and stay there, alright, Dad will take care of this, okay?"

The girl nodded, though her body hesitated, ignoring the orders given. She didn't want to leave her mother writhing on the ground. So, she carefully scooped Holly, slinging the woman over her back with ease before strolling towards the directed place. With a brief order, and some repeating, Mrs. Vega was settled against the sign, Trina wearily watching the other two. Claws swiped up at David's muzzle, the sandy-colored wolf yelping violently, tearing back with hands clutching his nose.

Nostrils flared as the mauled flesh healed. Though, as he wrinkled it with his eyes watching the witiko stalk towards him, a morbid realization hit him; he couldn't smell the trees behind him nor the blood painting his daughter's fur any longer. He couldn't smell how strong his daughter's scent was or how the foreshadowing rain gave its warnings. Dark eyes flicked passed its shoulder, a dark figure with piercing, violet eyes sprinting forward, a needle at hand.

"D-Dr. Retter," she groaned, Jade's brows creasing her forehead in puzzlement, "Please help...me..."

"Tori," the pale teen murmured, "It's okay. Dr. Retter isn't here right now, you're fine. Wake up, you're having a nightmare. Please just wake up."

His steps staggered back as Dr. Retter clung to the beast's back, piercing the needle deep into its neck. It screeched as the vampire hurled himself towards the sidelines, the witiko stumbling back and forth. It twisted and turned, hands clutching its head, rubbing against the short stubs prodding through. Eyes blinked rapidly, the doctor sighing in relief as brown bled through white.

Tori turned back to her human form, her body a good few inches taller than what it had been before. Tanned skin - though severely pale, especially in the orange streetlights - molded smoothly along stretching limbs, stained with red. With her cheekbones more defined than they ever were, dark eyes stared out broodingly, watering immensely by the second. She swayed in her steps, eyes wide and watered, darting along the street. With a grunt - accompanied by a short cry from Trina - she collapsed onto the pavement, skin scratching along the hard surface. Her vision wavered as she whimpered, dead, cold eyes glaring back at her before everything turned dark, footsteps scurrying over as she blinked from consciousness.

Eyes flashed open, breaths coming out unevenly while she sat up, the sheets then falling to her lap. Jade stared, pale eyes wide as the other closed her own, white blinking away. Tori whimpered quietly, bringing her knees to her chest as nails clawed at her biceps, drawing thin lines of red. Dark eyes flicked towards the sheets beside her, tented with the West's own limbs. She grimaced as gentle, porcelain hands went to touch her shoulder, Tori tensing. "D-don't touch me...please don't," she whined quietly, unease straining her voice.

"Tori," Jade murmured, dropping her hand, "It was just a dream." The half-Latina shook her head wearily, shoulders shuddering as another wave of tears breached her gaze. The other glanced back uncertainly, her throat tightening as the girl beside her crumpled with her own thoughts. Her jaw dropped in an effort to verbalize anything, though nothing came. She attempted again, words half sputtering out with a weak tremor. Swallowing the knot formed, Jade asked, voice cracking, "Do- do you want water?"

It wasn't what she'd originally wanted - needed - to ask, though an answer came nonetheless. Tori nodded slowly, her whimpers having already died out, brooding eyes glaring holes into her blankets. Swiftly, Jade slid from the bed, snatching a folded robe from the back of the chair. She shrugged it over her shoulders, tying the cloth around her waist, the sleeves coming short just above her wrists. Her steps quickly padded down the stairs, eyes flicking towards Trina's bedroom door.

A sliver shone some light from inside the room, the hall sprinkled with the natural glow. Pursing her lips, Jade maneuvered around the couch, her thoughts burning the interior of her skull as she found the sister snoring on the couch. She shook her head as Trina hummed, sprawling herself further along the cushions. Briefly - glasses clinked against the one in her grasp, the cupboard then shutting - she shivered at the image of Trina stark naked, even if she'd seen it before. It would be strange - she figured - knowing if that were the case, she would probably enjoy her morning coffee at the same spot, Trina smirking at the table.

Luckily, though, it wasn't.

Water spilled around the ice in the glass cup, pale eyes blinking from the white light admitted from the divot in the fridge. As quickly as she had stalked her way into the kitchen, Jade strode back up the stairs, concern shattering her sudden thoughts of the elder sister.

The door clicked closed as Jade stepped towards the bed, handing the glass with steady hands. Tori took it with her own trembling, dark eyes glowering at the ice before her head ducked back, water soon down her throat. The bed creaked quietly once the goth slipped back in, pale eyes bearing at her bronze shoulder. The half-Latina pursed her lips, setting the cup down beside the alarm clock, the small amount of light admitted from it blurred.

Slowly did time pass, nothing but the still night coming from the window. Jade exhaled softly, her brows narrowed, eyes shifting to her side. "Tori?" her voice wavered, barely cutting through the silence with a dull blade. When no answer came but the Vega's reluctance, she repeated, "Tori..." Gnawing at the inside of her cheek, Jade murmured, "Why do you have horns?"

Dark eyes rested on Jade's waist hesitantly, her body going ridged. She had expected this time to come, and she reasoned that it was foolish to think otherwise. Clearing her throat, Tori sighed wearily, brows furrowed as she attempted to find the proper words. Her mouth opened several times, the answers shoving against the invisible border between her teeth that wouldn't budge. Her head shook in despair, the words not stringing together nor flowing through as they should.

After a few more minutes, she closed her eyes, mumbling, "Do you know what a wendigo is?"

She turned towards Jade who pursed her lips, vaguely recalling an assignment in the seventh grade - during Halloween, as she dully recalled - to research a given monster. And, low and behold, she happened to receive 'wendigo' in bolded letters on an annoyingly bright, pink sticky-note. However, knowing how farfetched mortals' ideas about the supernatural were, she murmured, "Aren't they what happens to people who turn into cannibals?"

"By a mortal definition -" Jade nodded, expecting those very words "- yes, but there's more to it..." The half-Latina glared back down at her sheets, unable to hold any form of a gaze at the girl beside her. "They're horrible. Absolutely horrible. The most vile creatures ever to walk on the earth before they even turn into a fucking wendigo," she spat savagely, teeth grinding against one another in the mist of their own battle. Heaving a tired breath, Tori continued. "They don't automatically turn into a wendigo immediately after eating human flesh though; if that were true, there would be more in the world."

"So," the thespian hesitantly whispered, the singer gnawing at the inside of her cheek, "So how do you become one?"

The half-Latina nodded solemnly, then shook her head in disgust. "First there has to be a person who died and their body exposed to Amanita Bispairigera," she muttered, glancing briefly at Jade's contorted expression. "It's another species of Destroying Angels...the mushrooms. A lot of mortals confuse these with Amanita Bisporigera because they look almost the exact same. The real difference is that the latter rarely ever makes its way to actual animals whereas the first are always found on decaying bodies...

"When a person eats the body with the Destroying Angel, they will first experience nausea and all the other stuff expected from eating something bad." Jade grimaced uncomfortably, shifting in the sheets. Tori allowed her gaze to wonder towards the foot of the bed, doe eyes darkening in distaste. "After that, they seem to overcome the symptoms, only to start the cycle of turning. First they will start having hallucinations and then eventually have cravings, start living as a hermit in the dark and just go insane. Toxins begin to form within themselves, their bodies starting to basically shut down. Once they die, the toxins that were combined with the mushroom's and the cells of your body create a parasite, somehow... We don't really understand it but... The parasite starts to control the host, morphing it into this vile creature with two objectives: eat and bite.

"This disease works very similarly to rabies in terms of infection. They start salivating more and become more aggressive because the parasite wants to complete any organism's goal - spread and reproduction. The wendigo will start to try and infect anybody they can before their body fails when they don't eat enough for the cells in the body. Luckily, they only last for a couple of months, three being the most," Tori explained, a rough chill crawling down her spine. "But...then there are the ones who are bitten," she murmured, "And those are called windigas."

Taking a deep breath as Jade remained silent, Tori moved on. "Windigas are a lot more violent than wendigoes are, and a lot faster. They acquire white eyes and the antlers that the wendigoes have since they are growths from the toxins and parasites and shit. However, they are also weaker and last a shorter period of time... Their saliva is much more contagious because their prime objective is to just carry out the toxin, parasite rather, to another host with the limited time they have. Nobody who has been bitten by a wendigo can survive...they first become extremely ill and turn at periods of times before they pass away. Sometimes the parasite will be able to have the body turn into a windiga in order to pass it on.

"Those bitten by a windiga are the last and final host of the parasite... Those are the witikoes. Unlike the windiga, they don't die, they don't rot, but they become insane. They will begin to roam around like a wild animal, attacking everything in sight... They're stronger than the rest, and they will act rabid. Some are more aggressive while others are more 'dumb,' I suppose... But it becomes mental. It becomes more of a sickness in the mind and you can't control it... Wendigoes create the parasite then windigas transport it to witikoes who are the final vessel...but it's rare, very rare."

Silence settled between them, Jade's piercing eyes resting along Tori's neck in thought, brows furrowed.

She cleared her throat softly, murmuring, "So...so then how are you..."

Her words died at the tip of her tongue, the singer pulling the sheets to her knees, back against the headboard. The goth scooted closer, her hand hesitantly draping over the tanned shoulder. Tori - this time around - didn't flinch away, though she hadn't any moved closer either. "Back in late 1990's, or something like that, there were a series of reports filed within Los Angeles, both mortal and the occult community, about people being kidnapped. Well, there was- were cases that sprung up about wendigoes traveling in small packs within the neighborhoods along the Hollywood sign about ten years later or so. Neighborhoods filled with werewolves by the parks along those neighborhoods also had wendigoes storming through... It didn't take long for them to die but a lot were bitten...

"An investigation team banded together called the 'Occult Elite,' which my dad helped found. My grandma, mom and a lot of my family were a part of it as well as Dr. Retter and some other vampires... They eventually traced them all back to a group of elves, who we call the Witiko Hunters today, and ended up fighting," she drew a shaky breath, closing her eyes softly. "They were planning to do another attack on the werewolf community. My dad suspects it's because when werewolves are bitten, they become the worst nightmare of anybody's life. And he was right once they actually caught one of them and got some information... I've told you about elves. The ones that are closely tied to Lycaonism are just...God. But the Witiko Hunters are Lycaon supremacists.

"Well, some of the wendigoes weren't controlled properly and ended up escaping. The Occult Elite went after them and Mr. Travers, my old neighbor, another vampire who I can't remember his name and my grandma were bitten..." Dark eyes watered as they blinked open, resting on the desk feet from the foot of her bed. "She was sick and I was only, like what, five? Six? My parents didn't tell me about everything that was going on and Trina didn't know either... We were too young to understand in their eyes..." Jade nearly startled once Tori had scoffed, skin tingling. "But Trina soon found out because she accidently walked in on my grandma having one of her turns...

"But I still didn't know," she murmured wearily. "One night, we were supposed to go out on a hunt before Mr. Travers had turned and was making a mess in his house. Everybody went to help him and left me to look after my grandma... She was dying; a doctor said that would be her last day so she wouldn't turn... I-I remember," her voice wavered, "I remember just holding her knitted pillow since that's all she was able to do being bed ridden... I was just happy with it since she stitched it herself." The goth shrunk in her posture, her hand remaining on the half-Latina's shoulder as she recalled distinctly running her mascara all over the white stitching. "And...and then I noticed that she was quiet...everything was too quiet and I looked and-" Tori whined, putting a hand over her mouth. She proceeded once a gentle, cool thumb rubbed circles along her back, soothing her. "She was there, on the stairs... She had antlers and she looked at me with just these white eyes... I barely recognized her if it wasn't for her breathing; her fur was so dark, so dark. She was stalking me... It was stalking me...she had died, I think, before she made it to the stairs.

"I ran. I turned and I ran as fast as I could but...but she got me down the mountain and...and..."

Tori shuddered under Jade's hold, leaning against the thinly clothed chest, basking in the warmth flooding from it. A sharp pang of dread washed through the thespians gut, though her lips remained sealed.

"I-I turned... I grew and I felt horns on my head and then my vision went kind of...sharper... I wasn't in control of my body anymore and there was this buzzing in my head and...and..." The singer swallowed a knot formed, shaking at the memory. "It came up behind me, wanting to mark its own territory but I wouldn't let it... And so I chased it...or her but, but my grandma wouldn't ever, ever... I chased her and we fought and, and then..."

"Did you hurt her?" Jade murmured once a few minutes passed, rocking Tori softly, mind dancing back to the estranged mutterings merely ten to twenty minutes before.

"I beheaded her..." Tori whimpered, closing her eyes. "And then I howled and everything in the forest went wild, running away and then...and then I broke my mom's back," she whined, teeth gritting, "And took my dad's sense of smell... I nearly killed Trina and, and... I don't know what would've happened if Dr. Retter didn't come, I would have killed them all; I was already so much bigger and stronger than them..."

Jade furrowed her brows in thought, her thumb circling around the half-Latina's shoulder. She felt her shake, burying her face at the crook of the goth's neck. "But the medicine does help...right?" she asked softly, slowly rocking the singer.

Tori growled quietly, muttering, "Only if I constantly take it each moon cycle. It doesn't weaken the parasite, it just slows the inevitable..."

"What do you mean?" The teen shook her head, distancing herself from Jade while lips were sealed. With doe eyes back down to the sheets, the thespian tilted her head. "What are you talking about?" she snapped impatiently, worry still nibbling at her chest. "Tori!" she growled once again, turning to face the half-Latina with sharp eyes. "Tori?"

Her eyes opened gently as Jade's gentle hand gripped her bicep, pale eyes upon her expectantly. With her gut twisting, the half-Latina turned towards the other, still maintaining eye contact with the blankets. "I- I can't..."

"Please."

Tori grimaced at the weak plea, her grip tightening around the cloth underneath her fingertips. "I- The...the job of any being is to survive and prosper, including any organisms like parasites," she started, voice strained. "And- and the parasite's goal is to live and reproduce as an animal, not some bacteria... It-it wants to take over something and then-" Words were cut off as she closed her eyes, yells in the distance as her paws scraped against the ground - all four of them - white eyes gleaming in the mirror. "But for a werewolf...it-it is a longer process but..." she whined, turning to the goth slowly, wincing at the confusion brooding through her eyes. "But with the medicine, it quickened it and...and I can't get the medicine anymore to keep going so...so I-" her breath hitched, "It was able to control my body as a werewolf first, and then as a wolf... Then it took away my memory when it was in control and then-"

"Don't tell me..." Jade growled wearily, "Don't tell me it'll start affecting you as a hu-"

"Jade, I- I'm sorry, I'm sorry I dragged you into this and then just leave you so soon-"

"How soon?" she wildly snapped, eyes flashing towards the half-Latina.

With her jaw clenched, she sank as hands grasped both of her arms, her own gripping wrists. "Dr. Retter gave an estimate, by how much time I'll be off the medication, when it will take over-"

"Spit-it-out."

"Nineteen."

A short, strangled cry escaped the collapsed walls of Jade's fine teeth, arms hurriedly clutching the singer, nails clawing at the thin cloth against her back. She whimpered quietly, Tori's flowing with hers in stuttered movements. The candles, icing, batter and pan soon to be labeled with '18' sloshed through her mind, the next weekend now serving as a countdown. Or it had always done so, and Jade never realized anything.

She vaguely recalled when she had found out about her birthday, brows furrowed as the newly turned seventeen-year-old merely shrugged and strolled off. She remembered how the other four had surprised Tori - dragging her along with them. The response, or reaction, wasn't what Andre nor Beck had imagined. Robbie eyed her suspiciously as Cat discreetly commented at her seeming lack of enthusiasm for the huge, red velvet cake made just for her. A cake with her year plastered on it. A group of people celebrating a ritual that would end prematurely, though the reasoning couldn't've been given; after all, Jade couldn't have imagined knowing about the Occult at that time.

"I'm sorry," she mournfully cooed in her ear, earning a soft croak from Tori.

"I just want to die- actually die and not have some monster tear everything it sees. I don't want it to kill Trina, my mom, my dad or-" she shuddered violently, breaking away as hands cupped pale cheeks. "I don't want it to hurt you," she whimpered, "And when I bit you, I- I couldn't have...I didn't want to-"

"Tori," Jade gasped, "I know you didn't. That wasn't your fault, remember? Just-just... I'll be here and we'll do everything we can to-to not have that, that thing fuck everything else." She cringed at the words, dark eyes dropping to her lap. "Tori, I don't want you to go but- hey," she picked the youngest Vega's chin up, "I'm here...I won't leave you, I promise."

Lips met in a mournful grace, the robe draping from Jade's shoulders beginning to slide along her arm as she was settled back down towards the pillows. Tori hummed sorrowfully as she nestled into the other, the sheets pulled to their shoulders. "Hold me, please," she pleaded, Jade shifting from her robe, disinterested as it pooled to the ground whilst arms wrapped around her waist.

"Alright," she murmured quietly.

The silence sat still, unsure whether or not to move along with the gentle breeze or interrupt with the eldest sister's distant snoring. Deciding on the former, Jade closed her eyes as the trees gentle brushed against the soft wind, her arms still cradling the weakened fighter.

She hoped, by the end of this hell which she wished to be a dream along with the childhood memories, that nothing would make the black void darker. Though, on the contrary, a subtle light did flicker ahead in her consciousness. They danced tauntingly at her, unblinking and circling. She furrowed her brows, shivering against the warmth covering her shoulder and the heat against her chest.

White eyes continued to glow in the black void, assuring that light, indeed, was to come. They flicked towards the sky, canines flashing as moonlight shone against the land, the white eyes seeping away.


Now this story isn't necessarily like scary, scary...but the scariest part of this story is sweet, old grandma windiga crawling down the stairs. Who the hell knows how long she's been just watching Tori do her thing... I mean, it could've happened right after the front door closed... And you know what's sad? I'm scaring myself... I just checked to see if there was anything behind me and there's a flipping MIRROR right behind my desktop. A big one. A God damn mirror. And I still checked behind me...

But what did you think, eh? Expected wendigoes exactly? (Well, I did, kinda, mention them before.) You should look 'em up, they're actually really fascinating even though they're - uh - turned cannibals.

Hope you enjoyed 'Carnival' too!

:D

PS- Do PM me if you don't quite understand but I'd advise you to stick around until chapter ten. That will hopefully explain more things in a better way. But, in any case, if you do want to know more, don't be afraid to PM me; I only bite sarcastically. ;)