Chapter 6
Lies Told to One's Self

Again I found myself surrounded by darkness, only this time I wasn't sure if it was because I had my eyes shut in fear, frustration, and anger or because I was covered in it for real. I knew one thing though; I had to keep running to get away. Whether it was from the dog gang or the world that just plain hated me I wasn't sure either.

Something was wrong; I should have hit a dead end a long while ago. I came to a halt and inspected my surroundings there was no light whatsoever. How could that be the sun just rose, and I was pretty sure I saw a window or two before I entered.

"Fenrir so glad you could make it." There it was again, that deep annoying voice that just popped out of nowhere

I grunted and tried to search for the voice's source "Where exactly is here anyway?"

"Calm down Fenrir, I just want to talk. Like you I want answers as well" I continued to search but I couldn't even hear where his voice came from or where his scent placed him "After all I did save you from those gang members. The least you could do is answer the few questions I have."

I had to admit he had a point and figured nothing harmful could come from it "Fine what do you want, but I'll tell you now I don't know much you're better off asking someone else."

"Oh no Fenrir I don't want to ask someone else, I want to ask you. Only you can answer the questions I have."

"Well fine what are they?"

"Why are you out here all alone?" That one question caught me off guard the voice didn't strike me as the concerned type "You have a collar, that means that you specifically have an owner, so where is that owner?"

"I- I don't want to talk about it." memories of last night already resurfacing

The voice ignored my previous statement and continued "Did you run away? Was this of your own choice or did your owner kick you out?"

"No she would never kick me out." I struggled to keep up with his barrage of questions; why was this man so interested in me?

"why did you break her heart?"

At that question everything in my mind ceased working and burned with anger "What!? WHY SHOULD I ANSWER THAT QUESTION!?"

He continued as if he didn't hear my previous statement "Do you regret what you did? Do you want to go home?"

"SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS!"

"Was this your choice? Did you do this of your own free will?"

"IT'S NOT YOUR BUSINESS TO KNOW!

"ANSWER ME!" The voice seemed to have lost his patience and so have I

If he wants answers then he'll get what he wants "I'm alone because I chose to be; I don't need anyone anyway! All my life being attached to anyone has only brought me more grief and pain so I choose to be alone." I already felt the tears matting the fur on my face "I used to have an owner but I was nothing other than a burden to her. She can live an easier life without me in it. I love her, I care for her, and I want mom to be happy, even if it means I won't be there to see it. SO SHE DOESN'T NEED ME!"

The dark space went silent and the only thing I could hear was my own sobs. I don't know why I had opened up to a strange voice I barely even knew, but all the emotions I had to hide and bury deep down couldn't remain hidden any longer. No matter how much I try to hide them no matter how much I tell myself I'm okay, the truth is I'm really not.

"I thank you for your time Fenrir," The voice said, and even though I couldn't see it I could feel that he was smiling at me "now I must be going."

Wait he's going? "Hey why did you bring me here!?" I ran off towards where I thought the owner of the voice would be.

When I took the first step light burst forth from where my foot met solid ground. From where I had stepped the light grew and expanded till it filled out a circular shape. The moment my eyes readjusted to the light I was greeted by a familiar sight.

Pure darkness surrounding me as it expanded for eternity with the only light source coming from the circular tower beneath me. Only this time the light not only took the shade of pure white, it took on many different colors. Blue and silver lined the rims while gold stemmed from the center; I took a step back and saw it form a stain glass like image with a depiction of me floating as if I was in an endless dream. Where in the world was I, and how did I even end up here from San Francisco?

This was the scene from my dream; even with the stain glass that depicted me I still knew this was the place. The only thing missing now was the beast with yellow eyes. I had to get out of here before that beast shows itself; if I bumped into it here I wouldn't survive. Before was a dream, I could wake up from dreams, as far as I could tell I was wide awake.

Before I could take anther step something caught my ear and forced me to stay still "I want to go home."

I turned around and saw a copy of myself "I want to see her again." he cried covering his eyes

"I miss her, I want to see her again." Another copy of me appeared crying and still covering his eyes

The process repeated itself over and over until I was surrounded by multiple copies of myself all repeating the same phrases like some sort of mantra.

"I want to go home."

"I want to see her again."

"I miss her."

"I broke her heart."

"I'm sorry."

The sound of my own voice clogged my ears overwhelming my sense of hearing. It was too much noise, I couldn't think clearly as I dropped to my knees clutching my ears desperately trying to nab a moment of silence.

Breaking the pattern I felt a hand on my shoulder causing me to look at one clone who wasn't crying but looked sad all the same "Let's go home. Please?" he held out his hand to me to help me up

"I'm sorry," I stood up on my own "you know why we can't go home."

His sadness instantly turned to anger "Traitor!" he shouted, his eyes turning soulless yellow "Traitor!" the other clones joined in their eyes taking on the same hue "Traitor! Traitor!"

Before anything else could happen all the clones' bodies shattered like glass and all gathered into one being away from the circle of light. After a while I saw it; two sets of glowing yellow eyes piercing the darkness to see me. Panic surged through my body; I was going to die here if I did nothing.

The shadowy figure charged after me and entered the range of light. It was exactly like my dream had depicted it except with even more detail. Large rows of serrated teeth that dwarfed my own accursed fangs, and so ridiculously large that it struggled to even hang on to the tower. The light exposed its lupine nature as well as a gaping hole where it's chest should have been.

There was nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide as the creature raised it's right hand to strike at me. I crossed my arms, braced for impact and awaited my death. In less than a moment I was swept up and tossed to the ceiling. Rather than actually hit the ceiling I kept going higher and higher, then gravity went to work sending me straight back down. In less than ten seconds I impacted the floor unceremoniously somehow managing to survive the sheer impact of the fall.

It might not have been the smartest thing to do, but I found myself standing up again despite the pain that flowed through my body. I have heard from countless places that before you die you will see a flash back of your entire life, and all I saw was loneliness and pain except for that entire year I spent with mom.

There might not be anyone to hear me, but I think I needed to hear myself say it aloud "This will not be the place I die. Not after the live I've lived through. There's only been one year where I've been happy. I will survive this and I will make my life worth living again!"

The shadow wolf raised its hand once more and I despite how foolish it might have seemed I charged straight for it.

As we drew closer and closer my heartbeat began to accelerate as I approached my doom. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact, an impact that never came. Once my eyes were open I found the shadow wolf clutching its hands and in my hand a blade in the shape of a black colored key. It had a long reach and three pointed edges that shot from its blade served as the key's teeth, even the handle held some sharp edges that seemed to complete the look.

Where did this thing come from? I tried to survey the area but nothing of interest was around except for the four books orbiting me. As I tried to reach out to grab one of the books the wolf had recovered and howled its challenge.

I barred my accursed fangs and cried out "You want me? Here I am!" I took an offensive stance and prepared myself mentally for battle

End of Chapter 6