Immediately leaving the house, I could feel the heat mixed in with the moisture of the nearby beach. The sun still shined brightly as ever, and hardly a cloud in the sky. It was tempting to transform to a wolf, make this 15 minute walk into a 5 minute one. But it was broad daylight. Not many trees for coverage. Plus not many clothes can do doggy form. So human feet it was.
I followed the dirt road up the hill in the only direction I could assume would lead to the Boardwalk. The fine grains and clumps were already adhering to my black, loose high tops. As I climbed the gradual hill, an old red and white beat up car drove by. The passenger stared at me the entire time we passed. Had a bit of a feminine face, but I could only assume he was a boy from the frosted, spiked hair. His bottom lip hung open, as if he already saw the beast in me. He was actually probably our neighbor. Father would make us greet them sometime this week. Just to make us seem more normal. Like we're not part of a species that'd eat your pet guinea pig.
The Boardwalk actually wasn't all that bad at first glance. Just looked like a never ending carnival. There were games, arcades, kiddie rides, even a roller coaster that honestly didn't look all that trustworthy. Plenty of little shops. Some were probably family owned, some were obviously chain like Starbucks and a little McDonalds joint. There was a probably bigger variety of people than shops though. Different skin tones, different sizes, different styles. There was the obvious potheads with the obnoxious odor of marijuana, the preppy girls with too much perfume. The older men sitting outside at a sports bar, smoking their cigars and cigarettes, making bets. One of the downsides to having the senses of a dog. Smells become sickening.
It was the beginning of summer, so of course everyone would be out. After middle school, I was homeschooled by my mother. I constantly knew the freedom.
You actually may be wondering about my mom. She's not dead, nor did she leave. She's just a pack mother of sorts. She takes care of abandoned werewolf children. But for the meantime, Santa Carla wouldn't be the best place for them. I don't know when I'll see her again. I just know it'll be soon.
Anyway, the first part of the trip wasn't all that eventful. I got Chinese food, grabbed and completed applications, mostly for waiting jobs. Italian food places find it odd when you bring in Chinese food though. Either way, wasn't that eventful at first.
However there was a little comic shop that caught my eye. I was never all that into comics. I was always outdoors. But it just seemed interesting. To be fair they also had a cardboard cutout of a vampire on one side of the entrance, and a werewolf on the other. It was practically calling my name. When I entered, I noticed the kid from before there, talking to two guys behind the counter. They all looked about my age. The guy with the frosted tips looked like a fabric store just kind of threw up on him, and the two guys behind the counter looked like they just got out of JROTC.
I looked through the names and titles of comic books, some of them of course were recognizable. Others sounded like a guy down the block was personally making them while on a diverse selection of drugs. There were manuals for vampire hunting and monster slaying. I picked up one, the name escapes me, but it was something about killing werewolves. It was the typical things you'd generally see. There were parts that weren't true, like how werewolves can transform only during a full moon. In reality, we can transform whenever we want, but a full moon is when we feel more compelled, and seems to give us more strength. Then there were parts that were true, like our allergy to silver. And getting shot with a silver bullet, is practically an instant kill. It talked about how if a werewolf is cut in human form, fur would be seen under the skin. From all the papercuts I've gotten, that is a definite myth. However, bristles under the tongue was true, as well as sharp, curving fingernails.
"You have a werewolf problem?" A rough voice asked behind me, and like a magician's act, the three guys from the counter were standing right behind me.
I cocked my head, wondering if they were serious, "No. Just browsing." I responded.
"You're new here, aren't you? I saw you on my way home."
"Yea. I'm Red. Red Hyde." I introduced. Once I said my name, the guys decked in the camo clothes just kind of glanced at each other. "What?" I questioned.
"I'm Sam." My apparent neighbor introduced. "This is Edgar and Alan Frog."
The nodded with a little bit of a "hm" attached.
I couldn't help but chuckle, "What kind of name is Frog?"
"What kind of name is Red?" The one I presumed to be Edgar retorted.
"Touche."
"So what brings you here?" Alan asked, flipping through the comics.
"Um. . " I shrugged without a real answer, "I don't know. Just kind of exploring the new territory. Where I'm from, we didn't really have any of this stuff."
"So where are you from, exactly?" Edgar questioned further, and I was starting to wonder about all the questions.
Sam tried to subtly elbow Edgar in the side, though it turned out really obvious. "Asking too much." Sam hissed through his teeth.
"Maybe I should just go." I smiled friendly before turning to leave.
"Wait." Edgar snapped. I rubbed the bristles on the bottom of my tongue against the roof of my mouth, wondering if he saw them or something. I turned back around, and he handed me a comic.
"What is this?" I asked.
"Read the title." Edgar retorted again, "It's a survival guide for vampires."
"Well," I started, not really should what to say, "Thanks. But I think I'll be just fine." I grinned. They seemed harmless enough, I gave in, "How much?"
"Consider it a 'Welcome to Santa Carla' present." Alan explained.
"You'll need it." Edgar stated.
I thanked them again before quickly leaving. Now to get home, enjoy some Chinese food, and try to make this place feel like home.