Chapter 5 finally up! Glad you are all liking this so far! I promise to keep up the effort! For now, it's Sam's birthday and she finally discovers the truth about Lara.

"Trusting people may not be so bad

Forget the fears that you've always had

Pick yourself up from down in the dirt."

- EarlyRise; Shell

Chapter 5: Decode

Five Days Later…

Morning…

10:00am…

29th September 2010…

(Scene: John Adams Hall, University College London, Endsleigh Street, London/Lara's POV)

I opened my eyes, turning over to see my digital clock. It's ten in the morning, today is Sam's birthday, she's nineteen, a year older than me. My gift for her is hiding in my wardrobe, she hardly goes poking through it. Hell! She kind of hates my style of dress, but can't do anything about it. I win, for once, I'm going to be an archaeologist! Comfort and practicality over style when you're in that field. Film makers, can look as fancy as they want. Anyways, Roth arrived at our flat with the gift as promised, thankfully Sam was out again, had to grab some basic food items. Well for one: we're out of milk and sugar, two: I only found out a week ago, she told me we were out of tea. It was the first time she saw my face of distraught.

Sam laughed so hard, she fell to the ground on her back laughing at me, when I was ready to rip her jugular vein. She kept teasing me with:

"Never get between the English and their tea." I never scowled so much, I didn't talk to her for a few hours. She made it up to me when she gave me a mug of tea, a mug! And a plate of Jaffa Cakes. God I love those cakes! I even have a stash of them in my bedside drawer. Still in my PJs, which I couldn't care less, it's Thursday and Sam has a tendency to sleep in. Also, for some random reason, we got an email yesterday saying there are no classes for today. I quietly walked over to my wardrobe and opened it. I had to dig through my dumped clothes to find the gift that's wrapped up, courtesy of Roth and the birthday card I got three days ago. A simple blank card, nothing fancy. I found the gift and card, too bad there's no birthday cake to add, but that doesn't matter, she'll love what I got her.

I exited my room, heading for Sam's. I put my ear to the door, I can hear her snoring away. Yup, she's asleep, I smiled. As quietly as I could manage, I opened the door to her bedroom, sneaking across to her bed. I sat down, tapping Sam gently on the shoulder. She groaned, annoyed clearly.

"Please mom!" She muttered. I held in a stifled laugh. "Five more minutes.",

"Sam, wake up." Sam finally woke up upon hearing my voice, a little groggy, but awake none the less.

"Lara? What time is it?",

"Well, it's ten past five by now and you're asking the wrong question. It's: what day is it today?",

"What are you…" My friend paused, then widening her eyes upon realising. She jumped. "Oh my god! It's my birthday!",

"Clap clap." I tried my hand at sarcasm, but it never really works. Guess humour didn't run much in my family. I smiled gently at her, then handing her my gift. "Happy nineteenth Nishimura." Sam gently took the gift from my hand like some delicate artefact, to her, it will be.

"Lara, you shouldn't have!" Sam was clearly surprised.

"Open it." My roommate went for the card first. She's being modest and then, began to read it out loud.

"To Sam,

Hope you have a wonderful birthday today. Enjoy it.

Lara, your best friend and boring, nerdy roommate."

A simple note, but it's the simple things in life that's the nicest. People now-a-days go for the extravagant and forget the little things that make us happy. I hate how society has become these days, but what can you do? Humanity changes, you can't stop change. You can slow it down all you want, but you're just delaying the inevitable because it will happen.

"That's so sweet Lara!" Sam grinned, hugging me.

"Open your gift." Sam placed the card next to the bed lamp, turning to cuboid shaped gift. Slowly, Sam tore the gift wrapper hiding the camera. Once she got the wrapper off, her eyes widened with a mixture of shock, delight and astonishment. She picked up the camera box, looking at it closely to make sure if it was the right model she asked for. I grinned. "Yes Sam, it the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2000 Digital Camera. The exact one you saw.",

"Lara… how could you… how did you afford it!? This camera is £1099!" Sam asked me and stumbling over her own words.

"Saving and working overtime really pays off." I said gently. I could kiss you right here and now, but I stayed rigid to keep my feelings from driving my actions.

"So that's why you were working so late!?" Sam questioned, clearly dumbfounded. All I did was nod. "Did you know I was so close to ringing your boss!? To give him one hell of verbal abuse!" Sam ranted. This is why I love you, in two different ways.

"He's actually grand Sam, but I appreciate you for looking out for my wellbeing. I did this for you though, I saw on your face how much you really wanted that camera. The shop owner said its a fine model, one of Panasonic's best. Also, I wasn't the only one in on it. I paid for half the price, Roth paid the other, after some war of words." I told her truthfully. Without warning, Sam leaped, wrapping her warm arms around me, holding onto me for dear life. I hugged her back. She continued to squeal:

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" God knows how many times. Well, that's her birthday nailed. What to do then for next year, oh joys. These three years are going to be long, but fun. I really do need Sam, my complete polar opposite.

"You're welcome Sam. I'm just glad you like your gift.",

"You are the greatest friend I ever had!" She said happily and you are too, but I want to be more than friends. Yet I'm scared to admit my feelings to you, I'm still afraid you'll push me away because of the monster inside me. The doorbell suddenly rang. We both frowned, we still haven't had breakfast yet and who comes calling on a Thursday morning? We both got up, Sam began to prepare breakfast, while I headed for the door.

I unlocked the door, locking it has become a habit, security reasons you know. I opened it, revealing Roth. My eyes lit up with excitement. I crushed him in a tight hug.

"Roth! What are you doing here!?",

"I thought I'd come see you." He grunted. "Now please Lara, you're crushing this old man's spine!" I quickly let him go. I forgot about my enchanced strength for a moment. Sam peeked out from the kitchen, seeing Roth.

"Hi! You must be Roth?",

"I am indeed. You are Samantha Nishimura. Lara's roommate." Roth greeted. Sam walked over to shake hands with him.

"Please, just call me Sam. You want to join us for breakfast?",

"Wouldn't do me any harm." I set the table for the three of us, while got the fry under way. Roth and I sat down in the kitchen.

"So… Roth." Sam called out,

"Hm?",

"Lara said you're her Guardian right?",

"Aye. You want to know about Lara's family?" He asked,

"Only if Lara's OK about it. I know it's a… delicate subject." I'm so glad that Sam is understanding. She knows where to draw the line on certain topics, knows when to stop questioning, prying. She respects my privacy. I can at least trust her to some form of the truth. Roth knows how to play this game himself.

"As you know, Lara comes from a wealthy, aristocratic background. Her parents are Richard and Amelia Croft. Her father was an archaeologist, her mother was into it as well." Roth explained,

"I see where the passionate interest comes from now." Sam teased and I just rolled my eyes.

"Her parents died when she was young. Her father committed suicide, poor bastard possibly lost his mind to the ridicule he was receiving." A total, partial lie, but the most believable one too. In a sense, people think my father did commit suicide after he snapped. I still believe he was murdered, by whom, I don't think I'll ever figure it out. When I was young, I found his body inside his study, traumatising for my age. Roth continued on with the little tale. "Before that, her mother disappeared. The last time she was seen, was taking a plane and contact was lost over the Himalayas."

Mother's death is a lie. I killed her, she was never on a flight over the Himalayan Mountains. Sam was too speechless to respond. She is aware that my parents are dead, but doesn't know the cause of death. I'm still not ready to tell her about the werewolf curse. I still don't know how she'll react that she was living with a… monster for nearly two weeks into this semester! Perhaps it's better I keep lying to her, it's easier that way. It's the only way to keep her safe. Roth decided to lighten the mood then.

"Sam, did Lara ever tell you the story of how she locked Winston, the butler of Croft Manor into the walk-in freezer?" I slammed my head onto the table, making obvious noise. No! Please no! Why!? Roth continued with mentioning other embarrassing, dignity-breaking stories. "There's another time too, where she pulled out a chair to climb the kitchen counter to get at a jar of Jaffa Cakes. Nearly gave her mother a heart attack. She actually screamed, scaring Dicky Croft out of his study and both thinking Lara was going to fall off the counter." Sam was failing miserably at keeping her laughter in. She was ready to burst open like a Hydroelectric Dam, as she placed three plates in front of us. I'm surprised she hasn't spilled our food on the floor. I put my hands to my ears in poor effort to not hear any of this. It was also, how I discovered my love for Climbing.

"Please stop Roth!" I begged, fighting back a whimper.

"Dicky Croft?" Sam questioned, a little but confused,

"A nickname for my dad." I explained. Sam however, turned her attention to Roth, hoping to get more stories of me out him. And he's more than happy to oblige.

"Any other tales Roth? Do tell please!" Sam asked, smirking. She's never going to live this down! All this potential source for blackmail and tease. Roth thought long and hard. Oh no! He's not going for that one is he!? Roth looked at me like he read my mind and grinned like a mad man.

"When she was nine, Lara thought it'd be really funny to dismantle all my pistols, particularly, my favourite Dual Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced." I sunk into my seat and retorted, to at least defend what is left of my honour. Sam was bursting out laughing, trying to comprehend how a nine year old was able to successfully dismantle a pair of pistols.

"I was nine! And that is what you get for teaching me how to shoot in the first place!",

"But I don't remember teaching you how to dismantle." Roth chuckled, "Guess all that puzzle solving gave you a niche." I hummed at his comment. It is true, I treated the pair of guns like a big puzzle.

"I guess I did treat them like a puzzle." I admitted,

"Took me ten minutes to get them both back together. As for the other models, I hardly used them and it took me twice the time to reassemble them all. I also made my entire house Lara Proof. She was a bundle of endless energy. The only way to make her tired was long walks, sports and reading. It makes me wonder how Amelia put up with you." Alright! I was a little bit hyperactive too! I raised my arms in surrender. I give up, I'm no longer arguing at this stage. Roth looked at his watch. "Look at the time! I better get going!" Placing his cup on the table, he stood up and putting his plate to the side. "It's good to you Sam. You take care lass and Sam, happy birthday." He winked, before leading himself to the door. I followed him out.

Roth and I parted with a hug, like any father and daughter would. We said goodbye to each other and he disappeared out of my line of sight as he walked down the stairs. I went back inside, closing the door.

"Roth is a really nice guy.",

"Yeah, he is. I look up to him so much." I smiled a little, but Sam could notice.

"You really are fond of him.",

"He's a father I never had." I then changed the subject. "So, it's your birthday, what are you going to do?",

"Stay inside, with my best friend. We're having a PJ Day, no excuses! Take-out, movie and tell me all of your hilarious stories Ms I'm So Serious." I groaned,

"Yes to staying inside, but I'm going to kill Roth next time he comes by." This will be a long but fun day.

Two Months Later…

13:00…

28th November 2010…

(Scene: Lara's and Sam's Dormitory, University College London, London/Samantha's POV)

I paced the flat belonging to myself and Lara. For the time being, Lara is out, got up early at like nine and told me she had some things to do and won't be back till one or two, which is now. So she's probably making her way back. Actually, she said she's heading to the Institute of Archaeology Library for extra reading material too, add an extra hour to that. Thank god, Monday seems to be our lightest day when it comes to classes. Lara finishes at eleven. This gives me time, plenty of time to carry out some 'research'.

Lara is a strange woman, always has been, I knew it as soon as I first met her. I mean, Lara is around most days and nights, then disappears on the night of the Full Moon and only the Full Moon. I've noticed that she disappeared twice! Once, on the 16th of October and again this month, on the 14th! I'm having a gut feeling, but I hope I'm wrong, could it be linked to the night myself and my course classmates went out to Hyde Park? We heard a howl of a wolf, Jake gets killed and Lara didn't return to the flat till six in the morning!

Another thing to note is: I see something in her eyes, something animalistic about them. They look human, but I keep seeing a dangerous glint. I turned to my bedroom, grabbing my laptop and turning it on. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I have to figure this out. I have to decode Lara. She's hiding something, she knows the truth, but I will find out.

There are several other characteristics I noted about my mysterious British roommate. In terms of physical aspect, she's faster, higher stamina, stronger. I watched her lift things that should need the aid of a second person! I mean… she managed to stop and dent the side of a car from crushing me two months ago! She literally stopped it with her bare hand! Lara also has heightened hearing, which equals heightened senses; i.e.: sight, sound, taste and hearing. Like I mean, she was able to hear me from the hallway one time! What are you Lara?

Opening Google Chrome, I clicked the search box. I can't believe I'm doing this, telling myself a second time. I paused for a second to think what I should type. The Internet can give me anything. Connect the dots Sam! If Lara can do things like this with archaeology, this can't be any harder. I know what to do now. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, I typed:

"Animals connected to the moon." Vague, but it's a start. I got several links on the screen. Pick carefully. I clicked on the LiveJournal link. I looked at the blogger's page. This one put down Wolf, Rabbit, Deer and Cats. Rabbits are more connected with Japanese and Eastern folklore, I don't think that's Lara. Cross that out, definitely not deer or cat. So it leaves me with the wolf, werewolf myths was in brackets. I opened a new tab and typed in:

"Werewolf Myths." Could that be Lara? Is she really a werewolf? I clicked on the Supernatural Wiki page. It's made by fan communities, but they are quite accurate sometimes. I looked at the page, studying it. Lycanthropy or Werewolf Mimicry/Transformation, can be caused by either a curse, bite or scratch. If this is Lara, how did she get this horrible thing!? How was she even able to live with it for so long!? I'd be gone mad if it was me! I scrolled further down the page, studying it almost, absorbing every detail and linking every single clue I gathered from Lara's strange behaviour and physical attributes. Then, like a final piece of a jigsaw puzzle, everything clicked into place. I closed Google and turned off my laptop. I was right, I doubted myself but I was right!

I began to shake, I've been living with a monster for the past two months! No! Lara's not a monster! She's my best friend! She'd never do anything to hurt me! Perhaps that is why she leaves on the night of the Full Moon. She doesn't want to hurt me and that's a clear sign Lara hasn't lost her humanity. Lara Croft is a werewolf. I can't believe it! This is Supernatural! Things like this don't exist in the real world! This isn't logical! God you're sounding like Lara! It's true though, if I confront her about it when she comes back, she can't deny it. I heard the door open and I looked at my clock: 15:00. Now's the time to strike. Perhaps I should take her to the park. It's nice and quiet.

I walked out of the room, trying to look normal. God! I don't know how she'll react when I tell her I managed to figure her out. For all I know, she might snap at me, turn and attack me! Don't think like that! Lara would know better! She'll probably flee the room before she lays a hand or claw on me.

"Lara!",

"Jesus Sam!" Lara screeched, dropping her pile high of books on Japanese History, causing dust to rise, but more specifically Ancient Japan's social structure. Oh right! She's in the middle of that essay that's due in two weeks and is already over the word limit by five thousand! "Don't scare me like that! You gave me a heart attack!" Lara bent down to pick up the fallen books. I knelt down to help her.

"Hey Lara, I'm actually in the mood for a stroll around the park outside campus. Mind accompanying me?",

"Sure. Just let me put these reference materials into my room. Anyways, I could do with clearing my head before getting back into the essay. I like to see Tavistock Square also." Wow, that was easy! Thank god for that essay! Lara does need a clear for things like this, otherwise she's cranky and demands tea, which is nearly running out. I haven't told her that. Grabbing our keys, we left the apartment, locking the door. Tavistock Square, here we come!

Four Minutes Later…

15:04…

(Scene: Tavistock Square, London, England/Sam's POV)

Lara and I decided to walk to Tavistock Square, thankfully it's not far from the college. It's noon already, Lara has little classes today, so it's a fine quiet time for her. Also, an added bonus, there's no one here in the park, except for the odd jogger. Other than that, it's quiet. I was a bit nervous, how do I approach Lara with the whole Lycanthropy thing!? Think Sam! Think! How do I question such a secretive and sensitive topic. Unfortunately, I wasn't given much time to think as Lara's voice broke the silence.

"You seem quiet Sam. It's unlike you." I laughed nervously,

"Really? I uh… um…" Lara stopped in her tracks, facing me. I'm literally trapped in a wolf den now.

"Sam?" I looked around, noticing some trees that can give us cover and keep us out of earshot of unwanted onlookers. You'll be surprised at who can hear what. Without a word, I took Lara by the hand and taking her with me to the large tree. We stood behind it. Let's take this gently, like how Bella Swan from Twilight did it. I hope it does work. This isn't a book or film, this is real life. I was nervous. Just out with it Sam!

"I don't think you're really human Lara." As soon as I said that, I saw all of Lara's muscles tense. She even began to shift her weight on foot to another. I continued, "You're faster, stronger, more intelligent. You can hear things a normal human ear can't pick up.",

"Do you know what I am?" Lara questioned. I took a deep breath, here goes nothing.

"Werewolf. You're a werewolf Lara." I sharply inhaled. Lara doesn't seem agitated, but calm.

"Are you afraid?" Lara is several steps behind me. I don't know if she can sense my fear, I'm not really afraid of her. I'm not afraid of Lara, I'm only afraid of the beast inside her. It's what sets her apart from man and beast.

"No." I said boldly. All of a sudden, she's in front of me, invading my personal space nearly. I tried not to flinch, any small movements to a wolf like Lara, she'll sense my fear.

"Wrong!" She growls. It sounds like a wolf too. "I'm a monster Sam! I'm built to kill!" Demonstrating her strength, Lara picks up a medium sized Boulder just lying on the ground with one hand and tosses it like it hardly weighed anything. "This is the reason I disappear at night! The full moon! Because I'm a beast that deserves to be caged or put down!" I bravely stand up to her, placing my hand softly on her elbow.

"I'm not afraid." I tell her, with strong conviction.

"On my first turn Sam, I killed my own mother. How in your eyes, does that not make me a monster? Fuck sake Sam! I killed that asshole Jake!" Oh man, I hoped she would never bring him up, but it was hard to believe that shy, introvert Lara killed someone. No! Not Lara, that monster! The wolf inside her. On the other hand, Lara was giving me hard, cryptic questions that need to be answered with caution. Think before answering.

"Because I know a part of you is still feeling the grief of your mother. It wasn't you that killed her Lara, it's the beast inside of you. I don't blame you for killing Jake either.",

"That beast is a part of me. Like it has been in my family for generations." The Croft Family is cursed? God knows how far back this curse goes. Generations is a lot.

"No it's not. You still have your humanity Lara."

Lara breathed in, knowing she can no longer keep this secret. Wait! Did she say she killed her mother!? I thought Lady Croft died in a plane crash! So Roth lied to me, he too knows Lara's secret. I couldn't complain though, I think Lara was just trying to protect me, also, she didn't want to lose of first long lasting friendship (to me it's more than that). She was afraid I would leave her, run off scared because of the beast she is. Then something hit me, back in September, when I was being mugged, I saw that huge dark-brown wolf. Was that Lara I saw? I decided to ask her.

"Lara?",

"What?" Her tone came out a little bit clipped, but I took no heed because I needed to know the truth.

"When I told you about that giant wolf I saw, was that…" Lara cut me off before I could finish it.

"Yes." She sighed, "That was me. I saved you from that man. I played the lying game. I'm sorry I lied to you for so long." Lara sat on the ground, her back leaning against a tree. I sat down next to her, placing my hand on her shoulder.

"I understand why you did it. You were trying to keep me safe.",

"It's not that either. You are the first best friend I had in… I don't know. I did not want to lose you, I feared you would see me as a monster." She said sadly. I shook my head in disbelief.

"You. Are. Not. A monster Lara. You're my best friend, nothing like this will ever separate us." I told her strongly, then snuggling my head against her broad shoulder, my hand resting on hers.

(Lara's POV)

Sam placed her hand on mine, then used my shoulder as a cushion. I looked to her, then all of a sudden, I felt this electricity. I could feel all of gravity pulling me towards Sam. In brief flashes, I could see us together, forever happy, holding each other in loving embrace. The world and its affairs don't brother me, doesn't matter, it's the very person in front of me. I found my mate: Samantha 'Sam' Nishimura. Oh god! What just happened!? Bollocks!

And that's a wrap! And you all figured out that Lara has finally, imprinted on Sam. Is this good, or will it be nuisance? Find out in Chapter 6! Story half way through! Only five chapters left to write up!