As I looked up into the sky, I saw that the sun was beginning to set, and the sky was turning orange. It was a beautiful site, so I always took the longer way home from school through the forest. It also guaranteed me peace; that is what I thought. As I continued deeper into the forest, where the tree line grew heavy, I heard multiple footsteps behind me. They started quiet but sounded right behind me before I knew it. A shiver ran up my spine as I turned my head to the side to see what was following me. My eyes went wide, but I tripped and fell to the ground before I could do or say anything. I wasn't prepared, so I fell right on my face. I groaned in pain as I slowly tried lifting myself. Before I fully opened my eyes, I was picked up and forced against the nearest tree. I could hear a crack and wasn't sure if it was the tree or my back. After a few seconds, I felt a stinging pain shoot up my neck, which hurt like hell. I winced and opened my eyes to find a tall blonde girl holding me with a smirk and her two little followers cowering behind her. I rolled my eyes as I held a tight grip on her arm that was extended out, holding me against the tree.
"Elizabeth…how nice to see you…fancy meeting you here…"
My voice was raspy, and once I said this, her grip on my throat tightened to where I could no longer say anything. She sneered as she heard the girls behind her giggle. She turned her head around; the girls fell deathly quiet, and she turned her gaze back to me.
"What are you doing out here, freak? Or let me guess...you live out here, don't you? Just like the dog you are!"
She began hackling with a single tear running down her face. She thought she was funny, but it looked like she was the only one laughing. The two girls behind her kept their eyes glued on me as they stepped back. They didn't want to be there; I could tell by the wide fear-filled eyes and locked knees. These girls were from my class; the blonde, Elizabeth, was the 'popular' girl. Behind her are her two brainless stooges who accompany everything she says. They have no thoughts, probably because she ripped that away from them the minute, she sniffed out their weaknesses. It was…Anika and…Sarah… who were also in my class. They were always striving to be popular, just like Elizabeth. However, they tried too hard, and it showed.
I decided I was done with this game; I closed my eyes and dug my nails into Elizabeth's arm. I dug them deep enough to where the blood ran down her arm and dripped on the ground. Her grip loosened when she noticed, and I fell to the ground. She held her arm up, examining the cuts as she began screaming. The two girls behind her came up to her side, each holding one of her shoulders. I saw tears stream down her face; I should have guessed it was all a front.
"You'll pay for this, you filthy wolf! Wait until my parents hear what you did! The whole town will hunt you down and gut you out!"
I sat there with one of my hands rubbing my neck as I watched the three run away out of the forest screaming. I can't believe they went all this way to bully me. She has dedication; I will give her that.
I slowly got to my feet, brushed the dirt off my skirt, and realized my uniform was dirty and ripped. My eyes went wide when I realized that my school bag was missing. I looked around and couldn't find it anywhere.
"That bitch…she stole my bag!"
I began to panic because all my money and identification were in that bag. Not to mention all my books and schoolwork. I then face-palmed and slammed my fist against the tree.
"My house key was in that bag too…"
The foster family I am living with already does not like me. They despise me; they wish they had never offered to be foster parents if it meant having me. They like to throw that in my face at least twice a day. Once they know, I lost the one spare key they had to their home…
"Oh, I'm so dead…what will I do?"
My breathing became shallow, and my eyes began to water over. I crossed my arms and held myself as I looked around, only to see the forest grow dark. It was almost too dark to see much in front of me. To be honest…this was an excellent opportunity for me. This could be a reason I give myself for not going back. I wanted to leave that hellish place for so long, but being a minor, I had no choice. I didn't have any friends either, so I didn't have anyone to turn to. No one ever talked to me or tried to get to know me. They would turn away when they saw my white hair and blood-red eyes. They called me a freak or monster; the most popular one was dog or wolf. People only tolerated me and talked to me if it was necessary. Even when talking, they cut it as short as possible. That is why I always take this way through the forest home. It gives me a much-needed break from society after a long…hurtful day.
My heart began to ache and feel heavy in my chest. I didn't realize it was a burden; sometimes, I wish it wasn't. I put my hand up to my chest as tears began falling. My vision was blurry as I began looking around. I could barely see anything, but I slowly moved forward. I tripped over a large rock sticking out of the ground. I grabbed my leg and held it to my chest when I fell. I winced in pain and saw a large gash when I opened my eyes. The rock that tripped me was sharp, and I saw shards scattered around the base of it. I sat there, and when I held my hands out in front of me covered in blood, my eyes went wide, and the tears stopped.
"That's it…that's the final sign I need…"
I slowly crawled back to the rock, found a decent-sized shard, and held it in my right hand. I had a tight grip as I lifted it. I looked at it closer, inspecting how sharp the end was.
I didn't want to go back to that hell hole with those damn people who claim to 'care' for me. I didn't want to go back to school where everyone was too scared of me even to look me in the eye or hated me so much that they needed to be vocal about it. I never had a place to call home…home…did I even know what that word truly meant? I don't think so, but I don't think I ever will. No one would care or even notice if I was gone. The whole town would probably throw a party; I could see it now. The white wolf…the plague…would finally be liberated, freeing them from their fear and shackles.
I held the shard up and felt the tears stream down again. My heart was racing inside my chest as I held my free hand before me and made a fist. I turned it over so my wrist was facing up. My grip on the shard tightened, and blood ran down my hand and arm.
"Not only would I be doing everyone else a favor…I'd be doing myself one…."
This gave me the push I needed; I ran the shard across my exposed wrist. When I hit the end, I saw the open wound and blood falling down my arm. My eyes continued to water, but a smile crept on my face.
"Maybe…this will be…sweet…release…"
The world around me began to become blurry, and I felt lightheaded. The rock shard hit the ground, and I followed. My body felt heavy, and my eyes began to feel the same. I could barely keep them open; the world was growing even darker than it was before. My body began to feel cold, but I could hear footsteps in the distance.
Again? Really? What did they not have enough and wanted more? Well…hate to break it to you girls…the job is already finished. I smirked, but it quickly faded when a hooded figure approached me. I couldn't see their face, but they bent down and got closer. They held their hands out to me, but I could only stare. That was all my strength; my eyes began to close, but I heard this figure say something that caught me off guard.
"Why take your own life when you could use it to help someone else? Your journey does not end here, wolf…"
Why couldn't the world just let me be…but before I could finish that thought, the world went black.
My eyes began to open slowly, and I shot straight up when my vision became clear. I was sitting in a bed and an unfamiliar room. I looked around, and there wasn't much, a lamp in the corner of the room, a window that was sealed shut. I was in a small bed but when I tried to move, I couldn't. I slowly looked down, and when I tried moving my hands, they were stopped by handcuffs. I also saw the large bandage wrapped around my left wrist; it all came rushing back to me. The scene in the forest, with my three classmates, the rock shard…and the…
The door to the room I was in suddenly opened, and it caught me off guard. I threw my hands down in my lap, hiding them under the blanket. I kept my eyes glued to the door to see who was coming in. Knowing my luck, it was probably some cop or something coming in to see why they found me in the forest and why I attacked Elizabeth. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the questions to start, but when they never did, I opened my eyes in confusion.
The man that walked into my room was not a cop; no, he looked like a typical businessman. He had on a nice black suit, his hair slicked back, with a very lifeless face. I stared at him and felt my head tilt in confusion and curiosity. The man closed the door behind him and slowly walked up to the side of my bed. I tried to move away but being cuffed to the bed made it extremely hard to move. When the man stopped at my side, he looked down at me, but I never saw an expression on his face.
"I'm glad you are awake…took you long enough, though…it's not polite to keep the buyers waiting."
I scoffed and shook my head; did I hear him right? Did he say buyers? What the hell does he mean by buyers? Am I going to be sold to some sex slaves? Or what is this?
"Excuse me? Buyers? What the hell are you talking about?"
My heart began racing again, and I knew this wasn't a dream, but it also meant I was still alive. But why would someone have any use for me being alive? And buyers? What kind of sick game was I a part of? I saw the man cross his arms, and a hint of frustration showed on his face for a moment before returning to lifeless. He reached the end of my bed, resting his hands on the bottom posts. He tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders; I kept eyeing him but couldn't get a good read. I couldn't tell if he was a friend or foe, but I'm sure I would find out soon.
"Of course…with someone of your…talents…there are many people in this world who would pay a fortune. Not only a mage but a halfling, and being able to see and communicate with creatures of the veil…you are quite a rarity. For someone as special as you…to try and take their own life…well, that was never an option for you, my dear."
My eyes grew wide, and a shiver ran through my body. How did he know what I was? How did he know what I could do…this makes no sense. No one would have known this because I never talked to or showed anyone what I could do. I always thought it was a curse, the use of magic, being able to turn into a wolf, and going in between the veil…no one knew.
I shook my head in disbelief; I looked down and felt my shoulders fall.
"No one…no one was supposed to know…"
I closed my eyes, and I held my hands tightly. I will not let anyone use me for my stupid so-called powers. No, the world would be better off without it…without me…even my parents didn't want me. They threw me to the wolves and never looked back. I felt the anger and hurt consume me, and everything turned red. I knew the only way to get out of here was to use my powers. However, I haven't used them in so long; I was scared to try. What if I couldn't control myself anymore? What if it was like before when I couldn't remember? No, that would be better than being chained up and sold to some soulless mage or alchemist. When I opened my eyes again, I went straight for the businessman. I felt my fangs growing, but I froze when I saw him smirk. My fangs began receding, and the room went back to standard color.
"You can't change here…or do any magic…I saw to that when restraining you to this bed. Rest up while you can…. the auction starts this afternoon."
He nodded and left the room just as quickly as he came. I pounded my fists on the bed; they used magic restraints. Of course, they would; there is no way I'm getting out of here. I examined the room more and found a small clock on a desk near the corner. I squinted to see if I could tell what time it was. When I did, I gasped,
"No way…the auction starts in an hour! He is only giving me an hour. He couldn't have woken me up any sooner…"
I pulled my knees up to my chest and hid my face. What am I going to do now? I guess I will go along and see if anyone buys me. Wow…I can't believe I am saying this right now. I can't believe this is even happening! I closed my eyes and felt tears fall down my face again. Everyone else wants nothing to do with me, so why do these people? Why can't they be like everyone else and leave me alone?
It seemed only a few moments, but the hour came and went. Suddenly I heard the door open again with the businessman and two others behind him. These two men were dressed in hooded cloaks, just like the one who found me in the forest. When they walked in, I immediately stopped crying and sat up straight, trying to put on a brave front. The two men with cloaks came closer and undid the handcuffs from the bed. They then latched them together so my hands were being held together. They then placed a collar around my neck and a connected chain. When everything was to their liking, one of the cloaked men tugged on the chain to pull me out of bed. I stumbled to my feet, and once I was balanced, I glared at the businessman.
"Your audience awaits young Fenris…best not keep them waiting."
