Hidden Within

One chance

Very slowly, my eyes start to open. As I become aware of the ache, I feel all over my body. My breath comes in short, shallow gasps as I try to figure out how badly I'm injured.

I slowly take in my surroundings, noticing the bright sunlight shining through the little barred window. I am in the same spot except the chains have been removed and I am a crumpled mess on the floor.

I look over my body, expecting to see bones jutting out of my legs. Instead, I am left with black bruising and a few scabs. I was certain my legs would have been mangled. I must have been unconscious longer than I thought because the bones have healed. Usually with a break, it takes two days.

Wow, I thought to myself, she must have really done a number on me to knock me out for two days. It is probably due to the fact that I was starving. I looked to my right where she kept a water bowl and food bowl for me to see a small amount of kibble in there. Disgusting, I know but when you're so starved, it actually doesn't taste that bad.

I very gingerly scoot towards it on my bottom, wincing at every move. I first bend down and start scooping water into my mouth before I attempt to chew the kibble.

I'm not sure how much time passed while eating the food but I was certain I was alone in the house. The only good thing about being beaten to unconsciousness is that she'll leave me alone for a few days. All I have to do is the jobs she writes down on the whiteboard and be back in the basement before she gets home from work, and I'll be safe.

My aunt and cousin must be at work and school. With that thought, I decided to sneak up and have a hot shower to help ease the pain.

A lifetime later, I'm sitting in the shower with hot water cascading off my back. The dried blood washed away along with a few stray tears. The hot water helps a tiny bit but I think I'm going to need to search for pain relief. She usually keeps some in her room. I have at least 4 hours before she is home. I'll try my luck to get in there.

Once I've hidden the evidence of using the shower, I make my way to my Aunts bedroom. Immediately, I see what I am looking for on her nightstand. I make my way towards it, but a weird feeling comes over me as I notice the locked drawer ajar. I have never seen it open before. An overwhelming feeling to look in there comes over me, I take a deep breath and peek.

Instantly, I see my name on an old looking envelope. Very carefully, I reach in and pick it up, trying not to disturb anything else. The envelope looks so old that it might fall apart in my hands. The paper has gone yellow with age.

My hands tremble as I slowly take the letter out and begin to scan my eyes over the words. It takes me a while to read because I'm not the best, considering I've never been to school.

The more I read, the more confused I became. It is from my mother.

My darling sweet girl,

If you're reading this then I fear I am gone but I need you to know how very loved you are.

You my beautiful girl are so very special. You are the gift the moon goddess gave to save us all from an evil that lurks in the future.

I placed you with my human sister to keep you safe. I prey that she treated you like her own and showed you all the love you deserve.

More importantly, I suspressed your wolf to keep you hidden. You must go to Lake Whatiya at midnight and await your 18th birthday. There the suppression will be lifted and you will meet your wolf. There is a pack that runs behind the lake. Make your way there. They are a kind pack and will take you in but I must warn you be careful who you trust because the power within you can be used for great evil and many people seek that kind of power.

You were destined to do great things, my love. I can not tell you what that entails but I know you can do whatever the moon goddess set out for you. Go to the lake and do not miss the time frame.

With all my love, mum xo

My head is spinning as I re read it for the fourth time. What does she mean, human sister and power within me. Specifically, what the heck is a wolf. Does she mean like a werewolf. I'm so confused.

I read it for a fifth time. I have no idea what to think of it but something within me feels so strongly about going to this lake.

What date is it? I suddenly start to panic, what if I have missed it. I have no idea how long I was passed out for. Quickly, I placed the letter back in the draw exactly as I found it, grab four pain relief tablets and head straight for the stairs. I need to see the calendar.

With so much urgency, I make my way through the hall to the kitchen where the calendar hangs. I stare up at the calendar and let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. My birthday will be tomorrow night.

I glance at the whiteboard. Thankfully, there is nothing on there so I head back to the basement. Head filled with thoughts of how this is going to work. I tried running away once before. I was allowed in the backyard to hang washing. I thought my aunt had gone inside. I tried to climb the fence. She caught me. I cringe as I remember that day.

flashback

"You stupid MUTT." My aunt laughs.

"Please!" I begged with tears streaming down my face, but it is too late.

My head is pushed down into a bucket of pure bleach. It burns so bad. I'll never see again, I panicked.

flashback over

I passed out. When I awoke, I could not see and my skin was blistered. My hair was all over me, coming out in big chunks. It took seven days for my sight to come back and about three years for my hair to grow back.

Cringing at the thought of being caught. The options are to stay here and be tortured to death slowly or try and make an escape. I really have nothing to lose. Either way, I'll probably die.

The sour stench of the damp basement fills my nose as I lay there thinking of the perfect plan. Anywhere has to be better than here. If I don't make it, she just might kill me this time. That in itself will be worth it. Hopefully, she does it quickly.

Lake Whatiya is not far from here. This house is the last street before the national park begins. I went to the lake once when I was ten because I had to carry the bags for the picnic my aunt threw for my cousin. I had not been out of the house in three years at that time so I took note of everything. I'm sure I remember the way.

The plan grows as I continue to breathe the damp basement air.

Mulling over all the times she called me mutt and abomination. All the times I should have died at her hands but my body miraculously healed me. I start to wonder if werewolves do exist. I mean, I don't fully believe the letter. It sounds like something from a movie but deep inside, I feel something.

The pain relief is kicking in as I struggle to keep my eyes open. I allow myself to drift off because I need some more rest before tomorrow.