Ruler of the Mask

The alarm clock awakened a young guy by the name of Jacob Ateara. His cheeks began to warm as a result of the sun's beams. He was reminded that today was Monday and that he needed to get ready right away as he softly sat on his bed and ran his palms over his eyes. He grabbed a white towel and immediately ran to his restroom. When he was finished, he quickly went downstairs to his closet to put on his uniform. He then raced out of his room while holding onto his black backpack. Jacob then took a leisurely stroll into their home's living room by going down the stairs. His home was particularly large because it served as both a palace and a home for the royal werewolves. He stepped outside of the palace. A smile escaped from the lad’s face, seeing his people doing their work every day in the beautiful scenery of the forest around their homeland. He removed his uniform, leaving only white shorts and a white t-shirt. He changed his form into a black and enormous werewolf. His werewolf form was an image of a massive black wolf. His brown eyes were sparkling with happiness, and his fur was as beautiful as the darkness. He then clutched his bag in his mouth as he ran off. This lad reformed himself not to use his car as he wanted to experience the tranquility of nature. As he reached the end of Ashville forest, he went back into human form again. He dressed in his uniform and black shoes that were in his backpack and left the forest. Today, he walked as if he was a normal human being. Hours had passed; he was inward at his school. He felt himself wanting to go to the restroom, and so he did. As he was leaving, he heard the sobs of a boy and the laughter of gangsters in the restroom. Jacob watched the gangsters playing on his geek classmate named Dravy, but he couldn’t take the scene anymore because one of them punched Dravy in his face. Jacob gave blows to their faces until they were left unconscious. Afterward, he went to his classroom and waited for the sun to set on the horizon. He didn’t discern the fast-flowing of time until he heard the bell ring. Everyone left the classroom, but he was still inside... alone. Jacob doesn’t have any friends; many people have approached him, but he would rather stay silent than talk nonsense. He unequivocally left the school unaccompanied. Jacob reached his kingdom, and everyone was having a party outside of the castle. All of them stared at the future alpha, but no one dared to approach him. He went to his room and read a book until he was knocked off to sleep. Jacob woke up to a loud thud outside of his room. It was like a bullet reverberating inside his ear. To check what had happened, he disclosed his door widely. And there he saw ten masked men wearing black coats with cloaks. All of them were holding samurais. His parents were surrounded by them in cold blood. Blood was dripping out of his parents' bodies. He felt the urge to kill and the thirst of hatred wildly devouring his kindest heart. He saw darkness, as black as the night, with no stars or moon. He transformed himself into his werewolf blood and aggressively fought them back. However, he didn’t expect that there were more than ten of them, and everyone was ready to attack him. "Leave this instant! Save your life, son! " He heard his father speak in a trembling voice as he puked blood. With gnashing of his teeth, he moved back to his room and jumped off through the window glass. He could feel his heart aching in pain. Seeing his parents die in such a ruthless way is a memory he will never forget, not until he executes his revenge. With all the strength he had, with a wound soaking through his black fur, Jacob ran away as fast as he could. He sensed the scent of those cruel beings chasing after him. He fought his wolf instinct to attack them, but he failed to do so. The enemies in their wolf form were ready to pounce on him. With his screams, he steadfastly attacked the enemies and ended up killing all of them. The lad was tired, hopeless, and ready to give up. However, he couldn’t just tolerate the Alpha King, his father. He needed to follow the Alpha King and continue living without his parents. As he was walking through the endless forest of Algreia, he saw a small cabin not far from him. He went inside and rested himself while crying in sorrow. An old woman, yet a strong one with white hair and wrinkled skin, was marching bounding to the said hut. It was still dark, and the only stars twinkling above were her guide and a small flashlight. She wandered her eyes around to see if someone was watching her without her noticing it. Minutes had passed, and she was convinced that there was no one around. She jarred the door and was surprised by what she saw. She wanted to scream in fear. What if this creature injures or kills her? However, she refrained because her soft heart wanted to help the topless young man. The lad was sleeping with his only ripped shorts on. He looked harmless, so there was nothing for her to worry about. This lad needed her help. She scrutinized Jacob from head to toe. Sadness embraced her heart as she saw a big wound on his stomach; she remembered her son. This must-have caused him to faint or sleep without thinking of getting harmed again. "What mess did you make yourself into, my child?" she asked Jacob. He was too weak to even open his mouth to answer. Without any further ado, she found her first aid kit and began treating his wounds. She stitched up the wound and stopped the bleeding. Afterward, she clothed him, using her son’s clothes for warmth. When she was done, she left the hut to find some herbal medicines, hoping that nothing would happen to him while she was away. The woman was not worried that someday she would pay for what she had done. She knew that the young man was being chased by the brown werewolves that killed her son as well. She will face whatever happens to her. She had accepted her fate and was brave enough to fight them to save the lad. Morning came in. Jacob was trying to open his eyelids. He could smell cherry blossoms being burned to ashes, the faint smell of a woman, the smell and the sound of tears falling, and the scent of trees around him. He realized that he was still in the forest. The feeling and the trauma of getting killed again filled his mind. He immediately stood up while groaning in agony. He touched the left part of his stomach where it hurt the most. He noticed the change in his clothes and this tiny room. He was not in his kingdom. Where was he? Soon, Jacob’s memories of that night flooded back. Tears fell once again. He felt so weak and helpless. He couldn’t even save his parents and his people. Right now, he didn't even know where he was. Mom, Dad, what am I going to do alone? I don’t know anymore. I am losing hope. You can just take me with you," he uttered in agony. He hated himself. If he was only stronger, he would have sensed the blood of his parents. He would be able to stop them and everything would have come to normal. It was all in the past, but the dark memories will forever remain and cannot be forgotten, no matter where he goes; the pain will forever haunt him; the regrets will stay eternally. Melancholia was resting inside the hut, but it was replaced with fear and resistance as the old woman opened the door. Jacob rushed to stand up straight and prepared himself to fight. Whatever this woman was, if she attacked him, then Jacob would never have second thoughts about killing her. Even though the pain was pinching him, he did not care at all. No matter what happens, he should not show his weakness. "Who are you?" he asked in his deep, cold voice. It was as cold as a freezing December. The woman raised both her hands above her shoulders as a sign that she was not dangerous. "Calm down, my child. I will not cause you any harm. "I am harmless, and I will never try to hurt you, I promise," the woman stated calmly, but the young man did not appear to believe her. "My name is Samantha Miller, and I have a son. His name is Sky Miller, but a group of werewolves killed him and didn’t leave a single trace. I couldn’t find my son. Six months had already passed and he was nowhere to be found. I—I am trying my best to accept that he is already dead and I should stop searching for him, " she uttered with her watery eyes. She wanted to stop the tears, but she failed as they had already fallen to her rosy cheeks. "I know you were beaten by those monsters, and thank God you are still alive. You have a fatal wound, so you must lie down on the mat if you want to heal fast, okay? " The strong grip of his fists began to soften. Jacob knew if this person was lying or not, and he could see it in her eyes. She was telling the truth. No mother would lie about the absence of her son. They were the same; they both lost their loved ones. "How about you? What’s your name, my child? I know you have a name. You should better tell me," Samantha said with a smile on her lips. Though her heart was crumpled like small sheets of paper, she could not help herself but admire this child. "My n-name?" Jacob asked, almost stuttering. Samantha nodded her head as their eyes met. "I’m Jacob Ateara." "It’s nice to meet you, Jacob. I hope we get along. You are free to live here with me, and I can help you if you want me to. If you want to go back to school, I will help you. Do you want to go back to school?" "I would love to, Ms. Samantha."