The Damned

Lucian

Nix POV

‘November 23, 2028,

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 American stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy film directed by Henry Selick and produced and conceived by Tim Burton.  The movie tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of ‘Halloween Town’ who stumbles through a portal to ‘Christmas Town’ and becomes obsessed with celebrating the holiday.  The Nightmare Before Christmas originated in a poem written by Burton in 1982 while he was working as an animator at Walt Disney Productions.  Halloween Town is a fantasy world filled with various monsters and supernatural beings associated with the holiday.  Jack Skellington, respected by the citizens as the ‘Pumpkin King,’ leads them in organizing the annual Halloween celebrations.  However, privately Jack has grown weary of the same routine year after year and wants something new.  Wandering in the woods the next morning, Jack stumbles across six trees containing doors leading to other towns representing various holidays (Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day), and enters the one shaped like a Christmas tree, which leads to Christmas Town.  Awed by the unfamiliar holiday, Jack returns Halloween Town to show the residents his findings, but they fail to grasp the idea of Christmas and compare everything to their ides of Halloween.  However, they do relate to one Christmas Town character:  its ruler, Santa Claus, as Jack mistakenly describes him as a malevolent being called ‘Sandy Claws.’  Jack winds up sequestering himself in his tower to study Christmas and find a way to rationally explain it, but cannot.  He ultimately decides that it is unfair for Christmas Town alone to enjoy the holiday and announces that he and the citizens of Halloween Town will take over Christmas this year.’

I finish writing about my favorite movie.  I used Wikipedia to help me with some of the details.  I used that same site for my favorite actor, actress, and band.  It is a very good site for information.  I close my journal and crawl into bed.  Tonight as I sleep, I dream about running through the woods.  I can’t wait to shift for the first time.

Darian POV

Falling asleep tonight, I feel very relaxed.  Although, I still worry about Nix.  Why did I think I heard her cry out in pain during Fall Fest?  Could she have cried out in pain in reality?  Why would I hear it?  So many questions with so little answers.  Soon, Lucian will be eighteen.  I kind of hope his mate isn’t Nix because I kind of want Nix to be my mate.  But time will tell.  Tonight as I sleep, I dream about the white fox again.

Nix POV

Today is Lucian’s birthday.  He turns eighteen which means if his mate is in school with us, he’ll be able to smell her.  Thanks to the art class we share, Lucian and I have become close friends, even though he’s popular and I’m an outcast.

I watch from a distance as Lucian and Darian walk into school.  Lucian’s eyes grow wide and I know he smells her.  I wonder who our Beta Female will be.  His eyes search, but from where I am, I can’t see who she is.  Oh well.  Soon it will be all over school.

Darian POV

Lucian and I walk into school and Lucian’s eyes grow very wide.

‘He smells his mate!’  Xavier says excitedly.  We walk over to our usual group and Lucian’s eyes go wider, if that’s even possible.

‘So, who’s our Beta Female?’  I ask in mind link.

‘Nina.’  He answers.

‘Nice, dude.  When are you going to tell her?’

‘Not sure.  She’ll probably reject me anyway.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Cause she wants you.’  Lucian replies sounding upset by it.

‘I’m sure she’ll be just as excited to hear that you’re her mate.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Take it at your own pace, but sooner is better than later.’  I advise.  Lucian nods and the bell sounds for us to get to our first class.  Lucian and I share four classes this semester.  First period Chemistry II, fourth period Fall of the Roman Empire I, sixth period Study Hall, and seventh period Calculus.  Of course we share lunch, but everyone shares lunch.  Lucian shares fifth period Intro to Paint I with Nix.  Lucian sometimes tells me some of their conversations.  It’s interesting what they find to talk about.  But, today they will probably talk about Lucian finding his mate.  Can’t wait to hear Nix’s take on who she is since Nina is Nix’s sister.

Nix POV

Lunch comes and I still don’t know who our Beta Female will be.  I’m sure that Lucian will tell me after lunch.  For now, I go to my usual spot under a tree.  I take a bite of my sandwich while feeling like someone is watching me.  I look up to see Darian watching me, again.  Not sure why he is always looking at me.  I look away and finish my lunch.  I still have forty-five minutes of lunch, so, I take out my sketchbook and sketch ideas for the last project for my sketches art class.

Lunch ends and I head to my class that Lucian and I share.  I get to my seat just as Lucian walks in the room.  He smiles at me and takes his usual seat beside me.  Class begins and today we are simply working on our final projects.  Lucian’s final project is coming along nicely.  He is doing a forest scene with his wolf in the foreground.

“So, I know you smelled her.”  I say after a couple minutes.

“How do you know that?”

“I was standing off to the back when you walked into school this morning.”  I confess.

“Ah.  I see.  Well, I suppose I can tell you.”  Lucian says with a sly smile.  “My mate is Nina.”

“Nina as in my sister Nina?”

“Yup.”

“That’s awesome!”  I exclaim.

“Do you think she’ll accept me as her mate?”

“Why wouldn’t she?!”  I say before thinking it through.  “She will be excited that she will be Beta Female.”  I add.

“Yeah, but she wants Darian.”  Lucian says sullenly.

“Until she finds out that you are her true mate.”  I say.  “She just wants her true mate.”

“Really?”

“Yes.  She will be excited to know you are her true mate.  Trust me!”

“Thanks, Nix.”  Lucian smiles now.

“So, when are you going to tell her?”

“Haven’t figured that out yet.”

“Well, do you have any classes with her?”  I ask.

“Chemistry and Calculus.”

“Well, since Chemistry is already done for the day, tell her in Calculus.”  I suggest.

“You sure this will work?”  He asks warily.

“Positive!”  I exclaim.

“Okay.  Then in Calculus, I’ll tell her.”  He half smiles.

“Good.  Happy birthday by the way.”  Class ends and I wish I could be there when he tells Nina, but I’m sure he’ll get Darian to help him.  During Greek Mythology, I work on my sketches.  Every so often, I look at the clock and wish that Lucian will take my advice and tell Nina.

Lucian POV

Walking to Study Hall, I think about everything Nix said to me in art class.  Sadly, I wish I hadn’t told Nix that I’ll come clean to Nina.  Because the truth is I’m terrified to tell Nina.  What if she rejects me?  No matter.  I don’t want to disappoint Nix by backing out.

“Hey, dude.”  Darian greets me just outside the Study Hall room.

“Hey.”  I say sullen.

“What’s wrong?  Nix not talk to you today?”

“No, she did.  But I agreed to tell Nina the truth in Calculus today.”  I reply quickly.

“I see.  Well good for you.”

“Yeah.  I hope she doesn’t reject me.”

“I don’t think she will.”  Darian says very confidently.  I nod with hope.  Study Hall comes and goes too quickly.  Now Darian and I are headed to Calculus.  I am so nervous.  Mr. Wayland tells us that we will be working in our groups today.  Which means Darian, Nina, and I will be working together because it’s been our group since day one.  Mr. Wayland releases us to go to our group spots.  My group goes into the hallway.

“Happy birthday, Lucian.”  Nina says once we are seated.

“Thanks, Nina.”  I smile.

“So, eighteen?  Have you found your mate yet?”

“I have.  But I’m a little nervous to tell her.”  I say looking down.

“Why?!”  Nina asks shocked.

“Because I’m afraid she might reject me for someone else.”

“That would be crazy of her.  Any girl would be thrilled to have you as a mate.  I know I would be.”  Nina says with a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

“Really?  You would be?”  I ask hopeful.

“Of course!”  Nina exclaims with a smile.

“Well, that’s good to hear because you are my mate.”  I admit happily.

“I am?!  Really?!”

“You really are.”  I nod.  Nina squeals and jumps onto my lap causing tingles all over.  I can tell Nina feels them too by the expression on her face.  I want so badly to kiss her.  She must’ve been thinking the same thing because she puts her hands on my cheeks, closes her eyes, and leans in.  I lean in to meet her lips with mine.  The sparks are incredible!  After a few seconds, we pull away from each other with smiles on our faces.  “Whoa!”  I say.

“Agreed!”  Nina opens her eyes.

“Can we get to work now?”  Darian asks with a smile on his face.  Nina climbs off my lap and the three of us begin our assignment.  We are studying for the last test before finals.  Class ends and I walk hand-in-hand with Nina to her next class.  She pecks my cheek before entering her class.  I smile and walk to my class.  I make it with a minute before the bell sounds.

Nix POV

‘Nix!’  A mind link comes through during Lit class.

‘What’s up, Nina?’

‘Lucian and I are mates!’  She sounds excited, just like I knew she would be.

‘That’s awesome!  Congrats!’

‘Thanks!’

‘Welcome.’  All is quiet then.  Lit class ends and I go to my locker.  I grab the supplies for Sketches III and head to the art studio.

Nix POV

Today is the last day to perfect my final projects for my three art classes and short story class.  Tomorrow they all get turned in.  My short story is three pages over the minimum seven pages.  The story includes some of what I learned in Greek Mythology this semester.  It’s about a demi-goddess living amongst humans in present day Greece.  While out wandering one day, she comes across a man who she later finds out is a demi-god.  The two soon return to Mount Olympus to help the gods and goddesses in understanding humans in present day.

My final project for clay is replicas of the masks worn by The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera movie with Gerard Butler as The Phantom.  They are all made to fit my face perfectly.

For Sketches III, I’m doing a colored, collage sketch of the main characters in Corpse Bride and the main characters in The Nightmare before Christmas.

And lastly, for my paint class, I am doing four different paintings depicting the four seasons.  I can’t wait to show Lucian my projects from each class.  He and I have truly become close this semester and, more recently, he’s been coming to the house to hang out with Nina and, sometimes, me as well.  He is so sweet.  He actually thanked me for making him agree to tell Nina about them on his birthday.  I replied to his thanks with a giggly ‘I told you so.’  He laughed at that.

Darian POV

Today is day two of final performances for my guitar class.  I am on the list for performances today.  I just wish Nix could be in the classroom when I perform my piece.  It’s a guitar solo that I wrote for her because I want to impress her.  For some reason, she’s been on my mind ever since the first day when she accidentally bumped into me.  I just can’t seem to get her beautiful silver eyes out of my head.  I wish I were as close to her as Lucian is.  But maybe I’ll get lucky and have a class with her next semester.

Nix POV

Classes come and go for the day.  When I get home, I go straight to my room.  I begin studying for my finals.  Mom calls for dinner around six thirty.  I go downstairs and eat with my family.  Dinner tonight is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

“So, is Lucian coming over tonight?”  Mom asks as we start eating.

“No.  He’s staying home tonight to study for finals.”  Nina replies.  Mom nods.  We finish with dinner and I go back upstairs to study.  I study for two more hours before I decide to take a bath.  I fill the tub, adding lavender bubble bath, then climb into the warm water.  I sit in there until the water starts to cool off.  I get out, dry off, get into my pajamas, and crawl into bed.

Darian POV

After studying for a while, I decide to go for a run.  I go outside and strip down behind a tree.  I let Xavier take over and am soon on four black paws.  Xavier runs for a while then leads us to the Delaney house.  There are four lights on.  One downstairs and three upstairs.  One of the lights upstairs is Nix’s room.  I only know this because a couple weeks ago when Xavier brought us here, Nix was sitting in her window reading.  Before I catch a glimpse of her in a compromising way, Xavier takes off running again.  This time, Xavier heads for Lucian’s house.

‘Lucian, it is Xavier.  Come run with me for a while.’  Xavier says to Lucian in a mind link.

‘Be right out.’  Lucian says and, sure enough, after a minute Lucian comes out of his house.  Lucian goes over to a tree and soon walks out from behind the tree as his gray and black wolf, Jasper.  The two of us run for a while.  We stop at a river and lap up some water before taking off running again.  We run for what seems like hours before we each head for home.  Xavier gives me control again and I shift back to human.  I put my clothes back on and head inside.  I lay down in bed after changing into my pajamas.  Soon, I am falling fast asleep.