Her Stolen Wolf

A little bad

Back in the pack, we were told that humans are terrible creatures who want to annihilate every other living thing on earth. While traveling with them, I was skeptical and scared at first, but then I realized, they are not so bad.

After riding on the bus for hours without any idea where I was heading, I finally arrived at a place called The Bronx, a borough of New York City. I didn't have enough money to get a motel or something, so a woman at the bus station directed me to the homeless shelter.

The homeless shelter was full, and it was lights out when I got there, but they managed to squeeze me in, which I was grateful for. The bed was uncomfortable, and it was hard for me to fall asleep. The snores from all around me didn't make it any easier to sleep. Even though my family and I stayed in the quarters, I had a room and a little bit of privacy, so this felt weird.

"Hey" I heard someone whisper from behind me. I turned my head to the next bunk, and a brittle-looking lady in a sleeping bag was gawking at me. She had bags under her brown eyes and her skin was abnormally pale. "What's a fine thing like yourself doing in a shithole like this, honey bunny?"

I turn my body on the small mattress to fully face her. "Well, I had to leave home"

"You don't say, honey. So, what happened?"

"It's kind of a long story," I said dismissively. I can't tell her that I was once a werewolf, and even if I did, would she believe me?

"Oh, so you're alone in Queens, are ya?" She nodded her head in realization.

"Yeah, kind of"

"No one knows where you are? Not your parents, your friends?" She asked further, seeming too interested in my life. It didn't feel right, but maybe she is just being nice.

"N-not really" I responded. "Why?"

"Nothing. That's sad. I hope things get better for you" She sat up at the edge of her bed. "I can help you get a job"

"Really?" I mirror her action and sit up as well.

"Yeah, at the c***k o'dawn, you'll come with me to where I work. How does that sound?"

I was overjoyed. How can anyone be this nice? "Wow, that would mean a lot. Thanks" I grinned.

One of the men in charge of guarding the shelter entered and sighted us: "Hey, you two, go to sleep!". We both lay down. And before I knew it, I fell asleep. I can't wait to start my new job.

True to her word, the lady whose name I found out to be Edna, led me out of the shelter early in the morning. With nothing on me but a black hoodie, a pair of black jeans and white sneakers, and a brown backpack strapped over my shoulders. I followed Edna down an alleyway full of trash and homeless people. I felt so bad for them, I was lucky enough to find a shelter to stay in last night, even though it was uncomfortable. But I cannot imagine sleeping outside in this weather.

"Psst, Honey bunny" Whispered Edna from in front of me. She had stopped in front of a door with graffiti painted all over it. The door was along the alley, and something just didn't feel right about it.

"Yes?" I whispered back for reason unbeknownst to me.

"Come on in, but before we go in... you gonna tell 'em you're my cousin from outta town... got it?" She looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"Why?"

"Come on, honey bunny, just do as you're told. Tell 'em you're my cousin... and that you wanna work for 'em." She held my right hand tightly. "Where the f**k you going?"

"Let go of me, Edna!"

"You stupid kid!" She gripped my hair and pulled me in through the door. A strange, unfamiliar smell hit me when we entered the dimly lit place.

The place was illuminated only by a red bulb with low energy. Two men welcomed Edna at the entrance with a strange handshake, she dragged me with her into another room. This room was brighter than the previous one. Two half-naked girls were asleep on the floor, they had piercings on their bellybuttons and they dyed their hair purple and pink respectively. About five guys were sitting on the two dusty couches in the center of the room, two of the guys had their hair in cornrows while the other two had buzz cuts, and the last guy had a bald head. They each had fat wads of cash in their hands and were counting the money. Some other people were busy in the background moving around some boxes.

"If it isn't Foxie, the runaway," One of the guys with cornrows acknowledged Edna. "Where's my money, b***h?"

Edna sniffled and scratched her neck, that was when I noticed the red marks on her skin probably caused by her constant scratching. "I don't have your money yet, Mandate"

"Oh, the boss won't like that" The guy replied with a chuckle as he continued counting the money in his possession.

"But hear me out, I can fix it!" Edna continued, her eyes focused on the boxes being transported... "Can I just get a little bit of the good stuff?"

"f**k you, Foxie!!! How dare you return to ask something from us. You know what? I'd be doing the boss a favor by shooting yo ass." He pointed a gun at her. That was when his eyes moved to me. "Who is she?"

"She" Edna cupped my face with so much excitement. "She's the solution to our problem"

"How is that?" He asked.

"She's a fresh face around here. Unknown. No family or friend knows where she is. She is perfect for the job"

The guy observed me for a moment. "What makes you think this girl will help you regain your place in the gang, Foxie"

Edna sniffled again. "Why don't you let the boss decide?"

***

"If you want to live, do as I say" Edna warned me with a deadpan face.

We were standing in front of the door of a fancy mansion. It reminds me of our pack house back home, with its glorious garden and a large fountain in the center of the driveway. She knocked on the black double door twice.

The door opened to reveal an angry-looking middle age woman in a maid's uniform. "Edna, always a pleasure"

"Teresa, I have missed you." Edna returned with just as little enthusiasm.

The woman widened the door and we entered. The living room was very large; the walls are yellow, with portraits of a gentlewoman in a red gown. The black floor matches the curtain and the double staircase that led upstairs. Teresa showed us to the sofas, and we sat down and waited for whoever was coming.

"Shame on you, Edna" A male voice resonated from the top of the stairwell. Edna got up immediately and I mirrored her action. The man was dressed in all white from his suit to his pointy shoes. He walked down the stairs one by one until he reached where we were standing. "After everything I did for you, is that how you repay me?"

Edna fell to his feet. "Please forgive me, King"

King?

He patted her head. "I got a call from Manny a few minutes ago, he says you have something for me." The man took his seat on a throne-like chair. "Go on, sit" he gestured.

Edna and I sat down. She started: "This girl, her name is..." She then turned to me: "What's your name, girl?"

"Lana?"

"Yeah, Lana... She is gonna help you infiltrate the Beltran mansion."

The man eyed me: "How can I trust her?"

"Look at her, she is sweet, innocent, naive, pretty, not to mention a new face... no one would suspect a thing. She can get us the merch"

"This is a desperate attempt to save your behind, Edna Domas." The man said with a serious face. "And I like it" He grinned. "Tutor her on what needs to be done, you have one week. If she fails, you fail" He got up and returned upstairs.

I followed Edna to another area in The Bronx.

I knew whatever they wanted me to do was illegal, but for some weird reason, I liked the rush of it. Maybe this is my chance to be a rebel, I'm done following the rules. It's time to be...a little bad.