Sojourney

Chapter One Part 2

“There’s a myth that there are spirits of animals in this world that roam to protect the

land. Only the strongest of spirits can merge with a human child. When it successfully merges, the child will start to change. They gain markings of the beast within and able to wield the power given to them by the spirit. When the spirit of the fox merged with me, I got my markings. Later, I could do other things like hear the slightest sound or track the faintest scent. I can change form into a fox the size of three large men.”

His confession lifted her heart and gave her hope to find out if this is what had happened

when she was born. Her mind was going a mile a minute just thinking about the possibilities.

“So why do you hide your face?”

His question snapped her out of her thoughts. Should she tell? It would be nice to stop

hiding for once.

“I’m wanted for dead where I come from. I can never predict when I could be recognized

so I don’t take any chances.” Even though it was ten seasons ago, Gwyn could still be recognized

by her own markings. “Let’s just say I have an extremely unforgettable face.” She toyed with the makeshift hood wrapped around her face.

“You can trust me,” he said. “I just told you my biggest secret and I’m a loner just like

you.”

She looked at him, uncertain but she decided to take a chance. A huge chance. Slowly she

reached behind her head to undo the knot in the back. She unwrapped the long dark cloth and

soon the summer breeze kissed the bare skin of her face. The feeling was as foreign as tree slime between the toes on a hot afternoon. Her skin was pale but smooth as snow and her hair darker than the night sky. Her eyes were an astonishing dark red to match her lips and at the very top of her forehead were three black triangles, their tips almost reaching between her brows. When she let out a breath she’d been holding, tiny points to her fangs peeked out; barely noticeable unless you were looking closely.

“What?” she said, breaking the awkward silence. Demetri stared in awe. He shook his head with disappointment.

“You shouldn’t hide something so beautiful.”

Gwyn blushed. She wasn’t used to such compliments from anyone but Damian and her

mother. Could she be blamed?

“I have to. I’m too noticeable and people remember. They always do.” She sighed. Shame

and guilt weighed heavily on her mind as she spoke of her marks. It only reminded her of the

sacrifices her mother and Damian made to keep her safe.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed of whatever it is that you are.” His voice was stern and his

eyes shone confidence. “It’s not your fault you came into the world like you are.” He put an arm

around her shoulders to comfort her loneliness.

She smiled at him. He was the first in Raytheon to show her any kindness and acceptance. Maybe things would work out here instead of living in constant depression day by day. The thought gave her hope for a better future, but for right now it was baby steps in the right

direction.

“You are too kind. Tell me about yourself. Do you have parents?” Was he accepted in this

society after being here all his life? She wondered the question silently, not wanting to pry too much at a time.

“Nah, I live by myself.” Demetri smiled widely as the teenage boy returned to his spunky

attitude. “It gets a little lonely but at least I don’t have to worry about someone bossing me

around. Besides I never knew my parents. What about you?”

Gwyn fiddled with the ends of her ever-long hair. She looked up to the sky, which had

turned from bright blue to amber as the sun began to set in the distance. The tree branches

surrounding them danced with the wind as she thought of the right words to say.

“My father disappeared when I was very small. My mother was murdered shortly after.” The night she left came crashing back into her memory. She could remember her mother’s face

as Damian swept her away through the back door. She could remember the sadness and felt the loss of her mother. Moisture built in her eyes but she blinked them away. Not now. “They killed her because she birthed me and figured she caused my monstrosity. They were so afraid of me and I hadn’t even hurt anyone. I never even stepped out of line. They hated me because I looked different.” She could hear shouting from that night as if it had happened yesterday. Her skin prickled as she remembered the cold feeling of the snow.

“I had begged Damian to stop and rest. I had thought we got far enough until I heard my

mother’s screams through the woods. At that moment, I couldn’t bear to go any further. I wanted to protect her so badly but I was only a child. There was nothing I could’ve done except give upmy own life along with hers. Damian didn’t let me though. I was dragged kicking and screaming from my mother’s house and was forced to live here.” She noticed his eyes grew heavy with sadness.

“I’m so sorry. If I’d known, I swear I wouldn’t have brought up the subject.”

She put a hand up to stop his apologies.

“Please, I’ve been wanting someone to listen to me get that mess off my chest. After all

these seasons, I actually feel a little better about it.” She gave him a reassuring smile but it

quickly disappeared. She would find every single man involved with her mother’s murder and

finally deal out the punishment they deserve. She just needed to get stronger. It was the reason she pushed herself so hard while in training. She wanted to be the best there ever was, the strongest to walk through those doors. Until there was justice, she would keep hunting until there were no more left to hunt.

“It’s not the answer you know.” Demetri’s haunting voice pulled her from her dark

thoughts. He must’ve read the look in her eyes, one she had to hide for quite some time. “If I

took vengeance on those who have wronged me, this entire city would have to die. I was

shunned by everyone. I didn’t have anyone to protect me or look after me. I was completely

alone.” She shook her head and twisted her face into a scowl.

“I will get the justice she deserves.” There was a darkness in her voice. Her pupils dilated

and her nose flared.

Demetri shook his head.

“You remind me of Nero.” he said solemnly.

Gwyn’s eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.

“Who?”

“Nero? Tall, dark hair, brown eyes? Devilishly handsome? Nothing ringing a bell?”

“I don’t pay attention to that kind of thing. Being attracted to someone is a foreign feeling

for me.” She shrugged her innocence and motioned for him to continue.

“Well his name is Nero Sandulf. Every girl in the city wants to be with him.” She could

hear the jealousy seeping into his voice and let out a small giggle.

“I’m guessing he holds the heart of someone you like?” she asked. Demetri threw his hands up. What was up with that?

“Like no other! She’s ‘loved’ him since she first saw him. It’s horrible! No matter what I

do she just ignores me and runs straight to him. You name it, I’ve done it. I’m honestly about to

give up!”

“So why would I remind you of him?”

“Well, his father killed his mother and tortured his brother. He went crazy about some

curse he was working on but it required a few hard to come by ingredients. He killed them in

front of Nero. He’s been scarred ever since then and vowed vengeance when he finds his father.” Demetri shuddered.

“The blood of his love and the heart of a child. Now why would he want things like that?” Her thoughts ran away with her as she stared into the darkening sky. Stars twinkled as if teasing her mind that there were answers she couldn’t get. She guessed many dark spells needed

gory things like blood and human hearts. “Do you know why he would need things like that?”

Demetri shrugged.

“Everyone knew him as a little off anyway. Nero used to tell me he would catch him

hitting his mother.” Gwyn wrinkled her nose. How sick this person must’ve been to do such a thing.

“Who was Damian if you don’t mind me asking?”

She gave him a sad smile. It had only been a few short hours since he’d left her and she

missed him dearly.

“He was my protector. He raised me and watched over me. Almost like a father would.”

If only she were his real daughter, maybe then things would’ve turned out different.

“What happened to him?”

“He left to help a friend of his in the east. Hopefully it’s not one of those times I never get

to see him again.” She lifted her face into the air and breathed in the sweet smell of grass and

dirt.

“So have you figured out what you are, like if it’s a spirit or something completely

different?”

She shrugged again.

“I haven’t the faintest clue what I am. I’ve been wanting to know for so long. Do you

know where to find things like this out?” Hope bloomed in her chest. To know why people

despised her so much, to know why her mother had to resort to sacrificing herself, would be

either the greatest reliefs or the heaviest burden. It was a risk she was willing to take.

“You can always ask Lord Darius. He is wise and might have the resources you need.”

Gwyn’s hope soared. She would find out exactly what this curse was that plagued her

life.

“Well, you better teach Evander your little trick. He might just surprise you and wrap you

up in that rope.”

She gave him the warmest of smiles as she wrapped her face once more. The trust he now

possessed was a true gift in her eyes. She was more than thankful for it. He let out a sigh of regret.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”