Kate Broken
1117 Words
I looked into Jace's eyes and I could feel my own well up with tears.
What had I done?
What had he done?
I felt as if I was emerging from a fog. I had been absent from myself in a dark cavern, barely able to distinguish reality from fantasy, dreams from wakefulness. But the fog had cleared and before me stood Jace. Naked.
I was naked. I WAS NAKED! I diverted my eyes and quickly covered myself with my arms the best I could. I felt rather than saw Jace move. Flinching, I closed my eyes. But nothing happened.
"I need clothes..." I chocked out.
Around my shoulders a bathrobe fell. snatching it around myself I shoved my arms through and tied the waist protectively. My brain was racing and I couldn't sort anything in any order to make any of this make sense. Had I been drugged? why was I in this shower with Jace? Had we really...?
A deep nausea settled in me and I turned to the toilet and began dry wreching until my insides came up.
I was aware of Jace the entire time. More I was aware of his inactivity. It was as if he had turned to stone. Besides the bathrobe he had not made a single movement.
I felt dirty and so confused.
Lifting myself up I made my way back into my room and shut the door.
I wept. For hours I wept and no one came. I wept myself into a dreamless oblivion wishing that were actually possible.
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Jace
I knew if I had made one movement it would have startled her. She would be confused, hurt and broken. I had betrayed her. I was not the brother she thought she loved in a platonic way.
I had become a stranger that had violated her in her most vulnerable state. That is what she must think if me.
I loved her. I have always known she was not me real sister. She joined our family at three after the death of her mother. We never knew who her father was, or at least my parents never shared.
I remember her when she first arrived. It was as if she were made of porcline and her eyes had seen things they should have not. She spoke to no one and spent most of her time in her room my parents had provided. she was only three and so guarded.
Until, one day, a sunny Saturday, I had had a terrible fight at school thr previous day and was sporting a great shiner. It was the size of a hockey puck around my eye.
I hadn't seen Kate all of the day before as she kept to herself. I had woken up early, 6 am, not my usual speed but my eye was hurting. I made my way down to the kitchen and there she was, stood on a stool, desperately trying to reach the chocolate cereal on top of the cupboard. Her face was so focused and determined for some reason my heart swelled.
"Hey, do -"
Kate squealed and toppled.
I rushed and caught her in my arms.
We stared at each other for what felt like hours. Her eyes began to lighten as we connected. She squeezed my arm as her stomach grumbled.
"You sound as hungry as a little wolf pup!"
"I am. I really need those up there!" Kate quipped in only a way a three year old could.
"I'll get them if you hold the stool still." I climbed up and Kate held the stool while I hot the cereal and two bowls in the cupboard.
"Here, go get the milk," I said.
"Okay."
Kate poured the milk and I located the spoons. We sat and ate in relative peaceful silence. Once done I put the bowls in the dish washer but accidently caught my cheeck on the kitchen ledge. I hissed.
Kate reached her hand over, determination on her face, she touched my cheek and I felt a jolt of electricity. Concern was etched on her face.
"You hurt." It wasn't a question it was a statement.
I smilled and ruffled her hair.
"Don't worry about me. I'm now your big brother and I need to be strong to defend you."
A breath taking smile broke out across her face.
"Instead of spending time on your own do you want to play with me?"
"Yes!"
"What do you want to do?" I asked.
"Paint!" Kate sqeeked.
"Alright, I'll go ask mum to set it up."
Kate smiled even wider.
"Thank you, Jace!"
From that point I promised to look after my little wolf and be what she needed to be but I knew I could not just be her older brother.
Over the years Kate became one if the family until she turned 5 and the change happened. Lycans gain their wolves far earlier than a normal wolf. We reach maturity at 16. Locals are far more powerful but since they are so rare not much is known about them and female lycans are unheard of.
It was late in the evening, when the full moon filled the sky, Kate began to shift. Luckily we were at home in the living room. Mum noticed first. Panic sunk in.
Kate was bewildered. Her nails elongated and her fangs extended. Fur erupted along her skin as white as snow. Fully transformed she was beautiful but savage. Her eyes glowed a murderous red and they were set on me. She lunged and I screamed as I tried to put the kitchen table infront of me. Mum shifted into her wolf and pounced on her to keep her pinned. She snarled and bit, drawing blood.
Dad rushed in with a holding cage. It was made of silver.
Grabbing Kate by the scruff of the neck, Mum flung her in. She wasn't my sweet little eolf. She was an uncontrollable savage beast.
"It's okay Jace. She is just a little different."
My dad reassured.
My mum shifted back. She had blood running down her side.
"We need to contact the witch. She is like her mother before her. We can't let anyone known. Jace what you saw here tonight is a secret. If you tell anyone she is a wolf that has already shifted we will be in the greatest danger. Do you understand?"
I nodded, unable to take my eyes off the savage wolf behind the silver bars, staring at me, glaring.
The 'witch' was called. A ritual was undertaken but I did not know the details. All I knew is that after that night Kate forgot her memories and her scent was decidedly human.
- Writer
