Her Vengeance

Happy Memory To Me

After leaving her psychiatrist’s office, Haydee decided to stop by her favorite bakery. Cynaswirls. It was worth the five-minute ride into the weird town of Black Bear Creek. She wasn’t the only black person in town, but that didn’t mean she still didn’t get stares, but that was a thought for another time. Today was not a day for philosophical thoughts. It was a day for celebration, happiness, and- “Happy Birthday, Haydee!” a voice exclaimed from behind the counter as soon as Haydee entered the quaint little shop. Haydee grinned at the elder woman, Gloria, manager of Cynaswirls, the one who greeted her so enthusiastically. “I have a special pastry just for you,” Gloria said before running to the back of the bakery. Haydee adjusted her messenger bag and took a seat at the table by a window. Monty lay at her feet and together they waited for Gloria’s return.

Five minutes of waiting, and Monty began to stir. Something was making him antsy. Haydee could feel it in her head. “What’s wrong, boy?” she reached down to pet him. A quiet whine left him, and he stood to his feet. The hair on Haydee’s arms stood up as her heart began to race. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Please don’t panic. Please don’t panic,” she whispered to herself repeatedly. It had been weeks since her last public panic attack. Usually, Monty would calm her down; but this time, her mood seemed to be affecting him. Her eyes flew open of their own accord. Suddenly, everything in her world became vibrant. The colors, smells- everything became…intense. Her head was beginning to hurt. Something was happening; something across the street.

Monty placed his front paws on the window, his snout pointing to the flower shop across the street. A soft growl left his mouth as he bared his teeth. All of Haydee’s senses directed her to the flower shop. So she watched. A shiny black BMW pulled up to the front of the shop, and three males, who Haydee assumed were part of a fraternity, exited the automobile. A tickling sensation began at the back of her mind – something that she needed to remember or was supposed to remember.

A gentle wind blew through the store as soon as someone exited the shop. A strange scent filled Haydee’s nostrils, and it made her sick. It made her feel dizzy. It made her want to simultaneously scream and puke. The air in the shop thickened. It felt like the whole place was filling up with smoke; she began having difficulty breathing. “Haydee?” Haydee turned to see the kind, older woman, staring at her in concern. “Are you okay?” Gloria asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I-“ Haydee began. She turned back to the window. The BMW was gone, replaced by a large black SUV. Monty was back to his spot by her feet, looking up at her curiously. “I thought…” Haydee’s voice trailed off.

“Let me get you some water,” Gloria said as she placed a pastry on the table in front of Haydee. Gloria rushed away to retrieve water. While she was gone, Haydee closed her eyes and breathed. The world was no longer vibrant and loud. Everything was back to normal…except for the prickling sensation in the back of her brain. Something was there; something she was supposed to remember. She didn’t know. But the weirdness would have to wait because the smell of a cinnamon pastry filled her nostrils, and her stomach was growling.

Haydee opened her eyes. Gloria was sitting across from her, staring at her in concern. She had opened up the pastry box and held a glass of water out. Haydee’s eyes widened as she looked at the size of the cinnamon roll. “Gloria!” she exclaimed. “This is huge! How long did it take to cook?”

“A long, long time. Drink.” Haydee took the glass and chugged the water gratefully. She drank all of it. “Gloria,” Haydee beamed, “it’s the size of a small cake. This is a dream come true…for me.”

“I know,” Gloria laughed. “You’ve come into this shop once a week without fail since opening day. You are my most loyal customer. Also, I have to ask, where does it all go?” Haydee laughed. At 5’2”, she weighed a whopping 135 pounds…maybe.

“How much do I owe you?” Haydee asked. Gloria made a face. “Haydee Rene,” Gloria said, her first and middle name, “don’t you talk that nonsense in here. This is a gift. Oh – I almost forgot!” Gloria exclaimed as she jumped from her seat and ran into the back. She re-emerged holding a much smaller box. “This is for Monty,” she handed it to Haydee. Haydee laughed as they both looked down at the loveable Saarloos wolfdog, who was happily wagging his tail. “Thank you,” Haydee gave Gloria a brief hug. “I’ll give it to him at the Jamison’s.”

“Well, have fun,” Gloria said. “Tell Cliff and Sarah I said ‘hi’.”

“I will,” Haydee smiled as she made her way to the door. “Thanks again.”

“No problem. Have a good birthday!” Gloria waved goodbye as Haydee left the shop. “That poor, sweet girl,” Gloria muttered to herself before returning to work.

“Why can’t Silena practice with me?” 5-year-old Sirena asked her father.

“Because Silena has her own lessons,” he answered as he crouched down to her level. “She was born a little bit different from you. Her training is different. But don’t worry. You’ll spar against each other when you’re older. Okay,” her father stood back to his feet. “Let’s try again. You’re going to run and transform before hitting that tree over there,” he pointed. Sirena nodded, but before she could begin, two black SUVs pulled into the driveway. Sirena felt her father tense as a white man and woman surrounded by bodyguards…their pack exited the first vehicle. Bodyguards, along with a slightly older boy, exited the second vehicle. They smelt of chrysanthemums. Her father clenched and unclenched his fist. “Sirena,” he said in a voice that meant she had better obey or else, “find your sister and go to your room. Close and lock the door. Remain there until either I or your mother come and get you.” Sirena nodded in understanding and took off as fast as her little legs could carry her.

Haydee blinked. She was…already at her foster family’s house? When did that happen? How had that happened? She didn’t even remember entering her car. She remembered leaving the pastry shop, and then…then…darkness. Haydee gasped. She blacked out again! She threw her head back against the headrest. Why was this happening? A whine drew her attention. “Monty?” Haydee turned in her seat. He was whining and pawing at the door. He probably had to go to the bathroom. Well, at least that part of her life was still normal.