Her Vengeance

A Change Is Coming

Haydee’s entire body was on alert, ready to run. Even Monte seemed tense. Haydee immediately began playing with her two half-moon necklaces to calm herself. “Brace yourself,” Aiden warned.

“What?” Haydee didn’t understand.

“We have to drive through town. We’re going to pass the crime scene. They should be finished with clean up, but it may still be a grizzly sight.” Haydee nodded, preparing herself.

The world seemed to slow as he drove past the yellow tape. Every window in the flower shop had been shattered. The door was gone. The sign had been torn down.

Haydee began feeling woozy. She could almost see it happening. A thunderstorm. A flash of lightening. Angry, glowing eyes. A wolf in her face. Haydee gulped as the dizziness passed. Monte began to cry and whine in response to his owner’s stress. “It’s okay, boy,” Haydee reached a hand back to pet Monte. Monte immediately calmed, laying down in the backseat. “Interesting,” Aiden muttered as he expertly navigated the streets to his home.

“What’s interesting?” Haydee asked.

“You and Monte,” Aiden answered.

“What about me and Monte?” Haydee asked, bracing for a fight. She didn’t know why, but she prepared to fight – mentally speaking.

“Just thinking out loud,” Aiden replied calmly. “You and Monte seem to have an unspoken language.”

“You sound crazy.”

“I know,” Aiden smiled, not taking his eyes off the road, “but Monte obeys you-”

“He’s a good dog.”

“- before you even utter a word,” Aiden continued.

“What do you mean? Wait?” Haydee straightened in the passenger seat. “Do you think I can talk to animals? I can’t talk to animals, Aiden. I’m not Dr. Dolittle.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Aiden smiled, “I mean, you two have a special bond.”

Haydee studied him. “Are you feeling okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” he frowned, “why?”

“No reason,” Haydee shrugged as they rode the rest of the way in silence. It could be her imagination.

Haydee sat on the couch with Monte’s huge head in her lap. She stroked his head absentmindedly, stuck in a strange sort of limbo. “Hey, sweetie.” Haydee watched as Sarah joined her on the couch. “You look...are you okay?” Sarah asked.

“I thought I was,” Haydee said. “I mean…I am. Aiden was acting strange in the car.”

“He was? How so?”

“I’m pretty sure he thinks I can talk to dogs.”

“I didn’t say that,” Aiden said as he walked by the two women to go upstairs.

“It was implied,” Haydee threw over her shoulder.

“Well, Aiden can be weird at times. He’s probably been watching too much anime.”

Haydee chuckled along with Sarah. She opened her mouth to respond, but an intense pain suddenly filled her head. “Ow,” she breathed, grabbing her head.

“Are you okay?” Haydee heard the worry in Sarah’s voice.

“I’m fine,” Haydee waved Sarah away. “I’m just…” her voice trailed off as a wave of nausea hit out of nowhere. The pounding in her head worsened. Everything was on fire. Her arms and legs suddenly hurt, and her skin felt too tight.

“Haydee, you look ill,” Sarah said. “I’m going to get a glass of cold water.”

“Thank you,” Haydee muttered painfully, her throat burning. She had no idea what was happening. Monte began to cry. He jumped on the couch and pushed his body into hers in a way she assumed was to bring comfort. It only worked for a split second. Haydee could hear her heartbeat, Sarah’s heartbeat, Monte’s heartbeat. She could hear Lily in her room muttering about the unfairness of reading a book. She could hear the buzzing bees outside and the muttering of the Jamison’s closest neighbors a good 50 yards away.

“Here,” Haydee opened her eyes as Sarah shoved a glass of ice-cold water into her hands.

“Thank you,” Haydee replied before chugging the drink. Why am I so thirsty? “Is it hot in here?” Haydee asked. “I’m gonna take a walk,” she said, not giving Sarah a chance to respond. Monte leapt off the couch and followed his owner obediently. “I’ll be back,” Haydee said before almost stumbling through the backdoor. She needed air, and she needed it now.

Haydee sprinted across the backyard into the woods. This entire town was basically all woods. Haydee was surprised more crimes didn’t happen as there were so many places to hide.

Black Bear Creek was home to at least 8,000 people; although, it gave the appearance of a small town where everyone knew everyone’s names.

Everywhere she went, people seemed to know who she was. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Of course, it helped that the Jamisons happened to be the wealthiest people in town. On top of that, had dark skin while her foster family was very white…except in the summer when their skin turned a beautiful light bronze.

Haydee finally slowed down. She began walking once she realized she was a good two miles into the woods. Holding her hand out as she walked, Haydee reveled in the feel of every flower, tree, and bush. She remembered playing hide-and-seek with Lily and Rose when they were very young. But now, she felt weird. She felt high. Maybe it was time for Dr. Chiro to increase her medicine intake. Haydee didn’t believe the medicine was working. At least, her body no longer felt on fire.

“C’mon on, Sirena,” Silena complained, “can we go now?”

“Father said I need to practice my shifting during the day,” Sirena answered.

“You’ve been at it for over two hours. You should have it down by now. Cousin Jasmine had it down within a day. You’ve been practicing for 3 months.” Sirena stuck her tongue out at her sister in response. “Wow. So mature,” Silena said crossing her arms. “Watching you is boring.”

“One more time, I promise,” Sirena pleaded.

“Fine,” Silena relented with a huff, “one more time.” Sirena closed her eyes and began to concentrate. She looked deep inside herself, like her father taught her. Imagined things that made her happy, and then – “Bwah-ha-ha-ha!” Silena burst out laughing. “You look so cute!” she held her stomach and pointed.

“What?” Sirena glared.

“You should see yourself!” Silena continued to laugh. Sirena looked down at herself. Her hands and feet and legs and body were human. Her nose twitched. She reached to feel her face. Her nose had transformed and so had her ears. There was something on her back. A tail. She stomped her little foot. “Stop laughing, Silena!” she demanded, “it’s not funny!”

“It really is!” Silena fell to the ground in continuous laughter. Sirena balled up her little fists and lunged at her sister with the growl of a baby wolf. The two girls began tussling and hitting each other. Silena had only just pinned Sirena when Sirena said, “Stop!” Both girls froze. Sirena put a finger to her mouth. Someone was there, watching them. Someone whose scent Sirena did not recognize.

“Girls!” a voice Sirena did recognize hollered. A guardian of the group, her aunt, approached them with worry. “You need to come back now,” she urged.

“But there’s someone-“ Sirena pointed.

“We know. We need to leave,” she grabbed both the girls. “Now.”

Sirena marveled at how strong her aunt was and how fast she could move. At 8-years-old, the twins weren’t big or overly large – but Sirena couldn’t help but be in awe of the fact that her aunt carried them both at the same time and traveled 2 miles within 6 minutes…in her human form. She was about to say so when the sound of arguing caught her ears. Her parents. She looked at Silena, who obviously heard them as well. “I don’t care, Tiana,” her father was saying to her mother. “This is our land. They can’t bully us or frighten us off of it.”

“Harold, I’m not saying we should leave; but think of our daughters,” her mother was responding as the girls along with their aunt entered the house. The arguing immediately stopped. “Lina?” her father called their aunt.

“Right here, bro,” her aunt called out as she led the girls to the kitchen.

“We didn’t go past the boundary I swear,” Sirena began as soon as her parents came into view. Her mom gave her an endearing smile while her father could only shake his head. “We know,” Sirena, he calmed his first born. (First born by 35 seconds.) “You aren’t in trouble.”

“But someone was out there,” Sirena said. “It was a weird smelly smell,” her face scrunched in disgust. Her parents exchanged glances. Her father nodded once to Lina who immediately left the house. “Girls,” Sirena’s father grabbed both her and Silena’s hands. “It’s time we had a chat.”

“About what?” Silena asked their parents led them to a couch and sat them down.

“About race.”

“Like the ones we have in school?” Sirena asked eagerly.

“No, honey,” her mother answered. “We need to talk to you about the werewolf race and the black werewolf race.”

Haydee’s eyes fluttered open. What the – where am I? she wondered as she inspected her surroundings. Monte was watching her curiously, his head at a tilt. “Hey, boy,” Haydee rubbed his chest as he sat directly in front of her. “Do you know what happened?” she asked him. Straightening herself, Haydee looked around. She was on the ground with her back against a tree. “How long was I asleep?” Haydee stood to her feet and began wiping the dirt from her shorts.

Twilight was setting in, and fireflies were out and about. “This isn’t good,” Haydee looked down at her Saarloos. She didn’t remember falling asleep. Her last memory was walking out the backdoor of her foster family’s house. Monte rubbed himself against her leg lovingly, letting her know it would be okay. “We need to get back,” Haydee patted the top of his head. “Let’s go,” she sighed. She was so tired. “Let’s go.”

“Haydee!” “Holy crap!” Multiple voices exclaimed as Haydee and Monty walked through the door.

“Haydee!” Sarah’s greeting was laced with fear and anger. “Where were you?” she demanded.

“We were worried,” Aiden added a little calmer than this mother. Cliff nodded in silent agreement.

“I was just getting air,” Haydee explained.

“For six hours?” Aiden asked in disbelief.

“I sat down and fell asleep against a tree.”

“Sorry? There’s a murderer out there!” Sarah yelled. Haydee jumped, startled. Sarah never yelled. Sarah pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry,” she breathed. “I was just really scared.”

“I understand. And I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I should have brought my phone with me.”

“It’s okay. We’re all just a little on edge,” Cliff placed a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder.

Haydee nodded. Monte pressed into her legs. “I’m really tired. I should go,” Haydee said.

“Are you sure?” Sarah asked. “You can stay. It’s no problem.”

“Thanks,” Haydee laughed, “but…I’m going to have to pass.”

Sarah nodded reluctantly.

“I’ll drive you back,” Aiden offered.

“What! Why?” Haydee asked him.

“I drove you here, remember?” Aiden stared at her in concern.

“Oh…right,” Haydee frowned. “Okay then. Bye Sarah, Cliff. C’mon Monte.”

Haydee sat silently in the passenger seat. “Hay,” Aiden spoke, “are you okay? Honestly?”

“I haven’t been sleeping well,” she admitted. “I don’t know why. I thought I was over everything. Dr. Chiro started me on this new medicine. I’ve felt different ever since.”

“Okay,” Aiden pulled up to her house. He turned to her. “If you need someone to talk to, please give me a call.”

“Of course,” Haydee unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Haydee.”

The change in Aiden’s tone caused her to look up at him. His face was solemn, and his blue eyes were…well, they were blue and staring at her intently.

“I really mean it,” Aiden finished, sounding almost desperate. “Promise me.”

“Okay,” Haydee whispered, “I promise.”

Aiden gave her a half-smile. “Good. Now, get out of my car,” he said trying to lighten the atmosphere.

“Yeah, yeah. Come on, Monte.”

Aiden watched as Haydee ran into her house with Monte at her heels. Once she was inside, he slowly backed out of the driveway and began his drive home.

Cameron stood in front of his angry, pacing father. “Let me get this straight,” his father glared at him with his red eyes, “I send you there to check on things; and not only do you return empty-handed, you tell me my prize is missing and three of our guards are dead! Did I miss anything!”

“No, Father,” Cameron answered, as he bowed his head in respect. The bloody scratch on his cheek was already healing. “I had Simon stay behind. He’ll hunt the person down.”

Cameron’s father turned to the servant in the room. “Get Simon on the phone.” He turned back to Cameron. “Get out of my sight! Leave me to clean up your mess…again.” Cameron clenched and unclenched his fists before saying, “Yes, Father.”

It was pitch black outside. Using the heavy rain and thunder as cover should have worked in their favor. They’d been chasing her through the woods and caught up to her with ease. Each of them was able to get a few kicks in…but then, they all froze, becoming still as statues. Next thing Simon knew, his soldiers were fighting him and each other.

Minute later, all three of Simon’s sentinels lay dead. Simon stared at the much smaller wolf with a mixture of shock, fear, and awe. “What are you?” he asked the much smaller female with the glowing white and red eyes. “How did you…?” he looked down at his soldiers.

Sirena’s claws extended as she lunged at him, pinning him to the ground, her claws digging into his neck. “Don’t move!” Sirena ordered. Simon felt his body obey…which was impossible. “You gonna kill me?” he asked. “Like a coward.”

“A coward?” Sirena laughed, “says the guy who works for the family that preys on weaker packs and little girls. I’m not going to kill you,” she said. “I just want to send your master a message.” She released a sound that was more like a roar as her entire body transformed into a giant, black wolf. Her teeth bore down on his neck. Simon released a high-pitched scream that soon turned into a gurgle as he began choking on his blood.

Once he was no longer moving, Sirena released him. Wiping blood off her face, she looked at her handiwork. Thunder cracked overhead. She needed to return to the dark spot in her mind.

Sirena hated it there, but she knew she’d be in control soon. Haydee’s mind was breaking. Just one more push, and she’d be gone forever.