The Midnight Wind Pack

1

    “I have learned some tough life lessons as a 17 year old orphan. I’ve been in the foster care system ever since I was born, never learning the meaning of what having a loving family was. I stand here today, in this court, to become emancipated.”

     “Young lady, do you have a stable job as of now?” The weathered judge asks.

     “I do, sir. I have already accepted a job out of the state.”

     “And will this job give you enough income in order to live on your own as well as the flexibility to finish you high school education?”

     “Yes, sir, it will.” I say as I hand him the piece of paper that has the hotel job’s info on it. A job that I was able to find willing to pay me $20/ hour. 

     “What about housing, Julia? Where will you stay?”

     Handing, another piece of paper, I reply “I have found a studio apartment nearby the high school. I have been able to sign the contract pending this emancipation court case”.

     “Well, it seems that you are very much so an adult. I don’t see a reason as to why you shouldn’t become one legally. Julia Rodriguez, you are officially emancipated from the state of Arizona. Congratulations and good luck on all of your endeavors”. 

     Jumping up and down, I squeal with excitement, “Thank you so much Judge Matthews! This means so much to me!”

     “I’m sure it does, young lady, have a nice day.” He waves and I wave back, bouncing all the way out of the court house.

     Gah! I can’t believe this is actually happening! Tomorrow I’ll be on my way to Colorado, and starting a new life, one full adventure. Walking to the group home, I begin to pack my belongings, Foster kids over the age of 15 usually are sent to group homes to live, it’s been better than my foster parents were, however, it’s still not a great place to live. 

     The memories begin flooding through the barrier I have set up in my mind. No. I think to myself, don’t give them the satisfaction of remembering. Put that barrier back up and don’t you dare think of it again, Jules. The pain is too much to bear to think of those memories, the ones getting beat on the daily by foster parents who are supposed to love me. I take a deep breath and focus my attention back to packing. 

            “Let’s do this.” 

     I’ve lived in Arizona my whole life, and it’s not terrible, but it’s always blistering outside. I decided to move to Colorado because I love the cold temperatures, I want to feel a chill instead of a fire, and Colorado seems to be the perfect spot to do it at. I settled on a rural town, Mineas, 50 miles north of Durango. Why, out of all places would I choose Mineas, you ask? Well, it’s a lush, forested and mountainous area that I will be able to wolf-out freely without anyone noticing. Yes, that’s right, I’m a werewolf.

     It all started when I turned 16. I had always been skinny and knobby, speckled with acne, but when I turned 16, it was a total transformation. My acne immediately cleared, my A-cups went to C-cups, my hips filled out lusciously, and my already healthy hair seemed so much healthier. I went from “Not to hot”, as many describe their transition during puberty. The only problem was that it happened overnight. I thought it was very odd, but assumed I just didn’t notice it in the weeks before. The days following my birthday, my appetite increased by a ten-fold, and I began to get hit-on constantly. 13 days after I turned 16, I turned into a werewolf. I thank my lucky stars that I happened to be out alone in the desert, taking in the beautiful nature, when the transition happened. It would have been horrible if I transitioned in front of anyone. 

     For the past year, I have been saving up as much money as I could, and trying to blend in with the rest of humanity. Unfortunately, two months after my first shift, I was no longer able to shift anymore and had no clue why. Everything else about me seemed to be the same, I was still stronger and faster than I was before my first shift, but I just couldn’t shift anymore.

     I still have so many questions about this werewolf thing. Why did my eyes go dark when I’m angry? Why doesn’t anyone believe werewolves are real? Are there any powers I have that I haven’t yet unleashed? It’s dizzying just to think about it.

     “Ah. Finally finished.” I sigh, in partial relief, and partial nervousness. “Tomorrow will be great, now it’s time for bed” I think to myself before drifting off to sleep.