Chapter 4. Words That Hurt
2001 Words
The meadow glowed under the golden sun. Laughter and shouts filled the air as children played. Melody darted through the tall grass, her energy boundless.
“Tag, you’re it!” Melody tapped Ash and sprinted away, giggling.
Ash, seven and a half narrowed his eyes playfully and chased her. He was fast, but Melody was more rapid, weaving through the children.
Six-year-old Frederik, less athletic, panted heavily. His glasses slipped down his nose as he struggled to keep up. His strengths lay in his sharp mind and curiosity, not running.
“Come on, Flightless Freddy!” Melody taunted. “You run like a turtle!”
Frederik’s cheeks burned as he stumbled, the nickname stinging. He slowed, shoulders slumping under the weight of her teasing.
“Hey, enough, Melody!” Ash shouted, stepping between them. “He’s not ready for this.”
Melody faced Ash, hands on her hips. “Like what? Reading books? Ha! That’s not helping here.”
Ash clenched his fists. “It’s still important,” he said. “More than being mean.”
A flicker of something crossed Melody’s face, but she masked it with a smirk. “Whatever. Let’s play something else. This is boring.”
As they discussed their next game, Ash whispered to Frederik, “Don’t listen to her, Freddy. She’s just jealous because you’re smart.” Frederik nodded, managing a small smile, though Melody’s words lingered, dimming his curiosity.
“Hey, let’s play hide and seek,” Melody suggested. “I bet I can find you all.”
The other children agreed. Ash nodded at Frederik. “Let’s find a good hiding spot.”
They scattered, the meadow a lively maze. Frederik followed Ash to a large tree with sprawling roots, offering perfect cover.
“Stay here,” Ash instructed. “I’ll use a little magic.”
Frederik watched as Ash’s eyes glowed faintly, his hands weaving patterns. A soft shimmer enveloped Frederik, blending him into the shadows.
“Wow, thanks, Ash,” Frederik whispered, feeling more confident.
Ash smiled. “No problem. Just stay quiet.”
Melody was already counting down. “Eighteen, seventeen, sixteen...”
The meadow grew still. Only the wind rustled the grass, and an occasional bird chirped.
“Ready or not, here I come!” Melody shouted, scanning the meadow.
She quickly spotted a few younger children. They squealed as she tagged them, joining her in the hunt for the others.
Melody’s gaze fell on the tree where Ash and Frederik hid. She approached cautiously, her steps silent on the soft earth.
“Found you, Ash!” she cried, lunging forward and tagging him. Ash groaned, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
“Good job, Melody,” he said, trying to mask his disappointment.
Melody’s eyes narrowed as she looked around. “Where’s Frederik? I know he’s around here somewhere.”
Ash glanced at the tree, then back at Melody. “Maybe he’s good at hiding.”
“Yeah, right,” Melody scoffed. “Flightless Freddy? Good at hiding? Doubt it.”
She crept around the tree, missing Ash’s magic. Frustration bubbled up inside her.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Melody called, irritated.
Frederik held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hear Melody getting closer, her footsteps almost upon him. He pressed himself against the tree, willing himself to remain invisible.
Just as Melody was about to give up and move on, Ash stepped forward. “Alright, you got me. Frederik’s probably hiding somewhere else.”
Melody shot him a suspicious look but decided to let it go. “Fine. But next time, I won’t be so easy on you.”
As Melody moved away, Frederik sighed in relief, stepping out as Ash’s magic faded.
“Thanks, Ash,” Frederik said. “You’re a good friend.”
Ash grinned. “Anytime, Freddy. We’ve got to stick together.”
“Let’s make a pact,” Ash suggested, eyes shining. “No matter what happens, friends forever.”
“Friends forever,” Frederik echoed.The Moondance Pack training grounds buzzed with young voices and the thud of fists hitting pads. The ground, a mix of packed dirt and grass, was worn smooth by countless feet. Tall trees stood around the perimeter, their leaves rustling softly.
Ten-year-old Melody stood in the center of the training grounds, her dark hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She was lean and athletic, her eyes sharp and determined as she surveyed the scene. Today’s training session focused on basic combat skills, and the young members of the pack were paired up to practice their techniques.
“Alright, everyone! Pair up and get ready!” Matthew, the Beta and training instructor, called out, his voice carrying across the grounds.
Frederik, taller but still lean, glanced around nervously. Physical combat wasn’t his strength. Adjusting his glasses, his eyes met Melody’s, and his heart sank.
“Looks like it’s you and me, Freddy,” Melody said with a smirk, striding over to him.
Frederik’s smile was tight, not reaching his eyes. “Yeah, looks like it,” he mumbled.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you,” Melody teased.
They squared off, and Matthew gave the signal to begin. Melody sprang into action, her quick jabs and kicks fluid and precise. Frederik tried to block and dodge, but it was clear he was outmatched, each of her blows making him stumble back.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Melody taunted, her voice carrying an edge.
Frederik staggered, his arms flailing as doubt flickered in his eyes. His movements grew hesitant, unsure. Sensing his hesitation, Melody pressed her advantage, pushing him harder than necessary. She landed a solid hit on his chest, and Frederik fell to the ground with a thud, and the wind knocked out of him.
Ash, practising nearby, saw Frederik fall and rushed over.
“Hey, enough, Melody!” Ash called firmly. “He’s not ready for this.”
Melody rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Oh, come on, Ash. He needs to toughen up. It’s just practice.”
Frederik pushed himself up, wincing. His face flushed with humiliation and pain. He avoided Melody’s gaze, her words stinging more.
“Are you okay, Freddy?” Ash asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Frederik nodded, eyes downcast. “Yeah, I’m fine. She just caught me off guard.”
Melody scoffed. “You weren’t even trying. Stick to your books.”
Ash shot Melody a disapproving look. “That’s enough, Melody. There’s no need to be mean.”
“Oh, lighten up, Ash,” Melody retorted defiantly. “He needs to hear the truth.”
Frederik’s shoulders sagged, Melody’s cutting words pressing down on him like a heavyweight. Maybe she was right – he wasn’t a fighter. But her words made him feel smaller than ever.
“Come on, Freddy. Let’s go practice somewhere else,” Ash said gently, guiding Frederik away from the center of the training grounds.
As they walked away, Frederik felt a mix of relief and shame. He was grateful for Ash’s support but couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy that Melody’s words had stirred up.
The secluded pond was tranquil, surrounded by dense trees and vibrant greenery. The clear, still water mirrored the sky and branches, creating a magical atmosphere.
Twelve-year-old Melody sat on a large rock, her feet dangling above the water. She frowned, lost in thought, watching gentle ripples disturb the pond’s surface.
Nearby, Ash practiced magic with quiet concentration. His movements were precise and controlled, tiny sparks of light dancing around his fingertips. Melody felt a pang of jealousy. Her abilities, though formidable, seemed less impressive.
Frederik approached the pond cautiously, his shoulders slightly hunched. He sought a quiet moment of reflection, a break from relentless training and pack pressures. Seeing Melody, he hesitated, then approached, hoping for a peaceful encounter.
“Hey, Melody,” Frederik said softly, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Melody’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing as she took in his presence. “What do you want, Frederik?” she asked, her tone immediately defensive.
“I just wanted some quiet time by the pond,” Frederik replied, his voice steady but laced with underlying tension. “Is that okay?”
Melody huffed, her expression hardening. “Why bother? It’s not like you’re ever going to shift. Maybe you should just stick to reading your books and leave the real work to the rest of us.”
Frederik’s cheeks reddened, his jaw clenched as he fought to keep his composure. His eyes flashed with hurt and anger. “I’m trying, Melody. Just because I haven’t shifted yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
“Oh, please,” Melody scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re not trying hard enough. Everyone else in your family can shift. What’s your excuse?”
Frederik opened his mouth to respond, but his words caught in his throat. He looked away, unable to meet her piercing gaze. Frederik’s eyes glistened with unspoken pain, his gaze dropping to the ground as if seeking refuge from her words.
Sensing the rising tension, Ash stopped his practice and approached the pair. “Melody, that’s enough,” he said firmly, stepping between her and Frederik. “You don’t have to be so harsh.”
Melody’s eyes blazed with anger, but there was a fleeting glint of remorse, quickly masked by her defensive stance. “Why are you always defending him, Ash? He needs to hear the truth.”
“No,” Ash countered, his voice calm but resolute. “He needs support, not criticism. We’re supposed to be a pack, remember? We look out for each other.”
Melody crossed her arms over her chest, her posture defensive. “It’s not criticism if it’s the truth.”
“It’s not helping, either,” Ash retorted. “You’re just pushing him away.”
Frederik stood rooted, eyes glued to the ground, afraid looking up might shatter his composure. He felt torn between gratitude for Ash’s defense and deep shame.
The confrontation escalated, voices rising across the still water. Just as it seemed ready to boil over, a figure emerged from the trees. Solstace, a senior pack member, approached them calmly.
“What’s going on here?” Solstace asked, his voice commanding.
The three children fell silent, their eyes turning towards him. Melody’s defiant expression wavered, replaced by uncertainty.
“We were just talking,” Melody muttered, avoiding Solstace’s gaze.
“It didn’t sound like just talking,” Solstace said, his eyes scanning their faces. “It sounded like an argument. And arguments like this don’t belong here, especially not among pack members.”
Melody’s shoulders slumped slightly, her earlier bravado fading. “I was just trying to make a point,” she said, her voice quieter now.
Solstace stepped closer. “There are ways to make a point without hurting others, Melody. Your words have power, and you must be mindful of how you use them.”
Melody’s eyes filled with frustration and regret. She glanced at Frederik, his head still down, then back at Solstace. “I didn’t mean to hurt him. It wouldn’t have hurt if he wasn’t so...”
Solstace huffed. “So what? Melody?”
Melody looked at the ground.
“We’re all part of the same pack and need to support each other.” Solstace continued.
Ash nodded firmly. “We’re stronger together. We need to remember that.”
Frederik finally looked up, meeting Melody’s gaze. “I just want to be part of the pack. I’m trying my best, even if it doesn’t seem like it.”
“Whatever,” Melody stood up and dusted the dirt off her. “I’m going back to the pack house.”
Solstace watched her leave, then looked at Frederik and Ash. “Does one of you care to elaborate?”
Frederik shook his head. “Nothing to say, Dad.”
Solstace and the boys made their way to the pack house.
- Writer
