Wysteria

Valkeed

I pulled open the boxcar door, watching the scenery pass me by as I sat there. I never knew the world was so beautiful. Before my eyes are rolling hills and large trees, all kinds of creatures creeping about under the night sky.

"the world is quite beautiful," Faye says "and there's still so much for us to see"

I couldn't help but feel excited, and even a bit frightened. I knew that the world was big, but it never occurred to me just how big it actually was. As a child, I'm sure I've experienced this feeling but that was so long ago, I've lost the memory of ever having such thoughts. After all, I never thought I'd be able to see the world like this. Suddenly, a sparkling substance catches my eye and my breath catches in my throat... The land vanished from beneath the train tracks, replaced with water. The water is clear, little creatures swimming around within its barrier, light reflecting off its surface in such a breathtaking sight, it seems to go on forever... I couldn't believe such a sight rested before me.

"Faye," I say "are we going to see the world together? "

"yes ." she says " from now on, we'll do everything together. I will never leave you.. and you will never leave me. we are forever."

something about her words set me at ease... but I couldn't stop the tears from falling, the memories and the losses playing in my mind.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here to stop him before," Faye says "but I am here now... and no one will hurt you ever again"

I don't know how, but I knew she meant it. Faye would always be with me, and would always protect me. suddenly I realize that Faye's all I have left... she's the one person I'd never have to say goodbye to. the one that would never leave me.. after all, we're the same.

"I still don't know how I have you, Faye," I say "but, I'm glad I do."

we just sat there watching the water as the train continued on its way. No beatings, no screaming, no insults, nothing but the sounds of wildlife and our own voices... I'm finally Free.

*Dallas POV*

Police cars are crowding around the house as I pull in the driveway. I can hear the dogs as I put the car in park, large crowds gathering, everyone's yelling. I hurry towards the house, making my way to the living room where I find my dad surrounded by officers.

"When did you last see your daughter, Daniel?" a man asks

"last night." Dad says " she went upstairs to do her homework after cleaning the house... she's such a good girl.."

my heart sank.. why would she just disappear? doesn't she know how worried dad is.. how worried I am?.. what is she thinking?..

"who would... take.. my little girl?" dad asks

I froze. something wasn't right. Wysteria wasn't taken, she ran away. a captor wouldn't let her send me that text.. besides, i would have sensed another entity's energy when I entered the house... I have no doubt she left on her own, but why did she leave? and why didn't my Dad say she ran away?..

"Dad!" I call

he looks up and a chill went down my spine.. he wasn't upset. Others can be fooled by his act but not me, I grew up with the man.. he wasn't heartbroken, not at all.. he was angry. I could see it in his eyes, he was enraged...

"Dallas," he says

he comes over, embracing me as if life depended on it. I wrapped my arms around him... I have to be imagining things. He's just worried about her, not angry.. but then... why do I get this feeling from him.. what exactly is going on here?

*Wysteria's POV*

I jolt up, sweat covering my body. I look around frantically to find the walls of the boxcar and the crates it carries.

"relax, Tera," Faye says "your safe"

I look at my hands, which are clutched tightly, and I take deep breaths allowing them to open. I must've fallen asleep while talking with Faye. I've learned a lot about her these past few days, who knew a wolf could be so different from its human counterpart? Faye and I are totally different, yet we seem so perfect together. My favorite color is deep red and hers is smoky grey. I love forget-me-nots and she loves orchids. I love veggies and she loves meat, though that one is not that unbelievable.. what really gets me is that our personalities are completely different yet similar, we have a few traits in common but she's much more... independent. she's not afraid to speak her mind or fight.. whereas I'm quiet and submissive.

"you had your voice taken from you," Faye says "you'll get it back. I'll make sure of it."

we just sat there, chatting with each other. I feel as though Faye's been with me all my life.. not dormant, but like she is now. The train comes to a stop, voices getting closer.

"I'm shocked you came to get your shipment," a guy says " yourself, Mr. Rhodes"

" well, my manager and his wife are moving away " Mr. Rhodes replies"so, I'm going to be running things until I can find a replacement."

" I see. well, here we are" the guy says" do you need any assistance?"

" not at all, the truck will be here shortly," Mr. Rhodes says

they bid each other farewell and the door started to open. I quickly hide behind a stack of crates as the light of dawn fills the boxcar. I can hear his footsteps on the wood and tried my best to control my breathing. A scent hits my nose that is strangely familiar, though I have no idea how.

"pack Wolf," Faye says

her words caused me to stiffen, lowering myself into a defensive stance. It was as if instinct took over and I let it. when you know nothing about being a werewolf, you kinda just follow your gut. a low growl fills the boxcar.

"I know you're here!" he calls "come out, Rogue!"

a sense of fear began to build but it stopped, replaced with a sense of power and strength I've never experienced before, yet it was like I've felt it before... that's when I realized it was Faye. Faye was shifting her emotions to me, allowing her power to drown out my fear, like how pure adrenaline can cause even a coward to do something courageous. it wasn't too much power, just enough to keep me from breaking... I felt as though nothing in the world could touch me.

"Stay still and don't speak," Faye says "you're not a threat right now so he might leave you be... but don't move or he'll get a better sense of me"

I stilled, making sure to move as little as possible to avoid any confrontation.

"If he tries to engage," she says "you can't back down but you can't fight either. your body isn't healed enough to shift yet. if you run, he will catch you. if you fight, he will kill you."

I found myself hoping he'd ignore us and go about his day but something told me that wasn't going to happen. and, as if one cue, he comes around the corner, stopping before me.

"there you are," he says

I couldn't stop the growl from coming out, my body lowering itself ready to defend myself. I can feel the searing pain washing over my body, it's taking everything for me to not cry out. I can't run away.. but I can't fight either. I don't have much choice, I'll have to defuse the situation... the man narrowed his eyes.

"how old are you?" he asks

this surprised me. why does he want to know my age...

"Faye?" I ask

"tell him... but keep a distance" she replies

" 15," I say

" I thought so." he says " who are you?"

I couldn't tell what he wanted but I don't want to cause any problems. I just need to defuse the situation... but I couldn't answer that question either.. then it occurred to me...

"I'm Tera," I say "and I'm heading to Caezyr."

" in a boxcar? " he asks

I nod. I could tell he wasn't buying it.. but I need him to let me go. I sigh, sliding to the ground before wrapping my arms around my legs.

"my mom died when I was a kid," I say "and I never met my father. I was living with my aunt.. a few days ago I turned 15.. "

I lay my head on my knees. most of my story is true, just not all of it.

"I grew up believing I was human," I say "so when I got Faye... I panicked. I just want to know what's happening to me and why...so I set off to find out. but I needed to do it in a way that can't be traced... my aunt worries too much but I have to do this."

He remains quiet, probably thinking of all the ways he could kill me. but then, to my surprise, he sighed.

"you can't stay on here," he says "if humans catch you, you'll be imprisoned... and eventually you'll have to shift and suddenly we'll have a wolf Hunt on our hands.. "

he walks towards me, his arms crossed.

"plus, my mate would kill me if I left a little girl to fend for herself" he adds " Rogue or not."

" Hey, Mr. Rhodes" a guy yells " your truck is here! "

Mr. Rhodes hands me a clipboard before putting my bag inside a crate.

"act like your comparing the list," he says "to the contents of the crates."

I walked over to the crates quickly and focus on the list, before I knew it I was actually doing it instead of pretending.

"whose that?" a guy asks

"that's my new assistant. " Mr. Rhodes replies "Tera. "

my heart pounded in my chest as they talk... what just happened? and more importantly.. who is this man?...

"come introduce yourself, Tera," Mr. Rhodes says

I walk over, making sure to keep my back straight, my head held high. I reached my hand out to the man next to Mr. Rhodes, which he accepted.

"My name's Tera L. Kaestor," I say "it's a pleasure."

the man smiles at me, clasping his other hand over mine. I fought the urge to pull away from him.

"What a sweet girl," he says "where are you from, my dear?"

" Burrenhyde" I reply.

Burrenhyde is a small town in the mountains on the border known for its secretive way of life. A place where everyone is so secluded they don't know everyone else and even if they did know, they'd rather be tortured than tell an outsider anything. there's a special language people speak there that isn't taught anywhere else, that language paired with a certain mark is the only way to identify a citizen of that village.. my father hired a tutor from Burrenhyde when I was young, insisting I be educated as any real member should... the man refused at first but he had a soft spot for kids so when my father said if he didn't I'd be of no use to him, the man agreed. I learned the language and was branded with the mark when I was 7.. not long before my mother branded me with her own mark.

"Well then, welcome to Valkeed," he says

"thank you" I reply

with that I returned to my task, pretending that I couldn't hear their conversation.