The Girl In Red

Please....

I ran until my heart was about to burst through my chest. I could smell a slight fresh, yet sweet smell, and followed it to a creek. I looked down and saw a wolf staring at me. It didn't startle me, I somehow recognized myself. My fur was the same color as my hair and around my eyes and the tips of my ears were black. White outlined my muzzle.

I licked my lips with thirst before lapping up the cold water. I ran the whole day, exhausting myself before returning to my bag. The sun was setting by the time I made it back. My bones began to crack and burn as I quickly shifted back into my human form. The pain wasn't as intense this time. It was easier. Smoother. The cold licked at me, erecting my n*****s and sending shivers up my spine. I smile as I grab my tank top and pause.

"My arm." I murmured to myself. The bruises were almost gone. I looked at my other arm and then my legs and abdomen. My hand flew up to my face. My lip was almost healed. My eye wasn't as swollen. Joy filled me and I quickly stopped. Pain shot through my sides. I grinned, at least it was a lot better feeling

than earlier.

I threw on my tank top and slid on my underwear when I heard a twig snap. I went

into full alert, dropping my pants and looking around. My eyes grazed my surroundings. It could be anything. A squirrel maybe. An unsettling feeling of eyes on me settled into the pit of my stomach. I crouched down, taking a defensive stance while trying to make myself smaller and hide a bit easier. An unfamiliar scent hit me and my nostrils flared. Panic washed over me.

'It's a wolf! We've been found! Hurry!' I pulled my pants on, zipped my bag up and went to run when I froze dead in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat.

At the sight of the huge wolf my blood froze in my veins. His fur was black as night and his eyes glittered like the dark blue of a night sky. He was dark. He was beautiful. He was terrifying.

'Mate!' My blood boiled at the word Sasha screamed joyfully. I could see it in his eyes as well. He knew who I was as I knew who he was. My heart was pounding in my chest, gushing blood through me. I heard a man's voice in my head.

"You won't be my mate." My heart shattered and Sasha whimpered. The pain was like a knife to my heart. Sasha was about to whine and plead with him. I stopped her. I didn't even know his name! How could I be his mate? What is happening even? My body burned for him. My mind kept my body back. I straightened my back as I stared at the wolf.

"No.

I am not. I am not your mate. I don't even know who you are!" I said as sternly as I could. The pain radiated through me, sending shivers through my body. Worse than I had ever felt before. How could I feel such pain if I didn't even know the guy? Or, werewolf. Whatever we are! I let out a jagged breath.

"So it's a rejection?" He almost whispered. I shook my head.

"I don't know you!" He flinched at my words and his ears went flat against his head as I grabbed my bag and started towards him. The pain ripped through my body like knives. I wasn't being ripped apart though.

"You don't want me, nor I you." I whispered as I passed him. I couldn't concentrate on anything, not the leaves under my feet or the noises passing by. I walked all the way back, barefoot and in a tank top. People stared at me as I passed them. Sure, let them think I was odd. I had a lot on my mind and a bit of cold didn't bother me anyway.

All too quickly I found myself at my fathers door step. I was so deep in thought I forgot about the time. The sun had set and it was dark. I sighed and reached to open the door. The cold metallic knob didn't budge. I furrowed my brow and tried turning the knob again. No luck.

'Are we locked out?' Sasha asked emotionlessly. With all the emotional drainage we just went though I couldn't blame her. I was done for as well. My heart and body drained of any fight left that it had. I dropped to my knees. I hugged my knees and finally felt the cold in my bones.

"I've been locked out for good, haven't I?" I didn't know what I felt. Was it finally a push to move on and find my own place? How would I afford it? Where would I live? I'd need to find a job. More than likely a room mate. My mind went off to the wolf I met earlier. Who was he? Sasha said he was our mate, but what does that mean? Suddenly, the door opened and I looked up. My father's face was red with anger. Fear ripped through me.

"Where the f**k have you been!?" He shouted as quickly unlocked the door. He turned back towards me, grabbing my hair and dragging me in. I cried out and reached up to grab my hair. Father threw me in the house and slammed the door shut, locking it. All four locks. He took a deep breath before turning to face

me. Tears were streaming down my face. Father stormed towards me. I was too frightened to move. He grabbed me by the hair again.

"Stand up!" He screamed, pulling my hair up hard. I cried as I stumbled to my feet. He threw me down to the floor and came back for me. Grabbing my hair and dragging me towards the bathroom. I tried to crawl but couldn't keep up. I could feel the roots of my hair being pulled out.

'It hurts!' He swung the door open and when I saw what was inside, my heart dropped.

'He's going to kill us!' Sasha panicked. She wanted to fight but I couldn't let her out. I don't know why, but I couldn't take my eyes off the knife that sat on the countertop. My ears rang. My blood went cold. This isn't happening. It's not real. It can't be.

"N-n-no..."

I whispered. Father looked back at me and grinned.

"Oh yes, sweet heart. I've been wanting to do this for so long, you have no idea!" He chuckled. I couldn't believe it.

"Why..." My voice trembled.

"YOU'RE NOT MY CHILD! You and your mother are whores! She deserved the death she got! I only wish she took you with her!" He turned to grab the knife and I felt my world come crashing down on me.

"NO!" My plea fell on deaf ears. His yells rang through my head as I watched father raise the knife above his head and bring it down onto me.