The Missing Lycan

Introduction

"Believe In Your Dreams, They Were Given To You For A Reason." ~Katrina Meyer

I entered the dimly lit room, hardly seeing my hand before my face. Walking through this dark maze, I felt around for an object to reassure me that I wouldn't fall. In a sudden movement, I felt a bristly object brush itself on my leg; I stopped dead in my tracks. Scared to move an inch, I could feel the creature circling me, stalking its prey. The beast snarled and growled low; it barely sounded like a whisper. I was uncertain what the creature might do if I tried to take a step or dare to run. As I sensed the beast moving in on me, I felt a sudden relief flow through my veins. My senses were heightened; I could hear the footsteps moving closer and smell the dangerous breath as it panted for more air.

Beep Beep Beep

"Ah, Shit." I flared up in fright as my alarm went off, waking me from an intensely detailed nightmare. Shit, I was going to be late for work! I stumbled, untangled myself from my covers, and rushed out of the room.

"Good Morning, Nora!" I yelled as I rushed past her, hoping I wouldn't bump the coffee out of her hands.

"Good Morning to you too?" Nora replied. Nora is my foster sister. We grew up together, and she is more like a sister to me than anyone else.

I rushed through the house halls like a mad person on speed. I hadn't been late in so long; I was worried for my life if I didn't make it to work on time.

"Good Morning Alice." Flynn greeted me from behind a newspaper he was reading; I was rummaging through the kitchen to find something to grab and go.

"Your coffee is in the cup on the counter, and there are pastries in the pantry you can eat on your way," Flynn said, not taking his eyes away from the news article he was so intensely reading.

"Thank you so much; you are a lifesaver." I thanked him as I slipped my arm through my jacket, the last part of my wardrobe complete.

"Gotta go! See you guys later!" I yelled into the house as I attempted to run out the door. As I was almost across the threshold, Nora shouted.

"Remember your birthday party tonight at Berny's!" I stopped, my foot hovering over the invisible line between the real world and this room. I sighed, lowering my foot, and turned around and said.

"I won't, Nora, but I told you already I'm not happy about this." I was annoyed that she had planned a gathering for my birthday. This was the one time of year I never looked forward to. I would finally be eighteen, meaning I had to leave and find my way as a new adult. Flynn is seventeen.

Flynn, Nora, and I grew up together in the foster system. We lost each other for about a year, and then miraculously, we all found our way back to each other.

I was devastated to leave Nora and Flynn alone, but I couldn't stay here once I turned eighteen. In the foster system, they kick you out faster than a cheetah chasing its prey. Thankfully, Nora only has a couple more months before she turns eighteen, but Flynn still has almost a year.

I turned, facing the outside world again before stepping into the abyss of life. I turned and smiled at my brother and sister. I took a deep breath and started my trek to work. Walking in Wind Haven, Georgia's small-town streets weren't too bad, except everyone knew who you were and your business.

"Running late again, Alice?" Mrs. Walsh said as I passed her flower shop. The smell of sweet peonies hit my nose like a freight train.

"Yes, but I see you got more sweetly smelling peonies again." I took another deep breath of the heavenly scent but kept walking, quickly picking up my pace.

I sneaked through the cafe's doors, making my way to the kitchen, where all the hustle and bustle of the day had already started without me. I peeked around the door, searching for my boss, making sure she was nowhere in sight so I could creep in without her knowing I had just arrived. I finished tying my apron around my waist when I sensed a powerful presence behind me. The hairs on my neck stood up and nearly ran off my body.

I slowly turned around and looked up at my boss's furious face. Uh, Oh! I gulped.

"Good Morning, Ms. Patrica," I said with a frog nearly jumping from my throat.

"Mm Hmm." Ms. Patrica hummed, her arms folded annoyingly across her chest; she was a very intimidating woman. Her long salt and pepper hair cascaded down her shoulders to her chest. Her eyes were green. They were like emerald snake eyes piercing you down to the depths of your soul.

"I'm just gonna be taking these to table 4." I tried to sound confident as I grabbed the freshly prepared plates from the chef's window; I hurried past Ms. Patrica and made my way to the table to serve our customers. I let out the breath I held when she huffed and made her way to her office. Finally feeling the air flowing through my lungs, I started my shift at the cafe.

"Well, that's quittin' time; I'll see you next week." I untied my apron, hung it on its hook, waved goodbye to my coworkers, and started my journey home.

It was three minutes till midnight, meaning I had three more minutes of childhood left. It was bittersweet; I didn't have the best childhood anyway. Maybe my adult life will be better. As I walked, I got lost in my thoughts. I hadn't noticed that I veered off my usual path home. I stopped and glanced around. I didn't take my left turn to go home, so I stood in the middle of beautifully tall oak trees. I took in the sights; everything was clear since tonight was a full moon.

Ding

It was midnight, officially my birthday. I was eighteen. I sighed and went to turn around and return to my path home. I felt a painful tinge in my hand. Then, a stab in my legs.

"What is going on?" My whole body was in agonizing pain; I fell to the ground, screaming. My body was on fire; my teeth felt like they were trying to be pulled out of my skull. My mind was now racing, and if I wasn't in so much pain, I could've sworn I heard a voice in my head.

"Ahhh!" I screamed out; this was torture; how do I make it stop? "Someone, please do something." I cried, hoping someone, anyone, would hear me.

CRACK SNAP

My bones were bending and breaking; I was genuinely terrified. I was hunched over on all fours, panting and shaking. I didn't know how long it had been, but the pain finally subsided. I could open my eyes; at least, I thought I was opening my eyes.

"Why is everything still dark?" I was in the dimly lit room again from my nightmare. "No, no, no, this can't be happening!" "Help! Someone please help me!" I sobbed.

"Can you please lower your voice? I already have a headache." An unfamiliar voice rang throughout the darkness.

"W-who's there?" I asked, backing up, hoping to hit a wall.

"Hello, Alice. It is nice to meet you finally." The voice sounded sweet and excited as if it had been waiting to greet me for so long.

"Meet me?" I was so confused I started crying. I hated crying; it was a sign of weakness, and I am not weak.

"Don't cry, Alice; everything is going to be okay. Just listen to me right now. You must stand up, dry your tears, and walk toward the light before you." The voice was tender, and I felt soothed by listening to her. So I stood up, wiped my tears, and started mindlessly walking to the little bit of light I could see.