“Sleep tight, Eloise,” My father said as he tucked me in and gave me my favorite stuffed wolf.
I yawned and pulled the blanket up to my chin, all the while studying the man leaning over me with a strange look in his eye. He had been acting strange for weeks, full of energy one day and then unable to get out of bed the next. Mother had told me that he was just going through a midlife crisis. I had no idea what that was. All I knew was that I just wanted my daddy back. The man staring at me felt more or less like a stranger, and he gave me a weird feeling. A chill that crept down my spine each time his bloodshot eyes travelled in my direction.“No matter what, I want you to stay in bed tonight, do you understand, Eloise?” He asked as he abruptly grabbed the stuffed wolf out of my arms and fixated his attention on it.“Please give him back, Daddy,” I begged as I stretched out my arms for the wolf I had come to depend on lately. Daddy wasn’t the only one who’d been acting strange; Mommy had been acting weird too, crying in her bedroom at all hours and screaming at Dad for stuff I didn’t understand.Daddy tossed the wolf at me and leaned closer until I was shrinking back against my pillow, gripping the toy tightly against me. Daddy’s teeth elongated into sharp points, and his eyes took on a golden glow as a low growl pulled from his throat.“Stay in your bed,” he pressed, the rumble of his wolf pulsing through his voice with authority.I nodded quickly, not wanting to make him infuriated.His teeth receded after he stared at me for another moment, and he must have believed me because he shortly turned and left the room, shutting the door behind him. A moment later, I heard the click on my doorknob that let me know he had locked it. I didn’t worry too much about that. This was not the first time it had happened and daddy wasn't the only one who did it too. Mum did too. She claimed it was to protect me from seeing things that would disturb me. I shut my eyes and counted sheep. When morning came, the door would be opened again. I listened to daddy even when the sensation on my back told me not to. I just had to wait. I just had to.***I didn't expect to wake up a few moments after but I found it difficult to breathe. There was something in the air that forced me to spurt out of the bed. A heavy cloud that burned my nostrils and lungs. The room was hazy when my eyes adjusted to the sight. Smoke. There was smoke in every corner. I tried to yell for my parents but the moments I took in a lungful of the air, my lungs crumbled and I choked. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I struggled to keep my eyes open so I could see where I was going. All I could taste and breathe in was smoke and ash. My breath was also beginning to come out in gasps. The smoke was surging in from under the scrapes of my door. It made me realize that the smoke was coming from out there. I also knew from all the fire drills my school had made me take that this smoke was not as a result of burned food. There was fire out there. Fire that was sure to spread here soon enough if I didn't get out. For a moment, I ran towards the window. It would have been the safest way out of it was not on the second floor and barricaded. I looked back to the door. The smoke streaming was getting closer. Grabbing my doll, I ran towards the door and pulled at the doorknob. The act alone made me feel like I was going to collapse any second. My eyes were burning. Same with my lungs. After a series of tugging and no budge, I realized that my father had locked the door earlier. I would have panicked but the metal knob tight in my hands was cool to the touch. That was good. It was another fire safety thingy we learned in school. I coughed again. This time with a force that hurt because it felt like I was going to hurl out the entirety of my insides. There was no time to panic. My throat kept burning as I struggled to find the pin I had hidden between the creaky baseboards of my aged room. It was for emergency. For example, if I was thirsty or a little bit hungry. I gasped in relief when I found it and instantly started poking the metal in to the keyhole and working through the coil. I had practice. Several nights where I had been too thirsty or hungry to wait for mom to unlock my door in the morning. So even in the smoke, I got the coil to unlock in a matter of minutes. As soon as the unlocked door creaked open, a wall of thick black smoke pounded my face and inside my room. “Mommy! Daddy! Mommy!” I screamed before erupting in another coughing fit. No one appeared in the corridor, and I couldn’t hear anything besides the sound of flames crackling and timber creaking and breaking from somewhere not to fr away.I wandered down the hallway, stopping at mom's room. Her door was cracked open. And when I say cracked, I mean half of it wasn't where it was supposed to be. It looked like it has been broken into. Worried sick, I staggered inside. The room was a mess. There was clothes strew everywhere but soon enough, I realized that mom was on her bed. She must have passed out due to the smoke."Mum!" I yelled as I ran to her side but as I jumped into the bed, my knees touched something warm and wet. The smoke was seeping thickly into the room but I could tell what is was. Blood. My little marbles struggled to comprehend why that was so but when I looked at my mother, I got a rude awakening. Her body was cut open. Her eyes were bulging out of her eye sockets. Her nose and half of her face was also missing. She was... dead."No..." I gasped, wanting to pull her close and hug her. I wanted this to be a nightmare but the air, the heat and the sight before me told a different story. I remained livid even when a beam of wood collapsed behind me propelling embers of red across the room. The same embers started small fire. A fire that was beginning to grow into a massive inferno. Just then, I heard footsteps behind me.“Why are you out of your room?” I heard my father shriek.I peeked my head to look at him. His face was darkened. His eyes were a bright yellow and he had crimson stains all over him. Except he wasn't hurt like mom. He didn't even seem to care that mum was dead on their bed."Something happened to mum." I whispered."Go back to your room and sleep." He ordered, ignoring everything I just said.I stood there frozen as I realized what no child should discover. I remained there frozen as the words echoed in the recess of my mind. Daddy killed mommy."Daddy," I spoke softly. "Did you hurt mommy?"I could see the insanity in his eyes as he approached me, grabbed me by the throat and lifted me high enough to meet his insidious glare. "I didn't want to have to hurt you Eloise.""Daddy please," I struggled to say while struggling to breathe. My lungs were tired. I could feel my consciousness begin to wane whilst my legs struggled and kicked. Not that any of that was enough to stop him. "I have been a good girl."At that point, I was gasping for dear life. My head feeling light and fuzzy. I faintly heard daddy say something. Something about the peace he was going to get when I joined my mother. He warned me not to make him feel guilty. This was it, I thought. I was going to die. In the hands of my own father but just as life began to depart me, I heard another voice. This one was soothing. Like the voice of an elder sister. Perhaps it was my brain's way of making this specific moment less painful."Do not be afraid. We will not die Eloise. This, I promise you." Those were her specific words and the last thing I heard as my father's iron grip crushed my throat.ELOISEMy fingers found the sink valve and I twisted it open. The sound of water against the palm of my hand was the relief I wanted. Despite downing sleep pills last night, I has barely had any sleep and when sleep did come, my nightmare just had to butt in. I splashed the cool water on my face. It was the only thing strong enough to rouse me from the tight rein sleep still had on me. I stepped back into the bedroom and stared at my alarm clock. 5:30.Plenty of time for me to do what I wanted. I took my good time in the bathroom and prepared for work. It had been a year since I graduated from high school in the small town of Ashlake. I was supposed to leave for college two cities away but I couldn't manage. Mom and Dad already had a lot on their plates. A college so far away would wreck their finances. I didn't want that. Finishing up in the bathroom, I proceeded to dress and step into the kitchen at exactly 6:30. Mom and Dad were already there. No surprise. A plate of bacon and e
ELOISE "Who hurt him?" One of my coworkers mouthed, looking into the distance. Particularly at a man who I had served coffee six times. The question was directed at me and while a snarky replay would have sufficed. I didn't know the girl's name. I didn't care to. What was the point of it anyway? But she was right. The man seemed to be troubled. He had been in the Cafe all morning. The sky was dark. The time was almost 7 PM. We were supposed to be closed minutes before but I wanted to stay. The Cafe was my only escape from my adoptive parent's constant concern. I planned to work all the way till eight before leaving. They ate and slept early. I had a spare key. It was a win-win situation. "None of my concern." I retorted. "As long as he keeps patronizing us, he can stay as late as he wants.""I see you are insensitive as always Eloise." The girl chuckled, wearing her bag. "Good night.""Good night," I whispered back and watched her leave. Now. It was just me and the handsome strang
ELOISE The sun was what notified me that morning had come. The hot rays seeping through whatever cracks present made me turn to my side. The bed was strangely spacious and the sheet smelled different. It wasn't the sweat or the strange fluid that caught my nostrils. It was the soft sweet smell of strawberries. Cologne, I think. That was when my eyes shot open. I didn't use strawberry fragrances. I didn't use any for that matter. I had been right. The white sheets my body was pressed on were definitely not set by me. My eyes glanced around. The room in question was painted in black and gold. An odd choice but that wasn't the point. The question I needed to ask was where was I? Well, that question was answered when I looked to my left. Curved into a ball was the man from last night. He was naked and his hand was hooked around my hips. I...I was also naked. Usually, one would scream in this sort of situation but I couldn't risk waking the sleeping man. My memories were coming back. Ha
ELOISE "He is not our fated," I told my wolf out loud as I flagged a taxi down. One stopped and I hopped in. "Take me to Highwynne road," I told the driver."Highwynne road..." He mused. "Where is that?"The bout of the mental torture I was inflicting on myself as a result of the sudden arrival of the voice in my head stopped and I actually made some effort to look around me. The road looked different. Ashlake didn't have bad roads but there was just something more industrial to the road I was staring at. The houses around. They looked expensive and perfect. Nothing like the variety in Ashlake. It made me wonder–Scratch that, it made me fear I was in a different city. Surely Matthann was not sick enough to drive me to a different town just to get laid. "Where is this?" I asked the driver, reaching into my purse for my phone."Marblefay. Why do you ask?" Marblefay? The city I grew up in. The place of nightmares. I kept my cool and opened my device. Not sure why. Perhaps I hoped the
MATTHAN I should have run after her. Heaven knows I wanted to. Why them did I stay back? I could lie to myself but the voice within told me it wasn't because I was afraid of being charged for public indecency. The feeling was odd. I wasn't one to stop chasing things or people that fascinated me but after Alice's rejection, I was starting to think in a more calculated manner. I hated it because it was unlike me. But I detested the thought of scaring her. Eloise. There was just something about her. Even when she has been dandy high on moonshine, I could recognize it. A spark that was calling on to me. There was no mate bond. Yet, my wolf lurched at the thought of her. I didn't think I would be able to get over Alice's rejection so fast but it was a pleasant surprise to know that I wouldn't be downing another lofty dose of moonshine or a good time at the Incubus brothel. I had to get back to the Cafe. I had to see her one more time. "Do we like her?" My wolf being the more rational ex
ELOISEI got home late in the afternoon. That was after I had been spam called and texted a hundred times by my adoptive parents. I did send them a message urging them not to involve the police and promising that I would be back very soon to explain things. I had switched off my device for their sakes soon after. The bus dropped me a few blocks away from my house and as I highlighted the vehicle, I observed our house. There was no blaring siren or ominous black car. Not a crowd in sight too. That had to mean good news. Placated, I walked briskly to the door and shoved my spare key into the keyhole. It didn't budge of course. Not when another key was already in. I swore under my breath as I slowly but inevitably knocked the door. I heard mom's voice first. "There is someone at the door!" She practically yelled. Her voice was apprehensive. A tell tale sign of the explanations I would have to provide soon enough. "Honey, go check."I heard loud footsteps. It took only a moment. The ke
ELOISE I couldn't speak. I doubt anyone could. Clay was puffing. His face was red. You could tell those words had been hidden in him for a very long time. There was a twinge of guilt on his demeanor as soon as he finished his statement even if that guilt was not enough for him to retract his statement. It wasn't like he was wrong. It made sense then. Clay hated me for valid reasons. I told his childhood and parents from him. Anybody who had to go through that deserved to be angry. Mrs. Carter looked at me. Her lips were trembling and the story her eyes told did the final crack on the camel's back. It was one of fear. I had seen it many times and I knew what followed. Before the words could even come from her, I crumbled. The tears I had been reining in came pouring in rounds. Mr. Carter walked up to his son Clay and grabbed him by the hand. He was rough with it too. "You are going apologize to your sister now!" Through the misty tears that half blinded me, I could see Clay's sneer
ELOISEThe hunger in my system vanished. I rushed towards the door and slammed it open, disrupting customers who had their own business to attend to. I barely cared what anyone thought of me at this point. "What the fuck are you doing here?" I demanded, slamming my hands into his table. The content of his coffee poured. Some of the dark creamy liquid dousing his shirt. "Are you stalking me or something?" "Eloise," He replied, lifting his cup to wipe the coffee residue off with a handkerchief. "You are making a scene.""And I don't intend to stop!" I retorted, sharp as a blade. "You shouldn't be here.""Why not? This is a public place. I am a customer who has done no wrong. You on the other hand..."I didn't want to hear it. He was right in a way. My yells were gathering the wrong kind of attention. Even my fellow employees were throwing looks and whispers. I drew in a deep breath to calm myself down. Not that it worked. Anger still boiled in my blood. The only difference now was tha
ELOISE(A few days later)The full moon did come and when it did. Matthan decided it was time to perfect our bond. He took me somewhere. I wouldn't miss that narrow and crooked road. It was the same path we had taken when he lead me to the tree with a door. This time around, Matthan took another turn and we arrived at a clearing in the middle of the forest."We aren't using the tree door?" I asked getting down. "I thought the mating ritual was supposed to take place in the Gardenia pack house?"Matthan pocketed his car keys and joined me. "Yes. But I don't want us to have a sex orgy. This is special for me. Sacred. I want us to remember tonight sometime in the future."I smiled at him. "You are very romantic, Matthan Gardenia." I teased but my face fell when I saw how serious he looked. I quickly looked away, blushing.We stood facing each other, silent. Matthan looked down at me and then stepped closer until the two of us were touching. He gently placed his hand under my chin and rai
ELOISE"We are here today to honor..." I tried to listen to the priest as he droned on about his mother but I was distracted. My mind was elsewhere. The words of the priest barely registered as I focused on what lay ahead. It was hard for me to accept mom had died. In fact, it felt so unreal it scared me. I didn't want to let go. But it wasn't like I had any say in the matter. I couldn't bring back the dead. I played with my fingernails as the priest went on to list all the good deeds she did for the church and the people around her. It made it hard to even breathe. She was a good person. She didn't deserve what fate she got.Matthan squeezed my hand in comfort. A gesture I appreciated in ways he wouldn't even understand. He looked over at me and said in a gentle voice, "You ok?"I nodded but didn't feel much better. The only difference was I could stomach it better. Clay stepped out to give his speech. It was long. It was also difficult for him to go through it all without bursting i
ALICE Since I made the call, I hadn't known peace. It wasn't guilt. I very much knew what was going to happen to Eloise and her brother when I informed Judas Carnation about his daughter. The trouble that I faced was when I would hear some tragic news. Judas' main target was his daughter but there was a big fat chance that others would be caught in the crossfire. Some days later, the effort of my hard work came to fruition, the day strings of murders came ringing into the Gardenia house. Someone had murdered some individuals working in a diner at Ashlake. The supposed unfortunate news was followed by another mother. A woman with the surname Carter had been brutally murdered. This time she hadn't been killed with the typical weapon. The stories they spun made me remember who else had died like that. Fadia Carnation. Eloise's biological mother. Joy could not describe the feelings I experienced. My heart was wrung and I couldn't stop smiling throughout that day. An added bonus was Dec
ELOISEMatthan took my hand and led me out into the cool air and towards the woods behind the house where his car was. I looked back and watched as the fire swallowed the house, the last remnants of it fading into a cloud of red smoke. I couldn't help but smile seeing it burn to the ground. I truly hoped no one decided to make this double tragedy another social experiment. The horrors that had occurred in this ground deserved to remain just ash and cinders forevermore.I could hear faint sounds of a siren coming from town; someone must have called an ambulance, but I doubted they'd get here before it was too late. Matthan opened the car door and helped me in, then buckled me in. He sat down on the opposite side of the car, putting on his seatbelt. The moment he clicked in his keys and started up the engine, I looked at the house one last time. I had wanted to stay but Matthan had been against it. Even with many in high places acknowledging the existence of shifters, most still didn't
ELOISE Judas seemed to become smaller in my eyes. My bones cracked and twisted. I expected pain. True undiluted pain but there was nothing. Only rage. There was something else too. The shock in his eyes was almost liberating. As if on instinct, I grabbed him by the throat and threw him against the wall. He dropped like a broken toy. The air felt strangely stale around us. I felt different. The air I was taking in didn't feel like fire anymore. The choking had stopped and even though the fire that now engulfed the room singed my body, I was strangely unaffected. My attention wasn't focused on the burning wood that collapsed here and there or the exploding window frames. I had my eyes only on the cowering man."You will never hurt anyone again," I told him. "Tonight will be the last day you terrorize my life and all those innocent people."Judas must have seen an opportunity because the color of his eyes shifted into gold and claws grew from his hands and feet. His skin became grey, cov
ELOISEMy body hurt all over. He had broken something. The sting surging to my brain like a radio signal was a dead giveaway. I also could barely move. I wanted to run. I just couldn't do it. No matter what I did, I couldn't move a single muscle. It felt as if someone had stuck needles into all my muscles with a blunt object and twisted them around until they were stretched tightly and painful beyond description."Let's go back to your mother's room," Judas said, seizing me by the hair and dragging me up the stairs. I cried out in pain but it didn't make him stop. As we ascended the steps, I screamed at him, and tried kicking him but nothing worked. I couldn't fight him because every movement sent pain shooting across my body. "Do not be difficult Eloise. I do not want to hurt you now." He didn't stop until I was back in the room. I obeyed him. I stopped being difficult. Not because he had asked and it definitely wasn't because of the pain that assaulted my body with every movement tha
ELOISE I walked through the streets of Marblefay with nothing but questions in my head. I wondered if Judas would even be there considering I might now have the upper hand with the help of teleportation. I could also be wrong. Maybe Judas wasn't working alone. Maybe he had people on his side who were just as sick as him. A man like him couldn't have survived all by himself, right? When I left Matthan's house, the sun was out. When I reached the house I was born in, the house my father burned to the ground, the sun had become a pretty orange hue, and the birds sang. I could smell flowers blooming in the gardens of the home I grew up at, hear cars passing by on the highway, and feel the wind that brushed against me. This was not how it happened. The house I stood in front of looked exactly the same, though. That renovator kept to her word. The house looked nothing like it should be. It looked beautiful. I stayed outside, wondering if people had already moved in. A quick g****e search to
ELOISELike clockwork, the door unlocked and out of it appeared Matthan. It was a strange thing to admit but seeing him made things a bit easier."Your place or my place?" He asked."No one will be barging your place anytime soon," I replied. At least, that wasn't a lie.True." Matthan took my hand and led me towards the door. I looked back at my room one last time. There was a possibility this was the last time I was going to see it. I had been afraid of telling myself that since I had made the Carter home my home but now that it was happening, I wasn't so scared anymore. I looked forward, trying not to think about what could go wrong. We both walked through the door and I shut it. Now wasn't the time to think. I needed to act. I knew Matt would ask questions. Many I wouldn't want to answer and the last thing I wanted was to recruit him to die along with me so before those questions could leave his pretty mouth, I grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him hard on the lips.He was taken
ELOISEI don't think I was able to cry. The numbness overpowered all my other senses. It was like an out-of-body experience where you could see it all happening but there wasn't much you could do about it. I dreaded what was to come. I dreaded passing by the sign welcome to Ashlake and eventually getting home. By the time we arrived, I could already hear the wails of sirens and the chatters of passersby. No miracle was happening. I looked outside the car window and that was when the numb feeling exploded into something I knew like the back of my hand. Men dressed like paramedics carried a big black bag from the house as they loaded the body inside the ambulance."It's not real," I told myself, and how I wished that were true. What I would have done to let that be my truth."Miss, there is–" I didn't even let the butler finish before I opened the car door and stepped outside."Tell Orla that I am grateful for everything she has done for me." I managed to say while holding my tears. Tha