Sinnlose Realitt(German)

Sinnlose Realität(German)

Es war früh an einem Donnerstagmorgen, als Sie die schreckliche Nachricht erhielt, dass Ihr Mann tot war.

Sie hatte sich gefragt, warum er Letzte Nacht nicht nach Hause zurückgekehrt war, sogar am Telefon gewartet, schließlich rief er ihn an, erhielt aber nie eine Antwort.

Sie war gerade mit Ihren Kindern, Lisette und Alonso, auf Ihrer langen Einfahrt zum Schulbus gelaufen und hatte darauf gewartet, leise auf Wiedersehen zu winken, als es geräuschvoll davonfuhr, schließlich ließ Sie lächeln und hand fallen, als der bus aus dem Blickfeld geriet. Als Sie zurückkehrte, um nach Hause zu gehen, erkannte Sie, dass die Vögel besonders leise waren, ungewöhnlich so, es machte die Stille unangenehm, als Sie mit Ihren unaufhörlichen Gedanken gefangen war; nicht einmal die Brise, die die gefallenen Blätter klapperte, war so laut wie gewöhnlich. Sie glättete Ihr Schwarzes geflochtenes Haar zur Seite, bevor Sie unbehaglich an den ärmeln Ihres blaugrauen Pullovers zog, wickelte Ihre Arme fest um Ihren Körper, als Sie den Heimweg begann, hörte genau auf das Knirschen unter Ihren Schuhen, Ihr Geist wanderte immer noch in Verwirrung darüber, wo Ihr Mann war, Ryker, war. Ein paar Schritte von Ihrer Veranda entfernt verlangsamte Sie Ihr gehen, als Sie das Geräusch eines Autos hörte, Ihre Schritte schwankten leicht, als Sie sich umdrehte und das auffällige schwarz-weiß-Muster eines Polizeiautos aus Belmont enthüllte, Ohio, das auf Sie Zufuhr. Die Blendung gegen die Windschutzscheibe vom grauen Himmel machte es unmöglich zu sehen, wer fuhr, und ließ Sie unsicher, ob Sie sich über den überraschenden Auftritt überglücklich oder verstört fühlen sollte.

Je näher es fuhr, desto schneller schlug Ihr Herz und nahm flachere Atemzüge auf, als Sie beobachtete, wie das Auto ein paar Meter entfernt zum Stillstand kam. Ihre Hände Wangen sich unbewusst, als Sie darauf wartete, dass die Autotür aufging, plötzlich fühlte Sie sich unangenehm heiß, obwohl es ziemlich kalt war. Sie kannte die Gefahren, in denen Ihr Mann aufgrund seiner Arbeit Stand, und wusste, dass er bei jedem Aufruf verletzt oder getötet werden konnte; aber nichts würde Sie auf den Mutlosen Blick der Offiziere vorbereiten, als er aus dem Auto stieg.

Ryker war auf Abruf mit seinem partner für einen Bruch und Eingabe in einer Wohnzone, der Verbrecher hatte den Rücken gegangen und rundet das Haus hinter Ihnen zu kommen, wie Sie durch die kaputte Tür betreten ging, Schießen beide mehrmals in den Rücken vor dem laufen. Die Polizei suchte derzeit nach ihm, aber nur zwei Zeugen, einer, der ihn sah, als er anfing, Ihre Tür zu öffnen, und ein Nachbar, der sah, was geschah, und rief die Polizei.

Als der Offizier erklärte, was passiert war, ging Ihr Verstand leer, das bereits gedämpfte Geräusch des Waldes verschwand vollständig und diese unangenehme Hitze verschwand plötzlich und ließ Ihren Körper stattdessen leer fühlen. Sie wurde schnell in die Realität zurückgedrängt, als der Offizier die Hand ausgestreckt hatte, um Ihre Schulter zu berühren, es war nicht unhöflich oder unerwünscht, da dieser Offizier wirklich gut war

Freunde mit sich selbst und Ryker, aber der plötzliche und unerwartete Kontakt schockierte Sie genug, um Ihre Schulter wegzuziehen und einen Schritt zurück zu machen. Er zog sofort seinen arm zurück, sein Blick warf sich auf den Boden, während Sie einen bedauerlichen Blick dämmerte, als Sie Ihre Handlungen erkannte.

Sie sagte schließlich: "Es tut mir Leid, Carter, ich fühle mich im moment einfach etwas überwältigt." Ihre Stimme schüchtern leise, ein leichtes Stottern, als Sie versucht, alle Emotionen zu verstehen und zu kontrollieren, die plötzlich durch Sie laufen. Ein verständnisvoller Blick wäscht sich über sein Gesicht, bevor er feierlich mit dem Kopf nickt und zu seinem Auto zurückkehrt: "Auf Wiedersehen Traurig." Carter Sprach und bot ein kurzes, trauriges lächeln, bevor er in sein Auto stieg und losfuhr.

Es gab viele Gedanken, die durch Sadens Kopf rauschten, alle Nachrichten trafen Sie noch nicht vollständig. Mit Ihrem Verstand machte Sie sich langsam auf den Weg in Ihr kabinenhaus, Schloss die Tür ab, bevor Sie Ihre Stirn hart gegen das gebeizte Holz legte, gab sich einen moment der Ruhe, bevor Sie abdrückte und zum Telefon ging, um ein paar Anrufe zu tätigen.

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Das Haus ist dunkel und gibt eine beunruhigende und unangenehme aura ab; die Sonne ist noch nicht aufgegangen und keine Lichter in der Nähe, doch hier ist ein junge mit seiner Schuluniform und seinem Rucksack, der leise die Haustür schließt. Er beginnt schnell von seinem Haus wegzugehen, die ängstliche Atmosphäre, die ihn umgibt, löst sich langsam auf, je weiter er kommt, seine angespannten Schultern und sein am Rande stehender Blick verringern sich zu einer leichten paranoia.

Er hat eine Narbe über seinem Auge, seine etwas rote Farbe macht es offensichtlich gegen seine blasse Haut. Er bekam diese Narbe zur gleichen Zeit verlor er seine Mutter und Halbschwester, der Autounfall war brutal, nur er und einer der anderen Autos Passagiere überlebt haben.

Er verschattet seine Augen von den blendenden Scheinwerfern, die so oft Vorbeigehen, wenn er den Bürgersteig hinuntergeht, seine paranoia verschwindet, je näher er sich Binghams Teich nähert. Er findet einen Platz abseits der Straße und legt seine Tasche nieder, als er die schlummernden Schwäne und Enten beobachtet. Ein kleines lächeln ziert seine Gesichtszüge, als er sich daran erinnert, als er und seine Mutter Liz früh am morgen hierher kommen würden, um vor der Schule zu sprechen und den Sonnenaufgang zu beobachten; sein lächeln verschwindet so schnell wie es angekommen war, als er merkt, dass er jetzt nur noch alleine hierher kommen kann. Er konnte seinen Stiefvater Alec immer bitten, mit ihm zu kommen, aber er fürchtete jede Antwort, die Alec gab, besonders jetzt, wo er der einzige war, der den Autounfall überlebte.

In einem Versuch, seine Gedanken von der Vergangenheit abzuschütteln, blickt er zurück zu den Schwänen und bewundert Ihre Schönheit gegen das dunkle Wasser. Die ersten Sonnenstrahlen beginnen gegen den trüben Himmel zu Leuchten, eine leichte Brise lässt ihn zittern, da er keine einheitliche Jacke hat, da dies zusätzliches Geld kostet. Als er sich hinsetzt und sich gegen einen Baum lehnt, zwinkert er vor dem Schmerz, der in seinem Rücken aufflammt, bevor er ihn schüttelt aus und zog seine Tasche auf ihn zu, entbrückte das eiskalte Metall und Griff hinein, zog eine Mappe mit unvollendeten Hausaufgaben heraus; viele von Ihnen hatten zerknitterte und Tränen, obwohl er Sie ordentlich in einer Mappe aufbewahrte. Mit einem müden und verärgerten Seufzer begann er zu arbeiten, beginnend mit seinem Namen "Archer Carlisle", seine kalten Hände erschweren das schreiben und ein Blick von ärger blitzt durch seine Augen, als er weiß, dass er all diese Hausaufgaben nicht vor der Schule erledigen wird; fürchten Sie sich davor, Alec von der schlechten Note erzählen zu müssen, obwohl seine unvollendeten und zerrissenen Hausaufgaben alecs Schuld waren. Mit einem weiteren Seufzer machte er sich wieder an die Arbeit und versuchte, so viel wie möglich so schnell und so genau wie möglich zu beenden.

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Es ist eine Woche her, seit mir von seinem Tod erzählt wurde, ich wusste bereits, dass ich nicht in unserem bequemen Haus in Ohio bleiben konnte, zumal Ryker es gebaut hat; nur durch die Tür zu gehen, verursachte ein ekelhaftes Gefühl, sich über mich zu waschen, in dem wissen, dass ich ihn nie wieder sehen werde.

Die Beerdigung war gestern Nachmittag... Das schwarze Kleid, das ich trug, ist jetzt ein Haufen grauer Asche in der Feuerstelle. Meine Tochter Lisette ging mit mir, es war ein windiger Tag mit einer Prise Regen, der den Boden draußen bestäubte; es scheint, dass die Welt sogar um den Verlust trauerte, aber das bin wahrscheinlich nur ich, der einfache Dinge bedeutet. Mein Sohn Alonso nahm den Tod seines Vaters sehr hart, ich weiß, wie nahe Sie waren, und als ich sah, wie mein Sohn weinte, brach eine Träne durch meine Fassade der Stärke, aber ich musste Sie schnell abwischen, als ich meinen weinenden Sohn umarmte. Seine Schreie dauerten eine Stunde, Lisette begann auch zu Weinen, als Sie sah, wie Al ' s zitternde form von mir getröstet wurde. In dieser Nacht blieb ich mit Ihnen in Ihrem Zimmer und saß auf dem Teppichboden zwischen Ihren beiden Betten, eine hand Griff in jede von mir, als ich Ihnen Geschichten erzählte, um Sie einzuschlafen. Als ich wusste, dass Sie schliefen, hielt ich weiterhin Ihre Hände und lehnte meinen Kopf gegen die holzwand zurück, als ich an die Decke starrte, das Licht des Mondes erzeugte Schatten von ästen gegen die gegenüberliegende Wand. Ich saß einfach da und dachte über die Anrufe nach, die ich an dem Tag getätigt hatte, an dem ich die Nachricht erhielt; bis nächste Woche wird das, was von meiner Familie übrig ist, in unserem Scotland cottage sein, Weg von hier, Weg von ihm.

Ich muss es den Kindern immer noch sagen, ich bin mir nicht sicher, wie ich Ihnen sagen soll, dass wir wegziehen, Weg von allem, was uns an Ihren Vater erinnert. Ich kann nur hoffen, dass Sie mich für diese Entscheidung nicht verachten werden, aber wenn ich nur in diesem Haus bleibe, wandert mein Geist in eine Richtung, in die ich mich nicht einlassen werde.

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Die Glocke läutet laut, als ich in die schließende Tür meines Klassenzimmers Eile und durch den Raum schaue, sehe ich alle, die bereits sitzen, und der Lehrer beobachtet mich aufmerksam. Ich Senke meinen Blick, Strecke meine Hausaufgaben aus und drehe die unordentlich fertigen Seiten in den Korb, bevor ich am Schreibtisch meines Lehrers vorbeilaufe, um meinen Platz zu erreichen, und vermeide jederzeit den Blick seines und aller anderen.

Ich weiß, ich sollte mich nicht vor meinen Lehrern fürchten, aber Mr.Curraigh hat die gleiche strenge Stimme wie Alec, und ich kann nicht anders, als ängstlich zu sein, wenn ich in seine Klasse gehe; seine strengen Regeln und einschüchternde Statur helfen mir nicht gerade, wenn ich versuche, die beiden zu unterscheiden.

Mr.Curraigh blickt von seinem computer zu mir auf, ich Schlucke nervös und mische mich leicht in meinen Sitz, während ich auf das Papier schaue, das ich zart auf meinen Schreibtisch gelegt habe. Das ruhige Geschwätz der Klasse hatte vor einigen Augenblicken wieder aufgenommen, wurde aber schnell wieder angehalten, als Herr Curraigh seine geneigte Figur von seinem Schreibtisch schob und gemächlich an die Spitze der Klasse trat.

"Mr.Carlisle, möchten Sie der Klasse erklären, warum Sie zu spät kamen? Wieder." Sein nonchalanter Erster Satz kontrastierte stark mit seiner harten Aussage von 'again'. Unterbewusst Senke ich meinen Kopf, während die Klasse still ist, andere Klassen könnten kichern, aber Sie wissen, dass Sie in dieser Klasse nicht herumschrauben sollen.

Ich schüttle den Kopf "Nein" und vertraue meiner Stimme nicht ganz, um zu Antworten, ohne zu Stottern.

"Ich kann dich nicht hören, Archer. Erklären Sie der Klasse, warum Sie zu spät kamen." Seine scharfe, akzentuierte Stimme klingelte gegen die Stille und ließ keinen Raum, seiner Frage auszuweichen. Ich weiß, dass er mich ansieht, während er auf seine Antwort wartet. Ich schaue endlich zu ihm auf und Antworte leise, während mein Blick ständig zwischen ihm und der Decke flackert.

"Ich habe verschlafen, sir, ich werde es nicht noch einmal passieren lassen." Ich habe versucht, ein ruhiges Gesicht zu präsentieren, um ihn hoffentlich davon abzuhalten, mich erneut anzurufen, mein Geist im inneren ist voller Gedanken darüber, ob er die Entschuldigung akzeptieren wird oder nicht. Eine Sekunde vergeht, bevor er zurück zum whiteboard geht und anfängt zu schreiben, jeder kopiert es schnell in seine Notizbücher, das Gespräch scheint vergessen. Eine Ahnung von Sorge nörgelte weiter in meinem Hinterkopf, dass er wusste, dass meine Entschuldigung eine Fälschung war, aber ich hatte keine Zeit, darüber nachzudenken, da ich bereits auf den Notizen zurückfiel und meine jüngste handgelenksverletzung wird mir auch nicht gerade zugute kommen.

Der Unterricht ist endlich zu Ende, die meisten Leute waren gepackt und warteten an der Tür auf die Glocke, nur wenige Leute saßen an Ihren Schreibtischen. Ich stecke die zugewiesenen Hausaufgaben in Ihren Ordner und lege mein Notizbuch auch in meine Tasche. Ich greife nach dem Ordner, wenn eine andere hand ihn zuerst ergreift, eine hand, die keinem Schüler gehört. Ich hielt meine Augen hoch, bevor ich schnell auf den Schreibtisch schaute, es war Mr.Curraigh, der meinen hausaufgabenordner hielt, er lehnte sich an den Schreibtisch, als er durch den jetzt geöffneten Ordner schaute.

"Wissen Sie, Ihre Organisation und Pflege summiert sich nicht, wenn Sie zerrissene Papiere Einreichen." Er sagt, als er langsam den Ordner schließt und ihn für mich heraushält, den ich schnell durchlaufe, und ihn leise in meine Tasche lege.

"Du willst mir den wahren Grund sagen, warum du immer spät dran zu sein scheinst?" Herr Curraigh fragt, seine normalerweise laute und strenge Stimme ist jetzt leiser und enthält einen Hauch von Besorgnis. Es war ein paar Momente und ich habe noch zu reagieren, wenn er Stimmen,

"Archer, wenn du einen wirklichen Grund hast, warum du zu spät kommst, verstehe ich, aber ich kann diese falschen Ausreden nicht mehr akzeptieren. Es ist das zehnte mal, dass du zu spät kommst. Wenn du mir keinen wirklichen Grund geben kannst, muss ich dich inhaftieren." Seine Stimme war während des gesamten Satzes nie sehr streng oder hart und hatte eher einen Warnton, aber alles, was ich als Antwort aufbringen kann, ist, meinen Kopf unbehaglich mit "Nein" zu schütteln, während ich aufschaue, um seinen Blick zu treffen. Herr Curraigh freut sich einfach eine Sekunde, bevor er einen verärgerten Seufzer loslässt und vom Schreibtisch stößt.

"Kommen Sie nicht zu spät, Mr.Carlisle." Ist alles, was er sagt, bevor er zu seinem Schreibtisch zurückgeht, klingelt die Glocke und die Schüler eilen aus der Tür und Folgen sofort, um nicht zu spät zu meiner nächsten Lektion zu kommen. Meine Gedanken für den rest des Tages sind getrübt davon, wie Alec reagieren wird, wenn ich spät nach Hause komme, wie er reagieren wird, wenn ich ihm sage, dass ich wieder inhaftiert bin. Die Angst schwimmt in meiner Brust, so dass es sich eng anfühlt und die Luft erstickt, während ich durch den Tag stapfe.

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Am ersten Tag in unserem neuen Zuhause war es ein Ferienhaus, das meine Eltern besaßen und das ich geerbt habe. Weit Weg von Ohio, weit Weg von Ryker, den ganzen Weg in Glasgow, Schottland, gelegen in einer schönen Gegend räkelt sich mit grünen Feldern und einer Steinmauer ordentlich, der Sie umgibt.

Lisette und Alonso hatten den Zug besser genommen, als ich erwartet hatte, es schien, als wollten Sie so viel Weg wie ich. Ich hatte vorher angerufen, um sicherzustellen, dass die Hütte bereit war, als wir ankamen, und ein Freund meiner Eltern kommt vorbei, um meine Kinder zu beobachten, da ich so schnell wie möglich zu meinem job gehen muss. Als ich aus dem Haus Eilte, umarmte ich den Freund lebhaft und gab schnell an, Wann ich zu Hause sein werde, bevor ich zu meinem gemieteten Volkswagen-Fahrzeug rannte. Meine Taschen verdrehen sich, als ich versuche, alles im Auto zu platzieren, ich Schiebe es schnell in den Beifahrersitz, bevor ich die Spiegel einstelle und zu meinem neuen job gehe.

Die grauen Wolken, die den Himmel übersät haben, erinnern mich sehr an mein Zuhause, aber diese geschäftige Stadt ist genau das, was ich brauche, um meinem Kleinstadtleben zu entfliehen. Das fahren auf der linken Seite ist jedoch ziemlich seltsam, etwas, an das man sich gewöhnen muss.

Als ich auf den Parkplatz ziehe, Stelle ich fest, dass die Schule sich dem Ende des Tages nähert, ich hoffe, ich werde nicht gefeuert, bevor ich überhaupt anfange. Schnell stolpere ich durch die Bürotür, richte meine Haltung und mein Hemd auf, bevor ich zur Rezeption gehe und sage, dass ich der neue Wissenschaftslehrer bin. Die Frau lächelt, bevor Sie jemanden anruft, ich nehme an, der Schulleiter oder vielleicht ein anderer Lehrer.

Nachdem ich ungefähr 2 Minuten gewartet hatte, Drang die Bürotür laut auf, ein großer Mann mit dicken hellbraunen Haaren und einer einschüchternden Statur tritt ein und gibt der Frau ein kleines nicken, bevor Sie sich mir nähert. Ich stehe auf und schüttle ihm die Hand.

"Hallo, ich bin Mr. Curriagh oder Aric, ich bin hier, um Sie zu Ihrer Klasse zu begleiten." Seine Stimme hat einen dicken Akzent, an den ich mich jetzt auch gewöhnen muss, da ich in Schottland Lebe. Seine einschüchternde Haltung scheint mit dem freundlichen lächeln zu kontrastieren, das er anbietet.

"Das Vergnügen, Sie zu treffen, Aric, ich bin Saden." Ich Antworte höflich, bevor ich ihm Erlaube, mich aus dem Büro und den Flur hinunter zu führen.

"Du bist also der neue naturwissenschaftliche Lehrer?" Er äußert sich leicht neugierig und navigiert weiterhin durch die leeren Hallen.

"Ja, was lehrst du?" Ich Frage, zu Fuß schneller mit seinem Flotten Tempo zu halten.

"Oh ich? Ich war schon immer ein literaturmensch." Seine Antwort lässt ein kleines lächeln Aufkommen, die Tatsache, dass die Menschen hier so nett und Einladend sind, verehre ich. Wir kommen nach einem weiteren moment des Gehens zum Stillstand.

"Nun, das ist deine Klasse, obwohl du etwas spät angekommen bist." Er erklärt, wie wir beobachten, wie die Schüler Ihre Taschen packen. Ich lasse einen ruhigen Seufzer Los, natürlich würde ich den ganzen ersten Tag meines Jobs vermissen.

"Machen Sie sich keine sorgen, dass Sie Ihre Klasse verpassen, Sie können einspringen, um bei der Inhaftierung zu helfen oder das Gelände zu erkunden." Aric sagt, als er seine Augen aus dem Fenster zu mir flackert, bin ich dabei zu Antworten, wenn die Glocke laut läutet und durch die leeren Hallen hallt, bevor sich die klassentüren öffnen und die Schüler aussteigen. Wir stehen beide in der Nähe des Fensters zu meiner Klasse, bis sich die Hallen wieder beruhigen, nur ein paar Schüler stehen herum, während einige gerade fertig packen.

Aric dreht sich um, um wieder mit mir zu sprechen, als sich sein Blick zu etwas hinter mir wendet, sein plötzlicher Schrei überrascht mich und ich drehe mich schnell um, um den Schuldigen zu sehen.

Ein kleiner junge mit dunkelbraunen Haaren hält sofort an, seine Augen gehen weit, als er angeschrien wird, sein arm zieht seinen halt um sein Buch, das sich an seiner Brust festklammert.

"Bogenschütze. Die Haft ist in die andere Richtung." Aric sagt, als er zum Studenten geht. Ich würde erwarten, dass jeder Schüler nervös ist, wenn er von einem Lehrer gerufen wird, aber dieser Schüler, Archer, schien geradezu verängstigt zu sein.

Bevor Archer reagieren kann, beginnt Aric erneut zu sprechen. "Dies ist das zweite mal, dass Sie versucht haben, die Inhaftierung zu überspringen, Archer." Wenn er eine leichte Pause macht, während er auf eine Antwort wartet, nachdem er keine erhalten hat, lässt er einen Seufzer der irritation aus, bevor er sagt: "Komm mit mir Archer." Ich fange an, wieder zu mir zu gehen, Archer ein paar Schritte hinter sich mit seinen Augen auf dem Boden trainiert.

"Es tut mir Leid, Ihre tour zu verkürzen, aber ich muss diesen Studenten in die Haft begleiten." Aric sagt, als er zu Archer zurückblickt.

"Ganz in Ordnung Aric, stört es mich, wenn ich mitkomme? Ich habe meinen ersten Tag danach vermisst." Ich Frage Archer an, seine Augen hätten sich die ganze Zeit nicht vom Boden bewegt. Aric nickt kurz mit dem Kopf, bevor er den Weg in die Haft Antritt. Ich Folge schnell, versuche mitzuhalten und höre zu, wie Aric die Teile der Schule beschreibt, die wir Durchlaufen.

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Wer ist diese person? Ist Sie die neue Lehrerin? Sie sagte, Sie hätte Ihren ersten Tag hier verpasst, und unsere neue Lehrerin für Naturwissenschaften konnte nicht auftauchen.

Ich Hebe meinen Kopf hoch, meine Augen schauen Sie für einen moment an, während ich darüber nachdenke, ob ich meine Frage stellen soll oder nicht. Schließlich gebe ich der Neugier nach und Frage: "Bist du der neue naturwissenschaftliche Lehrer?" Meine Frage scheint Sie beide aus Ihrem Smalltalk zu verblüffen, Herr Curra schweigt jetzt, während ich auf Ihre Antwort warte. Sie wendet sich an mich und bietet ein freundliches lächeln, bevor Sie antwortet: "Ja, das bin ich, Sie können mich Mrs.Monroe nennen." Ihre Antwort ist nett, aber kurz, und Ihre Stimme schien leicht zu schwanken, als Sie Ihren Nachnamen sagte, was dazu führte, dass mein Kopf bei Ihrer Zurückhaltung, Ihren Nachnamen zu sprechen, immer so leicht in Verwirrung kippte.

"Es ist schön, Sie kennenzulernen, Mrs.Monroe, mein name ist Archer." Ich Antworte, meine Stimme wirkt selbstbewusster und lauter als mein normaler Ton, obwohl ich kaum darüber nachdenke. Für welche Zeit noch von dem Spaziergang in die Haft übrig war, verbrachte ich damit, mit Mrs.Monroe zu sprechen, ich weiß nicht warum, aber Sie schien leichter zu sprechen, es hätte an Ihrer nicht einschüchternden Haltung und Größe liegen können, oder möglicherweise, dass Sie mich an meine Mutter erinnerte, beide sind plausibel.

Wir Sprachen über das Buch, das ich hielt, als Mr.Curraigh zum Stillstand kam, den Raum, in dem er festgehalten wird, direkt vor uns. Ich greife nach dem Griff und vergesse kurzzeitig meine handgelenksverletzung, bis ich ein Grunzen des Schmerzes loslasse, ziehe sofort mein Handgelenk zurück und halte es gegen meine Brust, als die harte, greifende Qual, die mein system überschwemmt und mich an gestern erinnert.

Sowohl Mr.Curraigh als auch Mrs.Monroe scheinen schockiert über meinen plötzlichen schmerzausbruch zu sein, Mrs.Monroe ist dabei, etwas zu sagen, aber ich habe keine Zeit zum nachdenken, stolpere rückwärts ich drehe mich leicht um und renne off. Ich gehe an den einzigen Ort, an dem ich mich sicher fühle, den Bingham ' s Pond oder den Swan Pond, wie meine Mutter immer sagte; wenn ich mich nur daran erinnere, dass eine Welle der Angst durch meinen Körper fegt, sind all diese Dinge, die immer wieder passieren, zu überwältigend. Zuerst verliere ich meine Mutter und Schwester bei einem Autounfall, dann beschuldigt mich mein Stiefvater(der mich bereits nicht mochte), und jetzt habe ich einen Lehrer, der mich genau an meine Mutter erinnert, ich weiß einfach nicht mehr, wie ich mich fühlen oder darauf reagieren soll Situationen. Ich bin so in diesen produktiven Gedanken und schmerzenden Schmerzen gefangen, dass ich die Schritte, die sich mir nähern, nicht höre. Es war die plötzliche hand auf meiner Schulter, die mich überrascht über die Anwesenheit einer anderen person keuchte. Schnell den Kopf drehend erwarte ich einen wütenden Mr.Curraigh oder möglicherweise Alec, aber ich werde stattdessen von Mrs.Monroes traurigem lächeln getroffen, als Sie neben mir hockt. Als ich Ihre hand nach meinem Handgelenk streckte, zuckte ich Weg, aber nach einer weiteren Sekunde Erlaube ich Ihr, mein Handgelenk zu sehen, und Ignoriere die mögliche Konsequenz, dass Sie in Frage stellen könnte, wie ich diese Verletzung erlitten habe.

Es war die leichte Erweiterung Ihrer Augen, die mich veranlasste, Ihrem Blick zu Folgen, ich entschied mich, niemals auf meine Verletzungen zu schauen, wenn ich sehe, dass mein Handgelenk geschwollen und gequetscht ist, erweitern sich auch meine Augen. Sie berührt leicht mein Handgelenk und ich ziehe mich sofort Weg, der Schmerz sengt sich durch meinen arm. Sie scheint in einem moment des Nachdenkens dort zu sitzen, als ob Sie darüber nachdenkt, was Sie sagen sollte.

"Bogenschütze. Wie ist das passiert?" Da war es, das einzige, was ich nicht hören wollte. Ich schüttle den Kopf und schaue Weg, erst jetzt merke ich, dass ein paar Tränen über mein Gesicht gestreut hatten, Sie schnell mit meiner freien hand abwischen. Ich höre keine Antwort auf meine Ablehnung, also schaue ich zurück und sehe Mrs.Monroe auch Tränen zurückhalten, obwohl ich nicht weiß, warum. Kopfschüttelnd schiebt Sie sich vom Boden und streckt mir eine hand aus, die ich langsam nehme. Jetzt stehe ich Staub mich mit meiner guten hand ab und halte meinen Rucksack Locker, während ich auf Ihre Fragen warte.

Alles, was Sie tut, ist, scheinbar den Kopf zu sich selbst zu schütteln, bevor Sie mich auffordert, Ihr zu Folgen. Sie führt mich zurück zur Schule, nie sprechen oder einen Blick auf mich, nur starrte nach vorne, fast leer. Sie bringt mich in den medizinischen Raum und sagt mir, ich solle an der Tür warten, während Sie weggeht, um sich mit einer Krankenschwester zu unterhalten. Ich Frage mich, was Sie sagt, vermutet Sie, dass mein Stiefvater diese Verletzungen verursacht hat? Oder glaubt Sie, eine andere Studentin hat mir das angetan? Soll ich einfach Rennen, solange ich noch die chance habe? Meine Gedanken werden abrupt gestoppt, als sowohl Mrs. Monroe als auch die Krankenschwester zu mir gehen, meine Nervosität tritt bei einer anderen Person ein, die jetzt anwesend ist.

Ich versuchte, nicht auf die aufflammenden Schmerzen zu achten, als die Krankenschwester mein Handgelenk in einen Eisbeutel wickelte, die eiskalte Kälte ließ mich zittern, da das Wetter draußen bereits kühl war. Nach ein paar Minuten Vereisung meines Handgelenks bringt Sie einen Kompressionsverband heraus, kuschelig umwickelt mein Handgelenk und hand, der Schmerz hat sich verringert, aber behält einen stetigen Schmerz bei, der meinen ganzen arm umgibt. Wenn Sie fertig ist, gibt Sie mir täglich Anweisungen und eine Notiz für den Unterricht, da dies meine schreibhand war.

Als ich zur Tür ging, sah ich Mrs.Monroe, die dort wartete, Ihr freundliches lächeln wurde durch einen ernsten und strengen Blick ersetzt, der meine Schritte etwas zögerlicher macht. Wir verlassen den medizinraum und gehen in den ruhigen, trostlosen Flur hinaus, Ihr Gesicht ist immer noch ernst, als wir beide aufhören.

"Wie hast du diese Verletzung Archer bekommen." Es war keine Frage, sondern etwas, das eine Antwort verlangte, eine, die ich nur sehr ungern gab. Angeln mein Gesicht Weg von Ihr ich schüttle den Kopf 'Nein' wieder, nicht wollen, Ihr die Wahrheit zu sagen,, mein Geist, dass es mehr Schmerzen als gut verursachen würde, dass, selbst wenn Sie mir glauben würde sonst niemand.

"Archer, wenn du es mir nicht sagst, dann muss ich dem Büro sagen, dass ich deinen Vater anrufen soll." Sie sagt, Ihre Stimme verliert etwas von Ihrer strenge, als Sie versucht, mich zur Antwort zu bringen.

Als ich Ihren Anruf von Alec, meinem Vater, höre, explodieren all diese Gefühle, meine Wut fließt frei und ich kann nicht anders, als chaotisch zu reagieren: "ER IST NICHT MEIN VATER!" Mein Ruf hallt den Flur hinunter, die Stille, die in seinem Gefolge zurückbleibt, ist unangenehm, all dieses Wut-getriebene Vertrauen verlässt schnell meinen Körper, während ich ausatme. Sie ist nicht dumm, Sie wird herausfinden, was Los ist, ich werde von zu Hause weggebracht, der Letzte Ort, der mich an Mama und meine Schwester erinnert.

Ihre Haltung scheint sich zu versteifen, nachdem ich meine Antwort gehört habe, ich kann nur hoffen, dass Sie nicht wütend auf meinen Ausbruch ist.

"Ich werde dich nur noch einmal Fragen. Wer hat das getan?" Ihre Stimme war tödlich leise, der zweite Satz wurde hart ausgesprochen und ließ keinen Raum für Ausreden. Ich stehe Ihr endlich gegenüber, obwohl mein Kopf immer noch gesenkt ist, meine Augen flackern hin und wieder auf Sie zu, während ich darüber nachdenke, was ich sagen werde.

"....Alec." Meine Stimme flüstert, obwohl ich weiß, dass Sie es gehört hat, und zu wissen, dass jemand anderes sich dieses Geheimnisses bewusst ist, lässt mich nur fühlen... anfällig.

Scar's Adopted Brother Ch.1: Life as the Little Brother

Ch.2

(Epilogue)

Crow is a male, black maned lion with a rusty golden-red body, and coal black eyes with flecks of silver and green throughout his iris'. He is also smaller than other lions in his family's bloodline. All the other lions also have a golden-tan coloured body with a bright, golden mane with silver streaks throughout the mane with reddish brown eyes; the only probable reason as to why Crow has a black mane is because his father has a black mane.

His father was chosen by Crow's mother as her mate to rule this pride with her. Crow is the second born son to the king and queen of the Draconian savannah territory; with his older brother, Shyam; a large and bulky tannish brown male lion with a silvery-golden mane who's destined to be the next ruler of the Draconian territory. However Shyam is an arrogant, selfish lion who uses his power to get what he wants, he also bullies smaller lions including his only brother. Crow doesn't think about it too hard as he is currently training himself to take Shyam on for leadership.

Crow has been training secretly so that he has better endurance, speed, and agility; developing lean muscles so he's not too bulky but has great strength at the same time. He's been learning as much as he can about fighting strategies, the most common and used attacks, the best ways to navigate harsh terrain as well as how to intimidate someone, all so that one day he can overthrow Shyam.

———————

(Summer)

Shyam has been the ruler for nearly three months now, he hasn't learned very much seeing as he almost always just thinks for himself. He even sent out a hunting party of only two lionesses. One of them came back badly injured from a fight with an antelope which managed to use their small number to its advantage. When she returned, Shyam merely waved off the injury and continued to move their pride through harsh days with scorching sun and barely any water.

———————

(Story Begins)

(Winter)

Crow's POV:

It's the middle of winter now, Shyam has been ruler for nearly a year and we've already lost a quarter of our population to starvation, dehydration, or from dead tiredness. I'm extremely worried, however, mainly for my mother because she has fallen ill, and Shyam has been exiling elder lions who have fallen ill or need help to survive. I believe Shyam will even kill her if she refuses to leave, and I don't plan on letting that happen.

———————

Shyam has settled the pride down in an area surrounded by some brush to try and keep the cold wind out partially. I see him walking towards me, I sit as tall as I can to not seem weak to him; heck I'm surprised he hasn't tried to kill me yet.

He simply walks past me, his golden-silver man flicking in the wind whilst his amber eyes shift menacingly over to our mother. He walks forward until he's standing right in front of her. Out of nowhere he pounces forward and tackles her to the ground, growls of anger and pain being produced from the tussle. Father only stares in shock knowing he's too weak to stop Shyam.

Anger bursting through my veins, I get up and ram my shoulder into Shyam's rib cage with such strength that he is thrown nearly seven feet away. My body is bursting with energy, adrenaline, and hatred; urging me to get revenge on all those years of fighting, and for hurting our mother - the only one who ever truly trusted and believed in me.

I stared at Shyam as he pushed his body off the ground and looked back to see who his attacker was. Unsurprisingly his face lit up with joy as I always knew he wanted a reason to fight and kill me, a valid reason to finally get rid of me once and for all.

"Well well well. If it isn't my baby brother Crow." Shyam snarled with malice as he strided forward and began to strut in a circle around me. I just stood there, my tail slowly flicking from side to side as I listened, watching his every move for the slightest hint on when and where he would try to attack me. Shyam turned and sharply lunged at me, but I simply fell to the ground, turning my body upwards, allowing me to claw at his belly, leaving several gash marks on his body which began to bleed profusely.

"I challenge you for leadership of this pride Shyam!" I roared, but it sounded more like the loudest thunder. I see him getting quite annoyed by not being able to land a single blow on me, so I decide to wait knowing his attacks would be out of anger which makes them much easier to see coming.

Shyam gives off a fake humorous laugh, then turns to me with a serious expression, and growling.

"If you challenge me, do not be afraid when I kill you."

Ch.2

毫无意义的现实(Chinese)

English Version is FIRST CHAPTER

这是一个星期四早晨，当她收到可怕的消息，她的丈夫已经死了。

她一直在想，为什么他昨晚没有回家，甚至在电话旁等待，最终打电话给他，但从来没有得到答案。

她刚刚走了她的孩子，利塞特和阿隆索，他们漫长的车道上的校车等待，轻轻地挥手告别，因为它喧闹地开车走了，终于让她的微笑和手落在公交车出去的 回头走回家，她意识到鸟儿特别安静，异常如此，它使沉默不舒服，因为她被困在她不断的想法;甚至没有微风剑拔弩张落叶像往常一样响亮。 她平滑她的黑色编织的头发到一边，不安地扯在她的蓝灰色毛衣的袖子之前，紧紧地包裹着她的手臂在她的身体，她开始走回家，仔细听着她的鞋子下的紧缩，她的头脑仍然徘徊在混乱，她的丈夫，雷克，在哪里。 从她的门廊几步之遥，她放慢了她走，因为她听到一辆汽车的声音,她的脚步微微摇摇欲坠，因为她转身,揭示了一个贝尔蒙特突出的黑白图案,俄亥俄州警车 从灰色的天空对挡风玻璃的眩光使它无法看到谁在开车，让她不确定是否感到喜出望外或悲痛欲绝，在它的惊喜外观。

它越接近，她的心跳就越快，当她看着车停在几英尺远的地方时，呼吸更浅。 当她等待车门摆动打开时，她的双手下意识地扭着对方，突然感到不舒服，即使天气相当寒冷。 她知道她的丈夫是在危险，由于他的工作线，并知道他可能会受伤或杀害任何呼出;但没有什么会准备她的军官脸沮丧的样子，因为他走出了车。

雷克是随叫随到与他的合作伙伴在一个住宅区的破门而入,犯罪已经出去了回来，四舍五入的房子来了他们身后，因为他们去通过破获的门口进入,在运行 警方目前正在寻找他，但只有两个证人，一个看到他，因为他开始胸围打开他们的门，和一个邻居谁看到发生了什么事，叫警察。

当军官解释发生了什么，她的头脑一片空白，森林已经减弱的噪音完全消失，不舒服的热量突然消失，让她的身体反而感觉空虚。 她很快发现自己被迫回到现实，当军官伸出手去触摸她的肩膀时，这不是粗鲁或不受欢迎的，因为这个军官是自己和雷克的真正好朋友，但突然和意外的接触震惊了她，足以把她的肩膀拉开序幕，退后一步。 他立即收回了他的手臂，他的目光投向地板，而她恍然大悟了一个遗憾的样子，因为她意识到她的行动。

她最后说，"对不起卡特，我-我现在有点不知所措。"她的声音胆怯地安静，轻微的口吃，因为她试图理解和控制所有的情绪突然通过她运行。 一个理解的表情洗过他的脸，然后郑重地点头，转身回到他的车上，"再见萨登。"卡特说，在走进他的车开走之前，提供了一个简短而悲伤的微笑。

有很多想法冲过萨登的头，所有的消息还没有完全击中她。 随着她的头脑赛车，她慢慢地进入她的小屋回家，锁上门，然后将她的额头严厉打击染色的木头，给自己一个和平的时刻，然后推开，走向电话打几个电话。

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房子是黑暗的，散发出不安和令人不安的光环;太阳还没有升起，附近没有灯光，但这里是一个男孩，他的校服和背包静静地关闭前门。 他开始迅速离开他的房子，他周围的焦虑气氛慢慢消散他得到的进一步，他紧张的肩膀和边缘看起来减轻到只是轻微的偏执狂。

他的眼睛上方有一个疤痕，它有点红色，对他苍白的皮肤很明显。 他得到了这个疤痕同时，他失去了他的母亲和同父异母的妹妹，车祸是残酷的，只有他和其他汽车乘客幸存下来的一个。

当他走在人行道上时，他的眼睛远离眩目的前灯，他的偏执狂消失得越近，他接近宾汉姆的池塘。 他找到了一个远离道路的地方，当他观察沉睡的天鹅和鸭子时，把他的包放下。 一个小小的微笑增光他的功能，因为他记得，当他和他的母亲，利兹，会来这里一大早说话，看日出放学前;他的笑容消失的速度一样快，因为它已经到达，因为他 他总是可以要求他的继父亚历克和他一起去，但他害怕亚历克给任何回应，特别是现在他是唯一一个在车祸中幸存下来的人。

为了摆脱过去的想法，他回头看着天鹅，欣赏他们对黑暗的水的美丽。 前几个太阳光线开始发光对昏暗的天空，轻微的微风使他颤抖，因为他没有统一的外套，因为这需要额外的钱。 当他坐下来，靠在一棵树上，他畏缩在他的背部燃烧起来的痛苦，然后把它甩掉，把他的包拉向他，解开冰冷的金属，伸手进去，拉出一个包含未完成作业的文件夹; 虽然他把它们整齐地放在一个文件夹中，但他们中的很多人都有皱褶和眼泪。 释放疲惫和恼怒的叹息，他开始工作,从他的名字开始,"弓箭手卡莱尔",他冰冷的手，使其更难写，并通过他的眼睛加重闪烁，因为他知道，他不会得到所有这 又叹了口气，他又回去工作了，试图尽可能快，尽可能准确地完成尽可能多的工作。

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自从我被告知他的死亡已经有一个星期了，我已经知道我不能留在我们舒适的俄亥俄州的家中，特别是因为Ryker建造了它;只是穿过门引起了一种令人作呕的感觉，我知道我永远不会再见到他。

葬礼是昨天下午.. 我穿的黑色礼服现在是一堆灰灰在火坑里。 我的女儿Lisette和我一起去了，这是一个有风的日子，外面洒满了雨水;似乎世界甚至在哀悼损失，但这可能只是我把意义放在简单的事情上。 我的儿子阿隆索把他父亲的死亡很辛苦，我知道他们有多接近，看到我的儿子哭了一个眼泪打破了我的力量门面，但我不得不迅速擦掉，因为我拥抱了我哭泣的儿子。 他的哭声持续了一个小时，利塞特也开始哭了，当她看到阿尔的颤抖的形式被我的安慰。 那天晚上，我和他们呆在他们的房间里，坐在他们两张床之间的地毯上，一只手抓住我的每一个，因为我告诉他们故事让他们睡觉。 当我知道他们睡着了时，我继续握住他们的手，把头靠在木墙上，盯着天花板，月亮的光线在对面的墙上创造了树枝的阴影。 我只是坐在那里，想着我接到消息那天打来的电话; 下周我家剩下的就在我们苏格兰的小屋里远离这里远离他

我仍然需要告诉孩子们，我不知道如何告诉他们我们正在离开，远离一切让我们想起他们的父亲。 我只能希望他们不会因为这个决定而鄙视我，但只是呆在这个家里会让我的脑海里徘徊在一个我不会让自己进去的方向上。

------

当我冲进教室的关门时，钟声响起，在房间里瞥了一眼，我看到每个人都已经坐下了，老师尖锐地看着我。 降低我的目光，我理顺了我的家庭作业，并把在混乱完成的网页到篮子里，然后走过我的老师的办公桌到达我的座位，避免他和其他人的目光在任何时候。

我知道我不应该被我的老师吓坏了，但Curraigh先生的声音和亚历克一样严厉，每当我走进他的班级时，我不禁感到焦虑;他严格的规则和恐吓的身材在试图区分这

Curraigh先生从他的电脑向我瞥了一眼，我紧张地吞下，并在我的座位上轻微地洗牌，因为我低头看着我微妙地放在我的办公桌上的纸张。 几分钟前，班上安静的谈话又开始了，但是当库雷先生把他靠在桌子上的身影从桌子上推下来，悠闲地大步走到班上的前面时，他很快又停止了。

"卡莱尔先生，想向全班解释一下你为什么迟到？ 再来一次"他冷淡的第一句话与他严厉的'再次'的表达形成了很大的对比。 下意识地，我低下头，因为班级沉默，其他班级可能会傻笑，但他们知道不要在这个班级里乱搞。

我摇摇头'不'不完全相信我的声音回答没有口吃。

"我听不到你的弓箭手。 你能向全班解释一下你为什么迟到吗？"他尖锐，重音的声音响了起来反对寂静，没有留下任何空间来避免他的问题。 我知道他正在看着我，因为他等待着他的答案。 我终于抬头看着他，静静地回答，因为我的目光在他和天花板之间不断闪烁。

"我睡过头了，先生，我不会让它再次发生。"我试图呈现一个平静的脸，希望阻止他再次打电话给我，我的脑海里都在想他是否会接受这个借口。 在他走回白板并开始写作之前，一秒钟就过去了，每个人都很快将其复制到笔记本中，谈话似乎被遗忘了。 担心的暗示继续唠叨在我的后脑勺，他知道我的借口是假的，但我没有时间给它任何沉思，因为我已经落后于笔记，我最近的手腕受伤也不会让我受益。

课终于结束了，大多数人都收拾好行李，在门边等钟声，只有少数人坐在自己的办公桌前。 我把分配的家庭作业塞进他们的文件夹，把我的笔记本也放在我的包里。 当另一只手首先抓住它时，我到达文件夹，一只不属于学生的手。 我keek我的眼睛之前迅速往下看书桌,这是先生.Curraigh谁拿着我的家庭作业文件夹,他靠在桌子上，因为他通过现在打开的文件夹脱脂.

"你知道，你的组织和照顾不加起来，当你把撕开的文件。"他说，他慢慢地关闭文件夹，拿着它给我拿，我很快就完成了，默默地把它放在我的包里。

"你想告诉我你总是迟到的真正原因吗？"Curraigh先生提问，他通常响亮而严厉的声音现在更安静，含有一丝担忧。 这是一个几分钟，我还没有回应时，他的声音,

"弓箭手，如果你有一个真正的理由，为什么你迟到了，我理解，但我不能再接受这些假借口了。 这是你第十次迟到了 如果你不能给我一个真正的理由，那么我必须给你留堂。"他的声音在整个句子中从来没有非常严格或苛刻，有更多的警告音，但我所能鼓起的回应是不安地摇头'不'，因为我抬头迎接他的目光。 Curraigh先生只是期待了一秒钟，然后释放了一个恼怒的叹息，推开了桌子。

卡莱尔先生留堂别迟到"走回办公桌前，他只说了这么多话，钟声响起，学生们冲出门来，我自己马上跟上，以免迟到下一课。 我在一天的其余时间的想法都与亚历克将如何反应，当我回家晚了，他会如何反应，当我告诉他，我又被拘留蒙上阴影。 恐惧池在我的胸口，使它感觉紧张，空气窒息，因为我跋涉了一天。

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在我们新家的第一天，这是我父母拥有的一间小屋，我继承了这间小屋。 远离俄亥俄州,远离莱克,一路在格拉斯哥,苏格兰,坐落在一个不错的区域与懒洋洋的绿色田野和石墙整齐地围绕着它.

Lisette和Alonso采取了比我预期的更好的举动，似乎他们像我一样想要离开。 我已经提前打电话，以确保山寨是准备好，当我们到达,和我父母的一个朋友过来看我的孩子，因为我必须尽快去我的工作. 冲出家门，我轻快地给朋友一个拥抱，迅速说明时间，我会在我租来的大众汽车赛车之前回家。 当我试图把所有东西都放在车里时，我很快就把它推到乘客座位上，然后调整后视镜并前往我的新工作。

灰色的云彩乱扔的天空让我想起了很多家，但这个繁忙的城市正是我需要摆脱我的小镇生活。 虽然在左侧驾驶是相当奇怪的，但需要一些时间来适应。

当我拉进停车场时，我注意到学校即将结束，我希望我在开始之前不会被解雇。 迅速地绊倒通过办公室门,我伸直了我的姿势和衬衫走到前台之前，并说明我是新的科学老师.我的第一件事是，我是一个很好的老师，我的第一件事是 女人打电话给别人之前微笑，我假设校长或者另一位老师。

等待大约2分钟后，办公室的门大声吵着打开，一个高大的男人，厚厚的浅棕色头发和一个令人生畏的身材大步走了进来，在接近我之前给女人点点头。 我站起来和他握手。

"你好，我是Curriagh先生或Aric，我在这里陪你去上课。"他的声音有一个厚厚的口音，这是我现在也必须习惯的，因为我住在苏格兰。 他令人生畏的姿势似乎与他提供的友好微笑形成鲜明对比。

"很高兴见到你阿里克，我是萨登。"我礼貌地回应，然后让他带领我走出办公室，沿着走廊。

"那么，你是新来的科学老师？"他的声音略带好奇，继续浏览空大厅。

"是的，你教什么？"我质疑，走得更快，以跟上他的轻快步伐。

"哦，我？ 我一直都是文学爱好者"他的回答导致一个小小的微笑出现，事实上，这里的人是如此的好，欢迎是我喜欢的东西。 我们走了一会儿后停下来。

"嗯，这是你的课，虽然你迟到了一点。"当我们看到学生收拾行李时，他解释道。 我释放了一个安静的叹息，当然我会错过我工作的第一天。

"不要担心错过你的课，你可以弹出来帮助拘留或探索理由。"阿里克说，当他从窗户向我闪烁他的眼睛时，当钟声响起时，我即将作出回应，在教室门打开之前，在空荡荡的大厅里回荡，学生们退出。 我们都站在我的班级的窗户附近，直到大厅再次安静下来，只有少数学生站在周围，而有些学生正在整理包装。

阿里克转身再次跟我说话时，他的目光转向我身后的东西，他突然喊我惊喜，我很快转身看到罪魁祸首。

一个深棕色头发的小男孩立即停下来，他的眼睛在被喊着，他的手臂紧握着他的书，紧紧抓住他的胸部。

"弓箭手。 拘留是在另一个方向。"阿里克说，他走到学生。 我希望任何学生在被老师叫出来时都会感到紧张，但这个学生Archer似乎吓坏了。

在Archer能够回应之前，Aric开始再次说话。 "这是你第二次试图跳过拘留，弓箭手。"在等待回应时给予轻微的休息，在没有收到任何回应后，他发出了一丝刺激，然后说："跟我来弓箭手。"开始走回到我身边，弓箭手落后了几步，他的眼睛在地板上训练。

"很抱歉缩短你的参观时间，但我必须护送这个学生留校。"阿里克说，他回望弓箭手。

""很好，阿里克，介意我一起去吗？ 我确实错过了第一天"我怀疑，看了一眼弓箭手，他的眼睛没有从地板上移动的全部时间。 阿里克在带路到拘留之前短暂点头。 我迅速跟进，试图跟上，听着Aric描述我们穿过的学校的部分。

------

这个人是谁？ 她是新老师吗 她确实说她错过了第一天，我们的新科学老师无法出现。

我抬起头，我的眼睛看着她一会儿，因为我考虑我是否应该问我的问题。 我终于屈服于好奇心，问："你是新来的科学老师吗？"我的问题似乎吓了他们两个出他们的闲聊,先生.Curraigh现在沉默，因为我等待她的回应. 她转向我，并在回答之前提供了一个友好的微笑，"是的，就是我，你可以叫我门罗夫人。"她的回答很好，但很短，当她说她的姓氏时，她的声音似乎有点动摇，导致我的头稍微倾斜，因为她不愿说出她的姓氏。

"很高兴见到你门罗夫人，我的名字是阿彻。"我回答说，我的声音似乎比我正常的语气更自信，更响亮，虽然我几乎没有给它任何想法。 我花了多少时间跟Monroe夫人谈话，不知道为什么，但她似乎更容易交谈，这可能是因为她不吓人的姿势和身高，或者她让我想起了我的母亲，这两者都是合理的。

当Curraigh先生停下来时，我们正在谈论我拿着的那本书，拘留室就在我们面前。 我伸手抓住手柄，暂时忘记了我的手腕受伤，直到我释放痛苦的咕噜声，立即拉动我的手腕，并将其放在我的胸前，因为我的系统充满了严酷的抓握痛苦，提醒我昨天。

Curraigh先生和Monroe夫人似乎对我突然爆发的疼痛感到震惊，Monroe夫人正要说些什么，但我没有时间去思考，绊倒向后我稍微转身逃跑。 我去的唯一的地方，我感到安全，宾汉姆的池塘，或天鹅池作为我的母亲曾经说过;只是记住，导致痛苦的浪潮席卷我的身体，所有这些事情，不断发生的是太 首先，我在车祸中失去了我的母亲和妹妹，然后我的继父（已经不喜欢我）指责我，现在我有一位老师让我想起了我的母亲，我根本不知道我应该如何感受或应对这些情况了。 我是如此陷入了这些多产的思想和疼痛的痛苦，我没有听到脚步声接近我。 这是突然的手放在我的肩膀上，使我惊讶地喘着气在另一个人的存在。 很快转过头来，我希望看到一个愤怒的Curraigh先生或可能是亚历克，但我却被梦露夫人的悲伤的笑容满足，因为她蹲在我旁边。 伸出她的手，我的手腕我退缩了，但又过了一秒钟，我让她看到我的手腕，忽略了可能的后果，她可能会质疑我是如何承受这种伤害的。

这是她的眼睛轻微扩大，使我跟随她的目光，我选择了从不看我的受伤，所以看到我的手腕肿胀和瘀伤导致我的眼睛也扩大了。 她轻轻触摸我的手腕，我立即拉远，疼痛灼热通过我的手臂。 她似乎坐在那里思考的时刻，仿佛在考虑她应该说什么。

"弓箭手。 这是怎么发生的？"就在那里，我不想听到的一件事。 我摇摇头，把目光移开，只是现在才意识到我的脸上流了几滴眼泪，用我的空闲手迅速擦拭。 我没有听到我拒绝的回应，所以我回头看，看到门罗夫人也忍住了眼泪，但为什么，我不知道。 摇摇头，她把自己从地板上推下来，伸出一只手给我，我慢慢地拿着。 现在，我站着用我的好手，松散地握住我的背包，等待她的问题。

她所做的一切似乎是在示意我跟着她之前摇头。 她带我回到学校，从不说话或向我瞥一眼，只是向前看，几乎是空虚的。 她带我到医疗室，告诉我在门口等她走开与护士交谈。 我不知道她在说什么，她怀疑我的继父造成这些伤害？ 还是她认为是另一个学生干的? 我应该趁机逃跑吗 当门罗太太和护士走到我身边时，我的想法突然停止了，我的紧张情绪正在另一个人身上踢。

当护士把我的手腕包裹在一个冰袋里时，我试图不注意疼痛的爆发，因为外面的天气已经寒冷，寒冷使我发抖。 结冰我的手腕几分钟后，她带出一个压缩绷带，紧贴包裹我的手腕和手，疼痛减轻了，但保持了稳定的疼痛，围绕着我的整个手臂。 当她完成后，她给了我每天做的指示，并为班级写了一张纸条，因为这是我的写作手。

走到门口，我发现门罗夫人在那里等着，她友好的微笑被严肃而严厉的表情所取代，这让我的脚步更加犹豫。 我们离开医务室，走出去进入安静，荒凉的走廊，她的脸仍然严重，因为我们都停止。

"你是怎么得到的伤害弓箭手。"这不是一个问题，而是一个需要答案的问题，一个我非常不愿意给出的问题。 钓鱼我的脸离开她，我摇摇头"不"再次,不想告诉她真相,我的心高音，这将导致更多的痛苦比好,即使她不相信我，没有人会.

"阿彻，如果你不告诉我，那么我将不得不告诉办公室打电话给你爸爸。"她说，当她试图让我回答时，她的声音失去了一些严厉。

听到她的电话亚历克我的爸爸导致所有这些感情只是爆炸,我的愤怒是自由流动,我不禁反应混乱,"他不是我的爸爸!"我的喊声回荡在走廊上，在它的身后留下的沉默是不舒服的，所有的愤怒驱动的信心很快离开我的身体，因为我呼气。 她不傻，她会弄清楚发生了什么，我会被带离我的家，最后一个让我想起妈妈和姐姐的地方。

听到我的回应后，她的姿势似乎变硬了，我只能希望她不会因为我的爆发而生气。

"我只想再问你一次。 是谁干的"她的声音非常安静，第二句话被严厉地阐明，没有任何借口的余地。 我终于面对她，虽然我的头还低着，我的眼睛闪烁了她每隔一段时间，因为我考虑我要说的话。

"....艾力克"我的声音几乎是耳语，虽然我知道她听到了，知道别人知道这个秘密只是让我感觉到。.. 脆弱.

Ch.5: Secrets for the Future

Ch.4 Ch.6

"Before we proceed with the festivities, I'd like to formally introduce myself. Fetch the dog!" Lofa yells out; seconds later Huata walks forwards and starts translating what he says. He suddenly swings at Huata, knocking her over after he saw Hinto try to run, knocking Huata into a tree.

'She's not standing up, I know that blow didn't kill her, but I'm mad as hell now!'

I look over to see Sespria and her cousin trying to wake Huata, but she seems to be in a state of unconsciousness, as later stated by Sespria's cousin. Sespria sends her off to fetch water, while I slowly crawl over to the tree Huata is next to.

Dasker bares his teeth then launches at Lofa, they are constantly clawing and biting at each other. Suddenly Lofa has grabbed Dasker's head with one of his massive fore paws, slowly pushing him back, whilst puncturing Dasker's neck with his long claws.

Dasker jumps to the side, raking his teeth across Lofa's arm as he jumps to the side; blood mating the fur on his head as it drips down his forehead. He tries to catch his breath but is smacked down by Lofa as the big cat corners him in anger. He stomps his massive paw onto Dasker's face, preparing to bite into his neck.

I get up, and launch, looking to the side for a split second to see Anemy launching at the big cat as well. I tear into his back leg while Anemy rips into his right forearm, causing him to jump back before letting out an angered roar.

Dasker stood up quickly, looking at us in anger before saying, "What are you doing here! You disobeyed my direct order!" He growls at us.

"Hmm. And this is the thanks we get for saving your butt. Hmm, figures, sit back and watch how it's done." With that she takes off, signaling with her tail for me to attack with her. As much as I thought I hated her, she's turning out to be an interesting character.

I race after Anemy as we attack the big cat, Anemy gets hit, but she seems fine so we continue to attack Lofa. Hinto launches at Lofa, but the big cat swipes at Hinto, successfully smacking him away while also leaving cuts across his muzzle.

We all continue launching ourselves at Lofa; Hinto latches onto Lofa's back leg while Anemy gets thrown to the ground. Lofa begins to repeatedly hit Hinto against the ground until Lofa eventually rips him off before throwing him across the floor like a rag doll. Dasker jumps forward and gets a few good hits in before Lofa has him pinned, pulling at his tail.

I turn to see Sespria and her cousin pouring water onto Huata's face, I look at her but she doesn't regain consciousness. Dasker lets out a loud, pained howl as his tail is ripped off and thrown to the side, blood spewing out of the freshly torn skin.

I look back to see Huata awake and looking at Sespria confused. After Sespria explains a little of the situation Huata walks towards us slightly.

"Stop it, all of you." Lofa looks up and growls at seeing Huata is awake. I try to get up but my body is extremely tired from exertion.

"Look at you all, you're causing more damage than good; even you Lofa. You with all your strength refuse to take us wolves seriously. You played this like a game, and you underestimated us as predators.

I know you're in pain to, choosing to ignore it won't make it go away." Huata voices as she looks at us. Lofa looks ready to kill her with all the growling and snarling he's doing; not to mention he's towering over Huata whilst standing on his back legs.

"Pain you say. I'LL SHOW YOU PAIN! I'LL PUT YOU OUT OF YOUR MISERY!" Lofa yells, but before he can attack her the white lynx from before appears in front of her.

'That lynx looks pissed off, but she doesn't stand a chance against a lion like Lofa; after all he's so much bigger and stronger than her.'

"You shall not cause harm to her. Your presence has drastically altered the natural balance of the forest. Be warned, it will not put up with you for much longer." The lynx states in a slightly threatening way.

"Oh look, we have a talking dog and now a talking house cat. Unfortunately for you kitty, I'm not looking to adopt anymore pets." Lofa exclaims before striding forward and slicing his claws across the chest of the lynx, successfully wounding and throwing her back from the force. However in mid air I see her wrap her arms around her body; when she lands I see she is no longer wounded.

She must be like Huata, I'm making an educated guess that all albino creatures will be like Huata, but that might be a false conclusion, but I'll have to wait to find out.

I look away from the lynx to see that the blood coating his body turns into thick vines that wrap and tangle themselves over him, thus leaving him immobilized.

"What kind of sorcery is this!" He yells in anger at his predicament. The vines have a new appearance, and are coated with thorns that puncture through Lofa's skin; causing him to roar in pain as he struggles to free himself. I turn back and walk next to Huata, watching as the lynx turns to face us; before disappearing the same way as before.

"Go. Now!" Sespria exclaims as she turns from Lofa to us.

"Goodbye Sespria, and thanks for everything." Huata responds.

"Don't forget about me." Sespria states as she watches Huata run after her pack mates.

"I believe we'll be seeing each other soon, whether it be on good or bad terms is your choice." I voice before sprinting after the rest of our pack; leaving Sespria to wonder what my words meant.

As we return to the clearing I see an angry looking Ash as she watches Huata and Anemy return with Dasker and Hinto. I decided to take a different route, which led me to come up on the other side of the clearing.

"Anemy! Huata! Are you crazy?!" Ash questions as she growls at them.

"Chill out mom, I'm fine." Anemy states while Huata stays quiet. I walk up and sit in between the two sisters; I'm starting to warm up slightly to Anemy, but she's still a little to bossy for us to become best friends.

I look over to see Trot trying to apologize for not watching over us, but Dasker simply walks away while Trot is in mid sentence. The pack follows after Dasker, while I fall in step next to Trot.

"Dasker just has a lot on his mind right now, he still accepts you even if you mess up every once in a while." I say trying to get Trot to loosen up on himself, after all it isn't his fault we all disobeyed the alphas order; and if he tried to stop us he wouldn't have really had any luck.

"Thanks Ceska, but it was my responsibility and I failed. I need to be more responsible; and if Dasker ignoring me is the price, then I must earn back his trust." Trot states, leaving no room for argument. We stop by Kilo's decomposing corpse, causing me to feel worried for Trot and Hinto who didn't react that well last time they saw it.

"You know, even though he could be a bully at times, he always knew how to make us laugh." Troy voices as he looks off, probably remembering a memory of Kilo. The laughing after a couple of seconds at what must have been a humorous memory.

"Yah, good ole Kilo; and to think that if it wasn't for him I wouldn't even be alive right now." Hinto states, but Huata suddenly begins to dig into the ground, creating a hole.

"Uh, why are you digging a hole?" Hinto questions in confusion.

"I hear it's how humans show respect for their dead." Huata answers before continuing to dig.

"It's respectful to throw dirt on them? Human culture is really strange." Hinto states as he questions why.

'You'll see what I mean." Huata states before pulling Kilo into the hole, then layering the dirt over his body, while the pack watches from the sides of the grave.

"You know what, it does look better. It's as if Kilo's at peace again, suddenly it's not so hard to smile." Trot voices as he looks up from Kilo's grave.

"Yah, I guess you're right." Hinto states as he looks at Kilo's grave as well.

The pack starts to howl, but soon after Dasker falls to the ground, and appears to be in a state of unconsciousness, probably due to all the injuries in his head and body which he failed to have treated.

_______

It's sunset when Dasker finally wakes up after being treated for his injuries, Ash sits up quickly after Dasker regains consciousness.

"You were all lucky to make it out alive, ugh. It's any wonder this pack needed this lot. We need to be out of here by morning." Ash states as she looks to Dasker to confirm the order.

Dasker seems to think for a moment before choosing Huata as his mate, to say she was unhappy was an understatement, but she hid it well so as to not offend him. To say Anemy was angry wasn't realistic, in fact she was well beyond angry as she watched Huata get chosen instead of herself.

"Oh come on, why her. After all the trouble I got in trying to save you; yet she gets captured by a pack of dangerous predators, and gets rewarded for it. Unbelievable. Okay enough already, it's about time someone said the obvious, she's blind. You hear me, blind." Anemy snarls out loud as she looks at Dasker.

"You're blind? What's that?" Hinto questions as he looks to the others in confusion.

"It means she cannot see Hinto." Ash responds.

"Exactly. She cannot see, do you really want to have offspring with someone like that; heck if anything choose me, Ceska is even better than my useless sister." Anemy states as she looks straight at Dasker.

"Let us not be angry at her for deceiving you, despite how wrong it was. We should instead cast pity upon her, it's not like she'll be able to appreciate how handsome and brave you are Dasker." Anemy adds before waiting for his new decision.

Dasker thinks for a few seconds before looking to me, I growl and snap my jaws at him before striding over and sitting slightly behind Trot. Dasker, seeing as he knows I will not do anything if unwilling finally looks over to Anemy where he then walks over and chooses her as his mate. They start to walk away, but not before Anemy sticks her tongue out at Huata.

"This is not how I wanted this to go about. Still it's best that he found out, are you okay with that Huata?" Ash asks as she looks at her daughter.

"I was never meant to be an Alpha female, it didn't mean anything to me; but I could've done without the humiliation." Huata responds before walking away, followed by Hinto. I was about to follow them but Trot jumped in front of me.

"What?" I question straight forward.

"Why did you refuse to become Alpha female? From what information I've collected from Ash, every female wants to be with the Alpha." Trot states in confusion and desperation. As he looks at me, awaiting my answer.

"Dasker isn't my type, and Anemy would have my throat, and I don't want that seeing as we're just starting to get along. After all, I've had another male on my mind instead." I state before stepping around him and sprinting towards where Huata and Hinto should be; after all, I know what his next question would be, and I didn't want to answer it just yet.

I arrive to see Hinto and Huata embracing each other, I walk forward silently as I stride over and sit next to them. When they break away they finally see me, and jump in slight surprise.

"When did you get there?" Hinto questions.

"What are you planning?" I ask as I stare at them. They both look to each other as if unsure to tell me something, but Huata eventually answers.

"Hinto and I have decided to take over the pack. He'll do plenty of training to make sure that this time he wins the battle." Huata responds as she looks to me in hope.

"Well in that case...... count me in!" I exclaim in happiness as I bound up and wag my tail slightly. They both look at me in surprise and confusion.

"So you're not going to tell Dasker?" Hinto questions in hope.

"Of course not, you two would be the perfect alphas, but I won't tell on one condition." I state as I look them in the eye.

"Name your terms." Hinto states. I look at them with a smirk on my lips before responding.

"I will be allowed to have pups as well.", I responded. They looked at me in extreme surprise before Huata questions,

"Who would you have puppies with though?"

"I believe Trots is the male she has her eyes on." Hinto states slyly as he looks at me in happiness.

"How'd you know?" I question, averting my eyes to the ground in embarrassment.

"Trot told me he was attracted to you but couldn't act on it seeing as he isn't the Alpha; but to answer your term, of course you can have pups, it would only help the pack so I see nothing wrong with that arrangement." Hinto explains. I'm so happy I jumped up and ran around them in eagerness.

"Calm down Ceska, we have to wait until Hinto takes leadership, then we can expand the pack, but for now let's head back before the others get ideas." Huata voices as she looks at me then Hinto. We both nod then jog back.

When we get back it's night time, and the others are getting ready to sleep. When we arrive Ash looks up and growls something about leaving without telling anyone, and almost waking Eric. I simply ignore her and walk over to Trot. He seems to be in a peaceful sleep, and it's just too perfect to resist.

I start to whack his tail with my paws before getting bored and simply tackling him. Trot jumps up in surprise, looking around until he spots me; I jump off him and run a little off into the forest, but he pounces at me, successfully pushing me to the ground. I flip over causing him to roll off me. We both stood up and circle each other before jumping and wrestling till one of us got the upper hand. So far I was winning.

At the end I stood over him while he was lying on his back; he suddenly kicked out my feet and turned over, causing me to be swept onto my back in one swift move. I look up to see Trot smirking in victory, before stepping off of me so I could get up, I look up at him before rubbing my head against his neck slightly.

After stepping away afterwards his face is confused, but then becomes understanding, he looks to me and back in the direction of the pack.

"Ceska, you know we can't have pups or anything like that; after all, Dasker's the Alpha, not me." Trot states in slight sadness and anger as he sits down, trying to deal with his emotions. I sit next to him close enough so that our fur is slightly rubbing against each other.

"I have a secret to tell you, but I can't tell you unless you promise not to tell anyone else." I emphasize as I look into his eyes.

"If it's that important, I promise I won't tell anyone else." Trot states as he touches my nose with his.

"Hinto is training to take on Dasker as Alpha." I state as I look away from him.

"Well if Hinto wins we still won't be allowed to be mates, only the alpha pair can be mates after all." Trot responds as he looks up in slight surprise.

"Yah, I know the rules, but I overheard their plan and said I wouldn't tell anyone if I could also have pups. They obviously agreed so when Hinto is Alpha I'll be allowed to have a mate and pups; so technically we only have to wait until Hinto becomes Alpha." I explained as I looked up to see if he was okay with it.

"Really?! That's amazing! We would have a large pack, plenty of offspring to continue; and we could be mates." he exclaims as he bounds around me, rubbing up against me.

I look at him and motion with my tail that we have to get back to the pack before Dasker and Anemy show up and wonder where we went and what we were doing. As we get back we lay a little away from the others, with our backs touching against each other's. That night we went to sleep thinking of the future ahead of us.

Ch.4 Ch.6

Ch.3: The Hunter and the Hunted

Ch.2 Ch.4

I woke up in the early morning to see Hinto and Huata leaving. I follow them, and leave quietly so as to not walk up Trot. We go sprinting through the forest, searching for smells of any prey; Huata locates an open field full with bison.

"Nice find Huata." I voice as I step between them, causing them both to jump in surprise at my sudden appearance.

"Where did you come from?" Hinto and Huata question in unison. I merely shake my head with a teasing smile.

"I'll never tell." I reply before looking back to the bison.

"We need the pack, no way we three can take down an adult. Hinto, you wait here; Huata and I will get the pack. Me being the best hunter in the pack will probably make them more cooperative." I explain as I turn around before sprinting into the forest back to the pack with Huata.

All of the sudden Huata stops, I turn around to see her mutter a name, but right after a mountain lion attacks her. It has her by the neck, but she's doing nothing, simply saying that she means no harm to the mountain lion cub. I'm about to attack when a huge lioness comes out of nowhere and pins the mountain lion down against the floor. I simply stood there in confusion at what was happening in front of me.

Huata stands up and says,

"Let her go Sespria." The lioness allowed the mountain lion to go, it then proceeded to grab her offspring and sprint away.

She then proceeds to talk with Huata, but surprisingly I can understand everything they're saying. They greet each other like old friends. Huata ends the conversation quickly, and then we both start sprinting back towards the pack.

By now everyone is up, and awaiting to see what we have to say. Anemy looks overjoyed about finding food, while Trots looks relieved to see me; everyone sprints behind us as we lead them to the bison herd. However when we arrive the herd is stampeding, Huata and I go after one as we are at the front. Anemy goes to bite Huata, but she simply hops up onto the bison next to her; while Anemy is tackled by Kilo who looks beyond pissed that she would start a fight right now.

I however have fallen back to see what's happened to Ash, she seems injured and is sitting down. Trot is next to me as we ask what's wrong. As I help Trot get Ash up we look back to see how the hunting is going.

"Huata watch out there's a human den, and you're heading right for it." I yell as Ash and Trot yell human. Huata sees it, and jumps off the bison mere seconds before it collides and is killed by the impact of hitting the building.

Huata for some reason looks sad that the bison was killed, but I brushed past the thoughts and helped Ash over to the bison. I grab a huge chunk out of its thigh and walk away to eat it in peace. I see Hinto laying down as he isn't allowed to eat because of Dasker, but Huata shares her portion with him. They start to walk into the human den, but I dare not follow in fear of my past; yet I'm interested in what they're going to do.

Trot walks over to me and lays next to me with a piece of meat from the bison. I seem to eat more than the average wolf seeing as my piece was at least three times bigger than what he was eating. He looked at my food ration in surprise as he stretched slightly.

"I was worried about you." He voices slowly and quietly as he starts to nibble on his food. I look at him in slight surprise and confusion.

"Why would you be worried about me?" I question as I look at him. He looks up and meets my gaze. He seems confused and conflicted with himself. I tilt my head sideways, waiting for an answer.

"I've never had a friend like you." Is all he says quietly as he continues eating, I take it that the conversation is over, so I start eating my food too. Dasker starts a pack howl, everyone howls, but mine is deep, similar to Dasker's but slightly higher in pitch. Trot looks at me in surprise after he howls. I simply shrug it off, I'm not even a full wolf, but it takes a very trained eye to notice I'm collie and wolf.

I then see Huata and Hinto howling from the top of the human den, Dasker seems to be in awe as he stares at Huata; I hope he doesn't plan on choosing her as his mate, she would not enjoy that scenario.

I get up and follow the pack back to our camp, which is pretty much just a clearing inside a circle of bushes and trees. I look at Trot and see him and Hinto talking about how fun it will be to have pups, and look over to see Huata talking to her mother about what mating season is. I feel odd, I've never had a mate before, and if Dasker chose me what would I do; you can't deny the alpha.

After all he would choose you out of all the other females, but I don't want to be his mate; besides I have another male who I would much rather prefer.

I look to see Anemy flirting with Dasker, I guess I know who he'll choose, after all at least I won't have to worry about having to be his mate now. I see Kilo tell Dasker he's going after the coyotes along our territory, I see Dasker send Trot to follow him; worry starts to course through my body as I think that Trot might get injured. I look at Dasker, he's too busy with Anemy to notice me slip after Trot and Kilo, I quickly catch up quickly enough to see Kilo and Trot arguing

Kilo growls and tackles Trot to the ground, I leap out and growl at Kilo, snarling and snapping my teeth together as a warning for him to back off. Kilo threatens Trot to stay out of his way; I launch myself at Kilo, grabbing him by the neck. and throwing him off Trot. As I help Trot to his feet he snarls,

"You're going to have a lot of explaining to do when Dasker finds out what you've been doing behind his back."

I turn around to see Kilo staring at a dead coyote. All of the sudden he's thrown into a fight with a lioness similar to the one Huata was talking to.

They fight, and when Kilo thinks he's won, he turns his back, and that was his mistake; the lioness jumps forward and snaps Kilos back with a sickening crack being heard. I can hear Kilo saying how this is bad, I leap forward and shove my sharp shoulder into the lioness, knocking her off of Kilo; however before I can help him I'm knocked away, and see the lioness running away, before darkness consumes my vision.

I wake up to see I'm hidden in bushes, I see Trot trying to push Kilo, he sends a distress call to call the rest of the pack; hopefully they'll come soon. I jump up and try to help, but Kilo just isn't moving, he keeps telling us to leave before the lioness comes back, and to be honest I want to listen but I can't leave Trot behind so I continue to push.

Out of nowhere the lioness tackles me to the ground and raps her jaws around my neck, I struggle, but can't loosen her grasp, Trot leaps at her and rips her off me where they then engage in fighting.

When Trot tries to get back to Kilo he turns around to see claws, I howl in fury after he is left with scratches racked across his face, I go berserk and tear my teeth through her paw, I can feel my jaw strength crush straight through her bones, and tear through her muscles and tendons. She let out a monstrous roar of immense pain, and raced out of there before I could inflict any more pain.

I walk over to Trot to see he is blinded, yet still trying to help Kilo; I help him lift Kilo onto our backs as we stagger towards the pack. He starts running and I don't have time to warn him of the root, he trips causing me to fall as well, and dragging Kilo in front of us during the process.

Trot gets up and tries to get Kilo up but ends up falling into the process.

"Give it up, Trot, we're going nowhere right now." I bark, my voice pain filled and coarse as I lay on the ground, my throats throbbing and are bleeding a lot now. Trot simply lays on top of Kilo in failure as he is now completely exhausted. I can feel myself slipping into a state of unconsciousness as I bleed out through the bites to my throat.

Ch.2 Ch.4

David Bowie: Don't Go

Imagine David Bowie falls in love with you the moment he meets you, but you're taken away; only for him to find you again after many years have passed: Warnings: Alludes to suicidal thoughts/ideation, abuse, abuse of power, feelings of worthlessness, injury, angst, apathy

1975

It was always loud around me, everyone shouting and screaming in my direction. Adoration emanated in their voices as they called my name, but all it made me feel was anxious and overwhelmed. I'm always running from them, these people that claim to love me... they lie when they say that, how can they love someone they do not know?

These manic strangers scared me, I never wanted to walk down the streets alone, but there were moments I would risk it simply for a second just to myself. I once thought of leaving this world, setting my soul free, abandoning this shell I am forced into. I was so close to going through with it, but then I met someone who forced a change in my perception.

We were young during our first meeting, I was several years into my stardom, usually caged up in my Los Angeles apartment. I hate Los Angeles, in fact, I hate California as a whole; the only reason I was even there was because my manager had forced me into this movie deal.

I wasn't unhappy with the movie, I had read the novel it was based on, and the script embraced a lot of the original elements. I couldn't survive there for long though, my mind was always leaving me, traveling elsewhere, to places with happy memories. The few moments of awareness during my day left me with an unending headache, it made me nauseous knowing that I was still alive. I felt like I was betraying God with these thoughts, that I was dishonoring him in some way with my destructive hatred for myself and my surroundings.

___

The first day on set was numbing, my manager had escorted me there, his firm glare setting me on edge; I know the only reason he was with me was to ensure that I didn't go against him. A deal with the Devil, he observed my every move, I felt like he was screening my thoughts before allowing me to speak.

I wanted to scream, to reach out to the people around me for help; but I didn't. I simply kept my eyes down, only speaking when the director or cast members addressed me directly.

The day was nearing its end, I had been encapsulated with this crowd and wanted a moment of quietness, I knew when I was back in that apartment that I would be yelled at. He would be angry that I seemed so disinterested in everything, furious that I had the audacity to try and come here without him.

I nervously skittered away from the people, moving swiftly towards the door as my heart rate raced. I was so close, it would only offer me momentary relief, but that was better than nothing, better than this everlasting flame that was burning me from the inside out. I felt cauterized from the heat, forever stuck in this flesh prison until my untimely death. Yet, death offers me no salvation, in this world of sin we are doomed to return, to relive these traumas until we learn something from this negative world.

One foot was out the door when a hand seized my wrist; had it been my neck, I'm sure I would think I was being strangled. A chilling shiver scraped along my spine, it was that uncomfortable feeling of knowing I was caught. The air in my lungs felt suffocating, the heat of my body sweltering as I glanced at the hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" I look sternly at my manager, surveying his aura and body language. I can tell that he is nearing the end of his rope, the 'patience' he has is running thin. I remember the first time I hired him, I thought he was respectable, he looked like a business man with his hair combed back with his immaculate suit, speaking to me with high revere.

Not many things have changed about him, he still speaks well of me - now only to possible clients or partners; his way of dressing has only gotten finer with the money I bring in, but the young man I hired was long gone. He's been my manager since I was 12 and he was 36, I'm now 19, him being 43. The full head of black hair is slightly graying at the sides, his athletic physique gave way to slight obesity - but the strange type of weight gain where he is top-heavy in the chest, if that makes sense.

He used to make me feel comfortable, he wouldn't yell or scream at me, but that was back when my parents were always around, as soon as I turned 18 they upped and left. They still sent me requests for money every now and then, well aware I would oblige. I know they likely think I wanted them to leave, but what I wouldn't give for them to come and stick their noses in my business.

"...I'm going to the bathroom?" My voice feels like it's grating against my throat, as though I haven't had a thing to drink all day; however, I know he wouldn't let me go a day without 8 glasses of water. That may sound like he actually cares for me, but he knows that my albums are the reason behind a lot of my wealth, and he refuses to let anything damage my voice.

The eye contact we hold burns me, I don't know what else to do but hope he believes me. I sigh in relief as he releases his hold, sending a curt 'get going' to me before turning away. I haven't felt happy in a long while, and though I know what I'm feeling isn't happiness, it still reminds me of it. I want to rush forward, but force a steady walk, going straight past the bathroom and outside.

The sun is obnoxiously bright, I want to go back inside, but I know he will be waiting for me. I shuffle over to the back of the building, a lonely bench awaiting, luckily sheltered away from the sweltering sun. My back aches as I collapse onto it, head falling back against the wall as I quietly groan in dissatisfaction. The traffic is loud, I can hear airplanes in the distance, and the footsteps of people along the sidewalk.

God, I wish I was somewhere else, I wish I was back home in Montana, or maybe at my seldom used cabin in Idaho. I want to not see another human being for miles, I want trees and wildlife to surround me as I write and draw, but I know that won't happen anytime soon.

The thoughts overrunning my mind lower my awareness of my surroundings, so much so that I only become aware again when someone sits next to me. The alarming aura of a person so near, this is the closest a stranger has been to me without my manager in sight; I can't remember how long ago it has been since I talked to someone without him watching me.

I observe them from the corner of my eye, he's taller than me, dressed in a casual black suit with a hat, his orange-blonde hair coaxing my attention. I know who he is, we were briskly introduced during the meeting, but he was surrounded by an entourage that kept people away from him.

He glances to me, our eyes meeting for an instant before I turn away from him. I'm not sure how to talk to him, it's been so long since I was able to speak freely that I fear I don't know how to anymore.

"So, what are you doing out here?" His accented tone rings out sharply, dancing through the noisy ambience, my head subconsciously tilting as I listen to him. Turning my face to him, I'm met by his piercing eyes paired with his angular face; I almost want to huff at how exact and fine his features are.

"I could ask you the same." I state, holding a steady gaze, watching as his eye flicker over me before returning ahead.

"I saw you leaving, and I wanted to know where you were going." He responds, voice smooth as he brushes his hair back neatly.

"So you followed me?" The sentence flows from my mouth so quickly, realizing what I've said makes me feel bilious. I gulp, looking over to him as I await a yell or a glare; surprised when he lets out an amused laugh.

"Don't make it weird." He giggles, looking down to his hands. He looks up to speak again, but a concerned look washes over his features.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." The sentence strings along, his body shifting towards me as all his attention is focused on me. I'm confused at first, wondering why he was reacting like this before realizing I must look tense and pale.

"No, no, it's alright. It's not you." I quickly respond, resting a hand gently over his own to calm him down. I once again speak without thinking, not realizing I told him indirectly that I am in fact uncomfortable.

"So that's why you're out here." David states, his hands gently holding my own as his concerned expression magnifies. I pull my hands away in fear of the repercussions for this conversation.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I scowl, glaring at the wall opposite us. I hurriedly stand up, worried about staying out too long, I don't want my manager getting suspicious.

I squint my eyes against the weather, the sun burns as the heat overwhelms my sense. I want to cry, but I know that I can't allow myself to. David stands as well, and I'm about to walk away before feeling something being placed atop my head. Glancing over to David, I notice his hat missing, my sight no longer being hindered by the sunlight. I gaze at him in suspicion, what does he want?

"What?" Is all he says, a smirk playing on his features as he leads me back around the building to the front door. I try to give him his fedora back, but he simply pushed it back to me, telling me to keep it. I thank him, a smile trying to appear on my face as I look up to him; he grins to me before walking away, leaving me alone.

___

My manager was pissed, he knew I lied about going to bathroom, and was even angrier when he saw I had David Bowie's fedora clutched in my small hands. He snatches it from my hands, I open my mouth to argue, but the look on his face tells me it'll be much worse if I speak.

I follow him through the crowd, weaving carefully so that I don't touch people. We reach the group surrounding David, my manager saying we have something of his. As he walks towards us, my manager shoves the fedora into my hands before shoving me forward. I can tell David is confused by the situation, I hope he didn't see my manager push me.

"What is it (Y/N)?" This is the first time he's used my name, I don't know why it stunned me, maybe because no one cares enough to know my real name, instead calling me by my pseudonym. I nervously glance away and look back at my manager, I can tell he wants to yell at me, but he knows he has to wait.

"I-I'm returning your fedora, you must've dropped it..." I reply, hoping he goes along with it.

"What?" His bewildered response matches his expression, I don't know how to get him to go along other than to rephrase myself.

"I was coming back from the bathroom and saw it on the floor, you must've dropped it." I explain, looking him firmly in the eyes as I hold out the hat. His eyes now hold understanding as he glances behind me.

"Oh, thank you... Can I speak to you for a moment?" He responds, grabbing the hat and then my wrist to pull me forward. I yelp weakly, my wrist hurting from its past abuse. David glanced down at me in worry just as my manager moves forward and grabs my shoulder.

"We need to get going, you have another meeting in a half-hour." My manager interrupts, bundling me away before David could even blink. ___

My manager is fuming, I can tell by the slight jitter in is movements as he forces me out of the building and down the street. I know he wants nothing more than to yell at me, make me cry, but he will have to wait until we get some privacy before he can do as he pleases.

The car ride is anything but pleasant, he may have opened the door for me, but he shoved me in so fast that I knocked my head against the frame. The headache is splitting through my skull, the mixture of pain and internal agony is catching up with me.  My manager angrily slams his door and begins driving back to my apartment; he wastes no time laying into me.

"What the fuck was that!" He shouts angrily, fists clenching the steering wheel to the point I think he's fantasizing that it's my neck.

"What?" I try to play dumb, but I should've known better.

"Don't give me that bullshit! I know you didn't go to the bathroom, you snuck out so you could talk with that singer!" He states with a scowl, glaring at me before looking back to the road. I can see the sweat layered upon his brow, perhaps the sun is getting to him as well?

"I didn't!" My response is halted quickly, my manager reaching across the center console as he smacks me sharply. I want to say I'm surprised, but I'm not, though that does nothing to numb the stinging pain as tears burn my eyes.

"You wanna rethink that response." He grits, I can tell he's furious, and he'll do as he pleases no matter my answer. Involuntarily curling into myself, I make no move to respond, wrapping my arms tightly around my abdomen as I look out the window. My lack of response is only going to anger him further, but I can't seem to care anymore.

When we arrive at my apartment, he's tossing me in as soon as the doors unlocked. He pulls me back to him so harshly I can hear the fabric of my sweater tearing as he scrunches it in his fists. I subconsciously put my hands up, trying to get away from him.

He heeds my movements, shoving me away just as harshly as he had pulled me in. The action is so sudden that I'm thrown off balance, taking  a moment to recollect myself before turning back to him.

I go to say something, but have no time to contemplate my words as something is hurled at me. I try my best to dodge it, but my actions are in vain as the object meets my eye.

The left side of my face radiates in pain as I fall backwards into the wall, my hands flying up to my injury as I try not to cry. I look down at the object and see my favorite book was what had been thrown, Jane Eyre... my manager can't seem to get enough of ruining things I love.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I only notice my manager approaching when he already has his thick hand wrapped around my throat, thus pinning me to the wall I've taken solace in. He grabs my wrists with his free hand and forces them up and away from my face. 

I try to observe him as he analyzes my face, his once kind eyes seem so empty, when did that happen? His hair is thinner, and though he's out of shape, he still overpowers me with ease; who is this man before me? I want to look at him more, but the agony of my injury overpowers my wants, eyes stinging as the tears cloud my vision before streaming down along my cheeks.

"You'll need to cover that for tomorrow, I'll bring you a bandage."

Just like that, his hold is gone and he exits the apartment. I'm alone in this apartment, silence settling back into it as the furious tornado that is my manager has left the vicinity. If someone came in, they would think me strange curled up in the corner with tears in my eyes; no one ever sees who causes them, but they always have an opinion.

___

He did as he said, bringing me a roll of Coban with some gauze so I could pad my eye against the adhesive bandage. I hadn't look at my eye throughout the night, not wanting to see the damage, but knowing it must look bad as my eye had swollen shut. 

I wanted to assume the mirror was lying to me like everyone else does, but I know it wasn't.

The bruising was light as it hasn't been more than a day, the contusion will darken later on as it fully forms; the swelling wasn't as bad as I assumed, my eyelids were definitely swollen, but I could peel them open slightly to view the sclera flooded in red due to burst blood vessels. Brushing those thoughts away, my manager shoves open the bathroom door and grabs the bandages from my grasp, grumbling about me taking to long as he wraps my injuries.

The car ride there is a stark contrast compared to yesterday, the silence was almost more eerie than when he yells, but I try not to think to hard on it.

Anxiety bubbles up in my throat as he parks the car and exits, what will they say? This is opening the door to unwanted questions, what if they find out my manager abuses me? What if they take his side?? I don't get too much time to think as my door is opened by my manager as he signals for me to get out. I do as told, hesitantly walking into the building after he enters.

The building is thankfully not nearly as crowded as yesterday, today only requires the actors/actresses, costume designers, and music producers to be present. 

I stand there silently as I wait for the group to be called to focus, but I'm disrupted from daydreaming as I feel someone tap my shoulder. I turn around, coming face to face with the director, Nicolas Roeg.

"Hey Y/N, you're manager called yesterday and explained that you got injured while playing with your cousins. I know how head injuries can be, so let me know if you start getting headaches, or if the noise or environment gets too overwhelming. Alright?" This man, he was so nice over the phone when asking if I wanted to be a part of this project, how could I forget him, especially after how kind he's being now?

I grace him with a thankful smile, nodding my head. He smiles back, giving my shoulder a pat in reassurance before turning away and walking to converse with someone else. I am about to go back to dissociating when another tap is felt, I want to sigh, but halt my actions when I meet eyes - well, eye - with David Bowie.

I can tell he had his words prepared before walking over, but I feel like they abandoned him as soon as I turned around. I can only assume it has something to do with my lovely injury, I know for a fact that I alone cannot leave a man speechless.

"Darling, what happened?" He's concerned, that much was audible, but I know I need to make that dissipate if I don't want my manager to have a repeat of last night.

"Oh this... it's er, nothing, happened while I was rough housing with my cousins." My lie was almost seamless, but the hesitation in my words at the beginning was noticed by him, the squint in his eyes at my words gave that much away.

"I'm fine, honestly David, no need to worry about me." I voice, trying harder to get him to put this on the back burner. He's conflicted, eyes glinting with so many different emotions I can't seem to keep up. Luckily though, he bows his head slightly and nods at my words. I can tell he's still uncertain, but at least he's stopped talking about it. 

I didn't try to avoid him the rest of the day per say, but we were working on two very different parts of the film; he was the lead Actor, and I was working on the film scores as well as dabbling in the costume design. We weren't around each other very often, and if we were, they were but fleeting moments.

He had me cornered during our lunch break actually, but my manager put a quick stop to that, dragging me away to talk with some fans outside; at this point, I think he's doing everything in his power to keep David and myself separate.

The hours go by, Roeg and my manager keeping me plenty busy. I would say that I barely noticed my injury all day apart from the constant headaches and dull ache that seemed to keep building up the longer the day went on.

I know Roeg said to tell him when it was getting bad, but let's be honest, my manager would have my other eye if I said anything. 

As the day is coming to an end, people begin leaving, my manager says we can go after he uses the restroom. He fixes me with a hard look before going in, basically telling me,'do something stupid, and we'll have a rerun of last night.' His eyes looked so dark I felt a nervous chill run down my back as I took a step back.

"Y/N!" I hear a voice call, turning around to be met with that same fedora as yesterday.

"David..." I greet uneasily, glancing back to the restroom in fear my manager will walk out at anytime. David seems to catch on and speeds past the pleasantries.

"Listen, I'm going to the preview tonight if you'd like to join me, I can pick you up tonight if that's alright with you?" His offer is said with such a hopeful voice and sweet look that I almost agree right then and there, but then reality stabs me in the back.

"Y/N." That voice nearly startle me out of my skin with how hard I jumped. My shoulders turn stiff as I look back and watch as my manager stalks closer, gripping my shoulder before steering me to the door.I turn my head quickly, making eye contact with David and his crestfallen face, giving a smile with a slight head nod to confirm his plans. I watch for a second as joy encapsulates his face before I'm forced out the door into the obnoxious environment of Los Angeles.

My manager leaves early, stating he has a meeting to get to before the day ends, leaving me alone in my apartment. He usually stays gone until the morning, that of which I'm thankful for, or else I would never be able to have David pick me up. 

He arrives when it's already dark, around 7 pm when the last streaks of sunlight are dissipating. His driver goes to get out, but David beats him to it, walking over and opening the door for me before getting back in on his side. We both sit in the back and his chauffeur takes us to the movie theatre. It was a quiet ride, I think he could notice how jittery and uneasy I was; he held my hand and offered a comforting smile, reassuring me until we felt the car halt.

We sat in the back, hoping no one would notice our presence. The movie was good, it held my attention the whole time - well, at least until David nudged me, motioning with his head for us to leave. I do as told, standing and following him as he led me down the hallways and back into the main room.

"Whats wrong?" I ask, unsure why we left half-way through the film.

"Nothing, I just want to spend some time alone with you." He states, before grasping my hand, leading me outside and down the quiet sidewalks. Los Angeles at night is better at night I would say, a little more quiet with much better weather.

There is a hint of a breeze though, sending light shivers down my back whenever a gust came my way. My clothes aren't really the best for this weather, a knee length dress with only a feathery shawl to protect my shoulders.

"Oh, I'm sorry darling, I should've told you to bring a jacket." He voices guiltily, detaching our hands before shrugging off his suit jacket. He stops me from walking, grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face him as he wraps the large jacket around my thin frame.

It swallows me up, a blush tinting my cheeks in embarrassment, I must look ridiculous to this man. David notices the blush, a wide grin spreading over his face at how adorable the site before him is.

"I must look ridiculous..." I say, looking down self-consciously. David simply huffs and removes his hat and placing it delicately atop my head, it's much too large, sliding down over my eyes and blocking my sight. He laughs gently, angling the hat so that I can see again, his toothy grin being the first sight I'm met with.

"You look adorable." Is all he says, wrapping his arm comfortingly over my shoulders before continuing to walk us down the street. I can confidently state that my blush has not faded throughput the entire exchange.

We both remain silent, simply enjoying the presence of the other as we saunter down the pavement. We pass many quiet cafes still open, him stepping to the left and halting as he opens the door to a warm cafe. I cautiously enter, removing the hat and surveying the interior closely.

A young woman sits sleepily at the register, the only other people being a middle-aged couple at a table against the wall. The lights have a warm hue to them, complementing the earthy tones of the walls and tables.

Glancing back at David, he offers a soft smile, resting his hand on my lower back before leading me to the register. The woman quickly writes down my order, not looking up until both myself and David have ordered.

I hold my breath when I notice that familiar glint in her eye, backing up subconsciously in fear she will shout our names and alert someone to our presence. If the paparazzo found out I'm here, and accompanied by David Bowie no less! The scandal would be horrific.

David holds me steadily in comfort as he smiles at the woman, he holds a finger against his lips to stop her, I glance at her in worry that she still might scream. She looks overwhelmed in excitement, but breathes deeply to calm herself down when she notices my reaction.

"Sorry! I just love both of you so much!" She whispers happily, still in shock of meeting two of her favorite artists. I feel the tension in my shoulders lessen as she only whispers in excitement.

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you to." David says politely, nodding to her before leading me away and to a table cozied up in a corner.

Our night was wonderful, David and I talked the night away, enjoying multiple drinks the longer we stayed up. I've never felt so at ease with another person, and we could converse for an extended amount of time without awkward silences or uncomfortable glances; how could someone so wonderful seek me out for company? Is this a blessing from God, or is Satan about to take him away from me.

___

After that night, I've looked forward to seeing him everyday, a smile gracing both of our features whenever our eye(s) meet, but we are both swept away. My manager found out about my late night escapade rather easily seeing as I didn't return to my apartment and was instead brought to work by David(no nothing happened, I fell asleep during the car ride back, and David decided it would be easier to just take me to his home instead of go up into an apartment building while trying to find my keys).

My manager was thoroughly pissed, but his physical punishments still didn't deter me from seeing David, but he always did know how to ruin a good thing. The movie was over, it had already been in theatres and what we were attending wasn't required work anymore; my manager took full advantage of that, signing me up with another director to work with them on film scores.

This new job took me across the country into New York, the director was very well known, Martin Scorsese, and the film was Taxi... Taxi Driver I think. It sounded interesting I guess, maybe a little on point for it being called Taxi Driver and set in New York. 

I didn't even get to say goodbye to David, my manager had dropped the news on me the night before I was to fly to New York. I didn't have anyway to contact David, but I'm not even sure if he would want to stay in contact... Either way, I'm leaving tomorrow whether I like it or not.

_______

1982

It's been a little while since I've agreed to do another film score since Taxi Driver, that film was surprisingly fun compared to my last experience, but maybe that's because my manager wasn't there with me most of the time.

None of that matters anymore though, after the success of taxi driver I fired that abusive prick, and I honestly couldn't be happier. I focused solely on my albums and dropped 7 of them throughout the past few years. I took a break from movies, I was too young for them and the change of environment when I was 19, but now I'm 26 and feel ready to face the world.

I don't actually know a lot about this film, other than the title and one of the actors/film scorers. I believe the film is called Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence? The actor/musician I'm talking about is Ryuichi Sakamoto, and he's honestly the main reason I took this job; my albums blew up and have been making me a fortune, so this is really just for fun and the experience.

I'm walking down the road, suitcase in hand, trying to figure out how the hell to walk in sand. I'm about halfway to the hotel when I hear someone approaching from my side. I don't turn to them, hoping they'll keep moving and we won't have to awkwardly introduce ourselves.

"...(Y/N)? Is that really you!" What? I.. I know that voice. I turn to them, eyes wide as I watch a face from the past stride over to me, face plastered with a wide grin.

"David?" At the sound of my voice, his strides turned into bounds pretty much, I could see he was truly ecstatic at seeing me, and it would be a lie to say I don't feel the same.

I start walking towards him, dropping my suitcase as we embrace. How could I not? This man, this wonderful man that changed me for the better, made me see that my life was worth more. You beautiful man, I'll never disappear again, I promise.