Wolf Blood

Chapter Five: Stranger’s Clothes

“Ouch,” I said. Something jabbed into my back. Reaching my hand under me, I pulled out a pointed stone. Why is there a rock in my bed? Groaning, I looked up to see trees looming over me. “What the heck?” I sat up.

Trees all around. This was not my bedroom. Looking down I was in an oversized black hoodie. I jumped to my feet. My hands were reddish brown, blood? The only thing I was wearing was this hoodie.

My stomach twisted and my chest tightened. Was I…that couldn’t have happened. I would be in pain. I would remember that. My heart thudded and I took deep breaths. Don’t freak, don’t freak. Looking around I knew where I was. This was the forest behind my house and home was close.

Quickly I walked toward home. I pulled down on the hoodie, which barely covered my lower parts. Once I reached the path that lead back to my house, I saw the pajamas I wore torn on the walkway. My eyes grew before I scooped them up and ran to my house. The back door was still unlocked. I dashed up the stairs and into the bathroom.

I tossed my pajamas in the trash before looking in the mirror. Dried blood covered my mouth and neck. I shot toward the toilet and threw up. Chunks of brown fur, hair, and other things floated in the toilet. I grabbed my stomach and heaved.

“Selene? I gotta shower too. Hurry,” Zander’s voice filled the air before I heard him walk away from the door.

Taking the hoodie off I tossed it toward the door, away from me. It was definitely not mine. I turned on the shower, let it get warm, and then hopped in. The pressure of the water began washing the dried blood off. The reddish brown colour pooled at my feet. Yanking open the curtain I threw up again.

The warm water beat against my back. I closed the curtain and leaned back on the tub. Taking a breath, I stood and scrubbed the blood and dirt off. After the shower I put jeans and a t-shirt on before heading out of the house. My Jeep waited for me in the driveway. Hopping inside I drove to Kinsley’s house.

It wasn’t long before I was pulling up in her driveway. I knocked on the door and she opened it.

“Can we talk?” I asked. I hated fighting with her.

Kinsley glanced behind her. “Yes, but not here,” she said. “Let’s go for a walk in the woods or something.”

I nodded before we headed to my car. Pulling out of the driveway I drove toward Fuller park, the place we met a few years ago. Glancing over at Kinsley, she smiled as she looked out the window. I knew she would recognize this way. The park was about a ten-minute drive and though it may not be the closest park, I knew it would be the best place to talk.

After about ten minutes I parked in the small lot and hopped out of the car. There were several paths to take, but one led straight to the waterfront, which was out favourite place. We walked side-by-side to the water.

Summer was approaching fast. The plants were bright green and blooming in their vibrant colours. Red, blue, purple, and white flowers covered the sides of the path. Taking a breath their sweet fragrance filled my nose. I looked over at Kinsley, her nose was scrunched. She was never a fan of the sweet smell of flowers. I sniffed the air again and the smell of Kinsley filled my nose. I coughed and looked away from her. The smell of the water grew stronger, we were almost there. Rounding the last corner, the path opened up to reveal a large stream. Rocks rested along the water, which provided a prime spot to sit and hang your feet in the water.

We chose our usual rock, which was big enough for two to sprawl out. It was close enough to the water to dangle out feet into the water and far enough away from the other rocks that people could sit on.

“I’m sorry I called you a liar,” I said. Though I may not have said it outright, it was strongly implied.

“It’s fine. I did lie,” she said looking down at the water. “I want to tell you a story my grandmother told me a really long time ago.” She looked over at me, her hazel eyes bright. “A long time ago there were two tribes, one lived in the forest and the other on the forest’s edge, by a well-traveled road. These two tribes often fought. There were a lot of deaths on both sides. The forest tribe was home to the Lupine people for their mastery over their canines. The people that lived on the edge of the forest were the Sanguisuge, after their more blood-thirsty ways.”

“So like vampires and werewolves?” I asked raising my brow.

She furrowed her brow at me. “Don’t interrupt,” she said. “The people began to war with one another. They did not approve of each other’s way of life. The Sanguisuge were growing more divided because not everyone agreed with the chief’s way of life. He was merciless and everyone that crossed onto his land was fair game.

The thing about the Sanguisuge was that they were told that human blood would bring them eternal youth.” She chuckled lightly before continuing, “Yet, the chief’s second in command knew he hid the truth. They didn’t need people to survive, they could live on the forest animals. The second in command revealed this to the people, but only half listened to him. To them, eating animals made them no better than the Lupines.

One-night half of the Sanguisuge people fled their tribe and sought out the Lupine for shelter. The Lupine chief promised them safety, if they followed their way of life. The Sanguisuge agreed, knowing there was another way to live, one that didn’t require the blood of people.

The Lupine tribe began to coexist with the Sanguisuge people, but this bothered the chief. Especially when his daughter began to grow quite fond of a boy from the other tribe. Love between them was strictly forbidden, it was written in their laws. The Lupine chief plotted to murder the boy, and when he carried out his evil deed, he made it look like it came from the other Sanguisuge people.

The Sanguisuge people, distraught after the loss, left. They knew they wouldn’t be safe in the Lupine tribe.” She ran her hand through her red locks. “Of course, the tribes grew, and new laws governed the land. The Sanguisuge hid their practices. The Sanguisuge that fled lived peacefully among people and survived on the blood of animals, instead of people. The Lupine people later divided too. Some grew to detest eating animals. Some drifted closer to the original Sanguisuge ways. Yet, the bloodshed never ended between the tribes. Later, they became four. Those that fed on people and those that didn’t.

The thing is. These weren’t humans so it wasn’t cannibalism. They walked, talked, and looked like people, but the separate tribes had a unique,” she said pausing. “Gift.”

“One turned into a dog and the other had beauty?” I asked, snorting.

“Selene, it’s not funny. Both were built beautiful, one had a way over people, and the other over animals. Their gifts developed and the Lupine tribe became one with their canines, giving them strength, quick healing, and speed. The Sanguisuge had similar abilities that grew stronger the more blood they drank. Something about blood gave them strength, youth, and power. Humans are weak on the outside, but they have some of the most potent blood.”

“Why did you tell me this story?” I asked. It sounded like something from a folklore book.

“Werewolf and vampire became the human term,” She said. “Mortals name everything.” She chuckled softly. “The night you were bit you started changing. You’re becoming a werewolf and you have to be careful.”

I laughed before looking at the water. Werewolves and vampires don’t exist, at least, that’s what everyone says. After the morning I had, I would believe anything. People don’t just wake up covered in blood. Plus, I don’t even know what I threw up this morning. Shuttering I turned to face her.

“What are you? A vampire?” I asked. Werewolf didn’t seem right.

She was watching the water. The silence lingered between us before she asked, “Would it matter?”

“No. No, it wouldn’t.” What she said made sense. She was the only one who seemed to know something about what was going on. “Can I undo it?”

“There are theories, but I don’t know anyone who has actually succeeded.”

“What are the theories?”

“Kill the werewolf that turned you. An alternate theory is to collect the blood of the one who turned you and inject yourself I believe. Lastly, monkshood is thought to be used as a cure. All are untested though. I can ask around though,” she said. “There has to be someone who knows.”

“Those sound. Promising,” I said sighing.

“What happened last night?” She asked.

“I don’t know.” I wrapped my arms around my legs and pulled them close. “I can’t remember anything. I woke up bloody in a random hoodie.” This morning almost didn’t feel real.

“And you want to undo it? I know some people who have been turned and change their mind,” she said letting out a deep breath.

“I want to undo it. Do you know who did it?” I asked and she shook her head.

“I have my suspicions though.”

“Wait. Do you know who the werewolves are?” I asked my eyes widening.

“Yes. I do.”

“Of course, you do. Cause you’re a vampire.” She grew silent, looking away from me. My gut told me she was, but I wanted to hear it from her. “Is there a way to control myself during full moons?”

She let out a soft chuckle. “The more you turn the more control you’ll have. But don’t be fooled by TV, you can change at will,” she said.

“I don’t want to change again.” Chills ran up my arms. Not knowing what happened is nothing like I’ve ever experienced. I never want to feel so helpless. So out of control of my own body. This seemed too crazy to believe.

“I’ve been told the first few full moons are the most difficult. Most are forced to change during those times. I would watch your temper and when you get excited. I’ve heard that when you experience stronger emotions, you’re more likely to change,” she said.

“Will you tell me who the other wolves are?” I asked even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“As you develop more, you’ll be able to smell them.” She stood extending her hand to me. “We should get going. It would suck to miss more than one period.” I took her hand and she pulled me up.