Rachel

The warm summer night air whips through my hair. I crouch down in the tall grass and race across the field as quiet as possible trying not to be seen. I know I’m not supposed to be out this late, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see the fireflies. I go to the field by the pack house. I sneak quietly so no patrols hear me. The frogs and crickets are chirping up a storm, they almost mask any noise I would make. I make it to the field and sit down. I watch the yellow dots glow bright and then dim, as the fireflies dance their way across the field. There’s hundreds of them floating around. Something about this field draws them here. I don’t know what it is but I’m not complaining. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Totally worth it. The moon hangs like a small sliver up in the sky, barely emitting any light, allowing the stars their chance to shine. I’m lying on back back enjoying the stillness when I realize the frog and crickets that once rang so loud, are quiet. I sit up and look around for the source of the disruption. Then I hear the shrill sound of the alarm going off all around the pack house. ROGUES! My heart is beating out of my chest. I’m all alone out here a mile away from the safety of community and it’s dark. I scan the area for intruders, but I don’t see anyone. Maybe I could make a run for it. I haven’t gotten my wolf yet so I can’t mind link, no one knows I’m out here, so no one’s going to come looking for me. It’s up to me to get myself out of here. Suddenly I hear the rustling of leaves in the bush next to me. Panic sets in and I move slowly away from the bush. Two yellow eyes stare at me as I move away. The wolf moves towards me and comes out from the bush. It’s a rogue. You can tell by the scent. Even though I don’t have my wolf yet, everyone knows their scent, the scent of stale blood, metallic and sour. Without thinking instinct steps in and I start running towards the pack house. The wolf growls and chases after me. I’m running as fast as I can, I duck under a large rock just in time, the rouge is too big to fit through. He has to run around it. This gives me a much needed advantage. I can see the pack house in front of me. I start calling out for help, but before I know it I fall to the ground getting a face full of dirt. I hear the rogue behind me, man he caught up fast. I quickly stand up and face him, slowly walking backwards towards the house. The rouge is growling and matching my slow pace, taking steps towards me. I’m so terrified right now. I can’t think to call out again for help. The rouge licks his chops and crouches down, he’s going to attack. I take another step back and he lunges at me. He lands right in front of me and uses his paw to knock me down. I felt his claws tear through my stomach. My hands go to my wound. Warm liquid fills my hands. I’m bleeding. It’s bad. I feel like I’ve been cut in half. I see the wolf out of the corner of my eye still there. I can’t move. Surprisingly I’m not in pain, but I’m afraid to move. My vision is burry and it’s hard for me to focus. Suddenly I see a wolf jump over me and towards the rogue wolf. I watch as the two wolves fight each other, snarling and snapping at each other’s necks. I watch until I lose consciousness . The next thing I know, I feel pain radiating through my body. My head hurts and I squint to open my eyes. It takes me a minute to realize I’m in the pack clinic. The room is white with blue trim and the light is bright. I hear someone coming and pull back the curtain to see who it is. It’s my mom. “Oh Rachel. Im so happy you are awake.” My mom comes to my bedside and grabs my hand. I try to move and sit up but as soon as I do a stabbing pain washes over me and I wrench. “Don’t try to move. You were badly hurt.” My mom kneels beside the bed and kisses my hand. “Mom I’m so sorry. I was so dumb. I just wanted to see the fireflies.” Tears start to well up in my eyes. “Oh honey stop. I’m just happy you are okay.” “She’s lucky you were there.” I hear my father’s voice say. My father is a firm ad serious man. He always pushes me to do better than everyone else. I know he’s disappointed that I got myself in this situation. “Dad I’m-“ He comes in and hugs me. Wow, that was unexpected. I must have really scared my parents. He pulls back and collects himself. The doctor comes in soon after. “Hey Rachel, I heard you were awake. How are you feeling?” She asks. “Well, my stomach hurts.” I gently touch the bandage wrapped around my wound. “You received a large gash cutting across your stomach, it’s going to hurt for awhile. But you are young, and I’m confident that you’ll heal fast.” The doctor says. “Thank you doctor.” My father replies. “Of course. We will be by later to change out your dressings. In the meantime, you need to take it easy for a while.” The doctor looks at me serious. “Ok I will.” I agree to avoid more trouble. I can only imagine the talking to I’m going to get for sneaking out. “Gamma’s can I see you for a moment?” The doctor asks my parents. My mom kisses my forehead before they leave with the doctor into the hallway. Lucky for me they don’t close the door all the way and I can just barely make out what they are saying. “James, Marcella, Rachel is very lucky. ——- Which means she is going to need a long time for recovery.” Geez how long? And what does me mean by lucky? I thought it was just a simple gash. I continue listening but the doctor is a bit of a mumbler. I quietly gasp when I think he says something about me almost dying. “We know doctor. We’ll take care of it.” My father says, she shifts around in the hallway, allowing me to now hear the doctors words more clearly. “Look, I want you two to understand something. She might never be at full strength again. But we really won’t know until she gets her wolf. Which isn’t for another six years or so. I just want you guys to be prepared for that and for what it means.” Uh oh. My parents are warriors. I was going to be a warrior. If the doctor’s saying I won’t be strong enough for that, then what will I be? An Omega? Will that bring shame to my family? Have I completely ruined my life before it even started?