As I sat against the tree, filling my stomach once again, I began to wonder what I would say if the girl suddenly woke up. I looked back at her lying flat on her back. Where would I even start? She seems to be my age. Maybe that should help break the ice? Who am I kidding? She would probably wake up sobbing. After all, losing your family and village would be traumatic. Would I be able to comfort her if she did wake up?

I gave a big sigh.

Even if I was able to calm her down, I doubt I would be able to carry a conversation. I never fit in with the other kids in our village as I was extremely awkward and shy. I would constantly fall over my own words and even my feet. An image flashed through my mind.

A young girl with deep brown hair and fascinating yellow eyes. Sarah, the neighbor's daughter. She always had a habit of slightly tilting her head when talking to someone. A small perky smile that would ease any situation. When Bruce would start insulting my father and his worthless lineage, she would convince him to leave me alone. I felt shame thinking back then I needed a girl to fight my battles. Though not all my memories were bad. She would always sit by me when the men and their sons went out hunting for sport. My father would be down in the mine and I would be all alone waiting at the border, imagining how I would get up at any moment and join them. An event where I was truly lonely until she would arrive.

“Hey, Thomas! Why the gloomy face?”

“Hey, Serah. I did not know my face looked gloomy. Sorry.”

“Why are you saying sorry? I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Wishing you were out hunting with the group?”

“You mean the men. Not really. I do not really care for the killing of animals for sport. The blood would make me sick to my stomach.”

“Then why are you sad? You should be celebrating, they are not forcing you to join.”

“Sarah… Do you think I am different?.. Like less of a person?”

"Thomas, you are different.”

“Oh, okay”

"But in the best way possible. Now get off your sorry horse and help me get some flowers for the Busisa ceremony."

I felt nostalgia, thinking about her. She left shortly after with her family to go to the capital. Her father had received word he had a wealthy uncle that left him an estate.

I envied her so. Being able to leave and start a new life, away from all the tragedy that dwelled in our village.

I wonder if I will see her again when I am there?

The memories made me shrug with embarrassment. I need to think of something to say if this girl wakes up. The fact that I was not wearing a shirt won't hel…

Wait…

My shirt…

I looked down at my chest to find the mark had been covered by soot. Some parts of it had been revealed but it was still obscured. The breath that held itself in my lungs relieved as I exhaled. I am such an idiot… I was so focused on saving her I forgot about the mark on my chest. If it was not for the smoke that clung to my skin, I would have given myself away. It must have been from standing in the fire. In fact, the only reason I must not have noticed it before was that most of it must have rubbed off on her dress while I carried her. My chest however was still mostly covered.

I was careless…

“I do not have the luxury of making such mistakes,” I thought as I was reminded by Henry's warning.

She could have easily seen my accursed mark. Would I still have saved her, knowing that she could sell me out?

Yes...

I might be a monster, but I am nowhere near as evil as that prior. In fact, even now I might be naive in thinking she did not see it and still I would make sure she stays safe. I found comfort knowing that at least some parts of me were still human.

Maybe I should take my shirt back? As if she could hear my thoughts, the girl rolled to her side facing me and grabbing my shirt like a child snuggling their prized blanket. The moonlight making its way past the trees streamed against her face. I thought she might have woken up but...

Wow…

I did not notice it before but she really is pretty. I must have been too focused to really look at her. I did not have the heart to take my shirt back. I will have to leave the soot to avoid her being able to see the mark.

"Mmm"

I wonder what her name is? She looks like an Elizabeth to me. A very noble name as her demeanor and facial features seemed very pure. She had a fine perky nose and thick lips. The blond hair that had flowed over my arm seemed thick and well kept. I even slightly remembered her blue as she stared up at me. She would have been the prettiest girl in my village hands down. An image formed of what she would have looked like awake.

I began to look at the hand which I used to stroke her back, then I could feel my face become red.

Focus!

You do not have time to gawk over a pretty girl. I then began a sweep of the surroundings to distract myself from what just happened.

Everything seems clear…

The fire crackled and was starting to fade. I got up and placed more wood on top of the flame then fell back in my spot. A howl echoed in the distance.

Must be wolves…

They must have caught fresh prey.

Lucky…

What I would give for some delicious meat, if only I could have been out catching some food but, I can not leave the poor girl by herself. Like a dog putting its owner above its own needs for freedom by staying caged, I quelled my excitement. I wonder what they caught? Well as long as they do not get greedy and hunt in my territory then they should be fine.

My territory… What a strange way to think?

Come to think of it, why did I suddenly presume to know so much about them and their patterns? I have never before in any way studied animals? Even the bit I did know was obtained from listening to the hunters in our village boasting about their kills. Maybe my new inherited instincts included some sort of innate knowledge? After I had given in to this power I seemed different, my personality has changed drastically. I feel more in control, less stressed.

It felt good.

Suddenly another howl echoed through the trees, this time much closer.

Strange…

They have their kill, why are they moving away from it? Surely it has enough meat on the bone to keep them busy longer than this?

My heart was calm, almost as if it knew they posed no danger. I sat back and looked up at the sky. The stars were breathtaking as they swarmed the heavens. The moon was large and swallowed most of the sky with its white light.

A sight that would never cease to be beautiful.

I was never allowed to sit outside after dark to enjoy such scenery, as the cold air caused my chest to become violently stuffed with mucus which left me coughing for days.

How I yearned for something everyone took for granted.

A flicker of joy sprung into me. So many things I have yet to experience, I can not wait.

A branch some distance behind me suddenly cracked.

So they are greedy…

I kept my back against the tree, readying myself. I then closed my eyes to listen to the perimeter.

Six in total surrounding us. The fire must have attracted them. They seemed to slowly move in on our position, trying to remain silent. They are efficient hunters, making sure their prey has nowhere to run. Unfortunately for them…

I am not prey.

Moments later I could see them emerging from behind the trees. They were much larger than I expected. They were light brown with many blackened patterns across their fur and lean in shape. They all took up stationary positions around us as if to watch what was about to unfold. I remained seated, keeping an eye on the girl to my right.

They had the advantage of numbers and could easily grab her while I am busy fending off the frontal attack.

A larger, fiercer wolf appeared out of the darkness right in front of me. His gaze was locked on the girl as if it was her main target.

So you are the reason they are not attacking, you want to savor the kill for yourself? You must be the pack leader then?

With a heavy growl, the alpha began to bare its teeth at me as if to show it was about to take my meal away from me.

So you think she is my captive prey? You are right about one thing.

SHE IS MINE!!!

In an instant, my muscles were swollen to their peak and I found myself in the air right next to the Alpha. It had not even had a chance to react as my fist came down like a hammer onto its head.

Too slow…

As my knuckles made contact with its skull, I could feel its head shattering under the sheer impact. Fresh, warm blood along with some of its brain splattered every as its head was flattened against the ground, me standing over its corpse. The others seemed to take on a defensive stance as they just witnessed one of their strongest being killed in a blink of an eye. My mind was filled with anger.

You dare try and steal from me!!!

I pulled air deep into my lungs and faced the pack, then released a deep, powerful roar. This made the wolves turn tail and run, knowing I was not a beast to be underestimated.

I looked down at the dead alpha then wrapped its thick fur between the fingers of my left hand, dragging its body closer to the fire.

So in the end, proper food made its way to me.

I sat next to the corpse and began ripping out its hair until I could render a clean chunk of meat from its body using my claws.

“Please do not wake up now” I kept thinking as I glanced at the sleeping girl. After all, she might freak out seeing this hell, my old self would have. I then hid the carcass and placed the meat on a large stick I pulled from the stockpile to slowly cook it over the fire. Making sure the blood had not removed the soot from my chest I thought: “ The taste of raw meat was far better than cooked but, maybe the smell could wake her?”

I really wanted her to be okay…

The rest of the evening was quiet and she never did wake up. I kept the fire going and ate more than my fill until the sun began to climb the horizon.

Time to carry on.

I packed up everything and took my shirt back from the clingy hands of the girl. I took the time to check her condition one final time before gently picking her up off the ground and setting off.

The walk was pleasant and the terrain started to become more stable as I got closer to Wayspring. The girl kept resting her head against me and grabbing my shirt causing me to look up at the sky and hide my red face. I should be thankful as in this position her necklace laid against my shirt and not my skin. Something I had to avoid at all cost.

After a few hours, the trees began to clear revealing a large town teeming with people. The buildings were well-kept brick-facing with red-tiled roofs. Everyone seemed hard at work. Shop keeps selling goods in the street corners, large men beating down metal to form tools and women hanging clothes to dry on self-made lines. I noticed an official speaking to one of the guardsmen just inside town.

They will know who will be able to help her.

I made my way to them and started to call for Help: ``This girl has been injured and needs medical attention!”

They both looked at me, their eyes widening as they noticed a boy covered in blood and ash, holding a girl riddled with scorch marks.

The official took charge and ran towards me asking: “What happened?”

I chose my words wisely and said: ``I found Roserock in flames and only this girl still alive.”

The man stopped right in front of me with the guard starting to make his way to us. He looked down at her and said: “Roserock? You carried her all this way?”

He then noticed her necklace: “This is the crest of the Avalon family, are you sure you found her at Roserock?”

I felt confused as I did not know why her family name had relevance to the situation.

Without waiting for an answer the man turned around facing the guard and in an urgent voice said: “Take this girl to Endira. Tell her she will do everything in her power to make sure this girl is saved.”

The guard took her from my arms and ran into town to where I assume this “Endira” is.

The official fixed his gaze back onto me: “I will need you to give a full report on what happened now, follow me.”

He then gripped my hand and pulled me towards the town.

Her family name must have meant more than I thought because they rushed to make sure she is okay but did not bat an eye to ask me if I was.

They are all the same…

Even if it was for the wrong reasons I am sure they will do their best to make sure she is well looked after. Me giving a testimony will not really help the matter and I would only be opening myself up to slipping the truth, possibly getting me caught.

I should leave before this escalates…

I ripped my hand from the man’s grasp then used all my speed to leap towards the forest. His eyes should not be able to follow me and before he can turn around I would already be gone.