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Life is full of obstacles,
She is without mercy
It's up to us to face them
And to come out of it stronger

MJ1
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Holding on my tears behind my lids, I took solace looking at the lines on the road to my right. Counting each white line my mind found peace, my head went numb and my heart ached less cauterizing the injuries in my heart.

"One day, I will get back to them" A deep sigh escaped my throat, exhaling my sorrows and tears. 

"Back to them... back them..." somehow I feel like this is "a deja vu"

A clearing surrounded by wildflowers and sunshine, I'm a carefree version of myself.

I laugh out loud as I try to catch a butterfly that is way too fast for me. Dad catches me and holds me back, wrapping his long arms around me.

"Just relax. Breathe. Control your movements," he says in my ear as he releases his hug.

My breathing slows as I concentrate on the sound of his soft voice, which brings me peace. I don't know how, but the butterfly seems to slow its flight.

"You take control of your energy to see what's happening. "

The butterfly slows down even more. Then Dad holds a flower in front of me.

"If you are calm, they will listen to you. All you have to do is wait patiently... for them to follow the path you've laid out for them and..."

Meanwhile, the butterfly landed on the flower by itself. I slowly followed its instructions and caught it in my hands.

Screaming with joy, I accidentally crushed it. I looked sheepishly at Dad and he burst into a beautiful laugh that made me laugh.

I slowly open my eyes feeling calm as if I had found an answer, but I couldn't point it out just yet. I shut my eyes blinded by the light. The sun is low on the horizon, reminding me that I am flying to an unknown destination.

I sit up in my seat, my head forgetting the 6-year-old version of me. My lower abdomen aches.

"Where are we? Huh, are we almost there?" Feeling pathetic, I try again. "I have to." But the words don't come out anymore. This time I stop for good.

I look at the window behind him, avoiding his gaze. I don't want to see judgment on his face. I am not used to being around new people. Less alone having someone around witnessing my emotions break loose.

"Are you always this much fun?" He adds with a grin that I catch as I turn.

My head sinks between my shoulders and I feel like a child. I've never fit in anywhere, except at home and in the library. It's like I don't belong, like I have some unfinished business I can't remember. Whenever my mind slips, I feel tormented, searching for something and missing the moment. Therefore, I always keep my mind busy.

I close my eyes along with my fists and concentrate on my breathing. I am always anxious when I face new situations, and today was unbearable for me. Today, to my surprise, it didn't trigger an asthma attack.

I take a deep breath, gather my courage and look at him. He has handsome features, a good chin, and brown hair.

If he had gone to my high school, he would have been popular with the girls. He could easily be a model. Tall, somewhat fit, with stylish brown hair, a harmonious chin, and pleasingly symmetrical features, he's nice to look at.

His eyebrows twitch as he clears his throat.

"There's a gas station up ahead. In about 5 km," he doesn't even look at me.

I nod my head in agreement and close my eyes, avoiding the passing buildings and trees that feed my anxiety.

It was the longest 5 km of my life.

He stops the car.

Sweating with stress, I threw myself out of the car as soon as it stopped.

I almost didn't make it. Only then did I ask myself how long I'd slept and where we were. I didn't ask for the basics.

I blamed myself.

I looked around and noticed an advertisement: "Lake Andrew, the best attraction in the Tomoa area".

We're not in the same state anymore. I'm in a remote area I've never heard of.

I head for the exit and can't help but stop at the hot dog stand, which makes my stomach growl. I reach into my pockets and they're empty.

Why did I think I had money? I didn't have an allowance; we were too broke for that. Even if I wanted to work in the summer, I couldn't because I needed a house.

Since school started a week ago, I've filled out a few job applications, but they haven't called me back.

I curl up into a ball and sit facing the car. Tom isn't there and I'm suddenly cold. I'm only wearing my T-shirt and that's not enough. I'm shivering. It's colder here.

I feel movement behind me, but it doesn't bother me because I'm in a parking lot.

"Hello beautiful, do you want me to warm you up? "

Surprised by the voice, I look over my shoulder. I see an inebriated man leaning towards me. I rush over and straighten up so he can't touch me.

"Oh, you're playing hard to get! I like that. Come on, let's have some fun, I know you're kind all too well. I have had a long day of work and you are all I need to get my mind off things."

He follows me, but I end up banging my arm on the side mirror, which slows me down and gives him time to grab my shirt.

"You are so young and hungry. Are you of age? I promise you to pay well. Tell me your price?"

I try to scream to get someone's attention, but my throat is dry and I can't get a sound out. My breathing is labored and I pull away from his body, but the sound of my shirt ripping stops me. The man won't let go. He reeks alcohol and is obviously slow to understand that I am not a night worker.

I turn and pull my shirt, but I end up rolling into his arms to my dismay. I want to move, but my body freezes in fear.

"Stop it!"
I am surprised to find my voice again.

The man is now holding my body with one arm, while the other is lurking my body in places no one has ever touched before.

"Step back."
The man slows his exploration, as if my voice had finally sober him up for a second.

My voice is indeed deep and threatening, enough to fright even myself. My breathing takes a spike and my eyesight winces. "I can't loose consciousness now..."

"Hey, you! Get away from her. "Relief washes over me. I'm not alone anymore. It's Tom's voice.

"Calm down, I saw her first. We are making progress with the negotiations. You can have her after" A mixture of rotten food and alcohol rises to my nose twisting my insides.

Spasms seize my body. I can't breathe, my airways constricted by my contracted muscles, and my fear rises as he licks my neck.

Tom pushes him away from me, but he holds on to my shirt, and keeps me as a hostage. The man swings at him with his other hand, but fails. Tom catches his wrist in the air and twists his arm behind his back. This time I'm free.

The stranger protests and a sound of pain escapes his mouth, causing Tom to hesitate before pushing him away. The man staggers and falls to the ground with a thud.

Without a second glance, Tom grabs my wrist, opens the car door, and shoves me inside. He's already behind the wheel.

I'm still panting. The tires squeal as he takes off. At the red light, he grabs my face with one hand and looks me straight in the eye.

"What's wrong with you? You've got no right to do this here or anywhere else. Are you trying to turn us in?!" He yells at me in a still jerky voice.

———-

TOM

———

The road here was quiet, cars were becoming rare on the road as the vegetation grew heavier. The motor roared willing and ready to go faster, but I wasn't going to give in into my desires. Not bow that she was finally sound asleep. Earlier, she was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Her mother was a monster, a vile heartless woman. Her face whenever Annie's siblings weren't looking was proof enough but could easily fool someone less knowledgeable. She wasn't better than my father, Richard.

My hands twitched the steering wheel.

Annie, I could rely, I could understand her distress. I was also distressed the day I was sent into a behavioural camp. By force, I had to learn how to deal with my heritage. But at least I knew about it. She only had crumbs of information, just like I once did. Besides she wasn't ready, this was but a precaution. Besides the truth wasn't mine to tell. So far she had had it easy and yet she was already crumbling, what would become of her if she knew the plain truth?

After the oddest exchange and the longest minutes of my life,  the door slammed shut even before I had time to set the car on park.

I lean on the seat while looking at Annie run to the facility. An ounce of regret invades my heart. Life was easier when I was ignorant of magic and my origins, envy. When had I become this petty? Was it because she had a mother ? Because her sister was around when his wasn't?

Grief. She didn't know what that was.

My hands turn into fists. My father's soul died that day and his melancholy turned him into a monster meant to torture me. He decided that I was responsible for their disappearance and that my life had to be a penance, a reminder that I wasn't allowed to feel happiness again until he was ready himself to be happy himself. Richard decided to force my magical genetics to take over, but his Lycan wasn't able to summon my wolf. That turned him into madness and my body and mind paid the price.

Like me, Annie seems to be having a tardive magical puberty, meaning that Isabella, her mother, casted a seal over her genetic heritage before her puberty. The odd part is that the seal is opening on its own. Otherwise why would they had sent her away under my care?

I shake my head clearing my thoughts. Isabella, her mother was sick and perhaps her magic was affected enough to weaken the seal. A discontent groan escapes my throat. She needs to be monitored to keep humans safe.  To keep their fairytale alive. The reality is that being a magical creatures isn't a fairy tale at all. My body's scars are a living proof of it.

The bones in my fingers crack over the steering wheel. I need something to drink to clear my throat. I go to the store for supplies, reminding myself that Annie will need nourishment as well. She is mainly human so far and I can't share my potions with her just yet.

I smile.

Richard never got what he wanted from me, even when I had no power nor potions at my disposal. Today, I wasn't the child I was three years ago, he couldn't even emotionally torture me anymore. Not now that I know how things work, and I was using that to my advantage. This mission was proof enough that I was playing my cards right. I was out of the magical facilites after all. I was to babysit Annie in human land while making preparations of my own.

I have plans. Isabella's image floats in my mind. Annie's mother was the one who saved me from my father's wrath and the one who sent me on this mission, did she know what my ultimate goal was?

No, after all, Isabella wanted her daughter and me to live away from the chaos, away from the magical community for Annie's sake. She was the one who chose the school, she was the one to give me my friend's phone numbers. Scratching my scalp, I thanked Isabella. It was part of the cover up story, but I was to see them again.

Answering the usual questions, I pay the fare.

I was to return to the life I had before my mother disappeared. The life that Isabella and my mother wanted for their children. It was too late for me, but not for Annie. A life without the supernatural. Somehow, I would take advantage of it and my place in this world and live a life that would fulfill me. Even if only for a short time.

As I walk out of the store, my emotional walls become solid again. They would never be penetrated by anyone, including her. I am ready to get back to my life, the one I hope to live.

At a reasonable pace, I walk to the car holding a plastic bag, only to find a man forcing himself on her. My knuckles turn white and my jaw clenches. Annie is not his to touch! She is mine. My responsibility.

The guy was a joke to deal with. He was so drunk that he didn't even realize the danger Annie posed at that moment. Her eyes and the sound of her voice come back into my mind. Just like that, my hopes to a peaceful mission turned to dust. Her genes are all over the place. Her supernatural sides are quite strong quivering in between.

Everything was motionless around us while she was panting and looking straight at him like a lion on its prey. Still, it bothers me. Why didn't she use this burst of magic to defend herself? Was the beast simply taking over her?  Is she even aware of the magic inside her?

'*•.•ஜீ☼۞☼ஜீ•.•*'
Note:
'*•.•ஜீ☼۞☼ஜீ•.•*'

That is all for now.

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