Death, ah. Beautiful death. 

I slept all alone in my bed and stared at the wooden ceiling , lights off with me all alone with my thoughts. I tried hard not to remember what happened after my brother's fourteenth birthday and before I knew it. I was sucked into the memory and tried not to scream.

We were in a warehouse, the air was dry and stale as we trekked in further then I gasped and clamped my mouth shut in horror. A trail of blood leads up the metal stairs. Zale tensed and sniffed the floor as we climbed up the stairs to the giant room as I scrambled to get the note of my brother and a treat.

Yesterday, we wanted to throw a little surprise for my brother's birthday but instead we got a warning and a note. Right after, we found my brother missing from his room. It told us to come alone or there would be dire consequences and Zale was summoned to. We went to a secluded warehouse far away in the next town at sunset.

"We warned you and you didn't listen. Here's our fair share. "It scrambled to get the paper as I struggled to inhale air. The room was drowned in copper and thick and dark as we struggled to adjust to the darkness. Zale grasped my wrist and led me in since he saw perfectly then goosebumps formed on my shoulders as my hair stood erect. My blood ran cold. The room was thick and suffocating, clenching my lungs and squeezing me.

Bad vibes.

I shuddered as our footsteps echoed while we walked, then the speakers buzzed and a loud icy laughter vibrated through the room. The smell of rotten eggs overwhelmed my nose."We told you but you didn't listen as the saying goes: You reap what you sow." It laughed harder as the windows clattered; the fluorescent lights lined the rusted ceiling as it flickered above us to a trail of more blood splattered on the ground. Wind howled and roared as the lights flickered harder than darkness. I grasped his hand and braced myself for ambush. My boots clicked across the floor as one lonely light flickers open. A lone metal chair draped in ropes and bloodied blindfolded on the floor. I grabbed my gun and scooted around as more laughter echoed and trembled the room.

"Who... who are you?"We demanded.

"You worst nightmare."The feminine voice mocked its voice an octave higher and shriller. I blinked and stared as I demanded louder.It echoed loudly as walls shook.

"Show yourself."I screamed, my voice cracking and higher."Ok."It said dejectedly. Then I staggered and clenched my chest as my heart hammered in my chest and my breath hitched. Like a tail it led as to a silhouette hanging on the beam as it swayed on top. Warm light drowned and casted long shadows across as we looked around. Then I saw it was Damon or what's left of him. Hanged like a pig in a hook was my brother Damon with a nose tied on his neck on the ceiling. He stared at the sky with milk white eyes and gaping like a fish, his skin flustered, he was stripped to the bone and spinning as if wind was there. I lowered my gun, my knees to the floor as I stared at the sight slowly to clamp my mouth shut, and I squeezed my eyes and cried softly .His neck was red and raw and ligature, brown and parchment-like was present.

"Damon, I-I...why?"I screamed so loud, tears streamed down my eyes and angrily I caught my breath.

"Why wouldn't I?"It mocked.

"Leave my family out of this. Damon is innocent."I screamed, Zale restricting me as I kicked my legs. Icy long laughter. I pave and clench my jaw as my eyes darted as I looked up again, the rope was raw on his skin and I staggered .They tortured him to death, then hanged him but no, that wasn't all.

His eyes were lifeless, no pupils or nothing in those eyes and looked as if he was screaming but in mid freeze and struggling, signs of struggle and assault on his skin then there was a black swirl on his torso from the heart and rippled all over his body.

"You sucked the soul out of him?"I asked, I collapsed on the floor as Zale grasped my hand and cooed. His eyes flashed with anger.

"I'm so sorry, Heather."He said as I stared at him.

It was my fault, all my fault because I told someone meanwhile I was scared to death. I cradled my head and clamped my mouth shut.

That was only the beginning. Can you turn back time please. I chose to go to the party. I choose to speak to Zale there. It was my choice, they needed me not them. The police told my parents after they found him and informed them that he was kidnapped or went willing. Guilt ate me up. They tortured him then killed him but framed it as a suicide. They couldn't track who did this because they'll never find it. It wasn't a human but I did get several warnings. My locker was still not answered, the bullying was obvious, someone wanted me out very badly, the green-eyed monster was Noah all along but still had negative vibes, the revolution is just more fuel to the fire and Sapphire was part of it all along. Our hint is that a particular demon has invaded the town after I somehow opened or triggered the portal. Now the protectors want to kill me before more deaths or blood are spilled.

The funeral was the hardest part; I haven't seen my parents since July and vacation. We embraced each other as we organised a small funeral for him. Only us and his friends. After the small church service, we crowded around his grave as I cried on my parents as they proudly embraced me. It was magical. I said all the good things about him and forced a laugh.

They buried him.

They prayed for him and wished him well.

I dropped to a crouch, held flowers and treats days after. I made it my mission to be with every time I get and I vowed to get revenge. I sniffed and cried hard as I stared at the headstones my parents bought without a second thought, my mom was mad at herself and blamed, Dad sat on the floor and stared at the sky with sad eyes.

Dying at fourteen was not his goal, he had a life.

Written on his headstone: In loving memory of Damon McCarthy

Our cool dude, loving brother and a bundle of hope.

April.5 2005-April.8 2019.

Plastered on the black marble gravestone or headstone was a photo of Damon now in the ninth grade. He looked so happy and posh, he grew taller and bigger. The wet blades of grass kissed my legs and I didn't care that I was getting soaked. The hose was leaking as I kicked my legs in annoyance. His face still haunted me and I dare not to look at his closed eyes and the rickety wooden casket.

"Mom is my fault."I croaked as they hugged me tight, I nuzzled closer to them as they rustled my curls and I looked like a mess. She pulled away and caressed my face."No, baby .It's mine. I'm a bad parent. I should have never said those words to you."

"Please don't lie, what if I never went to the party? What if I didn't yapp so much?"I croaked and mom squeezed me tight."I'm sorry. "She said. Dad squeezed his mouth shut; breathe heavily before his gaze fixated on the sky. I hugged myself and avoided their gaze. He never met my gaze and remained silent the whole time.

It's all my fault.

***

My eyes fluttered open, the window wide open as cold air whooshed open as goose bumps trailed my arms as I rolled to my side and wrapped myself tightly in the blanket. Our lives were better and fun-filled back in 2018 but now it was long, depressing and gloomy and I felt like a bucket of crap. The hardwood door groaned open and shut as I stared at the golden lamp post with teary eyes.

"Hamia,"Zale said, holding a tray of food as I rolled over and arch a brow."Please, I'm worried about your health. You're barely eating?'He said as he gave me the food. I avoided his gaze and poked on the scrambled eggs with my fork lost in thought. He placed his arms on my shoulders as I muttered while drinking orange juice."IS THIS HOW YOU felt When you father died ?"I croaked. I apologised and stared at the carpet.

"Yeah, it is called grief."

"But you look better."

"Hah ,"He said, "I wish. I hate it when people assume that I'm strong, no. I miss him no matter how much he did I miss him. Hell, I miss my mom even more."He shook his head, ran his hands through his hair.

I wiped threatening tears and set aside the food," Well, I think. It's my fault."I stated. 'But...but I also think they're linked, "Zale nodded me to continue, "your fathers assassination, the revolution and demon because of the portal I opened."I Croaked. He nodded and smiled."We kind of figured that out."He said as I stared at the ceiling and sighed. I was warming up to him slowly but surely and I hated it. I had been practising spells more and training harder but after his death made me realise how much more I have to do. I have to grow and adapt .I clenched my fist and smiled.

"I'm resuming my training."I said, beaming proudly.

***

I slipped onto another memory, a day after his burial. Zale and I were inside the abandoned dungeons built under the pack and he decided to put it for good use .Bounded in heavy chains was Sapphire shoved into the musty, thick cell she screamed and thrashed. Her skin, red and raw streaming with blood, fresh and dried. She helped plot with the Libaordo pack to organise the assasinsationn and most of the threats were aimed at me. She bared her canines and hissed at me as I recoiled my legs ready to kick a bitch.

Traitor.

But she whimpered and recoiled as the chains sizzled and cackled on her skin and moaned in agony. She breathed, her blue T-shirt soaked, torn and caked with dirt.

"Why were you working with them?"Zale shouted loudly from the bars.

"Your father was an asshole if I didn't do it someone will."She defended, tears streamed down her cheeks, "She glared at me and pounded her wet chest, "They threatened my friends within the pack, and I did it for my life."She cried hysterically shaking and screaming in pain. With a clenched jaw and yelled. "You pledged your loyalty to our pack, so you should have told us and will require the damn thing out, bitch." he spoke with venom.

"What was I supposed to do ?" she scoffed, her eyes wide shaking aggressively .Zale paced around in circles and ran his hands through his hair.

"Tell us everything toy did ?"He breathed in heavily and spoke calmly.

***

My eyes fluttered open as I blinked numerous times and pressed my head."Hamia, snap out of it ."Katie snapped at me as I tightened my grip on her wheelchair."Thanks."I shrugged as she smiled. "No problemo,"She said. Ever since the witch hazel accident, the Noah drama and meeting death in the face, again .I'm now attending the school for werewolves and living with wolves even though I'm trying to change and adapt. And the cult in the woods. I decided that new age, new me. I let my hair grow naturally; I worked out more so I developed a lean build.

We strolled out of the hallway into the boarder of the woods as the curly brunette girl breathed loudly and the wind howled."Is peaceful, isn't it?"I whispered softly, she squeezed her lips into a lie and stared at the trees as the wind caressed her curls. Her light blue eyes went wide as she clawed her pop art dress-she painted herself and leggings.

"I wanna spread my paws."She stated as my eyes went wide and I gaped like a fish while she rolled her eyes at me. The pine trees were tall and looming next to the other side of the school.

Bad vibes.

"You can shift?"I exclaimed.

"Yeah, of course. Is the same thing with everyone doesn't mean I have a disability doesn't mean I'm not a werewolf."She mumbled as I nodded, feeling dumb.

"Sorry, if I judged you."

"Nah, it's ok."

"I really thought you were a Wera-a human with wolf abilities or you can half shift."I added, scratching my neck nervously as she nodded."Wanna see me shift?"She asked, then nodded and smiled. She stretched, unbuckled the straps then leaped into the air and shifted into the red wolf but her hind legs were smaller and looked more fox-like. She barked and chased her tail as she howled playfully.

I laughed so hard.

Then she trotted to me and licked my palms and wagged her tail but damn, she was huge all the way to my knee as her red fur ruffled my thighs. Her eyes flashed as she blinked then she paused looked at the bushes and bared her canines, I froze, darted my head.

Run.

She growled, her jaws snapping and slowly my happiness drained as fear seeped from within as my hands twitch. The air became harsh, the sky darned as the air choked me. Suddenly ,Cold black shadows in the shape of wolves growled in sync like hundreds and their paws thundered on the ground. They circled us and snarled and Katie bared her teeth at them. Slowly any living thing within their reach shrivelled and died.

"Xoog I sii''Give me strength. I yelled, my voice again not my own as icy flames licked my skin and I howled then my eyes flashed blue. A ball of flames hovered in my palms as my eyes darted. It was crazy, they zapped and teleported in all directions laughing like hyenas and waling like tortured souls. Katie side-stepped and sprinted away but they barracked me. I zapped them repeatedly with beams and rays of light. Waving the air as I performed spells of cleansing.

I outstretched my arms as spider like flames appeared in my palms. I was fueling my energy as it seemed to distress them and made them restless. They howled loudly.

"Bahalnimadaas dila, oo naftoodana nadiifiya, oo isaga ku celi waddammada quruumaha."I muttered."I teleported and blasted one as it whimpered into the sky, from all directions they morphed onto a tsunami and roared. I breathed and formed a force field of flickering energy as they pounced and clawed as she looked with me with sad eyes. It cracked and shattered as I teleported and zapped numerous times. I cowered then they split up and snarled. Thunder rumbled from within them and roared with furry as they moulded back. Kill me now.

I stared at the sight and breathed heavily as my eyes darted stained blue. I closed my eyes and breathed, waving my arms in the air as if I'm weaving as flames curled and uncurled. With a heavy sigh I sprinted, throwing balls of light, beams and blasting. Blue flames flickered my eyes as it got worse. I kept on teleporting and fighting hard. I grabbed a dagger hidden in my boot, I slashed, clawed and stabbed and repeated .I teleported numerously as most disperse and I really felt like I'm fighting a boss.

But no one warned there was a limit.

Black splotches danced on my eyes as I tried to blink them off, my sight blurred as my legs wobbled and buckled beneath me. All my powers were drained from me and I crashed landed onto the ground breathing hard but they avoided me but stared at her with beady red eyes as they smiled like a Cheshire cat.

"No."I croaked. The wind howled and roared and electricity cackled and churned till it formed a cyclone of shadows. For a mere second, I was suspended onto the air being violently swayed from two feet from the ground as the air whistled in my ears. I couldn't hear my scream as I struggled to look for Katie in the thick darkness.

"Katie."I screamed, my voice cracking an octave higher as I heard whimpering and choking."Katie."I repeated as tears streamed from my eyes as droplets. My jacket whipped and flared as I tried to swim in the sky. They eyed her hungrily through the cyclone and slowly her haw snapped as though flames were sucking on her like a juice box.

Then as she struggled. I was forcibly pushed up and down then plopped a good feet into the ground. My hair whipping as my eyes felt heavy and fluttering. I groaned and persuasive words echoed in the depths of my mind. I was knocked off. My body is numb and heavy.

"Sleep tight."The metallic voice warned and lured me to slumber. My eyes rolled over my head as my life flashed before my eyes.

***

My eyes fluttered open only to be glared at by a white ceiling ,I blinked and rubbed my eyes as I jolted up. I groaned as my body ached and felt heavy. I felt tired and exhausted from that. My head throbbed as I blinked again and groaned. As I slowly awoke I noticed I was in a stiff bed with bare toes and chairs.

A hospital or the pack house. I lay back and rolled over to the side. Hunched on a chair was Zale's large frame, his hands crossed over his chest as he furrowed his eyebrows.

"You're awake."He smiled then I forced a small too.

"What happened?"I croaked.

"How long was I away?"I asked as I sighed heavily.

"A few days to a week-"

"A week."

"You were spiritually and mentally drained."

I sighed, wrapped myself into a ball.

"Where's Katie?"I screamed, looking around wildly around the room as my thoughts perked. The last time I saw her she was being sucked. He avoided my gaze and stared at the window and whispered."She...she didn't make it."He said. I wrapped myself as Zale comforted me. I felt like a child. I felt useless and so confused because everything I did hurt everyone.

Zale looked at me with concerned eyes as if to say 'are you sure?'I nodded as she stepped back and opened the door. A nurse still dressed in surgical scrubs motioned for me to see. The nurse tucked in her blood hair in her cap and fixed her clothes. Zale nodded as she removed the thin blue blanket. Lying on the metal blanket was Katie or what's left of her.

She was white as a bone, her eyes solid white no pupil no irises, her mouth agape and fixed in a terrified position as she stared at the ceiling. Then the familiarity struck the black swirls on her torso from her chest to her abdomen .I clamped my mouth shut and staggered. Bile rose to my throat as they covered her body completely.

I ran into the hallway and wobbled to grip a railing as catch my breath. I choked in a sob and screamed.

"It was her? The one who killed Damon."I shrieked loudly. Covering my face in horror. "It's my fault, I let another person die in my hands. I am no Lunar." I shouted. She was my friend.

" I have to train harder , I need to protect is my role."I cried, fighting the tears.

"It's not your fault you tried your best to save her now that's guts." He held me tight and soothed my pain. He whispered softly as I inhaled the scent then his muscles tensed as his body went limp. I froze and stared at his blue eyes.

"Sapphire has escaped from the dungeon. There's a mole."He growled angrily as he shook. His voice low and harsh with his jaw clenched and a mad look in his eyes.