A flashback more than a chapter, but still :P It's finally here, and I hope you all enjoy it. As I've said, after every chapter we will have a flashback.

Hopefully the next chapter comes sooner. ANYWAYS. Critique welcomed. Enjoy.

~~~

Chapter 1B

I gazed in absolute terror as the werewolf sank his claws into the horse, cutting cloth, fur, flesh, and muscle. The horse depressed in pain, before his screams of agony turned to simple moans, and then nothing. The air carried a tinge of smoke, as the local bar was set ablaze. Ash rolled down the wet road, creating a storm of soot and smoke. I can still remember the cold pavement chilling and freezing my fur, as I gave my utmost attempts at threatening the werewolf. Who was I kidding? Once again I fell to the ground, now noticing a gruesome gash torn into my side. I winced in the pain of it all, pressing a paw against the cut in a futile attempt to somewhat staunch the bleeding. My skirt and blouse were pasted to my fur with blood, though completely torn across and down the side. ~I… I just need to get to him…~ I thought, hyperventilating to feed my struggling lungs and racing heart.


“Please, just stop!” I shouted, looking up at him, but then clenching down again at my open wound. “You can’t hurt so much innocence, please… Can you just look at what you’re doing?!”

My voice was cracking under the hysterics and sheer pain. Not showing much care at all, the werewolf wandered closer to me, growling. He continued up to striking range, obviously still masking some common sense under his brutality. Though, he had backed off some when I sprayed in fear. My moment of triumph was short lived, as he slowly began to approach me once more. Everything was somnolent, in the sense that the only sounds that I could hear were the blaze of the building, and my ever so rhythmic gasps of distraught. Every single fur that had occupied the city seemed to have abandoned me to my ever so clear fate, hiding in the shadows from this creature that was standing before me.

~I had been so foolish to ever think that I could keep him from shifting, especially alone…~ Softly, I gave a sigh of defeat, accepting my life would be short lived. Surprisingly, I felt his deep hot breath pushing down on my fur, causing me to shudder in fear. He was black as night before me, holding claws like sharp butterfly knives against the streetlights. His breath stank of a scent that I could just not place, and I had a fleeting thought of murder, before I released it from my already troubled conscious. Murder never had a scent. I quickly dropped my thoughts as he hoisted me off the icy pavement and tossed me against another building. I could smell the smoke growing stronger. I let out a lone agonizing cry as I slammed into the wall.


My eyes immediately scanned the visible horizon, though I was soon to realize that I had lost my contacts. I admitted to myself that it all didn’t matter much anyway, and in sorts I was right. All I could see before me for some blurry shapes and abstract lighting, like my world had turned to an out-of-focus oil painting. ~I should have just told everyone what I was going to do… I should have never rushed off like that. No. Stop, you need to think… There must be a way out of this…~ My contemplations had me jumping all through my mind, like an electrical surge of thought. Softly, I gave a gasping breath, smoke rushing into my lungs. ~It must be completely set on fire, now~

The werewolf slowly started to approach me once more, all confirmed by his seemingly growing form. Though, something else caught my glance before completely jumping in front of the beast. All I could tell was that it must have been another fur, but its mere silhouette gave no real clues as to who just came to my aid…

“Keep your ground, and I won’t threaten you… But I will not let you bring harm to her…”

He spoke, followed by an obscure gesture that I just couldn’t comprehend, and then it came to my realization that I was leaning against the burning bar! No longer focused on anything but the scorching sensation against me, I turned my eyes from the blinding sparks. My body was burning up in the flame, though it was as if it had refused to accept this until I saw it all for myself! I tried to stand, but a piercing pain in my torso was too great to move. For a second I thought about rolling off to the side, but this was soon cut off by a hideous cracking sound accompanied by a series of glowing ash, growing ever closer. I was bludgeoned in the head and fell unconscious.

~~~

I gazed hopelessly at the skunk, almost entirely regretting it all… Though, as the balcony hung over her began to collapse, and I rushed toward her, I was just able to dodge another attack from the werewolf. Leaping forward I was able to shield her from most of the damage, taking the majority of it. I winced in pain, but didn’t let my feelings get in the way of pace. I responded quickly, lifting her body up and running away from the inferno. In the jolt I nearly forgot about the menace behind me… though he hastily followed in pursuit. After about 70 feet of tracking, my own pain began to overtake me. I looked down at the body in my arms… something so fragile as life can’t last forever like this. I had to get her some care, and fast. Hearing a growl behind myself, I knew the future couldn’t be too easy. ~I have to move faster…~ Suddenly, two distinct shots rang out, halting me in my steps. I saw sparks hit the pavement just in front of my position… I could also sense that the werewolf was still.


"This isn't how the story goes," An ambiguous voice seemed to whisper from all directions, yet none at all.

"What… What do you mean?"

"Lay her down. The others will be here sure enough to make sure everything plays fine.”

Thoughts began to race in my mind, of possible escape plans and ways out of this mess. Alas, nothing firm hit me, and I attempted to hide this with bluff.

"You just try and stop me… Don’t you dare shoot, you could hit her."

I resisted all temptation to look back at the werewolf… though he seemed utterly calm. No… calm was a complete understatement… He was barely distinguishable in the silence.

“I doubt you have the bravery… Now, do as I say.”

Realizing I was out of options, I softly placed the body on the pavement. In a flash the figure in shadow was firing a gun at me, but I long since made my brilliant escape into the alleyways….


~~~


"Come on, she could be hurt!" I shouted toward April and Devlin. I thought she was so ignorant to act like she did... ~Was she trying to get herself killed, or something?!~ Honestly, I just wished that she would be okay.

The smell of smoke grew ever more apparent as we explored the various streets and alleys, keeping an eye out for any definite signs of either the Werewolf or Daryl. Suddenly, two gunshots rang out.

"Ay Jack! I think it came from over here!" Devlin signaled out, away from the smoke.

"I trust your ears, let’s run..." I muttered, dashing toward him.

We continued to pace onward, in the presence of yet another shot. My heart was literally racing from my chest. All the while I kept encouraging myself, "We have to hurry... have to hurry..."

Then we turned into a long street, completely covered in ash from a burning building a hundred or so feet away. Despite the darkening skies and the clouds of soot, the flames were strong enough to beckon us to their source. ~Oh, where are you, Daryl? ~ I whispered in concern and anxiety. A few more cracks from the building sent up a collection of hot coals, I knew the building wouldn't last any longer. As I saw the beams crumble into the street, my heart sunk. But in the distance, I thought I saw the werewolf... standing over a body.

~~~

I pulled my breath through with a gasp, jabbing through my lungs like a javelin. Out of sheer instinct I called for help, but the pain didn't appreciate my cries. Giving up on myself, I laid back on my bed... I was completely undressed, down to underclothing and the bandages wrapped around me. The room seemed... well, rather kept... especially contrasted to my more recent memories. A wooden door stood ajar, just across the floor, seemingly beckoning me to investigate. The walls were painted a light blue, possibly all the better for just dark feelings kept inside it. Someone left the blinds open, allowing for rays of light to shine through. I cast a helpless sigh. ~Where am I, what happened...?~ So many questions left unanswered, still.

As if answering my silent calls, Jack paced through the door, dressed in his usual attire.

"Ah, so you've gotten better..." He said, with a smile. "What were you doing out there? We already talked about the matters before. We were going to stop him from shifting together, with the others. You certainly left April and Devlin quite concerned..."

As always, he didn't mention that he himself was worried... ~Or, at least I hope he was worried...~ My face made a small smile at the thought. ~As if he wouldn't be worried...~

"I- I just didn't want anyone else to risk it... Or, I thought I could handle it. I just wanted to help, for once... You know I'm not exactly a fighter." I sighed.

"Ah, but is that always true? If you just found your own style and practiced, you could well defend yourself..."

"Was that one you, the one who saved me? I was nearly killed by the wolf... You made some strange gesture..."

"Huh, what? Did you hit your head or something... Well, I guess you did, but still... The other's and I found you stretched out on the pavement, and we managed to get Malachi to shift back before he could bring harm to anyone else. He is just in the other room; we're trying to convince him to stay. I don't think he will have any more issues with shifting, though."

"Oh... well, I must have been imagining things... It was pretty bad out there." I knew what I saw, but I wouldn't let myself argue.

"Well anyway... Whenever you feel that you're ready to move around a bit, we'll all be waiting in the next room. But remember, take it easy... That was a pretty harsh cut, don't over exert yourself."

"Alright, Jack... Hey, I'll be out in a bit... I just need to collect myself."

With that he turned out of the room, taking kindness in closing the door.