Chapter 1
Sofia
The yelling, it never stops, I hear it echoing, bouncing around my mind. But tonight it’s quiet, they must have gone out to the bar down the road or maybe they’ve finally passed out.
This is your chance! Tala my wolf said.
She was right, quickly gathering what little belongings I own and shoving them into my backpack. I slipped on my beat up converse, straining my ears to see if I can hear anything. Tiptoeing to the bathroom I grab a few toiletries to hold me over until I find a human town.
Leaving the bathroom I tiptoed back to my bedroom, doing a last sweep making sure I grabbed anything that belonged to my biological parents.
Slowly pushing open the window I leaned out again straining my sensitive ears. They are on their way back, it’s now or never Fia! Tala shouted at me.
Tossing my bag out my window I climbed onto the window sill. Suddenly there was a banging on my bedroom door startling me.
“Open the fucking door Sofia!” Brian shouted.
Jump! Jump right now or so help me I won’t talk to you for a week! Tala shouted
The door knob began twisted, I could hear the wood door groan from the abuse it’s taking. Better the door then me I thought to myself. Taking a deep breath I jumped, landing not so gracefully. I felt a twinge of pain in my ankle, that wasn’t going to slow me down, it was nothing compared to the pain of the beating I’d receive is they caught me.
Looping my backpack onto my shoulders I took off into the woods behind our house just as I heard the door finally splinter.
“Where the fuck are you, you bitch!” He shouted.
I began sprinting, thirty minutes of a full out sprint, my legs were burning. I began slowing down, I know I’m fast as my wolf but I need my bag. Finding a nice quiet and sheltered area, I move some brush around making a make shift blanket. The brush kept me off the ground, as well as warm, the most beneficial part was that it allowed me to blend into my surroundings. Using my bag as a pillow, I laid down to rest. I planned to only rest for a short time but ended up falling asleep.
I was startled awake, there were twigs snapping, voices yelling and there was a distinct scent of wolves around. Raising my head to smell the air, I needed to know if any of them were familiar. They were still much too far to get individual scents. I couldn't risk it, moving the brush off of me I stood up and swung my bag onto my back.
Slowly making my way farther from my camping spot I kept my ears strained for the slightest movement, a snap of a twig, the sound of the leaves rustling, anything. I heard the small trickle of running water. I could cover my scent by walking through the water.
With my new plan in mind, I began to quicken my pace. The running water was getting louder. I could see it, I was almost there. The water looked like it would come to my knees, I'd have to roll up my pant legs and take my sneakers off to cross the water. Quickly rolling my pants up and tucking my shoes in my bag I made my way to the edge of the water.
The water was freezing, some of the stones were slippery and some were sharp, I could feel then slicing at my feet with each step. Finally making it across the shallow river, I sprinted into the tree line giving my better coverage. Sliding down against a tree I gave Tala a few minutes to heal my feet. Using a shirt I dried of my feet before slipping my socks and shoes on.
Shoving the shirt back into my bag I assessed my surroundings. I was no longer in my packs territory, nor another territory, I was in no mans land. I was still close enough to the border that there was a slim chance of running into a rogue.
Did you hear that Fia? There is someone out there. Tala said
Relaxing enough to allow Tala to assess the situation. I hear the rustling to my left. I crouched down ready to pounce if needed, a tiny little girl came stumbling out of the bushes. I immediately relaxed my stance as to not scare her. Based on her smell she was a werewolf, she didn't look like she was much older then 4 or 5.
"Hello Sweetheart, what are you doing all alone out here?"
"They killed my family, they killed my friends everyone I know." She trailed of with tears building in her eyes.
"Oh I'm sorry. How about you stay with me? I'll keep you warm and safe. How does that sound?" I asked her softly.
Nodding she made her way over to me, allowing me to embrace her tiny figure. "My name is Sofia, but you can call me Fia. What's your name?"
"Avalon, but mommy always called me Ava."
"Alright Ava, how about you put on this sweater and we will start making our way to a safe spot for tonight." I said handing her my sweater. It was too big for her, so I rolled up the sleeves so her hands were free. Holding her hand we made our way north bound.
After a few hours I could tell she was getting tired and hungry. I found a fallen tree whose roots would help provide shelter and camouflage us. I gave her a granola bar, when she finished eating she snuggled in closer, I pulled a blanket out of my bag laying it over both of us. Soon she was fast asleep, I kept watch for as long as I could but my eyes were drooping and I slowly drifted to sleep.
