{ Jolene } There was a very short moment in time where I thought I had life completely figured out. I thought the universe was on my side for once and karma was finally giving me everything I deserved. My mother died -good news- and left me a chunk of money that I used to fulfill my dream of having a cute little coffee shop. Things went extremely well for almost six complete months. I was even starting to save up some money and genuinely thinking I would never be poor again. But of course, that good streak didn't last long. Just six months. Then, just a month ago, the world as we knew it ceased to exist. Werewolves. Werewolves exist and they are here... and all over the world. Apparently, they look like normal people most of the time but they, -somehow, in ways I don't understand- are able to transform their normal human body into a real fucking wolf. And not just under the moonlight, but all the time. Whenever they feel like it. I've seen it with my own eyes and I almos
Before I can react, scream or complain, the owner of this violent body grabs me by the shoulders and pulls me down with him. As I crash to the floor, with this very heavy man on top of me, I think: no. I won't let anyone fucking rape me. Oh, no. If they want my body, they have to either be cute or pay for it. I try to scream as the criminal rolls us under the counter. I move a lot trying to hit him in some strategic place, but I fail miserably. I try to free my hands to bring them to his face and gouge his eyes out, or give him an elbow in the ribs, or kick his balls, or throw my head back to break his nose. But, panicked, all I manage to do is move from side to side like a fish out of water. I think this annoys him more, I can tell by the groans he makes with his throat. He's probably thinking about how to kill me more painfully for being such a complicated prey. I don't know if I'm being way too dramatic about this situation, but I truly feel the need to run for my life.
Do you want to know how pathetic I truly am? That thing that happened to me yesterday has been the most interesting thing that’s happened to me since my mother died. I wish I had friends only so I could tell them that I saved a guy from a pack of werewolves, but I only have one friend and he hasn’t answered his phone all damn day. “There have been more werewolves around lately, have you noticed?” Mrs. Audrey asks me as she waits for me to finish making her coffee. Usually, I’d be annoyed by her trying to make conversation with me, but not this time. “Have I noticed? I had three of them in here yesterday,” I tell her, making her gasp, “They were chasing a poor guy, so small and helpless, he begged me to save his life… I had to be brave, so I stood in front of those animals and said: Stop right there! Leave him alone!” “My goodness,” she murmurs and clasps her hands to her chest, holding a rosary, “I can’t believe you’re so brave. And, what happened? Did they leave?” “Yes, th
“Good job, now it’s time to mop,” I continue twenty minutes later when he finally finishes something that usually takes me two minutes. Lion throws his head back with a groan, “What? Does my life mean so little to you? Just a sweeping session?” “No, I think you’re worth a mopping session too,” he murmurs as if being forced and rolls his eyes, “But I’ve never done it before. It looks complicated.” I frown in confusion as I study him from head to toe, wondering what kind of person has never mopped anything in their life? I guess someone so rich they have a cleaning team at their disposal. But… Lion doesn’t look like someone like that. Other than the fact that he’s incredibly attractive in face and body… honestly, he looks like he stinks. His hair is long and stiff, his clothes are filthy, and his arms are full of cheap and ugly tattoos. “Why are you looking at me like that?” He asks. “I’m wondering how it’s possible you don’t know how to mop, are you stupid? Your mother nev
For the rest of the day, I can’t stop thinking about that strange individual. He’s too intriguing. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a man that tall and handsome. Attractive people don’t live in this city. At least not anymore. Before, when the world was normal, there were a lot of rich people who would walk around here when they wanted to feel edgy and, for some reason, they were always more attractive than us poor folks. Lion has a rich man’s face and a rich way of speaking… but he stinks like the last crackhead who chased me, so I don’t know what to make of him. The only thing I can say is that for some reason, his height and size don’t intimidate me, I don’t feel scared, which is something new. Lately, whenever a man enters my coffee shop, I’m ready to run or grab a knife to defend myself, but not with Lion. Maybe because he has a pretty face. Or maybe because he was way too pathetic that first time when the werewolves were chasing him. Yes, I think that’s the reason.
The idiot grabs me by the arms and moves me aside violently, making me drop my bags and causing my groceries to fall to the damn ground full of used needles, but I have no way to fight him because he’s too strong. “I’m in the same predicament as last time,” he says breathlessly, with worried eyes, “I need you to send them away, to the opposite side of me.” “What the hell is wrong with you?! I’m not actually your personal ass-saver!” I growl and want to keep complaining because his stupid ass ruined my groceries, but he puts a dirty hand over my mouth to shut me up. “Fucking obey me!” he growls, making me shut up immediately because I’m not stupid. That was not a nice command… quite the opposite, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken like that. But…” His head moves as if he’s listening to something I can’t hear, and he suddenly lets go of me to run towards the crackheads. Without even thinking twice, he throws himself at the five bodies sleeping together, falling right i
“Shit, I think this guy is dead,” Lion says, referring to the guy lying next to him. He moves him a bit, and from the way he doesn’t react, I think he’s right. “Leave him there, you idiot,” I complain. “He died on his own; it’s not your problem. But this right here IS your problem… you owe me five hundred dollars.” “What? Why?” he asks and stops touching the dead guy to get up and approach me. Now he smells three times worse, “You only lost some vegetables.” “And my favorite beers and my yogurt, which costs fifty dollars,” I complain, clenching my hands into fists. It’s what has hurt me the most about the super-inflation, I can’t even enjoy fucking yogurt. Lion’s mouth falls open as if he can’t believe a simple thing costs that much, “It’s all those werewolves’ fault… and why the hell are they chasing you so much, by the way? They said you stole something.” Lion rolls his eyes. “Right,” he mutters. “I saw a burger on a table and thought it had no owner, so I ate it. Suddenly
I scoff at that comment and roll my eyes, approaching to give him the shampoo and soap bar. “I’m being serious,” Lion adds, giving me a strange look. “I don’t believe you,” I say, crossing my arms as I watch him wash his hair. He moves calmly, as if we have all the time in the world. And I suppose we do. “I’m being honest, I’ve never had sex with anyone,” he says, and this time his voice sounds completely truthful, “I’m not… desirable.” “Oh, shut the fuck up,” I snap, rolling my eyes in annoyance, “You’re tall and you have all your teeth; that’s enough for most women, especially these days. Seriously, you’re the best pick I’ve seen lately.” “Well, I suppose,” he laughs, running the soap bar under his armpits. Thank god. “Unless you don’t like women?” I ask. If he turns out to be gay, I’m definitely NOT introducing him to Jonah. “I like women, they just don’t like me back,” he laughs again but shuts up when I give him another tired look, “I mean, the women where I’m from