Intro

{ 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 almost pass out the first time. To be honest, it's grotesque, bizarre and gross... or maybe I'm just jealous of them, which wouldn't be that weird because they're better than us in every way. They're stronger, more agile, more enduring, more attractive and richer. And they chose my good streak moment to come out and announce to us, simple humans, that they exist.

Fuck you for that, werewolves!

Everything fell into chaos that same day. The economy went to fucking shit and I don't even understand why or how exactly. I stopped watching the news when the presentor started crying and telling us the apocalypse was here so we should all beg for forgiveness and repent.

I think all the wealthy people fled to their private islands away from the werewolves and they took all their money with them. Overnight, prices for everything skyrocketed and no one feels safe, they think the werewolves are going to hunt us down and kill us.

Of course, I don't think that, because... why the hell would they want to hurt us? I don't see them as dangerous. They just came out to announce their existence, nothing more and nothing less. But humans have to be humans, right? They HAVE to ruin everything.

Now I'm poor again... just like the whole city. The streets are chaotic, nobody wants to go out because they're afraid of encountering a werewolf. And that means the criminals are enjoying this to do as they please. So, the streets ARE dangerous now, but not because of the werewolves, but because of ourselves.

The only reason I feel comfortable coming and going every day is because my house is really close and this neighborhood is mostly calm and 'nice' compared to the rest of the city. We had the criminals roaming around the first days, but they realized we don't have much to steal.

And as you can imagine, working in a coffee shop in a city where most people refuse to go out and the ones who are outside prefer to consume drugs than drink coffee, is not very profitable.

There's little work, few customers, little money, and a lot of free time. Time that is usually wasted resting my head in my hands, considering all those aspects of life that I hate.

So that's what I'm doing in this particular moment. And because my life is miserable, it takes me a long time.

God, I really hate everyone and everything. I hate my stupid coffee shop. It's empty most of the time except for the same five customers who keep coming in every day for some reason I still don't understand.

I hate my mom for dying just six months before the world changed, she should've died way sooner. I hate the world for changing in the first place. I hate the whole human race for being so stupid. I hate werewolves for deciding to announce their existence at the worst possible time.

But more than anything, I hate myself.

I hate how I still have the most boring life EVER, even in the midst of a natural disaster and a shift in the universe. I want something cool and interesting to happen to me and not just watch the things that happen to others.

And I want money, man. That's all I need.

With enough money, I could leave all of this behind and move to one of those cities that aren't as bad as mine. I could have a normal life again... if only...

At seven pm when the sun starts to hide, I jump off the small stool that hurts my huge behind and I start clearing the cash register so I can leave as soon as possible.

I want to get home and do all kinds of exciting and productive activities, like watch tv, read a steamy book, talk to the only guy I've ever been in love with -who also happens to be gay- browse the internet and be miserable... with no one witnessing it.

The door swings open just after I pocket the fifty-seven dollars I made today.

I'm about to raise my face to tell my sixth customer of the day that I won't be able to provide service because I'm ready to leave, but something -or rather, someone- interrupts me before I can do it.

An unidentified and completely unexpected solid body hits me out of nowhere and pushes me forcefully back in just a second.