Golden Eyes

Five days since Elias moved all his things out of their house. Oddly and unexpected, he felt relieved. No one can him that he can't fight anymore. No more memory of his mother that he has to honour. He felt sad but would rather feel sad than live one more day with his father under one roof. For six years, he was wondering when his body gives up. There wasn't any day that his father wouldn't him. Maybe he was lucky because he's would never last long.

The factory remained close for renovation after the explosion incident. Elias took it as a chance to run in the woods again. He missed the adrenaline, the wind and the smell of nature around him whenever he runs. No one knows the vast woods of Thorn than Elias. He knew every nook and crannies of the wooded area like the back of his hand. He was lost in time as he ran nonstop and he didn't notice the young man running towards him. But instead of falling over because of the impact, they both grabbed each other's arms by instinct and threw one another in the opposite directions.

They both landed in all fours and immediately guarded each other's actions. The stranger looked at Elias like he was studying him. But what confused Elias was when the stranger sniffed the air then snapped back to him. His look was like a look of recognition but Elias knew that he never met him.

"F*ck!" Elias' senses when on high alert when an arrow pierced the stranger's arm. He fell to the ground and cried in pain. Elias was too busy searching for whoever shot the arrow that he didn't notice he was still in all fours.

"Come on! Get up!" When Elias couldn't find the attacker and there was no more flying arrow he decided to help the stranger and took somewhere safe.

Elias knew a cave within the woods where he

could hide, so he took him there. When they arrived at the cage, that's the only time he noticed that would where the arrow pierced what turning. "Whoa! What's happening to your arm?" Elias took a few steps back be because he never saw this kind of wound in his entire life.

"It's poison. Wolfsbane." The stranger said in a weak voice. "Aconyte." He said again when Elias still looked confused. The man realized he doesn't know what he was talking about. 'You have to find yellow wolfsbane." The man groaned in pain while pulling out the arrow. "That's what they used on that." He said pointing at the arrow he just removed from his arm.

"I don't even know what you're talking about. How could I even find it?" Though confused, Elias is still willing to help the stranger. He felt responsible for him. If he was just looking at where he was going, he wouldn't have bumped with him and he won't get injured.

"Use your senses. It smells woodsy, like a damp forest. You'll know when you see it." The stranger was getting weaker by the seconds. Elias didn't waste any more time and ran out of the cave.

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He focused his sense of smell and follow the smell the stranger described. A few minutes later he found the foot found the cliff facing the ocean. The smell grew stronger and he found what he was looking few meters down. The climb was steep and slippery but he was determined to help the man he left in the cave. So Elias carefully climbed down towards the yellow wolfsbane.

Elias is a very brave man but the strong wind forcefully blowing around him gives him goosebumps. Every time the wind blows he feels like it's pushing him in all direction. The wind was cold but his hands are sweating and his knees are shaking. He cursed himself multiple times because if he falls, he's certain he won't survive.

"Damn it, Elias! Man up!" He shakily yelled to himself.

"F*ck!" His right hand suddenly almost making him fall. This happened a few times but luckily, he then reached the plant he was looking for.

After carefully climbing back up, Elias ran as fast as he could back to the cave. He was praying back that the stranger is alive. He already looked so weak when he left. On his way back, Elias felt something that made him top on his tracks. It's the feeling of being watched so he carefully watched his surrounding. Ever since bumping with the stranger, Elias felt like his senses became heightened and his reflexes became on point.

"Hey! I found it!" He immediately announced upon entering the cave. He didn't want to startle the man by coming in unannounced.

"Hmmm" All he got from the man was a groan. He seems too weak to talk. His eyes were closed and the only sign that he's still alive was his laboured breathing.

"Hey, man. Wake up. What am I going to with this?" He tried to shake him a little?

"Crush it, then—" he said after slightly opening his eyes and lifted his arm a little. Elias seemed to understand what the man was trying to say so he immediately crushed the yellow wolfsbane on his hand and applied it to the wound on the man's arm.

As soon as the plant touched his would, the stranger gained consciousness and growled in pain. Elias jumped back out of shock when he saw what happened to the man's eyes. Elias can't believe what he was seeing. The stranger's eyes turned bright golden yellow. He continuously groaned in pain but seemed to be more conscious. When he looked at Elias, he still has his bright golden eyes and it made Elias crawl back further.

"I'm sorry, please, don't be afraid of me." He said apologetically.

"What—what are—why—" Elias couldn't complete his sentence because of so much confusion. "Wai—you're wound!" Elias already wanted to run. He couldn't believe his eyes. The man in front of him is not human.

"Have you thought about that yourself?" The stranger said to Elias with a meaningful look. "I have to go. Thank you for helping. You saved my life." His words made Elias think. About those times that his father hit him, almost beating him to death. His wounds didn't heal as fast as the stranger's wound but they healed faster than a normal human being.

- Flashback-

"Elias! I thought your father beat you like a bitch?" Jared shouted across the street that made his friends laugh.

"Yeah, I saw you ran out of your house. You were all bloody." One of Jared's friend added.

"What? Where's his wound then?" Another one asked?

"Man, you really are a freak!" Jared continued to taunt him.

- End of Flashback-

"Thank you, again. Jordan, by the way."

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Zel was at the porch waiting for Elias when he arrived. He looked like he was in deep thought because he didn't even notice her. He just walked past her, with his head down and jaw clenched. This made Zel worried about what could have happened. He followed Elias inside the house but he was still oblivious about her presence.

"Elias." Zel finally called his attention.

"Huh?" Elias looked up at her, confused.

"What happened?" Zel asked with a serious look on her face.

"Nothing. I'm just tired. I'll go to my room." Elias said, excusing himself.

"Elias, wait. Are you okay?" Zel sees through him. She knew something's bothering Elias.

"I'm fine. I just want to go to my room."

Zel couldn't do anything when Elias picked up the bottle of beer and walk away. She wanted to help him but it's natural for Elias to close himself up every time someone's trying to help. He always shut everybody out in the times he needs someone the most. He just wanted to keep his troubles to himself. Zel's thoughts were interrupted when her phone ring. She went out of the house before answering the call.

"Yes," Zel replied shortly. "What! That bastard!" Zel clenched her fist in anger. She can feel something starting in her body. "I always knew he's a traitor! He wanted to be the alpha of the pack." Zel was too focused on what the person on the other line was saying that she didn't notice Elias standing behind the ajar door.

"Alpha? Pack? What the hell are you talking about, Zel?"