Chapter 5

It was about mid week when I asked my Ma about the necklace I wore. I'm sure she would have answers. It seemed like those kids from out of town were really interested in it, and it sparked some curiosity from me, too.

I approached Ma in her bedroom as she was folding laundry. I came in and sat on her bed.

"What do you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, what do you want?" she laughed.

"Fine. I wanted to know what this necklace symbolizes? I know you mentioned protection. But does it mean anything more?"

"No, why would you think that?"

"There's just been some kids asking about it recently. It got me curious."

"What kids? Do you know them?" She seemed concerned, which wasn't in her nature.

"I know them. There's nothing to worry about. Just thought I would ask."

"Sawyer, you need to listen to me," she said sternly, "never take that necklace off."

"Alright, Ma. Whatever you say."

I got up to leave the room before heading to bed for the night.

I sat in bed wondering about the necklace, playing with it in my hands. I decided not to listen to Ma and took it off. I inspected it closer. Although nothing bad has happened to me, I didn't think it actually protected me. Who believed in these superstitions.

That's when I felt it. It was the same feeling I felt the other night. Like someone was watching me from afar. I placed the necklace down on my nightstand and stood and went to my window, but I couldn't see anything out in the woods. It was dark, too dark to see anything. So I closed my blinds and turned off the light again. I laid in bed for what seemed like forever until I fell asleep.

Morning came, and I had slept in. So I quickly got myself ready and ran downstairs. Ma had laid out some breakfast for me to eat.

"Sorry, I slept in!"

"No kidding, you better eat up. Pa already left for work, so you have to ride your bike today."

"No problem!"

I ate as quickly as I could before leaving. I grabbed my bike from the garage and made my way to school. It wasn't a very exciting day. There's not much going on. Plus we graduate in a months time. All were really getting ready for is prom. Our prom theme was Under the Sea. How original!

I would have to make time to go shopping for a dress soon. I decided not to go to college afterward. Instead, I opted for a year off to work and save more money. Plus, I wouldn't mind traveling a bit too since I've always just lived here. Sure, we went on family holidays, but nothing eventful.

It was about time to make my way to my third class for the day when I suddenly felt ill. My head started pounding, and it was like my hearing spiked. I could hear everyone's conversations around me. I stopped and held on to the wall to steady myself.

"Ew, she doesn't look too good."

"Wonder what's happening to one of our favorite cheerleaders."

"What are you having for lunch?"

"I don't know what to do with my life after school."

It was all too much. I suddenly felt hot and needed to get out of here. I needed some fresh air.

"You're alright."

"Huh? Who said that?"

"Sawyer! Hey, wait up! Where are you going? Sawyer, do you feel alright? Can I help?" Ceasar said as he came up running beside me.

"I just need to get outside."

"I've been suppressed all this time. I just need to get outside and be free."

Again, I don't know who keeps talking to me. I only see Ceasar, but there's a voice so loud in my head. I've started sweating, and my bones feel like their about to break. It's like I can see in HD, too. Everything is slow, like I can see the grass grow. Everything smells fresh or like dirty food. What is happening?

"Are you going to be okay? I have to head to class. You good Sawyer?"

"Yea, yea, I'll be fine," I said as I sat on a bench. My head went into my hands as I bent over.

I could hear Ceasar leave.

"Now let me free, please!"

Stop, stop, stop. What is this! I put my hands over my ears. I was having an internal battle with myself.

"It's going to be okay. You're okay. Just breathe."

I looked up, and it was Krewe. What was he doing here?

"Sawyer, just breathe for me, please."

So I did so. I breathed in and out. It seemed to help. My head felt a little clearer and didn't pound as bad as before.

"Krewe, I don't understand what happened."

"It's okay. You will understand when the time is right."

"You know what's happening to me?"

"Yes, usually it happens when you're sixteen. How old are you, Sawyer?"

"I'm 18."

I kept trying to control my breathing until I heard the voice again.

"We're 18, and he's our mate! I can't believe we found him!"

"Who is that?"

"Who is who?"

"I keep hearing a females voice in my head. I think I'm going crazy."

"Let me out, Sawyer! I need to be free. Take me over by the forest line."

I suddenly got up and started walking.

"Where are you going, Sawyer?"

"I need to get to that tree line. I need this to stop."

Krewe followed me. I stopped just before the woods. I hope this is safe. I hope this is what she wants. I breathed in and out, then took a step into the woods.

"Sawyer, this might hurt!"

"What's going to hur..."

Then it happened. Pain. It surged through my body. Felt like my bones were breaking and fire took over through my veins. I couldn't stop screaming and crying.

"Just let it happen. Don't fight it, Sawyer."

Krewe kept talking, but I couldn't hear him. All I could hear was the snapping of bones.

"It will get easier each time, Sawyer."

His voice did sound soothing with everything going on. I kept listening to him. I breathed, and I stopped fighting the pain. I felt like I was going to pass out, so I closed my eyes as I knelt down on the ground.

When I opened my eyes, all I saw were big white paws.

"My name is Evelyn! I'm your wolf Sawyer, and we are gorgeous!"

A wolf! What the hell was I? I was a freak! How could I explain any of this to my family, to my friends. Would I change back? This can't be happening.

"You'll change back! Stop being so dramatic! I'm glad you finally took that necklace off, though. You've been keeping me hidden all these years. It feels so good to be free!"

The necklace! I needed to get back home and put it on!

"Nooo! Please don't! It feels so good to be out."

Another wolf approached me and softly touched me with their muzzle.

"That's our mate! Isn't he handsome! His name is Tye, or well, you would know him as Krewe. We belong to him!"

Belong to him. I want out! Get me out! I want to be human again!

"Oh, fine!"

More bones broke, and finally, I stood there naked but back in human form. I quickly hid behind a tree.

"Krewe, could you grab my backpack?"

He bounded over and grabbed my backpack with his mouth before dropping it close to the tree before turning around.

I quickly got dressed into my cheer uniform before stepping out. I had no shoes, but I would survive till I got to my bike. I slung the backpack over my shoulder before I started to walk out of the woods.

"Wait!" Krewe said as he came out from behind a tree.

"How are your clothes not destroyed?"

"You gain control after a bit. So you have time to undress before shredding everything to pieces."

"I'm a freak Krewe."

"No, you're not. You just need to learn who you really are. I can help with that."

I didn't know if I should trust him, but something in me told me I could. So, instead of walking out, I stayed.

"Can you grab my bike for me? Maybe you can then come over and help me figure out what's going on?"

"Sure." He smiled brightly before returning to a more serious look. He was beautiful, and he smelt really good, too. Had he always looked this way? I felt like I was seeing him in a new light.