Chapter 2

I kept my head low as she walked closer to me. Suddenly, there was a pressure against my jaw as she gripped her hand, forcing me to look up at her. Her Grey eyes were full of hatred and disgust as she looked at my unkempt state. “Why are you still here when you were supposed to be cleaning the bedrooms already?” Her voice hardened as she gripped my face tightly. I knew I would have another bruise from this, but I made no move to speak. Speaking would only make things worse for me. She gave a sigh and pushed me back onto the floor. I stayed on the hard tile floor, letting my matted and choppy brown hair cover as much of my face as it could. I just wanted to hide from the world.

Thankfully, she was in a good mood today and left me alone on the floor to pick myself up. Even though it’s been almost two years, it still hurts to be treated this way. Losing everything at once changed me. My body was littered with bruises and scars. My once green eyes that were filled with light and shine were now lifeless, muddled orbs. My ribs and collarbone made themselves known even through my baggy clothing, and my hair was caked with dirty knots and sweat from not having basic hygiene. What was once beautiful was now broken, and all I could do was keep the pieces from shattering more.

I wobbled a bit and balanced myself on the counter to lift back up and make myself useful. By now, the noise in the dining hall was gone, and the home was empty except for the few adults watching the children who were too young for school. I recalled when I was young, and how I would run around chasing my brother after he would get home from school. I loved those days when we were a happy family. I returned from the happy memories as I tossed the rag I had used to wipe down in the laundry bin and checked the time. I had to get started cleaning the various bedrooms and other living areas if I wanted to be done and gone before anyone came home today.

I left the kitchen and made my way to the cleaning closet that held all the items I used every day. The house was gigantic. While it only housed a quarter of the pack, it was still full with three stories and over a hundred bedrooms. I sighed, grabbed my arm full of supplies, and went to the third floor to get started. I always started there that way, so I wouldn’t have to walk as far after I was exhausted. My body couldn’t handle much as is. I learned the hard way that if I started on the bottom floor and made my way to the top, I would be so tired it would inevitably take me hours longer to finish, and that was the last thing I wanted today. Thankfully, the rooms were quite simple, mostly making beds and grabbing laundry to be washed.

The vacuuming was much more tedious since carpet was throughout most of the home, but I didn’t mind. This was my quiet time where I was able to just be myself. Even for a little while. I was who I used to be. In my mind, anyway.

The third floor was largely made up of our older pack members. The grandparents, or disabled members, who unfortunately had no family to care for them at home. The teens were kept on the first floor so no one would be disturbed if they came or left in the night, as most young kids like to do. The second floor was almost always the most disgusting. Our warriors were kept here, and each room was filled with the stench of alcohol, dirt, and other odors that could melt off someone’s nose if they breathed too deeply. These rooms took the longest as I had to deep clean the putrid aroma from every available surface. Each room was done slowly, carefully, and perfectly. God forbid I didn’t tuck a sheet in properly, it would be hell on Earth.

As the time ticked away, I was coming to a finish on the bottom floor. Since it was Friday, I was able to leave right after I finished, and the other maids would be in to fold and sort the laundry and cook dinner. Fridays were the only days I got to go to my secret spot and relax. It was a hidden waterfall closer to the border and secluded in the deep tangle of trees within the forest. That was my favorite place to be, and the best part was that no one knew about it. I found it many years ago when I was still a child. I kept it to myself, not even Rebecca knows of my wonderful discovery. It was the last thing that belonged only to me.

I sighed, tying the last trash bag together, and took a look around. The last floor was back in order and smelled good as new. With that completed, I took out the few bags of trash and placed all my cleaning supplies back into the closet to be used again tomorrow. I felt a small smile make its way on my face as I opened the door and left for my spot. Normally, I would be finishing my sophomore year of high school, but now I don’t get to finish, or even graduate. I wasn’t allowed to go to school anymore since I wasn’t a Shifter; I would never have a life beyond this. I missed learning, but I found there are so many things I can learn out here in nature as well. Survival stuff mostly. I have learned to make shelter, start a fire with dry sticks, and even forage for the various plants of the forest. The walk was frigid and long. At least the sun was out now, and that eased the cold biting on my exposed skin. I remember how to get there, and if I closed my eyes, I could still find my way. Go through the north forest, after a thirty-minute walk, you’ll find the willow tree. Take a right at that tree and follow the animal path for a few minutes. Once there, you will find what looks like a stone wall, but there’s a hole big enough for someone to crawl into at the bottom. As soon as you enter the other side, you can see the waterfall. It’s in a field with a clearing just big enough to view its beauty from afar. In the spring, it’s covered in beautiful flowers and soft grasses, but in the winter, it’s mostly bare. While it was still breathtakingly beautiful in the winter, it gave an ominous feeling to the scenery.

I walked to the edge and sat down on the cold, crunchy ground. The sun felt good, and it brought a smile to my face, being able to see the falls today. The waterfall was loud and calming. The sounds of nature filled my ears as I closed my eyes and let myself relax a little. I could let my guard down here. There was no one to hurt me or tell me what to do.

I soon found my eyes drifting closed, and I succumbed to the sweet feeling of darkness pulling me into a much-needed rest. While it felt like mere moments of peace, I woke to something that panicked me to my core.