Michael and Nicole

(Note: Always read 'About' post first. Thanks! -Katelyn)

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I had escaped to my room the moment the first car had arrived and put my desk chair up against the doorknob. The sky was a mystical purple as the sun began to set I was wearing my teal blue t-shirt that momentarily matched my eyes and my favorite star-patterned pajama pants with a hole in the knee.

I stared at myself in the mirror that was on the floor, sitting cross-legged and absentmindedly running my fingers through my still wet hair. If it were dry, I would look much like an oval faced cocker spaniel, or on other days, a lion.


My pale features still shone regardless of the current gray darkness of my room. The summer twilight was always like this in the small town of _______ where I lived, but my summer was quickly coming to a close. For the state of __________, the (centeraleasternwesternnorthernsouthern) counties began a new year of school in the middle of August. Recently, I had had my sixteenth birthday and would be starting my junior year of high school tomorrow.


A fist pounded on my bedroom door, making me jump.


"Lil’ Nikkiiiii!!!! Come ou’ an’ play withh uzz!!" a slurred voice called.


I closed my eyes in annoyance and took a deep breath not saying a word. My footsteps were silent as I stood and cross my room to my window. I reached over my bead and carefully opened the window. Without stepping on my bed, I reached my foot onto the windowsill and clambered out, swinging around slightly as I grabbed hold of the rope ladder hanging by the side of the house.

The warm air swirled my damp hair momentarily, cooling my face. On the roof, I saw the last sliver of the sun disappearing under the horizon. I was barefoot, so I cautiously walked on my toes towards the roof’s peak. My face was northward, watching the first star twinkle in the darkest part of the sky. The shingles were rough, but still comfortable on my back after I laid myself down. I closed my eyes, breathing in the cooling air as the wind whipped up again, my only intention being to ignore everything around me.

I knew I was dreaming. The sky above me was purple, unreal. I couldn’t feel it, but I was able to see a wind gently moving the flowers that we around me. My arms were spread out as I lay comfortably on top of them. This was my world, even in my dreams. My only way to escape. No matter how strange it was I was able to think clearly. There’s another voice inside my mind that’s different from the one that speaks. This voice, the one that doesn’t speak to anyone else feels like the right one. So, I’m relaxed in my world. Something was telling me though, that I might not be able to stay here for long.

Everything began to swirl around me and I stood up in alarm.

Something was coming.

Dark clouds were covering the entire sky to the ground billowing ferociously towards me. I turned and ran as fast as my feet would carry me away from it. I was looking behind me constantly to make sure I was outrunning it, when I was stopped abruptly. Looking up, I found myself in the arms of a dark stranger. They held me close and I could feel the warmth of their body. They whispered in my ear.

"You have nothing to fear, because I am your strength."

Instantly, and without effort, they turned me around to face the danger. The storm was almost on me, lightning breaking through the darkness. It was only a few feet from where I stood. I wanted to run but the stranger held me there. I closed my eyes to brace myself and-

"NICOLE SARA KATHERINE!!!"

My eyes opened to sunlight reflecting off of my white bedroom wall. I had known from the very beginning that I had been dreaming, but I was still covered in sweat.

"Get out of bed now!" My mother yelled as she banged on the door.

I looked at my clock and it was still half an hour before I needed to be up, but I wasn’t going to take a chance and complain. I had made it to bed eventually last night, after they gave up and left me alone. I was dressed and out of the front door in ten minutes with my younger sister, Michelle.

She was starting high school today, and I was going to be a junior, just above the meat stack. With all that said, she was, in a way, my responsibility or, for use of a proper term, burden. She was like her mother, bossy and spoiled, and like her father, she was arrogant and selfish. If she wasn’t happy it was my fault.

"I want hot chocolate." She said with a fat lip.

"You don’t need it." I said kindly. Which was my nature regardless of whom I was speaking to.

"Well, yeah, but I want it." She stopped walking as an evil look entered her expression, "Mom will get me some." She grinned like the gremlin she was and started to turn back.

I knew very well that my parents had a severe hangover this morning and Michelle knew it as well. And for Michelle to complain and whine about being unhappy because I didn’t get her hot chocolate meant punishment in the strangest manner later. So Michelle was always happy.

There goes my lunch money. I thought.

We had had to go to the other side of town to get what she wanted, which wasn’t a problem for me. We still had a good twenty minutes before we needed to be at school. We made it there ten minutes before the bell rang.

Gratefully, we ran into one of my friends before coming across any of hers. Renee walked up to me and wrapped her arm in mine.

"Morning." Renee said warmly.

"Hey." I replied in a dull tone.

"Did you sleep alright?" she asked somewhat quietly.

"Yeah, once it quieted down." I said even quieter.

She gave me a gentle squeeze with so much more meaning behind the simple gesture. Then with one hand she began to absent-mindedly play with my brown hair that reached down to the center of my back, which, naturally, had a slight wave.

Michelle then let out a horrified gasp. Naturally we all froze. The girl that shared my blood, but was in every other way the opposite of me, began muttering profanities under her breath that slowly grew louder as she started stomping forward.

"You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend Ryan!!" she screamed at a young man who was looking surprised as he stopped sucking off a blonde girl’s face.

"I guess mostly everyone was drunk at that party then." Renee said with a disgusted frown. Her voice was full of venom that I recognized. There were things that Renee was very opinionated about and she never failed to let it show. Her disapproval shown from every aspect of her expression and action.

"I wouldn’t know," I began as we started to walk away from the scene. "I was in my room the moment a car arrived. Who knows what everyone did once it was around three in the morning."

My parents threw many parties. The kind of party that should have an age limit. But with my parents, anyone was welcomed to join in the many beverages, no matter how old they were. They would give a fresh can from the freezer to a toddler, which I was distressed to have witnessed once. Poor Michelle had been three and was already drinking it in her bottle and now there was no hope for her.

Everyone knew of the reputation of my parents and sister, but never seemed to figure out my relation with them. I wasn’t ever present at any of these get togethers. It was never a pretty site what people did with each other while drunk, especially the young ones. It was wrong in every aspect in my book on life. You could never make me a part of it.

Renee, dear Renee has been with me through it all from the very beginning since I moved here. We’ve been friends for a good time now. Naturally, there were others. Like Leah, yes Leah as in Princess Leah from Star Wars by John Whitman. Her parents were fanatics and named her for that reason. There was also Maria who was even quieter than I was. The four of us were "the usuals" in each other’s lives.

We found the others, and discussed our plans for meeting up in between classes and which ones we had together. Once the "scheming was settled, we went on with our day.

It went as slow as the first days of school always do. Each teacher repeated the school rules with as much enthusiasm as we had in hearing them. We also received our syllabuses from each individual teacher for our parents to sign. I would have them all signed before the day was out. I didn’t enjoy forging their signatures, but I couldn’t get them to do it themselves, so I had no other alternative.

Finally, seventh period came around. It was the last period of the day and I just wanted it all to be over along with all my peers. None of my good friends had this class with me, and as I walked in I looked around the room to see if there was anyone I recognized.

I saw no one. There wasn’t a single person that I knew in this class. I was scanning the few seats in front of me, when someone caught my attention.

A young man sat a few seats in front of me in the row on the left. He stood out, simply because it looked like he just didn’t belong. Like someone had grabbed a puzzle piece from a different box than the one they were compiling and forced him in place. He was also just bigger than everyone else in here. If I had to guess I would say that he was at least six feet tall. And to someone who was only about five feet and five inches that was pretty big.

His features just made him all the more noticeable. His hair was a mixture of light and dark browns in a way that was very similar to mine. It was short and cut around his ears and hairline in a way that was truly charming.

He must have felt my eyes on him, like anyone would if someone was staring at them for as long as I was. He quickly turned his head toward me and as if it were in slow motion his eyes slowly came around to stop and lock on mine. They were a soft brown looking at me with a playful light. What kept me so securely captured by them, was the unusual depth that they held. I had never seen eyes so full of things unsaid.

A small smile crossed his lips, and I stopped breathing. He stood then, and moved to sit into the seat that was vacant in front of me. After taking his time to get comfortable it seemed, he turned around again to face me.

"That’s better." He said. His voice was soothing and gentle. "I’m Michael." He held out his hand for me to shake. "Michael Dotson."

"Nicole Katherine." I replied and almost cautiously took his hand waiting for my body to react and have goose bumps like it usually did when I ever came in contact with a male.

The feeling never came and I smiled. His hand was warm and rough, but gentle. He let go before I realized it, and a part of me wished he hadn’t.

"Nice to meet you Nicole." He watched my face a moment longer in silence and then concluded, "You need to smile more, it makes your eyes all the more blue when you do."

I felt myself blush again. He smiled, seeming satisfied with himself and turned around as our teacher began to speak.

I was in a daze for the remains of the afternoon. After saying goodbye to Renee and others, Michelle and I walked home in silence.

I couldn’t stop thinking of his face. It seemed to be permanently engraved in my mind. His smile had been so delightful.

Usually I avoided the male species, only ever feeling discomfort around them. Not one had ever played a significant role in my life and I liked it that way. All I ever saw was the worst side of men, and I didn’t want a thorough acquaintance.

Strangely enough, I had felt perfectly safe around this one. I hadn’t seen any hint of a deeper intention than just meeting someone. All I saw was kindness.

I entered the door of my house with a feeling in my chest. I wasn’t sure what it was.

My eyes caught the old, brown piano in the living room. We had had it for as long as I could remember. Things like this sat around the house for years untouched, unused. One day, a year or so ago, I had seen the piano as I was looking at it now and it looked so sad sitting there gathering dust, I couldn’t help myself but to open the lid and play with the keys. Something about how the light reflected off the keys made me decide to learn how to play it. I knew how to read the basics of musical notes and where to find them on the piano, and after a little research, was able to figure out the rest. Since then I had been printing off sheets of music from the Internet of songs I knew, learning how to play them when I had no other escape.

Today, I was looking for something, and the piano seemed like it held the answer.

I walked over to it and sat carefully on the bench. I blew off dust as I opened the lid. I had neglected the instrument for the past few weeks. I played a few notes and twinged. The poor thing was out of tune. A sigh escaped my lips as I paused. I would just have to deal with it like always. Then, beginning to play part of a song I had memorized, I realized what the feeling was.

Excitement. I was excited.

I was then playing more vibrantly.

And all he did was smile. I pondered.

The next few days continued to be the same. He would greet me kindly as I walked into class and smile, instantly throwing me into a mood opposite of my natural state. I would sit, too shy to say anything, behind him. He would turn around and create small talk; asking me about things I liked, disliked. The usual conversation between two people just meeting.

"Favorite color?" he asked.

"Black, white, and gray." I replied watching his reaction.

His eyebrows furrowed.

"That’s more than one." He pointed out.

I shrugged. "It’s a tie between the three. And no one made a rule."

"Well, I’ve just made it a rule. Pick one."

"No!" I protested.

"Yes!" he mocked, speaking in the same tone I had used.

"Who made you boss?" I asked folding my arms.

"God. When he made me bigger than you." He challenged.

I gapped at him for being so bold. "That’s not fair, or nice. I’m not that small."

"Who said I’d play fair? It's just fact." His tone was casual and no longer mocking. "Did I hurt your feelings?" he asked, with a sad look in his eyes.

I was humbled, the light in his eyes was too hard to resist, and sighed. "No."

He instantly perked up again. "Then what is it?"

He was smiling at me again. How could I say no?

"Gray." I said smoothly, nearly whispering.

"Why?" he challenged, matching my volume.

"It’s unpredictable." I watched his eyes as he processed my answer.

He seemed as though he was about to say something else when the teacher interrupted with the beginning of his lecture. It was then that I realized how close our faces had gotten as we had slowly leaned across my desk.

After this, I began to ponder on the situation. Realizing I felt like a different person when I talked to him. Like my world wasn’t as bad as it really was. It was refreshing, and I began to look forward to it, perhaps even need it.

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"Nicole!" Michael called between classes.

I was getting used to his voice.

I turned around and saw him running towards me. The sight of him made me smile involuntarily now.

"Hey Michael." I said cheerfully. I felt Renee’s eyes on me from the side.

"How has your day been?" he asked.

"Fine." I replied and continued to walk toward the usual spot where the four of us met each day.

"That’s good. Mind if I hang out with you guys today?" he said, perfectly calm and content.

His question took me by surprise.

"Umm, sure, I guess." I looked to Renee. "What do you think?"

She shrugged at me.

"Guess that’s a ‘yes’ then." I said with a weak smile.

"Great." He walked along with us seeming even more out of place.

We made it over to Leah and Maria. I introduced him, he waved cheerfully.

"Aren’t you a senior?" Maria asked.

"Yep." He replied casually.

I knew this, but didn’t find it all that apparent. It really just explained the older look he had about him, and the fact that none of us had ever met him before now.

We continued to talk, as girls do, like there was nothing different about the situation. He added in his two cents in the appropriate places and seemed to be quite enjoying himself.

I didn’t feel like there was anything wrong with this change, but I noticed Renee watching him closely.

The bell rang, signifying the end of our ten-minute break, and we all went off towards our different classes. Michael stayed by my side as I began to walk away after our goodbyes.

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye for a second, wondering what he was doing. He noticed, and smiled.

"My next class is this way." He said a matter-o-factly.

"Oh." I said, somewhat embarrassed.

We walked in silence until we reached his class, waved goodbye, and parted. For a while I pondered about his actions, not sure what to make of them, but after my next period, I had nearly forgotten all about them.

Lunch came around, and I placed my bag in its usual spot at our usual table. And, as usual, there sat Leah and Maria. I walked off to get my lunch.

I came back and took my usual place next to Leah and we ate in silence, with my left side vacant. Well, it was usually vacant.

I suddenly felt the warmth of a body by my side.

"Hey." Michael said cheerfully.

He was surprising me again, so for a moment, all I could do was stare with my mouth open.

I quickly regained control of myself, after feeling my friends’ eyes on me.

"Uh, hi."

I looked at his face as he turned and smiled at me. It was so warm and friendly. Almost like the sun had come out between the clouds after a storm.

I returned the gesture, realizing that I was glad he was there.

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I was sitting up against the corner of my bed, knees up, fingers intertwined together and creating pressure. I was angry and I wanted to cry just to let the emotion out in some logical way, but my body just wouldn’t.

No one else was home.

I wasn’t doing well with loneliness, particularly at that moment. I needed someone. I needed him.

I stood slowly wiping my wet eyes even though they refused to release. I stumbled out of my bed and found my sandals.

Then, confidently, I walked out the door. I quickly made my way across the street, controlling my breathing all the while. There weren’t any cars in the driveway and I was afraid that no one was there. After climbing the few steps up the porch, I held my breath and raised my hand to knock on the door.

It opened without me touching it and Michael stood in the doorway wide-eyed.

"What’re you-?"

I cut him off by throwing my arms around him. My face buried into his chest. The tears flowed weakly for a moment out of relief it seemed. Next thing I knew, his hand was stroking my hair. I gained some control over myself.

"You weren’t at school today." My voice trembled.

"I was sick this morning." He stopped petting me. "Shouldn’t you be at school?" he sounded serious. Like he really wanted me to be at school instead of there, with him. And yet, he still pulled me with him into the house. I felt him lift me as he sat on the couch. He placed me in his lap.

"I couldn’t be there anymore." I replied, calm, but still clinging to him.

"What? Did something happen or did you just miss me so much?" he laughed a little as he said this. He was either trying to cheer my up or truly thrilled by the possibility of the fact.

"People," I began, swallowing the lump in my throat, "people were saying...things." I felt him turn to stone beneath me. "And it hurt." My voice cracked as I finished.

"Oh, my love." He said sweetly.

He then lifted my face with his finger under my chin until he could look at me.

"There is absolutely nothing that would be true that could, in any way, hurt you."

I continued to stare at his face. The face of the person I loved and was, in every necessary way, perfect for me.

He went from holding my chin, to cradling my face in between his hands.

"I swear." I could still feel his warm breath from the whisper.

Searching his eyes for proof of what he said, I saw something I couldn’t describe. Was it uncertainty? Fear?

He then kissed me softly and it was, once again, over too soon.

After he gently laid my head on his chest, my breathing evened. The sweet sound of his heart made me forget it all. I didn’t know why I was there if it wasn’t to be in his warm arms.

There was a moment of silence before he spoke again.

"Is there anything I can do to make it better?"

I smiled and, with my eyes still closed, found his face. I kissed it, letting him enjoy the pleasure as my lips found his own. I didn’t let him pull away before I was satisfied.

"Too late." I said, hearing the strength back in my voice.

Michael chuckled and we sat there. Time seemed to stop and then speed up when he whispered in my ear.

"It’s late, you should be getting home."

"I am home." I snuggled deeper into his chest.

"Not quite." He laughed and carried me outside.

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I love the rain. It has to be one of my favorite things. I love the fresh clean smell, the relaxing "pitter-patter" sound that it makes. So, at night, when it’s raining, I leave my window open.

I don’t have any fear of the possible danger by this somewhat careless action. I live in a small town. No threats. No villains to carry me away.

This night, I didn’t know what time it was. I usually lay there for hours with my fantasies running through my head. But along with my fantasies are my subconscious fears and nightmares.

What if someone really did come through my window?

I looked to the window and saw blackness, for a moment wishing the moon would shine on me, revealing some unseen beauty to a mysterious observer. I never thought of myself as beautiful. I never really cared. I was who I was and how I, or anyone else looked truly didn’t matter. It was my nature. But a girl always dreams of being someone’s princess.

I continued to sit there staring at the darkness beyond my room. The wind was blowing through the open window, but I let my blankets go anyway. It wasn’t cold, as I had expected, but warm. Wondering about the warmth was not occupying my thoughts. I felt comfortable and safe. Everything around me was void of sound and I couldn’t see anything, but a familiar feeling erupted inside me. Something I hadn’t felt in a long time. That was when I sensed someone’s eyes on me.

It was completely silent. I turned my head slowly to the other end of my room where a figure stood.

"Don’t be afraid." The figure said instantly.

Joy ran through my blood and filled me. I knew that voice!

I laughed, "Why would I be afraid?"

The figure didn’t say a word. It began to move forward, hesitated, and then stepped back.

"I am curious as to why you are in my room in the middle of the night, but I know you wouldn’t do anything you shouldn’t."

Again silence.

"Is…something wrong?"

I then crawled out of my bed and started to move towards him, but he stepped back again. I stopped a foot or two away from him and still could barely see.

"Michael, are you okay?"

"Yeah," he finally replied. Next thing I knew, I was in his arms. "I’m fine." He whispered softly, and then kissed my head.

"Well that’s good," I kissed his cheek, "You were starting to worry me for a second."

I closed my eyes with my head on his chest. We just stood there in silence, and everything felt as though it was how it was supposed to be, until he tensed, and I could hear his heart begin to race.

"You were starting to worry me for a second." She said sweetly.

Michael looked at her with sad eyes. He had something to say, but fear for her affection held him back. Then again, if he didn’t tell her, worse things might happen.

They were close. He could feel them. Now he had no choice. He had been holding it back with great effort from the time he had entered her room, but since she was now this close, it was even harder to hold back.

He let it go.

Nicole felt something, something that sent a chill up her spine, but before she could process what it was, she was overwhelmed with an even stronger sensation. When she was touched on either side, she moved her head back and forth to see two black wings wrapping around her. They made no sound as they gently brushed the bare skin on her arms. She could only guess by how soft they felt that they were feathers like the wings of a bird or archangel. Her feelings were not anywhere near frightened or surprised. She looked up at Michael with wonder only to see that he was so close to tears that his eyes reflected the nonexistent light.

"Every town has a hero." He said quietly.

"Yes, just as they have a villain." A cool voice said behind her.

I tried to move to see who else was now standing in my room, but Michael stopped me, pulled me even closer to his chest, wrapping his wings tighter around me. Their true strength could be felt deep inside me as they formed a protective shield. If Michael was guarding me, then there was a reason I needed to be guarded from who or whatever was now among us.

"What’re you doing here?" Michael hissed, all warmth gone from his words.

His sudden change of tone scared me. His voice had become deep and somewhat raspy. That was when I noticed I was shaking from head to toe. My blood was freezing in my veins. I clung to him, pressing my face into his chest with my eyes squeezed as far shut as I could make them go.

"I thought you might share." The cool, strange voice replied.

"Get out!" Michael snarled, a sudden sharp and threatening bitterness clung to his words.

The man with the cool voice laughed and I shuddered, suddenly feeling slightly faint. Michael was even closer, but I was beginning not to feel him. I was so tired, I just let myself go numb and trust that he would keep me safe.

The sound of thunder brought me back to my senses. I opened my eyes and was looking at the ceiling. I was in my bed…alone. Why hadn’t I felt him leave? Even in my pervious out-of-body state I should have felt Michael move from my side.

The window again drew my attention, it was now closed and a storm was raging outside. Lightning lit up the room. I then noticed that my bedroom door was open. I got out of my bed and stood in the doorway. If Michael had closed my window and opened the door, I would have known, wouldn’t I have?

Staring at the dark hall, I could barely keep myself standing upright.

I didn’t know who else had been in my room or how long I had been alone. I didn’t know why Michael seemed to hate, or fear, who ever else had been there or why Michael had wings.

My feet pounded the ground as I took off running down the hall. I had no fear of being heard or waking my family. The storm would cover me, and I had quickly made up my mind while I was still back in my room. Regardless of anything Michael might be or become, I still loved him. Nothing else in the world seemed to matter but him. There was no doubt in my mind that I had no idea what was going on, but it was obviously something greater than I ever could have imagined.

And I wanted to be a part of it.

I was at the front door in a matter of milliseconds. Pausing, I had to remember to breathe. The wind pressed the raindrops against the windows and walls surrounding me and the thunder crashed again.

Having second thoughts? The voice in my head asked, mockingly.

"Hardly." I whispered, and with a smile I thrust open the door in response.

I froze on the porch. Expecting to step out into a puddle and have rain coming off the roof dripping on my head, I was surprised to find there was nothing. My feet and head were dry; the ground was dry along with the sky.

I looked toward the horizon past the trees, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Stepping out from under the house, I looked above the horizon to be greeted by glowing stars and the full moon. Everything was still. Nothing moved. The only sound I heard was my own quiet breathing.

It was one of those times where you couldn’t seem to get yourself to move and you so dearly wanted to scream.

Michael!

I began to look around almost frantically for him. Then that was when I saw it.

To the right of the house was a telephone pole and on top of that telephone pole sat a crow. It was the only other living thing outside besides me. I couldn’t help it, I just stared. It slowly turned its head towards me and I couldn’t breathe. It stared back at me with eyes whiter than the moon behind me. I wasn’t able to break its gaze, and as it moved closer to me, I couldn’t move. I seemed to be paralyzed. Its eyes burned the inside of me, immobilizing my body and mind, taking all my will power and turning it against me.

Next thing I knew, sound erupted around me. I had to cover my ears and close my eyes in pain. There was this horrible noise ringing in my head, tearing me apart from deep within me. It was like a scream, or a shriek, louder then any I had ever heard. I wasn’t sure what it was, and just as suddenly as it came, it was gone.

I slowly opened my eyes while, just as slowly, lowering my arms. The sudden lack of noise made my ears ring and I had an instant headache. The feeling of ice needles pricking my arms and face made me realize that it was raining once again. In fact, I was soaked all the way through, but I was too busy taking in what was in front of me to notice just yet.

A large shadow was over and surrounding me. I followed the shadow with my eyes from the ground to its owner’s feet. Then the shadow spoke.

"Are you alright?" Michael asked in the same gruff voice as before.

As soon as he spoke my eyes darted to his face, which was turned toward me now, and I couldn’t speak. The moon was shining in his eyes. They were fierce and cold, full of anger and grief. They were coal black.

I looked over the rest of him to see if it really was my Michael that was looking at me with those terrible eyes. I looked for his wings that I had seen in my room and found the leathery wings of a demon or some other dark creature. Had I been mistaken before? Were his wings like this in my room? Had I imagined the soft feathers against my skin? I didn’t know this him… where was the Michael that had been in my room just a little bit ago?

He was facing me now.

"Did it touch you?" I could hear the strain and earnest in his voice.

He was breathing heavily and I could see sharp teeth gleaming slightly, and in his somewhat clawed hand, a sword shining in the moonlight.

I weakly shook my head "no", closing my eyes while looking down. I then shivered having the cold finally take affect on my physical body. I felt his hands on my shoulders and I looked up to see that his eyes had softened and were now light brown and full of a look of concern that I knew so well. He was dripping, soaked through from the rain.

Then, in an instant, he was holding me tightly with his left arm and that same wing was guarding me. His sword was now being held sideways in front of us. He was ready to defend himself, but from what?

"Hold on to me." He whispered suddenly, lifting me a few more inches off the ground and tightening his grip around my waist.

I wrapped my arms around him and before I knew what was happening, we were in the middle of the street and spinning in a full circle. I could hear sounds of his sword slashing through many things as we moved. All I could see were shadows and there didn’t seem to be any remains of what had come in contact with his weapon. He moved again, even faster this time and I gasped closing my eyes while squeezing my face into him.

Michael dropped his sword and crouched to the ground. Bringing his other arm to me. He pulled me into his chest protectively and I could no longer see. I heard the screech of a bird and the flapping of many wings. Michael screamed suddenly, but stayed otherwise frozen as he was attacked. He cursed his attackers under his breath.

Gunfire erupted around us. Michael stood slowly as the echo began to fade.

"Having a little trouble there, man?"

Michael didn’t respond as he turned to our momentary savior.

Standing in front of us was Jason Berkins. He was wearing a tight black sweater, black pants, and a black beanie with a smoking gun resting now on his shoulder.

"Can’t you do anything by yourself? I mean, come on. There were three of them and you just-" he began to complain until Michael spread out his wings further and I could be seen in his arms. "Christ! What is she doing here?"

Before he could respond, Michael’s head shot upward and we both slowly got a look of our surroundings. They were still and silent as they formed a black blanket over almost every surface around us.

We were surrounded by giant black birds.

Michael set my feet on the ground and shoved me towards Jason.

"Take her and get out of here." Michael said quietly but forcefully.

"Nah man. I don’t want her. You take her and I’ll deal with the buzzards." He cocked his gun.

"Now Berkins."

I hadn’t noticed before that his wings had once again changed back to the way they were in my room, like those of an angel. Now he suddenly changed again. It seemed a wave swept over him from head to toe. His hair became longer and darker. His eyes were mostly crimson with black slits like an animal’s eyes. Fangs grew and he growled deep in his throat. His hands became clawed as they grasped two swords that seemed to appear out of nowhere, one in each hand. Then lastly, and probably the most stunning, was the transformation of his wings. They seemed to curl out of his back and it looked like the feathers were simply falling off, revealing the leathery, black curtains I had seen moments before. But the feathers evaporated into thin air.

He hadn’t removed his eyes from his enemies for a second through the entire transformation. He quivered a moment and then let out a full-blown roar. The sound was nearly deafening and I was over come with pure terror. I backed a step or two involuntarily into Jason. He grabbed my upper arm.

Michael was then air-born. He shot like lightning into the sky. It didn’t matter how afraid I truly was at that moment; it was beautiful.

The moment he was in the sky, the giant birds were after him. Every single one took flight, forming a cloud around him.

Their battle cry was horrible, but not nearly as frightening as Michael’s was. I wasn’t sure which to fear more or which gave me more goose bumps.

I could only watch as they surrounded him.

Then they attacked, screeching even more fiercely.

"Mi-!" I began, but Jason put his hand over my mouth.

"No! You can’t call him that. Not while he’s like this." He finished his last sentence quietly as if in reverence or fear of what Michael had become.

We watched as Michael’s swords broke through the black mass. The defeated birds didn’t fall to the ground, but instantly turned into dust. More and more of the birds came as he continued to fight.

Michael roared again, even louder than before.

"Alright! Alright Donte! Jesus, I hate it when he’s like this." Jason mumbled.

"Donte?" I asked.

"Yeah, that’s his name." He replied matter-o-factly.

"What?"

"I’ll let him explain it al later. It’s complicated. He brought you into this, not me."

Suddenly, a group of the giant birds turned to us.

"But now we need to worry about getting out of here." Jason said quickly, grabbing my hand to follow him. I flinched at the contact.

"Run!"

"Where?"

"Anywhere!"

"Okay…"

Running was the last thing he should have asked me to do if I was supposed to stay with him.

I took off at a full sprint down the street without looking back.

There was more gunfire behind me and then I could hear Jason’s footsteps after my own.

We came towards the end of the street and Jason gave me directions.

"Left!" he called.

At the end of the next street, "Right!"

It went on like this for a while. I can only run so fast for so long. I was beat and had to stop to breathe.

We had made it out of town and into an orchard. I leaned against the nearest tree for support as Jason caught up and stopped at my side.

"Damn." He let out between breaths. "You’re too fast. But that’s probably a good thing."

I let out a weak laugh and sunk to the ground. He sat down next to me.

"Well, I think we lost them." He looked at his watch. "We’ll give the show off another fifteen minutes."

I decided not to think, but concentrate on the pain in my side instead. As soon as I turned my attention to my own body, I discovered that I was aching pretty much everywhere. I looked to my feet, brown from the mud and sore from the pavement. Well, at least they weren’t bleeding.

Blood.

The moment I thought the word my senses were alert for it. And I smelled it. Out of habit, I gently put my hand to my nose. When I was younger I used to constantly get bloody noses, I was sensitive to the heat. So, I knew the scent and taste well. I smelled it everywhere. I looked at my hand, and sure enough there was blood on it, but it wasn’t mine.

I was covered in it. From my head to my waste. It smelled dirty from the rain.

I stared at my hands unable to figure out where it came from. Whoever lost all this blood couldn’t be conscious.

And sure enough, the owner came walking out of the trees.

Michael was limping toward us from the same direction we ran from. His shuffled footsteps are what caught my attention.

He no longer had wings. He wasn’t the frightening angel or even more frightening demon that had protected me so thoroughly. He was just my Michael that loved me.

"You dumb ass." He said suddenly. Then he collapsed on the ground.

I jumped in alarm and looked to Jason. He sighed and stood casually.

"Yeah, but who’s out cold, eh?" he looked down at his friend and he walked past. "I’ll get the car so we can take him home. Stay here."

Then he was gone through the trees and I was alone with Michael unconscious on the ground.

I crawled over to him in the mud, being too tired to actually stand. It rained even harder, making me even more numb. The closer I got, the clearer it became that the blood that was all over me was his. He was even more covered in it than I was. That meant that he was hurt badly.

I didn’t know what else to do but wait for Jason to come back. He hadn’t seemed to be worried about Michael, so I shouldn’t too much.

I pulled Michael’s head onto my lap and gently held his hands. He didn’t move or make a sound. I looked over him to try and find the source of the blood and finally noticed what he was wearing. He had on a black sweater, similar to the one Jason was wearing except it was sleeveless and zipped up in the center with a high collar around his neck. It fit him smugly showing his muscles, which I had never seen before. He had on fingerless gloves with sheaths for his two swords strapped up both of his arms. He was also wearing black pants and black combat boots.

He never looked so attractive, it wasn’t right.

I bent over, laying my head on his chest and listened. The sweet sound was there. His heartbeat. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly. How calming the rhythm was.

"You smell so good in the rain."

I jumped up and laughed weakly.

Michael was awake; his eyes open slightly looking at me. He spoke quietly like he had to make a great effort to do so.

"Who said you could move? Get back down here."

I bent back over him obediently, saying nothing. I didn’t need to, my actions and eyes did all the talking that was necessary.

He let go of one of my hands, bringing it to my head and pulling me closer to his face. He kissed my hair, smelling it and then he stopped. I looked at him wondering why he stopped. His eyes were wide with worry.

"Are you hurt?" he asked urgently.

I shook my head, "No, it’s yours." I wiped warm blood off his forehead. "Does it hurt?"

"No, I can’t feel it anymore. Don’t worry." He closed his eyes gently and seemed to be peacefully asleep.

I worried anyway, especially since he said not to.

The roar of an engine erupted from the trees. I saw the headlights of an old ’64 Dodge pickup truck light up the row. Its butter-yellow color could still be seen brightly in the dark.

Michael stiffened below me. I looked at him and saw a twitch below his eye. I turned my head back up towards the truck as they killed the engine and left the headlights on.

Jason jumped out of the truck as a man’s voice bellowed.

"MICHAEL DAVID DOTSON!"

Michael’s father, David Dotson, got out of the driver’s side of the ancient truck. He was largely built like his son, except even more so. You could clearly see the strength in his arms. His dark brown hair and goatee made his also brown eyes look wide and wild. Which I could tell by the volume of his voice, would be wide and wild regardless.

He continued to yell as he walked toward us, and as was normal for me whenever some one was yelling, I couldn’t hear him. My mind blocked out the sound the moment it reached my ears.

Michael stood up slowly and I offered myself as support to help him stand. He yelled back at David in his defense. I searched for Jason in midst of the soundless commotion. I found him leaning against the truck looking at the ground. He looked like he felt just as awkward as I did standing there as they argued. Then I heard my name.

"Exactly! I wasn’t going to let them near her!"

"Donte could have hurt her a million times worse than they could have!"

"I know…" Michael said quietly sounding defeated. He held onto me a little tighter and I stared at the ground.

David let out a deep breath, through his nose it sounded and the mood lightened. I could feel his eyes on me.

"Jason, help Michael into the trunk bed. Nicole get in the truck and I’ll turn on the heater."

"No." I said quietly shaking my head. "He’s hurt he shouldn’t be in the rain. I’ll sit in the trunk."

All three of them looked like they were about to argue, so I gave them my best ‘I’m serious’ face and they caved in without a word.

I didn’t look at any of them as I climbed into the truck. I huddled in the corner against the cab and put my head between my knees to keep the rain off of my face. I wasn’t going to let myself think too hard, if at all. I didn’t know what my head was going to come up with as a result of what was happening. I concentrated on the groves in the trunk bed, making patterns and pictures appear as the lights around me changed.

I expected the ride to be relatively short, but I didn’t know where our ride would end. Would they take me home like this? I really hoped I would be able to stay with them long enough to find out if Michael was going to be all right. I wondered how he was doing. He had been bleeding a lot, and thinking back he had also been very pale.

The moment after I thought this, the truck began to jump underneath me. Or more like thump. It seemed that they had turned on some music and cranked up the bass. I listened a minute and recognized the song as one Michael had played for me many times. It was a heavy song, and the guitar solos were insane. I couldn’t suppress a laugh as I turned and saw all three heads bobbing along with their hair flying around in the cab. I put my head back down and watched the puddles dance along with the somewhat obnoxious music around my feet. Our trip continued with a selection of classic rock music.

After awhile I finally took a look around me. We were still surrounded by orchards. Apparently we weren’t going to my house or anywhere near it. The truck then turned noisily and with great difficulty. The music stopped and all was quiet. I dared to turn around to see where we were headed. We were making our way down a long driveway with a huge and beautiful white house at then end of it. The closer we got, the more the house began to loam over us instead of in front of us.

Then, as if I wasn’t amazed enough a howl echoed through the surrounding trees. Three dogs came out of the trees and were running alongside the truck. The first one I noticed was pure white like snow, and seemed to be the largest of the three. The second was black and elegant looking, and the third was light brown with a playful jump in his step every so often.

The white dog moved itself to the back of the truck and jumped in the back making the truck sink a few inches. It was indeed very big, too big, in fact, to be a normal dog. I realized that it wasn’t even a dog as it stared at me with fierce yellow eyes. It was a wolf.

The other two, which I now assumed were wolves as well, joined us in the back of the truck. The light brown one, I now saw was smaller than the other two, came up to me excitedly and sniffed my toes.

"She smells like him."

I froze when I heard the voice. It sounded like a young man, a teenager, sweet and innocent. Where had it come from?

The tan wolf sniffed again.

"Very dirty though."

I stared at the wolf not knowing if I should be afraid or interested. He had talked.

He put his nose nearly centimeters from my toes and inhaled deeply. The moving air around my toes tickled and I pulled them back quickly.

"Enough Toby." It was a female voice this time. Confident and motherly. I looked to the black wolf who was staring at the tan one. Toby she called him?

Again I looked at the smallest wolf.

"Toby?" I said curiously.

I had regretted speaking the moment sound escaped from my lips. All six eyes were on me. Yellow and wide. Suddenly, the truck came to a stop. The wolves looked at me a moment longer, until the white wolf jumped out of the back. The others followed without a second glance.

I didn’t know what else to do besides continuing to sit there. Michael, David, and Jason all got out of the truck cab silently. Subconsciously, I turned my head to see Michael standing stably, turning his head to look at me. Our eyes met, and his widened. Apparently the look on my face concerned him. He then made his way around to the side of the truck I was closest to.

"Hey," he said softly, holding out his arms. "Come here."

I clambered up slowly, over the side of the truck and into his arms. He picked me up easily and began to carry me towards the house. I was about to argue when he hushed me.

"I’m fine. I’m more worried about you right now. You look flushed." No matter how sincere his voice sounded, he still had a goofy grin on his face as he held me recklessly close. David and Jason didn’t seem to care. Michael seemed to strut.

Lights automatically came on as we came closer to the large front door that was already open. The tail of the tan wolf, Toby, disappeared past the doorframe.

"Close your eyes." Michael said quickly. "And no peeking."

I did as he asked with a confused expression. He must have noticed, because he then chuckled.

"It’s only a precaution, they have to get to know you first before you get a look around and really know where you are."

I wasn’t going to argue, but I still wondered who "they" were.

The moment I closed my eyes, the sound of feet crunching gravel reached my ears. The sound changed suddenly and we became slightly elevated. Boots beat against tile and echoed around me. Then the footsteps stopped and we were still.

"We didn’t expect you tonight." A man’s voice said.

"Yeah, well, I didn’t expect to fight either." Michael spoke casually.

David mumbled something inaudible and Michael stiffened. I heard Jason chuckle.

"Yes, yes. Now…is this the famous Nicole we’ve heard so much about?" A kind woman spoke this time.

The room momentarily erupted with laughter, Michael groaned with frustration. I kept my eyes closed and said nothing.

"Yeah this is Nicole. Could you take care of her?" He almost sounded like he was pleading.

"Of course," the man said, "Julia can take her to a guest bedroom where she can get cleaned up."

"Thanks Frankie." Michael said, sounding relieved.

Michael set me gently on my feet, but still held my up until a soft hand took mine.

"See you soon." He whispered in my ear.

"Follow me sweetheart." Julia said and I began to walk in the direction she was pulling my hand.

We seemed to walk forever after we made our way up a set of stairs with some effort. I walked into her when she stopped unexpectedly.

"Here you are hon.," She said sweetly. "Everything is self explanatory. Now I have to get back down to the boys, I can’t leave them alone for too long." I smiled hoping she saw the small gesture. She laughed warmly. "You can open your eyes now." And with that, the door closed behind me.

I opened my eyes and turned around too late. Julia had already gone. I took a second and began to look around me, closing my eyes almost instantly. It was way too bright for me to handle. My surroundings were pure white. I waited a few minutes, breathing slowly. Finally, I opened my eyes and the room focused into my vision.

It was the same as I had seen it before, white and brilliant. The room seemed to be circular with a queen sized bed in the center. The bed was decorated with angels spiraling up the four posts and billowing lace curtains resting delicately against them. On the mattress lay the blankets and pillows. They seemed to be hovering over the bed as soft as clouds. A somewhat small nightstand sat on the right side of the magnificent bed. There was also a couch with a love seat in the corner farthest from where I stood. The wall also farthest from me had two doors on either side; the gold handles glimmered even more brightly at my tired eyes.

The man, Frank, had said something about me cleaning up. Perhaps one of those doors held a warm shower behind it. I started forward to investigate and realized that the floor was extremely gentle under my sore feet. I looked down and found a white carpet that I was leaving very muddy tracks on.

Heat rose on my face as I was overcome with guilt. There was no doubt in my mind that I had left my tracks throughout every part of the house I came through. I hoped that the entire place wasn’t as spotless, but now tainted, as this room was. With no other choice, I took a deep breath, looked forward and went to the door on the right side of the wall without looking behind me to see my crime lengthen even further.

I put my hand on the curving handle expecting it to be cold, but it was warmer than my own hand. Turning the knob, I pushed slowly on the door to only be looking back at myself. I was absolutely filthy, covered in mud and dried blood from head to toe. The cold had made me pale and my hair hideous. I really needed that shower, it wasn’t here. I looked at myself for one more moment in the mirror at the end of the room, which I discovered was a vast walk-in closet. I then closed the door on the vacant space.

Behind the next door was the bathroom and amazing shower. Mirrors covered the two sidewalls and on the right were three sinks with cabinets below them. I opened one of the cabinets and found white towels. I began to reach for one when I saw my hand, dirty like the rest of me. Quickly, I washed my hands, grabbed my towels, and stripped without a second thought.

The shower was better than I could have hoped. I cleaned myself thoroughly taking my time and enjoying the nearly scorching water. I found out that, sure enough, I didn’t have a single scratch. I was a little sore and maybe blistered, but that was the extent of the physical damage. Now if there had been any mental damage done, I didn’t let myself think long enough to find out.

I stepped out of the shower and my clothes that I had left on the floor were gone. I didn’t think about it. While I was walking towards the door I glanced in the mirror and saw bags forming under my eyes. Again, no thoughts entered my head. In the room, I found a small pile of clothes on the bed. I dressed and went into the closet to look at what I was supplied with for attire. It was a white dress that had a nightgown look to it. It was sleeveless, but still with straps. Lace traced over my chest and the rest was a comfortable cotton, falling gracefully past my knees. I shrugged.

"Hmm." I said to my reflection.

I walked out of the closet and stopped in the middle of closing the door behind me. The black wolf was sitting calmly at the foot of the bed in the center of the room watching me. I stared back not moving.

"Come with me." She said softly but still with a commanding air.

She turned and walked out the open door without waiting for me. I followed her quickly out the door and stepped out onto a railed balcony. It circled around the walls and ended on either side with a set of stairs. I suddenly felt eyes on me. Looking around I found a pair of yellow eyes that belonged to the white wolf watching me. It was across the way on the balcony as still as if it were a statue.

"Ahem."

It almost sounded like a sneeze, and my attention was drawn back to the black wolf that was now waiting for me.

We made our way around the balcony towards the center, having started on the opposite end, passing only a few doors. We stopped in front of a black one with a silver handle. I stood there a moment not knowing what to do until I felt a cold nose on my leg. I grabbed the handle and opened the door. This room was mostly black. I couldn’t tell if anything else was different because the room was dark except for the moon shining through the window, which was the entire back wall.

"Thanks Sasha." Michael said from the middle of the room.

The moon silhouetted a large bed in the center of the room. It was probably just as big as the one in the white room, if not bigger. I could barely make out the outline of a body on the bed. Michael’s eyes glimmered at me from across the room. Sasha’s soft footsteps faded and I closed the door behind me. I walked over to the side of the bed Michael was on and knelt on the ground with my arms folded on the bed.

"Hey." I whispered quietly, barely being able to speak due to exhaustion.

"Get up here." Michael said pulling me by the elbow.

I clambered over him onto his other side and huddled gently into his chest. He pulled the covers over me. I had closed my eyes and was breathing slowly. Michael put the back of his hand on my head. I opened my eyes to see him frowning.

"You have a fever." He said. "I’m going to get you some medicine."

He slowly began to move, but I didn’t want him to leave, so I grabbed his shirt to stop him.

"No, I’m fine. Let me sleep it off. If I’m still sick in the morning you can give me as much medicine as you want."

He continued to frown at me.

"Really, I just want to sleep." I was putting as much pleading energy into it as I could muster.

I must have won him over because he laid back down and wrapped his arms around me. He sighed deeply and I knew that he was wanting me to say something.

"So," I said dreamily. He tensed without tightening his grip on me. "I have my own personal super hero?"

I opened my eyes to look at his face when he didn’t respond. He searched my eyes for a minute and chuckled.

"Something like that." He finally said.

I felt myself beginning to fall into unconsciousness and Michael kissed my head. I was barely able to feel his lips trace the side of my face and stop at the corner of my mouth.

"I love you." I whispered to his face.

"You idiot." He replied and kissed me almost fiercely.

And with that I slipped into the dark.

I was sitting in a chair knowing that I was surrounded by nothingness.

A voice spoke that I didn’t recognize.

"Your family…how do you feel about them?"

I looked up at no one with a fierce glare and said, "I resent them."

Everything once again faded to black.

I turned over and pulled the blanket over my shoulders, curling up even tighter. My body automatically searched for him and only found more cotton. That was different. I had fallen asleep with close and watching me breathe, but now he was gone.

My eyes shot open. I was indeed by myself in a sea of black. Light was shining softly through the large window behind the bed. So, I could now clearly see everything around me.

Just like the other room was completely white, this one was black. Everything seemed to be generally the same as in the white room. The bedposts were decorated with intricate roses winding on vines and there was a door on all surrounding walls except for the one that was entirely a window.

This room I liked better. The other was way too painful on the eyes.

I crawled out of the bed determined to find any person, but preferably Michael.

The door closest to me was slightly ajar and I went to it, opening it carefully.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." Michael chuckled when the door was open far enough.

I couldn’t speak; I was more or less frozen where I stood.

His laugh echoed throughout the rooms. "Your face is so red."

I turned my eyes to the floor.

"I’m sorry it bothers you so much." He said in a fake offended tone.

He was shirtless; his skin glistening from just having took a shower. He seemed so perfect with the kind of body any girl would kill to have on her man. Was this really my Michael?

"No, I…" I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his warm body. "I’m just-not used to it is all."

He gave off a fragrance that purely intoxicated me. I felt him nearly pick me off the ground as he pulled me closer. Apparently he noticed the affect he was having on me and taking pride in it. He decided to make it worse.

The feeling of skin against skin was something else I wasn’t used to and I was surprised that I didn’t mind. My arms were now wrapped around his neck and I was nuzzling my head between his neck and shoulder. Michael had moved my hair and was kissing mine. My breathing wasn’t steady and I hoped I was the only one that could hear it. He had found my ear and bit down on it just barely enough so that I could feel it. Chills erupted down my spine.

"You should eat something." He whispered after a minute.

"Alright." I was surprised to hear the slight disappointment in my voice.

He took my hand and led me out of the bathroom. He stopped near the foot of the bed.

"Stay here a sec." He crossed the room and went to the closet.

A moment later he came out with a t-shirt on now that was black and simple, but so becoming as it fit just right around his muscled torso. After I noticed that his pants were black also, I saw the black pile in his hands. He tossed it to me.

"No arguing now. I want you to wear it, so I’ll leave the room."

Before I could say anything he was out the door.

It was yet another dress and as I held it up in front of me, I couldn’t help but smile. It was plain, but with its own beauty. Just my type. It was pure satin, and yes, black. This one, unlike the one I was wearing, had sleeves.

I put it on like he asked. I was pleased with the fact that it curved comfortably over my cleavage to my shoulders. It lightly outlined my body’s shape and was long enough for me to successfully hug my knees with no exposure.

In the hall, Michael wasn’t waiting for me.

"Michael?" I called just loud enough for a soft rebound off the walls.

"Down here." He answered.

After nearly running into the banister, I saw Michael at the foot of the stairs with a grin on his face.

I came down the stairs slowly and unintentionally tracing my hand down the rail as I went. The loving glow in Michael’s eyes was enough, no words needed to be said.

What little morning there had been left slipped on like it would any other day. It was also nothing like an ordinary day because we were together. The afternoon too, passed without incident. Mostly, we walked around taking in the beauty of the place and enjoying ourselves, especially since there was no one else there. David went to work, Jason to school, and Frankie and Julia were doctors and it was one of the days that they needed to be at the nearby hospital. Michael explained how they had needed to come to them as soon as they could last night because he heals so fast. He needed Frankie and Julia to give him medications to prevent infection before it healed over and was inaccessible.

It took hours to explore the entire mansion. I could live here for a million years and never be able to describe efficiently enough to serve it justice.

Once it got into the early evening, Michael felt I had worked myself over from walking so much, still insisting that I was sick. He picked me up where I stood and carried me back to the black room. Holding me with one arm, he pulled the covers back and placed me under them. He moved the hair on my forehead and kissed it.

"I’ll wake you up later." Michael whispered.

"Why don’t you sleep too?" I asked. "You must be even more tired I don’t think you’ve slept at all." I thought a moment while looking at his eyes. "Do you sleep at all?"

"Of course I do." He answered with a laugh. "Just not as much as you. I only need a few hours a day." He stroked my face with his fingertips.

I closed my eyes. "Hmm…so, you don’t have many dreams then?"

"I do. And they’re usually of you. Just like this." His tone was sweet.

"Lies." I playfully accused.

Michael chuckled and after a little longer I was asleep again.

Before I knew it my eyes were opening again as Michael was saying my name.

The first thing I saw were his eyes, full of worry. It made me become alert.

"What’s wrong?" I asked sitting up.

He held my face and grabbed my hand pulling me out of the bed.

"Come with me." He said dully.

I followed him out of the room and down the stairs. At the foot of them he stopped me.

"Kiba!" he called.

There was silence and I expected nothing to happen until the white wolf stood in front of us.

Michael tilted his head to him in respect.

"I would like to ask for your help." Michael stopped waiting for a reply.

Kiba nodded his head.

Michael continued. "We need some of your and your pack’s protection since I am still recovering from the last battle. It’s only a precaution and would be greatly appreciated."

"Naturally." Kiba said with a deep voice of a strong and grown man.

The other two wolves, Toby and Sasha appeared by his side.

"Thank you." Michael said respectfully.

The five of us then made our way to the front doors. Outside, the sky was pink as the sun began to set. The yellow truck sat in front of us with David in the front seat looking glum.

We made it back into town without conversation, Michael holding me tight all the while.

I had no implication of what he was going to show me or why they seemed to be somewhat worried if not just upset. A brainwave hit me when we turned down the street where my house resided. Where they taking me back? If that was the case, I really didn’t want to go.

The car came to a stop in front of my house or what was left of it. A corner of two walls stood weakly, black and crumbling with ash surrounding it. I could feel their eyes watching me closely and I left my face expressionless. The three wolves gracefully jumped out of the back of the truck and began to inspect the remains.

David breathed noisily through his nose and got out of the car. Once he closed the door I noticed a pile of a few boxes and bags sitting on the sidewalk. Michael opened the car door and got out slowly almost like he was afraid to let go of me. David and him began to pick up the things on the sidewalk and put them in the back of the truck. Michael investigated one of the bags and pulled something out of it. He came back to the truck and handed the item to me. It was one of my blankets. They were putting my possessions in the truck.

I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and played with a corner in my hand staring at it. It took them the length of two minutes to get everything off the ground. Michael climbed back into the truck and pulled me onto his lap.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked me, his voice was concerned.

"I’m fine." I answered truthfully. "Just a little shocked. I had no real attachment to them."

I could tell he believed me by the way he kissed my head.

"As far as the police could tell from what they found, they were dead before the fire, but they don’t know how." David said slowly.

Michael was petting my head, but otherwise not moving.

"They don’t know what caused the fire either." He snorted. "Shows what good they are."

No one laughed at his attempted joke.

"It was Markel." Michael said with a monotone.

"Who?" I asked.

"Markel." He repeated. "The one who is behind all the fighting I do. I’ve fought him plenty of times too, he’s evil."

"Was he the one…?" I began.

"The one in your room last night? Yes, that was him."

I shuddered slightly at the thought. The memory of that man’s voice was so horrible.

Michael wrapped the blanket tighter around me.

"What does he have against you?" my question sent tension into the air.

"We don’t know."

What? They didn't know? What was this Markel's reason for causing them all grief? It didn't make any sense to me, this man had to have an incentive. I couldn't think of any villain that I knew of that attacked people for no reason. What if Markel wasn't like any other villain? That would classify him as unpredictable, and therefore extremely dangerous. He could be capable of the inimaginable.

Michael held me tight.

"I won't let him, or anyone come anywhere near you. I promise." He held onto me as though, at any moment, I could be ripped from his arms.

I took his hand in mine, putting it to my lips.

"I know." I replied reassuringly.

The sky was a dark blue when we arrived back at the mansion; there was a single star in the sky. I slowly got out of the car and Michael followed, not letting go of my hand for a single moment.

A harsh wind picked up, blowing my hair in my face and as it settled and my vision was cleared, I saw a woman standing in the doorway. She quickly came toward us and the darkness of the coming night prevented me from seeing her clearly enough before she took me in a warm embrace.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart." She whispered.

It was Sara, beautiful, kind Sara. I was only able to return the gesture with one arm, since Michael still hadn't let go of my other hand. She never failed to make me feel at home whenever I was around her. She had been more of a mother to me than my own ever had.

Sara then held me at arms length and looked me straight in the eyes.

"I love you, and Michael loves you, we all do. And we would never let anything happen to you."

It was beginning to be too much. I had to look down, but I still nodded.

"Okay," Sara nearly whispered, "let's get some dinner then."

She released me and walked slowly back towards the house. She looked so fragile even to me. I wondered for a moment if I looked this fragile to Michael. He walked me into the house without a word.

Once inside I tried to follow Sara into the kitchen, but Michael had planted his feet. I looked up at him; his eyes were full of worry.

"I'm okay," I said, "Really I am. I want to help make dinner."

I honestly did. I had no desire to sit around and have people wait on me and feel sorry for me. I needed to do something and keep going.

He walked me towards the kitchen, placing himself in one of the chairs at the table, sitting in clear view of the kitchen. I turned from him, and was about to take a step into the kitchen, but not before he grabbed me around the waist, pulling me toward him and kissing me.

Michael let me go and it took me a moment to realize where I was. He smiled softly and I finally joined Sra, who was standing with one hand on her hip in front of the freezer door with a scowl on her face.

I walked over to her and opened the other door to the fridge. There were only a few things in the fridge, and to my surprise, it was just enough for a meal I was familiar with. I got to work.

I eventually had sent Sara out, since she couldn't really help me with what I was cooking anyway. She went and set the dishes on the table around Michael, who was sniffing the air frowning because I wouldn't let him in to see what I was doing.

I was nearly done when Toby wandered in with his nose in the air. He sat next to me.

"What is it? I've never smelled anything like that before." The fact that Toby spoke didn't bother me in the slightest. I was getting used to any surprises and just accepting it as normal behavior. This is how it was, strange. Get used to it.

I smiled and tossed him a piece of meat from the frying pan. He caught it in his mouth, tasted, chewed, and swallowed.

"Weird." He declared and left, his claws making a slight tapping sound on the tile.

I couldn't help but laugh. Michael gave me a curious look that I chose to ignore.

We all sat down after David joined us informing us that Frankie and Julia would not be home until late tonight and they send their regrets to me. I nod, my good mood depleating suddenly. Michael noticed and squeezed my hand under the table. David and Sara sat next to each other across from Michael and I, an empty chair was at either end of the table.

I had served some on every plate, then sat down and took a bite.

"So, what's in this?" David asked quietly.

"I see something green." Michael mumbled. I kicked his leg.

"Don't worry about it, just eat it." Sara said, taking a forful herself.

I laughed softly. "It's fried rice. It had eggs, rice, ham, soy sauce, and some various vegetables."

"Hmm," Michael replied, poking his food with his fork.

All I could do was giggle at them and eat my own. Eventually, David and Michael tried it, discovered they liked it, and looked at me like I was some sort of wizard.

After that we ate generally in silence. We were nearly finished when we heard the sound of the opening front doors echo through the house.

"Yo, guys! Have you seen the burnt down house? Looks like Mar-" Jason's head popped around the entrance to the dinning room and he stopped mid-sentence once his eyes came over me.

I looked to my plate, forking my last bite and nibbling softly. Michael tensed.

"We know Jason." David and softly then stood and walked away from the table.

I only looked up from my empty plate in time to see David and Jason disappearing around the corner.

"I'll clean up." Sara said softly and then she stood and began grabbing out empty dishes.

I remained in my seat not knowing what else to do. Not really wanting to do anything. It was a surprise and relief when Michael stood, pulling me out of my chair with his warm hands and led me out of the room.

We made our way through the silent house, coming to "the black room" with Sasha following noiselessly behind us.

"Go ahead and get ready for bed. Sasha will stay here with you and I'll be back soon." Michael said with solemn eyes.

I nodded softly continuing to watch his eyes with worry. There was so much he wasn't saying.

He left me standing in the middle of the room closing the door softly. Sasha laid herself down in front of it, breathing calmly.

I went to the closet to find something to change into, instead of this dress that I was still wearing, and I found the boxes that we had retrieved from the remains sitting there. I shuffled through them, taking one item out at a time carefully, almost reverently. These were my things all packed in a few small boxes as simple and calm as things always were. And that's what there were, things. The only fact was they were things that held memories. These possessions told the story of my life, or the life I used to have. All of that was now gone, ashes blowing away in the wind of the dawning storm. A storm was coming with the mysterious Markel at the head, and Michael at the defending front.

I found my comfortable pajamas and climbed into the large bed, huddling under the covers with my legs curled up and arms wrapped around my stomach as if I was needing to hold myself together, but not desperately.

Who was this Markel? Those birds that attacked Michael were clearly under his command, and he had killed my family. What was he capable of?

This thought thoroughly frightened me and I began to shake, needing to pull the blankets tighter around me as if I were cold.

Sasha stirred on the floor and I heard the door open. It wasn't long after that that the door closed and I turned expecting Michael to have returned to comfort me. There was a man there. I looked at him a moment, knowing that he wasn't Michael, but trying to identify the familiarity I saw.

He was clearly muscular, powerful, with an elegant air about him as he stood there silently, watching me with his blood red eyes.

I realized whom he was, staring at his eyes seeming to read me inside out. He did look like Michael, but at the same time, nothing like him. It was Donte.

I did not fear him, there was just something forbiden about him that caused me to remain speechless and cautious. Almost like I was in the lion's cave, and the lion was now studying me carefully.

Donte came towards me slowly, taking my arm and putting my wrist to his face. The touch surprised me as any usually did, but even more then because his hand was cold. I felt the air passing as he breathed in the scent of my wrist. He then looked up at me with piercing eyes.

"I smell fear on you." He said in the same gruff voice I had heard last night. "It's faint, but it's defiantly fear. What is it that has caused this in you?" he asked putting my arm back in place.

"Not you, if that's what you're asking." I was slow and careful with my words.

He didn't respond, and he didn't touch me again either. I don't know how I would've reacted if he had.

"There is no need to worry about Markel," he said the name with venom. "He cannot get past me."

I continued to watch him closely as he sat there drowning me in crimson. I noticed features of his face. They were similar to Michaels' yet more defined; making him somewhat more handsome, if that was even possible. It didn't birth any desires in me, it was just hard not to notice.

Regardless of attractiveness, there were also obvious signs of trials past. He seemed scarred but perfect, dangerous but experienced.

There was so much I didn't know about him.

Donte didn't speak again, but removed himself from my side and moved to a chair at the other side of the room facing the window.

I lay back down on the bed not feeling much better than I had before Donte came in. I needed Michael to hold me. I needed his warm, strong arms around me as I slept, or tried to. It was completely opposite from Donte and what he had to offer.

Still, I wasn't just going to say, "Poof out of existence please, I would like Michael, not you." That would just be rude.

I thought about talking to him. I really had so many questions I'd been neglecting, but something about his posture said not to disturb him.

So, I lay there, pondering what would happen tomorrow morning and the next after that. Everything was about to change.

Now her breath came in and out slowly. She was sleeping, but restlessly. Donte was beginning to see some of the things that Michael saw in her, but wasn't entirely able to name.

He sighed.

There will be no danger tonight. He thought.

Thanks Donte. And not just for checking. Michael responded inside him.

Donte didn't reply, but instead he closed his eyes breathing in deeply then letting a ripple rage through his body and he changed form.

Michael stood from the chair and lay down next to Nicole, moving the hair from her face. She seemed even calmer now.

I awoke the next morning with a frightening realization on my mind.

No one other than the Dotsons knew where I was.

I knew Renee would be worried sick about me, and probably angry with me since I haven't called already. I threw the blankets off me and flew out of bed. In a second I was out of the room and running down the hall, then was taking the stairs two at a time. I had seen a few other doors on the bottom floor. Surely one of them was an office, they had to have a phone. I got to the bottom of the steps, grabbing onto the banister and swinging myself around crashing right into Michael.

"What're you-" he began.

"Renee! She's probably worried sick!" I said frantically, trying to manuever around him.

"Whoah, whoah. Calm down." Michael replied with a chuckle and holding me still.

"I have to call her!" Even though I knew it was useless, I still tried to free myself. As predicted, he held strong.

"And what are you going to tell her! Huh?" Michael's voice was stern. "That your demon boyfriend whisked you away and then the psychopath he's fighting killed your family and staged it to be a fire?"

I looked away shamefully. I hadn't thought that far ahead.

Michael's grip loosened and he spoke again, his voice tender. "You can call her, okay. We just have to think of a story first."

So, once the rest of the enlightened group returned from school, and or work we came up with an explanation that we all knew and agreed on.

Late the first night I had gotten really sick. My family was all too passed out drunk and I couldn't wake them, so not knowing what else to do I called Michael for help. He took me to Frank and Julia for an emergancy. It turned out to be exposure to a gas leak got me sick. We tried to warn my family as soon as we found out, but we were just barely too late. So, now I was staying with Frank and Julia until I was fully healed and had somewhere else to stay.

"They've been really nice to me," I said after my fake explination. "I even have my own room! It's so huge here!"

Renee had let me talk before she bombarded me with questions, which I knew she wanted to, and when I had finished, was silent for a moment.

"I get to see this place, right?" She asked with an obvious smile in her voice. I could tell she was trying to be sensitive to me.

"Of course!" I replied after checking for a nod from Michael who was listening silently on a second phone. Renee had no idea.

"Will you be coming back to school soon?" Renee had desperation in her voice, she obviously missed me.

I looked at Michael with my eyebrows raised. He shook his head mouthing "Not yet."

I sighed quietly, "I don't know when I'll be back. They're really worried about me."

For her, "they" meant Julia and Frank. I hadn't said a word about Michael and his family being around all the time.

"Alright..." Renee said with a groan. "Just let me see you soon 'kay?"

Michael scribbled on a piece of paper and pushe it in front of me.

"Friday @ 7, here"

"Umm yeah, I could see you this Friday I think. You could come out here around seven." I told her, she perked up instantly.

"Oh! Great! How do I get there?"

I gave her directions repeating Michael's instructions and hung up the phone.

"I'm assuming you won't leave us alone." I said after Michael pulled me from my seat into his lap once again.

"No, but you won't know I'm there, I promise." he replied sweetly.

"Not even for a minute?" I whined playfully.

"Uhh...no."

"Oh darn." My voice dripped with sarcasim.

"Tell me you love me." I pleaded with my eyes closed against his chest.

"No." he replied.

I momentarily stopped breathing.

"I’ve told you plenty of times, there is no way you can deny it now. You know the truth."

I’d made my decision, I was going to take care of myself, I was going to get a job.

I searched and searched. I had decent grades, well more decent than average, but I didn’t know what I could do that would be good for me and be under Michael’s terms.

Fast foods and grocery stores were too vulnerable to poison, sabotage, and other various schemes. Malls; same basic concept. Any other was too open and susceptible to attack. A book store in a plaza…it was generally quiet, (plus for me) though it wasn’t abandoned, (plus for Michael) didn’t generally sell anything that was sharp, crushingly heavy, or eatable that could be poisoned, (plus for Michael) and it was also directly across from a music store that Michael was currently working at. (Plus for Michael and me) He got more pluses, so he approved of the idea.

So, I sent in my application.

…(Comic discussion of actually obtaining the job and be able to hold it.)

We waited and waited.

We returned home from school, and as we walked in the door, discovered that the phone was ringing. With no idea how long it had been ringing already, Michael rushed to answer it.

"Hello?" he said into the receiver without any loss of breath like he hadn’t just nearly ran through half of the house to get it.

"Um, yes. She’s right here." He handed me the phone as I laid my bag down on the floor.

"Yes?" I said.

"Hello Ms. Katherine, this is Kyle Styles, the manager of Twin Star Books, regarding your application for a store clerk." It was a man’s voice, but a younger one. He had to be in his late twenties or early thirties.

"Yes." I said again. What else could I say?

"I would like to have an interview with you, if you’re still interested?"

"Yes, I’m still interested." Oh brother.

"Good. How does this Friday around nine pm, closing time, sound?" he asked.

"Yes, that sounds very reasonable."

Could I get any more redundant please?

"Perfect, see you then!" he sounded strangely cheerful.

"Yes, you will. Good-bye."

Apparently I could.

I put down the receiver and let out a sigh of relief. Well the first part was over.

I looked up to see Michael’s face clenched up as he was obviously suppressing a laugh.

"Oh, shut up." I said and walked past him, hitting him in the gut as I went.

The laugh came out in a burst as if I had popped a hole in a balloon.

"You’ve obviously had a lot of experience in getting phone calls." He continued to laugh and I stuck my tongue at him.

I started climbing the stairs as he followed a ways behind, mocking the way I had said yes about a million times and looking like he was about to fall over.

I made it to the room, opened the door, went inside, waited until he was laughing right in front of it, and slammed it in his face.

I sunk down to the floor, sitting against the door, barricading it, arms folded and pouting, though knowing it was a fruitless effort. He didn’t try to barge his way in, but was gasping for air between giggles.

"Are you done?" I called.

He took a moment to calm himself.

"Yeah…" he sounded almost disappointed. "Let me in please."

His tone sounded genuinely apologetic. I stood and opened the door. In an instant he had his arms around me.

"I’m sorry." He kissed my head. "It was just really cute."

I tried to play stubborn, but it was too hard when he held me like that.

I sighed.

"Yeah, I forgive you." I said defeated.

He chuckled again, kissing my nose. Then I was laughing as he picked me up, swinging me around and then laying me gently on the bed.

"Now what my love?" he asked over me playing with my fingers that were now in his hand.

"Now," I began slyly, "Now we shop."

Michael didn’t really like the idea, though I promised him that it would be as painless as possible because, unlike most women that ever existed, I wasn’t much of a shopper.

Gratefully, it didn’t take very long. We ended up finding a suitable outfit. The top was a slate three-quarter length buttoned dress shirt. The bottom was a pair of gray (pinstripe?) dress pants. The kind a person would wear with a suit. I thought I looked pretty good in it. I could tell Michael liked it by the way he was speechless and his jaw nearly dropped when I threw on a pair of black heels that weren’t too dressy and went along with the rest nicely.

So, I was as prepared as I was going to get. Friday came without any delay. I was dressed for the interview around four that afternoon. I had to go with Michael to work and hang around until it was time, so that I could actually get there and get back home later.

I sat in the passenger seat breathing slowly. I as going over questions and answers that I had been told were common for job interviews.

Michael drove calmly, weaving in and out of traffic. He looked at me for a second.

"You look really nice." He said sweetly.

I could tell he was trying to make me feel better, but how good I looked wasn’t going to get me a job in the real would. Although my world hadn’t been so realistic lately.

Setting out my bottom lip, I blew my bangs out of my face. Michael reached out and squeezed my hand.

"You’ll do fine. And it’s not the end of the world if you don’t land it."

"Yeah, well…"

He was right and I knew it, I just didn’t know what else to do if I couldn’t stand on my own two feet.

Michael parked behind the music store. The roar of the car lowering to a purr, and then finally dying. My ears buzzed for a moment, but I was beginning not to notice.

We entered the music store from the back, where I was surprised to find Jason behind the front counter.

Jason whistled, "Someone looks good."

Michael gave him a punch in the arm. "She’s going for an interview at Kyle’s, dipstick."

"That’s hot." He replied.

I left Michael to do what he wanted with Jason, and it didn’t sound too good by the way Michael said, "Berkins!"

I ignored him and made my way to the front of the store, passing music books, instrument parts, and closed doors with signs that read, "Musical Learning in Session. Shhhh…."

I turned to the other side of the store. I knew what I wanted to do with the few hours I had before my meeting with Mr. Styles. This was a music store, they had to have one. And there it was down one of the darker isles, a piano.

It was defiantly more elegant than the one I had had and was used to, but it wasn’t brand new, just fairly recent.

This piano was black, unlike the one I used to have, and was sleek with an extremely small amount of durst on the surface.

I opened the case and traced my fingers across the keys. It felt as though an electric current was flowing between my fingertips and the ivory. Slowly but surly I was being pulled toward it. So I gave in and sat down on the bench, kicking off my shoes under me, then finally connecting my fingers to the instrument and bringing it to life.

I played everything I knew. All the time I had lost and missed in front of this instrument pouring out of my hands and echoing in the shelves around me, ringing in my ears.

I roamed in my world with no regards for time. It wasn’t until Michael touched my shoulder, did I notice that night had fallen and it was fifteen minutes until nine.

Michael didn’t comment on my having sat there playing for nearly four straight hours, but he smiled sweetly, pulling me into a warm embrace and kissing my forehead.

"I’ll be here when you’re done." He said as he led me out the door.

"Bye." I replied softly.

Cars passed as I crossed the parking lot.

(Blah blah…interview)

"Alright, you shall hear from us shortly." A menacing grin crept across his eyes as he stood.

I also rose to my feet.

"Thank you for your time." I responded shaking his hand again.

"Of course." He said.

I turned and led myself out as quickly as I could without looking rushed. Something about his tone scared me.

Outside there was a humid wind blowing leaves in the nearby trees. The music store was dark, and Michael was nowhere in sight. I thought I would wait a few minutes to see if I heard his car starting and him pulling it out from the back. I was prepared and waiting for the vehicle’s beast-like roar, but I heard something else.

"Are you needing a ride?"

It was Mr. Styles.

"No, I have one." I replied calmly facing the music store again, tensing.

"You shouldn’t be waiting here by yourself."

I didn’t move.

"It’s no wait, his-"

I was cut off by Mr. Styles covering my mouth and grabbing me around the waist.

"I insist." He whispered menacingly in my ear, his voice sharp and cold.

The rest seemed to be a blur. A ferocious roar erupted from somewhere. Mr. Styles was pulled away from me, and then another person grabbed me.

"Time to go." Jason said.

He turned me around and we started walking towards the music store.

If Jason was with me here than that had to be Michael and Donte back there. I looked back trying to find him.

"No!" Jason screamed pulling me back, but it was too late.

I had seen what he was hurrying me away from.

Mr. Styles was a heap on the ground, limp and unmoving. Donte stood over him, wings unfurled and translucent in the moonlight. There was blood everywhere; on the ground, on Mr. Styles, and all over the front of Donte. It covered his face, but his eyes still were identifiable from the small difference of crimson tone. They then landed on me.

In an instant I was in his grasp. His eyes were furious and his breath was seething through his fanged, clenched teeth.

"Donte, don’t" Jason said clearly and cautiously. "She’s already as white as a sheet."

Donte didn’t respond and I searched for Michael in his eyes.

There was no trace of him there.

I felt dizzy suddenly as the scent of blood overpowered my nose. It was as strong as if I was being bathed in it. I could tell I was losing consciousness as everything began to fade. The last thing I felt was warm skin against my cheek.

The next thing I heard was a rumbling like thunder, but endless. When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was light flashing across the dashboard. For a moment I thought I was in a storm, but then I looked around and noticed I was going down the long driveway to the house. Jason was in the driver’s seat.

He glanced over at me once I had shifted my position

"I’m sorry." He said humbly. "You weren’t supposed to see."

I looked down at my lap, embarrassed and not wanting him to see the shock in my eyes that I was sure was still there, and noticed blood stained on my shirt.

I wanted to say that it was okay, but was it really?

"I’m fine." I mumbled.

"Donte had to…get rid of the body. Michael should be back soon."

I nodded, not having the courage to say anything else.

The car came to a stop, relatively close to the front doors. Jason got out of the driver’s seat quickly going over and opening my door.

I couldn’t seem to get myself to move and he kindly helped me out not saying a word. He put his arm around my waist to support me and I was too numb to react. He then walked me through the house and to my room.

By then I was finally able to move and sat myself up on the bed. Jason continued to be silent and left the room.

Then I sat there. Waiting.

It was a good while that I sat there with the image of his eyes in my head and how there wasn’t the slightest glimmer of Michael in them. It disappeared with the sound of the turning doorknob.

Michael came in through the door. I could see his rugged outline walk slowly forward through the lace curtains. I hadn’t changed, still slumped on the bed were I had been placed, just waiting for him.

He had stopped walking, still a good distance from the bed.

"I’m not going to hurt you." He said softly.

"I know." There was sadness in my voice. I could sense his pain and confusion.

He walked towards me again even slower than he had before, and sat on the opposite end of the bed not looking at me.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I’m fine." I said with finality, so that he wouldn’t question me again.

"Are you…" I noticed him beginning to fiddle with something in his hand. "Are you…afraid of me?"

I knew that he was going to ask this. I answered within seconds.

"Never." I nearly whispered.

He tensed. I could tell he was trying to control his temper.

"Why not?" he said through clenched teeth, his voice sounding reasonably controlled.

"There’s nothing for me to fear Michael."

The sound of shattering glass rang throughout the room. And before I knew what was happening I was looking at the ceiling with Michael on top of me. My arms were held together by the wrists with one of his hands and they were pinned over my head. I felt his hot breath on my ear.

"You have no idea what I could do to you." He whispered.

I let myself not hear the seriousness in his voice and my face became expressionless.

"And what would that be?" I asked tonelessly.

A growl rolled through his chest, I could feel it rumble against my own. His hand tightened on my wrists.

"I could break your arms."

With his other hand he moved my face upward sharply.

"Crush your skull."

His lips found my neck and I could feel them move as he spoke again.

"Bite your head off."

"I don’t believe you ever would though." I said absolutely positive that this was, in fact, a truth. "You would never do anything to hurt me."

"Wouldn’t I?" he threatened.

I instantly became numb. The sound in his voice sent something through me that I couldn’t explain.

Regardless of my physical state, I still felt his lips against mine stealing the breath from my lungs. There was nothing sweet about it. He was aggressive, more aggressive than I should have been able to handle. His hand was no longer holding my head, his face was able to keep me from moving and he continued to kiss me like this while his hand found my knee, forcing it easily to the side.

"You have every human reason to fear me." He finally said as I gasped for air. "You should fear me if you value your life at all."

"I’m not afraid of you." I somehow managed to say.

His body pressed harder against mine and he began to use his teeth to tear the buttons off my shirt. I did nothing to try and stop him. I knew it was useless. I was powerless against him. He could do anything he wanted to me. I had no control, but he did. He hadn’t realized how much control he had yet.

My shirt was completely undone and Michael’s face was near mine again. He kissed me again with the same fierceness as before.

"Have you changed your mind?" he asked, his voice seductive.

"No." I said shamelessly.

He let my arms go and sat up slightly. I then felt his fingertips under the edges of my jeans. He began to scream,

"How about now?! Now are you afraid?!"

Adrenaline shot through me, this had to stop. Somehow, I managed to sit up, throwing my arms around him. I then kissed him with as much feeling as I could, and prayed. I still held him there with some unknown strength.

He was frozen under my lips, unmoving. Then, before I knew it, air was all that was in front of me. His shadow stood across the floor from behind me and suddenly was gone.

I sat a moment in shock, still numb. The feeling slowly began to return to my face and I felt hot tears streaking down them. A moment longer and I had broken. I cried harder than I ever had in my memory. It didn’t take me long to think of what had caused my tears. It was fear. I had never been so afraid in my life. Realizing this made me cry even harder if it was possible.

Strong winds blew my hair around from the open windows behind me. And I continued to cry for no one else to see.

I didn’t know how long I sat there letting the tears pour. All I knew was that I was still alone. Michael hadn’t come back.

Who knew what condition he was in? I was positive that he was worse off than I was. He must have been in so much pain. What if he was so ashamed he didn’t ever come back?

I almost began to cry again, but stopped myself. I had to find him and talk to him. He needed to know that I was okay and that it would be all right. Only I could do this.

Suddenly determined, I almost ran to the closet and found myself a shirt and sweater. I removed my ruined shirt and pulled these on. After forcing on a pair of shoes, I ran out of the room and down the stairs as fast as I could.

The sky was covered with threateningly dark clouds and a cold wind blew. I ignored all this and headed for the trees.

I doubted that he would be near the house, so I ran a ways before I started to call for him

"Michael!" My voice was drowned out by the thunder that sounded unexpectedly.

A human roar erupted through the trees. Michael was in agony.

I ran harder calling for him again.

"Nicole!"

Kiba, Sasha, and Toby came running up to me. I didn’t stop running.

"What are you doing out here?" Kiba asked me.

To find Michael. I thought.

Then the memory of what had happened between Michael and I flashed through my mind.

Kiba growled and ran ahead of me.

"Go back with the others." He ordered.

No. I caught up with him.

"Nicole, please. Kiba will find him and talk to him." Sasha pleaded.

No! I need to talk to him. And how could Kiba say anything that he could understand anyway?

"Donte can understand me." Kiba growled.

Suddenly, we were in a large clearing with the sky clear overhead and lightning striking down all around us. Michael was in the center trashing around violently. His screams changed back and forth between a human’s voice and the growl of a beast.

We had stopped and I made to move forward, but Kiba moved and stood between the two of us almost protectively.

"What did you do to her?!" he snarled.

Michael turned to face us and his eyes were glowing crimson.

I couldn’t hear the conversation between them any longer.

Michael began thrashing again and I couldn’t take it any longer. I ran to him without a second thought. I was in the air throwing my arms around him before anyone could do anything.

"Michael. Please stop." I was saying into his ear. "Please it’s all right."

His movement began to slow and his breathing became more stable. I felt his arms wrap around me and he began to shake slightly.

"I’m so sorry." He sobbed. "I love you so much."

"I know." I whispered almost crying again.

"I scared you didn’t I? I hurt you." He shook a little more violently.

"Yes, you scared me, but any man in this world has the power to have scared me like that. And that power alone makes you human." I explained holding him tighter.

The rain began to fall, washing away our tears along with our fears and doubts.

It was so peaceful and relieving, standing here in the rain and holding him like this. I didn’t want it to end, but it did end in the most horrific way.

Somehow, Michael and I were torn from each other and I found myself in the dark shadows of the trees.

Thousands of birds flew around the last family I had, and the only one I had really known. The snarls of the one I loved erupted from within the chaos and a battle once again began in front of my eyes.

"How pleasant that I won’t have to share you."

Before I even had a chance to shudder from the cool breath on my ear, a hand came over my mouth and everything faded to black.

They just kept coming at him without end it seemed. Michael continued to slash away with his claws and fists, since he had no other weapon. He could hear the cries of his companions, the wolves, nearby.

Someone had to be protecting her…

"Donte! Where is she?!" Kiba growled somewhere within the chaos.

"Isn’t she with you?" He asked in reply.

"She’s not with us." Sasha said sadly.

No…

Michael overcame Donte, but didn’t lose much strength in his sudden rage.

"Nicole!" he called, but received no answer.

He was more frightened than he ever had been. How could he have left her alone for so long?

He gained a burst of energy and got many of the creatures out of his way. Then, the many that still remained, ceased to attack and settled noisily in the surrounding trees.

Michael continued to breathe in gasps as his eyes darted around the area.

"Well done Michael." A cool voice said.

Michael searched for his enemy, but couldn’t find him before he spoke again.

"That’s the most you’ve slaughtered on your own and in record time."

Suddenly, Markel was walking out of the shadows at the other end of the clearing.

"It’s a shame you still lost this battle."

Michael had never been more shocked in his life. There, in the arms of his nemesis, lay his precious Nicole. Limp and even more fragile looking than she normally did.

"Yes, you did leave her unattended didn’t you Donte? I don’t think he likes her very much, Michael. That might put a damper on your amazing relationship. Hmm?"

Donte growled at the devil, at the same time when Michael screamed at him.

"I, on the other hand," Markel continued, moving Nicole’s head toward the sky with his hand exposing her neck, "Share a similar attraction. She smells truly delicious."

He lend over her, moving in slowly.

Donte roared as Michael yelled, "Get your hands off her!"

He charged forward.

Out of the trees, a large raven with white eyes stopped him in his path.

"Tsk tsk," Markel hissed, still as calm as a pond. "One more step, Michael, and I’ll break her neck."

"She means nothing to you! Leave her out of this!" Michael said through gritted teeth.

"On the contrary, none of this would be without her." A grin crept across his lips.

It was the smile that made Michael hate him.

He had won. There was nothing he could do right now to stop him. He had failed to protect her.

"An exchange, Michael." Markel offered, now clutching Nicole tighter to him as the giant raven approached him.

"Surrender Donte for the girl."

"Go to hell!" Donte roared.

"Now, now." Markel began to climb on the bird’s back. "You have three days to make your decision and come to find her, if Donte will let you."

Michael was seething profanities through his teeth.

He stood there watching him become smaller and smaller in the sky. It took all he had to fight the urge to fly after him.

Every muscle in his body was tense, tight, and quivering.

Donte remained silent.

Her quiet face in sleep wouldn’t leave his mind, helpless and unknowing at Markel’s mercy.

If he did kill her, Michael hoped it was quickly, at least for her sake.

He instantly shook the thought. He would get her back.

"Michael, "Toby said cautiously, nudging his calves. "We need to go back. The weather’s going to get bad."

Toby’s childlike voice pulled him slightly from his stupor.

In seconds, Michael released his wings, and without a second look, shot into the sky. He went as high as he could over the clouds, until he was a silhouette in front of a massive full moon.

He stared into its craters.

Why did the moon always make him think of her?

He flew fiercely in the direction of the house. When he thought he was close enough, he dropped down under the clouds.

He was directly over the mansion. Then, he dived down barreling through the wind, and straight in an open window.

As always, Michael landed on his feet, water dripping on the carpet from passing through the clouds. He was standing in the same place he had before he flew out the window in agony. After what he had nearly done.

He fell to his knees. He had failed her twice tonight. Hurt her beyond forgiveness. He didn’t deserve to be breathing.

Michael began to shake as tears ran down his face.

"Weak, pitiful human." Donte scorned softly.

------------------

The air was flying past as they were gaining speed. Michael’s wings fluttered in the wind, limp and useless. Nicole had her arms wrapped around his neck holding on tight out of terror.

They had to survive this. But what if they didn’t?

Michael grabbed Nicole’s arms a pried them from his neck.

"Nicole!" he called over the wind.

He pulled her down so that he could see her face. Her brilliant blue eyes looked at him full of confusion and fear.

Michael stared at her for a moment, wanting to make the image permanent in his soul to take with him wherever it was he would end up.

"Nicole!" He said again, continuing to watch her eyes. "I love you."

In that instance, the look on her face changed. Her eyes blurred and a minute later, lit up, like a light had turned on.

It was like I was falling in the dark. I was lost. Whoever "I" was.

"Nicole!"

Yes?

Oh…that’s my name isn’t it…

"Nicole!"

That voice…I knew that voice.

"I love you."

Love? Yes, I love you too, don’t I?

I opened my eyes and light filled in around me. His beautiful face was starring back at me.

"Michael!" I yelled.

His expression changed quickly from panic to pure joy. He began to laugh. It boomed as his voice was rushed past me.

Finally taking a moment to look around me, I noticed that we were, in fact, falling.

The ground was coming fast.

I screamed and held on to Michael.

The sounds of breaking branches and crunching bones erupted around me as we cascaded, now awkwardly, downward. Then, after one last thud, we stopped.

I stayed still a while, too afraid to move. The ground began to tremble beneath me and the air was once again filled with Michael’s laughter.

Opening my eyes, I saw that he was still holding me underneath the tree we had just crashed through. He was covered in bloody wounds. He was stiff, more than likely as a result of many broken bones. And yet, he was laughing.

"I told him," he said between gasps for air, "I told that bastard that he couldn’t take you from me."

Michael continued to laugh. My head throbbed and his loud voice wasn’t helping. I reached up and kissed him, just to make the noise stop.

---------------------

Michael wafted in and out of sleep. There was something...on his...face...and his...chest.

Michael let his eyes open slowly, shifting around a little. Nicole was there, just like she had been when he had finally fallen asleep. Except, she was kissing his face, her hands on his chest. This wasn't something he really minded, but he didn't sleep much.

Regardless, he wrapped one of his arms around her and enjoyed the comforting feeling of her lips. As Michael became more and more concious, he began to feel the eagerness in her kisses and how she continued to advance.

"Adrian." She whispered with a pained longing.

Michael sat straight up.

"Adrian?" he asked, stunned. "Nicole what's wrong with you?"

She didn't answer, looking back at him like a frightened child. It was only now that Michael looked into her eyes, fully awake now. It it wasn't for her scared expression, her eyes would have frightened him. They pierced straight into him, ferociously yellow. Even Donte couldn't comment.

Suddenly, her whole body flinched like something had shocked her, then her head fell back and she went completely limp.

Michael just barely caught her. "Nicole!"

He touched her face and called her name again, but she did not stir.

Donte! What's wrong with her?! Michael pleaded to the demon.

Donte didn't speak, completely dumbfounded.

Michael swore to himself and was about to go find Frankie or Julia, when Nicole shot up with a sudden intake of breath.

"Michael?" She mumbled before grabbing her head with a moan.

Before anyone could react her eyes flew open, once again their natural shade of blue. She practically threw herself over the side and promptly vomited onto the floor.

Michael held her hair as she threw up again and kissed her head as she regained her breath.

New fears began to creep into his head, but at least she wasn't calling him Adrian anymore.

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Book Two-->