It was beginning to be light when Logan and Layra reached the house. They walked inside and Logan glimpsed himself in the hall mirror. He stopped and backed up to stare at himself in puzzled amazement. He reached a hand up to touch his hair as he stared.
“How did that happen? My hair has been blonde for as long as I remember. How in the world did it suddenly turn black?”
Layra turned and saw it.
“Oh, that. Your hair is naturally black, it just turned blond when you became a werewolf.”
“Oh, I see,” he responded absently, then her comment sank in, and he spun around to face her.
“What!”
She stared at him in surprise.
“I’m a being with incredible abilities, including the restoration of life, a creature outside of time and space, and you’re surprised I can recognize a werewolf when I see one? Plus, I saw you become one, so it’s not really that amazing.”
“What are you talking about? You can’t be any older than I am!”
“I’m nearly a century old, by your time standards, actually, but by my kind’s time standards, I’m only a teenager, yes. Observers live much longer than humans.”
“Observers?”
“My kind. I am from outside of your world. That is how I saved your life, how I know who you are, and how you came to be as such.”
“Where am I from? Why am I the way I am?”
Layra took a deep breath.
“You might have to sit down. This story could take a while.”
They entered the kitchen, and Logan brewed coffee. They sat down, and Layra began her story.
“My name is Myoqi Layra, I am an Observer from the Above. When I turned 78, I was assigned a human to keep watch over for the entirety of his life. This human was a boy named Lewis Hancock. He was born into a poor family with many other children, and they could not afford to feed him. They left him on a doorstep when he was only two months old, but the family who lived there did not want the boy, so they put him in an orphan asylum, but the asylum was cruel, and the boy ran away when he was only five years old. He lived on the streets for several months, but Winter came, and Lewis began to freeze and starve. An older boy found him just as he was on the brink of death, and brought him to a monastery, where both lived for two years, until one day, the monks decided that both were old enough for ‘initiation’, a ceremony which changed the victim into a werewolf. Both boys were transformed, but when the ceremony was over, the older boy took Lewis and they both escaped from the evil monastery. The trauma had caused Lewis to lose his memory of his first seven years in this world. The older boy chose new names for the both of them, calling himself Jun Chris, and the younger boy became Jun Logan, his brother. As they continued to travel, they happened upon a group of superstitious fanatics who called themselves ‘hunters’, and killed all those who they saw as evil, those with strange abilities alike to those in myth, such as vampirism, witchcraft, and werewolfism. The nature which had been thrust upon the two boys was revealed to them, and they began to chase the boys, continuing the search for years, and you know the rest of the story.”
Logan rested his elbows on the edge of the table, staring down into his coffee thoughtfully.
“Chris thought that if he left, the hunters would leave me alone. He really cared about me, didn’t he?”
“Like a real brother. You were his only family for twelve years. He must have cared for you a lot to stay that long, don’t you think?”
Logan looked up at her with a sad sort of smile, nodding gratefully, then he saw the time on the clock behind her and jumped to his feet.
“Ya! Look at the time! We’ll be late for school! Come on! We’ve gotta hurry!”
Layra stood up hurriedly, glancing down at her outfit.
“But my uniform is filthy!”
“Wear your other skirt, and you can borrow my jacket. I’ll go without it today. No one will see your blouse, it’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’ll work, trust me.”
They rushed about the house, grabbing this and collecting that, until, finally, they were ready to go. Logan wrapped his jacket around Layra’s shoulders, and as they were about to leave the house, Logan grabbed Anna’s red umbrella from underneath the window, and they ran off down the street, laughing quietly at each other, and at themselves, and just laughing in general at everything. Even though the day was cloudy, the sun seemed to be shining down on them, lighting up everything around them.
In the classroom, there was a dismal silence as, one by one, the gang filtered in. Anna sat in her seat, looking fixedly down at her desk, all eyes avoiding the empty seat beside Seth, who was making no effort to hide his tears. It was a somber hour for all as they waited for the class to begin. Mr. Black walked in and arranged his papers, setting up for the day’s first lesson. He opened his mouth to speak, when the door suddenly opened. Logan poked his head inside and glanced about.
“Mr. Jun. How nice of you to join us. Please, take your seat.”
Logan looked sheepish, but happy, which made everyone stare at him in confusion. He glanced over his shoulder, then turned back with a grin, and Seth glared at him, frustrated and confused. Then he walked in, the door opening a bit wider, and as he stood aside, Layra walked in behind him. The room was thrown into chaos as every single person jumped to his or her feet, clamoring loudly as Layra looked up in surprise. They all rushed forward as one, hugs, cheers, and laughter filling the small classroom. Mr. Black was taken completely by storm, and was unable to stem the raging tide of joy that had broken loose. Tears were much in evidence as Layra was swamped by inquisitions and congratulations. She attempted to move, but the crowd was too tight around her. She glanced to the side and saw Logan smiling down at her, and suddenly she didn’t care any more. She reached over and took his hand, smiling back happily. Nothing really mattered if Logan was there. He was all she really needed.
At lunch, Layra and Logan were surrounded by friends, all happy to see her alive, and much puzzled about exactly what had happened on the previous night. Many were surprised to hear Layra’s voice, having only known her while she was mute. As best as she could, she explained what had occurred at the old abandoned warehouse the night before.
“Well, it guess it’s sort of a superpower, you could say. I just… I dunno… snapped, I guess. I was so horrified by what had happened, I healed both of us. He wasn’t really dead, you know. So I guess I just healed my voice and his injuries at the same time.”
“So why’d his hair turn black?”
“It’s his natural color. It was bleached, and my super power washed the bleach out, too. I dunno, I guess that’s what happened. I don’t really know, guys.”
“Why’d you vanish afterwards?”
“I had used up so much energy, I ceased to exist for a little while, and when my energy had restored itself, I reformed. I followed Logan, and that’s about when he noticed me, and we went back home. That’s it. That’s the whole story.”
The next question was from Seth, and caused the entire group to break out into laughter.
“Are you an angel?”
Layra chuckled and smiled at him almost condescendingly.
“No, I’m not, I’m only a girl, Seth.”
Blake then chipped in with his offering to the conversation, somewhat changing the subject.
“Hey, the school fair is coming up. The soccer team is volunteering to help out with it. I think our whole class is helping, too. The talent showcase is a part of the fair. Didn’t you enter something in that, Layra?”
“Oh yeah! I did! A picture, as I recall.”
Seth perked up when he heard this.
“Your picture! Of course you haven’t heard yet. It got picked out! Along with another two you did, actually. They thought you were the best artist out of the whole grade! Our class didn’t even have a second place for the drawing. You won hands down.”
Layra almost squealed.
“That’s awesome! I can’t believe it! I didn’t think I was that good at art! Wow!”
Logan grinned at her enthusiasm, taking her hand in his own and smiling down at her. She looked back up at him with a big smile on her face, so big her eyes almost disappeared.
The gang signed up to help with set up of the school fair, and Layra, of course, helped them. Anna had signed up far earlier than the rest, and had been involved from the very beginning, planning and designing, and as a result, she was placed over them as something of an overseer, or rather, a manager of sorts, directing them and assisting when and where she could. There was a bit of an… incident, shall we say, on Thursday, as the gang was setting up the art exhibit, under Anna’s watchful direction. Kyle had conspired with Chandler and Blake to help him pull off his plan, and they put it into action as the rest were carrying pictures into the tent and setting up tables. Chandler was the distraction. He walked up to Anna with an invented dilemma to ask for her instructions on the matter, while Blake and Kyle carefully set up the next phase of the plan. Bouquets of flowers, some bought, some picked from the gardens, were carried over behind her back and to the hillside near the tent, and then carefully arranged by Kyle himself. Then it was all covered by a dark green tarp and the boys snuck away, signalling Chandler to wrap up his distraction, and they were away.
The plan was well laid, and now the completion of said plan rested on Kyle’s shoulders entirely. The opening night of the school fair, Kyle took Anna by the hand and led her away from the crowds.
“Come on, Anna, I have something I wanted to show you.”
They walked towards the hillside, but Kyle turned to Anna and said,
“Cover your eyes.”
“What?”
“Close your eyes. It’s a surprise, okay? I’ll lead you to it. Now close your eyes!”
Anna rolled her eyes and put her hand over them.
“No peeking.”
“I got it,” she giggled at him. She was led forward slowly, and after what seemed like an eternity, especially with Kyle’s steering abilities, they stopped.
“Okay, you can look now.”
Anna put her hand down and gasped. Before her, on the hillside, hundreds of flowers stood, lit by the midday sun, and glowing with their bright colors. The hill was covered with them, so thick it looked like a pastel carpet. Then she looked again. The flowers were arranged in a pattern. A huge red heart sat atop the hill, filled with pink, blue, purple and surrounded by orange. In the center, bright yellow flowers spelled out her name in huge letters. Anna covered her mouth as her jaw dropped. She started laughing and crying at the same time, then turned and flung her arms around Kyle’s neck, hugging him tightly.
“Oh, Kyle, they’re beautiful! Thank you so much! I don’t know what to say!”
She laughed even harder, and Kyle’s face turned bright red. But not from embarrassment, or in a pleased way, or even from the joy of her excitement.
“Anna… I… can’t… breathe!”
Anna let go quickly. She grinned sheepishly at him as he caught his breath.
“Sorry.”
Kyle smiled at her.
“No, it’s okay. I’m glad you like it.”
They walked off together through the fair, arm in arm, talking and laughing as a boy and a girl do when they are in love. But their laughter would soon be cut short. As they rounded a corner into a quieter corner, the people started to drift away leaving Anna and Kyle alone together underneath the golden lanterns. They sat together on a bench, and as the mood seemed just right, they leaned in close, but before their lips met, a voice growled from behind them,
“Well isn’t that just so sweet I could hurl.”
Kyle stood and swung around, scanning the bushes behind him. A pair of glowing red eyes glared back at him from the shadows.
“Who’s there? What do you want?”
A tall boy stepped from the shadows. He glared down at Kyle, but his gaze shifted to Anna. Kyle stepped in front of her, holding his arm out to shield her.
“I asked you what you want.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know? Now move aside, punk.”
“Who do you think you’re calling punk, you overblown pretty boy?”
The boy’s mouth twisted into a snarling grin, showing a pair of fangs resting on his bottom lip. Kyle took a step back, still shielding Anna, but the tall boy smacked him aside like a rag doll. Kyle shoved himself off of the ground and turned to see the boy grab Anna’s wrist.
“Hey! Let go of her!”
He ran at the boy, aiming a punch and swinging as hard as he could. The tall boy caught the punch easily in his hand, and swung his own fist with devastating force. Kyle was hurled backwards and crumpled to the ground, motionless.
“Kyle!” Anna screamed, but she had no chance to make another noise. The tall boy cupped his hand over her mouth and dragged her off, kicking and flailing. Kyle groaned and raised his head only moments after they’d vanished into the night. He looked up, and everything came flooding back to him. He jumped to his feet and spun around, scanning the area.
“Anna! Where are you?”
There was no reply. Kyle turned and ran off back into the fair. He was dashing wildly, with no direction, and nearly flattened Layra. She steadied him, Logan and Trent coming to her side.
“What’s going on? Where’s Anna? Wasn’t she with you?”
Kyle caught his breath and looked up at the three of them in alarm.
“Th-the boy! There was a boy! He must have taken her! He must have!”
Logan looked concerned.
“Boy? What boy? What did he look like?”
Kyle took a deep breath and began to speak again.
“He was… tall, and he had light-ish hair, almost blonde, but not quite. He wasn’t a boy from our school, I didn’t recognize him, and he wasn’t wearing a school uniform.”
Kyle started as he recalled something.
“His eyes! They were glowing red, and he had these… fangs!”
Logan’s eyes narrowed.
“Red eyes and fangs?”
Kyle nodded fervently. He shook his head and struck a fist to his forehead.
“Why couldn’t I protect her? Why couldn’t I save her? I have to find her!”
Logan grabbed Kyle’s shoulder and dragged him close.
“How old was he? This boy? About eighteen, maybe?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
Logan turned and gazed westward. Layra glanced at his face. It was sad, and slightly angry.
“I know where Anna is,” he said quietly, yet firmly. Kyle seized Logan’s wrist desperately.
“Where? Where is she? Please tell me!”
Logan shook him off.
“No. You shouldn’t come. It’s too dangerous. You were already beaten once by him. If you meet him again a second time, you might get more seriously hurt.”
“But… Anna!”
“I’ll get her back. You stay here and keep an eye on Layra.”
Layra stepped in front of Logan and looked him in the eye.
“I’m coming with you.”
Logan put his hand on her shoulder to move her aside, but she remained firm.
“I refuse to stay here, I am coming with you. I am the only one who understands what’s really going on, and you may need me to help him.”
Logan looked down at her earnest face and sighed.
“Fine. You can come, providing you leave him to me, okay?”
Layra nodded, and they ran off, leaving Kyle staring after them in confusion. Layra and Logan came running up the street and stopped before the abandoned mansion which Layra and Logan called home, and Logan turned to Layra.
“Stay behind me and let me do the talking. Don’t do anything rash, okay?”
“I could say the same to you. Just be careful, okay?”
Logan nodded, and they entered the house. Slowly they climbed the stairs, trying hard to avoid making a sound, but their efforts were unnecessary, as there was too much noise coming from the upstairs for anyone to be able to hear them. Logan reached the bedroom door and pushed it open. Sure enough, Anna was inside, and the boy inside spun around as the door opened, his red eyes flashing to the face that was looking back at him stoically.
“Why have you brought her here?”
“She took you from me.”
“You left.”
“I would have returned. Now I suppose I need not, seeing as you are cured.”
“Simply because I am human and you are not, does that somehow change our friendship?”
“She cured you. I brought her here to do the same for me, but she keeps avoiding it like the plague.”
“How could she cure you? She didn’t cure me.”
Chris’s eyes flashed, and her turned to Anna in angry surprise.
“What?”
Anna nodded at him desperately.
“It’s true! He’s telling the truth!”
Logan drew Chris’s attention back to him.
“She can’t help you, Chris. Let her go. Untie her hands and let her leave.”
Chris looked as though he were about to do so, but then he turned back to Logan, the flame in his eyes rekindled.
“You’ll leave me too! I’ll be alone again! I’ll be alone, and still like this!”
“I promise you won’t be alone. Please let Anna go.”
Chris shook his head, as though shaking off voices. He looked up at Logan, then slashed the cords that bound Anna. She jumped to her feet and scurried towards the door. As she passed him, his eyes faded from red to blue. Layra stepped out from behind Logan and put her arms around Anna, guiding her back as Logan stepped forward to offer his hand out to Chris.
“Now that you’re back, and the hunters are gone, we can have a normal life. Isn’t that what you really wanted all along?”
Chris nodded and accepted Logan’s hand. They shook hands, and Logan took the girls back to the school fair. Logan offered to have Chris come, but he declined, stating that he thought the timing wouldn’t be good, and remained at the mansion. It was a happy reunion as the threesome returned to the school. Kyle, who had been sitting on one of the benches, leapt to his feet and hugged Anna warmly. Anna hugged back just as warmly, if not more so.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Are you okay? He hit you pretty hard.”
“I’m okay. What happened?”
“He let me go when Logan talked to him a bit. Turns out they have history.”
Kyle turned to Logan.
“Is that true? Why didn’t you tell me? Who is this guy?”
Logan shrugged it off and walked away with Layra, offering over his shoulder,
“Tell you Monday.”
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