Katherine was sitting cross-legged on the bed with a book in her laps. She looked up as her guard let the doctor in, the metal grate clanging behind him, her serene expression changing to one of distaste at the sight of his old face and white hair. Unusually for a prisoner, she was well taken care of. Her cell was clean and free of clutter, albeit sparse and quite ugly. Her lush brown hair was well combed and fell down her back in spirals. She was dresses in a white pair of trousers, white flannel shirt and an intrepid pair of white shoes.
Dr Makovsky stopped before her, his expression bland, save for a noncommittal smile. He looked around at her cell and remarked. “Your wallpaper needs to be changed. It is quite-boring, is it not?”
“I agree. Same as every other thing in this room, including my clothes. But then you have never liked flashy things, have you?” She replied and smiled at him with a hint of repulsion.
“You know me too well, Kat dear. Little wonder we get along so well.” He remarked.
“Let’s cut to the chase, Frank. What do you want today?” She asked.
He sighed theatrically and sat beside her, placing his hand on her crossed legs. She didn’t flinch at his touch this time. After all, he had had many a forceful access to her body that a mere touch from him didn’t affect her again. She continued to smile as he rubbed her calf and waited for him to talk.
After a few seconds, Dr Makovsky said “I came to check on you.”
She looked away “I’m perfectly fine, Frank. Thank you.”
“I’m not the monster you think I am, Kat dear. I’m only protecting the one I love.” He said.
“I think it’s a clear enough that the one you love doesn’t love you back. Let me remind you that I’m here only because of my daughter. Because you promised you’ll stay away from her if I stay here with you. But I will be out of here soon.” Katherine continued with a tremor in her voice “I can feel it. Your end is near, Frank.”
Dr Makovsky’s hand stilled. His pupils dilated in rage. “You’re never leaving this lab, sweetheart. You’re stuck with me, here, forever. You’re mine forever. Even your silly cop lover couldn’t save you all these years. He certainly wouldn’t be able to save you this time.”
Katherine blanched “You said you wouldn’t do anything to him. My daughter-”
“Oh, he’s safe. They’re both safe, as far as I know. You don’t need to fret, Kat love. But rest assured your lover is quite-busy with other things at the moment.” He said and got up.
“Frank, please.” Katherine begged “Leave them alone. I did what you asked me to, for their safety.”
Dr Makovsky chuckled and walked to the door. He made to open it, then stopped and turned to her. “One last thing, Katherine. If you so much as mention your cop-lover around me ever again, I will personally make sure you pay in many, different, unbearable ways.” He then left the room.
Katherine yelled and threw her book at the closed metal grate. The book flew through the gaps and landed at the feet of her guard, who continued to stare ahead. “Asshole!” She shrieked and grasped her head in her hands, tears falling down her cheeks in rivulets, certain she would never see her daughter gain.
☆
Lauren followed the throng of students that came out of the school into the parking lot, a light breeze blowing her hair into her eyes. She saw Aidan waiting for her, casually leaning against the school bus, his hands in his pockets. She groaned and walked towards him, hitting him on the chest with her books when she reached him.
“I thought I told you to wait for me in the cabin!” She half-whispered. “What if a teacher had seen you?”
“They’d have seen a harmless young man enjoying the sun.” Aidan replied “Seriously, what’s your issue?”
“My issue,” Lauren poked him in the chest “is that you are a stubborn idiot with no regard for rules.”
“Oh, how you flatter me.” He splayed a hand on his chest.
Lauren looked as if she was about to say something, then stopped as she sighted Eric walking towards them.
Eric reached her and without so much as a glance at Aidan, said “You left me in class. Again.”
“I’m sorry. I had something, or rather someone,” she scowled at Aidan “To deal with.”
“So. Will you be stopping over for the Twilight recap or should I watch it alone?” He asked.
Lauren wrung her hands apologetically and stared at Eric. “Not this evening, Eric. But I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
“You’re standing me up for him?” Eric gestured at Aidan. “I’m not sure you even know him. Who are you, anyway?” He turned to the other boy.
“Nobody you need to know.” Aidan replied, boredly picking his nails.
Eric glared murderously at him, then turned to Lauren “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He muttered and walked off.
“Your friend doesn’t seem to like me.” Aidan noted.
“Gee. I wonder why.” Lauren said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
She waited till she could no longer see Eric’s back, then led Aidan out of the schoolyard and down the road.
“We’re going to walk till it’s safe to run.” She said.
“That’s boring.” Aidan muttered. “Let’s Change here, give these people a good scare.” He said and increased his pace till he was ahead of her.
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Why did I ever save you from that station?”
“Because you and I,” he replied, turning to her and spreading his arms. “Were meant to be. Our destinies are entwined.” He took off running through the street, his movements fluid-like and measured. Several cars screeched to a stop and their owners poked their heads out of the car windows to yell profanities at him. Unfazed, he continued to run till he was across the street from her. He laughed and waved her on.
Sighing, Lauren repeated his movements, twisting through the cars with a precision that most normal humans didn’t possess. She stopped before him with no sign of breath loss and was about to say something, when he laughed and took off again. She groaned loudly and followed him.
They continued to run swiftly till they were at the edge of the woods. They both stopped and looked into the trees, barely out of breath. Lauren stared into the gloom and quiet, her eyes roaming the forest.
“Are we waiting for someone?” Aidan whispered.
“Shh.” Lauren shushed, then straightened as she heard a rustle several meters away. A figure appeared from the trees and walked forward.
“Lim!” Lauren called, then walked towards her, Aidan following cautiously.
“Hey. The Alpha’s been asking of you. Who is this?” Lim asked, nodding in Aidan’s general direction.
“I’m Aidan. Nice to meet you.” Aidan stepped forward with a smile and his hand outstretched.
Lim glanced at his hand disdainfully, then turned back to Lauren without a reply. “Let’s go.” She said, then took off running into the woods.
“Too much running for one day?” Aidan asked, then followed Lim. Groaning, Lauren joined them.
They ran until they reached a clearing in the woods with no trees. Logs of wood were scattered around a hearth with glowing, red-hot coals. Lim produced a sound that sounded very much like a raven, and was answered seconds later by a similar sound deep in the woods.
Before long, they were surrounded by several wolves, about sixteen of them, all with varying colours of pelt, from silvery-white to black to a woody brown. The largest of them stepped forward, a great big werewolf with black fur flecked with strands of silver. He morphed into a tall, middle-aged man with curly black hair, only just showing a bit of gray. His friendly eyes twinkled as he saw Lauren.
“Lauren dear. It’s been a while.”
“Jacob!” Lauren said and rushed forward to hug him. She watched from his back as each of the wolves began to change to their human selves and walk forward to form a circle with them in the middle.
She turned to call Aidan forward, then stopped as she saw his face. Why did he look as if he’d seen a ghost?
“Aidan?” She called faintly. He continued to stand and stare at them. Lauren was so used to his easy bravado that she couldn’t help but feel scared. She had never seen him this shaken.
“Jacob, this is Aidan.” She said “A werewolf. I helped him escape from the police station.”
“I can see that,” Alpha Jacob said, moving towards Aidan and shaking his hand. “Aidan what, may I ask?”
“Good evening, Alpha Jacob. My last name is Boris.” Aidan said quietly, returning the handshake. Lauren watched as Alpha Jacob froze, the smile melting off his face.
“And my full name is Aidan Boris. I’m your long lost son.”