Leaving The Past
#2 of Time Will Tell
So writing this has really helped me in some places of grammar, which I still suck at but...(shrugs) Anyway, a bit of back story for characters wootz. Story is still clean (sorry) >>' but I still hope you enjoy it.
The little girl was running down the corridor, the soft sound her shoes made against the concrete floor echoed slightly off the metal walls. She suddenly took a left, the path itself seeming out of place as the corridor only seemed to be straight with few doors on either side. The little girl started to run faster, hearing the steps of her follower getting closer. Turning right she stopped suddenly, only a few yards of hall left before a door. She rushed to it, using the keycard she took to open it and hurrying inside crying out "He's coming! He's coming!"
The room was small; only a bed and table with a stack of books resided in it. At the table sat a boy, eyes looking at the book before him with no interest. He heard the little girl, but didn't make a move other then turn the page of the book. She ran to the bed, scrambling under the covers to hide while at the same time a knock was heard at the door. A 'open the door' was heard from the other side, voice deep and commanding. "Don't let him in," the little girl whispered, head poking out from the covers only to see the boy at the door already. She went under again as the boy opened the door, standing back as the big wolf entered. He grinned, looking at the boy who's eyes were down cast and stood out of the way. For the moment the wolf ignored him, eyes turning to the lump on the bed.
"Now I wonder where Katelyn could be," he said, voice deep and almost sounding like a growl. He walked over to the table to move a chair. "Not under the table," he muttered, not really looking but acting like he did. His ears perked as he heard the child giggle, his smile spreading a little as he walked to the bed. "Perhaps she's under," he placed a hand on the covers which got a little gasp, but knelt down, "the bed!" He feigned the surprise shout followed by the disappointed sigh, sitting on the cold floor and leaning against the bed. His tail was wagging, but face was set as if disappointed. Crimson eyes looking at the boy who still hadn't moved from his spot, his tail slowing as real sadness started to settle inside him. It was at that point the girl roared and tiny arms wrapped around the wolf's neck. His tail started to move again as he was brought back to what he originally intended to do. Reaching over his shoulder he began tickling the girl through the blanket, which in turn she let go of him so she could try and scramble away while screaming laughter came from her. "Thought you could get away?" he asked turning to face the bed and continue his tickle attack. Begging for him to stop, the wolf grabbed the blanket and threw it off the bed. The little girl was lying there in her floral patterned sundress, long black hair having come undone in the process. ...
"You cheated!" she cried out, after regaining her breath.
"I'm allowed," the wolf replied back, teeth showing from the wide grin.
"Nu-uh," she grumbled, getting out of the bed and picking up the light green ribbon that still laid on it. "Could you please put my ribbon back in?" she asked politely, a tiny hand holding it to the wolf who was still sitting down.
"Turn around," he told her, taking the ribbon in his much bigger paw. Carefully he wrapped the ribbon in her long black hair, but he would be the first to admit not being very good at these things. "You'll have to get your mom to do it better when we get back outside," he told her, as he finished up the bow.
"Can I tell him now?" she asked excitedly, looking back at the wolf who simply nodded. She quickly walked over to the boy, who still hadn't moved an inch. His head still down as she angled hers to be in his line of sight. "I want you to come outside with me," she said, looking up into empty eyes. "You're allowed to leave this place." She pulled back and took his hand, "I want to show you the sun," turning around while still holding onto his hand. "I want to find your voice," her words sad as she tried to move him, but he didn't budge. She looked back over at the wolf, who was now sitting on the bed watching them. Her eyes told him she wanted his help in getting the boy to move.
"Go with her," his voice low, as he stood up to follow them out.
"Is...that an order?" the boy's hollow voice asked, as he looked at the wolf.
"Kate, why don't you go wait at the entrance," the wolf suggested with a smile. The little girl looked at the two of them, slightly confused before letting the boy's hand go. She walked out of the room, slowly at first wanting to hear what was about to be said, but once she realized the wolf was waiting on her she picked up her pace. The wolf's right ear turned following the sounds of the little girl while keeping eye contact with the boy. He gave it a few more seconds before walking in front of the boy, crouching down so they were eye level. "You're new name is going to be Van," the wolf spoke softly, watching the child who he ruined. "What happened to you here was a terrible thing, and everyone who was involved should be tortured for the rest of their pathetic lives...including myself. But for the time being I want to try and repent for my sins, and give you the life you deserve." His paw reached up to brush the child's face, trying to get some kind of reaction from him...nothing. There wasn't ever anything after the age of four, and that was over six years ago. He pulled the child into a hug, but still he just stood there. "You'll be living with your mother now, and as soon as your ready going to school. This is your final order," the wolf said, pulling back now and holding the boy at arms length. "I want you to live your life and be happy. Make your own decisions from now on, don't let others control you any more." With those words said the wolf stood up, readjusting the button up shirt he wore. The sleeves were partly rolled up showing the black fur that covered most of his body. However on different parts of his body, which very few saw, were fine lines of silver fur. They seemed to be placed where one could be restrained, almost like markings of a former binding. He stood up, holding out his hand to the boy, "Let's go."
"What if..." the boy stopped, looking up at the wolf. "What if I want revenge?"
The wolf smiled, leaning down to place his muzzle against the boy's forehead. A gentle kiss, then resting his cold nose against Van's forehead. "You have ever right. For now, let's focus on getting you settled in your new life. Though when the time comes when you do want revenge, let my life be the only one you take. I was the one who controlled this operation, so all the decisions were my choice."
Neither moved, as if waiting for the other to react. The wolf knew the child could kill him right now, and felt he had every right to. "Understood," the boy stated simply, at which the wolf pulled back and offered his hand again. The boy took the wolf's paw, which the wolf smiled about. He turned around, but noticed that the boy was still hesitating. "Fenrir..." he paused again, eyes focused on the ground once more. "Why are you doing this now?"
The wolf felt the child ease a little, and took that as his sign to move. Walking down the halls he knew so well, thinking over how to answer the last question. He squeezed the boy's hand, but got no reaction back...though he didn't expect to. "I realized that I shouldn't encourage the end of the world, it‘s doing that on it‘s own just fine. It also came to me that I had no right caging you," turning to look at the boy again, both standing before the door to the outside. "Besides, being the cause of so much death wasn't what I wanted. So many dying from failed experiments...I didn't want this operation to continue, thus I chose to end the project."
He noticed the boy flinch from the direct sunlight as he opened the door outside. The wolf realized this was the first time he had ever been outside the building, which made him smile as he gentle pulled him outside. "Don't worry, I know you aren't afraid or anything...but I'll be by your side to help you out from now on."
My ears perked up at the knocking at the bathroom door, hearing a "You almost done?" coming from my mother on the other side of the door. I sighed, giving my reply that I was drying off now as I ran the towel through my fur. I was sore from practice and really didn't want to go visit the new neighbors, but apparently my mother knew who was moving in. The house itself had been under construction for about a year, so I suspected it to be big...but that's all I could really go off of. In truth I paid very little attention to who went up the freshly made road through the woods and up the 'mountain' near our house. It's more of a hill in classification, but I don't really care about specifics...Anyway, my mom wanted our family to go and visit for awhile, make them feel welcomed and such.
"Kai, hurry up," I heard my father yell from downstairs. "I don't like when your mom stares at me like she is!"
I didn't catch what my mother's reply was but I'm sure it was something I would have found amusing. I shook out my fur before plugging in a dryer. Turning it on I blew out the remaining moisture in my fur, doing so while looking myself over in the mirror. I enjoyed the sight of the building muscles under my fur which was coming from football practice and regular weight lifting. At the age of fourteen I was in great shape, and all the looks I got from others really did help my self confidence. Grinning at this, and from hearing my father's groan about my mother's glare, I decided to pick up the pace. Since this wasn't a public thing I just threw on an old t-shirt and pair of jeans, opting to go commando. Slipping flip-flops onto my paws I hurried down stairs, hopefully saving my dad from any more of the evil eye. I had been running late forgetting all about meeting the neighbors. I was putting in some extra lifting when my dad called saying he was waiting for me outside as my ride home, reminding me then about the evening plans. So I had to rush around to get my stuff, run home, and get cleaned up. This was all to the chagrin of my mother, because knowing her she had given her friend a time of us being there. Being late was a pet peeve of hers, so I said my apologies and we all went out to head up.
We lived in a wide valley with very few houses, which I always liked the privacy yet did miss having others to hang out with while growing up. Being an only child didn't help either, but I adapted I guess. According to my mom her friend had two children, one close to my age. This probably meant I was expected to help him make friends and adapt to school life but, truth be told, I didn't have to many myself. I wasn't a stereotypical lone wolf, I just didn't like all the shallow people at my school. Sadly teenagers who had parents with money seemed to generally be shallow, and I never went out of my way to really get to know anyone. I mean I talked to some, but growing up I noticed things that I didn't like about my classmates. So I never bothered to attempt for a deeper friendship. I snapped out of my thoughts as we pulled up to a huge three story house, my jaw dropping slightly at the sight. "They're rich," I muttered, staring in disbelief at the mansion before us. I'm not a house specialist, and have no idea how to go about describing them. However, I can say that it was of a modern design; very open with three floors, all of which were mostly glass paneled. You could easily see inside so why it was built in such a remote location made sense. My parents were talking about the building design, but I wasn't really paying attention. It (my attention) was fixed on the huge ass building that we were now parking and getting ready to go inside of.
My mother rang the door bell, with my father standing close beside her but looking around like a curious child. I couldn't be one to judge though for I was too. All of us turned as the door opened, a young girl in an expensive looking blue dress standing before us. "Hello," she said with a smile, "mom said we would be expecting company. Please come in." Closing it behind us after entering, we followed her to the dinning room with a table full of appetizers and refreshments. "I'll be right back. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable."
"She's very polite," my father mused, still looking around like the rest of us. "Kai, you should take lessons," saying this only to reach over and ruffle my head fur. I pulled back and playfully growled at him, which he just laughed at me for. This playfulness I was use to, he was always a light spirited kind of wolf.
"Yumi, it's been far to long," I heard, which I turned to see a delicate woman with satiny blond hair. She was also in a dress, but hers was a crimson color and was covered in an apron. She was of fair complexion, face gentle and it made me think there was no way in hell this woman got angry. She seemed young still, well to young to have a child of my age...
"My God Kim," my mother sounded slightly shocked, "you haven't changed a bit." She moved towards her and brought her into a hug. My mother was a small gray wolf, but the human she was hugging while not exactly shorter...still somehow seemed smaller. She pulled away, standing side ways to look over at my father and me. "Kim this is my husband Dmitry and my son Kai."
Kim moved over to my father and gave him a hug, saying how it was a pleasure to finally meet him. Then coming over to me to do the same thing. She pulled away and looked up at me for a moment before turning back to my mom saying "He has your eyes," with a gentle smile. Looking at me once more she laughed, a light sweet laugh. "Please tell me you didn't get his name from the Japanese dog breed?"
I think I got a stupid look on my face because everyone started laughing. "No, not quite," my mother said with a wide grin.
"Though...now that you mention it his head was kind of misshaped for a wolf when he was born," my father spoke now, while everyone's eyes were on me. I was embarrassed at this point, turning my head just so I wouldn't see everyone watching me. Kim reached up and gentle patted the side of my muzzle saying she was only picking. To that I simple grinned and shrugged, now noticing the little girl we met earlier standing inside the doorway to what I assume was the kitchen.
"Oh, this is my youngest," Kim said, walking now towards the little girl, "Katelyn."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said politely, smiling as she looked us over.
"She's so precious," I could hear my mother say, but my ears were focused on the sound of a door closing.
My family all noticed it, along with the acidic smell of sweat. Our senses were a lot better then humans, so we noticed it before Kim or the little girl. The boy walked past the door frame without acknowledging any of us only to stop suddenly and back step so we could see him. Shaggy black hair that would probably hide his eye was pushed back, sweat matting it to where he had pushed it at some point and revealing his deep blue eyes. His gray t-shirt was drenched in sweat and black shorts were slightly clingy even though they were obviously suppose to be loose. His current appearance made my football practices look like walks in the park, I never looked that exhausted.
"And this would be my son Van," Kim finally said, watching our reaction more then looking at him.
He looked at us for a few more seconds before pointing the way he was heading. "I'm...just going to go get cleaned up some." With those simple words he started moving again.
The little girl watched him leave, which she quickly went towards the door frame. "Did you win?" she called after him, looking around the edge.
"He cheats," he yelled back, his voice sounding like he was already up stairs.
We were all sitting at the table, the adults catching up while my mind was else where...namely on Van. I saw him for maybe a minute and the physical attraction I felt was ridiculous. Now some back history on myself, I was openly bi-sexual but tended to lean more to my attraction to males. I figured this out at the age of twelve on my own, but I was young and had no reason to act on it. The sex talk with my father was a major point in my life. My innocent question about people of the same sex being together got me a: ‘Son, I don't care who you have physical relationships with or love. Just make sure you're safe...I don't want to be a grandfather just yet.' There wasn't any harsh judgment or major overreaction, so I've grown up feeling comfortable in my own skin. Big reason my father and I were so close, he was just accepting and proud of me no matter what. My mother as well was loving and understanding, but she was rarely around by the time I was ten. She made as much time as she could, but she was dedicated to her job as well. Anyway, I found women attractive in the way they were soft and delicate. However, the idea of being with a muscular male was very hot and enticing to me. I was still young and growing into my body, as I'm sure Van was as well but he was definitely on the track to being a real hunk.
The mention of my name made my ears perk, eyes focusing on the one who said it. "...why don't you go up and hang with Van," Kim said smiling, "I know us talking about the past must be boring you. Kate why don't you take him up."
My eyes shifted to the girl who had been sitting quietly beside her mother, her eyes were on me as well. The look she had made me feel like she knew what I had just been thinking about, which made me blush slightly. I knew it wasn't possible, but still the look made me feel like it. She got up and came around the table as I myself was getting up, taking my paw in her tiny hand to lead the way. The adults had paused there conversation until we were gone, only to resume tales of college years that had past and the things done to follow...boring.
Going through the house again I took note on how opened it was, with very little use of walls except to separate areas of different use. By that I mean things like bathrooms, kitchen and dinning room separated from living room etc... The stairs leading up were viewable from the living room, which I took note of the big flat screen. What can I say, I love big Tvs just for the fact that you don‘t have to stand right up against them to make out the picture. Upon reaching the second floor the sight of different musical instruments came into view, along with another outstanding look over the valley. "Mom always had an interest in music," Katelyn said, probably noticing my questioning look to why there were so many.
"Know how to play them all?" I asked, as she turned to follow the railing leading away from where we just walked up.
"I can, mom knows a few and I‘m not sure what Van can do. If you want I'll play something for you later," she said, the sound of pride was in her voice. I couldn't blame her though. She could only be eight tops and knew how to play such a wide variety: piano, harp, violin, flute. However I'm not a music expert, so I'm not really sure what was all there or even if the ones mentioned were the correct names for them.
She stopped in front of a door that was off to the side and out of the way. "This leads to Van's room, just head on up. He should be done getting his shower and is probably dressed...sorry."
I was slightly confused why she said sorry, but she was already making her way back towards the stairs. I just now noticed how the third floor was much more secluded then the first and second. While parts of the second could be seen from the first, the third floor seemed more like I was heading to an attic. My paw tightened around the handle, turning it to find myself facing an enclosed stairwell with a spiral design. That threw me off because there wasn't a huge amount of distance between the second and third floor...so the only reason to do this would be cosmetic. Shrugging it off I started walking up...or around...whatever you want to call it. It only made one complete spiral before I was facing a landing with another door. The door itself had no handle and was of completely frosted glass. I thought about knocking and was about to when I noticed the sound from the other side of the door. Turning so I could press my ears up against it, I realized it was music. He had to be singing with it I decided, and if that was the case he was really good. The harmony with the actual singer was great, though that was my personal opinion and, as mentioned before, I had no major knowledge with music myself. I wasn't sure what he was singing, because it was another language.
At that moment the door started to move, which I jerked away from as it slid right. The music became louder as the door was opened, and before me stood a cleaner and much more relaxed Van. He was still singing along with the music, not paying attention to what was ahead of him as he was reaching to his right. I notice him stop and slowly look towards me, as he suddenly stopped singing...it was pretty comical actually. I was grinning as the music suddenly stopped, he had been reaching for a remote I believe.
"I...um..." he stammered, a blush creeping over his cheeks. Taking a deep breath he finally gave up trying to explain himself and giving a "Hi..."
My grin only widened as I extended my paw, which I was happy to see him taking it up for a firm handshake. "My names Kai, figured I would come up and introduce myself since you were already introduced." I took the moment to look him over quickly, kind of sad that the clothing didn't leave less to the imagination. I know, just met him and all...but I'm fourteen and my hormones were ragging, what can I say. I was slightly taller then him, maybe three inches not including my ears. He had on a loose burnt orange cotton shirt and black silk or satin pants. A very casual look, but he looked comfortable and I liked that.
I started focusing on my actions once more as he slowly released my paw, letting his hand return to his side as he looked me over just as I had been doing with him. "Yeah, sorry about that," he spoke, adding a slight laugh at the end. "Sort of lost time playing a game with the old man...errr my godfather. Seeing that you were wolfs I decided not to stay down there long and stink up the place." I noticed his blush was deepening, as he ran his hand through his still damp hair. Yeah, I admit I was finding his bashful actions cute. "Um, come in. Don't mind the mess," he said moving so I could enter.
Walking in I looked the place over, just trying to get a feel for his interest and such so I knew what I should talk about. The setup was sort of like a studio flat, over near the windows was a living room setup while closer to where I was entering from was a king size bed. The bed was against a wall which had an open door to what I would assume to be a very large bathroom given how much room was left for this floor. Though I should say that the floors got smaller with each landing, and this floor had a balcony which took up more of the living space. I took note of all the shelves and the coffee table in the living room were full of books. Well the coffee table was stacked with books but that's besides the point. There was also a computer stand, which the laptop on it was covered in papers. "So, you obviously like to read. What's your favorite?" I asked, turning to see he was looking at me oddly.
"Russian?" he asked suddenly, eyes narrowing as if studying me.
At first I didn't know what he was talking about, then it hit me. "Yeah," I said with a nervous laugh, "my dad's side." He had noticed my slight Russian accent, and when I say slight I mean very slight. Most don't even notice, which I assume was from them not just never being faced with it. "Father's side from there, mother's side here...You're the first to ever point it out."
"Sorry," he said, sounding like he felt bad as if I took offense to his remark.
"No nothing to be sorry about," I said and laughed, trying to get him to ease up. I noticed his smile return, which made me happy and that in itself kind of felt unusual.
We ended up talking about different things, me sitting on the bed while he was in the computer chair he brought over. I was fascinated about all the places he traveled to before coming here, apparently his godfather wanted him to experience some different cultures before they settled down. I talked mostly about my home life, school, and sports I played. Kate came and got us for dinner, which was amazing, after about twenty minutes. We had ribs that melted off the bone...Kim really out did herself. There was some table conversation but it was getting late and I had school and a game tomorrow. My mother suggested that we all get together and do something Saturday. Plans were made and we made our way out so I could get some rest. Leaving left me feeling sort of depressed...I'm not even sure how to explain it, it was sort of just a hollow feeling in my chest. I mean I've lusted over people, but never had the feeling of regret that they were leaving my sight. I admit I thought Van was hot, but at the same time I really liked him and could see us being friends. The fact I was feeling this way about someone I just met kind of scared me. So once home I went straight to bed, I didn't want to think about my feelings and thoughts at the moment. I know it sounds like running away, and that's exactly what I was doing. Lying down I allowed myself to slip into sleep, avoiding everything reality had at the moment.