The Werewolf Next Door

This is my first short story. It's about a teenage girl in foster care who happens to be a werewolf.

I've been in the foster care system since I was 6 years old. Now I am almost 18 and I know what that means. I'll be out on the streets. Now for some kids, this is terrifying. For others, it's better than what they have. For me, though, it's freedom. It's freedom because, at 16, I discovered something about myself that is a whole lot scarier but also extremely liberating. I've had to keep it under wraps for the past two years. I am a werewolf.

I was never bitten. I didn't have a scary experience walking home one night with a werewolf jumping out at me. No, it was nothing like that. It also wasn't as dramatic as it is in the movies. It didn't happen suddenly. It was a gradual thing that honestly, I thought was just part of puberty. That is until I started hearing sounds from over a mile away and my eyes would occasionally go from emerald green to a bright gold color. Those are changes I didn't expect.

Then as my 17th birthday got closer, I grew fangs and claws during the full moon. I got stronger too and I developed a low growl that even scared me. After a lot of research, I learned what I was but not how I came to be. Was I born like this? Why is it showing up now? But make no mistake, I am definitely a werewolf.

I'm heading to my last foster home. Sitting in the back seat of my social worker's car, I am writing this down as I listen to Linkin' Park in my headphones. I want to remember this moment. I am going back to a home that still gives me nightmares. I need the strength of my favorite bands to get me through this.

Like the song, Fight by All Good Things plays the car stops. I pause the song but stare at my journal. I hate this place! Then I hear my social worker call my name. "Rayven. We're here. Grab your stuff."

When we get to the door, a woman answers. I remember her. Sheila is her name. Her hair is a mess. She looks like she just woke up. After a few pleasantries are shared I am shown to my room.

later that evening, HE comes home. As soon as I see him a knot forms in the pit of my stomach. I feel like I am going to throw up but I also am struck with intense rage. I can feel my teeth changing, getting sharper. I have to close my eyes because I know they are changing too. I can almost feel it happening. It's hard to explain but my head hurts. It only ever hurts when my eyes are changing.

What is happening? I learned a while back that it doesn't take the full moon to make me change but I am losing control. I have to get a handle on this. But I am just so damn angry! Right now all I can think of is ripping his throat out. The more I think about my desire to rip him apart, the more I feel the change.

At that moment, I don't know what came over me but I put my headphones on and ran up to my room. I shut the door and turned off the light. I have to let the music calm me so I play some Florence and the Machine. Thankfully, he didn't follow me up but I still have his image in my head. That cocky smirk flashes across his face as soon as he saw me. He thinks he has me but he will never, ever touch me again!

But I also need to control myself. Just six more months until I'm free. I just need to get through the rest of the year. This guy though. He will test me for sure. How will I keep myself from going full wolf on his ass when every time I see him I want to kill him?

No! I won't let him win. I won't lose control. Just six more months. Then I can leave this hell hole and never look back. You got this Rayven. Just six more months then you will be free.

That is the end of my story. What did you think? I have more for this character but for now I leave it here. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Thanks so Much for Reading!