After turning into my animal form, I can hear June let out a happy chirp. I could tell she was pleased with the opportunity to stretch her legs.
It took a bit for my father and Me to get back to the village, considering the large scale of land we had to cross between the city and the woods.
Once we arrive, though, we start to slow down; I look over to see Mark staring at the village in awe, "Holy cow, this village has grown so much," Mark speaks up.
I had to agree that the village looked nice; it was apparent that my father took his time to create this haven.
My father nods, thanking Mark for the compliment, "It's a Start. We're still adapting because of the humans, but we have come a long way."
I see Mark get off my father while I slowly turn into my human form. It was still a bit weird to go through the process of switching forms, but I've gotten used to it, thanks to the help of my father. After adjusting once more, shaking off the uncomfortable feeling I had from transforming, my Father led us into the village.
As we walked past buildings and training areas, I saw many animals wandering. They stopped in their tracks when they saw my father walking in. he didn't waste a moment speaking up towards the crowds of animals that slowly grew in numbers over time.
"Hello, Everyone; thank you for gathering. I would like to share some excellent news. Mark, from old times, has come back to visit. Those you have never met Mark, He is one of the nice humans. He saved me when I struggled the most and helped me fight in the war that once brought peace to our worlds."
As my father continued his speech to those around us, I could help but smile. It was nice to hear that my father made friends along his journey.
After the nice moment, my father led mark off to multiple areas to show him how much we'd grown, while the others just dispersed and carried on with their lives. Suddenly, I heard shouting from afar; I turned my head to see Lucas running toward me. He suddenly tackled me to the ground and put me in his warm embrace; it made me feel safe again, so I cuddled further into him.
"I thought I had lost you, Maya. Where did you go? What happened to you?" Lucas muttered to me. I get out of his embrace and stand, slowly rubbing my arm up and down. "I'm not sure what happened, at the end of it anyways."
Lucas continued to look at me as if he wanted me to continue explaining.
"June was hungry. She took over and ran to the city….. She exposed herself to people who were in an isolated area; she k-killed them and ate them. That wasn't the weird thing, though. When Mark tried to save me, black mist surrounded me, and I couldn't control myself anymore, nor could June; I was so scared. My father had to help me; he said I had gone rabid and tried to kill him.
I didn't even realize that tears started to come down my cheeks; I always felt that if I cried, it meant I wasn't strong enough. My stepparents always told me that, to the point, I believed it.
"Lucas, Am I a Monster?" I slowly added; that Lucus looked at me with wide eyes as he shook his head and then spoke.
"Maya, You have never been a monster. Yes, those accidents happened, but they don't make you a monster. The world may think you are because it is corrupted, but I don't."
I slowly nodded my head to this; I walked up to Lucas and hugged him. The tears had stopped coming down as I slowly relaxed in his arms, as he slowly kissed my head and continued to hug me back
Suddenly I remembered something: My stepparents are still out there, and I wanted to talk with them to fix our broken relationship.
"Lucas, My Stepparents, I've wanted to talk to them; I need to explain everything."
After hearing what I said, Lucas looked at me with worry written all over his face. He seemed hesitant about my idea.
Seeing this expression, I speak up once more. "Lucas, I need to fix my relationship with them; they ratted me out to the police, but I know they were mostly worried for me. They thought something evil was inside me, but they couldn't lose hope or abandon me because my stepmother knew my mother well."
While I was talking, I didn't notice that my father had come up to us.
"What are you guys talking about? Seems to be something quite serious."
I looked over at him and told him what I planned to do, "Father, I will be heading to the city to talk with my stepparents to explain everything."
My father looked at me curiously, wondering why I wanted to return since they had caused nothing but trouble.
"I want to restore my relationship with them, I know the things they had done to me, but a part of me knows they were just afraid and scared because they never knew what I was until I ran away. I know my stepmother couldn't abandon me because she had promised Mother that she would take care of me."
"I understand, Maya. If you want to see them, I'll be coming along. To ensure your safety, you never know what they will do if they see you alone."
I nod my head toward him, agreeing that he should come with me. If I had to be honest, I was nervous to talk to them; I was scared they wouldn't understand and that they would report me to the police again. I shake off the feeling; I let out a yawn as today had been exhausting.
"Maybe it is best if we leave early morning tomorrow; for now, you should get some rest, Maya." Okami pointed out after hearing me yawn.
I nodded my head; it would be best if we did because I had zero energy right now. I should be feeling much better after I rest for a while. Lucas took me out of my thoughts by putting his hand on my shoulder, I looked over at him, and he gave me a worried look.
I gave him a reassuring smile before I took his hand and lead him off to our shared room. Upon entering the room, I immediately fell onto the bed and let out a tired sigh, Lucas let out a laugh at the sight before him.
I stayed silent though, staring up at the ceiling. Everything that had unfolded today was just constantly replaying in my mind. I hated thinking about it, that version of me, was not me. I know it wasn't, but I still blamed myself for not being able to control myself, I mean I should be able to, Right? Or at least I saw that everyone around me seemed like they had it all under control.
Sometimes I wish I was normal, that I wasn't like I was now. Sometimes I wonder why Lucas likes me or even stayed with me for this long. My thoughts were once interrupted by Lucus snapping his fingers in front of me.
"Hello….. Earth to Maya." shaking my head I sat up to come face to face with him. He took a seat next to me, pulling me into a side hug. I leaned my head against his shoulder. "What's on your mind?" Lucas spoke up, he was no fool and saw that I was in deep thought.
"Everything that happened today…That thing I was, or what I had turned into. It was not me, yet I still blame myself for everything." I continued to cuddle into his side, but I started to tremble a bit as tears started to form in my eyes. Lucas turned his head towards me, bringing his hand to my head, and making me look directly into his eyes.
"Now you listen to me, Maya. I know for a fact that it was not you, But that does not mean that you put all of the blame on yourself. Yeah, you turned into that thing, but it was not by choice, they made you into that. I know that is something you don't want to experience again, and I will make sure that you are safe, or at least try the best that I can."
I smile at all that he had just told him, I knew I did not deserve a man like him, but then again I was so grateful for him.
"Throughout that entire time…. All I felt was pain, I felt like a thousand needles were stabbing me at once, every time I either hurt someone or even tried to regain control. In all honesty, I never thought the pain would end."
During the entire time, I explained everything, Lucas had stayed silent. He let me pour everything out onto him, and didn't even question a single moment. I smile once more as I continue to cuddle into his side.
Suddenly Lucas's parents come through the door of our room with smiles on their faces, they understood everything that had happened in the city and how much it had affected me. I was still just as much surprised that they had stayed, a lot of people gave me dirty looks every time I looked their way or would just walk past them.
They decided to break the silence as Lucas's father spoke up, "so we heard about everything that had happened, as much of a sad thing it is, we know it was not your fault, even though all of humanity still thinks of your kind is bad, you still have our support."
I felt tears forming again, after just getting done doing so earlier. I did nothing to desire these good people and yet they still came into my life, helping me out with all of this.
Lucas's parents said their goodnights before walking out of the room, and going to sleep themselves. Once the two of them leave, I turn to Lucas once again.
" Thank you for everything, Lucas. I don't know what I've done to deserve all of this kindness from you, But you have changed my life. I could never ask for a better partner than you." I said to him as I gave him a proper hug, he smiled and hugged me back. He didn't even need to use words, I knew what he was going to tell me anyways.
We pulled apart as he leaned in, kissing me, not a long one though. Once we pull away he had a big grin on his face, "Of course, Maya. How could I not love you, you're amazing, brave, and adorable. People just need to learn how to get to know people before judging them." I chuckle before nodding. A smile formed on my face as well. I felt so loved in this very moment, and I hope this love could last forever.
After all of that talk, I was even sleepier than I was. I lay down as Lucas did the same beside me. I immediately turned around to face him as I cuddled into him, almost instantly falling asleep in his arms.
—-------------------------------------------------
After what felt like not too long, I slowly opened my eyes, seeing the sun beaming through the small window we had. It burned my eyes so I closed them once again, but I was interrupted by Lucas dragging me out of bed.
"Come one, Maya. You need to get up, your father is waiting for you. So you need to get ready."
After hearing that, my eyes open wide as I sprint out of bed to start freshening myself up. After doing everything I needed to do, making myself look presentable, even though I was just seeing my step-parents. I looked down and played with my fingers, I was still nervous about how the interaction would turn out, would it be bad? Would it go well? I wasn't sure.
I took the time to take slow deep breaths in and out, in an attempt to calm myself down. After doing that for a couple of minutes, I gathered my belongings and left the den we were staying in. I look over at the entrance of the village to see my father patiently waiting for my arrival. I said good morning to a couple of my fellow half-animals before making my way to my father.
Once my father spotted me he spoke up, "All Ready to go, sweetheart?" I nodded my head towards him, showing the things I was going to bring, he then smiled at me. We were about to head out when I heard Lucas shouting my name from afar, I turn around to see him running up to me.
He hugged me before speaking up, "I wanted to say goodbye at least, and wish you a safe trip. I'm hoping everything goes well." I smile at him and nod my head, he pecks me on the lips before saying goodbye one more time. He then made his way to the den, my father and I then took this opportunity to take out leave.
I then turn into my animal form not too long after leaving the village, to make it easier to reach the city. My father and I then started to run to the city, making our way there effortlessly since Half animals can be quite fast.
Once we arrive at the city, I turn back to my human form, I looked to my father, making sure he would follow me to the house. He nods his head before climbing up one of the buildings. After seeing him successfully get up, I make my way into the city and to the house. I made sure to have my mask on so people wouldn't give me weird looks about my face, I was still self-conscious about it.
Thinking to myself about what to say, I didn't even notice I was already at the house and right in front of the door. I stared at it for a couple of minutes before having the courage to knock on the door, calling for my step-parents.
Not too long after I saw my stepfather open the door, my stepmother right behind him. They both had shock written on their faces, my stepfather spoke up in a shaky voice. "M-Maya, is that you?" I nodded and asked t be let in, getting a bit closer than I was. They immediately backed away, they looked terrified by me. This oddly felt good in a way, but then again, I hated the fact that people were scared of me.
I closed the door behind me, taking a seat on their couch. I looked over at them with a calm look, " I'm not here to hurt you, I would never do something like that, not on purpose anyways. I came here because I wanted to talk. I want to clear things up between us." I stopped talking, looking for some kind of confirmation.
They slowly nod their heads, but still took a seat far from me. Suddenly the door swings open, I turn my head to look at who was at the door. It was my father, he slowly walked in looking at my step-parents with a glare, or as much as he could since his eyes were a milky white color. My step-parents shared glances before looking at me, then sharing glances at my father. The two of them seemed to be confused.
I spoke up to clear their confusion, "This is Okami, He is my real father." I kept a calm voice to not start anything. Suddenly their confused faces were replaced with a face of anger, and the two of them spoke up.
"You're her real father?! Then why did you kill her mother, if you indeed loved her enough to have Maya!" they screamed at him. My father did not flinch at this though, none of this behavior was new to him, so there was no need to show fear.
Okami started to get annoyed though from their constant bickering, his milky eyes started to glow, this was a sign of aggression, or that a half animal was pissed off.
Suddenly my father spoke up in a loud booming voice.
"SILENCE!" He growled at the two. This booming voice was not a normal thing. He was showing dominance over the situation, meaning any half-animal would immediately back down, it could work on humans too if used correctly.
My step-parents immediately backed down as they rushed to take a seat again, they seemed to be quite afraid now as well.
"Let me speak." once the room was silent, he took a big sigh, rubbing the fur that was on his head.
"Alright, where do I begin."