AUTHORS NOTE
Hello, all who are reading this. My name is Chester Wolf, and I'm 24 as I am typing this. I wanted to write this book to let the imagination of our generation still live on as we are taught that imagination is not normal and not ok to do. But I'm here to keep the imagination alive just like others out there to this day. Thank you for reading this and please let me know what you think of this book.
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Have you ever been called a freak? Have you ever been treated differently? By peers? And by your own family? Well, that's how my life is. My name is Amber Williams and I'm 16 years old. My family owns their own animal sanctuary that takes in wildlife animals even domestic ones. We rehab them before either releasing them back into the wolf or taking them to their new homes to live the rest of their lives out happily. But I was born a bit different. My parents didn't plan on having me while they ran the sanctuary within their first couple of years of opening, but there I was surrounded by doctors and happy parents despite not being ready to be parents. They started noticing something with me as I grew older, I talked to the animals as if having actual conversations with them. Animals tended to be more drawn to me as if I was one of them, my parents had to keep a very close eye on me just because I also liked to sneak into enclosures with very dangerous animals.
When I started school all I talked about was animals and would even freak out my classmates by bringing insects or even rodents into school trying to make friends but it never worked. That's how the nickname 'Freak' became a thing. My parents always stressed out whenever they got a call from the school informing them that I got into yet another fight at school just because I would get bullied and I would defend myself but I still got yelled at for it. After I got into middle school I kept to myself focusing on grades and not making friends, people would still find a way to bully me, and I'd still get into fights, you get the picture.
My only escape was visiting the animals. They never made fun of me, nor criticized me for being different. But now that I'm in high school I am more than determined to finish early so I could do full-time at the sanctuary and not worry about people making fun of me constantly.
(PRESENT DAY)
"Amber! It's time for breakfast!" I groaned rolling in my bed not wanting to get up and having to deal with other people, but I got up anyway trudging down the stairs to the breakfast table "morning sleepyhead, you sleep alright?" My dad asked not looking up from the morning newspaper, I rolled my eyes taking a bite out of my hash browns as mom placed the plate in front of me "someone's hungry" she joked sitting down next to me. I shrugged not answering her just trying to finish my breakfast so I can take a quick shower before school. " Make sure not to get into any fights today Amber, I don't want to have to leave work because of it" dad commented as I got up to put my plate in the sink. I glared at his head walking away from him so I wouldn't get into with him, it was too early for that.
After taking a quick shower I got dressed in black ripped jeans and a black tank top with a howling wolf on the front. I covered that with my black hoodie that had 'WOLF FREAK' on the front in creepy lettering. I grabbed my over-the-shoulder backpack headed back downstairs and leaving not saying anything to my parents. Sounds bad I know, but if I even tried to communicate with them it would just end up being a fight with them. I waited by the street for the school bus pulling out my phone and hooking up my headphones to it so I didn't have to talk to anyone on the bus. Not like anyone was going to talk to me anyway.
Riding on the bus was uneventful making sure I had a spot all the way in the back looking out the window not making eye contact with anyone. I hate school, so damn much it makes no sense with what they teach. And I'm surprised the kids that are here even learn anything with how much they slack off. Anyway, by the time lunch came around I grabbed my food and went outside to a shaded tree area that I claimed as my own since the first day of freshmen year. I'm a junior now and thankfully only have to endure one more year of high school before I leave this dreaded town and make my own mark in this world. I'm not sure how yet but I will. Sitting down I sighed gently relaxing in the pure silence outside with the occasional bird song and rustling of the trees where the squirrels would run.
But the silence was broken when I heard someone clear their throat. I had to stop myself from glaring up at the person as I opened my eyes to look up. It was a short person in an oversized dark blue hoodie and her hair combed back with a hand band and in shorts. Her eyes looked shy as she had a hard time looking down at me "h-hi" her small voice barely reached my ears as her cheeks turned red "hi?" I replied with a question as her cheeks became redder "I-I was wondering I-if I-I could s-sit here with y-you?" I was surprised anyone would even ask me since even the nerds of the school didn't see me as nerdy enough to be their friend. "Sure" I looked back down at my food taking a bite out of the shitty-tasting burger, I saw her out of the corner of my eye taking a seat gently as if afraid to scare me away.
I was tempted to ask her why she would even sit with me in the first place but since she wasn't talking my ear off I deemed it necessary to keep it quiet for as long as possible. When the lunch bell rang the young girl jumped practically 6 feet in the air, she quickly gathered her things and took off inside the school. I was confused but shrugged it off my shoulder as I dreaded finishing the rest of the school day.
(TIME SKIP)
The final bell ringing made me almost groan out loud thanking whatever gods above for letting me finally get through the day without a fight or dealing with stupidity besides the teachers. I gathered my things slowly letting everyone else leave first so I didn't have to worry about getting run over by students. I walked slowly expertly dodging students who tried to purposely bump into me. Just as I thought I would have a good day once I left the building but it seems it wouldn't happen that way as I saw the girl that sat with me during lunch being dragged by one of the main bullies in the school behind the building with a few other of his goodies.
I sighed wanting to just ignore it and go home but something inside me forced me to turn my foot and head in the direction they were going. I made sure there was no one following me before slipping around the corner and seeing main douchebag Josh and his goodies who I couldn't bother remembering their names pinning the small girl against the wall as she whimpered squeezing her eyes shut with fear. "What's the matter, crybaby? Wanting your knight and shining armor to save you?" Josh mocked laughing with his goodies as he pushed her against the brick wall as she squeaked in pain holding her head as it knocked against the wall. For some reason, a feeling started sparking in my chest and I didn't know what it could be I continued to watch as they mocked and pushed her around as she clenched her books against her chest tightly not looking them in the eyes.
The final straw was when Josh yanked her books from her hands as she begged for them back "if you want them you better come and get them" he laughed as he held them above his head as she tried to jump and get them back. Josh turned to throw the books when he suddenly froze as I was right behind him glaring up at him. " oh look, it's the freak!" One of his goodies raised his hand pointing at me "good job idiot you have eyes" I shot back glaring at him "what do you want freak? Are you here to be little baby's knight?" Josh asked with a smirk still holding up her books in the air. I looked over to the girl to see her with tears in her eyes not looking at me at all.
My nose bunched up as I looked back at Josh, he almost seem to flinch at my expression before he suddenly doubled over in pain, punching someone in the stomach can really cause someone to fall to the ground pretty fast.
I grabbed the girl's books from the air making sure they didn't fall to the ground as I handed them back to her. She held the books tightly to her a tiny "thank you" sounded from her lips before she took off, tears still coming down. I turned back to Josh as he struggled back to his feet "what the fuck freak? We were only playing around" I snorted "yeah right douchebage you did the same thing to me when we were kids, it's no different" he chuckled "all fun and games right? Now it's your turn freak" he went to swing at me but I dodged swinging a right hook at his jaw knocking him down before I sighed grabbing my bag and walking away.
"The next time you want to spare Josh, make sure you know how to fight before you do" I called back to him knowing he and his goonies wouldn't come out in public trying to fight me as I made my way back home. I walked through the door expecting to see my parents but noticed the house was extremely quiet. 'They must be at the sanctuary' I thought putting my bag down in my room before making my way out, thankfully the sanctuary isn't too far from our home.
I tied my hoodie around my waist as it got a little too warm for me as I walked in the sun. Once I started getting close I could hear the animals that were in their enclosures, I smiled to myself speeding up my walking towards the entrance so I could spend my normal time with the animals, my perfect paradise. "How did school go dear?" Mom asked me as soon as I walked through the entrance doors "it was boring" I responded not looking at her as I sped past " your father has some important people coming in later, so make sure you don't freak everyone out being in the exotic enclosures!" I could hear mom behind her voice fading. I didn't bother paying attention I could care less what people see I just want to be around the animals and forget the day.
"Hey, guys!" I said with a smile as I walked past some smaller enclosures "hi hi!" They responded back to me excited to see me. That's right, you heard it, I can talk to animals. That's why I told you in the beginning that my parents thought I was having actual conversations with the animals, they were right but since they couldn't hear the animals as I could it just looked like a child having a conversation with a 'dumb' animal. I stopped in front of the wolf enclosure unlocking it and making sure to lock it behind me when I stepped in. "Welcome back child" I turned around to see the older Alpha male of the pack as he sat close by with a gentle toothy grin on his face "hey old man, how was your guy's day so far?" I slightly bowed my head in respect to his title before sitting down next to him as the other wolves made their way to me in exciting yips and tails waging. "It's nice to see you guys too! Ha ha! Quite that it tickles!" I laughed failing miserably at keeping the other wolves at bay.
"That's enough everyone let the child breath" Aloha male lightly growled warning everyone as they finally backed off whining that they wanted to cuddle me. "Thanks, old man" I took a deep breath as I chuckled "they love you, child, your the only one here who could hear us" I nodded leaning slightly against him as I looked around at the others as they played with each other "I've been wanting to be here all day instead of going to school, but of course, I would get into fights with my parents if I did that, they would keep me from coming out here" I sighed playing with a few strands of grass in front of me "I would hope you wouldn't do that child, we would like you to keep coming around, it makes it better then being in this miserable place" he responded licking a part of my face.
(TIME SKIP)
I couldn't tell you how much time has passed but all of a sudden I heard my dad's voice he seemed to be talking with somebody "oh shit" I whispered in panic "what's wrong child?" Alpha asked me "I wasn't supposed to be in any enclosures when my father came out with some people he was supposed to be meeting with today." I went to get up when Alpha stepped in front of me as he called a couple of other wolves to stand or sit in front of me "that way they won't see you child, your not leaving that quickly" I smiled up at him in gratefulness as I made sure to stay hidden as my dad and a couple of other businessmen came up to the enclosure "and this is the wolf enclosure, we have a minimal of 15 wolves and that there, is the Alpha" he pointed at him who was sitting right in front of me as he eyes the men in front of the enclosure.
"Quite marvelous David, you've done a great deed here in helping and releasing these animals," an older man said with a smile "anything to help the wildlife here, we strive for the best outcome" I rolled my eyes at my dad's fake happy voice, as the men walked off to the next enclosure down I sighed in relief thanking the wolves for helping hide me so I could get out once they left " I want you to come back later child, can you do that?" The Alpha asked me as I dusted myself off "I'm not sure if I can, I'll try my best Alpha I promise" giving everyone a hug and kissing the top of Alpha's head I walked out of the enclosure locking it securely behind me quickly walking back towards the main building in hurried steps making sure no one saw me.
"Did they see you?" Was Mom's first question when she saw me "no they didn't, the wolves covered me" she rolled her eyes not believing a word out of my mouth "the wolves don't care that much sweetheart" it was my turn to roll my eyes at her "sure" I left before anything else was said making my way to one of the private rooms that had puppies in them to keep myself occupied until my father and the other men left so I could rejoin the wolves. The puppies were fun being they were excited to have someone play with them. I heard outside the door my father walking the men around showing them different parts of the building 'I wonder what they're talking about ' I thought deciding to leave the room just in case my dad didn't want me around.
But I was a little too late when I walked out the door and they all appeared in front of me. I tensed a little looking at my dad and seeing an unreadable expression on his face, knowing later I would probably be scolded I sighed and turned away to start walking when one of the men spoke up "and who are you, little missy? Are you a worker here?" I looked back at my dad for a second before returning my gaze back to the man "no I'm not, my name is Amber Williams sir" all the men's gazes turned to surprise as they turned to my dad "you didn't tell us you had a daughter David" they chuckled as dad dry laughed "this meeting is a little bit more important gentlemen I didn't have time to go over any personal matters."
They laughed again as the same gentlemen turned back to me "my name is Sirius Bernard I'm a friend and business partner to your father, we go around looking at the enclosures and the inside of the buildings to make sure everything is up to date and make sure the animals are comfortable here, do you help your parents around often?" He seemed like a genuine man but I still kept my guard up "I come over after school every day and stay here for most of the day on the weekends and help feed the wolves outside sir" he smiled down at me "that's wonderful child I'm glad to see such a young lady helping out the environment, keep up the good work." My father and they left to finish their inspection of the place as mom grabbed my arm "I told you to stay out of sight Amber" I ripped my arm out of her grip "it's not like I planned to bump into them, they already finished outside so I'm going back out there."
I glared at her leaving as I heard her sigh behind me muttering 'such a troublesome kid' i felt a ping in my chest feeling hurt at moms words, I didn't bother turning around to confront her about it as it just would have made things worse. I unlocked the wolf enclosure heading in to see everyone gathered back around me to say they missed me "I missed you guys too, I came back as I promised." I made my way towards Alpha as he sauntered over to me giving me a kiss on the cheek like normal "glad to see you could make it child" I nuzzled into the side of his face as a sign of affection "I did try old man, I'm glad I could come back, mom got mad at me just because I ran into dad and his business partners earlier." Alpha sighed laying down next to me as I leaned against him as the others played around "don't get too down child they don't understand how much you try for them just yet, but they will soon."
"Hopefully" I muttered sighing (I tend to do that a lot) "now," Alpha said strongly making me jump "for the matter at hand I want to speak with you about child" I had a feeling it was something very important so I turned my full attention to him "after you left our enclosure and the men came back around with your father I overheard them talking about the place" a bad feeling formed in my chest "they want to completely shut this place down and spread us wolves and the other animals across other sanctuary's and rescues or even releasing some of us into the wild" I gasped feeling complete dread come over me as I hugged Alpha close "they can't do that! Why would they separate any of you?! How could they?!" Alpha did his best to hug me back "I don't know child, they haven't decided a date yet, but they said it might happen this month or sometime next month." I felt absolutely betrayed by my parents for doing this, why wouldn't they tell me?!
They knew how much the animals meant to me! Why?! I cried on Alpha's shoulder for a while as the other members of the pack did their best to console me in their own way. When I heard mom calling me from the back door I tensed not wanting to answer her or leave Alpha's side but Alpha nudged me not wanting me to get into more trouble. I hugged everyone goodbye for the night, as I left I looked back at Alpha tears still in my eyes, he nodded to me once with a gentle look on his face. "Finally you come out, you were with the wolves again weren't you?" I glared at mom trying to keep the tears from falling "what are you crying for?" I shrugged away from her not bothering to answer, but she stopped me with a hand around my wrist "you will answer me, Amber, I'm getting tired of you ignoring me when I ask you a question."
"It doesn't matter anyway, does it? My voice doesn't matter" I ripped my wrist from her hand "what do you mean 'doesn't matter?' Of course, it matters" I snapped back "no it doesn't! When were you guys going to tell me you were going to shut down this place?" Mom froze "how did you know that?" I tearfully glared at her gritting my teeth "it doesn't matter how I found out, when were you planning on telling? The day it happens?!" Her face changed to that of irritation "we shouldn't have to discuss anything with you, you don't own this business, your father and I do, all business matters are between us" I got so mad I turned and punched the wall next to me creating a dent making mom flinch back "and don't you think I wast my time every day here since I could walk just to play around?! I help feed these animals! I help take care of them! The wolves are my best friends and they have never hurt me! Why would you take that away from me?!"
I broke down in tears "these are the only things in this world that actually give a shit about me! You nor dad ever did and no one at school could care less about me! I fucking hate you both!" I screamed taking off outside the building and noticing dad and the men standing in front of an expensive vehicle as they turned to me in shock, I glared hatefully at them tears streaming down in anger I continued running down the street, a different direction from my home. I didn't want to go back, not now, I couldn't bear it. Knowing my wolf friends are going to be taken away from me without even giving a shit about what I think makes me so fucking angry!
I don't know how long I was running but when I finally ran out of breath I stopped placing my hands on my knees as I struggled to take a breath I angrily wiped tears away but they kept coming back. I finally calmed down enough to stand back up and take a look at my surroundings, I was in some part of the woods as I turned around in the direction I came from I could barely see the entrance of the forest.
I decided to press on instead of going back I still felt angry and didn't want to face them. I don't know how long I walked but I soon found a clearing with a small waterfall and a pond, I felt calm being here sitting down at the water's edge looking down and peering at my reflection. Tear stains on my face as my eyes were red from crying, I looked away not wanting to see any more of my misery looking back at me.
I looked around liking how quiet it was compared to the town I could actually feel myself relaxing hearing the trickling of water and a few droplets from the tiny frogs jumping in or out. I took a deep breath laying fully down on my back looking up at the sky changing colors as the sun sets. Granted I'm not trying to be poetic here but it feels nice to sometimes think so. It may have been another half an hour when I heard rustling sounds to my left.
I shot up quickly thinking both or one of my parents found me but what surprised me the most is it wasn't either of them, but the small girl that sat with me during lunch "what are you doing here?" I asked looking up at her, her cheeks turned red as she avoided eye contact "I, I usually come here when I, I want t, to get away from people for a, a bit" I laid back down feeling a sense of relief knowing it wasn't who I thought it was
"E, everything ok?" I looked back at the girl from the corner of my eye and then looked back up at the sky "no nothing is ok" I didn't want to spill what was wrong with me to someone I didn't even know so we just sat in silence for a little as she fidgeted with her fingers. I sighed finally giving in "my parents run a sanctuary not too far from here, but I just found out today that there planning on shutting the place down and going to relocate the animals everywhere."
She gasped "I'm so sorry, did you like the animals there?" I snorted "liked them? The animals there are my life, especially the wolves...they are my only family.." I trailed off looking away I didn't want to show my tears to her. I heard her shift closer before gently placing her hand on my shoulder "I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that, you shouldn't have to" we sat in more silence as she did her best to comfort me, the first person since being in this world that's willing to comfort me and not make fun of me.
"I never got your name" she looked at me confused "I never got your name at school earlier today, what is it?" She suddenly looked so embarrassed "I am so sorry! I completely forgot and I thought I already told you! My name is Daisy!" Her chipper attitude almost made me cringe not used to it but I pushed the feeling back "Daisy huh? Nice name, my name is Amber" she smiled at me, I don't know why but I felt almost drawn to her "how old are you, Daisy?"
"I'm 13!" My eyes almost bulged out of my head "13?! How are you in high school already!" Her cheeks turned red "I was able to skip a couple of grades since I did really well in my other school and they recommended to my parents that I could go to high school since I'm at a college level of learning." Daisy really looked embarrassed to be telling me but I chuckled "nice going kid" she smiled shyly at me "thank you, how old are you?" "16, I moved up a grade myself, I'm a junior."
We sat there well past dark just talking about random things I really did like Daisy and how much we actually clicked, I'm glad I was able to make my first ever friend hopefully it doesn't end badly. "Oh no! I should have been home ages ago!" Daisy said freaking out as she quickly got up dusting herself off "I'm sorry to cut this short Amber but I gotta go!" I nodded getting up myself "yeah your right, I should head home myself, I'm sure my parents are worried about me by now" probably not but I'm not gonna say that to her.
Suddenly another rustling sound came from in front of us as a wolf appeared growling at us with teeth bare, Daisy squeaked hiding behind me as I got defensive "what's a wolf doing here?!" Her whole body was shaking in fear "I'm surprised a wolf is this close to town" I replied keeping my eyes trained on the wolf not backing down keeping my arm against Daisy to protect her.
"Mommy? Can I come out now?" A small voice sounded from the bushes "of course, not son! There are humans here! I'm trying to chase them off!" The wolf snapped at the bushes as I stared at her in shock, a mother huh? I couldn't really speak to her and blow my secret to Daisy after just gaining her as a friend. The wolf stepped closer snapping her jaws at us as Daisy flinched "don't be frightened Daisy I'm here, I'll protect you" I said squeezing her arm in my hand.
"I want you to run Daisy" "What?!" She whisper shouted at me "but what about you?" I chuckled "I've worked with wolves my entire life I know how they are, I want you to trust me and when I tell you to run I want you to run, do you understand?" She looked between me and the wolf hesitantly "do you understand?" I asked more sternly as she flinched under my tone "y, yes" I nodded giving her a soft smile as the wolf stepped closer hackles raised "go!" I shouted pushing Daisy towards the entrance of the forest, she looked back at me for a split second before taking off holding her bag close.
Once I couldn't see her anymore I turned my full attention back to the wolf as I took a step back, it took another towards me. Now I don't have to worry about Daisy learning my secret "I don't want to hurt you or your son" I finally said slowly getting on my knees "wait, how did she know I have a son?" The wolf mother looked at me suspiciously "I can understand you that's why" her head shot up in shock at my response "can you really?" I nodded back to her "yes I can, you were just trying to scare me and my friend off so you and your son can enjoy the water right?"
The wolf mother still looked hesitant but she called out to her son to come out. A small months old puppy walked out going straight to his mom "I thought you chased both humans off mommy?" He looked at me shyly "this one seems different, she can understand us" her son suddenly lit up in excitement "really?! She can hear us talk?!" I chuckled "yes I can" he got even more excited bouncing over to me and running in circles around me "that's so cool! How are you able to understand us? Did you get into a crazy accident? Can anyone else talk to us?-" "Enough son!" He tripped over his own feet trying to stop and I laughed out loud I couldn't help it, it was so funny!
"You don't need to overload the human with your questions they may not have an answer to!" Wolf's mother scolded him as he cowered down "I'm sorry mommy.." I gently smiled at them as I got their attention "it's ok really I don't mind how curious he is, I'm not sure how I'm able to I was born with it, I have never been in any accident in my entire life, and I'm not sure if anyone else can as far as I know."
He toothy grinned at me "but I do have to go home I don't mean to be in your guy's way, maybe we can talk again sometime?" I asked getting up off the ground "can we mom?!" The wolf mother chuckled "I don't mind at all, you are an interesting human and a nice one, maybe not all humans" she took her son and left leaving me alone. My smile disappeared having a feeling of emptiness bloomed in my chest as I thought of Alpha and the pack.
That's when the anger came back knowing what my parents were going to do to the animals and the place I grew up in, I made up my mind, I'm going to do everything I can to keep the animals and the building to stay. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I guess the best way to start is to talk to my parents, after the fight with mom I'm not sure if they're willing to even talk to me right at the moment.
Well, first things first I need to make it back home before it gets really late, not that I already wasn't...I patted myself down to get any dirt off before making my way to the entrance. I wasn't expecting to anyone there, but when I saw Daisy still standing there shaking with fear clutching her bag close to her chest and her phone in hand "Daisy? Are you ok?" She gasped seeing me walk out of the forest with no injuries, she hugged me close catching me off guard.
"I thought you had died or gotten hurt! I pulled my phone to call the police or something to try and save you! What took you so long?!" I was speechless at first not expecting to get this kind of reaction out of someone I barely met the same day. I gently patted the top of her head "I'm alright I told you I know how wolves work I grew up with them, and it didn't take it long before it just wandered back off toward wherever it came from."
She sniffled finally letting me go as I fixed my shirt "I'm sorry" I looked back at Daisy "I just got so scared I'm not used to having friends and I thought after possibly being your friend that I thought I lost you to wild animals" a small smile appeared on my face at her being so cute "it's alright I promise, I'm going to be heading home now I think we both stayed out a little too late, I'll see you Monday?" Daisy nodded meekly not saying anything.
"Hey I promise everything is ok I didn't mean to scare or worry you like that I just wanted to make sure you were before I did my thing with the wolves, it's better when there's not an overwhelming scent of fear to them, it makes them worried is all" I patted her head again as I went to walk past her to head home kinda feeling bad for leaving her there but I didn't know where she lived and I needed to get home pronto and just go to bed after a swirl of emotions today.
The minute I stepped through the front door I was bombarded with tons of questions along with a few scoldings in the middle of it. "Do you know how worried we were?! "Where did you go?!" "We were just about to call the police and say you were a missing person!-" "STOP!" I shouted making the whole house quiet "for one I don't even want to hear how worried you were when I know you weren't! I have a phone you know you can call me or text me, but you didn't do any of that so I highly doubt you were that worried about me!"
They both just looked at me with different expressions "and don't even get me started on calling the cops or anything as you didn't even bother getting ahold of me, let alone tell me about the sanctuary as I think I would have some kind of say as I've helped you since I could walk! Both of you know how much those animals mean to me, especially the wolves!" Mom was going to say something but I cut her off "oh I know! The business is just between you two, but don't you think I deserve to know somewhat of what's happening to that place!?"
She closed her mouth to that "I'm going to bed don't bother talking to me for a while, but tomorrow I'm heading over there to take care of the wolves like I always do, maybe we will talk then, but I am not in the mood to speak to either of you for the rest of the night." I climbed the stairs to my room silent tears coming down my cheeks. I couldn't help myself as I cried it felt good to lay that off my chest, but at the same time I felt guilty and in pain about it I just wanted my parents to know how I felt about what they were doing, that sanctuary is all I've ever known in my life and I just fell there tearing that away from me, a part of me I will never get back.