"Get your a** over here!" My father shouted at me from across the house.
I have no idea what I did, I just got home from school and was hiding in my room, keeping quiet. I went downstairs and approached cautiously, keeping my head bowed low.
"What is this?!" He asked angrily, as he pointed to my school shoes on the floor. I was in such a hurry to run away to my room that I forgot to put them on the shoe rack.
"Sorry, Dad. I forgot…" I murmured quietly, hoping not to provoke him.
"WELL…" He said impatiently when I didn't move right away. I looked up and met his ice cold blue eyes, making the blood in my veins turn to ice. "Clean them up!" He said.
I bowed my head and knelt down to pick up my shoes. He was standing very close and it made my hair stand on end. I was so scared that my movements were very stiff. I didn't even dare to breathe when he was like this. Anything would set him off.
I placed my shoes on the rack but some of the dry mud from the bottom of them fell on the carpet. Oh no…
Before I had time to process what was happening I felt my face get pushed into the carpet, right on top of the dirt.
"Look at this! You slob! You leave your shoes everywhere and track mud in the house! I shouldn't have to tell you to clean up after yourself!" He continued yelling as I started to cry.
"It was an accident.." I stumbled out, trying to defend myself.
"Are you talking back to me?" He shouted, even angrier. He picked me up off the floor and looked straight into my soul. I froze on the spot, I shouldn't have said anything. He hauled off and punched me in the side of the head, knocking me down to the ground. Involuntarily I yelled at the pain, which only seemed to fuel the fire. He threw me over to the couch and started punching my ribs, my back, my legs while shouting. He rambled on and on about me talking back and being ungrateful for everything we have.
As I held my breath and tried to hold in the screams, hoping it would end soon, I saw my sister, standing in the doorway smirking. It looked like she provoked him again. She was my mother's favorite, so he wouldn't touch her. And my brother was his golden child. I was the black sheep. I was his favorite punching bag, his favorite scapegoat. I should be used to this by now.
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I woke with a start. My arms were up in front of me to defend my face, my heart was racing, and I was covered in a cold sweat. It was dark out. It took a minute to remember where I was. I hate when my memories creep up on me like that. It's been a while since I've dreamt of my childhood.
I took a deep calming breath and readjusted, as my butt was starting to become numb from sitting on the ground. I have no idea how long I've been out here. I still hear people inside, so it's before midnight.
Midnight!! I forgot I am supposed to go to the Stonehenge. I've only been there once before, I should get Marshall to show me the way. Just as I was about to get up, the man himself came stumbling out of the long house. Before I could say anything to him, I saw Kara in tow. She was laughing and he looked drunk. He's never been drunk before, he's always very moderate with his drinks.
Something seemed off about Marshall, although I've never seen him drunk so I have no reference. My heart started aching again and my breathing halted. I felt so strange but couldn't quite place this feeling. I could get up from where I was seated and interrupt them but for some reason I didn't. I just sat there and watched the show.
She grabbed him by the shoulders and pinned him against the long house. They started making out and I heard a growl from him which was accompanied by a lighter one from her. I immediately regretted not stepping out… now it's going to be weird… and I really don't want to see this…
As I sat there debating what to do, Marshall grabbed her a** and pulled her closer. She let out a deep moan as he kissed and sucked her neck. I watched her grind her hips against his.. ahem… nether regions.. and I felt like someone just punched the air out of me.
I couldn't move, I couldn't think, and I couldn't look away. I was praying someone would interrupt them, to stop this from happening right in front of me. I felt tears start to prick at my eyes. "Marshall…" I whispered, almost inaudibly. And covered my face.
I heard him growl again, this time was even deeper. "Mika…" I heard him mumble as his voice became muffled.
I froze.. oh no.. did they see me? I looked up and saw those two, still entangled, but the positions were flipped. He had her pressed against the house and had ripped her shirt open. His face was currently buried in her breasts, but I swear I heard him say…
"Mika, you have no idea how frail my self control is right now…" As he shoved his hips up against hers.
"You don't have to be gentle." Kara said back to him between gasps
"Mika…. Mikaaa.." He murmured as he trailed kisses around her neck and breasts.
I was completely confused.. why is saying my name? He's with Kara right now… I readjusted my posture to get a better look. He looked up at her as she grabbed his chin and raised his face to hers. His eyes.. I think they flashed red!
I must be crazy.. But… I watched as they started making out and she reached for the buttons of his pants. There is no way… however something is definitely wrong here.
I mustered up my courage and stood up. I called out "Hey!" And drew their attention, just as that massive thing sprung from his pants.
Talk about timing…
I felt a blush creep up my face as I walked closer to them and tried, VERY HARD, to look only at their faces. Sheesh, everything feels like an innuendo right now.
Kara looked at me in annoyance and shot back, "What do you want, Little one?" She emphasized the words, little one.
How could she not feel any shame? Her b***s are hanging out, they are both half undressed, and I'm standing right here. She doesn't even look phased.
I glance over at Marshall and his eyes were flickering between purple and red as he stared at the two of us.
"WELL?" She asked, louder, and definitely annoyed.
"What have you done to him?" I asked, as I didn't take my eyes off him. Something was definitely not right here. He hasn't even acknowledged me standing here.
"What makes you think I did anything?" She said, in a haughty tone, "Is it that hard to believe that he chose a real woman, who can provide for the pack, over.. whatever you are." She looked down her nose at me. He words really hit home. She wasn't wrong. But I was concerned about Marshall's abnormal behavior.
I tried my best to ignore the insult and said to her, "No I wouldn't be surprised, I have nothing to offer. But that doesn't mean he wants you." I turned to look back at Marshall, "I heard you say my name. I am right here. Are you okay?" I went to reach towards him and I heard Kara say,
"Wait! I wouldn't-"
I screamed and Suddenly the world spun and Marshall was on top of me, looking down into my eyes. He looked like a true wolf in this light, ready to devour his prey. He brought his face nose to nose with mine, without breaking eye contact.
"Marshall?" I whispered, scared to see this side of him. His eyes started to flicker again, he leaned down, nose against my neck, and he…
Sniffed?
Did this big man-dog just sniff me? He perked right up, ears up, tail swishing, and looked down at me.
"Mika?" He asked, half confused and half excited.
"Yes?" I asked back cautiously. Seriously, this guy was like night and day here.
He stayed there, looking down at me, lost in thought. I was wondering what was going through his mind when i realized how uncomfortable I was. Something was poking me so I wiggled a little to reposition and it immediately became even more uncomfortable. Oh boy… it's that again…
He froze on the spot, as did I. Neither of us breathing. "Sorry.." He murmured, "I must have fallen asleep. I had a very.. vivid dream." He said as he climbed off me and fixed his pants.
"Dream?" I asked, completely bewildered. Did he think I was stupid? I looked over to where Kara was just a minute ago and she was gone. That weasel can't even take responsibility.
"Yeah, heh. Probably was on my mind after reading uncle's book. Sorry, it wont happen again." He said, earnestly.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I asked him, "Was Kara in your dream, by any chance?"
"Kara? Why would she be in my dream? I haven't even talked to her yet today." He said, with 100% seriousness.
This guy was really too much! If I was a little taller I would karate chop his head like his uncle did!
Speaking of the devil, his uncle came around the side of the long house and looked right at us. "I uh… heard everything."
"Everything?" Marshall looked genuinely confused.
"And?" I asked, starting to get angry.
"Don't be mad with Marshall, it's not his fault. I will have to have a word with Kara tomorrow."
"Kara again…" Marshall muttered in confusion, watching the conversation unfold.
"Don't be mad?!" I shot back, "What would I be mad about? He can sleep with whoever he wants!" I huffed.
"Huh?!" That got Marshall's attention. He ears pricked up and he looked completely shocked.
"Mika, Marshall didn't want to sleep with Kara, he only wants you!" Harris tried to reason with me.
I was in no mood to pretend to be understanding. I was hurt, although it made no sense since we were nothing to each other.
"So what? Because I wouldn't sleep with him, he had to do it with SOMEBODY? PLEASE! I don't believe in that male urges crap!" I spat back, fully enraged.
I felt tears pricking at my eyes. I had no reason to cry and I didn't want them to see it. I turned around, and was preparing to walk away, when Harris Said something that caught my attention.
"Did you notice something strange about, Marshall?" Harris asked, crossing his arms like he knew everything.
I froze in my spot. Yes! His eyes! A small bit of hope rose up as I turned around. I raised my eyebrows at him, prompting him to continue.
"You looked like you sensed something.. Or maybe saw something?" He added. He must have read my mind when he added, "Tell me what you saw."
My curiosity was piqued, and I didn't want to believe Marshall to be that kind of guy, so I told him what I saw. I made it as PG as possible to ease the awkward atmosphere between Marshall and I, he looked completely dejected. He didn't say a word through the whole thing.
Harris' eyes lit up when I told him that I saw Marshall's eyes change colors. "I knew it!" He exclaimed, as if he made some big discovery.
"what?" I asked, a little annoyed that he wasn't more sympathetic to my feelings.
"Ahem," He cleared his throat and resumed his calm demeanor, "It is obvious to me that Marshall was bewitched using a potion - that fact is undeniable as I can even.." He leaned over and sniffed Marshall, "smell it on him." He brushed his robes and continued on, "What is most interesting is how you can see the manifestation of the mana!"
"You are saying Marshall was drugged?" I asked incredulously.
"Not just drugged my dear," Harris explained, "Drugged with a magic potion. they are very potent. Much like the water we gave you when you arrived here, which was also a potion. Potions are very rare and hard to come by, you would need something of great value to trade them for. Kara gave him a bewitchment potion which made him see the person he most wished to see when.. um… doing the deed." He winked at the end for effect.
Harris has always been very honest so I had no reason not to believe him. If there is healing potions I'm sure there are roofy potions too.
"When you got closer, your scent drew him in, and effectively broke the spell." Harris added, as if reading my mind again.
"Okay, I believe you.." I said cautiously. I am sure there is something else, since he was so excited a moment ago.. "you said it was surprising that I saw his eyes change, why is that?"
"Because potions are undetectable when active. No one can see them, smell them, or taste them. What you saw, Mika, was the physical manifestation of the mana. the mana was affecting his eyes and thus, you saw it there! Brilliant!"
"Why can't anyone else see them?" I asked, watching him pat himself down looking for something to write on, no doubt.
He stopped and looked at me like I was slower than Marshall. "Because no one has that level of vitality in their bodies. No one has been that powerful since the progenitors."
"Huh?" I asked, completely confused. Is he telling me I have powers, like a real isekai novel?!
He looked up at the moon and said, "walk with me to the Stonehenge, I will tell you on the way."