-2-

My eyes flutter open, as I squint slightly at the sight of the sun over the horizon, and shining through my window. Letting out a small groan, I block the sun with my hands. Pushing myself out of bed, I feel a blanket pool at my waist and look down to see myself in my PJs.

First off- how the heck am I in bed right now? Didn't I fall asleep outside? Secondly, when did I change into my PJs?

My mind swirled with questions, as I climbed out of bed, and walked out of my room and towards my front door. Swinging the door open, I look outside to see nothing there. No bag, no equipment, and no wolf. I walk back inside, closing the door softly before turning back around and sliding down the door and sitting on the ground.

Did last night even happen?

In a daze, I get up before starting to walk around my house and I find everything I thought I had used last night back in its rightful place.

I'm.

Going.

Crazy.

Walking back to my room, I flop back into bed staring at my ceiling thinking about last night -- or what I thought had happened last night. Beep! Beep! Beep! BEEP!  my alarm goes off next to me making me almost jump out of my skin. I slam the snooze button on the alarm clock, before rolling back over in bed and groaning into my pillow.

Oh so now it works. Since I have time, I decide to take a shower, change into some proper work clothes, brush my hair and teeth, and for once even dab on a bit of makeup. Before I leave, I brew a quick cup of coffee and grab my bag off the counter, and then I'm off. When I step outside, I look down in front of me where the mysterious wolf had been lying the night before. Not a pebble out of place. There was no way I could have imagined this. Last night was too vivid, it felt too real for it all to be a figment of my imagination or a lie fabricated by my own subconscious. Trying to forget last night, I walk down the gravel road before eventually arriving at work to see the familiar blonde trying to unlock the doors.

"Hey, Liz!" I call out, running up the help her when I notice her struggle to turn the key with all of the bags in her hand.

She turns, and when she notices me, she lets out an exaggerated gasp and she gives me a bright smile.

"Well look who we have here! Rose, up before 9:00! Impressive. I can't believe you kept your word when it meant you having to get up early, and for work nonetheless." Letting out a small laugh, I roll my eyes before grabbing a few of the grocery bags from her hands so she wouldn't struggle as much.

"I know, I'm quite impressed myself." She pulls the doors open, and we both walk in, placing the bags on the counter and they sound with a 'clink'. We both settle in before regrouping, ready for another day at the animal clinic.

"Alright," she claps her hands together, "I'll start doing the morning rounds, and you stay here for a bit to wait for the delivery guy. I don't want to have to leave the poor guy alone at the desk again." Nodding in agreement, I take a sip of my coffee, before placing it on the front desk. Grabbing all the bags, I quickly store them in their rightful places, then walk back to my desk.

When I sit down in my swivel chair, I reach towards my bag shuffling through to find my phone so I could entertain myself. Although, while looking through I grab a folded pamphlet, and quickly realize it's the one Liz had given me yesterday.

Peering over my desk I look around to see if Liz was nearby. The sound of the puppies yipping happily echoes from the kennels, so I know she is preoccupied in there.

Opening the pamphlet, I read through the descriptions, and glance at the pictures. The place seemed... exciting. I mean, I could become a real veterinarian if I wanted to. No longer be working the desk or just assisting the surgery but actually doing it.

Could I really do that to Liz? Leave her by herself at the clinic and move away from where I grew up, the place I call home--?

Suddenly, the bell chimes at the front door, and I shove the pamphlet quickly back into my bag. Standing up, I go to greet the delivery guy only to be surprised when as soon as I turn the corner I am engulfed in a hug.

"Rose! Darling! Long time no see, I've missed you so much," A familiar voice says, as they ruffle my hair like 'old-times'. My stomach dropped.

No, it couldn't be him. He cannot be here.

Glancing up at the man in front of me, I am greeted by a pair of emerald eyes, like my own, and to a man who had a stupid grin on his face.

I couldn't stand to be close to him any longer. Prying his arms off me, I step back and send him an icy glare. "Long time no see my ass! How long has it been, Dad?" I grit out, sarcasm drips from my voice. I notice his smile falter momentarily. It's almost as if he expected me to welcome him with open arms after what he did.

"A... Year?" He asks, hesitation laced in his voice.

"No. Not a year. Not two years. Three years! You've been God knows where for three years and you left me alone." Running my hands through my hair in frustration, I notice him take a step towards me, a hand outstretched and I just move further away from him.

He gives me a pained look, "I wanted to come back, but my job just wouldn't allow it..."

Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms across my chest, "Yeah, whatever you say. You know, you could've at least visited," I mumble, turning away from him and walking back to the front desk, and sitting down.

He follows me back, much to my distaste. For a moment, it's completely silent between us both. Then, I burst.

"You know," I speak up, standing up from the chair so I can look him right in the eyes, "I'm not even surprised you pulled something like this. I mean, why would I expect you to be around when you never were for your own daughter's birthday, or even your wife's -- my mom's funeral," I spat at him, as tears began to well in my eyes, a few tumbling down my cheeks, and I noticed how he looked at me with pity.

I hated it. I hated how quickly I snapped. I hated that he got to see me like this. I hated how evoked such a reaction from me and how he made me feel. I hated all of it.

"That was never what I wanted, Rose," He says, his voice laced with sadness, and I could tell from his face where he was going to go next with what he was saying.

"Please, Dad, don't start this again -- "

"I didn't want to have to see that -- that fake funeral. I mean, no one ever found her body, she has to still be alive --"

"Can you even comprehend what you're saying right now! How can she not be dead? She was murdered- ruthlessly, might I add. Dad, they found blood on the crime scene, her blood was found, and her remains. They found the killer, and he was prosecuted to life in jail."

"No one can prove she's dead," He repeats, a scowl etched on his face, "She faked it, and she left. And I'm going to find her."

I let out a humorless laugh, "You and your superstitions. First about there being the supernatural, and now mom's not dead? You're ridiculous. She's been gone for five years," I whispered at the end, as I send him another harsh glare.

Suddenly, the door from outside swung open, and Liz entered holding a package in hand.

"Hey Rose, do you maybe wanna order in Chinese for lunch? I'm craving some crab rangoon. Oh, and by Delivery, the guy caught me outside, so no need to worry about..." she trails off once she spots where my father is, and glances over to where my father is, "Oh, hello Mr. Daniels. I didn't know you were coming."

Her eyes flicker towards my clenched fists, and when she spots the expression on my fake she places the package by the door before walking to my side to be my support.

"Brian is just fine, Lizette," my dad says with a polite tone, acting almost as if we weren't just arguing moments ago.

My entire life my dad has been overbearing, and annoying beyond belief. He pushes his beliefs on anyone he is around, talking about how werewolves, vampires, fairies, and ghosts exist -- crazy stuff like that. He and my mom would even get in fights about it, with her insisting he stopped the nonsense. But he never did. His job, which I even doubt exists from how secretive he is about it, makes him leave for months or years at a time. At first, I assumed when he left all the time, he was leaving my mom and I for good, but he always found his way back.

"He was just leaving," I say, giving him the sweetest smile I could manage, and pull him out of the building. He waves to Liz one more time before we get outside.

"I want you to leave," I say firmly, and when he goes to speak again I hold up my hand before cutting him off, "Leave this town. I don't need you here anymore. I don't need you as a 'father figure'. You lost your chance for doing that a long time ago."

"Rose, I'm staying because I have a job here. Anyway, this town isn't safe. I'm going to stay with you. You can't be alone, those... creatures probably roam these parts regularly," He spits out at the mention of them, and I can tell he wants me to believe all this bull crap.

"You are not staying with me. I've been fine for the past three years without you, and you think now that it's dangerous?" I laugh bitterly.

"I-"

"Stay in some motel or something. I don't care, as long as it's not with me." And with those words said, I walk swiftly back inside, and when I reach my desk I slump in my chair and let out a sigh. Placing my head in my hands, I just sit there and think. Think about the times where some could consider him a good father. Times I envy and wish I could have held onto for a little bit longer.

"I'm sorry he is back," Lizette says, as she places her hand on my shoulder.

"He won't be a problem anymore, I've gotten rid of him for the time being," I reply, "Anyways, thanks for saving me back there. God knows what I would've done if I was stuck there alone with him for a moment." I squeeze her hand that sat on my shoulder reassuringly.

She nods smiling. "No problem. Anyways, what did the psycho say?" She asks.

"The same nonsense as usual. About how he needs to protect me, and how mom's not dead," I mutter, pulling my hand away from hers.

"Just stay away from him, okay? He's not in his right mind." She says as I laugh.

"When has he ever been sane?"

A small smile now embedded itself on my face, and I realize how lucky I am to have the support I do from Liz. Turning back towards my workstation, I begin working away as Liz goes back to tending the animals. I just hope my dad will stay away, so I don't have to see him again.

~

Letting out a yawn, I stand up from the desk grabbing my jacket and slipping it on. After the lack of sleep from last night, I was exhausted and ready to go home for the day. Grabbing my bag, I put it over my shoulder and go to head out of the clinic only to suddenly be stopped by a woman panting, her dog in her arms, and a cut across the dogs' abdomen. Almost immediately, I ushered her and her dog to the emergency room, where Liz stood getting ready to leave as well. Both of us rushed to help, and an hour or two later we sent her back out the door with her dog on the way to full recovery.

Due to the minor delay, I left much later than expected, and I could barely see a single thing in the pitch black of the night except for the stars that glimmered above me. Glancing down at my watch, I groan when I realize it's 12:00 am. Letting out another huff, I realize tonight's sleep won't be as plentiful as I'd like, and I'd probably end up dozing off tomorrow during my shift.

The night is quiet per usual, but for some reason, it seems a bit quieter than the nights before. The crickets are no longer chirping their songs, and the bullfrogs aren't croaking into the night. Maybe it's just because of the late hour.

Another yawn passes my lips, as I pull the lapels of my jacket together in hopes of warming myself up. A small gust of wind chills me further, and I find myself speeding up to get the home ready to bury myself beneath the covers. Although, when a loud 'crack' emitted from deep in the dark forest, I stopped eyes widening as I turn towards the sound. I stand there, my eyes darting around trying to find where the noise came from as my breathing quickened. When another crack sounds, I back up slowly trying to be completely quiet, petrified of whatever was hidden in the shadows. Once more I heard the cracking sound, but this time it was followed by a menacing growl and I stiffened in fear, frightened to the core. Two round golden orbs appeared from behind the bushes, as they slowly got closer, and I hear deep, hoarse breathing. Eyes.

Suddenly the eyes are gone and I take in a sigh of relief. That is until moments later I feel the breathing hit against the back of my neck. I don't move, and I sure as hell don't turn because I know whatever -- whoever is behind me isn't friendly. So, I do the only thing my brain is shouting at me.

Run.

-A/N-

Yep starting it off faster and getting right to the action, more to come next chapter though. Thanks for reading voting and commenting it means a lot :)

Ignore spelling and grammar mistakes I will go through later and check for mistakes.

Anyways, I'm going to sleep now XD

Vote and comment?

~TJ