AUTHORS NOTE: This is a longg update! Please remember to vote :)

[18]

Dear Diary,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a week! Ever since witnessing Kyle's transformation things happened so quickly I've hardly had any time to think, much less write. All of this is so overwhelming, but it's best to start from the beginning. After seeing what I saw in the forest, the next day in school he came up to me and asked if I could keep the secret. Figures he would ask after I knew his secret rather than before *sigh*. I agreed, but in all honestly even if I did want to blab my mouth who would I talk to? All the girls in school hate me. He then followed by inviting me to his house after school. I said no of course! His house? Just because I know his secret doesn't mean we're automatically best friends. It's his fault all the girls hate me, making me a total loner.

By the time school ended, however, it seemed I was forced into going to his house after all. The girls were following me again, only this time they weren't being as discrete and were much larger in number. Before they were about three, that day it appeared to be seven. Eric came to my rescue by walking beside me and leading me into the woods. I'm not sure which decision would have been better: going to his house or getting beat up, because when they saw Eric and I enter the woods their suspicions were confirmed, and all of their gossip now had "proof". I just wish I understood why they had to go to such extremes for boys. It's so crazy!

The house was a long walk from where we stood; without warning Eric transformed into a wolf and with a bark urged me to ride on his back. I wish I could say I disliked it but. . . it was so fun! I felt like a warrior princess— out to save the world! Okay, I'm writing in pen so please ignore that last sentence.

Someone must have been waiting for his arrival, because before we even got to the door a short, pretty woman opened it. She was speaking with someone, but when she finally turned forward and showed her entire face I had to stop myself from staring. A long dark scar started from her right cheek and ended at the base of her neck. The sight was slightly disturbing, because I knew it was not something done on accident. It made me less confident about the decision I made to go there.

Inside I was introduced to various people, which I do not remember the names of— except for Cherry who opened the door. There were so many of them, I couldn't believe I hadn't seen their faces anywhere. Of course, I'm not a good person to go by seeing as I rarely leave my house but I wondered why they all lived together. To my relief they were kind and approachable. For some reason they were happy and excited to see me. I don't understand how a group of people can be so accepting to one they've never met before.

Massie paused her reading and put a hand to her chest, remembering very well her first acquaintance with the Cult family. Unlike Jean she remembered some of their names (to her own surprise), but she couldn't help but notice the similarities in their stories. Like Jean, the Cult family was very accepting when it came to her. As a matter of fact, the Cult themselves from school became friends with her easily. So easily in fact, that even her friends were amazed.

I felt most comfortable around Cherry. Maybe because she looked the most. . . normal? They were all so tall, so strong so supernatural it was—as I said before— overwhelming. Many of them went outside to train or go for a run, while others roamed around the house. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe a dirty house with bones and blood splattered on the walls? They don't exactly fit the stereotypical werewolves. Cherry invited me to the living room to watch some television. Without me knowing I had shown comfort around her, and an unspoken agreement had been made that she would entertain me.

I ended up sitting on the side that showed her scar, and as respectful and discrete as I wanted to be my eyes kept wandering to it. "Would you like to know how I got it?" she asked me. I felt so embarrassed, but she seemed rather calm about approaching the subject. I found myself saying yes. Did she get it from them? As nice as they may seem, knowing what they were disconcerted me. She muted the television and told me her story. To my surprise as it turned out, the scar wasn't caused by the likes of this family. Corcorus Wolves. This is what they called them.

They had the abilities of werewolves, only these were wolves without control. They had no sense of righteousness, no sense of love. Their only desire was to kill, because they relished the sight blood. Their only sort of distinction is a mark on the base of their necks, indicating their savageness. Cherry had an encounter with them months ago and if it weren't for this family she wouldn't have been saved in time before it devoured her very being. Somehow, her heroic tale managed to placate my attitude towards these wolves; perhaps they deserved to be trusted after all.

The bell rang, bringing Massie out of her reverie. She placed the book in her bag and exited the quiet library, joining a hallway that was steadily beginning to fill with chatter all around. Never could she have pictured herself using a study hall period to go to the library and read, but the truth of it was that reading managed to bring her enjoyment. In her other schools she used it to go to lunch and socialize with some other group of friends she had, but Dark Falls High didn't have a large population, and many of the people her age didn't interest her enough to actually go to lunch for that. Besides, her lunch period had all the people she could bother herself to talk to.

"Massie!" Called a voice, trying to get her attention.

Massie stopped and waited for her sister to catch up. She thought it was weird how Lydia actually wanted to talk to her in school. Usually she was— quote on quote— "embarrassed" to be associated with her, so she pretended they weren't related. She couldn't see why, seeing as she didn't do things that were too out of the ordinary, but Lydia was one to always stay out of drama and sadly Massie was very familiarized with drama in every school she's been to.

"Careful, they might see us together and think we're friends." Massie warned, laughing. Looking at Lydia's facial expression her laughter ended on a sour note. "Okay, what is it that I don't know that I did that apparently has you annoyed?"

Lydia narrowed her eyes, staring up at her sister. Unlike her, Lydia didn't get the tall genes and stood at an petite height, being 5'3. Well, Massie considered that petite. She couldn't help but imagine her sister near the Cult family, and almost laughed at the picture. She would look like an elf!

"What in the world have you told Micah?" She said, eyes ablaze.

Massie smirked, needing no further explanation for her sister's vexed mood. She remembered telling Micah that if Lydia was mean to him, it meant she liked him. He must have taken it to heart and chased after her sister. Aww, they would totally make a cute couple! "Well, in my opinion, you should be thankful I told him you like him. Now you have a hot guy chasing you! Yay?!"

"No, no yay. I have a dumb girl making problems with me because apparently I stole her future boyfriend. What's worse," she said, planting a finger on Massie's chest, " is that Micah asked me out in front of her. I don't need this drama Massie; this is all your fault!" Lydia twirled the ring around her pinky, and Massie knew this was a sign that she was going to freak out— if she hadn't already.

Massie sighed, it reminded her of Jeanette when the boys kept staring at her. Why do girls have to be so catty? If a guy chooses another girl then it's on to the next one. Knowing Lydia, she was probably really troubled. Out of the two of them, Lydia was clearly the more serious and studious one. She hated girl drama, which is why she usually made acquaintances with quiet, calm classmates.

"Do you like Micah?" Massie questioned. Lydia looked taken aback.

"W-what? No! Of course not!" She stuttered, her cheeks tinting red. Massie rolled her eyes. One, her sister never stuttered, and two –much like her— Lydia rarely ever blushed.

"You're lying through your teeth; just go out with the boy already. We both know he's handsome. . ." Massie nudged her sisters shoulder, a bewitching smile touching her lips. "Besides, if the girl ever wants to fight we both know you once did kung fu."

Lydia crossed her arms and gave her sister an impassive expression, unconvinced. "Listen. I'm the new girl, that is the only reason why he's paying attention to me. When you're new meat, guys tend to give an eye. Give it a few days and he'll be infatuated with another one. That's how it is."

Massie looked up, staring at nothing in particular. "Don't I wish." She grumbled, thinking about Sebastian. Lydia's philosophy didn't work with her this time, being "new meat" and all he still doesn't do as much as bat an eye. Could it be that maybe he was. . . NO! She would make a hole and bury herself in it if that's why he ignored her. It's okay. She could absolutely get him if she just studied him a bit more. No worries. Oh my gosh! But what is he was?!

"—are you listening to me!" Lydia hissed. Massie blinked, pulling away from her thoughts.

"Of course I am." Massie huffed, as if to say 'duh!'.

"Really? What did I just say?" Lydia asked, challenging. Her purple eyes stared at her accordingly as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Why do I even have to repeat it. You know what you just said," Massie replied, too quickly.

"See! You weren't even paying attention. You never pay attention! I actually bother myself to talk to you, but you can't spare me a minute!"

"What are you talking about? We've been talking for 57 hours! I never pay attention because you never talk to me in school. What attention is there to give?"

"You don't even do the dishes anymore. Every time mom finishes dinner guess who's the one who cleans them? Me!" She accused.

Massie's eyes widen in disbelief. "What? Who was talking dishes? In case you don't remember I actually have a job now. Excuse me if you have to do a bit of measly dishes while I work my butt off for hours. Who was the one who last cleaned the bathroom?!"

"I did!" She debated.

"I know! I meant before that!"

"I did that too!"

Massie cursed. Crap, when was the last time she did the bathroom? Was it that long ago? "You know what, forget it. I'm leaving because I have a class to attend to!"

Lydia scoffed. "Leave! I don't care!"

The angry sisters each turned their own way and stomped to class. Too angry to even notice the empty hallways, for the bell had long ago rang and class had already started.

[o-o-o]

Massie walked through the store as she looked for something appropriate for her sister. After the hallway argument she felt mad for half the period and then felt a bad for the rest of the day. Lydia only freaked out that way because she wasn't used to dealing with bad bitches as much as she was. Besides, knowing her sister, she probably fumed even more after realizing she was near five minuets late to class, and she was very prompt; usually entering class a minuet before the bell rang. Oh yes, her sister was definitely distressed.

After finishing her shift at the diner she was surprised with a nice pay check and decided to get Lydia a little something to cool her down. It wasn't as if she regretted telling Micah Lydia liked him, she knew he was totally her type. As always she was right; that blush she got after asking her about her feelings for him confirmed it, and Massie needed no other words to know her sister liked him. Of course, being the way she was, she would probably deny it give poor Micah the wrong impression.

Who would have thought that in a place known as Dark Falls Massie would chase after a guy while her sister would be chased by one. It was better that way, though. Lydia would never bother herself to go after a guy anyway. For Pete's sake her sister shied away from relationship as if they were some sort of plague! She hoped Micah could show her the good sides of love, it would definitely make her less uptight. God knows she needed it.

The little store she searching through was called Dark Falls Gift Shop. Apparently, everything in this town had 'Dark Falls' in front of it, as if people didn't already know where they were. Dark Falls Diner, Dark Falls Supermarket, Dark Falls Post Office, Dark Falls Sebasti— wait what?

"Oh, hi! What are you doing here?" Massie greeted, surprised to see her crush in a gift shop. She wascurious as to who he could be buying a gift for. He didn't look like the type.

"Hello," he replied in his usual monotone voice. She didn't know how to describe it. It wasn't as if he was flat out mean and said 'don't talk to me', but he wasn't encouraging a conversation either.

His distance from the door suggested he had seen her long before she noticed him and just didn't bother saying 'hello' to her. Massie returned to look for Lydia gift, expecting no further explanation than the simple one-word she received. Massie picked up a silver ring, but on further thinking put it down. Lydia had enough rings as it was, it was her favorite type of accessory.

"I'm buying Kristin a present; it's her birthday tomorrow," he finally said, clearing his throat. Massie had to stop herself from giving a full out grin. It was an entire sentence!

"Aww, that's really nice. I didn't know it was her birthday tomorrow."

Massie blinked, waiting for him to ask the question back. It was only the proper thing to do. Sebastian sighed, as if knowing what she was thinking and asked, "why are you here?"

"Me and my sister got into a argument, so I'm buying her a gift to still the waters," Massie confided, picking up a charm bracelet. She gazed at it, considering. This was silver also, with only one charm. It had hidden openings in case someone wanted to add more, but Massie decided this would be enough. She could get her charms to add whenever they got into more arguments. "What do you think of this?" She held her arm up high in order for Sebastian to see it eye to eye.

He looked at it, not knowing what to say. "Uh, yes." He said, but it sounded more of a question. For the first time, rather than a blank expression he usually sported, Pierce looked uncertain.

Massie almost giggled, he looked like such a guy, not knowing much when it came to gifts. "Yes." She confirmed, grabbing it. It was the last one there. "What are you getting Kristin?" In response to her question Sebastian fixed his eyes on the collection of colorful flowers. He was so predictable. "Which one of those are you getting her?"

His lips formed a straight line. "I'm not sure. She likes gardening and flowers."

Immediately Massie cast her eyes on the roses. "You should get her these! I would want these for my birthday. They're perfect. Look at it, it has purple. Purple is perfect." Perhaps she was being a bit biased, seeing as purple was herfavorite color. But most people chose red roses; why not something different?

Sebastian shook his head. "Too few." He picked up a large basket on the floor full of flowers and an assortment of gardening tools.

Massie looked at the price and fought a 'wow' from escaping. Nearing Sebastian she realized just how big the basket actually was. Being so large, Sebastian made everything look small, but the basket itself was very wide and deep. Upon closer inspection she found some candy laying in the depths near gardening gloves. Looking up Massie realized Sebastian was looking at her, waiting for her opinion.

"With a gift like this I'm sure she'll love you forever," Massie assured. Sebastian gave her a small smile. Massie wished she could have a camera and take a picture of him there. If Sebastian was gorgeous before, he was beyond breathtaking when he actually tried to be pleasant. She could only imagine how amazing he'd look if he actually gave a full blown smile.

"Thank you," he said, sincere. Sebastian took the basket to the cashier and waited to be attended. Massie noticed the way his arms flexed when he placed his gift on the tall counter.

Though she was done selecting an item for her sister she decided to look around just for the sake of it. She didn't want to wait in line behind Sebastian; they had ended on a nice note and she didn't want to ruin it with her blabbing. She had reached her talking-to-crush limit after the hallway episode and their recent conversation. Who knows, maybe next time he'll be the first to say hi.

"Goodbye Massie." Sebastian said, as he passed by her and calmly exited the store.

"B-bye," she stuttered, and followed by smacking her face when he was out of sight. B-bye? Hopefully he heard it as buh-bye. She ambled to the cashier and gave him the bracelet, happy that this time Pierce said goodbye.

[o-o-o]

Massie gave a high-pitched squeak when she flicked away a slimy substance from her feet. It was no doubt a worm, an idea which had her make gag expressions for no less than a minuet. Though she was not afraid of insects, she was definitely grossed out by them and avoided them at all costs.

In all honestly this situation was her fault. No one in their right mind would wear flip flops for a forest "walk", but coming here was so out of the spur that thinking footwear was not the first thing at mind. Massie didn't know what she expected to find here at this time, all she knew was that she needed something. Anything to confirm an idea about werewolves. Real or not she didn't care, just something to tip off her rising curiosity. As expected, Cinnamon wasn't there at this hour. It was far to early. Usually she was with him around 2 A.M, but right now it was 11:28, he was most likely in some cave sleeping.

Stepping more carefully this time Massie navigated deeper into the dense forest. A part of her was scared, and very paranoid of the dangers that could come upon her here. Yet, another part was filled with pride. She was always known as a courageous and out-going type. Never afraid of anything, and she wanted to hold on to that.

She swallowed a yelp that threatened to escape due to the passing bird. Everything seemed louder here. The creak of every fallen branch she stepped on, the howling of owls, and even some mysterious crawling. It was the ideal horror scene, and slowly, step by step, she started to regret coming here at all. What was she thinking? At night? She was such a fool. The least she could have done was wait until morning and check it out then. At least she wouldn't have to wonder from whence came every audible sound. She took deep breaths to calm herself, managing to feel slightly more at ease. She was thankful that her eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and that the moon was able to penetrate through the openings of tree branches. The forest looked. . . beautiful.

"You sure are."