Kiara's POV
My eyes drifted over the dark horizon,beyond the dusty window as the television droned on in the background.
A slender blonde woman announced, "We interrupt our regular programming with a breaking news announcement."
A smoke ring floated up in the air, defying gravity as she continued, much to my annoyance.
"Authorities are seeking public assistance in the case of a missing teenager following last night's incident at the town square.
Sixteen year old Matthew Kingsley was last seen shortly after the trampling incident that erupted during the evening gathering. Witnesses describe a sudden surge in the crowd…"
I couldn't help but scoff,taking another slow puff,releasing another smoke ring as it crashed against the window and shattered into three this time. Trampling incident, huh? These people had no idea what they were dealing with.
"...confusion, shouting followed with flabbergasted silence.Strangely enough eyewitnesses could not describe what had actually happened. It seemed like everyone was in a trance, talking under the influence of illegal substances. Was it a massive rave party? A local drug racket?Authorities have not been able to come to any concrete conclusion.
What has been established however is the fact that when order was restored, the said boy was nowhere to be found.
Security footage recovered from nearby establishments shows him entering the square at approximately 8:17 p.m. The footage ends abruptly moments before the panic began. Officials have confirmed there is no clear visual record of him leaving the area.
The missing teen is described as having ash-brown hair, light eyes, and a tanned complexion. He was last seen wearing dark clothing."
Dark clothing, yeah! A black tshirt with spidey on it. Growing up, Mat loved spidey but lately, my boy was a little distracted. Puberty, I told myself, though my heart was well aware what was bothering him.
Yet, I told him nothing. Kept him away from the truth… his truth…our truth.
My fists slammed against the window sill, rattling it as I cursed myself over and over again. I should have prepared him for what was coming.I should have explained everything beforehand.
"Authorities note that several personal items were recovered at the scene," the woman's voice kept playing in the background as my eyes tried to scan the horizon, beyond those hills,beyond those barbed wires that sealed Kingsrow.It was starting to feel like such a long time ago. "...though they have declined to specify which, citing the ongoing investigation.But people are agitated at this shroud of mystery.They demand answers which they are being denied.
But, from whatever intel our team has been able to gather, we can say that search teams combed the square and surrounding streets through the early hours of the morning. No signs of any other injury or struggle have been officially reported, though investigators have acknowledged that certain details of the incident 'remain unclear.' The CCTV footage definitely captured a sudden crowd surge and apparent stampede but the only reported casualty seems to be the missing teenage boy.
Police urged anyone who was present at the town square last night, or anyone with information,no matter how insignificant it may seem,to come forward."
Another scoff escaped my lips once more. Nobody was coming forward, because nobody would ever remember.
My eyes darted at the letter on the table.An elegant golden and red envelope. The impression on the seal immediately brought back memories of a certain signet. Unpleasant ones. And my hands fisted once more.
"As of now, the circumstances surrounding the teenager's disappearance remain unexplained." The lady continued. "We will continue to bring updates as this story develops… "
Just then the landline rang out loud.
"Hello!"
"Ma'am, your ride is here!" Came the voice from the other end.
"Alright! I will be there in a minute!"
I grabbed my purse,then crossed the room at inhumane speed, my guard was down, I did not have to pretend anymore. All these years, I tried to live as normal as any homo sapien, but the truth was, we only shared the same Genus.
Our species were miles apart.We resembled the two legged creatures only externally. Nothing inside was remotely similar, well, maybe the emotions, because at the moment, I was fucking feeling extremely vulnerable.
My feet were rock solid, almost unable to move. My palms were sweaty, a disgrace to the predator lying dormant in my veins.
Mat had been the reason I lived. The reason I smiled every morning, pushing those recurring nightmares away every single day.He wasn't just my little baby boy,he was my hope for salvation,my repentance.He was the reason I could still look at myself in the mirror after everything that I had done.
Mat was such an adorable pup to be honest. He grew up so quickly.A hot blooded teenager, about to reach his prime. This was the most crucial stage in a werewolf's life.
And yet I let him down. I let him down like I let everyone else down back then. Like I ruined everything. Like the curse that I was. I thought I could correct my wrongs with Mat this time, but I failed miserably once more.
My claws popped out on their own accord, leaving scars on the polished wood. I looked at the letter. I knew perfectly well what was inside. A summon. An enchanted one, bound with my name and blood. Which meant I would be dragged for the hearing, no matter where I was… even if I was buried ten feet under.
Hence the preparation. It was better to appear with whatever dignity I was left.
I grabbed the letter,about to shove it inside my purse and then dash out,when my eyes fell on something shiny inside the drawer by the table.
A Lander Blue Turquoise hair pin that also doubled as a lethal,hidden blade.
"This will protect you wherever I am not around,Ki."
Sweet promises from a far away past came floating from some forgotten depths of my memory.I picked up the hair pin,twisting my hair into an up do.I guess it was time to test the theory.