The Outcasts

Chapter 2: The mark

*Two weeks later*

"Happy birthday dear, Beverly. Happy birthday to you!" All my family and friends cheered as I blew out the candles on my cake. All I could wish for was having a stunning mark and a perfect soul mate. Yeah, it seems like a lot to wish for but I didn't really care.

Exactly 2:36 p.m. is when I was born. It's currently 2:30. My heart was pounding and my palms were getting sweaty. Everyone was sitting in the living room forming a circle around me. Everyone else was excited yes, but me? I didn't know how to breathe right. 2:35. I stare down at my wrist and as the last second passes, there it comes.

The twists and swirls of my mark. It was beyond beautiful. People gasped and clapped but I was the most amazed. All of my friends and family congratulated me and the party continued on, but all I could do it take in all the beauty of my mark. Emilee sits down besides me with the biggest smile.

"Your mark is so much better than mine. It fits you perfectly. I absolutely love it!"

My face brightens at my best friend's words. "Oh don't compare them, they are different and unique. But thank you! I've never been so happy in my life."

The rest of our group comes to sit around us and we all crack up jokes and talk for awhile before someone clears their throat.

"I hate to interrupt but I was wondering if I could borrow the birthday girl for awhile." James walks over to our small group and looks at me expectantly. He's one of the biggest players at our school but deep down he's a sweet heart. We've been neighbors for years.

"Yeah sure." I stand and walk with him out side as he shuts the sliding glass door behind us. We sit on the grass and look out at the woods some odd 30 feet from where we sit.

"Well it's your big day, how do you feel finally knowing what your mark looks like?"

I smile absentmindedly. "It feels great. It's freeing almost to not have the worry of it anymore."

"It's definitely a beautiful mark. One of the most unique I've seen." He pulls my arm toward him. "Can I look at it?" I shake my head in approval.

"I love the intricate designs it has."

"Thank you, I think I'm in love with it." My eyes settle on it and I can't help to stare. He sets my arm back down and smiles.

"Well we better get back inside. It is my party, I shouldn't miss it." He nods and helps me up from the ground.

"I think we should hangout more. We'd make good friends." I silently agree and follow him through the door. But right as I'm turning to go in I can swear I see the yellow glow of a wolf's eyes, yet as I turn to get a better look it's gone.

I sit on a chair in the living room with everyone around me eating cake, laughing, and just making conversation. But I can't help to sit and get lost in my own thoughts. Tonight was such a relief to me, to finally see my mark. Something I've been waiting for literally my whole life.

I can't help to wonder who my soul mate will be. The love goddess better have paired me with someone nice at least. I laugh at myself in my mind. Every match is made perfectly for the other. My humor subsides and I can imagine the future with my family. Being happy and thriving with my soulmate. It was a perfect fantasy.

After a few more hours everyone left and it was up to me and my parents to clean up the house. It wasn't too bad, some cups and plates. Within a half hour the mess was cleaned and we were all getting ready for bed. The night turned to be the perfect birthday. And I couldn't wait to start my search of my happy ending and future. My mom and dad come up to my room and sit with me.

"We are so proud of you Beverly. You've grown up to be such a beautiful woman." My mom tears up and hugs me.

"Yes, and your mark clearly reflects the beauty there is in your soul. It truly is a work of art." My dad wraps his arms around the both of us and we all stay like that for a while until my mom clears her throat.

"Well why don't you get some rest hun, we will let you sleep."

They both kiss me on the forehead and leave my room with a goodnight. After I shower and get ready for bed my phone buzzes with a few texts and posts from my friends. Pictures from the night and texts telling me goodnight, I know I had the best friends. Soon enough I fall off into a restful sleep.

"Beverly." I hear a sweet silk like voice call out my name. Slowly I look around the room but everything is so bright I can't see.

"Hello?"  I shield my eyes with my hand and take another look. Someone emerges from the light and smiles warmly at me. It's a woman.

"Hello Beverly. I'm sure you're confused. But I've brought you hear for a reason. Soon something very important will happen to you, and I don't want you to be afraid of it. The unknown can be very frightening but do not worry, everything will be alright."

"I'm sorry but I don't know what you're talking about. Who are you?"

"You'll figure out who I am soon enough, don't worry, love."  I step around her confused. I didn't understand what was going on. I've never seen this woman before then it hit me.

"I'm dreaming! That explains everything. This is just some weird crazy dream." I laugh a little and kick myself for forgetting that I fell asleep. However I deserve a little slack, this dream is very vivid and seems real.

"No, this isn't a dream. It's very much real. You're a very special girl and I'm glad that I've had the chance to meet you so early on. You're going to do amazing things in this revolution." I looked at her puzzled. I didn't understand what she meant. Everything began to run hazy, and my mind got jumbled.

"What's happening? I'm still so confused."

"Everything will be clear soon child. Just get some rest, you're coming out of your sleep now. But do not be fearful, everything will turn out to be alright. I'll be hear with you. Be careful."

My mind continues to fog up and my eyes feel heavy. Slowly I feel my head get dizzy and the dream fades away easily.

I scream out in pain, my body covered in sweat. I slowly twist to see the clock on my bedside table. 2:36 a.m is what it read. Another wave of pain hits me and I cry violently. Why can't anyone hear me? My parents must be fast asleep. I sit up as the pain subsides and try to stand only to feel another one hit just as hard, if not harder. My loud cries turn to low whimpers. I feel as if something is clawing at my skin from the inside. In something like a pain drunk stupor I cling to the window sill for support.

As I look out the same yellow eyes are staring back at me clearly at the edge of the woods. Another wave of pain shoots through me and I hurl over in pain. I can hear the wolf outside whimper as I do.

When I look back up I see the wolf shift to the form of a man right before my eyes. I couldn't believe it. I talked myself into believing it was the pain affecting my reality. Slowly the pain traveled from all over my body in a chain and stopped on my wrist.

I freaked out and backed into the wall beside my bed. This couldn't be happening. Carefully I reached for my lamp. The light flashed on and flooded the dark room only to confirm my biggest fear. Slowly black tendrils danced from the place where my mark was supposed to end. It stretched around my wrist and reached to the back of my hand. This had to be a hallucination, a dream, something. Another wave of pain hit me harder than before and quickly my vision went from blurry to black. I gave into the pain and passed out into the dark oblivion.

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Well this chapter took a long time to write! But here it is and I hope you all like it! Tell me what you think. I'll begin to try and update and have a new chapter up every week on Wednesdays. I hope you all have a wonderful day/night! 💕