The Scent in the Shadows

Naomi

"Two werewolves have been caught. The Scourge is expected to execute them. Let's meet at our usual location and decide who amongst us would kill them."

Werewolves in Teran; human land? After what they did?

Bile crawled up my neck. I suddenly felt nauseated.

My feet slid into my brown flip-flops. I bolted to the bathroom.

The contents of my stomach splashed into the sink.

Tears welled at the corners of my eyes. My memories shifted back to the day it happened. The day the news broke across the city like wild fire.

Werewolves had killed the students that went for a school project at Kyn. Amongst those students was my best friend; Zara. The only person who stood up against my bullies.

They killed Zara. I hated them for that. They disgust me.

Calix sent another text , which urged us to come immediately.

She was the leader of the Scourge, a group created by the school to hunt and execute werewolves. It had been active for two months with no major news until today.

I didn't like her. She was one of the reasons each school morning felt like I was about to walk into a room filled with venomous snakes.

In spite of that, I was not going to miss this chance. To see them plead for their lives. Zara must have begged for hers.

"The Scourge has an urgent gathering in school. I will be back before nightfall."

When the message showed a tick, I stepped out of the house. She read but didn't reply immediately.

A bright lightning bolt struck across the sky before the loud thunder made itself known. Without warning, there was a heavy downpour.

Benita's gaze shot up to me when I entered the class.

She was the only one present.

I moved to my seat without a word.

We waited. The sky turned dark. The rain became heavier with thunder storms every now and then. It wasn't quite surprising. This side of Teran had one of the heaviest rains.

My attention was dragged to the door where Quinox walked in followed by Archer and Calix.

"We will get right into it," She said, strolling to the front of the class. The heels of her black knee-length boots clicked on the floor with an irritating noise.

"I believe you all are here because of the message I sent in the forum."

"Yes. A good time to kill something."

"Those beats must die."

Her friends responded in that order.

She faced the class. "We have to choose one person to do it.”

She shoved her hands inside the pockets of her jacket. Her eyes swept across the class and rested on me.

"Naomi, you would be the one to kill them."

My heart leaped. Sweat broke over my entire body. My eyes darted around.

She didn't mean that, did she?

My mouth opened to protest.

"I- I -I can't do that." I blurted out.

The slap came like lightning. Fast. Harsh and rude.

Pain exploded on my shoulder, another one at the center of my head.

With a swift motion, one of my hands met my shoulder while the other moved to my head.

I stared wide eyed at Calix.

She tapped the white gas pipe on her palms as her dark eyes like that of a hungry python glared back at me.

" You don't dare talk back at me, let alone disobey my orders. You don't challenge me. What I say, stands. But since you want me to treat you like an animal, I will."

"Zara was always like that until she was killed by the werewolves. Aren't you supposed to be happy that you would be getting justice for her?"

I could feel the adrenaline rushing up at the back of my neck. My hands curl into tight fists.

"I would not do it." I challenged her.

She winked at her friends. Immediately, they crowded me, grabbing my left and spread it on the desk behind me.

The gas pipe landed on the fluid filled blisters on my forearm. A searing pain reaped through my body.

"NO!" My eyes darted where she stroked.

She hit again. I struggled to seize my hand, but I was no match to her friends.

I was born with these marks. I had always considered them to be a part of my identity. Ma'a had told me so.

Still, Calix had made them look like the worst thing that could ever happen to a human.

"They killed your friend, Naomi. You should grab this opportunity and make use of it. I'm sure Zara would be proud of you for finally getting her justice."

A devilish grin formed on her face. She looked down at my hand.

"Let me have a pen." She turned to the class.

No! I had to make it stop right now.

"No, I will do it. I will kill them." I pleaded with a weak voice.

She rubbed a hand down her face and stepped backward, shooing her friends away.

"The execution would be tomorrow, 1: 00 PM at City Bay. The entire country would be present to watch so come prepared. "

We sat on the stage as we waited. My hands were tightly wrapped around me. My teeth charted together. Fear. Nervousness.

I did not want to do this. Yes, they killed my friend, and I wanted nothing more than to get justice for her.

Still, I did not want to be the one to do it. I did not want blood on my hands.

Screams erupted from the crowd, dragging my attention to what was happening.

Two young adults, whom I believe were the victims of today, led the line. They were dressed in a thin, brown layer of clothes with their hands tied behind them.They limped to the stage with black sack cloths over their heads.

Behind them were almost 15 military men, dressed in their signature forest green uniforms. Each had guns draped across their shoulders.

Next in line was president Polivan, Vice president Webster, and other government officials and notables.

The last person behind was Julian; Calix's brother.

They were both President Polivan's children. I heard his girlfriend and best friend were killed at Kyn too.

The victims were roughly pushed to the stage making one of them to.stumble right in front of my legs.

The chatty crowd grew silent when President Polivian took the mic and stepped in front.

His eyes swept over the crowd before a deep unceremonious voice rang out.

“I didn't think we'd been doing this, after the last one that happened almost 20 years ago.”

“They are not welcome in our land. Neither should one of our own be seen with them, as the result would be either dead by hanging, being gunned down or by stoning.”

He turned to us "We shall leave the rest to the Scourge."

Calix stepped in front and took the mic.

"The president has already said everything. We shall get right into it."

Her eyes found me. My stomach flipped and twisted with unease at the sinister look on her face.

"One of us will do it. Come forward, Naomi," She said, nodding in my direction. I staggered forward.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I let out a breath and stepped closer to the victims who were on their knees with blood stains on their thin brown clothes. They look to have been beating before putting them in that situation.

"The sword, Archer."

Calix ordered.

Her friend stepped forward. She pulled it from its sheath and extended it to me.

It was half my size. The edges were so thin that they could slice through any surface.

"What is happening? Kill them already."

The sudden noise dragged my attention to them.

"Do it now, Naomi. Get that justice. I know you have craved for a moment like this. Zara would be so proud of you."

With the sword in my trembling hands, I plugged the pointed end into the werewolf's neck, warthog sticky liquid splattered on my face and clothes. I didn't stop. I kept trusting in the sword.

My mind started to scream lest the words that had been weighing me down for the longest time.

She would still be alive if you didn't kill her. I wouldn't be going through all these torment, if you didn't kill her. I wouldn't be wishing for powers to defend myself against them, if you didn't kill her.

Pain reaped through my chest. This suddenly felt like my favorite quirk. I had no intention of stopping.

"All right, he is dead. Let go." A voice said next to me.

I ignored it and continued stabbing until the sword stopped moving.

My head snapped to who was holding it back.

President Polivian was holding the sword, a soft expression on his face. His eyes urge me to let go. I did.

Life had been completely drained out of it. I stood frozen, staring at the Crimson pool spreading beneath it. Guilt clawed at my insides. Yet, a strange calmness wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I did it for Zara.

Archer had killed the other werewolf.

President Polivan had given a few warnings about use reporting back to the state if we ever came across a werewolf.

Before the final remarks were made, I was already on my way home. That was after I changed into a pair of cleaned clothes .

There was a shortcut from City Bay that led to my side. I decided to use it, eager not to ride in the same car as the others.

Halfway through, I halted, my gaze drawn to a figure ahead.

He was leaning against a sleek black sports bike. He was dressed in black jeans with a black helmet over his head. He looked in my direction and straightened up from the bike.

He pulled the black helmet off his head. He removed the helmet from his head, revealing jet-black hair with striking red edges.

I gulp, waiting for him to clear his bike off the road.

A smile stretched across his lips. I couldn't help but notice the gap on his upper teeth.

"I'm sorry to stand in your way. Not my intention. But do you mind giving me directives to Xylos?"

I blink as my heartbeat increases. His voice. A soft low baritone, holding a commanding edge.

Xylos. It was a restricted area for people who didn't work there.

My hand reached to my temple and I told him. He smiled at me,hopped on his bike and sped away.

Okay, that was strange. He was in the middle of the road like he knew I was coming.

However, my steps faltered and I stopped yet again.

My steps faltered yet again, not by a person this time but a strange scent. Strong. Intoxicating. Alluring. It was earthy; like the smell of earth after a heavy downpour. I put the pieces together. It had a petrichor scent.

I stood numb, trying to understand the situation. It hadn't rained today.

What was that scent?

My eyes scanned the area. I went instantly pale at the movement in the grass in front of me.