Clear the Clouds

The gray wolf managed to bite down on Lauren's arm,blood spilling on the forest floor.

"LAUREN!!!"Jacqueline dropped her video camera.She didn't know what to do.Who ever said,"I saved my friend from a wolf attack?"Not too many people.

Alison,on the other hand,took a step forward,but Maya grabbed her hand."We have to call help!"

Jacqueline quickly pulled out her phone to call the lodge,who would send out scouts to help and heal.Although her hand shook violently,she managed to call them.

Maya edged closely and threw sticks and stones at the massive wolf,who ignored the attempts.

Suddenly,paws thudded behind the wolf.A wolf reared on his hind legs and launched himself on the other wolf's back,bitting into his fur.

The large gray wolf threw his head back in pain,slashing blindly at his oppenent and trying to shake him off.

"Lauren,get away!Move to safety!"Maya called.Although the wolf's attention was not on her,Maya very well knew his attention could snap right back to Lauren,causing him to attack both of the young girls.

Lauren scrambled backwards,wincing at the pain in her right arm.She looked at her arm and threw her eyes away from four bite marks that were bleeding badly.She looked up to see a third wolf approaching,a dark gray wolf with a lame left leg,which hurled itself at her attacker.The gray wolf that attacked her dodged,only to be nipped by the second gray wolf.

"Who are you?"the wolf snarled.

He prepared to strike again,but the big gray wolf was quick.He lunged himself onto his shoulders,biting and clawing with all his might.

The smaller gray wolf collapsed with his weight,while the dark gray wolf used the shadows to slowly stalk over to the stranger.

"An assasin,stupid wolf,"he growled with contempt."But you and your lame friend won't make it to tell anybody after I'm finished with you."

The dark gray wolf made his move,infuriated by the threat,and sprang forward to sink his teeth into his back leg.

The wolf howled in pain,allowing his opponent to slither away under his weight and swipped madly at his neck.

"Vartan!"he growled,not taking his eyes away from his opponent."Protect Lauren!"

Vartan obeyed,scampering past the snarling gray wolves,and face-to-face with the terrified girl.At first,Lauren thought he'd try to kill her,too,but he just stood protectively in front of her,his tail raised as the stranger wolf looked towards them.

"Get him,Cloud!"Vartan hissed.

Cloud raked the distracted wolf's flank,who snapped back to the fray,clawing at the spot where Cloud had just been before he jumped backwards.

Lauren's friends watched in awe and confusion.Is she badly hurt?Why wasn't this wolf attacking?Was this a fight for prey?Are they gonna kill her after they kill the outnumbered wolf?WHY THE HECK ISN'T LAUREN RUNNING?!I WOULD!

But Lauren was staring at the strange wolves that were fighting for her.A dark gray wolf with a lame front left leg.Just like Vartan.A gray wolf with sky blue eyes.

Just like Cloud.

And the fact that they were both together,fightning together like friends.They looked so alike to Cloud and Vartan.And Vartan had said they were going hiking up this trail,too.Lauren couldn't bring herself to say it,let alone THINK it.But it seemed so true.One of the reasons behind her dreams.

That Vartan and Cloud were werewolves.

"Vartan,"she whispered nervously."Is it really you?"

The male wolf turned the side of his head towards her.He slowly blinked his yellow eyes,as if saying 'yes'.Lauren couldn't believe it.The guy who'd saved her was a WEREWOLF!

Suddenly a loud noise sounded above Lauren's head.She looked up.A helicopter was here to save them!

One of the doors opened,and a latter flew out,followed by four men with guns.They jumped to the snowy ground with a 'thump' and aimed their guns at the wolves.

Cloud flicked his eyes at Vartan.Vartan gave a tiny nod.He ran into the looming shadows of the trees,while Cloud darted into the nearest bushes.The stranger wolf,although hurt,limped away.Two men split up and followed,but Lauren knew there was no chance they could catch up.Besides,they could always go back to their wolf form.

"Oh my god,you're okay!"alison ran to Lauren.She looked like she was about to give her a hug,then glanced at her bleeding arm,and kept her hands to herself."You're hurt bad."

"I'll be okay,"Lauren lied.Her wounds were starting to burn like Hell.

"Are you the one that got attacked?"a man in a snow suit asked.

"Yeah,that's me,"she grunted."Where did you guys get the guns...?"

"You'll need to be treated right away,"he ignored her question."Bill,get the gurnee,would ya?"

So they strapped her on.Her friends talked her to distract the pain.One man helped treat it,but it still burned terribly.Before the helicopter took flight,the two men who had chased Vartan and Cloud came back,saying the wolves had gone.They'd gone up and down a mile or two down the trail to ask if anybody had seen the wolves and to head back down the mountain to safety.They also promised Lauren they would close all the nearby trails until something was done about the wolves.

While they flew back,Lauren couldn't help but wonder if they'd seen Cloud or Vartan going up the trail.Thinking of them flustered and confused her.How could she tell anyone that Cloud was a wolf?She didn't know if she beleived it herself.Maybe it was just a coincidine or just plain strange wolves.But it could'nt have been.Gr.Too many complications and possibilities.With all the excitement going on,she decided it would be best to rest.An eternal sleep sounded good right now.With her parents divorcing,she didn't know if she was going crazy now or what.It would be nice to just sleep,with nothing having to be real or nothing to worry about.

"Let's go back inside,"Luna beckoned Lightning with her tail to the den.

"Whatever you say,"Lightning trotted back inside the den.She looked back at Cloud."Bye,Cloud."

Cloud stared at her in confusion,then nodded,then padded to his den.He'd talked to her later.Now was not he time to think of it.

"Lightning,can I have a word with you?"

Lightning lifted her head."I was just practicing some battle moves Alva taught me."

"Alva?"Cloud pricked his ears.He sighed.Alva was always trying to be nice to the leader's daugter,but sometimes she just had to say no."She better not be teaching you ones too advanced."

"None are too hard for me,"she huffed.

"Well,can I talk to you or not?"

"Fine,fine,I'm coming."

Cloud padded past the entrance of the camp.His friend,Vartan,was coming in the camp with his brother,a rabbit dangling from his jaws.

"What are you two up to?"Vartan asked.

"The thing I told you about,"Cloud responded,still walking.

"Oh."

"You know what this is about?What's the thing?"Lightning slid in front of Vartan."Tell!"

"You'll find out in a second,"Cloud grabbed her scruff.

After walking for a few more minutes,all wolves out of sight,he put her down and looked at her sternly.

"Why did you say I have the Dark yesterday?"

Lightning sighed.Sarcastically,she growled,"Because I'm just a stupid little pup who likes to make stuff up."She rolled her eyes."No,Cloud,because you DO have the Dark."

"How do you know?"

"Because I saw you,"Lightning said matter-of-factly."You were mouse-brained enough to turn into one of those pale-skinned creatures at night as soon as you left the camp.Seriously,what were you thinking?"

"Keep your mouth shut!"Cloud looked nervously around."Some wolf might hear."

"So?"Lightning tipped her head."This is the best thing ever!You can fight the humans and stop them from killing us!You can use your special powers-"

"It's not good,Lightning,"he said softly."It's a curse."

"What are you talking about?"

"Who wants to be human?They're monsters.They're our enemy.I don't even know how to control it.It's this stupid stone,"he sniffed the ground,dug up a hole,and gently picked up with his mouth a sky-blue diamond that glittered brighter than any star.

"Wow..."Lightning's eyes glittered with wonder.

"If I could just get rid of it..."he tossed it into the snow."But it keeps coming back!"

Lightning gasped.How could he want to get rid of such a beautiful thing?She pelted over to the diamond;it's glow was fading."You have to keep it.It's calling to you."

"But why?"

Lightning felt bad as she watched Cloud crumble to the ground,his nose touching the diamond.It glowed brightly,blinding Cloud."Damn, thing's gonna be the death of me."

Lightning took a step forward and nuzzled her nose into his fur.Cloud tensed;he'd never seen the little black wolf being so compassionate towards him.Then he relaxed himself,and they sat like that for a long time,so long it started to snow.

"I'm sorry,Cloud,"Lightning murmured into his ear."I know I can be a lot to handle sometimes and a burden,but there's something you must know.I really do love you,I just show it in ways you don't expect it.And I'll always be there for you,no matter what."

Cloud was so touched he didn't know what to say,so he just gave her a quick lick on the side of the face.Sitting there longer,he said,"We should go.You're parents will be worrying about you."

Lightning got up and arched her back.All that sitting had ached her body."Okay."

Cloud buried the diamond in his usual spot,next to a fallen tree.They padded back in silence,Cloud still stunned by her kindness,even Lightning was.When they got back,Lightning's mother was still asleep,and Leon was sitting next to Cloud's father,both waiting for their return.

"I'll say I just wanted to go for a walk and asked you to keep me company,"Lightning whispered.She bounded over to her father,told her little lie,and kept it.

"When will she wake up?This isn't getting very fun anymore."

"I know."

Once again,Lauren woke up to find herself in an emergency room,only this time,it was muchh bigger and was in an actual hospital.White walls surrounded her,followed by annoying beeping noises.She straightened up.Jacqueline,who was sitting on the side of her bed.

"Oh-Hey Lauren!I didn't know you were awake."

Lauren looked around-For some reason,she'd been expecting to see Cloud again.But he was nowhere in sight.Only her friends,some doctors,patients,and nurses were there.How have I ended up in the emergency room again?h,yeah.I got attacked by a wolf,she thought bitterly.And I don't even know if 'Cloud' or 'Vartan' are okay!

"Hell to you,too.By the way,it's not my fault bad things keep happening to me.Do you think I LIKE to be in the emergency two times in a row?"Lauren looked at her arm,which was covered in bandages.It felt much better now,it had probably been treated when she fell asleep,but still stung a little."How long have I been out?"

"About two and a half hours,"Alison looked at her watch."We told your mom.She said she was coming over here."

"Noooooo,"Lauren grumbled."How long ago?"

"Thirty minutes ago."

"Give me your phone."

Alison handed her her Blackberry,then let Lauren dial her mom.Ring.Ring."Hello?Alison?"

"Mom,it's me,Lauren."

"Oh my goodness!Lauren,honey,are you all right?I'm trying to get my boss to let me off of work-"

"No,Mom,don't come over here.I don't want you to."

"Lauren,you got attacked by a WOLF.You're injured and need your mother.I'll be there in about two hours."

"Please don't come.I'm feeling way better."

"So who's gonna pay for your hospital treatment?You?"

Lauren sighed.She was right.She mumbled,"Okay.I'll see you soon."

She hung up."Does she know which hospital we're at?"

"We told her while you were asleep,"Maya stared at her."What happened back there?What was that three-legged wolf doing?"

"Um...."Great,what do I say now?"I think they were fightning over me so they could eat me themselves."

"My god..."Jacqueline hugged her."Thank god you're okay.I thought they were gonna kill you."

"Me too."

"Hey,did you grab your video camera when you dropped it?"Maya asked.

"Oh ya,"Jacqueline pulled it out of her bag."Maybe it shows when the wolves came."

"Do you really think so?"Lauren reached for her bag."Gimme!"

"Nu-uh,"Jacqueline pulled her bag away."It's probably really scary.And the police might wanna look at it."

"The police?!"

"Well,they might wanna look at it.This is the second attack,so they'll probably wanna see which wolf it is-"

"So they can kill the thing,"Maya finished.

Lauren hid a frown.She didn't know WHO this wolf was.But what was she thinking anyway?A wolf that could transform into a human?Of all the people to discover this,she hadn't thought it would be HER.She wouldn't of thought of this in a million years!

"Maybe."

A man in his late fourty's walked into the room.He talked to a nurse and wrote something down,then headed over to Lauren.

"Hello,Lauren,"he said,writing something else down,then giving her a warm hand shake."I'm Doctor Fisher.We treaated your bite marks for rabies and found nothing.That's very good,considering your accident."

"Will I need stiches?"Lauren asked nervously.That's what she dreaded most.

"No.We took care of it while you were out,"he assured."But we want you to stay here over night in case you develop any syptoms."

"Over night?How long will I have to stay?"

"Just tonight,Ms.Moore.Then we'll give you the okay and you can head home."

"Oh.Okay,"she wasn't happy,but it could be worst.

"And you have a guest,"he added.

"I-"

"A guest?"Jacqueline interrupted rudly."WHO?!"

"A young gentleman by the name of Cloud.He didn't give me his last name,though.Does he sound familiar?"

Does he sound familiar!Lauren thought.He was the only person she'd been thinking about lately."Yeah,he can see me."She turned to Jacqueline."But could you guys leave us alone?"

"WHAT?!"Jacqueline acctualy sounded hurt.

"Why not?"Even Alison was suprised.

"Please?"Lauren begged.

"If the patient asks somebody to leave,then they must,"the doctor started to escort them out.

"Fine,"Jacqueline muttered,glaring back at Lauren."Tell us everthing."

They walked out.She thought nervously of what he would say to her.Was he gonna kill her for knowing too much?She'd heard of such things before.Her heart nearly stopped when the doctor pointed to her,familiar blue eyes next to him.They walked over to the side of her bed,then sat down,staring intentively.

"Hello,"she said shyly,breaking the silence.

"Hi,"he kept his greeting just as short as hers.He looked down at her hand for a split second,then looked up and asked,"How are you?"

"Besides my arm?Fine,"she sighed."Are YOU okay?"

Although he was wearing a black coat,Lauren could see his arms get goosebumps."Why would you ask that?I'm fine.It's you I'm worried about.Getting bit by a wolf is no fun."

"Right,"Am I really bringing this up?"Weren't you on that same trail?The Lonely Wolf Trail?"

"We left before you,I think,so we were way ahead,"he answered quickly."Some scouts asked us to be aware of a wolf,and that's when I found out about your attack."

Lauren hid a hint of doubt.Why would he lie to her?She'd never done aanything to him to deserve that.If he was lying,what the heck is his problem?!"So where's your friend,Vartan?"Vartan seemed like he was a talker.

"He had to go tell our friend that we couldn't make the meeting.She had left when we went looking for her."

The girl,Lauren thought.She must have info,too.Maybe I can find her.But then again,she thought,why wait when she could just ask right now?

Lauren closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Cloud-"

When she opened her eyes,though,he was gone.She hadn't even heard him walk away.She hadn't noticed a thing!Looking around,she didn't see him in the waiting room or anywhere else.She had only closed her eyes for a moment!How was this possible?!

She looked out the window in frustration,where a thick layer of snow was forming outside.The trees were being blanketed with snow,and all the critters were burrowing in their nests for warmth.The only thing that wasn't hidden,though,was a lone gray wolf,which was staring directly at her.It's blue eyes quickly turned away as their eyes met.It ran into the snow-covered forest,leaving only a trail of paw prints behind,which quickly vanished in seconds.