by the light of the moon

Selene is running desperately through the hall ways of brightpoint high school. No matter how fast or how far she runs the dark shadows stay right on her heels. They keep mocking her and pointing out her insecurities. The shadows back her into a wall laughing and calling her names. She trys to scream out but nothing will vocalize. She can feel icy hands wrapping their fingers around her throat. Making Selene gasp for air that refuses to be inhaled. Selene wakes up gasping for air. Her hand grasping at her throat where the icy hand had been cutting off her airways. She relaxes breathing easier saying to herself "It was just a dream.....It was just a dream." She didn't want to risk returning to that horrible place so she got up, and walked to the bathroom. Everything was pitch black forcing Selene to feel her way through the dark corridor to the single bathroom her and her family shared. She closed the door before fumbling for the light switch. Ann closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before she looked into the mirror at her reflection. She wasn't bad looking with her bright orange hair that fell in long ringlets down her back. Her hair came just above her shapely butt. She had an hourglass figure most people would kill for if they ever could actually see it under her baggy clothes. She looked awkwardly at herself in the mirror. Taking in her features. The way Selene saw herself was very different from how everyone else saw her. She has unique and large violet eyes. Her nose is short and straight. She has full lush lips. All the boys in her school thinks she's beautiful which makes her a target for all the girls. Selene just wants to hid in her books and stay away from everyone, but the other kids in her school has other ideas. The girls come together just to torture her all the time it seems. Even though she gets enough of that from her own parents at home. It's bad enough that they take their frustrations out on her, let alone escape from the abuse at school. It just continues! She's tried to take her own life multiple time, but was never successful. She just keeps waking up to a new day of torture. Selene sighed at herself. Her morning Alarm went off bring her attention to her phone. It's 5 am which might be early for most people her age, but if she doesn't wake up super early. She'll miss her chance to shower properly. She goes over to the shower, and turning the water all the way to hot. Selene looks at her phone waiting for the water to heat up, and sees the birthday notification on her facebook. Selene let a groan slip through her lips. Most people would be excited for their sixteenth birthday. Selene for one has nothing to celebrate. Last time she celebrated her birthday she was eleven. It was the best and worst day of her life. Her mom tried to suprise her with a party, and secretly sent out invitations to all of her new classmates. They had just moved to the town a few months before. Generally Selene was a very popular girl at least at her old school in Alabama she was. Her mother always hated the south she never wanted to live there then she met Selene's father and ended up getting pregnant with Selene. Soon after that they married, and gave birth to Selene making Selene's mom stuck in Alabama with a husband and a baby. Finally after years and years to trying to convince him to move. He was finally offered a job at a big trucking company in north Dakota of all place. On top of that its a town that no one even heard of. When the day for the party had came everyone from her school showed up. At first it was really enjoyable until the 'popular' girls came to her party. The leader of the group, Ashley Johnson, got jealous that her ex boyfriend was giving Selene more attention than her so she set out to make that day and everyday after that an even more living hell for Selene than she was already dealing with from her dad. Hopping in the shower Selene relaxed in her hell water think back to that faithful day and what this birthday might bring. Her 5:20 alarm brought her back to reality. She quickly finished bathing knowing her parents would be awake soon and if she didnt have breakfast ready when her dad came down the stairs he would be sending her to school with a new set of bruises she'd have to cover up. Her dad always tried to hit her in places that wouldn't be seen easily her back, arms, legs, stomach really anywhere but her face because marks on the face would be to noticeable. Selene stepped out of the shower into a steam filled bathroom. She looked in the foggy mirrior after drying off. Staring at her naked body covered in scares. She felt so embarrassed by her appearance "how can anyone love me when i look like this" she asked her reflection. Grabbing the towel off the rack she wrapped it around her small frame. Taking another look in the mirrior she sighed inwardly. It's been two days since she has had an actual meal. Friday Selene had failed her science test because she was up all week long doing the list of choirs her dad had given her and didn't have enough time to study between everything else. As a punshment her father had taken away her food privilege as he calls it. He's even gone as far as to refuse to pay for her lunches at school saying "only children who can pass test are allowed to eat" he didn't for get to add as if he doesn't say enough hateful things to her "besides it looks like you could afford to skip a couple of meals with your fat ass maybe now you can loss weight." His words cut Selene deep she was once a cubby kid so weight has always been an issue for her plus being only five feet tall doesn't help her case. Now though she has grown into her body for the most part though she feels like her large breast make her look bigger than she is at 105 pounds most of it is all in her ass and chest. Selene opened the bathroom door looking around to make sure everyone was still asleep. She moved quickly from the bathroom to her small bedroom down the hall that to put it honestly definitely meant to be a walkin closet. Closing the door behind her Selene went to her small dresser in the corner digging out an ill fitting bra and panties then moved on the the next drawer pulling out her faded baggy jeans and black oversized t-shirt. She got dress then went to the kitchen to make breakfast for her parents and younger siblings. Everyone piled into the dinning room sitting at the table waiting for her to server them the food. Paul, Selene's dad, sat at the head of the square table, at the other end sat Selene's mom Amy. Selene's twin younger brothers, Trent and Brent, took up the last two chairs at the table. When Selene is allowed to eat she has to eat in the kitchen Paul started to make her do that shortly after her eleventh birthday. Selene wasn't sure what made her dad change so sudden. When she was younger he was a loving father always there for her when she needed him. Selene thinks back to when she was learning to ride the bike he was so protective of her then. He ran beside her the whole time to make sure she didn't fall off. She can remember him smiling at her with pride when she figured it all out. Whenever she would fall he would always be there to pick her up. If she cried he would hug her and tell her "it's ok princess theres nothing to cry about daddies here I'll make everything better." After that day though he became judgemental about everything she did. Soon after the verbal abuse, started the physical abuse. Selene wished she knew what she did to make him hate her so much. It's not like her mom was much help either she had always been jealous of how Paul would treat Selene. Amy would call him 'an unbearable doting father' or say 'stop spoiling that ungrateful child if you show her too much affection she'll grow up to be a brat.' For as long as Selene could remember her mom has never really been a mom her grandma would say that it was just postpartum depression, but Selene felt like there's something more to the story than what her grandma would tell her. The only time Amy would even pretend to be a mother was on Selene's birthday she would always throw a big party to show off as the 'best mother ever'. Now the only time Amy makes any acknowledgement of Selene's existence is when she orders Selene to do something. Selene watched from a distance as Amy and Paul spoiled her brothers. To her parents Trent and Brent could do no evil even though they're the son's of satan himself. Selene's family finished their breakfast and left everything on the table for Selene to clean up the mess they made. She headed off to school shortly after she finished her morning choirs. She hurried to her room snagging up her hoodie and bookbag, and headed off to school trying to avoid her parents.

Selene walked to the bus stop with her head down refusing to look up at anyone. She could feel everyones eyes one her when a cool spring breeze pushed past her forcing her hood back as she climbed on the bus. She looked up to see her worst fear confirmed everyones eyes were on her. In her embarrassment she sat in the first empty seat she could find. Selene put her hood back up putting her head down trying to ignore the comments about her bright orange hair. After the kids saw that their words didn't faze her they went back to their conversations. Selene relaxes hoping that she can just quietly sit there for the rest of the ride. Other than the occasional paper ball being hurrled at her head it was an uneventful ride. They pulled up to brightpoint high and everyone tried to stand up at once and push their way off the bus everyone except for Selene. Selene for one knew, from riding the bus all of her school going life, that every morning they would fight to get off instead of waiting their turn. She just sat there as her classmates piled out. Ashley walked past Selene, and stopped next to her just long enough to pull down Selene's hood. Ashley smiled at Selene before pouring her latte on top of Selene's head. Selene stood up looking Ashley in the eyes she screamed at her "You fucking bitch!" Ashley just laughed and replyed "oops it must have slipped out of my hand besides that color looks way better on you than that fake ass orange" before Selene could reply Ashley flipped her straight blonde hair over her thin shoulder and walked off laughing at the mess she made. Selene tried to hold back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she ran to the girls bathroom to clean up. She made it to the bathrooms avoiding everyones stares and laughs as she passed them. Looking in the mirror Selene looked horrible. Coffee is all tangled in her long hair making it sticky and nappy. She ruffled through her bookbag grabbing a brush trying to tug it throught the thick sticky locks. It didn't really help just made her hair more frizzy than it normally is. She sighed turning on the faucet. Selene cupped her hands under the running water collecting as much as her small trimbling hands could hold and brings the water up to her hair dumping on top of her head letting the water wash over the coffee. She repeated that until she was able to get it all out then ran her brush through her hair one more time. It wasn't great but it was the best she could do at this moment. The first bell rang telling everyone to get to class. Selene quickly pulled her long locks into a bun at the top of her head and went to class slightly late.

The teacher started the morning lesson. Selene cracked the door just a little bit to see where he was. 'Why does first period have to be Mr. Finestine of all people' thought Selene. Klus Finestine was an old German teacher who immagrated here in the 70s. Even by German standers he was considered to be a hard ass. He had a belief system if your fifteen minutes early your on time and if your actually on time your late.....well Selene....Selene she's fucked she's late late. Which is an unforgivable offense to Mr. Finestine. She was crouched down peaking through the opening. When a guy pushed past her. He looked down at Selene and growled low at her making her wimper back. 'What the fuck is wrong with this guy did he just growl at me!?' Selene asked herself. He struts into the classroom a dominant aura seeping out of every pour on his body. His muscular tall sexy body his short blue-black hair framed his chiseled face. Everything about him screams leader even his walk. Selene watched him as he walked past Mr. Finestine setting his late note on his desk, and started to walk away. Mr. Finestine stood up and said in his slight german accent "I don't allow tardiness in my classroom Mr?" The new guy turned back glaring at Mr. Finestine which sent chills down Selene's spin and responded to Mr. Finestine with a voice that will shake someone to the core "Leon Collins". Turning Leon ignored any attempt Finestine made to chastise him on his tardiness. Turning his attention from Leon finestine lashed out at Selene " Are you going to just sit there all day Ms. Hastings or are you going to join the rest of the class sometime today?" Selene quickly stood up embarrassed and took her seat in the back of the class putting her head down trying to hide her embarrassment. The first three periods went by without much happening Mr. Finestine talked about atoms, second period was math with Mrs. Dalorian she dragged on and on about fridays test, and third period was gym the girls did laps outside and gymnastics for some of the cheerleaders while the boys played football. Selene being the loner she is sat under a shady tree sketching in her journal ignoring the world around her. After gym it was time for lunch Selene walked to the cafeteria by herself trying to avoid people. She went to grab her tray, but she remembered that her dad never gave her lunch money as his punishment for failing her test. Her stomach growled begging to be fed. Selene retreated outside trying to figure out how to calm her angry stomach when she spotted a guy she has never seen before sitting underneath a shady tree smoking a cigarette. Selene gathered up her courage and walked over to him. The mystery guy is sitting alone listening to his music hiding from teachers view. Selene cautiously walked up to him holding her breath scared what might happen, but determined to subside her hunger. Selene is standing over him seeing if he would notice her. The guy never lifted up his head or even acknowledged Selene's presences. She leaned down and tapped on his shoulder lightly startling him. The guy looked up to see selene still slightly leaned over him her bright orange hair still in a messy bun ontop of her head her violet eyes piercing through his soul. Even in her oversized clothing she is the most beautiful girl he was ever seen. He gulps alittle stunned at the sight infront of him. He takes his headphone out looking into her eyes he finally speaks up to her nervously "hi...er..is everything alright? I mean can I help you with anything?" unsure how to ask him Selene clumsily ask him "hi... um I just happened to notice you sitting here smoking and was wondering if I could bum a cigarette off of you?" She trys to give him her best smile but just feels weird doing it. He looked at her questioningly and replied "A cigarette huh? Do you even smoke?" She blushed "not usually, but I've had a rough morning and I really need to relax if I'm going to get through the rest of my day." He looked at her seeing the coffee stains on her jacket that she couldn't get out with just water, and a bruise the barely showed over the neck lining of her clothing. 'She clearly being bullied by someone here' he thought to himself as he offered her a cigarette and lighter. Selene greatfully accepted lighting it and passing the lighter back to him. She sits down next to the guy taking a deep drag, and closes her eyes letting the nicotine seep into her system. They guy stretched out his hand to her and said "oh by the way my name is Erick Collins whats your name?" Selene took his outstretched hand and shakes it replying "Selene Hastings it's nice to meet you Erick." She thought about how familiar his last name sounds than it dawned on her "Wait your not related to Leon Collins are you?" she asked him. Erick groaned " Yeah that's my dick of a twin brother.... but how do you know him we just moved here a few days ago?" Selene looked at him realizing that he is nothing like Leon or anyone else at this god forsaken school. She giggled at him "at least you said he's a dick so I didn't have to. I guess you could say I met him today well if you could call that a meeting." Erick looked at her sideways wondering what she meant by that. Selene could tell he was wondering what she had meant so she elaborated " He's in my first period and growled at me I'm still not sure why he would growl it was kinda weird definitely has anger issues." It was Ericks turn to laugh "would you believe me if I told you that he's always like that" Selene joined in with him. She felt strangely comfortable around Erick she can't explain why just that there is some kind of connection with him. The lunch bell rang telling everyone to get back to class Erick stood offering Selene is hand and helped her off the ground. She gave him a genuine smile accepting his hand. "Who do you have next?" Selene asked. Erick returned her smile and replied "I have history with Ms. Walker" that made Selene smile more "I have her next also if you want I can show you the way." she blushed at her forwardness. Erick saw her blushing and founded it uncontrollablely cute. He leaned in and said "you can on one condition" She blanked at him "and what condition might that be?" Erick pretened to be thinging and snapped his fingers " I got it the condition is that you have to let me take you out on a date." That made Selene bright red. 'Is he asking me out?' she wondered to herself 'but thats crazy right? who would want to date someone as horrible and ugly as me?' He own thoughts brought back all her insecurities she had forgotten about during their conversations and started to back away from him. Erick worried that he said something wrong Selene is really cute and he would never want to do or say anything to hurt her. His face dropped and he looked down kicking is foot back and forth. He muttered embarrassed that he might have been to ambitious to think that someone as gorgeous as her would go out with him "I mean if you would like to that is I just think your super cool and chill and would love to get to know you better." Selene realized that he was being genuine and was really asking her out she grabbed his hand and said "I would love it's just that my parents are really strict and I'm not allowed go out after school... it's just school and home for me." She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear that came loss. She's staring at her feet imagine what her father would do to her if he even suspected that she liked a boy dating was not allowed. She found out the hard way one time when she was in middle school, and a boy in her class asked her out she had came home late from school that day because she went out with him. He even walked her to the door and gave her a goodbye kiss before leaving. That was her first and last kiss. Selene hadn't known her mom had spied on her through the kitchen window, or that she would tell her dad when he got home. When Paul had found out about the kiss he grabbed Selene by the hair dragging her down to the basement that he used when he didn't want the neighbors to hear what was happening. Selene tried pulling from him begging him not to saying the kiss meant nothing it was just an accident and that it would never happen again. He growled at her "I know it will never happen again you little slut! I'm going to make you remember what happens to little girls who act like whores!" He threw her through the door tying her to a wooden post. Selene screamed and begged him not to do anything which was rewarder with a slap to the face. He picked up a knife from a table in the corner and walked over to her laughing as she struggled against her restraints. He grabbed her hair into his fist pulling her head back using the knife in he other hand he slashed off her top makes sure to press hard enough that the knife left a long shallow cut from the bottom of her neck to the top of her butt. Selene screamed from the burning sensation the knife left. Her back fully exposed to him blood trickling down her back. He laughed at the sight of Selene holding back tears and whispered in her ear "I'm going to give you a constant reminder of what happens when you defy me" Selene is shaking wishing she could wake up from this nightmare only this is worst than any nightmare a person could have because its not a dream its really happening. It was made painfully clear that this was real life and not some horrible dream when Selene felt the first lash from the whip hit her fragile skin. She fought back the urge to scream as the next crack ofthe whip came slapping hard against her back making her small body spasm with every hit that comes down on her. Her father counts out loud with every strike. "And twenty" he growled as the last strike hit. He walked infront of her laughing at the sight of her tear soaked face. Paul cuts her loose pointing his knife at her and reminded her "I went easy on you this time next time you caught with a boy its going to be one hundred times worse." He walked out the basement closing the door and locking it behind him. Selene could her him tell the family "She is to stay in there until I choice to let her out no food or water either do y'all understand!" he barked at them eveyone agreed secretly happy about her harsh punishment. Erick grabbed her hand bring her back to the present worry is written all over his face. She faked a smile trying to comfort him and said "we should get to class before we're late." Selene lead Erick to the class jusy before the last bell went off. They take their seats Selene in the back and Erick in the closest empty seat next to her not taking his eyes off her one durning the whole class.

Three o'clock couldn't come fast enough for Selene. She was ready for this day to be over. In one day she has had coffee dumped on her, Whore written across her locker, and many different substance thrown at her. The only thing that kept her sane today was thinking back to her conversations with Erick 'Could he really like me ?' she wondered to herself. Selene decide to take a chance with him she's sixteen now and her dad can't stop her from dating forever she just has to play it right. She found Erick on his way to his car and stopped him. "Hey Erick" she yelled as she ran to catch up with him. Erick stopped and turned around smiling as he saw her coming his way. "Hey selene whats up" he asked her. She stopped right in front of him and bitting her lip she shyly asked "I was wondering if you still wanted to hangout later.... tonignt is my sixteenth birthday and nothing special is happening so I thought it would be fun to show you around if your interested" Erick couldn't believe his luck he was bummed out when she first rejected him, but she does want to hangout. He quickly agreed and exchanged phone number with her. She ran away smiling after she put her number in his phone hoping he would text soon. She was on cloud 9 and didn't realize the bus had left without her. She cursed under her breath and started to walk home. She cut through some ally ways making it home with impressive timing and got the rest of her house work done before anyone else and arrived home. Amy and the boys walked in a few minutes before Selene finished cooking supper. Paul got home shortly after them impressed with how clean Selene had made the house and that dinner was ready before he arrived home. Paul looked down at his phone realizing what day it was. He had completely forgotten about today being Selene's sixteenth birthday. He sat down in his chair as Selene brought out dinner for everyone sitting it infront of them and started to retreat to the kitchen to get started on the dishes. Paul stopped her before she could make her exist "Selene can you come back here I need to talk to you" she walked over to him scared to death of what she had done to upset him she tried to do everything right today in hope he would let her go out for her birthday this year. Paul looked at her let her know why he had called her back "I got a picture of your make up test from you teacher you got an A and seeing how you had everything ready before I had got home. I have to say I'm impressed with your behavior today do for your birthday present I'm going to allow you to go out with your friends tonight you may leave now if you would like, but you must be home before 2 A.m. since your sixteen now I think I can trust you to behave yourself and not cause any trouble correct?" Selene couldn't cantain her happiness she shakes her head up and down vigorously making her slightly dizzy, but that didn't faze her she was just happy to be allowed free time. This would be the her first time out the house for something other than school or the store since she can remember. To top it off Paul added " also because you pulled up your grade to an A you are allowed to eat again" he dug out a twenty from his pocket handing it to her he said "Happy birthday Selene enjoy your night tomorrow its back to just school and home" with that last statement he waved her ways she walked into the kitchen still holding the money tightly this is the first time he's giving her money for something other than school it made Selene so ecstatic. For one night she can just be a normal girl and forget her horrible life. She quickly finished the dishes she used to cook and ran upstairs to shower and change. When she was safely in her room picking out clothes to wear she texted Erick asking him if he would like to go out with her tonight to celebrate her birthday. She didn't have to wait long for a reply he almost instantly said yes wondering if she wanted him to pick her up. Selene played it safe and told him to meet her at the park in thirty minutes.

Selene made it to the park before Erick she went over to the swing set and began to swing back and forth waiting for Erick to arrive. He startled her by sneaking behind her and catching her on the return swing "guess who" he said in a deep voice. Selene looked back to see Erick only inches from her face. His arms are wrapped around her waist holding her against him tightly. She smiles at him and said "Hi Erick I was starting to worry you'd be a no show" He touched her face which made Selene flinch. Erick pulled his hand away slowly worried that he's being to forward with her. Selene wiggled out his embrace looking at the sky. She turned around to look at Erick "the suns almost gone down come on I want to show you something" she said as she grabbed his hand pulling him along. Selene hoped that her holdig Ericks hand would make up for her reaction to his touch. She just not use to being shown affection so it scared her alittle. They walked into a nature trial dipping off into a clearing in the middle of the woods. Inbetween the trees a full blue moon shined bright bathing them in moonlight. Erick gasped at the sight it was so beautiful he always stayed inside durning a full moon and a blue moom is extremely powerful he tried to stay in the shadows repeating a motto to himself over and over again. He stuffed down his animalistic urges 'I have to stay in control she can't know what I am' he said to himself fighting hard against the wolf inside him. Selene started to tell Erick how she was born under the the blue moon and how every year on her birthday it returns, it only shines on her birthday though. The moonlight hit her skin bathing her in blue light making Selene feel energized like she can do anything. The more moonlight that hit her the more powerful she felt. Erick watched in awe as the moon light covering every inch of her. Selene suddenly didn't feel well she fell to the ground screaming in pain as her body started to shift infront of Erick. He realized what was happening and ran to her side rubbing her back talking her through the events that are unfolding "Breath Selene you have you breath through the pain" She looked at him tears in her eyes "WHAT HAPPENING TO ME!" she screamed. Erick taken back 'she doesn't know that she's transforming, but how can this be the first time she's sixteen most go through their first tranformation at eleven' Erick wondered still trying to ease her pain. "Your tranforming" he told her. she looked at him terrified screaming as her body twists and breaks every bone in her arms and legs changing them into paws. Erick reached into his pocket pulling out a knife. He cuts away her jacket and shirt giving her room to make her transformation more comfortable. He looked down at her back as it arches and breaks as she takes her final wolf shape. The pain finally stopped replaced with the most freeing and powerful feeling that she has ever felt. Erick decide to help her with her first tranformation trying to make it the best experience he can and tranformed himself into a wolf. Selene stared at him in awe. 'so thats how he knew what to do he's one too!' her mind was blown. He communicated with her through his mind explaining what was going on and comforting her the best he could. Erick came up with an idea "Selene follow me and try to keep up" he growled at her. Erick takes of running faster than Selene thought was humanly possible she followed behind him feeling the wind hit her orange fur, this was the most freeing experience she had ever had. Selene never wanted this to end, but all good things have to come to an end. Selene knew she couldn't stay like that forever. After running for about an hour she was finally able to change back into her human form. After Erick and her got their clothing back on except for the shirt he had cut off of Selene. She looked at the ripped shirt in her hands trying to cover up herself the best she could with the tattered shirt. Erick laughed and handed her his jacket turning around to let her pull it on in privacy. After she was dressed she had a million questions for him, but all he could tell her was that she might need to talk to her parents about it because each family is different and that he's never met anyone who was sixteen and never turned before so it was alittle out of his elements. Selene looks at Erick in a different light now that he had help her get through a horrible experience and stayed so patient with her and all her questions. Soon it was time for them to part Erick leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek making her turn bright red. She said goodnight to him before running home determined to get to the bottom of this.