Awake

John woke up but all he could think about was everything that happened to him. The death of his brother and the truth that Angela told him. He didn't know what to make of it. He felt lost. He felt hopeless. He didn't know what to do next. This is the first time John has felt this way that he started to tear up. But before he knew it, the door suddenly opened.

``Oh good, you're finally awake. ``

When John looked at her, the woman saw John`s tears. John noticed and began to wipe the tears off his face.

``You, okay? ``

``I'm fine. ``

Before things got awkward, John started to talk to her.

``How long have I been out? ``

``I'll say a week. ``

John was surprised how long he been passed out. He started to look around.

``Where am I anyways? ``

``You're in our village. Well to be exact, you are in the wolf village. ``

``Wolf village? ``

John didn't notice it before but when he took a closer look at her, she had a tail and wolf ears. She noticed John staring at her.

``As you already know, we are not completely human like you. ``

``I see that. It's just my first time seeing a beast person. ``

``You mean you never heard of us? ``

``I heard about you guys but never seen one. ``

``Well, you're seeing one now. ``

``I guess I am.``

John was about to speak until he was uninterrupted by a man.

``So this is why you were taking forever to come back because you were talking to this human. I told you that if he was awake to not talk to him and come back to me and tell me, yet you didn't listen to me. `` he said with an angry tone.

``Why shouldn't I? Just because he's human I can't talk to him. ``

``Humans are evil beings that don't care about anything but themselves. You shouldn't associate with them for any reason. ``

He looks at John.

``You, human, since you're awake, I want you to get out of my house. Your kind is not welcome here. ``

He looks at her.

``And you, were going to have a talk later so be prepared for it. ``

He closes the door and walks out.

``Ugh, what's his deal? `` she said angrily.

``Sorry, didn't mean to get you in trouble. ``

``You don't need to apologize. He's always been like this. ``

``Sounds like he doesn't like humans that much huh? ``

``Actually, it's not only him, everyone in the village don't like humans. ``

``Is there a reason why? ``

She was thinking.

``I guess it's because you guys have a bad reputation. ``

John was curious about what it was.

``Oh? What do they say? ``

``Selfless, cares about themselves, evil, greedy, should I keep going? ``

``No need, I get the point. I didn't know we had such a bad reputation. ``

``Yup. ``

``Wait, how come you don't hate humans? ``

``Oh? What makes you say that? ``

``By the way you're talking to me. You don't seem to hate me despite me being human. ``

``Don't get me wrong. I do in fact hate humans. ``

John looked at her with a confused look.

``I know it's weird. How come I'm talking to you if I hate humans? If I have to guess, it would be because you look like a nice and kind person. ``

``Nice and kind? How can you be sure if you never met me? ``

``Well, when I first found you near the river, I checked to see what you were, and it turned out you were a human. I wanted to leave you, but I couldn't. Seeing how you could die if I left you, I decided to help you. So, I carried you all the way here. My party told me to leave you and how much I could get in trouble if I brought you here. I told them that I will take any punishment and they stopped after that. So once I reached the village, of course my father didn't agree with it, but after exchanging words back and forth, he eventually agreed but only on one condition and that was as soon as you woke up, you had to leave. I agreed and that's how you ended up here. ``

John was happy that she helped him and also explained how he got here.

``I appreciate you telling me how I got here, but you never answered my question. ``

``Hmm, it was because of how sad you were. When I came in and looked in your eyes, all I could see was sadness. Like you lost something important to you. At that moment, I told myself, this person isn't like the rest nor is he what the rumors say about humans. I could tell you were different. ``

``You knew just by me being sad? ``

``Not only that, but how you're talking to me right now. It shows that you don't hate beast people at all. You're talking to me like we're equals. ``

``Well of course I am, isn't that what everyone does? ``

She shook her head in disagreement.

``Sadly that isn't the case. When humans talk to us, it's either to make fun of us or say something to us that will make us angry. ``

``Oh, I see. ``

``Yea, but don't worry about it. The thing we should be worried about is you getting some clothes. ``

``What's wrong with what I`m-. ``

Before he knew it, he realized that he wasn't wearing any clothes.

``What happen to my cloths! ``

``I'm sorry about that, we had to take them off since they were wet and torn. But don't worry, I got you some clothes and shoes for you to wear. Let me go get them. ``

She left the room.

When she left, John couldn't help but think to himself on what he should do now. But before he could think more, she came back.

``Here you go. This is what I could find that looked like it could fit you. ``

``Thank you. ``

She smiled.

``Now you should get ready. Things are going to get complicated from here on out. Don't worry, I'll leave so you can get ready. ``

John nodded and before she left John said something to her.

``It's John by the way. My name is John. ``

She turned to look at him.

``It's nice to meet you, John. My name is Ashley. ``

John smiled and she left the room. John got up and put on the clothes and shoes that she gave to him. John looked in the mirror and to see himself.

``It doesn't look half bad if I do say so myself. Thank you, Ashley, `` he said thinking to himself.

Once he was finished, he walked out of the room.

``I knew they looked good on you`` Ashley said smiling.

``Yea, thanks for the clothes. ``

``No problem, now, are you ready to see the village? ``

``What? ``

``Don't be surprised, you have to be familiar with the village in order to find your way around. ``

``But what's the point if I'm going to leave? ``

``But aren't you curious about our village? ``

John was indeed curious about it.

``I am, but the guy told me to leave as soon as I awoke. ``

``Don't worry about it, I'll convince him to let you stay. ``

``Stay!?``

``Yea. Is there a problem? ``

``Of course there's a problem! I can't stay here If I'm not wanted here! And besides, if I were to stay, I have a feeling the guy will be able to just toss me out easily thanks to his strong physique. ``

``Don't worry about it, after all, the guy you're mentioning is my father. ``

John was surprised.

``You father!? Then that's more of a reason for me to leave! ``

``You're worrying too much. He`ll say yes if I tell him. ``

``But won't you get into more trouble than you already are? ``

``I will, but as long as I can handle it, then it shouldn't be a problem. ``

John didn't know what to say to that. He felt like nothing could convince her. As soon as they left the house to explore the village, John could see many beast men, women, children, and the elderly. As they walked around, John noticed everyone giving him the stares.

``Ashley was right, they don't like humans at all. Everyone is giving me looks. They are keeping their distance from me and even the kids are looking at me. What happened to them to make them hate humans so much? `` he said, thinking to himself. But for now, he was looking around on where everything is. But there wasn't much to look at. There were many houses, a farm to raise vegetables and fruit, walls that surround the village, and a blacksmith for their weapons and armor but that was pretty much it. Once they were done, they were approached by Ashley`s father.

``You, didn't I tell you to leave? What are you still doing here? ``

``It's alright dad, I was just showing him around the village. ``

``Didn't I tell you not to associate with him!?``

``It's okay dad, he is different from other-``

``Different? Different! Just look at him. He is a human. Just because he hasn't done anything doesn't mean he isn`t.``

He looked at John.

``You, I don't know what you did to convince my daughter into thinking you are different from other humans but I'm telling you that your lies won't work on me. Now, this is what's going to happen, you are going to leave this village. And if I ever see you again, I will kill you. ``

``Dad your-``

``I don't want to hear anything from you! Now go home and wait for me there! Both of us are going to have a talk. ``

Ashley looked at John.

``I'm sorry John. Hopefully we could see each other someday. ``

``Yea, thank you for everything. ``

She nodded and walked towards her house.

Ashley`s father escorted John in the front gates and once he was outside, they closed the gates behind him. John didn't know where to go. All around him were just forests. So, he entered the forests not knowing what dangers lie ahead.