P.s: don't forget to check my other ONC entry: Quatrevois.

Weather, too, seemed like it harbored grudges, a cruel sun scorching her already burnt skin.

She'd lost track of time. Days passed in a haze as she mysteriously survived incessant torment. Ashelia wished it would all stop, the pain, the strikes, her life.

Yet, it never did.

Their generosity began at dusk and extended to dawn; the uncanny nightfall was when they would come stumbling and tripping over unsteady feet after drowning their sorrows in alcoholic beverages all day long. Ashelia never knew when to expect them, always at random times depending on how much they've drunk. However, it was always the nights, under the watchful moon and observing stars.

It was as if they took joy in torturing her below swathes of silver rays and looming darkness.

They punched, kicked, tore at sensitive flesh. Dirty hands grabbed, fondled, yanked at an aching scalp. Broken bones protested, blood draining from numb arms as they hung over a swollen face. Ripped garments were bedabbled with dried crimson that kept gushing out of countless wounds.

Her body, too downtrodden and beaten, was spared naught to recover from its deep state of detriment.

Their abuse was incomparable to his, however. A father meant to nurture, care and protect took joy in breaking her. Crazed was what she'd become - hallucinations, unintelligible mumbles, a rupture too deep to mend.

Ashelia often questioned their unexplained dread of him. He was a coward. Why would they fear, yet, respect him? A monster, too hideous and vicious, unfairly alive.

Everyone hated her...and she took the life of the only kind soul that loved and shielded her.

Right when she thought there were no more tears to shed, soft weeps reached her ears. "I am not certain if what I did was the right thing, mother." She croaked; her head falling in shame as quiet, debilitating droplets overflowed. "I don't...I can't hold on anymore."

What good was a body if its soul lost its will to live?

Time elapsed, slow, hesitant, cautious.

A breeze, so cold it woke her, blew ever so lightly. Shivers tickled the hairs on broken limbs to stand as erect as her body. The clouds were dispersing, departing, and bowing down to the moon as it shone upon her skin so strong it breathed life into her. A deep inhale, so refreshing and revitalizing, filled her lungs.

Ashelia gasped at the sudden, foreign feeling of energy seeping slowly into her body then coursing through her. A quick glance down swept across the full length of her crumpled form as she felt skin tighten, wounds seamed shut, bones snapping into place. Her eyes widened at the healed injuries and she stammered, wondering if it was but a dream.

Soft hums caressed her heart. Then, a warm voice reverberated inside her mind. A voice she thought she would never hear again.

Her breathing stilled.

'My apologies, my baby. It took so long but I am here. I am here now and I will get you out.' Ashelia didn't realize how much she'd missed her mother until she heard her speak. Tears welled up in ice-blue eyes, amplified by the growing headache as the words scratched at the insides of her skull. What was happening?

Blinking the shock out of her system, her head moved from side to side, mouth agape. "Mama? Where are you? Why can't I see you?" She glanced around. "I thought you were dead..." Her voice faltered. I killed you...with my own hands.

Had she finally gone crazy? Succumbed to bottomless pits of illusions?

'Oh, Ash. I am here. I am here.' The motherly intonation squeezed at her aching heart, spawning snivels. A tender touch rested against her wet cheek; Ashelia leaned into it instinctively. Warmth encased her, a balm to countless scars wrenching sobs out of her. 'I am sorry, dear. I've brought this upon you. However, we must depart before they come back.'

Eyebrows furrowing, lips pulled down in thoughts. As surreal as this was, it was also too real to be a mere figment of her imagination. Taking the nagging sensations inside her mind into consideration, a constant pressure feeding her headache, something felt off. "Mama, where are you? Why can't I see you?"

'All will be explained later, dear. You have my word on that. We need to get you out of here first.'

Begrudgingly, Ashelia huffed, reluctant nods following. "But, how?" She whined, "I have tried. Countlessly. Fruitlessly."

'Ashelia, you must concentrate, alright? Focus on me, on yourself, on the moon.' The girl nodded again, quickly, dizzyingly, desperately. 'Close your beautiful eyes for me now, sweetheart. Breathe in. Focus. Breathe out.' Gentle instructions flowed in and out in a haze. 'Feel the energy surging through you. Feel its need to flee, to survive, to kill, to protect. Feel it, Ashelia. Feel it. The fire burning within you. Feel!'

Ashelia's eyes shot open, blue burning ever so slightly, like a timid flame dancing, bending and scorching to a silent dangerous beat.

'Breathe, my dear. Breathe.' The mother tried soothing an erratic heart. 'You're yet to be ready for that power. It leaves nothing behind but heartache and woe. Just know what resides within you. You're no weakling.'

Ashelia's back arched away from the pole, eyes rolling back. Soft gasps were emitted, chest heaving rapidly. The energy flowed through her whole, scalding, leaving sweltering skin and dehydration behind.

'Feel the beast inside, dormant, awaiting their time to rise. The fearful awakening that'd be the end, the doom, the fall of too many.'

"Mama," she panted, sweat coating every inch, "what is happening? It hurts." Muffled whimpers slipped out. "The pain is unbearable." Flesh torn, hands broke and reformed, nails elongating.

'I know, I know. I'm so sorry, dearest. The first time is always overwhelming. Our link is not strong enough to see to your full transformation or help you any further. However, this would be enough. Just listen to your heart, your soul. And, feel.'

Her mother's melodic coos sounded faraway amidst pained groans, heavy breathing, blurred vision. Ashelia, too dazed, succumbed to the lull of gentleness she'd missed as it cradled her, an encouraging song to allay fears and pain, constant apologies to express sorrow and regret.

A brusque exhale, she flinched from twinging hands, whines disturbing the stillness of the night.

Low guttural sounds, reluctant, vicious, promising, snapped her out of a stupefied trance. "Fur. Claws. Oh, mother, can you see? Do you see?"

At the hesitant admiration, the mother's breathy laughter brought a sense of acceptance. 'I can. I do. Does it hurt still, sweetheart?' Ashelia shook her head, astound clear on her features. 'Now is the time we depart-'

"Hell be damned, what is this witchcraft?" Startled, her gaze met his, fixating her petrified form in place, quelling a kindled desire of rebellion before it shone brighter. The closer he got, the more she shrunk, back pressing against wood.

Calloused fingers dug into her skin, turning her blanched face from side to side, inspecting healed cuts and injuries. Then his eyes darted to what-used-to-be hands. "How were you able to shift?" He jeered, the moon glaring down at them. "Was it your mother that came to your aid? After you took away her life? When will the two of you quit whoring around?"

'Ashelia, no, don't-'

She growled lowly, invisible strings torn. Something inside demanded blood. Her body curled, ropes pulling at the weight, knees bending before striking an unsuspecting chest. "Don't you fucking dare."

She watched as her father soared through the air, landing a good distance away. A tree, which has grown in the middle of what used to be a house, almost cushioned his fall.

Fire - bluer than the sky, fiercer than beasts, brighter than the moon that shied away from such display of ferociousness, timid clouds hiding him - flickered, danced, and crackled in her eyes.

Coughs erupted, blood trickling down the side of his mouth, the never wavering sneer always present. "Fairytales be damned..." Blue flames ate at helpless ropes that restrained her for too long.

'Ashelia, no! You don't have much time. You barely half shifted.' The warning was ignored as a new urge to tear into flesh surged through her.

A vicious snarl, startling them both, cut through the static darkness. Tiny feet thumped rapidly before she pounced on his motionless figure. Caught off guard, his head slammed hard on the ground.

Kill, kill, kill.

The chant only grew louder when he dared strike back. Blinded by rage and fueled by an overwhelming need to avenge the pathetic life he brought on them, Ashelia tugged at his beard, prompting a yelp as claws tore through flesh. He kicked a starving stomach, earning him another scar across a gawking face.

Her sudden outbreak left him puzzled, rattled, questions swarming his mind at the strength she was displaying.

'Please stop, Ash. Stop. You must stop, calm down. You're not in a position to fight further. I can hear them coming. Please, they'll kill you. You must run.' More pleas kept coming, urgent, desperate, useless.

"Why don't you listen to your mother? For once in her life, she's finally uttered meaningful words." He grunted between amateur but effective, sweeping blows.

A frustrated rumble vibrated in her ribcage before, without warning, her hand swiped at an unprotected throat, leaving trails of blood gushing out. Ducking out of his loosened hold, she backed away clumsily, eyes glued to dripping red, watching life pour out of his wounds.

"I'm not...what did you do to me?" He managed between frightened wheezes. "I cannot...heal." With incomprehensible words, his body sagged. Flesh turned gray, ash scattered atop damp soil before the wind carried it away.

Ashelia dropped to her knees, leaning on trembling arms for support as she heaved, emptying an already empty stomach. Tears sprung to her eyes, groaning at the pain in her hands that slowly returned to their normal shape.

'They're here.' Her mother's distraught snapped her back to the messy situation she was in.

Word count: 1668.

Total word count: 5656.