I got home after the walk and sat down in the kitchen. I needed to wake my mom up for work.

I walked upstairs and into her room. It was very messy because she didn't unpack anything. I finished unpacking after my walk.

"Hey mom," I shook her gently. "Time for work."

She groaned and threw the blanket over her head.

"Eli, five more minutes please," She groaned.

"Fine, but I made pancakes," I said.

Her eyes shot open and she rolled out of bed.

I grinned, she could never resist my pancakes, even if they were burnt.

I left her room and she got dressed.

I warmed up some pancakes for my mom and got her a cup of whatever drink we had in the fridge.

She walked downstairs and I put back on ABBA.

"So hon, do you want to take a ride with me to the clinic. You know, to see the town and stuff," My mom said.

"Sure," I said dancing along to the music. "I met a kid when I went for a walk. He seems nice."

"That's great hon. My boss, Alan Deaton, said there's a kid that works there. Maybe you could meet him," My mom smiles as she finished eating.

I put the plate in the sink and we got ready for the clinic.

My mom was wearing her veterinarian scrubs and had her hair up in a ponytail.

We walked out to the car and my mom drove. I looked out the window at the town I had walked earlier. It was brighter and people were driving and walking. A few people my age milled around. A girl with light strawberry colored hair and a boy a foot taller than her were sitting in a very expensive looking car.

We got to the clinic and my mom and I got of the car.

"Hello Heidi," Deaton said as we entered the clinic. "And you must be Elise, very nice to meet you. Scott, come here, I want you to meet our newest vet." Deaton yelled toward the back of the clinic.

There was a metallic bang and then a mop of dark brown hair appearing from the corner.

"Hi, I'm Scott McCall," A scrawny boy greeted.

"This is Heidi, our newest vet, and her daughter, Elise," Deaton gestures to my mom and I. "Elise is going to be in the same grade as you this year. And Heidi will be working when I'm on that business trip we talked about." 

I gave a small wave towards Scott. He seemed younger than me but I guess we were the same age because he had a job.

My mom turns to me, "See you later."

I started walking back to the exit.

"See you in school Elise," Scott says.

I walked back outside and down the street. I had met two people I'd be going to school with so that's cool.

Maybe this year I could try to have a more relaxed and baddie behavior in school.

I mean, I had the right body and clothes for it. I just didn't have the confidence or the mindset.

Walking back though town, it was starting to turn into late afternoon. Another few streets and I'd be home.

Whenever I walked near a group of people, I'd feel them stare at me.

Of course, I was an outsider. I was someone to be looked at as if I was a caged animal in a zoo.

My tanned skin, long hair and bright eyes made guys stare with interest and girls scowl with distaste.

I felt conscious enough about my appearance but the states made be feel very vulnerable.

As I turned onto my empty street, I felt a stare from the woods.

I turned and saw no one but it felt like a guy had been watching me.

That's weird.

I quickly made my way into the house. I locked the door and ran up to my room.

That's enough attention for one day.

❦

A day passed and I walked through the town again. I saw Isaac as I passed his house and waved at him.

He smiled and gave a shy wave.

Last night I actually slept through the night. I had a dream about Scott and the clinic.

It was really weird. There was a huge dog looking wolf thing on the doorway behind Scott.

And another kid with a buzzcut next to him. Whispers were all around me.

She's the one. She's the Seer. The sworn protector of the Pack.

I had no idea what pack the voices were talking about.

The wolf figure behind Scott disappeared. The kid next to Scott was suddenly next to me.

His face was blurred but I could hear him.

"You're the one," He said. "We know it's you."

Scott just stood in the doorway with a blank expression across his face.

What kind of hellish dream was this?