I had scrubbed the floors so thoroughly that even after I shifted I could still feel the sensation. The night echoed with sounds of drunk people and the lonely abyss so common for 2 am. I flapped my wings harder, trying to increase my speed as flew further into the city, high enough above that no one would see me.

I was running late because Hunter made me clean every possible floor in the house, while scolding me the whole friggin time. Honestly I was more uncomfortable with what he said than the punishment itself. His words distracting me from working as fast as I usually did. 

It was weird, he was upset I didn't call him instead to come over and carry Andrew. His words still rung in my ears as I try to shake them out to no avail.

"If you're going to do something stupid Ara, at least do it with some common sense! It's far less suspicious if a man carries a man to the nurse than a woman!"

A little sexist, but he did have a point. Though why would he think I'd ever ever  everrrr go to him of all people! This was for Kirsa, as her best friend it's my job to handle things like this! Not Hunter, who she barely knows. Plus he is literally the authoritative figure of my life. Yes of course let me get myself in obvious trouble...

I finally was able to push the thoughts away as I continued my journey through the city. Following the trail of a very strong dead odor somewhere on the streets. The smell was so potent it felt like acid was tickling my nostrils. But it was odd, there was another smell too. Like stale water. 

The smell got stronger to my right so I turned and then angled down, readying for landing at the spot. I pulled my wings in so I could dive and brought my paws out, claws extended, in order to hit the ground without too much damage but also quickly. I wanted to get in and out as fast as I could with the body. 

My feet hit the concrete below, buildings surrounded my left and right side. It was dark with little to no lighting. I was in an alley. The stale water smell started to get stronger as if it was seeping out of something like a pipe possibly. It became more strong than the dead body smell. Suddenly I heard screaming. Loud terrified screaming. The pitch stinging my ears intensely. I turn to the source of the shrieking. It's a girl who's making the horrifying sound. She's covered in a layer of dirt, her eyes wide. She's far younger than me. Her feet are next to the body but they are clean of blood. There is blood everywhere except the girl. Who's now shaking too. 

Broken wings cascade to the right and large paws lay limply to the left. Blood is pooling from its missing throat. Obviously what killed it. I try to control my shock. 

It's the other winged wolf. 

The one that attacked me. 

It's dead. 

And this girl has seen it, and me.