Gabby's POV

I slowly trekked in the night, shivering at the cold breeze. I flinched at a chipmunk scurrying past my feet. I hate the woods! I hate the dark even more! But its not like I have another place to stay. He he, that's what happens when you run away from the orphanage.

I traced my ice cold fingers along the scars on my arms. Those whips the nuns used......"You broke another plate! That's it! Punishment time for you!", I shivered as there scalding voices ran through my head. No, I had to get away from there. I looked around, searching for any kind of food. There has to be some berry bushes somewhere right?

I squinted my eyes, struggling to see in the darkness. A flashlight sounds really good right now. My tummy growled furiously and I groaned. There has to be something. Tears brimmed my eyes as I felt my hopes start to fade away. Maybe this was it, maybe I would die out here, alone..........

........then I spotted it.

A blueberry bush. My eyes widened. "Oh thank God!" I cried. I ran over to the bush, ready to eat the whole freaking thing! Suddenly though, my joy was crushed. All the berries on there were dried up. I just stood there for a moment. Then I sat next to the bush and hugged my knees close to me, crying.

Ulric's POV

I wandered the woods, searching for fire wood. A strong wind blew, making all the silver fur along my body stand on its ends. "Holy crap its freezing out here." I said. I picked up one more stick and sighed. "Finally, that should more than plenty for tonight." I said.

I was so tired, ready to go home in my cabin and watch some TV. I was heading in that direction, when I heard something. No, someone. I placed a hand near my ear so I could listen better. It sounded like.......crying? I looked around the dark woods, my sapphire eyes piercing through the dark horizon.

Near a dead blueberry bush, I spotted a small figure huddled close to it. From the crying it sounded like a girl. I wonder if its a human? Being a werewolf, I can't exactly say I am popular among other people. I creeper closer to the figure. I accidentally stepped on a tree branch with my brown boots, making a loud snapping sound.

The figure jerked its head up and looked around frantically. "Hello? W-Who's there?" she stuttered. "Oh, I'm sorry. It was me." I said. The girl turned to me and her brown eyes widened. "Oh...my god...." she said weakly. "Its alright, I won't hurt you." I said calmly. This girl was a teenager, probably around fifteen years old.

She backed up a few steps. "No wait-" I said, but she bolted before  I could finish.

Gabby's POV

I couldn't believe what I saw! A werewolf! And he was tall too, I only reached his chest! I ran through the woods, blinded by my fear. "Hey wait! Come back!" the wolf called. I ignored him and kept running. I was so scared. What would he do to me?

He could kill me. Slit my throat with those long black claws, or rip me apart with those sharp white teeth. I didn't want to take the chance, so I ran nonstop. I could hear the wolf chasing me, calling out to me. I only focused on running, nothing else. Unfortunately, that made me ignore my surroundings.

I tripped over a tree root and fell onto the ground, falling down a small hill. Sometime while rolling down, I cut my palm on some sharp rock. When I was at the bottom I was sore. I struggled to get up, but my body ached too much. I spotted the wolf coming down towards me.

Ulric's POV

Finally I caught up with the girl. She looked up at me with fright. I set my wood aside and looked down at her. Her body was shaking, dirt on her tan skin and leaves in her long black hair. A bloody cut was on her palm. I knelt beside her. She shut her eyes tight and turned her head away, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"P-Please, d-don't hurt me......" she said weakly. She whimpered a little. I shushed her softly. "Hey, its ok, I'm not gonna hurt you." I said calmly. I reached out to pat her head but she scooted back, looking at me with wide eyes. "Hey, I promise. I'm not gonna hurt you." I repeated calmly.

The girl gave me an unsure look, then she very slowly came closer. I put on a warm smile and rubbed the top of her head, causing her to flinch at the touch. "Shhh, don't worry." I said softly. She looked up at me with teary eyes. "Your hand, is it hurt?" I asked. The girl pulled her bleeding palm close to her, trying to hide it. "What's your name?" I asked. "G-G-Gabby....." she replied quietly.

"Gabby, ok  good." I said. I stood up and offered her a hand. "Can you stand?" I asked. Gabby gave me a nervous look before reaching out her shaking hand (the uninjured one) and taking mine. I pulled her up, causing her to whimper a little in pain. "Hmmm, a couple scratches, but you don't seem too bad. Listen, come with me back to my cabin. I'll tend to your wounds, you can get cleaned up, you can eat and even stay the night." I explained.

Gabby looked at me surprised, but shook her head. "N-No, I-I'm fine." she stuttered. I could tell she was still very scared. "If you stay out her you'll get a fever from the cold. Please, come with me." I said. Gabby hesitated, but nodded a little. "Good, follow me then." I said. I took her good hand and led her back to my cabin.

Gabby's POV

I followed the wolf through the dark woods. I was terrified. He said he wouldn't hurt me, but I had a hard time believing that. Soon we came upon a small wooden cabin. The wolf led me inside. It was pretty nice. There was a fireplace in the back, with a TV hung above it and a brown couch on in front of it. Also on my left were two brown doors, which I assumed were the bathroom and his bedroom. And in the right was the kitchen.

The wolf led me to the couch. "Here, sit down." he said. I sat down, practically hearing my body sigh as it finally got to relax. The wolf went to the kitchen, flipped on the house lights, and started to rummage through the cabinets. "Come on, I know its here somewhere." he muttered. "Uh....s-sir?" I said nervously. The wolf looked at me and smiled, brushing some of his long white hair out of his face. "Yes?" he said.

"Um...w-who are you?" I asked nervously. "Oh right, I'm sorry. My name is Ulric." he said. "Ulric? What a unique name." I said. "Thanks." Ulric said, pulling out a small red box. He came over to me and sat next to me. I got a bit more nervous. "W-Whats that?" I stuttered. "My first aid kit, I'm gonna tend your wounds." Ulric said.

Ulric's POV

Gabby gave me a nervous look. "M-My w-wounds?" she said weakly. She hid her bleeding palm behind her back. "I-I don't know what you m-mean...." she said. "Gabby come on, you know what I mean. I need to patch up." I said. I reached out her injured palm but Gabby scooted back and whimpered in fright. "N-No, don't touch it!" she exclaimed.

I sighed. "Fine, I won't touch it yet. But at least let do some of the scratches on your legs." I said. Gabby hesitated but nodded. I took out my bottle of alcohol and my box of band aids. I screwed on the top on the bottle and sprayed a little on her legs. Gabby winced and tensed up. I let the alcohol sit for a moment, then placed small band aids on some of the bigger scratches. Once that was done I looked up at her. "Okay, now I just need to do your hand." I said.

Gabby shook her head. "Gabby, if I don't patch it up it'll get infected. Please, let me take care of it." I said. "No...." Gabby said quietly. I held my hand out. "Come on, let me see it." I said. Gabby shook her head again. I sighed. "Gabby." I said. She gave me a nervous look, then she slowly held out her bleeding hand. I held it gently in my hand. Gabby whimpered in fright. "Shhh, its ok." I said softly. She looked up at me with teary eyes. "W-Will it h-hurt?" she asked weakly. "Don't worry, it'll only sting a little. I'm gonna spray it with a bit of alcohol so it won't get infected, clean up any blood with a dry cloth, then I'll just bandage it up. That simple." I said.

Gabby sniffled a little and nodded. "O-Ok......" she said weakly. I took my spray bottle and sprayed her wound. Gabby winced and shut her eyes tight, a few tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ow ow ow....." she whimpered. I hushed her and set the bottle aside, then gently cupped her cheek. "Shhh, there now. Don't cry. Just relax." I said softly. Gabby looked me in the eye as I wiped away her tears. "Its ok." I said softly. Gabby's expression softened, and she seemed relaxed.

I got out the dry cloth and gently wiped her wound, causing her to wince a little. Then I got out some white bandaging and wrapped it around her hand. Once I was done I set my stuff aside and smiled. "There, how does that feel?" I asked. Gabby examined her hand, moving her fingers and such. Then she looked at me surprised. "Ulric....thank you...." she said quietly. "Of course, happy to help." I said.

Gabby's POV

I was really surprised. He actually wanted to help. He wasn't gonna hurt me. And, I actually felt safe around him. "Alright well if you want you can hop in the shower and get cleaned up." Ulric said. He pointed to one of the doors. "Bathroom is that way. I'll get you a towel and some spare clothes." Ulric said. I nodded. "O-Ok..." I said quietly. I stood up and went into the bathroom.

I stripped off the rags I called my clothes and turned on the water, then I went in. It felt greeeaaat  having the warm water run down my back, the shampoo actually clean my hair, and to actually shave. I felt like a hairy smelly oaf for a while, even in the orphanage. I stared at the scars on my arms and legs. Those whips....they really hurt.....

I flinched at the memory. I will never go there again. I yelped at a door knocking. "Who's there!?" I shouted. "Whoa relax, its just me. Can I come in?" Ulric asked. "Oh uh, y-yeah." I said. I heard the door open. "Ok, your towel and clothes will be on the sink. When you come out dinner should be ready." Ulric said, then I heard the door close.

I perked up. Dinner? He was making dinner? For me? I got dressed, brushed my hair, and wnet out to the living room. Ulric was cooking something in the kitchen, and the TV was on. I sat on the couch. "W-Why are you making dinner?" I asked. Ulric looked at me confused. "Uh, cause I thought you might be hungry. Unless your not then-"

My rumbling stomach interrupted him. I blushed while he chuckled. "Thought so." he said. He came over to me with a plate of macaroni and cheese, along with an apple. My eyes widened at the wonderful sight. He gave them to me and I smiled. "Ulric.....thank you! Thank you very much!" I said. I started to chow down.

"It was a pleasure." Ulric said. He gave me a serious look and sat next to me. "Listen, can I ask a few questions?" he asked. I swallowed a bite of Mac and cheese, feeling a bit uneasy. "Uh, s-sure." I said. "First off, what we're you doing out in the cold like that? You could have gotten a bad fever or something." Ulric said.

"Well, I was looking for food, and I don't have any money. So I was kinda scavenging for something. I mean, its not like I actually have a home." I said. "Whoa wait, how old are you?" Ulric asked. "Fifteen." I said. "That's a bit young to be on your own. Where are your parents?" Ulric asked. I frowned. "No....they died in a car crash when I was five." I said quietly. "Oh..oh......I'm sorry I...I didn't mean to......" Ulric stuttered. "Its fine." I said quietly.

"Well don't you have caregivers of some type. Grandparents? Uncle or aunt? God parents? Oh, maybe an orphanage. If you want I can take you to them tomorrow morning." Ulric said. My eyes widened. "NO!" I stated. Ulric looked at me shocked. I quickly cleared my throat and sighed. "Uh I-I mean, I don't have anyone else....." I said quietly.

"Right, well then you can live with me." Ulric said. "What?! No Ulric, I-I couldn't.....I've already been enough of a burden to you." I said. "You haven't been a burden, I haven't had company in a long time, especially someone close to my age. Please, I insist you stay." Ulric said. I beamed. "Really!? Thank you!" I said. "My pleasure." Ulric said.

I looked at the TV, to see it was the news. "You watch the news?" I said. "No, I hate it. Its nothing but death and politics, but I have to wait to see the weather." Ulric said. "Oh, I see." I said. "I should get us some drinks." Ulric said. He stood up and went into the kitchen. I looked at the TV, the reporter saying something about a runaway teenager. "Ooh, I wonder who this is?" I said to myself. A picture came up of the teenager and my eyes widened. They were talking about a girl who ran away from an orphanage. A girl named Gabby.

That girl being me.

If Ulric see's this, will he take me back............?

Ulric's POV

I got a couple of glasses, filled them with water, and,came back into the living room. Gabby quickly stood in front of the TV, blocking my view completely. "Uh Gabby, what are you doing?" I asked. "Oh uh nothing." Gabby said nervously. I set the drinks on the coffee table. "Yeah uh, think you can sit down on the couch so I can see the screen." I said. "Uh....c-can we change the channel first?" Gabby asked. "Gladly, as soon as it shows the weather for tomorrow." I said. Gabby frowned.

"Gabby?" I said. Gabby said nothing and looked away. "Hey, what are you hiding?" I asked. I walked over to her and tried to move her aside, but she stood her ground. "Gabby, can I please see?" I asked. Gabby started to shake a little, then she finally stepped away. On the TV, it reported about a teenager girl who ran away from the orphanage and are now searching for her. A girl named Gabby, and looked exactly like her.

My eyes widened as it soon changed to the weather. I looked at Gabby, who sat on the couch with tears in her eyes. "Gabby...." I said. "Don't take me back! You can dump anywhere else but there! Please!" Gabby begged. The tears streamed down her cheeks. I sat next to her and rubbed her back. "Shhh, Gabby its okay." I said softly. Gabby whimpered and didn't stop crying. "I won't take you back if you don't want me to." I said. Gabby looked at me.

"You won't?" she said. "Yes, but I want to know why." I said. Gabby hugged her knees close to her. "I've been there for ten years. The nuns there, all they did was abuse me." Gabby said. "Abuse you?" I said. That when I noticed the scars on her arms and legs. "Those scars....." I said. "Whips will do that to ya." Gabby said. "Whips!?" I said.

Who in there right minds would want to hurt this poor girl with whips. That's just cruel. "Please...please don't take me back...." Gabby said weakly. She covered her face with her hands and started to cry. I felt so bad. Losing her parents, living ten years in an abusive orphanage, and then being out homeless as a runaway for who knows how long.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. "Shh shh, Gabby its okay. I won't you back, I promise." I said softly. Gabby sniffled and looked up at me. "R-Really?" she said weakly. I nodded. "Besides, I wouldn't have a fun roommate around anymore now would I?" I said. I pulled her back and cupped her face, wiping away her tears. "No more crying though,okay?" I said softly. Gabby smiled and nodded. "Okay." she said.

"And you can stay with me as long as you want." I said.

She smiled and kissed my cheek, causing me to blush brightly.

"Thank you Ulric." she said.