MEETING THE DEVIL

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Love is stronger than death; even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries, it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories, either. In the end, life is stronger than death." Anonymous/ Goggle

Life's a bitch, and then you die.' We've all heard and probably said this quote at least once or twice or maybe more in our lifetime.

I never understood the significance of this statement until recently, and it's crazy how just one simple and universal quote can sum up the true meaning of my life. I have no idea what is significantly better, life or death, but the fear of either has always been their constant companion. And I always wondered, is love stronger than either? Every life has a beginning, and every beginning has an end. My beginning was different than most.

First, this is my life, my story, and I will tell it how I want to. So forget the rules, disregard your preconceptions on love and romance, overlook your ill-advised bullshitting ideologies, and most importantly fuck death.

I can sit here and tell you how rotten and lonely my life was, but it would do you any good to start there or me. We all have a sad story to tell. That's the bottom line. There is not one life on this godforsaken planet that is picture-perfect. Don't get me wrong, I believe life could be perfect, but wait a minute, perfect is such an absolute word. No, life is tolerable. Yeah, that sounds way better. 'Life can be tolerable.' That is how I define my feelings towards my situation or life, as we should call it.

I don't know what you believe in human nature, but there is no such thing as good or evil. Right or wrong. Love or hate.

Just hear me out; we're all different people, right? So, it stands to reason that our thought processes would be wired differently. That said, you might think something I did was wrong because your life experiences taught you that it was, and vice versa.

You may also hate something because it's instilled in you. You were taught to hate it when you were meant to love it. But here is the problem: what if loving the same thing you were taught to hate proves those theories right?

Good and evil, to me, are mutually exclusive. You can only have one with the other. Good people do bad things, and evil people can do righteous things. It's a personal choice at the end of the day. Again, though, you have to be objective because human nature is always biting you in the ass.

Just because I thought it was evil or wrong doesn't necessarily mean it was. I need to find out your reason for making your choice. We're wired to fear what we don't know, hate what we can't understand, and love with judgment. As a result, we never take the time to evaluate things, understand them, or look deeper.

I can't tell you if I believe in God or the Devil. Heaven or Hell. But I can tell you there is more to this universe than we know. Am I saying, aliens? If you had asked me that question months ago, I would have said 'No.' But that was then, so my answer would be 'Most likely.'

I've watched every fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural thriller you can name, but if you told me any of that shit truly existed, I would have laughed in your face and called you a 'Jackass.'

We are in the real world, not some book or teen drama show. There is no such thing as supernatural beings! Here everything is tangible and with reason. The funny thing is that even when faced with the truth that there is more beneath the surface of our existence, your mind will find a way to rationalize the unknown to fit with your belief system.

I've been trying to find a good start for my tale, and the most fitting place would be the day fate brought me to him. The asshole that pretty much turned my world upside down; made me question everything I knew.

Remember how I said everyone has a sad tale to tell? Let's say my cup was only half full in the parent department. Don't get me wrong; my mother is the best anyone could have.

She's a dummy for love and looks for it in the wrong places. I swear, she goes to Fuck Guys R Us and asks for the most ridiculous man she can find.

My father left her insecure and shattered. He told her she was useless, just a good piece of ass that lasted a while. He broke her confidence until she was a shell of her former self.

As I said, you never know the reasoning behind the next person's choices. She was the complete opposite. The woman was sweet, quiet, extremely generous, and, most importantly, my mother.

We lived in a quiet neighborhood where nothing happened. Our two-story brick home was lovely. We have a garden in the front yard full of lilies, daisies, daffodils, a bench, and a hammock to the left of the oak tree. The house was a gift from my grandparents when they died, which prompted us to move to the strange and abstract town. It took me a while to get used to the everyday norm here, but I was working on it, and I even managed to make a friend.

It was a typical morning like every other I've had since I moved here. I rolled out my princess edition sleigh bed and walked toward the bathroom. I turned the shower on, ensuring the temperature was perfect for hot and cold. I let the water work out the kinks in my neck and shoulders, relaxing from the built-up tension I usually felt in the morning. I dread going to school, and not for the reasons you think.

Let's say this town, these people, and this fucking school is in a category of their own. Something is going on, or maybe I don't understand them. The kids at school act weird; some continuously sniff the air whenever I walk by; they're abnormally tall and well-built, and the men are incredibly sexy. You hear that and think I would be overjoyed, surrounded by sexy guys. But, no, that shit makes me insecure. These Greek Gods don't even get pimples.

I make my way to my closest to figure out something to wear. I settled on wearing a white high-waist skirt, baby blue crop top shirt, black jean jacket, and white high-top converse. I pull my hair into a messy bun and let a few strands frame my face.

What I am about to say sounds weird, but I'm not too fond of perfumes, scented body washes, deodorants, or lotions. The idea of all those chemicals on my skin irritates me. I prefer my natural smell, but lately, I've been thinking that I smell off, provoking these townspeople to sniff the air as I walk by. But my theory doesn't seem plausible as I haven't smelt scented items on anyone here. I finished getting dressed, shrugging my apprehension off and made my way to the food that I smelt cooking.

I enter the kitchen, greeted with a bright smile and open arms. The smell of bacon, sausage, eggs, and grits fills my nostrils, making my stomach react with a loud grumble.

"Good Morning, Helena. You look lovely." She smiled. "

"Good Morning, Mom. Breakfast smells good. I wanted to ask you, do you mind if I go to the mall with Daisy after school?" I stuffed a piece of toast in my mouth.

Daisy is my most trusted sidekick and a most beloved friend. Her spiritual self perfectly matched my calm and analytical way of thinking. Have you ever had a friend you knew you would be cool with, no matter what? It was just something about her that attracted me to her. It was as if some invisible hand was constantly pushing me toward her.

" Sure, honey. Make sure you're home no later than seven; it's a school night." My Mom clarified. I'm a senior at East Glenn High, and I can't wait to get out of this town and off to college with Daisy.

It's been six months since we moved here, and Daisy is the only friend that I managed to make. Granted, she does weird shit too, but it suits her if that makes sense. I overlooked many things with her because she was the only one to welcome me with open arms.

But as my days in this town grew, I constantly noticed someone sniffing the air, growling or purring like a fucking kitten whenever I walked by. And today was no different as I made my way to school. Daisy acts like she doesn't even hear it, or maybe she is just used to the foolishness because she does it too. However, there is one crew at school that sticks out. She calls them the "Royal Pack." It sounds like a lame-ass rock group, but that's what she said.

The leader is a pretty boy who goes by Elijah, and his two lackeys are Conner and Damien; they finish the trio. They're never apart, and sometimes I swear they communicate even when they're not saying shit. The entire student body moves and obeys them when they walk the halls. I even saw Daisy bow her head to them on occasion.

I asked her about it, but she replied, 'I am honor-bound to respect him.' That threw me for a loop, but she says that his family is one of the oldest in this town, and it's just out of respect. Well, fuck him. I am not bowing my head to anyone. You want respect; you have to earn it.

I also noticed no rush, no fuss, no hurry here. Instead, everyone smiles and nods to one another and goes about their day. It seems like time needs to be more relevant. They're all in their little bubble, and nothing outside this town exists.

I chalk it up to paranoia and over-reading too many fantasy books. On the other hand, I'm probably missing out on the familiarity of having a home. I made my way into the parking lot, and Daisy was waiting next to her BMW for me. Oh, did I mention these people are exceptionally well off?

I'm not saying my Mom and I are broke, but we don't have the money these bastards have. That's one of the reasons I felt out of place here as well. People act like money doesn't mean shit. But to the average Joe, it sure does.

Despite having more than I did, Daisy never made me feel out of place. She, indeed, was a good friend. She showed me around, taught me about the land and its heritage, and showed me that there was more to the world than we could see. Everything had its place. There was a natural order to follow.

"Hey, my prettiest flower." I cooed once I was near.

She flipped her jet-black hair over her shoulder, smiling." What's up, my favorite tiny human?" She hooked her arm with mine, and we headed for the homeroom.

"We're definitely on for the mall after school. I only have limited funds bitch, so no funny business." I scolded.

One of the side effects of having money is that you do not need to look at the price tag. That, in a nutshell, is Daisy in the mall. She never looked at a label, a day in her life. I felt like shit when I used to go with her before, but she never mentioned my depleted bank account. Instead, she would throw it in with her stuff if she thought I liked it.

"Don't worry, my mundane friend; money is no consequence to a diva like me." She giggled, and I got to hand it to her; money wasn't an issue. I know you're thinking rich, entitled girl, probably with a snobby attitude, but she is the most down-to-earth person I know. I stopped at my locker to grab my textbook for the first period, and something got caught in my peripheral view.

I notice the three knuckleheads and, as usual, the way cleared for them. "I swear, it irritates me that everyone treats those bastards like some unfathomable entity." I slammed my locker door to emphasize my point.

"Honestly, Helena, I don't know why it bothers you. I already told you old ties run very deep around here. Besides, you never even met them. So what makes you certain you won't like them if you never even talked to any of them." She asked.

That was a good question, and I didn't have an answer. I mean, why didn't I like Elijah and his crew? Could it be because they never noticed me? When it comes to the high school food chain, they are at the top. But I can't pinpoint it; they didn't have a care in the world, almost like they were above everything and everyone.

"I don't know, Daisy; maybe I am a little prejudiced against steroid-induced jocks that run the school," I smirked.

"Well, there is supposed to be a party tonight at East Glenn Woods. The blue moon will appear tonight, and according to the local legends, you will find your soulmate under the blue light, and that is when your life will begin." She gave me an encouraging smile.

Here she goes again with this spiritual shit. I thought.

"I think you must take your head out of your ass, babe. That does not exist. This is the real-world honey, not some Hollywood show." I smacked her on the arm, walking away.

"You need to open your mind a little more, my friend." She yells.

I make my way to the back of the class, passing another weirdo who seems to sniff the air when I walk by. I plug in my ear pods, listening to music while the teacher runs off morning instructions. When the bell for first period rings, I'm out the door before anyone. I had my head hanging down as I hummed a song when I ran smack dab into Miranda.

Who is she? Here is the four-one-one on this trollop. Miranda, is your typical self-centered, big-breasted, ignorant beauty queen, high school matriarch. If I could put her words on toilet paper and wipe my ass, I would. Her beauty is undeniable, but underneath, that pretty face is a selfish bitch. I can't stand people who must beat the next person down to feel good about themselves.

I'm pretty sure she and Elijah are an item, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know what Miranda's deal is, but she is one of the people who constantly drools and follows Elijah and his crew around like a lost puppy. How someone can even stand to be around that brainless blowup sex doll is beyond me. But maybe, he is just as dumb and shallow as her.

"Watch where you're going, you bite-size freak." She growled.

This bitch was tall like an Amazon, but this bite-size freak will still chop your overgrown ass down.

"Look, I'm sorry, Cruella De Vil, I didn't see you. I would have given you a proper apology without the sarcasm if you had waited just a few minutes."

I was still trying to get off the ground; when I suddenly felt two feminine hands pull me up like I was a damn rag doll. She pushed me into the lockers, and her hands felt like molten lava. Was this broad on some Meth? She certainly didn't look that strong, and why the hell did her hands feel like they'd been hibernating in a bear's ass?

"You should be very careful, you feeble organism before I snuff out your essence." She snarled while her breathing intensified. Yeah, she was definitely on some drug trip. I was thinking of kneeing her in the chest, maybe head-butting her, but I heard a growl coming from my left before I could do anything.

Conner was staring at her with the most menacing look I could have ever witnessed. They stared at each other for a few moments before she bowed her head like a goddamn imbecile and left. Her back stiffened, and she immediately let me drop. Good thing my ass had somewhat of a good balance; otherwise, I would be flat on my back again.

"Are you alright, human?" He asked, without even looking in my direction.

What a retarded thing to say. I laughed. "Yes, the human is wonderful. Maybe, I should become the apex predator and snuff out her essence." I adjusted my back strap. An amused expression lit up his face as if my being the predator was funny.

He turned and walked away like it was nothing, like I was nothing-what, a strange freaky oversized weirdo. I finally entered the classroom, pulled out my notebook, and tried to concentrate on the lesson. The day went by as it usually would, and by the time the last bell rang, I was itching to go and do some retail therapy.

"So, have you made your mind up about the party?" Daisy asked.

"I don't think I would be welcome. I'm not sure if you notice, but I don't exactly fit in here." My fingers rummaged through the clearance rack.

"Shut the fuck up, Helena. It will be fine. You will be fine. Let's get you an outfit and go cruising for our soulmates." Her laugh was like Christmas bells to me. I should go; it's not like I had much to do.

I grabbed my phone, "Ok, woman, just let me call my Mom to let her know I will be going to a party with you. Do you think I can sleep at your house tonight?" I asked while dialing my Mom's number.

"Sure, I love how your scent lingers in my home."

I frowned, "If I didn't know you like men, I would assume you were trying to flirt with me." I punched her in the arm. As expected, my Mom agreed with the plan.

We made our way out of the mall and traveled to Daisy's house. We pulled up to a gated white brick mansion. There were two fountains in the front yard, stone pillars, and a gold wolf statue. Inside was incredibly decorated with beige and brown marble titles, a white winding staircase, and paintings on every surface of the walls. A vast crystal chandelier was hanging from the ceiling, and the way the light reflected off it made an array of colors.

Beautiful

Once we were upstairs, we started unpacking our bags and getting ready for the party. I lay across Daisy's bed, taking a breath. "Who is throwing this party anyway? It seems dangerous to be in the woods with so many drunk teenagers." I shook my head, thinking about how much of a middle-aged woman I resembled.

"Elijah is throwing the party. It's his eighteenth birthday today." She brushed her hair and turned to me, " Don't worry about the drinking; I assure you it would take a lot to get us drunk."

They must drink every damn day to have that kind of tolerance. I would be in someone's toilet after the second drink. At that moment, something should have clicked in my brain, but I brushed the paranoia away again. "Just in case, do you think we should call an Uber or something?" I asked.

"Don't worry, Helena; it will be fine. Stop thinking about useless safety measures, and get dressed." She spits.

I took my clothes off and grabbed the Christian Dior pink and white romper, the matching sandals, and a white jean jacket. I decided to curl and place a pink flower clip behind my ear. I added a little mascara with lip gloss and looked in the mirror. I looked good.

Daisy wore a Gucci red and white V-neck dress, Gucci white platform heels, and a Chanel caviar white pocketbook. Her hair was pulled into a tight top knot, showcasing her high cheekbones and well-portioned face. My girl was a bombshell. Once we gave ourselves the once over, we made our way to her car.

"So, why is he having a birthday party in the middle of the woods? Seems kind of strange to me and also scary." I asked while twirling my fingers.

"East Dale Forest is one of the most sacred places in this town. It's where the wolves descend, our protectors, and the Goddess Selene blesses it." Daisy smiled at this last part, almost like she believed these ridiculous legends wholeheartedly.

"Ok, wolves, like animals?" I asked.

"Yes, and no. Not a full wolf, not a full human, but something greater than both. Werewolf." She almost whispered like she didn't want someone to hear us. Which was odd; it was just the two of us in the car.

"Well, Daisy, there is no such thing as a werewolf. It's a figment of some author's imagination, most likely, conjured to explain some inexplicable killing that the human mind couldn't comprehend." I declared.

She looked at me, then back at the road. "Werewolves are descendants of the God Apollo and his twin sister Goddess Artemis. They are the moon's children, the ever-changing embodiment of reincarnation and spiritual connection." She cited it like some decree she holds dear to her heart.

"Yeah, it's nice of you to think that wolves are some fluffy, lovable animal. Then you want to mix it with a human." I scoffed. "Wolves are natural-born predators with heightened senses. There is a reason they're at the top of the food chain, and no animal preys upon them for food. Imagine a human capable of wielding that kind of power; they would be the dominant species. History is mixed with many hidden truths and fiction, but one thing is clear, throughout time, is the strong will try to rule the weak." I said thoughtfully.

She raised her eyebrow, "I will give you credit wolves are natural hunters, but they do not pose a threat unless provoked. They improve the strength of their prey, while humans reduce it. They are also caring, playful, and devoted to family." She argued.

I can't help to think she is taking this shit way too personally. Besides, what planet is she living on if she says you can take an animal whose very existence is to dominate and tame it?

"All I am saying is me being the deer, being met by the wolf, and you bet your ass I will automatically defend myself. Self-preservation is a motherfucker. Flight or fight response. I will hate it just as much as it hates me. Bottom line." I fixed my jacket after we arrived at the party. We were getting out of the car, and I could still tell Daisy wasn't too happy with our conversation. She grabbed her pocketbook a little too rough and slammed the door.

I made my way around the driver's side and gripped her shoulder. "I know you're all into the spiritual side of things, and love is your all-powerful mantra, but I can't ignore centuries of data pointing to my conclusion. Besides, Daisy, there is no such thing as werewolves." I pulled her in for a tight hug.

"Helena, there are things that even the brightest mind wouldn't understand. So promise me to keep your mind open and your heart pure." She inhaled, letting me go, but stopped midway and sniffed the air.

Her eyes seemed to change from their hazel color to black within seconds. Daisy's head swiveled from left to right, searching for something. Her eyes suddenly stopped at a tall figure standing by the fire. I could barely make out his face, but I swear I heard Daisy mumble, "Mate."

Mate? What the hell is wrong with her? Maybe, I didn't hear that. Then, perhaps, she said, 'Nate.' I looked at her, confused, and she smiled back at me.

"Daisy, there is a keg over there." She pointed. "Why don't you get a drink and meet me back in ten minutes? I just spotted an old friend." She made a sharp turn to the fire and left me.

I started walking in the direction of the keg, my mind replaying our conversation in the car. Why was she on defense when we started talking about werewolves? Why did any of this matter since it was a fictional creature? Who the hell was that guy she went to see? And why was she so startled? So, many questions and no time to get answers. I decided to ask her about it when we left the party. While pouring myself a drink, I bathed in the tranquility of the woods.

I must admit they were beautiful. Almost mythical in a way. Who would have thought such beauty would be in a stupid town like this? I've never seen so many flowers and giant trees in my life. As I stared into the dark, I slowly noticed something white moving toward me. For some reason, I wasn't frightened. Instead, something was pulling inside me to follow the moving white shape. It was singing to some deep part of me, urging me to listen.

My legs started walking before my mind decided to move. As I got closer and closer, the shape started taking on a form. It manifested into this enormous white wolf. My eyes grew wide, and I was thinking, 'Run.' What I did, though, was the exact opposite. I kept moving towards it; I wanted to pet it, hold it, keep it.

As I got closer to it, the bastard took off running. I immediately followed suit; I can't explain to you why. I can only tell you that I needed to find it. I had to find it. The creature was leading me to something meaningful. Perhaps, vital to my existence. The more I ran, the less I saw it. The less I saw it, the more my rational mind started to take over.

Panic and fear started to settle in. I looked down at my feet, noticing the scratches and bruises from running through the branches. Fuck, who knows how long I ran after the wolf. I must have been so caught up in chasing the wolf that I didn't realize I had been tripping on every tree root.

I circled, yelling 'help' to see if anyone would hear me. Ok, Helena, don't panic. Just breathe, and you will get through this. Just try and remember which direction you came from and move backward. Suddenly, I heard a loud howl, sending shivers down my spine. Don't piss yourself, now, I thought. You're the one that followed a deadly animal out here.

I turned around and ran in the wrong direction. I felt my sandal slip as it entangled into a tree root not even a minute into running. On the way, falling, I heard a snap before hitting my head on something. I was a rock. It took me a moment to gain consciousness, and I brought my hand to my temple.

Blood gushed out of the wound right at the edge of my hairline. 'ow,' I yelped while pushing myself up the base of the tree. I looked at my ankle and saw the bone protruding from the skin. I tilted my head back, and a sudden wave of dizziness took over. Once my muddled brain got back to normal, I could hear leaves and twigs breaking under the heavy stride of someone.

"Help," I yelled, my voice coming out faint.

I saw a figure slowly appear in the distance, but the eyes didn't look normal. They were almost red, a crimson color. I could hear the deep snarls coming from the chest of whoever the hell this was. I'm not sure if it was the head injury, but I swear I saw fur on this giant abnormal thing. Person? I closed my eyes for just a moment, and when I opened them, whatever this creature was, it was now in between the space where my collarbone and shoulder met.

I started taking deep breaths and inhaling my scent. It licked my neck, leaving a trail of heat and tasting my blood. I know I should have been scared, but strangely I was content. I knew that whatever it was, it would not hurt me. I heard the word 'Mine' growling in my ear. The bolt of pleasure that surged through my body was phenomenal. I felt complete. Whole. Undeniably happy.

But something was coming to the forefront of my mind. Some distant pain that was numb from the closeness of this creature is now back. My head feels like it will split in half while my ankle is throbbing with every beat my heart takes. I start to feel the tiny threads keeping me here dwindle. I am slipping, but I need to say something before letting go.

"Mine, my ass. I need a doctor, you half-wit." I said while leaning into this creature's embrace. The last thing I remember is a chuckle and strong arms lifting me. I greeted the darkness as if I had been waiting for it my whole life.