Winter Woodwere's Story

Beth sat in her window facing the lightening horizon. Bellow her on the ground floor the enforcers were swapping. The night shift quietly reported the lack of news to their day shift counter parts before staggering to their barracks located a short walk from the main compound. Beth took a few deep breaths of morning air. She heard the soft rustle of wings as a raven perched itself on her shoulder, "Good morning, Vi." Beth reached up and pat the raven affectionately, "Time for our exercise." Vi croaked and took off into the air.
Taking another quick breath Beth shifted then through herself out the window. Immediatly she felt her wings extend and catch air. She followed Vi through the air, noting the enforcers watching her. The horizon turned orange as the sun rose slowly bathing Beth and Vi in orange light like fire as the pair soared over the trees. They picked up speed steadily until it was in sight. The tallest tree in the forest. Beth slowed herself down as she got near the tree.
Vi landed on a small branch and croaked excitedly to Beth as she landed gently upon a branch bellow, "I know Vi, It's exactly 13 years we've been here." Beth settled down with a sigh to watch

Beth and Vi had stayed in there perch till the sun was high in the sky. Beth had babbled absently on her memories from before Groveelm while Vi had silently listened. The raven couldn't talk back, but it didn't need to, years of companionship had taught Beth to understand her friend without words.
It was noon now and Beth was hungry, but she didn't want to go back to Groveelm just yet. The atmosphere was usually tense but in the last week it had gotten near unbearable. One of the residents was turning 25 soon, a grim reminder to all unnaturals that they were never safe and accepted, even away from society they would be prosecuted. Sure, some came back as enforcers after they disappeared, but they were never the same, they got mean and violent, often abusing the unnaturals they used to call friends. Beth had found that out the hard way.
Sighing Beth rose from her perch, "You go on ahead Vi, I'll catch up in a minute." the raven croaked a short reply and took off. Beth stared into the sun for a second before launching into the air. Beth circled her tree a few times gaining speed and altitude as she went. Then she stopped, from how high up she was Beth could see the ocean to her left and the capitol city off in the distance to her right. Up here Beth felt free, she could say and scream whatever she wanted and no one would hear her, "Better not keep Vi waiting." Beth mumbled to herself. She pulled her wings in then turning so she was falling head first. Tears sprang into her eyes from the wind whipping her face. The trees got closer and closer until Beth reopened her wings and turned to fly horizontally.
Beth saw Vi circling with several other birds and slowed down. Vi shot towards her panicked cawing filling the air between them. Beth felt a sharp pain in one of her wings and plummeted to the ground in shock.

Beth's head spun as she hit the ground with a thud Oh no, I'm going to have a concussion from that. how far am I from Grobeelm? Will I be able to get home?she thought. Vi landed a few feet away and skipped around worriedly, "This is bad Vi. I'm in a bit of trouble." Beth closed her eyes and took a few steadying breaths, "Alright I have to try at least to get home at least..." She hauled herself upright with a pitiful whimper of pain. Beth moved her injured wing slightly so she could see what hit it.
An arrow jutted out of her left wing making it impossible to use. Beth's heart skipped a beat as she realized she was being hunted, Oh god. Swallowing her nausea she yanked the arrow out biting back a cry of pain, I need to get out of here before whoever shot me gets here... Beth had heard stories of Unnaturals being attacked in the woods, but she had never seen any of the strays that lived outside the compound even though she went out everyday to stretch her wings. Even more concerning were the stories of unnaturals who had gone out for walks or hikes and never returned. Beth's adrenaline kicked in and she staggered forward a couple paces before her one injured wing knocked against a tree causing her to fall. She grit he teeth and retracted it. Back in normal form now Beth stood again and staggered forward.
Beth had made it only a few feet when an arrow stuck into the ground next to her followed by, "Stop! Unusual or normal?" She spun around to stare at her attacker, and found that she could not ask the same of him. There was no question what this person was. Instinctively Beth's wings extended again as to make herself look bigger. Unfortunetly this worked against her as her injured wing popped painfully and caused her to drop onto her knees again, "Obviously I'm an unnatural you idiot. Last time I checked normals couldn't fly." Beth looked up and met her attackers eyes angrily, she wouldn't let anyone see her completely subdued.

Beth stared at the other Unnatural, she knew he was right, she could never make it back alone in this condition, Vi could guide her, but it would still take hours, "Fine but don't get to close." Beth felt this stranger was trustworthy, but was to used to betrayal to let her guard down. She followed him back to his camp and settled herself against a tree. Vi landed on the branch above her, "Vi, if anything happens you go back to Groveelm and wake up Matty and Roth." Matty was Beth's best friend the would follow Vi if she saw the bird in a panic, Roth was Matty's roommate and fortunately enough he had an ability best suited for fights.

Beth felt a bit humiliated at this point. She didn't like being taken care of like a child. Beth had sent Vi higher in the tree the fort was in to avoid being eaten by the man. His name was Winter and she could see the hunger in his eyes when he glanced at the raven. She sighed and left the room Winter had placed her in, she had no intention of staying on a strangers bed. Instead Beth used the wall as a support to drag herself into the main room where she dropped to the floor and stared at the weapons adorning the area. Obviously Winter had been taking care of himself for a long time.
Beth shifted so she was laying on her stomach with her face pressed into her arms. The silence around her was nice and Beth soon dozed off.
"Beth!" A call woke her up from a dreamless nap, "Beth where are you!" Beth's blood ran cold, it was Tiberius, an enforcer she had a history with. Coming from the other direction was a dragging noise that she could tell was Winter, Shit. Beth thought as she dragged herself to the entrance of the fort and flung it open. If Tiberius found Winter's home he would call back up immediately and destroy it. Beth didn't want to be responsible for that.
Beth looked down to the ground, deciding her best bet was to slide down the tree. She managed to get a good grip around the trunk and slide down. The ground was cold underfoot as Beth took a few steps, "Beth!" the call came again closer this time. Vi flitted tree to tree above Beth as she used each to support her weight. She knew Tiberius would find her, he was made for tracking, He could detect anyone he was within a mile of, how? Tiberius had once been a resident Unnatural of Groveelm and one of Beth's best friends. He had turned 25 a year prior and had returned a month later, but different. Tiberius's shouts ended and Beth could soon hear his fast approach.
"There you are!" Tiberius finally reached her, "Where have you been?"
"Waiting for someone to notice I was gone." Beth replied keeping her tone civil, "One of my wings was hit by a tree branch and I couldn't move around much." speaking of her injury reminded Beth how much it hurt now that she had pushed herself.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Tiberius's voice was kinder then Beth had heard it in a year and she eyed him suspiciously, "Matty and Roth complained enough about your being gone for so long, so they sent me to find you." Ah that explains why. Beth thought to herself.
"Well thank you." Beth smiled a little to show she genuinely was happy to be headed back to her own bed. She glance around the forest cautiously and saw Winter watching from the shadows.

Beth was revealed Tiberius didn't say anything about Winter, she knew he could sense the man. Small blessings. She thought as she wrapped her arm around Tiberius's shoulders. He supported her weight as they made the long slow journey back to Groveelm. Beth decided then that she would find some small way to thank Winter for helping her.
It was midnight by the time she got back to Groveelm. Tiberius brought her to the infirmary where she extended her wings for the nurse, "You said you hit a tree branch?" The elderly woman said eyeing me pointedly.
"Yes." Beth replied, she knew the nurse could call her lie, but if she said she was shot the enforcers would swarm the forest in search for Winter. The Beth's relief the woman just humphed to herself and bandaged her wing. Tiberius excused himself promptly shooting a warm smile at Beth as he went. Something different was in his eyes, kindness, the kindness he had lost a year prior. Hope flared in Beth's chest, perhaps her friend was breaking through whatever awful thing the enforcers had done to him.
With her wing all bandaged up Beth left the east wing of the building and headed to the west wing where her room was, she was crossing the court yard when she saw someone on the ground. Death wasn't a stranger in Groveelm, and on a normal night Beth would have gotten away from the body as fast as possible, but Vi was standing by it and that meat this person was important. Beth's heart sunk, it was Tiberius. He had a single wound in his forehead and she knew instinctively what from, an arrow. Winter had killed him. If it had been any other day, any other time, maybe, just maybe Beth wouldn't have cared, but this time she did. Tiberius had been coming back, there had been hope, however little it had been, there still had been hope for Beth's friend and Winter had gone and killed him despite everything. Beth saw the message then, I'm coming for you... and she was swamped with rage. Vi flew a ways off sensing the change in Beth.
Beth's blue eyes turned the red of a ravens and her wings ripped from her back larger and more menacing than before, Beths nails sharpened to talons as she took on the aspect of a raven completely. A piercing cry ripped from her, "Winter!!" Beth was going to kill the dog when she found him.

Beth had been unable to find Winter that night and it had taken Matty and Roth hours to calm her down. Now Beth sat in her windowsill, eyes blue but bloodshot, wings tucked away safely and anger still nearly palpable. Bellow her She watched the shift change of enforcers, by now they all knew they had to be on guard. Beth turned away from them feeling once more the sting of loss. Her stomach churned uncomfortably, it had been over 24 hours since Beth had eaten so she decided to go down the the mess hall.
Many unnaturals had seen her last night seething with rage and the lust for death so much to her enjoyment they avoided her in the halls. Beth's path to the food counter was clear and Beth grabbed a meal and sat alone at a table. She ate alone for a while before a woman sat down across from her. Beth instantly felt bad the woman was Admeta and she would be 25 within the week.
"You don't look like you got much sleep little raven." Admeta smiled kindly, she was one of the nicest unnaturals that had ever existed.
"I didn't get any actually, but it doesn't matter." Beth mumbled around her food. She vaguely noticed that Admeta's cloths had fur on them.
Admeta angled her head questioningly, "And why is that?"
Beth choked on sadness "Ti-Tiberius was killed last night after rescuing me from the woods."
Admeta's eyes softened as she reached across the table to pat Beth's shoulder, "Oh I'm sorry. You guys used to be close."
Beth couldn't stop herself then, "No you don't get it Admeta, He had changed, he smiled at me like he cared, as if he wasn't an enforcer." tears slipped from Beth's eyes, "Whatever hold was on him had broken, I had hope... and then he was killed."
"How did he go?" Admeta asked.
"He was shot in the head with an arrow. Then carved with a warning."
The hand petting Beth's shoulder stopped and Admeta's eyes widened momentarily before she regained composure, "What was the message?"
Beth pushed her food away, she hadn't missed the subtle change in Admeta's demeanor, "I'm coming for you. It was meant for me. I had been injured by a stray one of us earlier in the day and Tiberius had found me and brought me home." She locked eyes with Admeta, "The stray had taken me to his house before that, he had actually tried to help me and I thought maybe he was a decent person. Tiberius had even disregarded his presence when he found me. I tried to make sure the enforcers wouldn't find him."
Admeta's jaw tightened, "I'm sorry to hear this, what are you going to do?"
Beth looked out a window, "If that dog comes near me I'll kill him. He can stay out in the forest. I did nothing to him."

Beth sat in shock as Admeta pulled Winter away. She had never been taken by surprise like that before and it shook her to her core. Beth had seen Winter in his apparent dog form before but she hadn't thought he was an unnatural.
Roth got up from his table a little ways down from Beth's and went over to her, "What did you do to him? He's always been such a gentle dog."
Beth looked at her friend, Roth had known her for years, he knew she wouldn't hurt someone who hadn't hurt her first, "I didn't do anything to him." Beth met Roth's gaze sullenly, "Winter killed Tiberius and now he's trying to kill me."
Roth blinked at her a few times, "A dog killed Tiberius?" he started chuckling to himself, "Beth that's crazy, he was shot with an arrow. A dog can't do that."
Beth was floored by Roth's attitude, "A shape-shiffter can." She turned and stalked out of the door angrily. Beth pushed her way into the courtyard and to the spot she had found Tiberius the night before.
She was trying to steady herself when she heard the approach of on of the enforcers, "Hey! You're the bitch that got Tiberius killed!"
Beth looked up and was disappointed to see it was an unnatural enforcer, a particularly vicious type, and he had been friends with Tiberius, "I didn't get him killed. I didn't do anything."
"Ya right, the scum of this place is always trying to get us killed!" The enforcer shook violently from anger.
Beth knew what was coming, fear pierced her, she couldn't fly so she turned and tried to run away, but the enforcer caught her within seconds. His first punch landed on her cheek making her head snap to the side painfully, the next connected with her collar bone and the next with her eye. Beth stumbled back but managed to stay upright. She extended her wings in an attempt to gain some upper hand. When the enforcer threw his next punch she used her good wing to help her doge faster, it worked. Beth had managed to doge six swings before she felt hands grip her wings and twist them. She screeched and fell to her knees as two other enforcers joined the beating to hold her down. The attacking enforcer continued to rain her with punches and kicks and Beth wondered if he would be the one to kill her instead of Winter.

Beth woke up about an hour after her attack, she stayed still for a while figuring movement would lead to pain. After a minute of stillness Beth opened her eyes to see Admeta passed out next to her. She must have healed me. Beth thought with a smile. She stood slowly and looked around, "I should get her back home." Beth heard Vi's caw from somewhere above her and something fall on the ground at her feet. She looked down and saw Admeta's house key, "Vi you shifty bird." Beth smiled to herself.
Admeta wasn't heavy but Beth was malnourished and tiers so she still struggled to drag the woman back to her room. Beth unlocked the door and turned the nob, using her back to push the door open so she could use her hands to move Admeta.

Beth sighed to herself, Of course he's here. Beth lowered Admeta gently to the floor. Feeling bad that she wasn't strong enough to lift her onto the bed. Beth collected herself and knelt down next to Winter, "I didn't do anything to her, she healed me and passed out from exhaustion."

Beth stared at Winter open mouthed, "You think I'm an enforcer?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing, "That's why you want me dead, you think I led Tiberius to your home!?"

He continued to growl at her " I'll bet you're even working with the ones taking un-naturals! IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ADMETA YOU'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME!" He slams against the pen once again "BITCH!"

Beth watched Winter struggle for a second, "Winter, that's been what happens here since long before my time, You get brought here as a child and get taken away when you're 25. Did Admeta never explain that to you? even the strays like yourself get taken." She looked back at Admeta, "I don't want to see her go either, but thats what happens, just hope she doesn't come back."

Beth leaned into her hand and sighed, "Winter you don't get it, I have nothing to do with what the enforcers do. I'm a normal unnatural, a prisoner here just like her." Beth motioned to the unconscious Admeta, "Tiberius is-was a tracker, That's his thing, he could sense anyone within a mile of him, I tried to get away from your home so he wouldn't fuck you over." She looked at Winter hopefully but the mans eyes still shone with hate, "Winter really I-"
The door swung open and cut her off as the three enforcers that had beaten Beth earlier stepped in, "I thought I told you to stay down." said the main aggressor.
Beth felt the blood drain from her face, "I'm sorry." her voice was a whisper as they approached.
"Then you'll listen this time." The three started forward.
Beth was fully healed because of Admeta, there was a chance she could flee. Beth sread her wings and tempted to fly away, this time she pushed as hard as she could and through a few punches hoping the enforcers would dodge out of her way and clear a path to the window or door, but she had no such luck, "No!" she cried as the enforcers gripper her arms and pulled her down. The force of their pulling caused Beth to hit the floor hard. Her jaw had been the first to collide with the wood and now a small trickle of blood escaped her mouth. Beth opened her eyes and met Winter's, the enforcer's had Beth pinned now by both her legs and one arm.
"I'll tell you what," Tiberius's friend smile sickly as he drew his gun, "I'll only make the beating last ten minutes this time, you make it through that and I'll release your pathetic soul to Carssas." Beth yelped as the butt of the gun was brought down between her wings. Why were these enforcers so good with senseless violence, "Struggle and I'll do worse, and make you live with it...' There was an edge to his voice that made Beth sick to the point of puking on the spot, Oh god, not that..
"What about that one?" One of the others asked.
Tiberius's friend stopped hitting Beth and looked at Admenta, "I'll just kill her, tomorrow is her 25th, she's dead anyways."
Beth took the opportunity she had and reached forward mouthing 'help' to Winter as she unlatched his cage.

Beth leaned into her hand and sighed, "Winter you don't get it, I have nothing to do with what the enforcers do. I'm a normal unnatural, a prisoner here just like her." Beth motioned to the unconscious Admeta, "Tiberius is-was a tracker, That's his thing, he could sense anyone within a mile of him, I tried to get away from your home so he wouldn't fuck you over." She looked at Winter hopefully but the mans eyes still shone with hate, "Winter really I-"
The door swung open and cut her off as the three enforcers that had beaten Beth earlier stepped in, "I thought I told you to stay down." said the main aggressor.
Beth felt the blood drain from her face, "I'm sorry." her voice was a whisper as they approached.
"Then you'll listen this time." The three started forward.
Beth was fully healed because of Admeta, there was a chance she could flee. Beth sread her wings and tempted to fly away, this time she pushed as hard as she could and through a few punches hoping the enforcers would dodge out of her way and clear a path to the window or door, but she had no such luck, "No!" she cried as the enforcers gripper her arms and pulled her down. The force of their pulling caused Beth to hit the floor hard. Her jaw had been the first to collide with the wood and now a small trickle of blood escaped her mouth. Beth opened her eyes and met Winter's, the enforcer's had Beth pinned now by both her legs and one arm.
"I'll tell you what," Tiberius's friend smile sickly as he drew his gun, "I'll only make the beating last ten minutes this time, you make it through that and I'll release your pathetic soul to Carssas." Beth yelped as the butt of the gun was brought down between her wings. Why were these enforcers so good with senseless violence, "Struggle and I'll do worse, and make you live with it...' There was an edge to his voice that made Beth sick to the point of puking on the spot, Oh god, not that..
"What about that one?" One of the others asked.
Tiberius's friend stopped hitting Beth and looked at Admenta, "I'll just kill her, tomorrow is her 25th, she's dead anyways."
Beth took the opportunity she had and reached forward mouthing 'help' to Winter as she unlatched his cage.

Beth was overcome with relief as Winter sprung at the enforcers and not her. She soon found herself free but covered in blood. Beth helped Winter as he questioned one of the enforcers, she knew it was useless, but held her tongue as she felt Winter needed to at least try. He took off a few minutes later. Beth knew she would die if she stayed here but there was something she felt the need to do first, "I'll catch up!" She called to the retreating dog. Quick as a flash Beth ran up to Matty and Roth's room, neither of them were there and she was glad, they didn't need to see her covered in blood. Beth reached back and plucked a feather from each wing and left them on her friend's beds. They would get the message 'I'm alive, but goodbye.'
Beth through open their window then and shot into the sky as fast as possible, Vi was beside her within the second. Beth flew low so the enforcers couldn't see her over the trees. It seemed like ages before she finally caught up to Winter. Beth slowed down a bit and ducked into the trees dodging them as she went, if it wasn't for the danger she was in this might even be fun.

Beth and Vi sat among the branches farther up the tree Winter's home was in. From up there the pair could keep watch for any enforcers approaching.Beth yawned, "Vi can you wake me if someone's coming?" The raven bobbed her head and Beth leand against the tree, passing out almost immediately.
Beth woke at dawn.

Beth nodded warily, "I'm not afraid to kill." She looked at her choices, she had two gun with silencers and ammo as well as a sword, Beth had also strapped a dagger to her thigh for sneak assassinating, "I'm well aware we will have to use them, the guards will be expecting us."
*3 days later*
Beth looked to the sky where Vi circled, "Go ahead and stay out of sight, they know you're the only raven out here."
She looked back at the pair standing with her, "I suggest we raid the belongings of the guards after we kill them. We will need different clothes and perhaps we should stop at the next water source and bathe. If we travel through the cities looking like we do now the guards will know for sure who we are. Take nothing to personal from them though, basic clothes and ammo, anything to carry supplies in that wont stick out, and Winter, once we're among people you'll need to stay in dog form." Beth closed her eyes and thought back to the vague years of childhood trying to make sure she would fit int society during their travels.

Beth flew over the wall of the compound and look around shocked, she was free. The tree line thinned almost immediately and she could see the the capitol city looming over the trees only a few miles away. Winter stood beside her silently, though probably more from inner turmoil then the feeling of freedom. Beth strode forward a little ways away from the wall, she was aware of Winter following her and was glad he seemed to be letting her have her moment. She kept walking for what seemed like an hour without paying attention to wear. Looking up Beth saw that she was much closer the the city now and stopped.
She shook her head and looked at Winter, "I'm going to try to find a stream or something so we can get cleaned up." she glanced at the ground as her euphoria was swept away, "We'll find Admeta." Beth turned awkwardly and strode into the wood a direction she hadn't been yet, within twenty minutes she found small brook. The water was cold against Beth's skin, but it felt nice. She couldn't remember a time she felt clean, but now they had soap. The raiding of the guards had proven a good decision.
Beth marveled at herself after she had dressed once more. The unnaturals didn't get soap in Groveelm, so while they took showers, they were never really clean, so Beth had never imagined she could feel this way. Her skin seemed even paler than before, but it seemed to glow with health as well. Her short hair had been cleaned as well with conditioner and shampoo, Beth had never felt so pretty. She wondered if any of the enforcers would recognize her like this, new clothes and clean. Beth smiled at the thought of the enforcers not knowing who she was.
Beth headed back to the place she had left Winter and found him still sitting there, "There's a brook a little ways away, you can go clean up now."

"No." Beth said with a stern tone, "They haven't done anything." Beth glared at Winter, "That is a child, he's not even been in school two years I bet."
Beth looked at the boy who was now staring in their direction, "Mommy, Daddy there's people in the woods."
The parent's looked at each other then at their son, "What type of people honey?" The mother asked warily.
"An angel and a werewolf, they need a place to stay." Suddenly the boy's face lit up, "They're the ones that I i heard people thinking about today! The escaped the forest! Mommy, Daddy, they're like me!"
The parents exchanged a long look, "Well Trevor, go say hi and bring them over."
Beth shot a sidelong glance at Winter the message was clear, Do not lay a hand on this child unless we have to.
"It's ok Mommy and Daddy are ok with us, we live out here cause they don't want me stolen away." Trevor walked staight at the hiding pair, "We won't hurt you." Trevor smiled at the pair when he was in front of them, Another telepathic... Beth thought to herself, "Yep!" was all Trevor replied.