Full Moon

[mistysakura]

Nice diverging from LVH.
It was really well-written when Sal and Fury had their fight, with Sal's emotions and everything. I guess Fury could have been a bit more represented, though. I'm sure he has feelings too.
Poor foursome, each of them confused and annoyed at the others. That was also very interesting, and it was good to put in the chapter.

Keep itup!

[Heavenly Sage HLSOE]

Hi, Tara. It took me a while to read this fic but hell, its worth it! I really like the language use in this stuff, wonderful actually. It streams in very well with the plot. Ur spelling, grammar and punctuation is fine IMHO, doesn't seem 2 have much problems as compared to other fics.

Also, I really like the quotes that mr_pikachu mentioned before, some of them are very cool and I like the cool phrases u injected subtly into this fic. E.g dudette, etc. Thatz my favourite.

To put it short, I love full moon!

[mr_pikachu]

Good chapter. Very dramatic, with some excellent quotes to spice it up. While there were some grammatical errors, they weren't overbearing. However, I'll list what I noticed anyway.


Sal had once again turned to the only person she could turn to, the only person whom she could trust and seek for advice. The only one left, Fury was her guidance on how to survive now that she was equipped with the knowledge that Lucidia was a member of the Anti-Werewolf League.

Erm… is Fury a “person”? And I thought it was Furocity? (I like Fury better anyway.)


[I]“I cant remember the name of it, but I can get it too you in about a week or two if you wait."

“Cant” should have an apostrophe, and “too” should be “to”.


[I]And besides, where are you going to get money for a train fare, where are you even going to find out where Ashley is right now?”

I think the second comma should be a semicolon, though the grammar check isn’t picking it up.


“I think we’re getting no where,” Sean muttered.

“No where” should be “nowhere”.


Lucidia’s eye twitched, realizing she was slowly loosing her authority.

Not… again… *groan* “loosing” should be “losing”. AGAIN.


“So where is she?” Sal questioned fiercly.

“Fiercly” should be “fiercely”, with another “e”.



On the other hand, you had some superb quotes! Here are some of my faves:


“Sarcasm, my dear Sal. Sarcasm is the key to life.”

You know, she’s got a point…


Nayia refused to stop her glaring. “I do not accept your apology, Martin Jackson. I am VERY offended by the fact that you wish me to cease breathing and consequently collapse onto the ground, most presumably dead due to lack of oxygen!” She finished her long string of words, before beaming at him in a childish way. “I used long words!” she giggled.

lol!!! That says it all.



Anyway, this was a nice divergence, having Sal track down Ashley instead of Ashley surprising Sal. However, I wonder if this will end in success... or catastrophe?

[Last Exile]

Wowzers! Tara, that was absoulte gold, there, it was! Absolute gold! That is the best piece of writing you've evr done. It was a great balance of description, action, emotions, sarcasm/humour and the like. Plus it was fully engaging from beginning to end. Absolutely wonderful! Well done! You've definitely moved on, Tara, and well done for doing so. I'm really proud of you.

[PancaKe]

Thanks everybody. Um, I didn't really think that piece was quite good, because I found it really difficult to write and really difficult to construct. Thanks for all your replies, they were really enouriging, and gave me some ideas of what to do for the next chapter.

Gabbi: Lol. Yep, tactless is right. More like those new Cherry Coke ads we have in australia - where they just dont get the hint. I wanted to have fun with a character, and made Ling up for that reason.

EVme15: Its' okay, at least you can think of better things to say than me. I'm just like "erm... i like that character, hes' funny/hilarious/very mysterious. Oh well, cant wait until next chapter keep up work ~Mist" lol. But dun worry bout makin your replies long, I still know you read it and liked it and thats good enough for me. ^^

Classy_cat18 Its okay - I finished reading your fic by the way and it was really good. The ending was twisted, as if you could play on the last line or just leave it. It was a really good fic, and I wanted to reply but by the time i got round to catching up it had finished. Damn, gotta catch up on ALL THESE OTHER FICS! bah, ignoring it aint gonna help.

MistySakura: Yeah I could've explored Fury's emotions more. Ah well, gives me something to do in the next chapter ^^;;;

HLOSE Heys, nice to see you. ^^;; Thanks for all your nice comments on the fic, and the grammer is not perfect, neither is my spelling of loose and lose. ^^;;; Just ask mr pikachu (joking, dun worri mate) Yeah, I like the word dudette. I use it alot in talking to friends.

mr pika: Okay - Fury is not a person, I just get confused when I refer to her. Because she's got a human personality almost. And the whole Furocity/Fury thing. I'll have to explain that in a bit more detail. Ill just tell you briefly now - in werewolf packs, they have a werewolf name. Fury's name just comes from her pack name, and the alpha of the pack calls them by name. Fury is Furocity, Sal is Reishe. Okay, that's that explained. Now, the reason why I made so many stupid mistakes in the first bit of the chapter is this: when i was rereading it after posting it, I noticed that I made a booboo and had Fury in the first few paragraphs convinicng Sal to go visit Ashley, then had her contradicting eerything she had said, telling her not to go. That didn't sound right. So I changed it - in the TPM edit box. Whcih is where i didn't get a chance to edit what i said. I have no excuse for loosing though. And as for nayia's quote, I say things like that too. Nayia is roughly based on the bubbly side of me. ^^

Ryan: ^^;; I didn't realise it was that good. Thank you Ryan, your proud of me ^^ awww. lol thanks heaps - i was treating it more like a filler more than anything XD but who knows what it's filling in for?

~Mist

[classy_cat18]

Mist, make sure you're reading Knights to Remember!

[Lady Vulpix]

What? A post made solely for advertising?

She hasn't been reading my fic for a long time either, anyway.

[Last Exile]

Advertising SPAM?

SHAME!

PS. How are you these days, Gabi? Hope you're well.

[classy_cat18]

Alright, I'm sorry! Get off my back!

[PancaKe]

What's this? Spam, in a MOD's FIC?

^^ its kewl. Yeah Gabbi, and everybody else who I promise to catch up on their fics. It's called end of school yearly exams, I'm swamped. I barely get enough time to come on the net (when i should be studying but ah wells.) But as soon as I'm finished with all this, I'll have all holidays to catch up. There will be days (and nights) where i will just sit on the comptuer and read read read all the fics. ^^

And you've all broken rules (except me) because your posts are evil!!!! ^^ but i'll let this pass... I'm so silly.

~Mist

[Lady Vulpix]

My post wasn't evil. *Listens to the post cry.*
See? You've made it cry!

Don't worry, Tara, I'm extremely busy too, so 1) I understand you and 2) you'll catch up easily.

And Ryan, I'm fine, thanks for asking. My pressure is a bit down due to the heat, the hard work and the tension from uni, but I'll get over it just as I always have.

Good luck with your exams, Tara!

*Hopes this post isn't considered evil.*

[Nayia Waterflower aka starmie44]

*slowly slips into room, wishing to go unnoticed and surprise everyone. Slips on a banana peel and falls loudly on her butt. Looks around and sees that everyone is staring at her. Jumps to feet and does a dramatic poses* I'ammmmm BAAACCCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! *huggles everyone she knows*

Hiya Mist! ^-^ Now look what you gone and done. Making a non-pokemon LVH. Very nice. ^-^ I read it all and enjoy it very much. Though I'm completely creeped out because some of the things that Nayia did, I did in real live. (running into a pole, saying I'm stupid, childish saying "I used long words", and of course, rambling on and on and on and on) lol, and Nayia is roughly based on your bubbly side? Well, now you will be rewarded with the "Nayia thinks I'm a nut like her" pin. (note: Yes, I'm very, very, very hyper right now.) *huggles Mist* Congrats.

Okay, I'm going to be serious now... You did a very good job and changing it to non-pokemon style. I can see the things that are simialar to LVH, but also the different things that make it completely different. Of course, the character developing is great (and Greg being black w/ dreads is so hot ^-^), and Lady Blastiose's new name is just plain funny. I understands Sal's past alot better now, and the way you are going about her new life at school is nicely done. Though the Teresa/Craig thing confuses me. It's like 'Hey, I think today I'm going to hold Teresa's hand and go see my friends'. I was at a lose there. I would continue my rambling but I have to go work on my many projects now. Byes,

~Nayia~

[PancaKe]

YOU STOLE MY COLOR!!!!!! *glares*

Do you think gold suits me? Please - suggestions for new colors seeing SHE RUDLEY STOLE MINE *glares*

Thank you for your reply *huggles* btw what should I call you seeing that you have the same name as Nayia in the fic. Call you nayia, or something else? Ho hum? Thank you for checking this out, thank you for your nutty replies. I think you're a lostie. ^^ But i'm a lostie too. Why take life seriously when you can have fun? If you take life seriously you dont have fun and just die boring. Bleh. ^^ Guess you could say im hyper too

Yeah, so tell me if Gold makes my butt look big okay?

Oh yeah, and, next chappy I've had a bit of writers block on, restarted it like 5 times now, so I dont know when it'll be up. Hopefully soon. And Gabbi - dont cry, your post this time wasn't THAT evil after all.

l8rz

~Mist

[Lady Vulpix]

Oh, good.
Hey, are you planning to check Charmander Central one of this days? Someone has called you, me, Amy and Amanda 'girly'.

As for your butt... Sorry, I can't see it from here.

[Nayia Waterflower aka starmie44]

Yes... yes I stole your color out off the 11, 000 members here that have 23 colors between them (unless they wish to be creative and type in random colors.) *grins* I don't have pirates blood in me at all, right Mr. Turner?

Will - Damn straight.

Nayia - See. ^-^

Gold is pretty... *stares at gold writing in awe* Oh, gold doesn't make your butt look big... just really shiny.

Meh, well... your could call me by my real name, which is Madonna. Or you can call me by my many nick names... Donna, Dee, Material Girl, Hey You, Dork, Starm, etc... or stick with Nayia... whatever you want cause it doesn't matter to me Tara.

Hoopla! I'm a lostie! Did you hear that Will?

Will - Hoopla...? Is that a name of a ship?

*sweatdrops* Nevermind Will. Nevermind....

Will - What I do? George, what did I do?

George, Will's tapeworm - You're being slow again.

Will - So... I didn't do anything bad?

George - Nope.

Will - Yes! *does a jig*

George - If you did she would get me to blast you with my flamethrower.

Will - *eyes go wide*

Jack Sparrow - *laughs at Will's face* Good job, mate. *George and Jack does high five*

Will - *sobs* I'm going to die...

Jack - Whenever you're ready love, post the next chapter.

George - Nayia said don't bug Tara or I can blast you too.

Jack - ...damn

[PancaKe]

Back to the color that Nayia stole -.- ^^ anyways... Yeah, this chapter I'm not so happy with for the reasons that I felt it was too short, and that I could've done much better. It's just that I'm suffering severe "no time" and "writers block" syndromes. And its hard. But I hope you enjoy it - and mr pikachu will have fun editing it again

~Mist

Chapter Nine

“Sally-Anne ran away?” Sandra repeated, staring at Lucidia. “Sally-Anne ran away and is not here anymore? Is this what you are telling me?”

Lucidia’s foot kicked continuously. “Yes,” she replied shakily. “Sally-Anne is not here at the school anymore. She… she disappeared three days ago.”

“Three days ago?” Sandra exclaimed, standing up so fast her chair toppled over behind her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that we woke up one morning and she was gone,” Lucidia answered. “We’ve asked her friends, and they have no idea where she is or where she could have gone. I tried to bargain with them, but found out nothing. The most information I have is that she has an attachment to an Ashley Lien, who was at the same orphanage as her. If we find Ashley Lien, then perhaps we may find Sally-Anne around.”

Sandra fixed up her chair, and became seated once more. She placed her hands in her lap and eyed Lucidia Balloise. Lucidia’s eyes were shivering, although she made an effort not to show it, she was shaking inside. Only her quivering, twitching foot made any movement.

“You are still as sharp as ever, Lucidia,” Sandra commented. “There are moments in which I, unfortunately, doubt your skills and your control over them, but once again you have not failed to succeed and to show you are quite capable of your responsibility at the Kilbourne District and as Deputy Principal of Kilbourne Shorelines High.”

Lucidia breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you very much, Sandra.” Lucidia stood up. “I will continue to search for Sal today.”

Sandra smiled at Lucidia, gathering her briefcase and smoothening her skirt. “I think highly of you, Lucidia. Do not disappoint me.”

*

The burning desire inside of Sal stung, it craved for Ashley. She had been waiting for almost six months to see Ashley, and she had come here especially for that. There was no way possible to make Sal leave without seeing Ashley. Yet she had not seen her yet, after two days of looking, Sal and Ashley had not collided.

Sal had no idea of what was happening, she had no clue that the Anti-Werewolf League was after her, chasing her across the country. She had no idea of what was happening back in Kilbourne. Fury, on the other hand, ran day after day, trying to reach Sal before the Anti-Werewolf League managed to find her. Fury did not know herself how she found out this information, but she knew that they would one day be looking for Sal; and judging from the way the Kilbourne District AWL had been in and out of the school, she figured that now was the time.

The school grounds were empty. Only Sal stayed outside in the teeming rain, trying to stay unnoticed under a shelter. The rain poured down in cold icy sheets of water, and already being soaked, Sal did not wish to go out. Fury found this a problem, she could easily see into the school from the forest, and easily see Sal. Being a wolf, it would be highly suspicious to go running through the empty grounds and talk to the only person outside.

They were at a dead end for the moment.

*

Kayla glared once more at Teresa and Craig, and stormed out the room. Since Sal had been gone, Teresa had not been afraid to enter their common room and intrude on their space. Kayla hated it. Nayia, she hated seeing Kayla hate it, and wasn’t about to become afraid to let everybody else know.

“Excuse me for a second,” Nayia told Martin, Greg and Sean.

“Don’t start a fight,” Martin sighed, as Nayia walked over to where Teresa was talking to Craig.

“Excuse me for a minute,” Nayia began, interrupting. Teresa looked up, glared, and then returned to her conversation. Nayia took a deep breath in and started over. “Excuse me, Teresa, but you don’t belong in this tower, you don’t belong in this common room, you don’t even belong in our group. May I ask WHY you are here, in our tower, in our common room, in our group?” She tried her hardest to sound polite.

Teresa looked back up at Nayia. “Because I can, it’s a free country you know,” she replied harshly.

“Actually, we learnt in history that we are actually not a free country as far as Warrogan history goes,” Nayia began. “Sure we might not be as controlled as other countries, but we still have many rules and regulations that prevent us from saying and doing certain things that are there to keep us safe and ha-”

Teresa’s hand connected with Nayia’s cheek. Nayia, unprepared for this, stumbled over, and fell to the floor, where she held her hand to her cheek to suppress the stinging. “Nayia!” Martin called, and rushed over to her. “Are you all right?”

Nayia ignored Martin, and slowly got up, staring at Teresa. Teresa got off the desk she had been sitting on, and prepared to strike Nayia again. “You can strike me again, Teresa,” Nayia told her. “But you know I wont hit back. The only thing I wanted to say to you is what’s up with your sudden attachment to Craig? Since when has he liked you or anything, and why do you keep hanging around here? You know how upset you’re making Kayla?” She stayed silent for a minute, working things out in her head. “That’s why you’re doing it, isn’t it? Because of Kayla and because Sal’s not here. If Sal were here, you wouldn’t dare come in, and now that she’s gone you can get your revenge on Kayla.”

“Kayla deserves all that she’s getting,” Teresa replied softly.

“Because she stood up for herself?” Nayia cried. “You’re so mean, did you know that? She’s down they’re crying because you’ve been – and don’t say you’ve been befriending Craig, because you haven’t. You’ve been dominating his life as revenge, and I don’t want to see that stuff. You are just so mean and cruel, just because you enjoy seeing other people hurt!”

Nayia was trembling with anger now, but still restrained from hitting Teresa. She knew that her voice could say more than any slap could anyway.

Teresa glared at Nayia. Behind her, Craig got up and left the room quietly. “Well I’m sorry I’m not a blonde who can use big words and stick up for her friends,” she sneered. “I’m so sorry for coming into a common room. I’m so sorry, oh can you ever forgive me?” She continued to glare up at Nayia.

“I would, if you meant it,” she replied, shrugging, her anger slipping away like soap slipping out of somebody’s wet hand. “But you don’t. Now that I’m happy again, do you mind going?”

Teresa glared before stalking out, her nose up in the air. “Go Nayia!” Martin grinned, giving her a hug.

“Thanks,” Nayia smiled nervously, escaping the hug as quickly as she could.

*

“Go away,” Kayla mumbled through her tears, not bothering to turn around. She lay on her bed, her face in her pillow, letting the tears trickle down her face. Craig looked around, checking for any girls, before walking in further. Kayla heard his footsteps, and sat up and turned around. “I said GO AWAY!” she yelled at him. “I don’t want to talk to anybody.”

Craig continued to walk in, and sat at the end of Kayla’s bed. “I guess you want an explanation,” he began quietly, not knowing exactly how to word what he wanted to say.

Kayla glared at him through puffed red eyes. “Why would I want to hear your explanations?” Kayla sneered at him rudely. “It’s obvious that you and Teresa like each other, why don’t you just go and make out and leave me alone?”

Craig sighed. “I don’t like Teresa!” he cried, exasperated. “She’s annoying me so much, I don’t even know why she’s been hanging around me so much lately! All I knew was that she came up to me and grabbed my hand and has been bossing me around ever since, and she’s so annoying and such a brat!”

Kayla stared at him questioningly. “So you don’t like her?” she asked.

“No!” Craig replied. “I like you!” He clapped his hand over his mouth, slowly turning to red.

An awkward silence hung over the room, neither person knowing what to say. Kayla finally broke this silence with a meek voice. “You do?” she asked. Craig nodded, a lump in his throat preventing him from speaking. “I like you too…” she told him, in a voice barely above a whisper.

Craig swallowed the lump, a stinging feeling following down his throat into his stomach. Ignoring this, Craig replied to Kayla’s last comment with a question. “Do you want to go out with me this Saturday?”

*

“Sal!” Fury called, running as fast as she could to reach the fiery red head. Sal turned away from the door and slipped once more into the shadows of the night.

“What do you want, what are you doing here?” she snapped.

Fury glared at Sal. “Even though your really nice to me,” she began, in a ticked off voice. “I thought you would like to know that you have to leave, immediately.”

Sal snorted at Fury. “And I’m going to listen to a runt wolf?” she asked.

“You’d better, unless you want to be put in a cage for the next however many years of your life,” Fury replied, trying to ignore the insult. “Even though you hurt me, I’ve traveled across the country to let you know that the AWL are after you. They’re tracking you down because they want you. They have an idea that you’re a werewolf, and they know where you are.”

“Of all the places on the map they’re going to pick this one randomly and come to find me, is that what you’re saying?” Sal rolled her eyes, ticked off. “It’s my life and I’m not taking orders from you! You trying to come in and rule my life just because you’re a runty wolf?” Sal was angry now, angrier than she had been in the last week. Her anger was beginning to affect her speech and way of thinking.

Fury was hurt once more. The piercing words of Sal struck Fury in a soft spot, in a place where she was vulnerable to being affected by what Sal yelled in her face. She didn’t want to be here, thoughts rushed through her head, her only friend was turning against her, her only companion was abandoning her and her advice. The advice that was always right!

“Sal,” Fury began, trying to control her voice and emotions. “Sal, you don’t know what you are saying. You don’t know what you are talking about. You have to come back, you cannot see Ashley. They know you’ve come to find Ashley because of all the yelling you do about how she was stuck over here and how you were taken to Kilbourne. Sal, they are coming here because they know you’ve come here for Ashley. And if you talk to Ashley, then run off, she’ll be put through tests and lie detectors and they’ll find you and find out that you are a werewolf. Sal, for not only your good, but for Ashley’s good, and my good too, you have to come back now! With me, tonight, you’ve got to come back.”

Sal turned away from Fury, who smiled a hurt smile. She knew that she had gotten through to Sal, but Sal didn’t know that her words had gotten through to Fury. Sal stared in the window of the door, where Ashley sat, combing her hair in a chair, listening to a conversation between a tall Asian girl and a person with curly hair. She placed her hand on the window, and stared in.

Her vision began to change; she felt as though she was looking in the window under water, everything became watery and hard to see clearly. “Come on, Sal, its time to go,” Fury reminded her gently. Sal took one last look, then turned away from the window.

Inside the room, Ashley suddenly stared out the window, pausing in mid-brush. Ling looked over to Ashley, then out the window, confused. “What you staring at?” Ling asked.

“I could have sworn…” Ashley spoke softly, mainly to herself than anybody else.

“Sworn what?” Ling questioned.

“Huh? Oh, nothing,” Ashley replied, realizing she had spoken aloud. “Just thought I saw a face at the window.”

Ling shrugged. “I know a good psychiatrist you could see,” she told Ashley, and then turned back to the conversation with the person with curly hair.

“What would Sal be doing here…” Ashley whispered.

*

“Damnit! What do you mean, she’s not there?!” Sandra yelled, slamming her fist down on the desk.

Lucidia’s heart beat fast, and sweat beads began to escape out of the pores on her forehead. “She has left, our team cannot find her anywhere where we have searched. I will, of course be questioning her if she returns to the school. You have nothing to worry about, Sandra.”

“You had better hope that I have nothing to worry about,” Sandra replied. “I am worried about whether you can still handle two things at once, both at the same time.”

“I can,” Lucidia reassured Sandra quickly.

“I hope so. My confidence in you is not as strong in you as it used to be.”

*

“Hey Sal!” Nayia greeted cheerfully, running over to Sal as she entered the tower. Sal was a mess, her hair was wet, and stuck damply to her neck and face, her clothes were soaked and her shoes were full of mud. One glare from Sal sent Nayia backing off. “Talk to you later then… bye.”

Sal didn’t know where to go. She could go out in the pouring rain once more, or go to take a shower. Contemplating these choices, the last person she wanted to see walked up behind her. “Before you take a shower,” the cold voice of Lucidia Balloise began, “I’d like a word with you in my office.”

Sal turned around, and glared. “I don’t care about what you want,” she spat at Lucidia, before turning around and walking off.

Lucidia had been through enough from Sandra, and was not about to tolerate this. “SALLY-ANNE MCGREGOR GET HERE RIGHT NOW!” she bellowed through the tower.

Sal turned around, more ticked off than she had been before. Just like Lucidia’s week, Sal had not had a pleasant experience. With fighting with Fury and not seeing Ashley at all, Sal was fed up with all these people telling her what to do. “Don’t you EVER call me that again,” Sal snapped back. “What do you have to say that’s so bloody important anyway? I’m going for a shower, because I want one. What I DON’T want is to go and have to listen to you so if you want to listen to yourself talk go find somebody else to sit there and stare at you!”

“Ooooooooh,” Nayia added her sound effects from the side of the room, taken back by Sal’s attack at Lucidia Balloise.

“She is really brave,” Sean whispered.

“Either that or really stupid,” Martin muttered back.

Lucidia and Sal seemed to have not even noticed Nayia talked. “You are to come here right now,” Lucidia told Sal in a quiet, threatening voice. “Right now, with no fighting or arguing. Do you understand?” Her voice began to shake. Nayia assumed that Lucidia was overwhelmed with anger, but Lucidia knew better, feeling her right leg twitch.

“I don’t have time for this,” Sal spat, waving away Lucidia. She swore and turned around and walked upstairs. Lucidia’s left eye gave a twitch, before stalking after her, swinging her arms in anger.

“Wow, Sal is in for it,” Nayia commented, taken back by Sal’s actions.

“I’d say that Balloise is in a bad position,” Martin replied.

“Sal,” Nayia argued, poking out her tongue.

“Fine whatever,” Martin shrugged.

Sean gave a small laugh. “You two make the cutest couple,” he grinned at them. Nayia and Martin looked edgily at each other, before edging away quickly.

*

“Stop right there!” Lucidia ordered. Sal turned around, in the doorway of the bathroom, holding a towel.

“I’m taking a shower,” she snapped back.

“Not until you listen to what I have to say to you,” Lucidia replied.

Sal rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m listening and I can’t hear anything at the moment,” she told Lucidia.

“Sal, you caused serious trouble when you ran away,” Lucidia began, her tone of voice cold and harsh. “If you run away again, you’ll find that you wont be able to come back, because there just wont be a place for you here.”

Sal covered up her feelings with a quick response. “The only reason I’m here is because they forced me to be here,” she sneered.

Lucidia walked over, close to Sal, until they were face to face. In a quiet whisper, Lucidia spoke.

“I’d be careful if I were you,” she told her, the chill of her voice sending a shiver down Sal’s spine. “I’d be very careful indeed. I know information that could give me the authority and power to make you do cartwheels around the school grounds.” Sal rolled her eyes, trying to ignore these words. The next words, on the other hand, froze her heart in mid-beat. Her blood ran cold, her mind stopped thinking, and all that she could hear was the echo of the four words that Lucidia uttered.

“I know your secret.”

[Doomykins]

Yay! A new chappy. And no, this was not a short chapter. At least not in my opinion. Wheee. Eager and ready for more.

[classy_cat18]

*looks around room* I'm not here to advertise. Really!

Good chappie, Mist. The cat's out of the bag now!

[Darkmaster Kagemusha]

YAY! Finally! **Glomps the chapter**. It's a little short, but still very good. I happen to think Balloise should teach a class called "How to be a b*tch,"

[mistysakura]

Pretty good chapter! I guess it's also people-being-hard-on-themselves season. (Yeah, who am I to be talking? For me, apparently it's more like being-hard-on-myself lifetime.) But whatever. I feel like Nayia now.

Anyway, thanks for doing Fury's emotions! Nice to see that she does have a heart after all. But now it seems weird, because Fury has never been anything but pure wit+sarcasm, and now she's actually got a weak spot... Still, cool personality there.

So Kalya and Craig admit it! That was cool, and the part with Ashley actually seeing sal in the window was good too. seriously, it was such a twist when Sal actually listened to Fury and went back...

Keep it up, it's not that short.

[Last Exile]

Ah, this be so much of a comedy fest as well as a thriller. Nice going, Tara. And Mods like Rainbows?! Yep, we sure do! At least, I certainly do! Rainbows are kewl! I'll try and get on MSN some time soon so we can chat.

[Lady Vulpix]

Wow! I don't know how long this chapter was, but it certainly had everything! Including a complete rainbow of emotions.

It was great to see Naiya stand up for her friends against Teresa. The episode with Ashley was quite sad, and I also felt sorry for Fury when Sal turned against her. Despite of other people's comments, I could already relate to her in the previous chapter. As for the final phrase... While it was in LVH too, it was still priceless here.

[mr_pikachu]

*jaw hits the floor* Ouch!

Oh, btw, in case you haven't seen my responses to the gajillion other fics here, I'm taking a break from the incredibly detailed reviews. School's weighing me down, so I just don't have time for it. But don't worry. When Winter Break comes, I'll be tearing this fic to shreds again! Fun!

This was a great chapter. Seriously. The intensity was high, and for awhile I really thought that Sal would have to make a mad dash to get away from the AWL guys. And that last phrase... ooh! It sent chills up MY spine!

One thing I have to say, and won't stop saying until I get an answer: Whatever happened to TFIBEFTTOU? (a.k.a. This Fic IS Big Enough For The Two Of Us!) That was a truly awesome fic by you and CCC. Are you ever going to get back to writing it? Because that was going places. That was going to be a sweet fic. I'd definitely keep reading if you started it back up. Whaddaya say?

Oh yeah, and your spelling sucked too. I know, you're addicted to my insults. Anyway, this was great, please continue, and start up TFIBEFTTOU again!

[Lady Vulpix]

Yes, that fic looked promising, but it probably went down the drain when Ryan stopped liking pokemon. Sometimes I wish he wouldn't change so much and so often, but well... That's his personality and I'm not here to judge him.

[Last Exile]

I change so much? And that's bad?

Well, life is full of changes, Gabi. Change is like a great big steamroller, someone once told me. Even if you resist it, it will steam over you and roll on. And in order to develop and become a better person, I need to change continually. Staying the same will prevent one from being able to become a proper adult. You can't stay a kid stuck in a dreamland forever.

But a lot of me is still the same. I'm still an individual who loves reading, video games, anime, walks on the beach. I just happen to have delved into a lot more anime and started playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game (which I happen to be very good at), and as a result of seeing the best of what anime have to offer, I saw Pokemon was pretty lame in comparison, and decided to spend no more time and money on it. Which is fair enough. Honestly, Gabi, if you got to see the anime released over the last two years, you'd see wha I mean. There is so much more out there to see, and I want to see it. My adventurous side compels me to.

Is this the reason you stopped replying to my emails and stopped reading WDC? Gabi, you could've told me. I'm kinda hurt by all this.

And actually, that other fic didn't stop because I stopped liking Pokemon. It stopped because Tara and I both have busy lives and couldn't find the time to devote to it. I'm going to be working full-time next year, so luxuries like that can't be an option that often anymore, unfortunately.

[Lady Vulpix]

Sorry, Ryan. I didn't mean to hurt you.
I've seen much of the anime you've seen, and also much of your wanted list. I've never been too keen on the Pokemon anime (don't you remember trying to convince me that it was getting good?), just like I think Yu-Gi-Oh is ok, but not that original (yes, I've been watching it for a while). My stories and my characters are a whole other thing. While I don't think the Pokemon anime has much to offer, I think pokemon themselves have a lot of potential, and I enjoy exploiting it.
I haven't received your e-mails. As for WDC, I stopped reading it because I didn't like the turns it was taking. It started as a great fic, but I'm afraid I'm not enjoying it anymore. Sorry about that, I'm sure your new audience will appreciate your work, it's just not the kind of story I like.

And I am an adult. Statistically speaking, adults don't change their views, values, priorities and interests as much as teenagers do. Personally speaking, mine didn't change much as a teenager either. I've never followed a trend, nor been passionate about a music band, a TV show, a dressing style, an 'idol' nor anything of the sort. Writing and fantasy were the only things that woke up a passion in me, and that passion has remained with me for my whole life and I hope it always will. Of course, some things will always change. As we live, we learn and gain more experience, and our actions will be affected by that. And it's true that, if you were really into something, having it let you down can cause a big effect on you. Different people may react to it in different ways. That may be what happened to you with Pokemon. It was what happened to me with WDC. Once more, I'm sorry about that. I hope that clears things out.

[PancaKe]

Wow, thats like, so heavy. And I jsut got home from school and everything. well as far as I know, I haven't changed that much.

Anyway, the reason why I havent been around latley is because I've had so many assignments to do, I've barely got time for breathing. Its like, okay finished that one, now finish this one. And I've hardly had a break. Sure I go out and I still have a social life, but I've had like, no time for coming and saying hi and doing mod duties. I need to talk to Oz about that but thats a diff storie.

YEah, thank you to all of those who have been reading my fic. Your encouragement still means a lot, when I come back and see that you guys still reply it means a lot to me, and keeps me writing. For this past month or so, I've been struggling to produce chapters, and write. It seems I've hit a block, well, not really a block. I can produce lyrics easily (I sorted out the lyrics that I wrote and I've got 131 diff songs just on the computer ^^; but actually writing and forming the next chapter of full moon I'm having a bit of a problem with and I'm not sure where to go next. So please have patience with me as I try to deal with all these assignments etc and stuff in my life. It's not bad stuff, but its alot at once, and its overwhelming. SO please have patience when it comes to the next chapter ^^ I hope to have it up in maybe the next month or so (see I told you i was overwhelmed) but please try to understand - my teachers have gone evil and given me a bunch of assignments all at once.

Thanks

~Mist

[mistysakura]

Don't worry, we understand. End of year assingment rage always sucks. Our teachers have already gone slack, though, because they've got too many exam papers to mark to give us any homework. That's cool.

[Lady Vulpix]

It's ok, I understand. I know first hand what being constantly busy feels like.
Sorry about the heavy stuff.

[PancaKe]

Thanks for understanidng. Things in my life just got heavier, but I'm trying to actually corporate them into the next chapter, so hopefully you'll like it ^^;; Basically, on top of assignments, I started to like this friend of mine as more than a friend, and because the last guy i liked was adam, whenever i think about this new guy, im like in the back of my head "what about adam?" which is confusing, because I dont know if I should go out with this guy or not. And today I found out that he likes me to!! But I know this girl (who apparently is going out with someboyd else) likes him too. So now im just like, smiling and nodding and very confused. ^^

~Mist

[mr_pikachu]

Sorry things are so confusing right now. Don't worry; things will sort themselves out soon. That other girl getting out of your way would be nice. But if not, you can always go with Ryan.

So you'll be using your own life in the next chapter, huh? I've tried that before, and it actually works quite well. I think it's a fine writing technique, as well as a good way to relieve stress. ^_^

Anyway, I'm looking forward to your next chapter! Get it up there when you can!

[PancaKe]

^^ It's so funny my life is - it just doesnt fit in with the whole mood of Full Moon unless I incorperate nayia into it somewhere. Cuz Nayia is based on me in real life cuz im always so bouncy. Boing! Yeah, today I full couldn't keep my eyes off him and bloody how many times did he freaking need to look at me! Lol it was so lost. But I rekon its cute when a guy likes a girl, cuz its hard to tell and i find it extremley funny. I'm so mean.

Oh yeah, and mr pika, that suggestion with Ryan is a good one Might think about it for a while ^^

~Mist

[Last Exile]

Geez, can people stop insinuating stuff between me and Mist?! For crying out loud, she's 14 and I'm 22! That isn't funny at all!

But it Mist finds it funny, okay. Actually, the idea is kind of amusing. Oh well, Tara can mess around with the idea if she wants.

And Gabi, I respect your decision, for it is a valid reason. I just wish you did tell me. To be truthful, the reason I quit Dragon Tamers, stopped reading your fic and changed my tack on WDC was because I found them all too sickly sweet. As LOTR puts it:

There can be no victory without loss
There can be no joy without sorrow

I.e. The positives and negatives balance each other out. There were far too many positives in your stuff. It was too naive for me to handle in the end. Relationships have plenty of problems, but they do work out. Everything ran too smoothly for me to believe it in your stuff. I'm not saying your writing sucks, because it doesn't I just can't like it anymore. And it would be cruel of me to lie about it.

Well, if you can, you could always download anime. If you have a decent connection, you should be able to download full episodes. The whole series of Stellvia is available for downloading still, for example.

PS. For those that don't know already, my Mum won't let me use the net at home. Hence why I probably seem distant to most people right now. Plus she's threatening to take $100 for me a week! However, I scored a job for the weekend, which will get me $150 and stay the threat for a week. But after that, it's back on. *sigh* I don't know what I did to deserve this. My mum has a real obsession with me not having a summer break, claiming other work during the year was light. *sigh* As if!

Typical scenario:

Me: Mum, other people my age don't have their parents to this to them!
Mum: YOU'RE NOT OTHER PEOPLE! OTHER PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS! YOU'RE IN MY RULES SO ABIDE BY THE RULES OR YOU CAN LEAVE NOW!

That's what I get every second day. Any questions?

[Andrew]

Ack, that's awful Ryan, seriously, move out, Lease a place or something for a year, by which time, your job would've been considered stable enough for you to take a mortgage of some sorts.

But if you leave home, you need a driving liscene, I found that driving was scary at first but became cool later.

But now, the actual thread, lol... I wasn't actually planning on catching up on LVH cause I was skimming the replies and saw Ryan's and HAD to reply so I've felt an obligation to read all that I've missed and then move onto WDC tonight lol.

Thanks a LOT

*Saw last 2 minutes of Home and Away season finale* HA! Classic! Little kid dies, then the father dies! HUZZAH! Here's hoping the rest of them cark it!

*Tries to find last post in LVH so he can find where to pick up from* *Fails. Starts from Epi 7*

WHAT! Andy's DEAD! ME! ACK! *Goes back and reads some more* Ack, I'll post again later, damn! You have me hooked!

[Last Exile]

Just so everyone knows, I haven't finished my course yet. I've got 1 more thing left early next year. I haven't got my final degree just yet.

[mr_pikachu]

Hey, Ryan, I honestly had no idea about the age difference. I thought all the mods were in college right now. Guess I was a tad off. *recieves harsh glares* Okay, okay, a lot off! But I'll keep it up anyway, since Tara likes the idea.

Anyway, Ryan, I hope your mom eases up some. Slip some Valium into her drink or something. Then again, DON'T. That stuff's powerful. I should know. ...Er, don't ask. Some other time. ^_^;

Well, Ryan, hurry up and finish school so you can move out! And Tara, get the next chapter up already! Move! Move! Mo--- *is strangled by Tara and Ryan simultaneously*

Um... never mind? ^_^;;

[Lady Vulpix]

Well, Ryan, I guess that makes us even. I hope you can sort out your problems soon.

[PancaKe]

Well Ryan, i'm dumping you becauz I lyk this guy at my school anyway. Speaking of liking the guy, I'm putting in a bit of what i'm going through into the fic so you'll have a bit more interest between Nayia and Martin during the next chapter. Well, at least a focus on them. I've lost the plans for the story though! I had them in a book, all nice and neat but I've lost the book! DARN ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Ryan, i think its about time you had a talk with your mum and told her the way you're feelign about these rules. Maybe she just cant see your point of view.

~Mist

[Mystic Latios]

Great story so far. *waits patiently for the next chapter*

[PancaKe]

Thank you so much readers, who wait patiently while I struggle with reality and the world of Full Moon. It's been so difficult one, to find time to write this fic and two, to actually put the words down. I dont knwo what is happening, but I htink that its becoming more difficult, as the words dont flow like they used to. Well, holidays are coming up, so I know that I'll get some time to work on chapter eleven during those. And hopefully chapter twelve also. Bye!!!

~Mist

Chapter Ten:

Sal curled up in the corner, soft steaming water falling down upon her, splashing her face and back. The shower was filled with steam, but Sal did not care for the wastage of water. All she wished to do was to sit here and drown in the constant downpour of hot water. Her face, stained with tears, her hair, red and clinging to the back of her neck with dampness. She was cornered, and she felt as alone as she possibly could.

With a yell, Sal swung out and smashed her fist into the shower cubical wall next to her. Her fist throbbed with pain from the connection, but Sal did not care for pain. Pain was nothing to her now, too much had come upon her too quickly, and she was numb from it all. Numb from the constant stinging she felt inside.

She was at her end; Sal would give anything for this to end. To top it all off, she was in danger, and if Canis ever found out. Sal didn’t even want to go there. She was a freak, a freak in her own mind. When she looked into the mirror, all she saw in those forest green eyes was the mind of a freak. She hated herself for it, hated herself for being like this.

If she didn’t have to live a double life, perhaps things would be different. Perhaps she wouldn’t be here now, trying to sink into the corner in self pity. If she didn’t have to live a double life, she wouldn’t have to pretend she wasn’t a werewolf. Then she wouldn’t have to sneak out all the time, lie and now panic, worrying whether she too, would be like Nade and end up living her life as a lab rat.

Just because Balloise knew. Sal burned with hatred at the thought of that name. Her fist once again made contact with the wall of the shower cubicle, this time a small crack appearing in the wall, and her fist beginning to shine red with blood. No pain was felt out of this, Sal couldn’t feel physical pain any more. She had reached the point where she was so overloaded with sufferings that they had turned numb into a dull feeling of nothing, something not new to Sal at all.

Sal could remember clearly the last time pain had gotten this intense, and that was when she had first been placed into the orphanage, without her mother or father. Everybody stared at her, everybody watched her out the corner of their eyes, and Sal hated it. Hated them for trying to control her, hated them for telling her what to wear, and how to have her hair. The only escape she had had at the orphanage before Ashley had appeared was Fury. Good old Fury, who was always by her side, who was always there to offer support and be there for her.

Good old Fury who Sal herself, had pushed away with a series of cruel remarks. Sal hated herself for this, hated herself for becoming selfish enough to cut Fury inside. Something about what Sal had said about Fury only being a wolf had torn the heart Fury bore. Those golden eyes, those hurt and bleeding golden eyes still shone in Sal’s memory. In a small series of sobs, Sal only had reason to become more angry, not with the world, but with herself.

*

Lucidia glared at Sandra, trying to suppress any rage she felt. Sandra seemed not to notice Lucidia’s cold stare, maybe because it was such a common look for her. Sandra sat across from Lucidia once more, in silence they sat, occasionally drinking from the cups of tea in front of them.

“When are you going to come up with new findings?” Sandra questioned shortly.

“When something new is found,” Lucidia replied, her foot giving a slight kick.

“When will that be?” Sandra shot back.

“When there is something new to be found,” Lucidia answered.

They resigned in silence once more, each one staring at the other.

“So when will you be having your next werewolf stakeout?” Sandra demanded.

“When I feel it is necessary,” Lucidia answered. “Now are you finished? Because I have some very important tests to mark for the year eleven, and I heard that they need you over in the Cascade Division.”

Sandra scowled. “I assume you are trying to get rid of me, I think,” she told Lucidia, who simply stared back in response. Sandra stood up and picked up her hand bag. “You know, one day you will go down Lucidia, one day you will overwhelm yourself and drown in everything you do. And then who will be looking out for werewolves? Then who will be protecting the humans from werewolves?” She stalked out the room, not a happy woman.

Lucidia took a deep breath, and placed her head in her hands, tired of this. With one large gulp, she finished off the rest of her coffee.

*

“Are you still working on the assignment?” Sean asked tiredly, walking into the computer room. Greg sat in front of the illuminated computer screen, his fingers constantly moving along the keys of the keyboard, his eyes drooping.

“I’m almost finished,” Greg replied.

“You’re only up to question one!” Sean exclaimed, looking at the screen. “No, stop typing Greg, I want to have a look at this.” Sean quickly read some of the writing on the screen. “Greg what are you doing?!” he shouted, tired and exasperated. “We didn’t have to do half this work! In fact, those first two lines would have earnt you the full marks you needed anyway! Why do you work this hard? I hate seeing you like this man!”

“I have to work hard, I have to keep on working hard, otherwise I’ll be sent back home,” Greg replied sadly. “And I don’t want to go back home.”

“What?” Sean’s mouth hung open. “What do you mean?”

Greg turned away from the computer, and looked at Sean. “My mother and father always forced me to work as hard as I could, and no matter what grades I got, I was never good enough and the grades were never good enough. If I got B’s they wanted A’s, if I got A’s they wanted A plusses, and if I got straight A plusses, they said I should be spending more time on sport and getting sport trophies. And constantly I’ve had to put up with their pressuring me to do well and work hard. And when I had the opportunity to win a scholarship away from them, I jumped at the chance, and I worked really hard, along with another girl named Ashley, and luckily, I won the scholarship.”

“So why do you still work so hard?” Sean questioned. “I don’t get it, if you’re away from your parents, then you can take a bit of a break. No need to work this hard.”

“If I don’t work hard, they’re going to take me out of this school and put me into home schooling,” Greg replied quietly. “And I don’t want to, I’m really scared of that happening. I don’t want to leave, I love it here, I love the people, and I love the place. It’s too nice a place to leave.”

“I think you should come to bed though,” Sean told Greg. “Nobody needs to work this hard.”

*

“So are you two hooked up yet or not?” Nayia asked bluntly, walking up to Kayla and Craig. Kayla looked at Craig and grinned, while Craig turned slightly red and nodded. Nayia gave a squeal and ran off to spread the word.

“She’s so cute, I love her,” Kayla told Craig, smiling. “She’s so blonde!”

Craig put his hands around Kayla’s waist, and placed his chin on her shoulder. “She’s a funny one,” he agreed. “But she’s frigid.”

“She’s what?” Kayla asked, confused.

“Frigid,” Craig repeated. “As stated in the Oxford Pocket Dictionary, it means sexually unreactive.”

“But why would she want to react sexually? And who too?” Kayla frowned, not understanding one bit.

“Just watch for a second,” Craig told her, indicating over to where Nayia was joining Martin and Greg. Martin grinned loudly, and mucking around with Greg, stretched his arm out in a mock yawn around Nayia’s shoulder. Nayia moved away hurriedly, her smile gone for once. Martin’s first reaction was disappointment, but then covered this by smiling again. He said something and did the same to Greg, who moved away and yelled loud enough for Kayla and Craig to hear, “Rejected!”

“Oh you mean to little things like that, not to the big guns,” Kayla nodded, understanding. “Well there’s a reason behind all that, but she asked me not to say anything.”

“You know you can tell me anything,” Craig told her.

“Fine,” Kayla sighed. “But you’ve got to promise that you wont tell anybody at all.”

“Promise.”

“She liked one of her best friends named Andy, and she’d liked him for ages, probably a few years. Pretty much, they stayed up all night, he told her he liked her, she told him that she liked him, and then some other guy, Steve, who was also her close friend, walks out, really upset because he liked her so much. He had a gun, said something about being jealous, shot Andy. Then was pissed off because he knew that Nayia would never like him, shot himself. She’s really affected by it and scared that she’s going to lose somebody if she gets too close with them.”

“Well she shouldn’t be scared to get close to Martin, because he likes her,” Craig commented, before realizing what he said. He clapped his hand over his mouth, uttering out an “oops.”

Kayla turned and stared at Craig. “What?” she gasped, her mouth open. Her dropped jaw slowly changed into a large grin, as she laughed. “You’re kidding! Oh my gosh that is so cute!”

“Yeah but you can’t tell anybody okay,” Craig told her in a low voice. “The only people that know are Sean and me, and we’re supposed to keep it a secret.”

“As if it isn’t obvious anyway,” Kayla laughed. “But okay, I’ll keep it quiet.”

*

“I guess its time we talked.” Sal’s voice was hard and cold, filled with bitter and resentment. There was no way to measure how much she detested going back, admitting she was wrong after all. She hated crawling back to people with such intensity, to the point where she found it impossible to look directly at Fury.

Fury felt the same way, and did not wish to look at Sal any more than she did. Fury was still hurt by the words Sal had yelled at her, hurt by the fact that as Sal’s friend, Sal had simply dismissed her, after she had traveled across the country to warn her.

“I guess it is,” Fury responded, as harshly as Sal.

“Do you-” Sal began.

“Yes I know why you’re here,” Fury replied. She sighed, and rolled her eyes. “Something has gone wrong and you need some help? Or is everything fine and dandy as usual?” Fury sneered. “You don’t realize what you’ve done, do you? No, just wrapped up in your life aren’t you!”

Sal stared at Fury, trying to understand what she was talking about.

Fury sighed once more. “When you’re angry at something else, that isn’t my fault, don’t blame it on me,” she told Sal quietly. “Don’t abuse me, don’t just take it all out on me. I’m not just some stupid little runt wolf who will give you the answers to problems. Okay?” She turned away from Sal, wishing not to make eye contact.

Sal stayed silent for a moment, trying to comprehend this. “I didn’t mean to hurt you!” she yelled at Fury, impatiently. “I was angry! I am freaking mad now! You know I have an anger problem and not to take half the stuff seriously! Anyway I don’t need that crap now that stupid Balloise knows what I am!”

Fury turned around, her tear filled eyes wide in shock. “What? You didn’t change in front of her did you?”

Sal scowled. “You know that I always come out here before changing,” she snapped. “I don’t know how she knows, honestly. But when I find out I’m going to murder them and Lucidia!”

“Not a good idea,” Fury shook her head. “For one thing, police will be questioning about the murders, for another thing, the AWL will be after werewolves even more severly if you kill the head of Kilbourne District.”

“Why are you always right?” Sal demanded.

“Because I’m never wrong,” Fury half smiled. “This is really serious, really serious. You have to watch your back from now on, always be watching. Because the moment you stop watching, is when she’ll pounce.”

*

Lucidia walked into the geography classroom, eyes blazing with ice shards, hair like flames of great power and anger. The loud laughing and chatter died down almost instantly as she walked across the front of the room and to her desk. She glared around the classroom, pausing for a minute on Sal. Sal sunk down in her chair and looked away, not wishing to make eye contact with the demon in front of her.

“Where’d the other teacher go?” Nayia blurted out. Lucidia’s eyes darted straight back to the blonde. Nayia seemed unaffected by the stare and continued talking. “You know, Miss what’ s-her-name?? Oh yeah, Miss Kumar. What happened with her? She fall down stairs or something?”

“NAYIA WATERFLOWER! Have you forgotten the rules I hold in my class?” Lucidia roared. Nayia blinked and shook her head. “Then WHY ARE YOU CALLING OUT? In fact, why are you asking questions that have nothing to do with the topic?”

Nayia shrugged. “I don’t know really.”

“Stop the talk back!” Lucidia yelled.

“But you asked me!” Nayia cried in defense.

“She should give up while she’s ahead,” Kayla whispered to Sal, who gave a small nod of agreement.

“You might find OUTSIDE a much more interesting place,” Lucidia told her, pointing to the door.

“Does that mean you want me to get out?” Nayia asked cluelessly.

“Right, one detention for being a smart mouth, another for talking back, another for calling out in the first place, another for not following instructions when asked,” Lucidia ticked them off on her fingers.

“Hey! I don’t deserve those!” Nayia exclaimed.

Lucidia looked up, and smiled, her eyes still as icy as ever. “I know,” she replied. “You’re on a conduct card.”

Nayia’s eyes almost fell out of her head. “So now I’m on a conduct card?” she asked, her mouth hanging open. “Do you still want me to go outside?”

“Yes, in fact, go to my staff room. Take your books and a text book and start copying,” Lucidia ordered. “You may leave my staff room once you have copied out the first five chapters.”

Nayia picked up her books, and her pencil case, and walked to the door. “First five chapters?” she repeated. “The book only has five chapters!”

“Oh my,” Lucidia stated, not moved by this. “What an excellent punishment! Now GO!”

Nayia walked out the room, still smiling, and singing. Her words floated into the classroom as she left. “Oh Ms Balloise, could you be more mean? Now we’re wasting lots of paper and wasting lots of trees. Oh Ms Balloise, could you be crueler, now you’ve taken me away from my little group. They’re going to miss me…”

Her voice faded out as she walked further away.

“Now before we start, does anybody else wish to get on a conduct and copy out the whole book?” Lucidia asked sweetly, sending shivers down Sal’s spine. “Right, turn to page twenty four, read the section, then copy and complete the questions. After you’ve done that, start writing an essay on the section relating to Warroga’s climate. Go!”

Many groans were heard from various members of the class. Lucidia looked up, and smiled, her eyes frozen. “Did I mention the essay has to be five thousand words?” Many more groans were heard. “And the title, and THE END do not count as words!”

“Bugger!” Martin complained.

“Right, Martin, six thousand and not a word less.”

Sal fumed in her seat, trying to concentrate on the work in front of her. The words washed over her, not a single sentence sinking in. It was impossible for her to concentrate, especially with Lucidia watching her every move.

Any moment, any move I make, and the AWL will burst in and take me to join Nade. Any moment now. Sal’s thoughts ran through her head. She constantly glanced at the door, her head moving back and forth from the book to the door.

“Expecting someone?” Lucidia asked coldly from across the room. Sal turned to her and glared before continuing with her attempts to read the words in front of her. The words rolled off her like water on a ducks back.

Perhaps half an hour passed, it felt like eternity to Sal. The minutes, the seconds seemed to crawl past, and as the others moved on from project to project, she sat there. Sal didn’t want to work, and if she didn’t want to do something, she made it obvious.

“So, how much longer would you like to sit there and stare at the book, Sally-Anne?” Lucidia asked.

Sal snapped back to reality, and stared with cold green eyes over at Lucidia. “Give me fifteen more minutes, the period should be up by then,” she replied, just as coolly. “Oh yeah, by the way, don’t call me Sally-Anne.”

Kayla’s mouth dropped, not once had she seen Sal respond in this way. Kayla had only ever seen Sal exploding, but she knew that this was much more dangerous than a sudden eruption.

“I’d like to see you after class,” Lucidia stated simply.

Sal shook her head, carrot colored hair flinging side to side. “No thank you.”

Lucidia’s eye began to twitch. “Sally-Anne McGregor, you watch your mouth,” she warned, her voice becoming harsh.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Sal replied. “In fact, don’t tell me what my name is either. That’s my job, and my name is NOT SALLY-ANNE! I REFUSE to accept that!”

Lucidia stood up, her chair sliding back into the wall, her hands against the desk. “Sally-Anne McGregor,” she began threateningly.

Sal also stood up, imitating Ms Balloise’s stance. “Lucidia Balloise,” she threw back at Lucidia.

Lucidia took a deep breath in, trying to control her temper. In this position, it was not a good time to lose control. “Sally-Anne,” she began once more. “I would watch myself if I were you. I would be watching everything I said and did if I were you. I would be very careful.”

Sal threw her hands in the air, annoyed to the max. “I’ve had it with you!” she yelled. “Seriously, I have had it! How DARE you hold that against me!”

Lucidia began to grin, spying a weakness. “What, so if I were to tell…” she trailed off, watching Sal’s reaction.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Sal growled. “You. Wouldn’t. Dare.”

“Try me and see.” Lucidia’s grin grew even wider. Sal stiffened, knowing she was at a dead end. If she fought back, stood up for herself, Lucidia would alert the AWL onto her, and she would end up living like Nade, living in a cage as a lab rat. If she stopped fighting, she was showing submission, giving Lucidia the advantage, allowing herself to once again, become a pushover, become something that could be walked over easily. She stood there, shaking with uncontrollable rage.

What would Fury think? These four words flashed into Sal’s head out of nowhere, slowing the speed of her shaking. Sal didn’t actually care if she ended up in a cage, she didn’t care if the other werewolves all died, but, she cared about Fury. As much as she hated to admit it, she cared about Fury. And as much as she didn’t care about anything, she cared about Fury’s opinions, and about Fury’s decisions, because Fury was almost always right.

Sal took a step back, not saying anything, her green eyes burning with detest.

Lucidia gave a small chuckle. “Knew that would get you,” she told her. “Now you can get started on your work, NOW! Understand? And if you don’t do all that work, in the next fifteen minutes, then I guess you’ll be in a bit of a tight situation, won’t you?”

Sal sat down, and picked up her pen and began to work. Gripping the pen tightly, she tried to write, but the words appeared shaky, and the pen began to develop cracks in its side. The plastic shell of the pen shattered in Sal’s grip. Kayla slid another pen to Sal. “Don’t hold it too hard,” she whispered nervously, glancing from Sal’s fiery eyes to Lucidia.

Sal understood one thing. Lucidia now had the advantage. Lucidia now held the strings that controlled Sal the puppet. And as much as Sal had freedom, Lucidia now had control of that also. Sal hated her for it.