The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Frenzy

Eileen somehow managed to save Ben's journal for last.

She glanced at the clock. 5:13. She had seventeen more minutes before he got out of Conditioning.

Breathing deeply, she opened the notebook and uncapped her red pen.

How do I want to be remembered? The question is vague enough to illicit bounteous scenarios and possibilities. For my part, I want my legacy to be one of equality, reconciliation, and peaceful rebellion.

We learned in History of Species that all creatures of light used to work together. My sword is proof of this. Now, however, we are divided and pitted against each other. The purpose is unclear, but while we're busy fighting each other, we're not doing what we were created to do: protect the world from dark creatures. We need to stop fighting and work together.

After I prove myself as a Warrior, I intend to become part of the Circle. I will use my influence to change the purity laws, to work against the separatist agenda, and to give equal rights to our cousins, the Vampires.

None of us can help how we were born. It's time we stop judging people by their parents and begin evaluating them based on their own records.

Eileen stared at the notebook for several long seconds. The only note she'd made was that illicit should have been elicit. For a spur of the moment rough draft Ben's short manifesto was quite well written.

She felt affection swelling within her at how noble he was, at what a world-shaker he wanted to become. He would have an uphill battle, but she knew that the challenge was half the fun for him.

He's always been like that, she mused. 

She recalled a time, one of many, when they had been out walking as kids. They had encountered a hill--not uncommon in their area. Instead of taking the stairs, he had hollered, "See you at the top!". Then he'd proceeded to sprint up the steep side just as fast as he could.

"Why didn't you take the stairs?" she'd giggled at the out of breath, red-faced boy when she reached him moments later.

"Just wanted," he'd panted, "to prove...that...I can."

And if that doesn't sum up Ben, nothing does, she thought.

Eileen found herself smiling. Ben was something else all right.

Before she could put too much thought into her obligatory comment, she wrote:

I sincerely hope that you meet your goals. If anyone can change the minds of the masses, it's you, Ben.

She considered whether or not she should write more, decided against it, and capped the pen.

Eileen had just sat back with a satisfied sigh when she felt the air pressure change.

Primal hunger rushed over her skin, prickled her hair: a warning that danger was nearby.

Eileen jumped to her feet and raced into the hallway. She knew that feeling. She had to get to them before it was too late.

Eyes turning black, she tapped into her Vampire power to speed down the hallway and outside.

She glanced around quickly left and right, breathing in deeply through her mouth, tasting the emotions wafting to her.

Aggression, hatred, anxiety, and above all fear and raw, ravenous hunger.

"This is bad," she whispered, turning towards the emotions.

She rushed past the door of the gym and was nearly to the other side when she heard Ben call, "Eileen? What's wrong?"

"Vampire! Frenzy!" she paused to yell. Her eyes met Coach Stout's where he stood behind Ben. "Keep the other kids away!"