Nine Years Later:

Bandit ran through the woods, twigs cracking underneath her feet. She pushed aside a branch before it had the chance to smack her face. She looked up and was blinded by the bright sun, she couldn't see him. He'd gone too far, “Mikey…Mikey you're too far away! I can't see you!” She yelled, catching her breath. She heard a bird squawk in the distance, she smiled, trying to figure out where the sound was coming from, she shielded her eyes from the sun and looked to the sky. The silhouette of a falcon appeared in her sight and it called out again. Bandit laughed and took off running again, she felt a twig scratched her cheek but she didn't care, she just loved the feeling of the wind rushing through her hair, and the sense of freedom that the woods gave her.

Finally she reached the top of the mountain, she could see miles of forest, and the rushing water of Redding Falls in the distance. She could see the small billows of smoke that came from her village. She let out a loud scream, she had never felt freer in her entire life. Mikey walked up behind her and placed a hand in her shoulder, “Beautiful isn't?” He asked.

She looked at her uncle with excitement in her eyes, “Yes! It's amazing! Why haven't you taken me here before?”

Mikey smirked, “It’s a special place deserving of a special occasion. Happy seventeenth birthday Bandit.”
Bandit rolled her eyes, “Don't remind me. Another year without a single transformation. What's wrong with me?”

Mikey shook his head, “Nothing Miss B, it'll come. Don't worry, you're just a late bloomer is all.”
Bandit sighed loudly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “You say that every year Uncle Mikey. What if it never happens? It's not like I have any other siblings, Dad can't hand his title down to anyone but me. The tribe won't want someone who can't transform. They'll throw me out of the tribe.” Bandit felt tears well up in her eyes. She sat down on a log in a huff, Mikey sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“That'll never happen okay? I would never let that happen.” Mikey stated trying to comfort his niece.
Bandit snorted, “You’re the younger brother Uncle Mikey. The wild and free one. No offense but your word doesn't mean a whole lot to the elders.”

Mikey chuckled softly, “That may be true, but your Dad’s decision does. He'd never let anything happen to you. You know that.”

The two sat in silence for a few more minutes before Mikey stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants. He extended his hand to Bandit and helped her to her feet. “If you're late to the party you're father is going to kill me.” Mikey smiled and changed into the falcon.

Bandit groaned, “You know how much easier this hike would be if I were a wolf.” Mikey cooed in return, cocking his head to the right. Bandit smiled and pet the top of the Falcon’s head, “You have it really easy. All you got to do is fly.”

And with that Mikey took flight, Bandit heart swelled with jealously. She earned to be up there with him, to fly high above the treetops. To really feel the freedom of the wind rushing through her feathers. She knew that it was impossible though, she was the first born, she was destined to be a wolf. She began to run back to the village, she knew Mikey would be waiting for her at the forest’s edge so that they could walk into town together.

By the time she reached Mikey he was leaning against a tree, she was out of breath and covered in sweat. Mikey smirked and said, “You're getting faster, I only had to wait ten minutes this time.” Bandit shoved Mikey playfully.

“Screw you birdbrain.” She muttered, Mikey grasped his heart.

“That hurts.” He feigned hurt, Bandit began to laugh until she saw her father waiting impatiently outside of their small hut.

“Where have you two been?” Gerard asked, “And she's cut.” He motioned to the scratch on Bandit’s cheek. She had completely forgotten about it until her father said something about it. She touched it gingerly and was surprised when her fingertips came back covered in blood.

“It's nothing Dad, it's only a little cut.” Bandit argued.

“You have to look respectable tonight, go inside and your mother will help you wash up.” Gerard ordered, Bandit knowing he was upset did what she was told.

Gerard walked up to his brother, and even though he was shorter than Mikey, he still looked menacing to the younger brother. “How many times have I told you, I don't like her exploring around the mountains. It's too dangerous with the warlocks continuing to take our people. Just last week two more hunters went missing.”

“Gerard it's either I go with her or she goes by herself. I'm more comfortable that I'm around to protect her. And you know I'm the best scout in the whole tribe, those warlocks would never catch us by surprise.” Mikey explained, trying to get his brother to see reason.

“Until we get this warlock situation under control I do not want her out in the woods. Do you understand me? And if you are the best scout than you will keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't leave this village.” Gerard seethed, “That is an order from your chief.”

“Yes sir.” Mikey mumbled.

“Go scout the boundaries before the party.” Gerard dismissed his brother and walked back into his home.
Lindsay was wiping Bandits face with a wet cloth, the blood tinting the water pink. After Bandit was cleaned up she began to braid her hair; which was customary for all women in the tribe. Bandit avoided looking at her father, he just didn't understand her. He didn't understand her behavior. As the first born she was supposed to want to be around the tribe, to want to honor the tribe with all her being. But she didn't, she did want to honor the tribe but she wanted to honor herself as well.

Lindsay smiled as she finished up the braid, “There all done. Your dress is in your room. Just finished it yesterday.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead and sent her to her room to finish getting ready.
Lindsay looked to her husband, who was pacing by the fireplace, “Gerard, you're pacing again.”

“Why would he take her out in the woods after I specifically told him not too?” Gerard groaned, continuing to move back and forth.

“He doesn't understand where you're coming from Gerard. He's always been a free spirt and he see’s that same spirt in Bandit. As do we all. He wants her to feel free, like he does.” Lindsay tried to explain.

Gerard shook his head, “It’s dangerous out there. She's our daughter, and I want her safe. Not galavanting around the forest trying to find some source of freedom. Safety triumphs freedom in this case. If the warlocks got their hands on her, God knows what they'd do.”

Lindsay walked up to her husband and kissed him gently, “I understand. I just hope she will.”

Notes