Burn Bright

Bandit pulled the dress over her head and let it fall down into place. The dress was a bright blue color, with black silk trim around the collar and edges of the sleeves. She had always adored the dresses her mother made, they were sbeautiful. She heard a knock at the door and then her mother walked into her room. Lindsay smiled lovingly at her daughter, “You look beautiful B, that dress fits very well.”

Bandit smiled back at her mother, “Yes, the dress is beautiful. Thank you so much. Is father still mad? It wasn't Mikey's fault you know…it was mine. I wanted to go into the woods.” Bandit said in a hurried tone, but her mother put her hand up to silence her.

“Your father and your uncle haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye. Your father just worries about you, he doesn't want you to get hurt.” Lindsay said, her tone soft.

“I don't need his protection anymore. I'm seventeen years old, I can look after myself.” Bandit stated. Lindsay cupped her daughters head in her hands.

“I know sweetie, you're all grown up now. But you are still his little girl, and he would rather die than see anything happen to you.” Bandit sighed, she knew her mother was telling the truth but she was still upset at her father. Lindsay grabbed her hand and walked her out of her room, “C’mon we have a birthday to celebrate.”

They walked out of the house and towards the village’s center. There was a large bonfire, everyone was beginning to gather around it, she saw the Toro and Iero family. She knew that the fathers of those households were on her father’s council, Ray could transform into a large bear and Frank into a fox. She knew them both pretty well, as with their families. Both of their first borns had already had their transformations. Bandit couldn't help but feel the sting of jealously.

Bandit watched as Mikey returned from his scouting, he morphed mid-air, landing right next to his girlfriend, Kristen. He quickly winked playfully at Bandit, making his niece smile, before wrapping his arm around Kristen’s waist. Kristen’s brother, Luke, was the last member on Gerard’s council. He has the ability to transform into a wolverine. His animal matched Luke’s ferocious temper, which Mikey has had the displeasure of being on the receiving end of for keeping his and Kristen’s relationship a secret from her brother.

Frank smiled at Bandit, “Happy birthday Bandit.” Bandit smiled her thanks, she looked around for Ryan, Ray’s son. She saw him talking to one of the elders, she excused herself from her mother’s side and walked over to him. Ryan had curly auburn hair and warm brown eyes. He smiled when he saw Bandit.

“Happy birthday B, you look amazing.” He smiled and hugged her tightly. She felt heat rise into her cheeks.

“Thank you.” She smiled bashfully, Bandit has always liked Ryan, he never made her feel weird about not having her first transformation yet. He accepted her and understood why she went into the wood. He knew that she wanted some freedom from the tribe.

“Your father was looking for you earlier today. I hoe he didn't give you too much of a hard time when you returned.” Ryan stated apologetically.

Bandit shrugged, “No more than normal. He's just freaking out because of the rising tensions between us and the warlocks.”

Ryan nodded, “Yeah, I heard my father talking to Frank the other day. Two more hunters went missing. What do you think they're doing to them?”

Bandit bit her lip, “I don't know…I just hope we find them. My uncle is the best scout that we have, he'll find those warlocks eventually.”

Just as Ryan was about to respond, the bonfire turned a bright blue color. Bandit heard women screaming and children crying. She looked around frantically to see if someone had thrown something into the fire to make it change color but she couldn't see anyone over the large flames. Suddenly a face appeared in the fire, “Hello my friends,” it's voice was deep and raspy, “Things are about to change in these woods, no longer will we hide in our burrows, no longer will you rule this forest. It's time for the liberation of our people and the extinction of yours.” Bandit looked on in horror as the flames showed a vision of the two hunters that went missing, they were hung from a tree. Their lifeless eyes were staring up at the sky.

Just as fast as it had happened it was over, the flames went back to normal and the people of the village were left in shock. Two women wailed over the loss of their husbands, Bandit couldn't imagine the pain that they must be feeling, to see their husbands like that. She looked for her father and when she saw him he looked furious. Mikey was standing next to him and he looked horrified, his fist clenched by his sides. “This is an act of war against our people. We cannot let the warlocks keep murdering our people. We must be prepared to take action. The warlocks have violated the treaty and they must pay.” Gerard’s voice rung throughout the village.

The voices of the people screaming in agreement rung in Bandit’s ears. Ryan looked down at Bandit and for the first time she saw fear in his eyes. They were going to war.

Notes