Burn Bright

Lindsay walked up to her husband who was fuming. She could tell he was upset by the way his hands were balled into fist by his side, and his nostrils were flaring. When he saw Lindsay he groaned loudly and ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

“Why can't she just listen? Why does she constantly have to disobey me?” Gerard asked, Lindsay took a deep breath before answering.

"She just wants to help Gee, this is her tribe too.”

“She can't protect herself against the warlocks, she can't transform, she'd be completely vulnerable. I cannot let anything happen to her, she needs to be safe.” Gerard explained.

“Would you be so cautious if she were a boy?” Gerard was about to cut his wife off, but she simply held up one hand, quieting him, “I'm serious Gerard, Mikey has been working with her in how to defend herself, and so what if she can't change into a wolf. Plenty of people in the tribe have gone up against the warlocks without being able to transform. All she has ever wanted to do is make you proud and all you've ever done is push her away.” Lindsay didn't even allow her husband the chance to speak before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving Gerard with a confused look on his face and a heavy heart.

The next morning, before the sun rose, Bandit listened intently to her surroundings. After she made sure that everyone was asleep she pulled the thin sheet off her body, and gingerly put her feet on the cold ground. She quickly pulled on her pants and her boots, she braided her hair and slipped her wool sweater over her head. Bandit pulled her leather satchel over her shoulder, she had packed it full of supplies the night before, surprisingly not drawing attention to herself. She looked at her mother who was sleeping soundly, Bandit knew her mother would be worried about her, but she wanted to honor her tribe and her father, so she pushed aside her feelings of guilt and continued on with her plan.

She climbed out of the small entrance and began walking deeper into the woods. The sun was beginning to break the horizon, painting the sky in red and oranges. The air was brisk and Bandit wrapped her arms around her torso to help keep herself warm. Bandit kept pushing through the forest, the brush of the forest was getting thicker, and it was becoming hard to continue on. Suddenly she heard twigs breaking off in the distance, she quickly kneeled down behind a large rock and peeked over to see who was coming. She felt her heart racing and her stomach became uneasy with nerves. After a few minutes no one came into view, she furrowed her brows in confusion, she could've sworn she heard something.
“What are you looking for?” Someone whispered in her ear making Bandit jump and cry out. She quickly grabbed a rock and turned around, ready to smash the rock against their skull. She sighed in annoyance when she saw her uncle smirking at her.

“Mikey don't do that I could've hurt you!” She whispered harshly.

Mikey laughed quietly, “Sorry kid, but seriously why are you out of bed?”

Bandit rolled her eyes, “I could ask you the same question.”

Mikey shrugged, “Because I don't sleep very well, and I'm on watch. You shouldn't be out here, it's dangerous B.”

Bandit stood up and continued walking, pushing branches out of her way. She could hear that Mikey was following closely behind. “I really wish people would trust me once and a while. I'm a big girl, I can look after myself.”

“Sure you can kid, but that doesn't explain why you would deliberately disobey your father’s orders and come out here, where there could be warlocks roaming around.” Mikey stated, Bandit bit her lip nervously, she knew if she told the truth Mikey would force her to go back to the cave.

"I-I needed some air, there is a lot of people in that cave, I couldn't handle it anymore.” Bandit lied, Mikey arched one eyebrow and smirked.

“Alright then, why the satchel?” He asked pointing to Bandit’s bag.

“Uh…it has my lunch. I wanted to go on a day hike, to clear my head.” Bandit tried to explain, but she knew her uncle wasn't convinced. She sighed, “Okay…I'm going to find the warlocks.”

Mikey looked surprised, “Wait…what? Why would you do that?”

“Because Mikey, I want to show my dad that I can do something. That I can be someone. If I find where the warlocks we'd have the upper hand in the war. We could win because of me.” Bandit stated turning around to face Mikey. He looked sympathetic, he scratched the back of his neck nervously. They had reached a small clearing in the woods, trees circled around them and moss covered the ground.

“B…you already are somebody, you're very special. You know I can't let you go after the warlocks. It'd be suicide. You would be captured and then killed. I can't let you continue on with this.” Mikey said trying to get his niece to understand the dangers of her mission.

“I am going to do this with or without your permission! I know you don't think I can do this, but I can. I am just as strong as anyone on the tribe, I can win us this war.” Bandit said, her voice rising, a flock of birds scurried from a tree. Mikey eyed them suspiciously, however Bandit continued talking, “Just because I cannot change into a mighty wolf like my father does not mean I can't be an asset to our tribe-“ Bandit was cut off by her uncle putting his hand over her mouth and shushing her.

Mikey quickly gathered in his surrounding and pushed Bandit behind him. He had heard what sounded like footsteps close by, but now they were gone. Bandit was about to shove Mikey out of her way when she heard a low growling noise. Mikey cursed under his breath, his suspicions were confirmed when he saw an all black wolf coming out of tree line. It's yellow eyes were focused on Mikey, hair stood straight on its back, and the wolf was baring all its teeth menacingly.

“Gerard this isn't what it looks like.” Mikey stated, trying to keep the fear out of his tone. Gerard morphed back into his human form, and walked up straight to Mikey, his face inches from his brother’s.

“Oh really, what's Bandit doing out? I told you she was not to leave the cave.” Gerard growled, Bandit got out from behind Mikey and addressed her father.

“Dad, Mikey didn't know anything. He was trying to convince me to come back.”

Gerard didn't acknowledge his daughter, instead kept his eyes fixed on his younger brother, “I gave you one distinct order. And that was not to let Bandit leave that cave, and you let her get this deep into the woods? She is a child, she is not safe out here!” Gerard snapped, Mikey clenched his jaw, not saying a word.

Bandit was furious, “I am not a child!” She screamed, her father finally looked down at her, “I did this on my own accord! Do not blame Mikey because it wasn't his fault!”

“You are nothing but an ungrateful kid! All I'm doing is trying to keep you safe!” Gerard shouted, unable to control his temper.
Suddenly Bandit felt her insides burning, she collapsed to her knees and held her stomach. Both Gerard and Mikey knelt down in front of her, Bandit closed her eyes and then the pain stopped, and she felt lighter than she's ever felt before. When she opened her eyes she saw that she was twenty feet off the ground, both her uncle and her father looking at her with shocked expressions. Bandit had turned into a falcon.

Gerard watched as his daughter morphed into a bird and shot up straight into the sky. Everything made sense now, her free spirt, her rebellious attitude, she wasn't his daughter. She couldn't be, he looked over to his brother who had a small smile on his lips. He screamed, he felt himself change into his wolf form, and pounced on top of Mikey.

Bandit wasn't his. She was Mikey's daughter.

Notes

Alllrrriiggghhhtttt this is a twist and I don't know how you guys are going to react! So please tell me what you think!