Beyond the Spirit

---POV Lily (twelve years old)--- “Tiki, what do we do?!” Momma shouted, begging one of her closest friends to help me, but all I could hear was my wolf screaming in my mind and the fogginess clouding my sight. I was in so much pain. “Uncle Tim, is Lily going to be okay?” Marí whimpered. “Let’s give them some space, Marísol.” Uncle Tim said curtly before I felt their presence disappear. Where did they go? I…I want my best friend! Is she going to abandon me like James and Dalton last year? Will..will she disappear and never come back too?! I…I didn’t mean to. I just can’t wake up! --A few hours earlier-- “Marí!” I shouted as we ran through the backyard with my brother and cousin on our tails. “Going up!” She called as she jumped into a tree right next to the woodland entrance. I smirked and climbed up right behind her. Once we arrived at a solid branch, the two of us turned to each other and clasped hands. “No way they are going to make it up here.” Marí grinned confidently while we shifted our weight to get comfortable. “You know it.” I called back. “No fair! Get down here!” My brother called. “That is too high up for me.” My cousin scoffed right after. “Do you cave then?!” Marí and I shouted. They growled irritably and paced back and forth next to the trunk. “Fine!” They shouted back and we nodded, easily jumping from the high branches. We landed right next to each other, shocking my brother and cousin off of their feet. “Why can’t I have a normal sister?!” I rolled my eyes at my brother’s boyish version of both our mom and dad’s face. “Oh, please crybaby. Why can’t I have a normal brother?!” I shot back as Marí and I walked back to the house in sweet victory. “Oh, this is going to be so nice having the theatre room all to ourselves! That race was totally worth it.” Marí squealed happily. “You know it. They should have known better than to challenge us. We always win.” I noted simply. Marí rolled her eyes, and I pushed open the back door to the kitchen. “Yeah! It was way easier when –” I winced, knowing what she was going to say while she just whimpered softly and let the words fall short from her lips. James and Dalton were closer to us than anyone and now, they are just gone. I asked my dad about it months ago and all he said was there were some trying issues going on for them and the best thing we could do was wait. Now they are missing out on all of these good memories. “Speaking of memories.” A voice rang through my mind, and it wasn’t my pack, family or wolf. I froze right in the threshold of the theatre room. “Who…who are you?” I asked, trying to stay confident. “A memory you have forgotten, but remember this, it is time for you to stand and accept the gift your…as you called it…moon lady wanted to give you.” She chuckled lightly and I shook my head. “Moon lady?” I asked curiously and a flash of my younger days riddled through my mind when I told mom and dad about a moon lady giving me something. I really had an active imagination when I was younger. Maybe this instance was the same? No. Even I know there is something here I was missing and it’s not all in my mind. “Yes Lily. Now, no more questions. It’s time.” She hummed and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground. --Present-- “My little Lil’, you can do this princess.” I felt a big warm hand around mine and I knew it was my dad immediately. At least he was here. I guess momma called him from work. “Remember what I said when you first met me. She is going through a transition. It is necessary for her timeline to be realized. Give it time. She has the strength to get through this.” Tiki called. “We didn’t ask for any of this! Regardless of what you told us about her timeline, I’m not going to watch my twelve-year-old daughter writhe in pain!” My dad shouted. “I know you didn’t, but neither did I. I am only showing you what I’ve been shown myself.” Tiki called back. “So, what is this? A ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ situation? She feels like she is burning from the inside out Tiki.” Momma said with a smirk, but I can tell she wasn’t happy either. “Exactly. I would never wish this pain on my little niece.” My aunt added shortly. “Sleep little one. We will get you better soon. Just know there was a point to all of this. You can make it through if you just trust me.” The…ugh…moon lady’s voice rang through my mind and my wolf whimpered before continuing to scream. “Breathe little one. You will be fine.” “Wh-what about my wolf? She’s in pain!” I whimpered to the only thing I could talk to after I collapsed this morning. “Don’t worry about her. Focus on yourself. Got it?” Moon Lady warned. “Y-Yes.” I pushed, knowing there was no turning back no matter how badly I wanted to. I couldn’t even reach my wolf anymore. What kind of sick gift is this?! “Promise me.” The moon lady cooed again. “Okay.” I whimpered back, no longer able to fight against the pressure overwhelming me. “Good girl. Now, sleep.” So, I did what I was told. I gave up. I slept. ---POV James--- I couldn’t shake this strange feeling I had all day, and it was making me agitated. I even snapped at my brother and got a rightful scolding for it. Now, I’m stuck in my room and that’s not helping at all. Even my wolf is pacing like I’m the reason why we are trapped in here. Maybe if he would chill out a bit, I could regain my patience. Well, what little of it I had anyway. “Something is wrong!” He shouted once more, and I groaned at his persistence. “Would you just cut it out already?! What am I supposed to do about it if you won’t tell me?” I bellowed at my irritating spirit. Those around me when I was a child said that my…disposition has changed drastically since I was a kid. That my calmer attitude was all thanks to…Lily. Now that I haven’t seen her in a while…I’m not surprised I fell back into my old ways. I haven’t been able to see her in almost a year. Even my wolf was a lot calmer with her around. It was…nice. I smirked at the memories and added, “Ha! So is this what you are whining about? Do you miss her as much as –” I choked on my thoughts, knowing the next thing out of my mouth would be consistent with, ‘as much as I do,’ but I couldn’t even own up to that. Especially to my wolf. There is no way. No. I…I just like to protect her is all. Nothing more. I hopped off my bed and decided it would be better to at least get some drills done. I need to stay focused. That would also sate my wolf for now. There isn’t much else I want to do anyway. I was never the kid for frivolous activities. Also, the stronger I am, the more I can protect Lily. Just like the White Wolf asked me to. I smiled and balled my hands into fists while I began my workout. One punch after another, but nothing was working. He was still angered, I was still on edge, and something was still wrong! About an hour in, my door opened, and dad was standing there. I caught my breath while he folded his arms, looking at me strangely. “For someone who is supposed to be in trouble, you are training? Strange.” I nodded once and stood a little straighter. “Of course, father! I need to be on my toes to protect Lily.” Did that just come out of my mouth?! Oh goddess. I’m already fifteen. I need to grow up. I’ll be sixteen in a month and I’m still focusing all my energy on that little girl in those braided pig tails. He laughed lightly and patted my head while that uncomfortable feeling rose in my chest again. What is it? I winced and dad looked at me with a bit of worry. “She will be fine. She is a strong kid, and her family will protect her from any dangers. I need you here. Focused on our pack.” “I know, but still. Does she always have to be strong? Sometimes she might just want a break. I want to help her have a break!” I called earnestly. Where is all of this coming from? Did my wolf take over without me thinking about it? No…. He’s never done that before and even for him…this is embarrassing! Dad laughed aloud at that one. “Alright. You may continue but, remember to apologize to your brother. I know he gets on your nerves every now and again, but you didn’t have to punch him that hard. Figure out what’s going on with your wolf and if Lily’s the one that will push you to become a successful pack leader, I’ll take this type of determination any day.” I lowered my head and nodded while he rested his hand on my head. I guess I still have some growing to do. “Okay…. Sorry, dad.” “What has you so agitated anyways kid?” I shrugged. “I don’t know…. I just feel like there is something wrong.” “Something wrong where?” He asked curiously. “Um…not here, but um…I think something is wrong with –” “Sir! There is a rogue attack on the eastern boarders!” I stand corrected. A soldier came bursting into my room and my dad stood to attention immediately. I can’t believe there is another attack. If they keep at this, there won’t be a pack left to protect. Every two weeks like clockwork. I can see the strain in my father’s eyes. “I can help!” I called. He shook his head, and a painful smile graced his face. “You stay here and find your brother and mother. I will be back. You protect them, you hear!” He called before he disappeared out of the doorway. I never thought this would be my last conversation with my father, but after he disappeared that day, he…never came back. “James…James!” I startled myself upright as the beeping of machines engulfed the room. “The hell?” I winced as I tried my best to adjust to the pounding headache I acquired. A boy stared at me with tears in his eyes and a woman stood off in the corner looking beyond distraught. “Wha…what happened?” I asked, confused. “Wait, you don’t remember?” The boy asked. “Remember what? Who are you?” I asked, growling darkly. After that strange dream…? Should I be concerned? All I remember is…. I felt my mind strain as I tried to remember what happened to me, how I ended up in the hospital, and who these people were. Everything is telling me I should remember them. “Your brother, dude.” The kid said with a smirk, but a flash of worry ran across his expression. “I’ll…I’ll go get the doctor.” The woman said, running out of the room. “Well…while mom gets the doc, I guess I’ll tell you now. It’s better than nothing, but happy birthday James.” Mom? Birthday? “Birthday?” I asked curiously, focusing on one crazy thing at a time. “Yeah. You-you’re sixteen today.” I furrowed my brow for a moment, then smirked as I stared out the window at a place I couldn’t remember, with a brother staring me down like I belonged in an institution. I sighed heavily and turned back to him with a lopsided grin. I guess I’ll be able to remember with time, but the one thing I really want to know is…why I lost my memory in the first place and who is responsible. Happy sixteenth birthday to me.