Iris

Today was my birthday, I am turning 18. Mom and dad invited my friends, but something inside me did not feel right. Like everything was as it's supposed to be, but not me. Like a rose flower growing among lilies. That’s what I felt! Different and not like I belonged.

I made my way down to the ground floor, “Mom?” I called. She was with aunt Mao. “Come Iris, your aunt is here to wish you.” I went to her and she hugged me, lightening her hold on me, like I would escape from their lives if given the chance to.

“You are a blessing, a beautiful blessing. We never thought that your mother would have you after losing your sister.” Aunt said with tears in her eyes. “Hush now Mao! No need to bring the old stories back. She is tired of listening to them again and again.” Mom said and then kissed my forehead. “When will dad come home?” I asked her, looking out the window, the sun was setting. A sign of the party to start soon. I could feel that the guests would start coming soon. I wanted him to be home early, after all his daughter was turning 18. Oh! It felt like yesterday when I turned 15. “Dont you dare open the oven. It is baking and I don't want you to get an idea on your birthday cake.” I laughed and went to mom.

I sat with them, “I know what cake you are making. My favorite strawberry cake. I could smell that.” I said while giggling. “Remind me how quickly you are getting older and older.” We all chuckled at that. After an hour of talking, I heard the door knock.

I went to answer it and found my friends, Lily and Nadeline, Nadie for short. “Lily and Nadie, come in.” I invited them both in and they handed me the presents. I smiled or at least I tried to make it look original. The table of snacks, the coffee table, we went to get some snacks and started talking.

If I would be honest, they were not something I wanted for friends. All they ever did was talk about how their families were doing. I never cared for what they were doing, or how they were. I would like a narcissist, but I am not, just the pang in my chest was getting bigger every day. Like I craved something more, something I could call mine. I would feel this feeling inside me, someone trying to escape, or me showing raw emotions, it all felt overwhelming. They were all kept hidden, that was good. But, today felt different, like something about the air was different.

“Huh? What?” I asked Nadie, getting lost in my own world was easy. “We were talking about your cake. It smells so good. When is your dad coming home?” My door was ramped on again. I went to answer and found my other uncle and aunt. They both hugged and wished me.

“Where is Maine?” uncle asked me. “Dad’s not home yet.” I replied and they both joined in the evening.

The sun was set and dad was home but something was not right. I could feel, feel that something was about to go wrong. The feeling was strong in my pit. I looked at everyone, they looked happy, but what was off? Everything seemed normal but it wasn't at the same time.

Dad brought me the lilies. I loved red lilies, they were rare to find in our local grounds. But what took him longer was finding them. He traded them with someone. They would look beautiful in my room. I took them up to my bed and when I gazed at the forest nearby, my heart started beating faster. My eyes met with a pack of wolves.

I felt like something had struck me hard on my face. My insides were trying to come up to my mouth. I hurried downstairs, but I stumbled from the stairs. I heard mom and then dad say, “Iris? What happened?” They both came close to me. I looked up at them and mom flounced back.

Dad tried to hold my hand but he went back. I left pain, I tried to rule it back to where it came from but, it just came hard this time. I screamed. I tried reaching dad with my hand and it wasn't my hand, it was a paw. Fucking hell! If this was a dream, its a bad fucking dream. I called mom and everyone stood at the far end of the living room. Looking at me with disgust.

“You are not my Iris!” I tried to move towards mom, but I felt more legs, like I was on my knee and I looked down as my world spun. I had paws and fur and who was I? I screamed and all that came from me was a howl. Dad got a hold of a knife, aiming at me, “Gte the fuck out of here you beast!” I heard him say and he did his best to stay away from me whilst trying to protect his family. I saw my friends run away from the house.

When I looked back, dad almost stabbed me. Blood pooled out from my hip, I looked at the door, my best and safe plan was to run. I did!