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The bell rang and officially dismissed school for the day and within five minutes the entire campus was vacated, excepting some teachers and a few of the student populace awaiting rides from parents and friends. Brandon, Ethan, and I were still in the library meeting room. We were waiting for something or someone, I don't really know.

Brandon and Ethan seemed to be awestruck as they began to take in the world around them. As far as I could tell it didn't look like they were having the same experience I did. Something definitely was different from before, but it was the way in which they seemed to be taking in the world. Maybe I was simply overanalyzing, but I was still sure something had changed. I was starting to get antsy because Cain, Jet, and Fenrir had left a couple of minutes ago and were yet to come back or say where it is they went to.

A couple of minutes into it, I couldn't stand the muteness of the situation anymore and decided to try and break the awkward silence that had arisen in the absence of the three Anthros.

Ethan saved me face by doing it instead. "So. . . . . . . This easily classifies as one of my weirder days."

The suddenness of the statement was so unexpected that Brandon and I both laughed.

"Ya think?" I asked.

"It's tough, but I think being recruited by the government is slightly stranger than say, walking around the house in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts when your parents bring home an important business associate," he said as his cheeks began to burn a rosy hue.

I fell to the ground clutching my sides as the laughter rolled through my body in wracking waves. It took me a moment to compose myself and stand up from the floor.

"So, what's you guys' story?" Ethan asked as we all settled down.

The room fell silent as Brandon and I looked at each other to see who would go first.

Brandon shrugged. "I live with my parents and brother. I didn't really do anything up until today. I used to want to be an acrobat, and then got lazy. I usually spend my days at home asleep for lack of something better to do, but usually when I do actually do something I excel at it."

"Feline," Ethan said randomly. "I'm going with lion."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Brandon asked, partly laughing; not entirely sure whether he should be insulted or not.

Ethan seemed to register what he said, and his face darkened a little as a blush spread like a rash over his cheeks.

"Nothing," he said and then let out a sigh before trying again. "When I was little, my brothers and I would pretend to be Anthros and act like superheroes, so we developed a personality system with which a person related to any specific pattern. It's a habit that has stayed with me."

"That's pretty complex for a little kid," I said thoroughly impressed. A lot of kids pretended to be superheroes and Anthros. They like feeling powerful and important, but this was the first time I had heard anyone put this much thought into something as simple as a game.

Brandon smiled and flexed his arms. "I could totally see myself as a big, powerful, carnivorous king of the jungle." He kept the pose for another ten seconds before he burst out laughing and had to sit down.

Everyone took a bit to calm down, and then Ethan turned to me. "So what's your life's story?"

I felt a little uneasy as the room got silent again, and I decided to not say anything I didn't have to. "I believe spilling one's guts is as ugly as it sounds."

They both gave me withering glances as I attempted, unsuccessfully, to dodge the proverbial bullet.

I sighed as I realized that I wasn't going to get out of this anytime soon. "I live with my mom down the street from here. I live with her, my two brothers, two sisters, and my niece. I'm the 4th of 5 children. My mom is divorcing my dad on the grounds of adultery, so we moved out here a year ago and have been dealing with things as they are thrown at us. I draw pictures, read books, and run track and cross country in my free time. I tend to avoid people who try too hard to pry into my life and often don't let people get too close as a precaution. If you're my friend, cool. If not, your life will be hell if you cross me even once." I stopped and gave them both a carefully blank stare that would keep them from seeing what was happening inside of my head. Ethan continued to look at me quizzically. I flashed him a smile and leaned back. "Got one for me?"

He watched me for a few more seconds before snapping his fingers and sitting back smugly. "Vulpine," he said simply, "your smile gave it away. You give off a sly, calculating air when you are cornered. You don't like people being too close to you because you can't breathe or function properly when they do, exactly like a fox. You are a person who knows how to think or talk yourself out of any situation if given a bit of time."

My jaw hit the floor and I stared openly at him for what must have been minutes in utter disbelief. He hit the nail dead on the head. I regained my composure while I thought about what he had said and cracked a smile. "The vulpine smile, huh?"

"Pretty badass," Fenrir said as the three Anthros re-entered the room.

Cain smiled at Ethan. "That's an unusual talent. It usually takes people years to be able to read someone like that."

Ethan blushed at the compliment before ducking his head. "I have had some practice."

Cain sat down next to him and ruffled his hair. "It's not something to be embarrassed about," he said seriously. "That is something that will help you out a lot later in life. Talents like yours are usually the signs of a powerful catalyst."

Jet cleared his throat. "That actually brings us to the next thing we need to discuss. We need to know your physical capabilities and any talents or strengths you have," he said. "The more we know where you are, the better prepared you will be when it is time for you to go to the training center."

Cain picked up from there. "You will find later that you will be able to remember things better and be quicker at picking up languages and new concepts than you were before."

All three of them were carrying clipboards, presumably, each one having a different variety of subjects.

"Do any of you know any languages, besides English?" Cain asked.

"I know Mandarin," Brandon said.

"I just started taking French this year," Ethan remarked, his eyes downcast.

I took a breath and closed my eyes as I thought. "I am fluent in French, Arabic, Spanish, and German." I opened my eyes and found five pairs of eyes locked on me with barely concealed curiosity; I guess it is not common to hear of fifteen year old boy who is fluent in 5 languages. I was getting tired of all of the unwanted, uncomfortable attention today and hurried with my explanation. "My dad was part of the navy and he was constantly being shipped around the world. I was home schooled and always had plenty of time off base, so I had to learn the languages if I stayed there for longer than a year. This is only my second year of public education. I have a natural gift for learning, so I pick up on things pretty quickly. That's the only reason I have been able to keep up in more advanced classes."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "You're full of it," he scoffed; a smug look settling on his face.

"Nicht über mich lustig, du kleiner Narr," I said to him in a neutral tone that gave away no meaning to the actual words.

The look was gone before I could blink.

A pen scratching on a clipboard brought my attention back to the matter at hand.

I looked back at the three Anthros as Cain finished writing down everyone's answers.

"Do you have any talents?" Jet asked, already getting his pen ready for the next entry. None of us volunteered any information, so he had to go for a different tactic. "Do you have any hobbies or anything you are decent at? It doesn't have to be something physical."

"I am pretty good at reading people, but I guess you already know that. . . . . I am a somewhat capable strategist when it comes to games. That's about all I got," Ethan said, shrugging his shoulders in indifference to the subject.

"I've been taking taekwondo since I was 5; I am a 6th_dan._ I do a lot of small construction projects simply for fun." Brandon replied. He looked at me with a gaze that said he was waiting for me to try and show him up.

I shrugged my shoulders and didn't say anything.

"There has to be something," Fenrir said. "What about running?"

I felt myself start to fade from the conversation as I started to think a bit more, drifting towards more interesting subjects. "That's more of a therapeutic thing, not so much a hobby," I said airily, already half gone in the endless planes of my thoughts. "I like puzzles, if that counts. The patterns, placements, and the way things fit together to make bigger things work has always interested me." I shook my head clear and turned my attention back to the group. "I'm a lucid dreamer. I have been for a couple of years now. The only other thing I can say is that I have an eye for detail." I ended with my attention drifting back to things a little less defined and tangible, leaving my company to their own devices.

A few more scratching noises were heard as Jet filled in the information.

It seemed like they were ready to ask more questions, but I guess the three of us were pretty much gone and any further questions would likely be a waste of time.

"That should be enough for now," Fenrir began. "Now we need to focus on a slightly more important matter."

I quickly reeled in my thoughts and looked intently toward the trio in front of us.

Cain picked up from there. "We need to find a way to get you to tell you parents before we leave. Although they can't forbid you from joining, they still deserve to know that you are leaving. This also provides a chance for you to get some of your things and say your goodbyes."

A pit opened in my stomach and I wanted to puke. I sat in my chair sweating, thanking god that I had decided to skip lunch and breakfast.

I watched in silent horror as Cain, Ethan, Jet, and Brandon all left and made their way to their respective destinations.

Fenrir stood up and offered me a paw with a genuinely concerned look on his face. I took it and walked beside him outside the library without a word.

He kept looking at me over his shoulder as he led me towards a black Escalade sitting in the parking lot. I threw my stuff into the back and hopped into the passenger seat, not saying anything.

Fenrir climbed into the driver's seat and turned to me. "Care to explain what's the matter?" he asked.

I looked to him and the sickness ebbed a little. "It's strange," I said, not really dodging his question.

"What is strange?" he asked in a neutral voice.

"That not even 5 hours ago I was standing in front of a train ready to die, and yet I have spent the better part of two hours sitting with a group of people I don't know laughing and cutting up a bit like we were all friends. It's stranger still that ever since you did whatever you did to me," I said waving my hands around my head for emphasis, "the evil little shadow, known as my depression, has all but disappeared from my head." He sat there looking at me with a patiently waiting expression; as I looked at him and thought about what I said, it hit me. Fenrir saw the spark of realization and motioned for me to continue. "My depression disappeared as a result of my awakening?" I asked.

"Bingo. Do you know what depression is physically?" Fenrir asked.

"Of course, it's a chemical imbalance in the brain where you are producing too much of a certain chemical and not enough of another," I said as I tried to figure out where this was leading.

"The awakening isn't strictly a mental process Aaron, it is physical as well. Right now, your brain is in overdrive; sending signals all over the place constructing shortcuts and becoming more efficient. It's not a process that happens overnight, but it is fairly quick. It happens in stages. You are in the first stage, which is chemical balancing throughout the body. Your depression, being a result of chemical imbalance, was one of the first things to go," Fenrir explained. "You will notice other changes later, but why ruin the fun and tell you early?" he teased.

I playfully punched his arm and was happy to know that my personal rain cloud was finally gone. I sat back, relieved and more than a little curious, but content with the answers given to me.

"So what's the real issue?" he inquired again.

I sat up with a sigh and stared out the windshield instead of meeting his gaze. "The issue is my family, specifically my mother. Don't get me wrong I love her, but she can be. . ."

"Difficult?" Fenrir offered as he tried to keep the ball rolling.

"To say the least. She has been trying to divorce my dad for the past two years, but she seems more interested in getting him back than taking care of her kids. She has become a really manipulative bitch," I said, noticing Fenrir flinch a bit as I degraded her. "I do love her and I wish her nothing but the best, but she hurts us more and more every time she tries to win him back and frankly I am sick of it. She victimizes herself in every situation and tries to keep everyone under her thumb, but twists the situation so we end up being the bad guys in every tiny disagreement." I took a shaky breath and fought back a few tears as I continued. "She almost kicked me out of our house when she found out I was gay. I used to be really close with her, but now it seems like she doesn't want to be caught dead with me in public. It's gotten better recently and now we will talk and she won't scream, but she doesn't trust me. She thinks I am out having sex with every guy I meet and doing drugs just as fast as I can get them. I am dreading having to go and tell her that I am leaving. I will be much happier when it's over and done with." I felt Fenrir's paw rest on my shoulder as he tried to console me.

"I am really sorry to hear about that. We don't have to go if you don't want to," he said as he removed his paw and started digging the keys from his pocket. "It's your call though," he added as he jammed them into the ignition.

"I guess I do need to get a few things and say good bye to my brothers and sisters, if nothing else," I said in defeat. He handed me a GPS and I typed in the address as he pulled out of the parking lot. We sat in silence for a while, and soon it became a bit too much for me. "Fenrir, can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing," he replied.

"Why are you so interested in me?" I asked.

He thought a bit before responding. "Actually, at first you seemed a little odd. I saw you sprinting to your class while I was trying to find my way around and noticed that your stuff fell from an open pocket on your backpack. I picked them up and followed you. Luckily for me, your room was the one I had been asked to check out by your principal. I walked in and found you sitting at your desk with a blank look on your face, and then I noticed that your animi lucem was a little off. Normally, a person's light is a pale blue and flows off of them like a small flame, but yours is golden and explodes around you like a bonfire. When I handed you the pencils back, you had the darkest look on your face. It made me uneasy, so I 'peeked' into your head and found some pretty interesting things in there. I didn't see your actual thoughts, so don't worry; but I did see your feelings. I saw your pain and anger, and it was then that I noticed your capability for awakening. Your mind was already advancing at a decent pace, and it came as only a small shock when you achieved primary later. I was even more intrigued when I had to break the surge by using fear. Reading a person and issuing a specific suggestion are two different things. When I sent the suggestion, I was given a front row seat to your deepest, darkest fears. I knew then what you were going to do at the train tracks." Fenrir explained the whole thing, and it made some sense if I thought about it.

"If you knew what I was about to do, why didn't you try to stop me beforehand?" I asked him.

He looked over at me with a sad smile. "Sometimes people need to reach realizations for themselves without interference from others. You needed to come to the realization for yourself that you aren't ready to die yet," he explained with seemingly endless patience.

I opened my mouth for one more question, but then bit down on it before I could embarrass myself by asking.

This didn't go unnoticed by Fenrir. "Go ahead and say it. I won't be mad."

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Are you complaining?" he asked with an arched eyebrow and a smirk.

I blushed and turned away in a futile effort to hide my embarrassment, and then laughed as I realized it was a bit too late to employ modesty. "No complaints here, but I would still like an answer to my question," I said, refusing to be deterred.

Fenrir turned the car down my street and drove slowly as he waited for the GPS to tell him which house was our destination. "I thought you were cute and it looked like you needed a pick-me-up," he said simply.

"So wait, you would randomly kiss-," I started in confusion.

"Looks like we're here," Fenrir interrupted before I could complete my thought.

I looked out the windshield and saw my house; a small, one- story abode with a small backyard and a horrid peach paintjob that would make anyone cringe. Still, it has been my home for the past year and a half. I guess, all in all, it had grown on me. I fished my stuff out of the back of the SUV as we got out of the car and walked to the door right as someone came out of the house.

A man of average height turned from the door and saw us coming. He was Mexican with a little girth and hair kept combed neatly, topped off with a goatee and soft brown eyes. I recognized him as the Pastor from my church and waved hello as we walked up to him.

"Hey, Mondo!" I greeted the man.

He extended his hand and I shook it. "Hey Aaron, how are you doing today?" he asked and then seemed to notice Fenrir.

Realizing an introduction was in order, I quickly got started. "I am doing a lot better than normally. Mondo, this is Fenrir from the A.S.O. Fenrir, this is Mondo from my church."

Fenrir stiffened up slightly and looked at Mondo with contempt. Mondo didn't seem to notice and quickly wished us a good day before driving off in his car a few feet away.

Fenrir glared daggers after the car as his hackles rose in agitation.

It was startling to see him look that angry, and I actually found myself shrinking away from him unconsciously. I forced myself to stand up straight and look him in the eye as I tried to confront him. "What's the matter with you?" I asked.

"Bible-thumper," he mumbled underneath his breath.

"What's your problem?" I asked again.

He gestured to the car. "He is."

"He didn't say anything to you," I said, rather irritated. Mondo had been good to me, and he was the one I had gone to talk to about my problems. He was a cool guy and not judgmental in the least.

Fenrir shook his head and took a deep breath. His hackles fell back, and he turned toward me. "You're right, but the church and all of its associates don't have a friendly history with Anthros."

"Care to explain?" I asked. I never really considered where Anthros stood on religious things. I had assumed it was like regular people and they varied based on region, family, and culture.

He sighed. "That is a long story, and I'm afraid we don't necessarily have the time to go through all the details; but essentially, some of the corrupted higher members of the church in the very early years of Christianity tried to get the Anthros to become subservient to them and force a bond that couldn't be made. They saw themselves as blessed by god and didn't comprehend the scientific portion of the process of awakening, so when the Anthros refused they took it as a personal insult and declared all Anthros demons. We were burned, hunted, tortured, and even raped as people sought to 'exterminate' us. Even today, werewolf stories and other legends exist because those same people and their offspring and friends vilified us. Things have gotten a lot better over the years, but some of the more ignorant people refuse to see reason and still blame us every time a human can't awaken. Most of them are from the church," Fenrir finished with an irate air surrounding him. He didn't seem wholly angry, but hurt as well.

"I'm sorry to hear that. It's never fair when people get crap for shit that's not their fault," I say, and because I couldn't think of anything else to do I placed a gentle hand on his forearm.

Fenrir looked at me with a soft smile and barked out a laugh. "This isn't about me. We're here to get you your stuff and for you to say goodbye. So, stop distracting me because you aren't getting out of it."

I rolled my eyes and led us into the house. We both stepped in and I closed the door behind us.

"Mom," I called out, "there is someone here who needs to meet you," I said as I lead Fenrir to the living room and sat down next to him on the couch in front of a leather recliner.

My mom stepped out of her room. She was a stout woman at about 5'2", with dark brown hair and mocha colored eyes. She wore cherry red lipstick and thick mascara in her mauve nurse's uniform. I quickly took note of the time and remembered she was due to leave for work in an hour. I was nauseous as I tried to figure out where and how I should start.

Her eyes instantly zoned in on Fenrir, and she seemed, understandably, to be at a loss for words. She sat down across from us without a word. She looked at me accusingly, "What have you done now?"

I sat up and snorted indignantly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She locked eyes with me for a few seconds and then Fenrir came to my rescue. "Aaron isn't in trouble; but, nonetheless, there is still something that does need to be discussed." He paused to let what he said sink in, and then he began again. "Aaron has been offered a chance to join the Anthropomorphic Special Ops and he has accepted."

My mom looked back and forth between the two of us before settling on me. "You've already agreed?"

I nodded. "Yes, I made the decision back at the school a couple of hours ago," I told her evenly.

She threw her hands up into the air. "That's fucking fantastic," she exclaimed. "You didn't even have the decency to call and ask if it was okay." She turned her attention back to Fenrir. "I'm sorry, but my son isn't going. He didn't realize how this would affect the rest of us."

I grew sick to my stomach as rage boiled through me.

"That isn't your decision to make ma'am. Aaron is the only one who can make this decision," Fenrir said keeping his composure, though it was obvious he was becoming irritated.

She kept her gaze even with him. "Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do with my child?"

"I am the one charged with making sure Aaron arrives safely and of his own free will to A.S.O headquarters," he said with a barely concealed threat. I stared at the two of them and tried really hard not to smile as Fenrir took control of the situation.

The front door opened again and a pair of feet made themselves heard as my little brother returned home from school.

"Mom, you'll never guess what happened today! A bunch of people from the A.S.O-" He cut off as he saw Fenrir sitting on the couch next to me.

"Elijah, not right now. Go to your room, and I will get you when we're done," my mom said, dismissing him.

I saw the hurt look on his face from being brushed off, and my heart went out to him. He could get on my nerves like nothing else, but he mainly wanted to get people to laugh.

Fenrir looked at me and motioned for me to go follow Elijah. I got up and went to our shared room where he was putting his stuff up, looking like he was ready to cry.

"So what were you trying to say?" I asked as I went to the closet and emptied my school bag for some clothes and other keepsakes that I would bring with me.

He watched me with curiosity as I got three of my favorite shirts and a few comfortable pants. He looked at me a bit before finally collecting his thoughts. "Oh yeah, the A.S.O sent representatives over to my school, and even a few exchange students are going to be attending now. One of them is an otter named Roy, and I started talking to him today. He is my age and we started talking. We are going to start hanging out at school," he chattered excitedly the way that 12 year old boys do. "So what is that wolf doing here?"

I smiled and closed off my bag as I sat back on my bed. "He is here to help me get a few of my things before I leave for the A.S.O," I explained. His eyes grew large, and I had to force myself not to laugh. My little brother was the only person whom I didn't mind spending time with because I've shared a room with him since he was born.

"You got recruited?!" he asked excitedly.

"Yep," I said, still smiling at him.

"That's so cool! I wish I could go," he finished sadly. "Does that mean I won't get to see you for a while?"

I sat up and hugged him as tears started to brim in his eyes. "Only for a little while; I will keep in touch. I will only be a phone call away, if you need me."

He hugged me back and then forced a smile. "At least I will finally have my own room."

"You cheeky bastard. You were plotting on me weren't you?" I said as I started to tickle his ribs.

He wriggled and laughed until I let him up. He hugged me one more time and then followed me as I walked back out into the living room.

My mom was sitting in a stony silence as Fenrir got up from the couch.

He walked toward the front door and passed me and my little brother. He ruffled Elijah's hair and waited for me. I hugged Elijah one more time and walked toward the door without a second glance.

An iron grip wrapped around my wrist, and I turned to see my mom with tears in her eyes. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Her voice cracked as the stress ate through her.

"Yes," I said simply and evenly.

She let go of my wrist in defeat and turned one more time to Fenrir. The sadness was now veiled with ferocity. "If anything happens to him, I am holding you personally responsible. Please, keep him safe." The last sentence was the slightest whisper.

Fenrir relaxed a bit. "You have my word."

My mom walked over to me and hugged me tight as she sobbed quietly. "I do love you Aaron."

I barely managed to lift my arms and hug her back. "I love you too mom." I didn't feel sad or even sick anymore. I felt relieved that, through everything, my mom hadn't held any of it against me. I was also painfully aware of the time and how I should be going. "I will keep in touch," I said smiling at her.

A tear spilled over onto her face, but she wiped it away and smiled. "Have fun."

I closed the door and walked over to the car and buckled up after throwing my bag into the back once again.

Fenrir got into the car next to me and started it up before pulling out of the driveway.

"What did you say to my mom while I was gone?" I asked Fenrir as we pulled onto the main road.

"I politely brought a few things to her attention," he said with a tone of finality as we drove on.

"So where to now?" I asked.

"To the airport; we will meet the other four there, and then we all will go to HQ," he replied, already setting the GPS to our destination.

I looked out the window and sighed as my eyelids drooped. This had been a very exhausting day, and it looked like it would be the first of many. I didn't see it as inconvenient; in fact, it seemed fun and exciting.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.