It was the first time in days that Julian had left the warm comfort of his cottage. After a week of his dear wife worrying over him and the physician serving him remedies for his pain he was allowed to go around on his own. By now it wasn’t so much the pain that caused him issues but rather getting used to walking with his newly crippled leg.
The man insisted he go on his own. Julian’s wife had her own things to worry about, after all. She had to take care of their home and stay safe, for she would be having their child soon. Julian’s point was only driven in further when he mentioned how she hadn’t been feeling her best for the past day or so. So here he was now, clutching tightly onto the sturdy, oak shepherds crook and carefully making his way along his usual rout.
The sweet sent of lavender wafted to him through the sweet spring breeze and the puffy clouds lazily making their way across the sky made him feel relaxed in his vulnerable state. As he made his way down the dirt road he could hear the sounds of his flock awakening, the soft bleating of the lambs and snapping of twigs as they meandered through their field. Surely they had missed him in his absence. He had missed them. They were like a group of understanding friends who didn’t really talk back.
After approaching his flock he soon sat right down on a stump, utterly tired out by his admittedly short trek. As Julian rested his sheep began to loosely crowd around him. Some came to nibble at the fresh grass around his feet and others sniffed at the scent carried on his ragged clothing. He reached out to pat some of his dear sheep, noting of the thickness of their wool. It wouldn’t be long before it’d be time to sheer them.
Even with Julian’s dear friends about him Julian still felt paranoia bubble up into his chest. The grip on his crook tightened as he glanced over his shoulder before he scanned the horizons. The beast that had attacked him left a scar both physically and mentally. It looked like a wolf but there had been something definitely wrong about it. Well. If he wanted to be a stronger father he’d have to overcome his difficulties with courage and strength.
Hopefully soon Julian would be able to get around without a problem and become an astounding father.
Carter grew up in Tampa Bay, Florida and is the daughter of renowned marine biologist. From a young age she learned various martial arts in order to not only protect herself but others as well, her passion for martial arts eventually transformed to a passion for figure skating. At the age of 13 she discovered she was a shapeshifter - an ability passed down to her from her late father - and with some practice she eventually managed to imprint an otter and often liked to prank her mother at the marine life sanctuary she worked at. Around the age of 16 she decided wanted to be a writer, which the occupation eventually lead her to moving to Asteria Falls for inspiration.
Carter works at the local bookstore greeting people and selling a few books here and there but spends most of her time reading. She keeps in constant contact with her mother and adoptive brother Kane, as they are what keep her mentally stable. Carter didn’t just inherit her shapeshifting abilities from her father but also his schizophrenia as well as night terrors from her mother. She hopes that her older brother will eventually join her in Asteria Falls and wants him to continue to be a big part of her life. She adopted a dalmatian after arriving in the town, as a reminder of the one she had as a child.
personality:
Much like her father she is a bit surly and standoffish upon first meeting but once you get to know her she’s very protective and caring
Carter will put other’s well being before her own even if they are strangers
She isn’t afraid to speak her mind whether its to her boss or to someone twice her size, if she doesn’t like the way you’re acting she’ll be sure you know.
She’s artistic to say the least: cooking, drawing, skating, writing, and dancing are things she loves and will do in her free time
Designing Henna Tattoos on her body are what calm her down during a schizophrenia fit.
Music is another outlet for Carter to express herself, with over 700 songs between her phone and laptop
Enjoys learning about the different supernatural species living in the town, allowing her to correctly portray them in her novels.
TIME FRAME → 2004 when Yeon (Oliver) was just six years old.
The silence shattered by a terrified gasp from young boy waking in a cold sweat filled the dark room. His wide frightened eyes shifted around the foreign area finding he that his only company was his shaky breath trying to convey itself. “Um Ma…. Ah Bba..” The child softly cried for his parents as he rest at the head of the bed with his knees coiled to his chest in attempts to comfort himself. His heart felt empty already knowing they weren’t coming to his rescue like they managed to do before. Burying his head into his knees while he hugged them tightly you could almost hear his muffled voice cry for them over and over. For now his pain for them outweighed the physical pain inflecting his body. Luckily the person who brought him here was kind enough to mend his wounds, but why be so cruel enough to leave him all alone with no explanation?
Suddenly a patch of white light caused a silhouette of the window’s frame to appear on the mattress before him. Watching illuminating light dance on top of the sheets the boy felt almost compelled to reach for it with his tiny hand. Inching closer he could almost feel the heat of it sweltering his entire body until a tiny glimpse of it poured over his hand. Pulling back his quickly the boy was sensing quickly something wasn’t right with him. A sudden rush of voices and smells poured into the room. Overwhelmed the boy moved back to his spot on the bed putting his hands over ears to block it all.
“Did you hear she brought him back?” Echoed the sound of an unfamiliar voice through the wall.
“You have to be fucking kidding me? Does she honestly think she can save this one? I mean even if he is the same age as him it doesn’t mean it will bring him back.” The other spoke with a hint of disdain.
“It’s really fucking sad isn’t it? To think she can replace him. How do you think Jasper is gonna feel when he finds- sh quiet someone is coming.”
Not really knowing how to think or feel the boy only wanted to escape this never ending fear. All he wanted was to go home with Um Ma and Ah Bba. Bracing himself he crawled off the bed letting out a sharp cry as he bumped his bandaged shoulder. Running to the door he grasped the knob quickly realizing someone didn’t want him to leave. “Yah! Ah Bba! Ah Bba!” He called his father knowing he was quickest to come in situations like these. His heart thrashed violently in his chest, but he pressed on by slamming his fists against the door as if he were throwing a tantrum.
Suddenly an intense pain shot through the child's body making him collapse to the floor. Crying in agony was all he knew as his body surged with a pain far beyond anyone’s imagination. The door busted open with the two men talking from early before. ‘Get alpha!’ One demanded looking over the child with fearful expression that silently spoke the worst. Moments passed as he continually writhed and thrashed his body on the ground as his bones felt like they were on fire.
His body twisted and shifted into a mangled mess caught in between something human and animal. The little monster groaned in pain looking into the other’s eyes helplessly, but both were unknowing of what to do. It wasn’t long until a soothing voice entered room causing all of the rush to stop for a moment. Her hand gently lingered out to the mess to softly stroke the fuzz on top his head. Golden orbs glanced up to her in dismay, but a soft smile pulled at her lips as she looked to him with the utmost tenderness. “Just breath little one.” Her voice soothed to him. “You must give in to the pain and all will be alright. You’ll have to trust me.” Shakily the young one gave her his complete trust since he had no other option. Continuing his groans he allowed the pain to follow through like she said until it was over. Completely exhausted he crawled over to the woman as a few whines escaped him before crawling into the comfort of her lap. “There there little wolf.” She hummed softly stroking his fur. “You’re right where you belong.”
TIME FRAME → A weekday in 2004 - Rowan was seven years old.
❝ Perhaps [ f a m i l y ] itself, like 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝓎, is ᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ, and no discreditneed attach to impermanence. ❞
Seven-year-old, Rowan sat on the floor of her bedroom before she heard a pounding at the door. She bit her lip and looked down the hall to the door. The girl was nervous. She was alone, and worried that someone was here to hurt her.
“Police, please open the door, or we have warrant to come in.” A stern female voice called from the other side.
Oh, well if it’s police they can’t hurt me. Rowan thought. The little girl quickly ran to the door and opened it. On the other side was a tall blonde woman in a police uniform.
“Hi, is your name Rowan? My name is Leslie. Are your mom and dad home?” The officer had crouched down to her level to speak with her.
“Um, they’re not home.” She mumbled looking downward not really knowing what to say.
“Oh,” Leslie said as she bent down and reached out her hand to Rowan. “Well we’re here to make sure you’re okay. Is it okay if I come in?”
After some calming her down, the police officers began to search the home for any clues as to why this girl was completely alone. They had gotten a call from a neighbor saying that she had heard the little Rowan screaming, but hadn’t seen her parents car for over two weeks
The officers opened the drawers and closets in her parents room to find that they were completely emptied out. “And they just said they were going to run errands?” The woman peered back around the corner to Rowan who was still on the couch.
Rowan nodded her head.
The blonde moved back to the bedroom and looked to her officers. It was clear that when they left, they had the intention of never coming back.
Little Rowan’s hands held dearly onto the the lion plushie as the police officers hunted through the little mobile home for her parents.
“When did they leave you, sweetie?” Leslie sat next to her on the floor trying to get her to speak.
“I-I dunno.” She mumbled, her eyes quickly darting to the mammoth sized men who were lifting furniture in the kitchen, looking for clues.
“Hey, love. Don’t worry about them. They’re just awfully loud, and a bit rude.” The blonde peered over to her subordinates, shooting a glare to them once she thought that Rowan couldn’t see. “Did they sat when they’d be back?”
“No…” Rowan picked at her chewed fingernails and sadly shook her head. There were so many questions, those of which she didn’t have answers to. “They just said that they’d be back before I knew it and told me that if-if I was hungry I could have anything in the fridge, and when I run out to go to Mrs. Bendsley’s and tell her.”
The woman looked over to the men, then back to her. “There’s still a lot of food in there. And Mrs. Bendsley said that she hasn’t seen your mom’s car in two weeks. Do you think they meant to leave you alone for a long time?”
The little girl’s eyes looked over the older woman’s searching for the right answer. Was it a bad thing for her parents to do this? “M-maybe they just had a lot of errands to do. Maybe they got busy.” Her seven year old mind couldn’t quote grasp the idea of logic yet. She didn’t want to get her parents in trouble either.
“L, can I talk to you?” A man called into the living room from the kitchen.
“Excuse me, love.” Leslie stood and walked into the kitchen.
Her officer shook his head and pulled a phone from his pocket. “I’m calling social services, now. There’s not much else we could find and we have another call.”
“Social services?” She woman bit back. “She’ll just get tossed into foster care until they can find her parents. And foster care isn’t how she needs to be raised. She’ll basically be tossed aside.”
“Leslie, you know as good as any of us that they aren’t going to be getting her any time soon. Even if this is some kind of fucked misunderstanding they’re facing up to twelve years for child abandonment.”
She sighed knowing that he was right. She simply nodded her head and paused. “Make the call.” She muttered quietly while she walked back into the living room with Rowan.
“Okay, so in a little bit they’re going to put you with someone who can take care of you.” She bit her lip, knowing that she’d be in foster care for awhile before they could even find her parents to sign over their parental rights. “If anyone ever makes you feel small, you can never let them know that it hurt you. Even if you feel like you’re drowning, you have to act like you can breathe just fine. You understand?” Her eyes were intense hoping the girl would understand.
Rowan was utterly confused, but nodded her head. What else could she say?
Soon a social worker finally showed up. To take her to a foster home while they investigated her situation. She had no other family that wasn’t in Maine. And a flight from Arizona to Maine was a but too excessive considering they didn’t know if her grandmother would even want her. She had only met the lady twice. “Okay, time to go,” the new brunette woman said taking her hand and pulling Rowan to her feet. She followed and got into the car just like asked. She sat quietly as she started watching the trailer she grew up in get smaller and smaller from distance. At least her and Lion would be together.
But with that thought came the most horrifying realization hit her.
“I have to get Lion!” She cried and looked out the back window just to realized the couldn’t see her home anymore. “We have to get him. I have to have him.” She shook her head and looked to the woman desperately.
While the woman felt sympathetic, she didn’t turn around.
