Lucie woke up to her father's voice telling her to wake up and get ready for school. She got up groggily, not wanting to get up from the bed. She sighed and thought 'Another boring day.'

She went to get ready.

''Mom, is breakfast ready?" Lucie asked as she came to the dining table. She smiled at her dad who was helping her mom set the breakfast.

Her dad smiled back and said "It's ready honey. Come and have it."

Lucie sat down as her mother brought the last dish and also sat down.

Her mother said "You are always in a hurry. Can't you wake up early? We need to hurry with you too or else you will be late for school. When will you grow up?."

I rolled my eyes and said "You are the lazy one. If I don't do this you will not get up too." She fake glared Lucie as she stuck her tongue out. Lucie's dad laughed as he kept filling her plate.

Lucie was once again surprised by how good her dad looked. He is in his forties but he was still very handsome, being 6' feet tall, with black hair and little aged white hairs looking like streaks.

He was a slender man yet strong man with an imposing aura.

His eyes, biscuit brown only made him look as if he was from another world. Her dad was truly way too good looking. Eyes always follow him wherever he is but he has eyes only for Lucie's mom.

Lucie's mom was very beautiful, with raven black hair that reached her waist and grey blue eyes. Her eyes were the most attractive. One forgets everything when they look into those eyes not just because of their beauty but because of how strict yet calm they look.

Her mom only reaches Lucie's shoulder and has the personality like that of a child and always bickers with Lucie.

But she is another person when she is angry. She is timid in contrast to her dad who is imposing. She prefers peace and negotiation.

Lucie sighed and thought 'I have such beautiful parents, where have all those genes gone to? I don't look like their daughter. I don't have those looks at all.'

She kissed her dad on the cheek and hugged her mom before she set out to go to school.

She cycled towards her best friend's house, which is a 10 minutes away from hers. As she reached she saw a 5' 6 girl, with her red hair down, till her shoulders.

She was wearing a uniform, which looked good on her. She had a figure and looks that would make anything look good on her.

She turned revealing her green eyes and smiled as Lucie approached her.

She said "Morning Luce!"

Lucie smiled and replied "Morning Soph. Let's get going, or we will be late.''

Sophie nodded and got on her bicycle. The two friends rode to school.

As Lucie and Sophie entered the class, she was greeted by her classmates, Abriel and Asher, very good friends of theirs. They both were good looking but Asher looked the best in the class.

He is easy going and flirty but had very good principles and very good friend.

Abriel is one of the toppers and he already has a girlfriend.

They went back to their seats as their homeroom teacher came in.

The class started. Lucie sighed and thought "There is nothing interesting happening."

Sophie said "Will you come over to my place this weekend?"

As it was lunch, the friends were seated together.

Lucie nodded and said "Okay. Since this is our final year, we have to think about the universities. Let's finalize them this weekend then."

Sophie nodded and said okay. Then Asher said "You know your courses that you want to study at university?"

We all nodded.

He sighed and said "I am the only one who doesn't. What should I do?"

We sighed. He was confused. He doesn't know what he wants to do and his parents are forcing him to do medicine which he is not very interested in. He has a political background so they are very strict about his choices.

Abriel said "You still have time. Research on various fields, you might end up liking something."

He sighed but nodded and continued to eat as he spoke to others.

Lucie sighed and thought 'This is my life. Though I am not a very good student like my friends, I am alright. But the bad part is I am quite boring. I don't do fun things. I am not good looking. I still don't know how is someone like Sophie my best friend. She is my every thing. I don't know how does she endure me.'

Lucie smiled when she looked at her questioning. She patted her head and went back to eating. She thought ' I am really lucky and grateful to have someone like her in my life.'

It was Friday, so after Lucie went back she helped her mom make some dishes as tonight, she and her parent sit together and chat and watch old movies till midnight.

As usual after her dad came back, they sat in the living room as they ate, chatted and watched old movies. This was something very fun and enjoying for Lucie.

Lucie went back to her room and slept with a smile, feeling relaxed after spending time with her parents.

There was fog everywhere, dead leaves on the ground. It looked in the woods. As Lucie looked around she realised she was in some kind of forest or hill.

She was confused, why was she here and this placed looked eerie yet comfortable. Weird she thought.

As she was thinking, she heard a rustle. Lucie turned towards the direction of the noise, startled. Something slowly came out from there. Lucie felt her heart beat quicken as she looked at the thing that came into clearing. It was a wolf. No it was her, she was the wolf.

Lucie woke up gasping and startled. 'What kind of dream is that?'. As she pondered over it, she came to a conclusion that her mind was making yet another story.

Lucie liked to read fantasy novels. She would sometimes make her own story and scenes in her head. She thought this was yet another dream. She shook her head and got ready to go to Sophie's house.

Lucie usually tells her dreams to her dad and he always asks her to write a story in them. But lazy as she is, she never could complete a story.

She told her dream to her dad just like any other dream. Her dad looked tensed.

Lucie thought 'It must be work pressure. I shouldn't bother him about this things.'

As she was going to leave, her father asked "You have plans for tomorrow too?"

Lucie nodded and said "Yes dad. I am going up the hill with Sophie to her aunt's house."

Her dad sighed and nodded. Her mom said "Nathan, it's okay. She will be fine."

Nathan sighed and said "I can't help but worry Catherine."

Lucie asked confused "What are you worried about dad?"

Nathan looked startled and said "Nothing honey. You go on. And call me if there is anything okay? Remember dad is always here. Call me if you feel uncomfortable or anything. I will come and get you."

Lucie smiled and hugged Nathan and said "Okay dad. Don't worry.".

He kissed her forehead and let her go.

.........

Lucie was greeted by Sophie's mom, Amelia, when she entered their house.

Amelia asked "How have you been, little one?"

Lucie giggled and replied "I am good aunt Amelia. How are you?"

Amelia smiled and nodded before leading her to Sophie's room.

They had a small yet very comfortable house. Since Amelia is a single mother and Sophie is her only daughter, they didn't need a big house. They preferred it this way.

Lucie went to Sophie who was scrolling through the news in her laptop. She sat beside her and saw the news.

A man in his thirties was killed by some unknown creature. His throat slit, and bite marks on his body.

Lucie sighed, another dead person. This is the third murder in the month. All dead same way, by some unknown creature.

Lucie said "It must be by wild animals. It happened in the woods, all three of them."

Sophie sighed and shook her head. She closed the tab and we both started our work.

Sophie wants to go to med school and become a doctor like her mother.

Lucie wanted to do business. They were searching for universities that were good at both medicine and business.

It was very hard to find any. They finalised their universities. They had lunch and started to go up towards the hill. Sophie's aunt's house was in the woods. It was a whole one and half hour walking.

Lucie called her dad and told him she was going there.

Nathan said "Be careful honey. Remember to call me if anything happens okay? I will be there."

Lucie smiled and said okay. She sent him the finalised list of universities as he asked her to.

They reached after a sold one hour forty five minutes with breaks in between because of Lucie. She isn't athletic so, she has a hard time doing such things.

They both were welcomed by Sophie's aunt's family, who were waiting for them outside.

Sophie went and hugged her aunt, uncle and her cousins.

Her Aunt, Millie, a tall and very attractive woman for her age, with her black and red combined hair, which looks almost impossible to be natural. She had a strict vibe around her. Making others be alert around her.

Her uncle, Matthew, a tall and handsome man with ash brown hair. He gave off comfortable and easy going vibes. Anyone near him would feel comfortable. They both are quite a combination.

They had four children, quadruplets. Three boys and one girl.

The oldest, Carey, had a hair like his father and eyes like his mother, grey. He was tall and well built. We'll all of the brothers were well built. He always gave off older brother and responsible guy vibes.

The second child, Noah, had hair like his mother and his eyes brown. He was well built too. He is the most polite of them all.

Third was the girl, Aline, she had stunning resemblance to her mother, but only sexier with her light red, mostly black hair that reached her waist. She she had a perfect body. She is most easy going of them all. She doesn't think twice before she speaks. She basically always speaks her thoughts. So, dirty minded most of the time.

The last is William, the coldest of them all. He barely speaks and likes to be alone most of the time. He has brown hair and grey eyes. And he is also the most good looking among the brothers.

'Well, most good looking people are also the most cold ones. It's almost like he can't help it.' Lucie thought.

She smiled at all of them, giving her greetings and went inside with them.

They had few snacks as it was evening.

Aline and Sophie kept chatting with each other. They have been talking since they arrived.

Lucie sighed and shook her head.

Lucie got up and went towards the balcony. They had a big house, They had almost everything. Kind of luxurious in the middle of the woods.

Lucie stood looking at the trees and lake the lake that could be seen from the balcony she was standing in, in the first floor.

Lucie sighed and thought 'Though I came here a lot of times, I still feel uncomfortable and left out. I can't blend in with them. All of them are geniuses, I don't have anything I could talk about with them. I feel I am just making them uncomfortable. Sophie always insists that I come here, even if I don't want to.

I do like this place, a lot. It's has that peaceful feeling. So tranquil. I feel home whenever I am near the woods. This is the only reason I come here for.

They are all very nice and polite but nothing more than that. Maybe it's me. I can't blend in with them, so they can't do anything about it. Being between geniuses with extraordinary looks is hard.'

Lucie continued to stare at the woods when she felt something move in the woods. She narrowed her eyes alarmed as her breath quickened. She remembered her dream and was scared stiff. When she was about to see what it was, someone tapped her shoulder.

Lucie flinched startled. It was Noah, looking at her with a polite smile.

Lucie calmed her breathing and smiled back.

Noah said "I am sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. You were alone here for a long time so I came to check."

Lucie smiled and said "No no. It's fine."

She realised that it was already night. Sun can't be seen anymore. She didn't know she had been here for so long.

Noah just smiled politely and was about to ask something when Lucie said "I will go to the kitchen to help. Thanks."

She smiled and went to the kitchen before he could say anything.

Millie was already making the dinner. Lucie went and started to help her.

Millie smiled and said " You are the only one who helps me out while making food."

Lucie smiled and said "It's nothing Aunt Millie. Oh and I learnt something new, should I make it?"

Millie smiled and said " You always make something when you come here. You are our guest. You are making me feel bad."

I smiled back and said "No please don't say like that Aunt Millie. I came here quite often so it's fine. Just take this a repayment for having me here."

Millie angrily and said "What do you mean repayment. It's nothing like that. You are already like family, don't day such things."

Lucie smiled and said "See Aunt Millie? Since you already consider me family, I am not a guest and you don't have to feel bad about me making food. Family member is making food for the family members."

Millie sighed and said "I can't win against you Lucie."

Lucie smiled and continued to help her and also made dessert.

Millie and Lucie placed the food on the dining table as the others came and sat down.

..........

They all chatted as they ate. Lucie quietly ate her food and had a smile plastered on her face. She only answered when she was directly questioned.

When they started to eat the dessert, Lucie straightened, attentive to see their reaction. She did not actually cook much, so she is always concerned about their reaction.

They all took a bite and Matthew broke into a smile and said "Today's dessert tastes really good."

Lucie's face broke into a real smile as they praised the dessert. She too started to eat, feeling content that they like it.

Millie said " Lucie dear, it really tastes good. You always make such delicious dishes."

Lucie choked, startled. She didn't expect to be acknowledged at the point. Everyone looked at her. She smiled awkwardly at them.

Aline gave her a flying kiss. Sophie gave her a thumbs up. Carey and Noah smiled politely. William just stared at her. She did not know what to say. Matthew went on praising the dessert, making Lucie feel embarrassed and shy. She started to turn a little red.

Lucie helped Millie clean up. Since their maid was on leave, Millie was doing everything on her own. Carey cleaned up too. It was awkward and quiet while they cleaned up. Carey and Millie spoke in between, to which Lucie was oblivious to as she was totally focused on cleaning and thinking about what she thought she was about see in the woods today.

Lucie noticed the changes in her. How her temperature keeps raising sometimes. How her heart beat raises.

As she kept thinking and cleaning, she didn't realise Millie asked her something.

She looked up after she felt someone pat her shoulder, it was Carey.

Lucie looked at him questioningly as if to ask what's wrong?

He sighed and said "Mom asked you something."

Lucie, a little shocked and said " I am so sorry aunt Millie, I wasn't paying attention. Could you please repeat it again?"

Millie shook her head and sighed before smiling again and said " I was asking how your studies are going on?"

Lucie smiled and replied to her. They both chatted and went to the living room where all of them were sitting and chatting.

Lucie and Millie joined them.

Aline said "Let's watch a movie!"

Sophie said excited "Yes!"

Carey and Noah smiled at their cuteness and nodded. William just slightly nodded.

Millie said " Okay then. Let's go watch a movie!" Everyone chuckled and went to room that had a home theater.

Everyone sat around, making themselves comfortable as the movie started. Lucie sat beside Sophie, who had Aline by her side and they both kept whispering to each other.

Lucie sighed and focused on the movie, it was an action movie. Since she liked action a lot, she was totally focused on the movie.

When the movie was done they switched to another movie. Lucie just sat there quietly. Though she wasn't sleepy, she didn't want to watch another movie. It was a romance movie, based on a book.

Lucie just watched, already sleepy twenty minutes into the movie. She drifted off to sleep.

When the movie was done, everyone yawned. They noticed Lucie asleep leaning on the wall.

They all chuckled. Sophie said "She really doesn't like only romance movies."

Sophie called Lucie's name, but since she was deeply asleep, she didn't reply.

William went and slowly lifted her up in his arms. Lucie stirred but didn't not open her eyes and asked hoarsely "Who?"

William quietly said "It's William".

Lucie was still talking in her sleep.

She replied "Hmmm. Little puppy. No danger." And started to snore lightly.

Everyone was shocked. They chuckled after they recovered. William was still shocked, he just kept staring at Lucie as she was a weird creature.

She recognised in her sleep and even called him a little puppy!

Noah came near to take her from William's arms but Lucie shrinked into William's arms, clutching his collar, all the while still asleep.

Everyone was surprised by her actions, she was so aware in her sleep. But how does she feel safe and comfortable in William arms of all people. This was what was going on in everyone's head.

Lucie and William barely ever spoke to each other. They don't even say hi to each other. So, why? And how?

William sighed and carried her to the room she stays in whenever she comes here with Sophie and laid her down on the bed.

Sophie, Aline and Millie came in.

Lucie stirred a little, so William patted her head softly and Lucie fell asleep again while saying "Thanks"

They were all surprised again. William went out. Millie bid them goodnight and also left. Sophie and Aline also got into the bed that could fit four people and slept.

Lucie was in the same woods again. She looked around, trying to see if that wolf came again. Right on cue, an impossibly beautiful white wolf stepped out. It came near her, it's every step seemed to have grace and elegance. It had such imposing aura making Lucie feel self aware. It's deep hazel eyes never left Lucie's.

It stopped a few meters away and stared at Lucie. They both stared at each other.

Lucie woke up surprised. She thought 'How can anything be so beautiful? And such an aura. It surpasses dad's.'

Lucie looked around, she was surprised she was in bed. She recalled what happened last night and thought 'Didnt I fell asleep watching the movie? How did I come here? I must have came here and forgotten that part. It happens anyways.'

She saw Sophie and Aline still asleep, so she slowly got out of bed without making any noise and got ready before going down to the kitchen.

Millie was already in the kitchen making breakfast.

Lucie said "Good morning Aunt Millie"

Millie smiled and replied "Morning dear. You woke up early"

Lucie smiled awkwardly and helped Millie make breakfast.

Lucie set everything into the table and sat down as Millie went to shower.

William walked in sweat. 'Must have worked out.' Lucie thought.

William looked at her for a while before giving her a slight nod and went to freshen up. Leaving Lucie flabbergasted as this was the first he actually acknowledged her on his own.

Lucie went to wake Sophie and Aline. They were still asleep, sprawled on each other. Lucie chuckled before she softly woke them up.

They groaned not wanting to get up. Lucie didn't leave them until they got out of bed to get ready.

Lucie went down and made juice for everyone.

Everyone came to the dining table one after one.

Lucie said "The juice is almost done aunt Millie. You can start eating, i will join you in five minutes."

Millie smiled nodding before she sat down.

Carey came to Lucie and helped her carry the juice. They ate their breakfast chatting.

Aline said "Let's go to our usual place."

Everyone agreed and they set out.

There is a place near the cliff where sun rays fall so beautifully. Everything could be seen from there.

Lucie could hear minute sounds of the animals as they walked. She was surprised that her hearing is so good. Even her eyes sight was so much better. She could see things crystal clear.

Weird she thought. How did I become like this?

Lucie's hear beat quickened as they walked, she felt nauseous. She suddenly felt angry for no reason. She stopped when she couldn't take more.

The others stopped and looked at her. She smiled and said "You guys go on. I will be there in a while."

They looked like they didn't want to leave, but Lucie insisted. They nodded and left. William looked back once before he left.

Lucie sat down and called her dad after a while. He picked on the first ring.

She said "Dad, I don't feel good. I am weirdly very very angry. I feel nauseous too. I can't hold in anymore, I feel pain all over."

Nathan replied " Don't worry honey, I am coming. Just try to stay conscious okay? Try to have a clear mind. I am coming. Dad is coming, don't worry baby."

Lucie felt the world spin.

She thought "Please come to me dad" and fell unconscious.

...........