<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Greenwood</st1:place></st1:City> Mythology: A Halloween to Remember                                                                                     By: W.O.L.F <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Whew!” I said as I busily waved fumes away from my face. “I’ll never get used to the smell of spray on deodorant!” <o:p> </o:p> Looking into the mirror a furry wolfish face looked right back into my eyes.  I turned my head and it turned with me.  I opened my mouth and it revealed its long canine tongue and teeth. <o:p> </o:p> I swiveled my ears and smiled, my white pointed teeth glistened and I beamed with pride and happiness over my appearance.  I loved how my grayish fur covered this well built body.  It felt unnatural to be human, and nothing felt better than casting off my disguise for a day. <o:p> </o:p> My mother however, looking across me from the doorway to the bathroom frowned with disapproval. “Do you really have to do this?” she said in a voice oozing with concern. <o:p> </o:p> “Mom,” I paused. “I know this scares you, but I’ve got to do this, and besides,” I said adding a lighthearted tone to my voice. “Who’s going to believe it?” I asked with a chuckle. “I mean an American werewolf in High school?” I motioned towards my wolf like body as I said this. “The entire thing sounds like something from a cheap horror flick, doesn’t it?” My mother frowned grimly at the statement. <o:p> </o:p> “You should take your condition more seriously,” she said while tightening her fists in worry. “Nathan,” she paused suddenly, “innocent people have been murdered for being what you are.” <o:p> </o:p> “That was centuries ago Ma,” I said jokingly.  “You worry too much.” She looked at me, the worry still painted on her face <o:p> </o:p>  “But,” she said loudly before pausing, “I don’t want to lose you.” <o:p> </o:p> “Its okay, it’s okay,” I said while walking past her.  Honestly, I was a little worried as well. Things could definitely go wrong if I wasn't careful. But I wasn't about to worry her any more. <o:p> </o:p> “It is, huh?" she said while following me through the house.  "Well, what if you're asked to take off your costume? What will you do then?" I cringed inwardly; I was hoping she wasn’t going to ask many questions. <o:p> </o:p>   “Well” I said while casually surveying a basket of clothes for my shirt. “I’ve already packed a change of clothes,” I paused.  “Should the need arise I can change into my extra pair and nobody would be the wiser.” I quickly glanced over at my mother and spied her glaring at me disapprovingly.  Promptly I shot my glance back at the clothes.  <o:p> </o:p> She was worried and she was right to be worried. Today however I wanted everyone to see the real me and I was worried enough as it was without letting her own concern pile on. <o:p> </o:p> I bent over and grabbed a T-shirt with the picture of the American flag.  It would slightly too tight my true form but it’d have to do regardless.  “Hey mom,” I said looking up from my pile of clothes.  “Have you seen my shorts with the tail hole already cut out in the back?”  <o:p> </o:p> She sighed, bent over digging through a basket of laundry she had recently brought up to sort.  “Here,” she said tossing a pair of blue jean shorts to me, “I washed them for you last night.” <o:p> </o:p> “Thanks Mom,” I said a moment after catching the shorts. Swiftly I bent over and put the shorts on. Careful not to get my claws caught on the fabric. <o:p> </o:p>  My Mother laughed, “What are you ever going to do when you live on your own someday?” <o:p> </o:p> “I don’t know,” I said while grabbing my backpack, “starve and wear dirty clothes I guess.”  Mother rolled her eyes and smiled.  “Aw Crap!” I said as I looked out the window. My bus was early!  “Got to go Mom,” I exclaimed quickly dashing down the stairs in a frantic manner, trying not to miss the bus. “Love ya, and I’m sorry I didn’t take out the trash.” <o:p> </o:p> “It’s okay,” she said waving “I love you too.” I was out the door just as she said it.  Dashing through the front yard, ignoring the slight chill of the frost on the ground, I caught more then a few of my neighbors’ eyes going wide with amazement over my costume. <o:p> </o:p> “Hey Man, I yelled to the bus driver as I ran up to the side bus driver.  “Thanks a ton for coming on time!” I said as I climbed in. “Three more minutes and she would have made me take out the trash.” <o:p> </o:p> The bus driver, a short man with long white hair laughed “Any time Man, oh, and that’s a great costume, I’m sure the ladies will love it!”  I rolled my eyes and smiled before heading back to find a seat. <o:p> </o:p> "Happy Halloween man,” I said on the way back to the seat.  I picked a spot somewhat outside of the crowds and sat, or at least tried too, first I had to struggle to find a way too sit and un-kink my tail, then I had to rearrange my legs, a half dozen other body parts, and I still wasn’t comfortable.  I don’t know who designed these seats but they weren’t designed for humans, or werewolves for that matter. <o:p> </o:p> Finally though I managed to get comfortable enough to lay back and close my eyes, pretending to be trying to get some rest before school, but I still didn’t feel very comfortable. I opened my eyes occasionally, spying people staring and gawking at me. I didn’t know if they suspected something or if they were just amazed by the apparent realism of my costume.  I closed my eyes again. Hopefully their gazes would fade away. <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> -End part one-</DIV></BODY></HTML>