The Fault Dwells In Our Stars

Izalea was ensnared in a terrifying dream, reliving the agony of her past. She suddenly saw herself back at thirteen, the harsh, loud voices and words of her parents cutting through her like sharp blades.

"Can you just stop these killings? They are so unnecessary." My mother pleaded as she fixed her gaze on my father. I didn't understand much back then because I was just a thirteen-year-old girl living with her werewolf-hunter dad and her terrified mother.

My mother had cried several times to stop my father from his werewolf hunting job, but he was stubborn. He refused to stop because someone had to continue the family legacy.

"Don't forget that they are also living creatures like you and I." I heard my mother's voice from where I hid myself whenever they were arguing. I get scared whenever my mother argues with my father because my father is hot-tempered and ill-mannered.

"Don't ever compare us to those monsters. They are monsters, dangerous creatures, a threat to our lives" my father spat out angrily. His angry tone emphasized the "monster". I don't know much about werewolves, but I don't believe they are as dangerous as my father labeled them.

"My job is to put an end to their existence. It is a legacy I must keep, and I promise you, I won't stop until I end it." My father was more of a threat than those he called monsters. How can he openly say those words without compassion?

"James. Please, think about your future, my future, and Jazlyn's future." This was the interesting part when they argued. My mother uses me as an emotional weapon against my father. Unfortunately for her, it had never worked. "Is this the future you want for her?" Her questions met the hardened heart of my ruthless father.

"This family's legacy is my future. I can't abandon it." My mother pleaded, but it met my father's deaf ears.

"Can't you forget the legacy? We can go far away from here. We could live a quiet and peaceful life like other families. Don't you want that for your daughter, our daughter?" I could not see her face from where I was hiding but with the vibration in her voice, she was on the verge of breaking down.

"There is no quiet life for me, neither was there one for my daughter. This is our fate. Killing those monsters was our fate." I couldn't believe my ears as I heard my father utter those words. Did he expect me to kill? He was joking, probably.

He could kill anyone because he chose to kill, but he shouldn't expect me to be a killer like him. I also wished I could have a quiet and peaceful life, a family without quarrels and fights, but that was a luxury I couldn't afford.

"That is not my child's future. It can never be her future. I won't allow it, I will fight against it until my last breath." Anger laced in my mother's voice as she warned my father.

I'm with her on this one. That can't be my future. My future is to become a famous actress, not a werewolf hunter. Even as a young girl, I couldn't imagine myself running around the forest with a gun in my hand, hunting werewolves. No, the sight wouldn't be a pleasant one to imagine.

"Who do you think you are to decide my daughter's future?" the red mist landed on my mother. At that point, my father was in an uncontrollable rage. He couldn't think clearly in this state. And my mother, on the other hand, was doing everything possible to match his energy.

Even if I couldn't see them, I could see a glimpse of their shadow on the wall, I could see how her hands moved up and down as she countered my father's opinion. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. I prayed this wouldn't turn into a physical fight. The verbal exchange was already too much to behold.

A mocking expression of scorn escaped my mother's lips. "I'm her mother you asshole."

"You are just a vessel I used to bring her into this world." His words hit me like a physical slap. I can imagine how much it will affect my mother if it can affect me in this manner. "You are more of an instrument. If I wanted a wife, you would be the last person I'd choose."

"So you want to be petty, right? Then I will teach you how to be petty." Like I said earlier, my mother must match his energy. Maybe if I show myself to them, they will stop their banter.

"You are less than a vessel, James. You are a worthless sperm donor. If I had known you would be a disgraceful human being, I would have lived my life with Jazlyn alone." I froze on the spot as I heard my mother's voice. I had a rethink my decision to show myself.

"I know we are not like other couples because I came back to you after I got pregnant with your child from our one-night stand. I know you feel like I was a mistake, but is Jazlyn also a mistake?" her voice was shaking. She was sobbing now.

"My daughter is not a mistake, Kathlyn. You are a mistake." My father was no longer spitting words out, he was spitting venom. His words are now poisonous to my ears, my mind, and my heart. "My blood runs in her vain, Kathlyn, not yours."

Can I decide whose blood I want in my body? Because this man's blood was now a poison to me. If I could change anything in this world, I would change my parents. Yes, I will change both parents.

"You are a madman, James. You are worse than those creatures you hunt down." I could see her shadow as she pointed her fingers towards him. "You are my nightmare. I wish I had never met you."

Before my father could reply, I caught sight of a movement in the bush in front of our house. I'm sure my father saw it too. Everything happened so fast, that he grabbed his gun, gunpowder, and other stuff he needed to hunt werewolves.

He ran out of the house without giving my mother a second look. That was what he was made for, and he did it effortlessly. How could he leave his wife in the middle of a serious conversation to chase werewolves?

I was shocked to see my mother standing in front of me. I didn't hear her leave the living room. She grabbed my hands tightly and dragged me into the room. "We are leaving now."

What? We are finally leaving this house. I don't know if I should be happy or sad. I just stood on the spot, my eyes followed my mother as she moved fast from the wardrobe to the bed.

She threw her clothes into a traveling bag, she grabbed her shoes, bags, books, and other things that belonged to her. She was so fast with it that, in a few minutes, she was done packing her stuff.

She moved quickly to my room. I watched her do the same thing in my room. Before I knew it, she had emptied my room into a traveling bag. She didn't even glance at me as she did her thing.

"Jazlyn! Downstairs now! Her voice was laced with urgency. My father must not meet her, she would be dead meat. The thought made me tremble with fear. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I took a last look at the living room before I closed the door behind me. This was a goodbye. I pray it will also be the final goodbye to my father.