Chapter 12: Are Those Claws and Fur?

*Jenny*

"Welcome to our humble home.", I exclaimed as we reached our apartment and opened the door. Chloe was so thrilled she quickly ran inside and sat by our couch. Clay was embarrassed by his sister's action but he just sighed.

"Sorry for the intrusion Milady." He said as we entered and with me closing the door. Ugh, that Milady again. Clay sat beside Chloe who looked so comfy on our couch. She's so cute I can't help to smile.

"You're not intruding, you're my guests!". I briefly took my stuff to my room. Then I turned on the TV as I return. "Um Clay, you know you can call me by my name or just Ms. Jenny or something.", he tilted his head may be wondering why I said that.

"Do you not like being called 'Milady'?". He asked me straight away. Huh, kids these days. I half smiled then sat beside him, "No, but 'Milady' is for a fine woman with class and power, I'm just a normal lady.". It's a good thing that Ebony cannot be home tonight, she will be spending the night at the hospital for her sister. Otherwise, she will be laughing at me right now.

"But you helped us even though we are strangers, that's a fine woman to me.", he stated that made me dumbfounded.

"Big sister is pretty too!", Chloe exclaimed which made me chuckle. These kids know how to flatter.

"Alright, alright, you may call me whatever you want.", And for the first time, I saw Clay smile while Chloe looked so proud of herself. I stood up and asked them, "Who wants some ice cream?". Ha! the twinkles in their eyes.

After our little treat, I got them to bed. In my room, I prepared my sleeping bag which was for me, the children will sleep in my bed. As I was tucking them to bed, Clay looked a bit lost.

"Hey, what's the matter, Clay?".

"Milady, are you really fine with us sleeping in your bed? We can sleep on the floor if you want to.". Oh this kid, is he really just 11 years old? I smiled again and pat his head, "It's fine, growing kids need to sleep in a proper bed, okay?".

"But the floor's cold, can you not sleep with us in the bed too? We'll make space.", Haha, he doesn't back down so easily, eh. I giggled and lightly shook my head, "My bed is single-sized, we can't fit beside, I'm not exactly sleeping on the floor, I have my sleeping bag.". After that assuring phrases, Clay finally laid his head and slept. Chloe was clinging tight to her brother's arms and they look so peaceful.

After locking my doors and dimming our lights, I went to sleep too. I kind of lie to the kid because even with my sleeping bag, I can still feel the cold floor. Well, I'd rather have this than make the kids sleep on the floor.

It was a quiet night until something woke me up. What is that scratching noise? I slowly stood up and checked my phone, it was just two in the morning. Maybe it's Ebony? Does she need something? I made my way to my door and slightly opened it to peak whether it was really Ebony, good thing that I didn't think otherwise.

I saw that our main door was opened and a figure was roaming around, checking for something. Someone broke into our apartment! Fearing for the children, I slowly closed the door back and quietly locked it. I was relieved I wasn't trembling though I am very terrified right now.

I quickly but quietly woke the children up then we hid inside my closet. Chloe started sobbing, she is scared, heck me too but I need to stay calm for their sake. My fear grew when we heard the door get unlocked and a masked man entered. I can see him through the spaces in my closet door. Our panting hitches when he started approaching my closet. I won't let anything happen to these kids so I muster up my courage and told Clay in a low voice, "Whatever happens, you two run.".

"Milady-".

Without any hesitation, I ran out of the closet surprising the culprit and able to pin him down the floor. "RUN!" I yelled to them. The two hurriedly ran out of the room. It gave me some relief knowing they'll be out but then I was kicked away. I hit the wall while he ran after the kids. Adrenaline made me stand up and remember the baseball bat that I hid under my bed. I took it and went out.

I was just in time to hit the man's back as he managed to catch the children. That hit made him let go of them and turned to me, but I just hit him again. This time in the face.

"GO!-" I managed to shout but the guy held my neck with his left hand. He squeezed my neck, choking me. I was gasping for air, I had to let go of the bat and tried to get his hand off my neck. What's worst is that he lifted me up, now I can't feel the floor at my feet. How is he so strong? He is lifting me by one hand! He then slammed me by the wall without releasing me. I was getting hazy but I can still clearly see that the man had a clawed gauntlet in his right hand, similar to Wolverine's claws. I was afraid of what he might do to me but I am more afraid of what he will do with the children. I can see the siblings not far from us. They were trembling and afraid. Chloe was crying so hard while Clay was obviously fighting his tears but it still flowed. I could only mouth the word 'run' to them and then I felt sharp edges pierce my body. I gagged out blood from my mouth. Its bitter metallic taste fills my throat. I glanced below and saw that the guy did stab me with his weapon.

He then threw me near the children. I was spilling so much blood that I can't even speak anymore. The kids kneeled to me, they were crying. I tried moving but my body won't listen and just trembles. However, to my surprise, Clay stood up before me and spread his arms open protecting me. While Chloe was by his side clutching his t-shirt. No, you two should go. I wanted to tell them to run and leave me. The man stood tall in front of them and he was about to slice them up too. I could only cry at the sight.

No, please no, not the children...

Then the following events made me question my reality. Firstly, I felt a terrifying presence then I saw a male figure rush in front of the children and struck the man. This newcomer seems familiar, this wavy redhead. It was him. And then, although my vision was getting blurry, some of his features were engraved in my mind. His face, his hands, and his arms; are those claws and fur?

My eyes felt heavy and the cold was engulfing me. I'm so sleepy, I couldn't fight it anymore. The last thing I saw was Noel's bloodied face, looking so deadly yet broken at the sight of me.