Night Stride

It's hard not to get wrapped up in the pressure of life. Missing father, mother working hard to take care of three children. A rotten town, filled with rotten people and rotten attitudes almost as rotten as the garbage that spreads across the streets, and in this town, lived a rotten son. One who didn't appreciate what was given to him - what was laid out for his sake. Instead, he'd rebel.

First, a harmless fire. Next, a stolen watch. Diego Munoz was everyone's idea of "that jackass punk kid". He'd have fun wherever and whenever he wanted - no matter what cost it had. Since the moment he could talk, it'd be a spew of vile words that came forth, since the moment he could walk, he'd be kicking down things that got in his way - or just because it annoyed him by standing there. Diego never needed much of a reason to do the things he did - he just did them. Not because he was troubled, or bothered, but because he wanted fun. He was selfish. And he should have known better. Like his brother.

His name goes unknown now, but Diego was once a twin to the complete opposite. The Other was the ideal perfect son. Even his handwriting was perfect. He had some sort of mutation over light - and had gained the nickname 'Lune'. He, and their older sister Adrianna, took lessons in fighting alongside keeping up with school. Diego, learned his fighting skills in school and on the streets.

"Mama" Munoz kept a busy life; Two kids, plus a rotten one, three jobs and night school. The father of the children disappeared long before the pregnancy was even known. No one knew him, aside from "Mama" Munoz and according to her, no one will. Strangely, this had no affect on Diego. He could care less if he knew his father or didn't - he was still in his own "me" time. The other two wished they knew - but they never pried. "Mama" had a few siblings, her own little family. Though, for unknown reasons, she was disowned, but kept in close contact with her sister 'Carlie' and her daughter, Maria. Who made quick friends with her cousins, aside from Diego - who constantly teased the poor girl.

Maria and Diego attended school together - going up until high school. 'Lune' and Adrianna attended a more 'high priced' school for teen-heroes. Since Diego didn't want to join the two, he got the lesser. Which he didn't mind. He had fun spray painting lockers, smoking weed in the bathrooms, stealing a few girls for closet fun. He's skipped class, to steal beer, to come back to another class completely smashed. Threw up on a teacher once, no lie. While Maria attempted to help him and his behavor issues, he refused. Party after party he continued to attend, even took a few virginities with him. Well, except this one girl. He passed out. Doesn't know about it, though.

Im sure you're curious for some juicey spoilers, huh? Who was the man that left Munoz family to fend by themselves? Why doesn't he know of the children? Did he love her? Was it a one-night stand?

Surprise! Mama Munoz has a few secrets of her own. Well, for one, her actual name is Carmen Munoz, daughter of Eloisa and Dimas Munoz, sibling of Eloy Munoz. An average student - not the best, but not the worst. Well liked in high-school. A few lost loves, like any normal teenager. She was one of the many students whom people could see getting out there in life - seeing the world, or changing it. And college was a big break for it.

Carmen's dream was to be an author of children books. She wanted to tell stories that'd carry on and on for generations. Passed down from one family, to another, to another - until it's as common as the Three Little Pigs. Big dreams, huh? She worked part-time as a waitress to help pay for college and supplies. Along with her, worked Adahy Sizemore, or "That Indian fine-ass", she'd tell her friends. He went to the same college for different, historical reasons. They bumped into each other a lot and eventually went out for coffee.

Adahy was from a small Cherokee tribe in Oklahoma. He was set free to find himself in books and landed upon the college that now both he and Carmen attend. For years the two dated, but never to marry. Adahy's parents wouldn't be too, uh, 'keen' on him marrying someone outside his race. Most of their 'dates' were kept a secret among close friends, but never for family to know. But things happen. Carmen was.. 'late'. As best as Adahy could, he took care of the child. They named her Kristal. A year later, Carmen - again, was late. Sadly, after finding that out - so was Adahy. Late to come home. Apparently the pressure of more children got the better of him - he really didn't want to introduce them to his family. Afraid of what they might say.

The now named 'Mama Munoz' couldn't seem to get the time of day to write her stories anymore. She attended night classes to be a nurse, thanking her close friends for watching over the now three children. The new additions were twins. Diego and [Name Unknown] Munoz. [Name Unknown] was more of the calm type, where as Diego.. another story, really. Once Mama Munoz graduated, she became an intern - and eventually, a great nurse.

Mama Munoz was sure good at stories, still. She'd tell them of one about a selfish native american hunter. Always said it was true - not that any of them believed her, you know? With their life, their daddy gone - they weren't so interested in magic. But, it did brighten their day - even if they didn't realize it.

The story began off with a selfish hunter. Waaay back before 'the white men came'. He was one of the best. Skilled, althetic, devishlishly handsome. All of that. Day after day he'd go off with the rest of his hunters, and find their food. No matter what - the 'hunter' always took the credit. An old woman told him, "You need to be careful." He'd tell her he's always careful. Nothing could touch him. In his eyes, he was God.

Not for long. The 'hunter' had defiled the chief's daughter. Deflowered her. Whatever you'd like to call it, Mama Munoz always used 'defiled' rather than the other. And so, big man on campus was thrown out. Exiled. Never to return to his home. "So what?" he thought. "I can grow my own corp. Begin my /own/ tribe." Wrong. He wasn't the one man army he thought he was. His cockiness got the better of him, and often made him miss his meal target. But, luck seemed to be on his side - for now. A black wolf hunted for him, and brought him meals. The hunter only greeted the wolf with sounds such as 'shoo! Beat it!'

Winter was coming soon, and he had no place to rest. .. and he thought it'd be a good idea to take the cave of a sleepy bear to rest in. Luck had ran out when the bear came home - seeking to kill whoever wants to steal his home. The hunter was no match for the beast, and he saw death's gate open. Only to shut, once the wolf again - gave the hunter luck. Attacking the bear, and risking his own in the process. The bear was taken down, but the wolf? Injured. Instead of helping the wolf, the hunter had skinned him and used the fur for a coat. The bear's fur was used as a bed and blanket.

I guess there was another piece of luck in that wolf. All winter, the hunter never felt cold. A good warm, he felt. The kind that makes you.. relax. Never too hot, never too cold. When winter ended - the hunter went to take off the coat, but found.. it wouldn't come off. It had grown into his skin over the winter. He, was becoming the wolf.

No one knows what happened after that. Some say he fully became the wolf, and seeks out selfish ones to warn them of what happened to him. Or that he wanders, alone. Paying forever for his mistakes.