Jordan was walking home from the New York Founding Academy for the young and gifted. It's an academy where the supernatural can learn to become natural. Or as the slogan tells you. It was just another terrible day not having a power and going to this school. Everyone had one, he was the only person to exist to not have an ability. He knew that wasn't true but he really felt it at times.
When he walked in the house Jordan was there long enough to drop his bags off and walk out to the woods. He really needed a place to collect his thoughts before being met with his father. The woods were these big trees behind the house. He knew this was a calming place, James always talked about it. But he never really understood why they had them. James always loved to come back here. He said it was calming and magical, the best place to calm down. He knew that this could just be a James things, but he really needed a place that he could just exist and not be anyone or anything for once.
Jordan walked towards a large cottonwood tree, the tree is what gave the magical vibe to the forest. The tree was this big mythical looking cottonwood that had branches practically falling off the base but floating at the same time. It was the oldest one here and he could swear it looked like it just grew, there were trees all around it but they even looked older. Jordan could see the cotton from the tree flying in the wind, it looked like magic flowing off of the branches. With how the late afternoon sun lit up the forest it made this calming scene that just allowed Jordan to breath. He was brought out of his gape by this feeling of danger and warning from the forest, it felt like he should run, so he started to back up from the tree when he heard this snarling behind him.
Jordan tried to turn to find the sound but nothing seemed to be there. To him the snarl belonged to a wolf, but this was New York, and there weren't wild wolves in New York. However, he knew of one thing that could sound like a wolf, and he didn't want to meet them. So Jordan did the one thing he could rationally think of doing, he turned around and ran. Though he didn't make it very far as he stumbled, tripped and fell over a tree stump. When he tried to get back up he saw what he could only describe as a man with yellow glowing eyes and long dark hair hovering around him. This man moved extremely quickly, almost inhumanly fast, and left a blur behind him.
When he registered the man moved, it was to late. He didn't have time to comprehend what just happened as a searing pain in his right arm took all his attention away. It was as if he took a flat iron to his arm and left it there. He squeezed his eyes shut, and gritted his teeth; trying his best not to scream. When he finally opened them and looked around he came to find out that the wolf-man was gone.
"I really don't know how James likes these woods." He thought aloud, as he laid down next to the tree stump that he tripped over. Every movement caused another spout of searing pain, to shoot through his arm. He didn't know if he could move from this spot, but he knew he'd have to.
Jordan laid in the same spot for what felt seemed like hours but was truly a couple of minutes. When he stood up and looked at where his arm was burning he noticed it was covered in blood. It was hard to tell where the injury was in the darkness given by the trees, but it seemed as if he had a large bite mark on his lower arm. It unsettlingly looked like a dog bite, but he could've sworn it was a man who bit him. With this information in mind, started to panic. He knew that his father was prejudice against the supernatural. If he ever became what his father hated, he would be an even bigger disappointment.
He shook his head and looked at where he was. 'A man, it would have to be, or I must've hallucinated it and cut my arm when I tripped. There are no werewolves in this part of town.' Jordan thought as he looked at where he was. He was at least a mile away from the house and felt as if someone was watching him. 'Hopefully I am right, and it was just an hallucination.' He thought as he walked, read stumbled, the woods heading back home.
After about half the mile back he fell, wincing as his arm rubbed against his shirt. Jordan laid there for about two minutes then got back up and stumbled some more. The bite was making his arm numb. His left side felt like it was burning, and he was dizzy and lightheaded, making everything seemed to mix in his vision. Jordan couldn't see straight he'd look at one thing and then it would move. There wasn't a place on his body that didn't hurt, as if he was running a high fever. He didn't think anything could bring relief to the torture.
When Jordan got to the house he saw the door was wide open. He didn't have time to question as he stumbled in, almost falling face first on the door mat. When he got into the hallway, he used the wall to lean against, as he slowly made each step. It felt as if he had sandbags weighing him down. When he finally made it to the living room all he saw was black dots dancing in the air. His ears were ringing, and his chest felt like he had fire in his lungs. He had to shake his head a few times to finally get the black dots go away, but in doing so caused the world to spin even more. Which he realized to late, as he fell against the wall even more, catching Oliver's attention as he looked over at his son and gasped. "Jordan!"
Oliver was this 6 foot tall man. He had brown wavy short hair, that he had passed down to his son. His eyes were this golden grey color but became fully gold when he used his metal bending ability. All memories Jordan had of his father, was him telling his son how much of a disappointment he was to his father. No matter how much he tried to do right, it wasn't enough. Jordan was the next in line to take over the family business, but he was powerless, in the literal sense- he was lucky to get into the academy when he did. Oliver always pushed Jordan to the extreme, no matter what the subject was; math problems, writing an essay, shooting a man.
"What happened? Why is your arm bleeding?" Oliver panicked while grabbing Jordan's arm.
"Nothing..." He slurred while stumbling over air, barely catching himself before he fell again.
"Jordan?" James asked, concern lacing his voice.
James LoupGarou, he was Jordan's best friend. He was apart of every core memory Jordan can think of. Sneaking out the play in woods, James was right by his side. Sneaking out to their first house party, they did it together. Now, Jordan can only think of how cute James is when he brushes his hair out of his face. How his arms pulse when he cuts the wood for fires. How blue his eyes are when the sunlight hits them just right. How he really is his best friend and how he shouldn't have a massive crush on him.
James looked him over for visible injuries, then his eyes landed on the bite on his arm and he sucked in a breathe. Jordan didn't think it looked that bad, but when he looked at his arm where James was looking he realized how bad it truly looked. It was covered in new and dried blood, dirt and grass, and it was starting to swell. The wound had six tooth marks, the four canines being more prominent. James took another deep breath before looking at Jordan's father. "I need a bowl of warm water, a cloth, and some first aid. Also make sure to get some antibiotics, this is definitely infected." He instructed, Oliver nodded then left.
James stepped closer to Jordan and guided him to the couch. Which probably would've been easier if Jordan could see straight. But he was starting to struggle to stay awake.
"Did I ever tell you, you are really pretty." Jordan slurred, reaching to touch James' face.
"And you are burning up." James said, sitting Jordan down on the couch. "I need to know what happened. Jordan, what bit you?"
Jordan hesitated, "You won't believe me."
"Really, try me." James said, pushing Jordan's hair out of his face. Jordan looked down, before he shook his head. "Okay, so let me guess," James paused before he continued on, "a guy with glowing eyes in the woods tackled you and the proceeded to bite you?" James guessed while inspecting Jordan's arm.
"Oddly specific, but," Jordan paused taking a deep breathe as James pressed down around the wound. His long brown hair falling in his face, making his blue eyes look like the midnight sky. "Yeah, how did know?" Jordan asked looking away from James.
"Because..." James cut his myself off before spread the wound open to see if it would need stitches. "Its a long story."
Jordan shook his head, "I can't really go anywhere."
James looked up,"Listen Jordan-" A opening door caused them both the look up. James ran his hand through his hair as he looked away, making it fall randomly. "Jordan, next Friday you have to come with me to the woods. I need to show you something." He looked at Jordan with a worried look he has never seen on James' face before.
With James' eyes shining with tears and concern, Jordan couldn't say no. "Okay." He agreed reluctantly. 'First I get bitten by a guy in a strange magical forest and now James is acting weirder than usual.' Jordan thought, searching James' face for any sign of joking.
Oliver returned with a cloth, a small bowl of warm water, and a first aid kit. He set it all down in front of James, than sat next to his son.
"You don't have to be in here." James looked at him, his eyes showed concern and pity, bit like they did just a second before.
Oliver looked over at Jordan, "I'm not leaving him. I can't leave him right now." James nodded as he grabbed the cloth and dipped it in the water.
Jordan knew his father was up to something. Never once did he care about Jordan being hurt, not when he was in the hospital with the flu. Not when he broke his arm and had to have surgery. Jordan decided to just play along, and let his father have his fun. Oliver handed his son a pillow, 'to squeeze in case of pain'. He had a feeling it was so he could see how much pain he was actually in. Jordan knew this was a test, don't show pain. How his father could use this a teaching moment, he didn't know, but he was doing it. Jordan was not one to voice his pain out loud, now lets see if he can control his bodies reactions to it.
Once the cloth was wet enough James grabbed his arm and started to dab off the dirt and blood. Just using water was like torture to Jordan. Which he knew is what his father was hoping for. With each dab James took at his arm, Jordan held his breath. He couldn't let it be shown he was in pain. He had to provail.
James pulled Jordan out of his thoughts with a dreaded sentence. "Jordan? I am going to have to wipe it with alcohol okay..." James put down the cloth and opened the kit. He grabbed out some gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, wipes, and medical tape. "This is going to sting." James said apologetically as he opened the package and pulled it out. He looked at Jordan with an apologetic look, then started to clean the wound.
Jordan hissed and squeezed the pillow Oliver gave him. Knowing this result in a punishment later, Jordan huffed, trying his hardest to keep his screams on the inside. He was surprised he didn't black out on his back here with how much dried blood was cleaned off. Jordan knew that the pain was a good sign, and it meant he won't have nerve damage, but damn it why can't it just not hurt this bad.
Jordan was so happy when James put the wipe down when he was sure the wound was clean, and with the dry part of the cloth patted around the wound to dry it. He put the ointment on the wound; just to be safe, and placed a pad on top. Jordan knew that this had to be done, but man did that hurt like a bitch. James held it on at the sides, once he was sure it was steady he took away his hands and grabbed the tape. James put tape on all four sides, then wiped off around the pad.
"Okay Jor'," James got in front of Jordan's face, "when this heals you have to tell me. Okay?" James said with his now bright sky blue eyes pleading.
Jordan nodded, drunkenly, "Yeah. James I get it. Thanks." He said still in pain from the wipes, and out of breath from holding it way too long.
When Jeremiah came in with some pain pills and antibiotics, he was never told who needed them. Jeremiah was this small thin man, who Jordan has known his entire life. He was always in plaid shirts and jeans. When Oliver left to get the first aid kit, he had Jeremiah get some medicine and bring it to the living room. He looked at them noticing James cleaning the table from the bloody wipes, cloth, and water.
Jeremiah came into everyone's sight, "What the hell guys?! We have an infirmary for a reason!" He huffed. Jordan found this ridiculous , why did they even have an infirmary.
"We didn't perform surgery, I was just cleaning a wound Jordan got here with." James said, putting all the bloody and used supplies in a bin.
"What?!" Ethan asked. Everyone turned towards him unaware when he got there. Ethan was this tall muscular man, he had this a small beard, that if you commented on he would get offended real quickly. He was the closest thing he had to a mother, after his mother was killed. He was the glue holding the family together, his ability over emotions helped to.
"Oh...hey there Papa, want to see my cool bandage." Jordan said. Ethan shook his head before coming over and sitting next to Oliver.
He patted Jordan's head with a soft smile, "Buddy, do you remember what happened?"
Jordan looked over at his father, "Hey Dad. Can I skip school tomorrow? T.J. can bring me all my work." Jordan asked Oliver, avoiding Ethan's question.
"It depends on how bad your wound is and if you can stand." His father answered looking at him, or well his ankle. Jordan felt like this was another test, but he had no clue why his father would do another test so close to the past failed one.
"What do you mean by stand? I can stand just fine." He said getting up to prove his point, but ended up wincing at the pain that shot up in his ankle. It felt like he had just put his foot in a tub of water full of electrified eels. When he sat down Jordan looked down at it. His ankle was crooked and bruised. It looked like a painting with every blue out there. Jordan shook his head, he must've of done that when he was running. But now he failed another test.
James grabbed some Ace Bandage and wrapped Jordan's ankle. Jordan started chuckling, making James look up at him. "Mind telling the secret joke?" James asked smiling, glad Jordan was laughing instead of holding in screams. To Jordan when James smiled it was like everyone else melted away.
"It wouldn't be a secret joke if I did." He sarcastically answered, locked in James' eyes once again. James shook his head, a light chuckle escaping his lips.
Luna walked in and sat down beside Jordan. "Hey there Jor', so what happened that made Nurse James come out." Luna teased, pushing James' shoulder. Luna was this young-looking woman with long white hair, her light blue eyes contrasting with her hair. James glared at her only to receive a knowing smirk in return. "I...don't know. Ask Nurse James." Jordan said not meeting Luna's eyes. The adrenaline was wearing off, and the pain meds finally kicked in. Luna looked at James, not having to verbally ask. She was understanding that Jordan didn't want to answer.
"Jordan got bit by something in the woods. Don't worry I dealt with it." James explained quietly, while grabbing a blue camping backpack. James headed off to his room to fill the bag. Jordan turned towards Luna, tears forming in his eyes.
"Hey Oli, I'm gonna take Jordan to his room." Oliver nodded, shooing them off with a swaying motion with his hand. When Luna picked Jordan up, he was quicky reminded of the lightheadedness he had moments ago. He gripped onto Luna's shoulder, taking a deep breath to try and sooth his spinning head. He was very happy when he was laid onto his bed, and put his head down trying to calm his stomach.
"Jordan, what really happened?" Luna asked, sitting next to the young man.
"Werewolf." Jordan said before he broke down. He couldn't deal with this anymore. He already was dealing with the random test his father was sending his way on top of school, he didn't need this too. Jordan took a deep breath trying to calm his tears, when James entered the room with the blue camping backpack he grabbed in the living room earlier.
"Bring this when I come and get you." He said softly, while setting the bag against Jordan's desk. . He nodded, he knew what his best friend meant. Jordan laid on the twin size bed and covered himself with his black and red blanket. When they got it his father kept joking about how Jordan was slowly turning into a vampire. He laughed and said he would prefer to be a werewolf at least he didn't have to die first for that. He received a glare for that comment but laughed it off anyway.
When Jordan woke up and headed to the bathroom to change the bandage, he wasn't in any pain. His fever and dizziness was gone, and he actually felt refreshed. He took off the gauze and looked at his arm. When he wiped away the dry blood, he realized it was healed. Where the bite was hours ago, was nothing. Not even a scar. Jordan ran into his room and grabbed his phone. As the phone rang, he kept looking at where the wound should be. Hs breathing was more and more rapid. He couldn't deal with this. How was he supposed to tell his father?
James looked at his phone to seeing the exact thing he didn't want it to at the moment, Jordan's contact.
"James its healed. What do I do? It wasn't supposed to heal this fast. It shouldn't of. I can't be-"
James looked down and sighed, "Nothing you can do. Just try and stay calm." Once he hung up, James threw his phone on the bed and sighed. "Why him...out of everyone here why him?"
Jordan sat down on his bed and looked down at his phone, the contact for James still on his screen. Turning off his phone, he looked down at his ankle, it was completely healed. No swelling, no pain, just there. He stood up to see if it hurt at all, before he remembered he walked to and from the bathroom and it never once did.
Jordan thought back to the conversation he had with his father about if he ever did get his powers, and what they might be. It was one of the only times Oliver willingly talked about his mother.
"Dad, what do think my powers will be?" A little Jordan asked.
"Jordan your mom had ice powers, and I have metal. So yours will probably also be elemental related, but if you don't ever get your powers its fine. Just remember as long as you don't turn into a wolf, or any other rabid creature. I am fine with any power you have." Jordan never understood his hatred against the wolves, but then again he never thought to ask.