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     A beating by Eben and his gang had become habit for Rob. He didn’t bother to run or hide anymore; he just walked out onto the football field and waited. The senior boys came from all sides down on top of the poor sophomore. It only took a few hits for the boy to cry for mercy. The begging was Eben’s favorite part.
     He grabbed the back of the boy’s shirt and threw him a little ways. “You can run on home to your family now.” He smiled as he saw the little boy’s blue eyes would soon be swelled shut. “I think we’ve had our fun for today.” The boy stood up and ran fast from the field; it was an unusually short one and he didn’t want to chance his luck.
     “Why so short, Eben? We were just getting started,” a crony whined.
     “I’ve got business to take care of. Find something else to entertain you for the evening.” Eben began to walk away from his followers, but not before hearing one whisper to the others “you know, it’s been two years today since Jake died.” Eben ignored the comment and continued to walk on.

     Eben sat before a grave that read “Jacob Marley”. He had placed a bouquet of red and white roses upon it. “I can’t believe it’s already been two years. It doesn’t get any easier though, man. Everyday is slow and painful without you. I wish I could have killed that damned freshmen.”
     “We asked for trouble and I got what I deserved and if you don’t change you’ll suffer a similar fate.”
     Eben froze at the sound of his best friend’s voice. Slowly he turned his head and saw Jake standing behind him. “Who are you?”
     “Don’t you recognize your best friend?” Jake stood before him, awaiting a response. “Three years isn’t that long.”
     “But, but your dead,” Eben paused, staring at the kid puzzled, “aren’t you?”
     Jake crossed his arms and looked mournfully at his pal. “That I am. And I could have changed that, but at least I can save you.”
     “What do you mean? You were murdered! Murdered by that crazy freshmen and if he hadn’t killed himself I would have avenged your death.”
     Jake continued to watch his friends with sad eyes. “I’ll forever regret the way we treated that kid and not only because it cost me my life. We were young; we were stupid; we didn’t know anything, but you can still change.”
     “Is this a joke? You’re dead and why should I change? Everything is fine as it is!” He glared at his friend. “Change. Change into what?”
     “A better person. Our bullying cost me my life and soon it will cost you yours. But you can change the future. You can change.”
     Eben stood up angrily and charged his friend. “Who the hell are you?” He dove at him, but he only fell to the ground and when he turned to look back, the boy was gone. “Whoever you were, that wasn’t funny!” He dusted himself off. “And you will pay when I find out who you are!”

     “You’ve stained another one of my shirts! That’s it! Get out before I pick you up and throw you out! I’ve had enough of your irresponsibility!”
     Eben slammed the door to his house and sat on the staircase. An argument with his father was not uncommon, though it was uncommon for him not to be beaten before being forced to leave.
     He laid his head upon his arms and stared across towards the forest. He allowed his gaze to wander, but as his eyes fell upon the bottom of the staircase he lost his breath. Before him stood a great white wolf with golden eyes staring intently on him.
     “Do not be frightened, Eben.”
     The boy stood fast and looked all around him, but the only living creature other than himself was the wolf that stood before him. “Who said that?” He continued to look around, avoiding the gaze of the white wolf. “I’m just imagining things. I’m just upset.” He dared to look at the wolf. “Go away! There’s no food here!”
     “I did not come for food. I came for you.”
     Eben froze. The muzzle of the creature hadn’t moved, but it was her thoughts he heard. “Another joke. I swear I’ll kill you when I find out who you are!” But he continued to stare deep into the golden eyes. He knew this was no joke.
     “Come. There is little time.”
     Eben stood and questions that any sensible human would ask ran through his mind, but he remained silent and followed the white wolf down the road, hoping no one was watching. When they came to the edge of a forest the wolf stopped and faced him. “What do you want with me? What is going on?”
     “You’ve lived a hard life Eben. You’ve endured the abuse of two parents who never wanted you. You’ve been touched by love that suddenly left you behind. You’ve lost your best friend to death. You’ve lived a hard life.”
     The memories almost brought Eben to tears, but he managed to hide the tremble in his voice. “What do you know? How do you know all of this?”
     “My name is Clotho and your best friend has begged me to spare your life. He has begged me to show you how you can change your future.”
     He could not quell his rage. “My best friend is dead. He died two years ago. Why all the sudden, is this coming to haunt me?”
     “Has it not haunted you since that day you sat in a puddle of your friend’s blood, holding his hand until he breathed his last breathe? Have you not dreamt of saving his life at the risk of your own? He is gone and there is nothing you can do for him except allow him to rest easy. And the only way you can do that is if you change your future.”
     Eben paced back and forth, avoiding the wolf’s gaze. “What is going to happen? What needs to change?”
     “Perhaps my sister shall provide a better answer.” The white wolf’s fur darkened before Eben’s eyes. Had one not seen the transformation they may have believed it to be the same wolf.
     “Your actions are unforgivable, but it is not too late. You’ve abused the power you’ve been given, but it is not too late to turn around.”
     Eben could hear the change in the tone. Clotho had a younger voice, this wolf sounded older, wiser, but still young. “Who are you?”
     “I am Lachesis and I am to show you the error of your ways. Follow.”
     Eben followed the gray wolf to a tree that had long been dying. “We are guardians, we have a lot of power. I can do anything I please. Observe.” The tree burst into flames.
     “How could you do that? There was life in that tree!”
     “How could you harm an innocent child? He never did anything to you! Besides, while I possess the power of destruction, I usually choose the power of growth.” From the ashes a sprout appeared which continued to transform into a fully blossoming tree. “You too have both those powers, but you are using the wrong one. Come.”
     Eben had become fascinated with the wolves and no longer feared to follow them. It was much more interesting than anything he would do otherwise. After walking down the road, long past Eben’s house, they came to a dismantled house that had been in disrepair for many years. “Isn’t this that kid’s house?”
     “Yes, that kid. Poor little Robbie. He doesn’t have anything. Look through the window, he won’t spot you.”
     Eben crept up to window slowly and gasped at the sight. Rob had wounds all over his back. Blood was dripping to the floor, as his father whipped him with a belt. “I didn’t know.”
     “No, you didn’t know, but does that really excuse your behavior? Did you think you were the only one who suffered abusive parents? That is why your darling Bella left you wasn’t it? Because you always felt sorry for yourself and you never saw that others were living a life quite similar to your own. We could look upon her window, but I believe my time has run out.”
     “But wait, I don’t know what to do. How can I change the past?” As he spoke, he saw the wolf begin to transform. Her fur darkened again and her eyes glowed green.
     “You can never change the past; you can only change the future.” Eben noted that this wolf had the voice of an elder.
     “Who are you? What have you come to show me?”
     “I am Atropos. Come, look through this window now.” Eben walked from the window of the now empty kitchen, to the window of Rob’s bedroom. The new sight was more shocking than the prior.
     Rob sat on his bed, sobbing, holding a revolver in both his hands. Eben watched as the boy clamed himself and placed the revolver in his box and slid it back under his bed.
     “I understand now. We all live hard lives and Jake and I we just made kids’ lives harder. But how do I change this? I’m the leader. They’ll beat me up if I wimp out.”
     “You said you understood and you do. The decisions are up to you now. You’ve been blessed, but the road you choose must be a choice you make yourself. A great man named Edmund Burke said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” You choose your fate.”
     The black wolf faded before his eyes and Eben almost screamed in a panic.

     A beating by Eben and his gang had become habit for Rob. He didn’t bother to run or hide anymore; he just walked out onto the football field and waited. The senior boys came from all sides down on top of the poor sophomore. It only took a few hits before all movement stopped with the cry of “Wait!”

Description
     A beating by Eben and his gang had become habit for Rob. He didn’t bother to run or hide anymore; he just walked out onto the football field and waited. The senior boys came from all sides down on top of the poor sophomore. It only took a few hits for the boy to cry for mercy. The begging was Eben’s favorite part.
     He grabbed the back of the boy’s shirt and threw him a little ways. “You can run on home to your family now.” He smiled as he saw the little boy’s blue eyes would soon be swelled shut. “I think we’ve had our fun for today.” The boy stood up and ran fast from the field; it was an unusually short one and he didn’t want to chance his luck.
     “Why so short, Eben? We were just getting started,” a crony whined.
     “I’ve got business to take care of. Find something else to entertain you for the evening.” Eben began to walk away from his followers, but not before hearing one whisper to the others “you know, it’s been two years today since Jake died.” Eben ignored the comment and continued to walk on.

     Eben sat before a grave that read “Jacob Marley”. He had placed a bouquet of red and white roses upon it. “I can’t believe it’s already been two years. It doesn’t get any easier though, man. Everyday is slow and painful without you. I wish I could have killed that damned freshmen.”
     “We asked for trouble and I got what I deserved and if you don’t change you’ll suffer a similar fate.”
     Eben froze at the sound of his best friend’s voice. Slowly he turned his head and saw Jake standing behind him. “Who are you?”
     “Don’t you recognize your best friend?” Jake stood before him, awaiting a response. “Three years isn’t that long.”
     “But, but your dead,” Eben paused, staring at the kid puzzled, “aren’t you?”
     Jake crossed his arms and looked mournfully at his pal. “That I am. And I could have changed that, but at least I can save you.”
     “What do you mean? You were murdered! Murdered by that crazy freshmen and if he hadn’t killed himself I would have avenged your death.”
     Jake continued to watch his friends with sad eyes. “I’ll forever regret the way we treated that kid and not only because it cost me my life. We were young; we were stupid; we didn’t know anything, but you can still change.”
     “Is this a joke? You’re dead and why should I change? Everything is fine as it is!” He glared at his friend. “Change. Change into what?”
     “A better person. Our bullying cost me my life and soon it will cost you yours. But you can change the future. You can change.”
     Eben stood up angrily and charged his friend. “Who the hell are you?” He dove at him, but he only fell to the ground and when he turned to look back, the boy was gone. “Whoever you were, that wasn’t funny!” He dusted himself off. “And you will pay when I find out who you are!”

     “You’ve stained another one of my shirts! That’s it! Get out before I pick you up and throw you out! I’ve had enough of your irresponsibility!”
     Eben slammed the door to his house and sat on the staircase. An argument with his father was not uncommon, though it was uncommon for him not to be beaten before being forced to leave.
     He laid his head upon his arms and stared across towards the forest. He allowed his gaze to wander, but as his eyes fell upon the bottom of the staircase he lost his breath. Before him stood a great white wolf with golden eyes staring intently on him.
     “Do not be frightened, Eben.”
     The boy stood fast and looked all around him, but the only living creature other than himself was the wolf that stood before him. “Who said that?” He continued to look around, avoiding the gaze of the white wolf. “I’m just imagining things. I’m just upset.” He dared to look at the wolf. “Go away! There’s no food here!”
     “I did not come for food. I came for you.”
     Eben froze. The muzzle of the creature hadn’t moved, but it was her thoughts he heard. “Another joke. I swear I’ll kill you when I find out who you are!” But he continued to stare deep into the golden eyes. He knew this was no joke.
     “Come. There is little time.”
     Eben stood and questions that any sensible human would ask ran through his mind, but he remained silent and followed the white wolf down the road, hoping no one was watching. When they came to the edge of a forest the wolf stopped and faced him. “What do you want with me? What is going on?”
     “You’ve lived a hard life Eben. You’ve endured the abuse of two parents who never wanted you. You’ve been touched by love that suddenly left you behind. You’ve lost your best friend to death. You’ve lived a hard life.”
     The memories almost brought Eben to tears, but he managed to hide the tremble in his voice. “What do you know? How do you know all of this?”
     “My name is Clotho and your best friend has begged me to spare your life. He has begged me to show you how you can change your future.”
     He could not quell his rage. “My best friend is dead. He died two years ago. Why all the sudden, is this coming to haunt me?”
     “Has it not haunted you since that day you sat in a puddle of your friend’s blood, holding his hand until he breathed his last breathe? Have you not dreamt of saving his life at the risk of your own? He is gone and there is nothing you can do for him except allow him to rest easy. And the only way you can do that is if you change your future.”
     Eben paced back and forth, avoiding the wolf’s gaze. “What is going to happen? What needs to change?”
     “Perhaps my sister shall provide a better answer.” The white wolf’s fur darkened before Eben’s eyes. Had one not seen the transformation they may have believed it to be the same wolf.
     “Your actions are unforgivable, but it is not too late. You’ve abused the power you’ve been given, but it is not too late to turn around.”
     Eben could hear the change in the tone. Clotho had a younger voice, this wolf sounded older, wiser, but still young. “Who are you?”
     “I am Lachesis and I am to show you the error of your ways. Follow.”
     Eben followed the gray wolf to a tree that had long been dying. “We are guardians, we have a lot of power. I can do anything I please. Observe.” The tree burst into flames.
     “How could you do that? There was life in that tree!”
     “How could you harm an innocent child? He never did anything to you! Besides, while I possess the power of destruction, I usually choose the power of growth.” From the ashes a sprout appeared which continued to transform into a fully blossoming tree. “You too have both those powers, but you are using the wrong one. Come.”
     Eben had become fascinated with the wolves and no longer feared to follow them. It was much more interesting than anything he would do otherwise. After walking down the road, long past Eben’s house, they came to a dismantled house that had been in disrepair for many years. “Isn’t this that kid’s house?”
     “Yes, that kid. Poor little Robbie. He doesn’t have anything. Look through the window, he won’t spot you.”
     Eben crept up to window slowly and gasped at the sight. Rob had wounds all over his back. Blood was dripping to the floor, as his father whipped him with a belt. “I didn’t know.”
     “No, you didn’t know, but does that really excuse your behavior? Did you think you were the only one who suffered abusive parents? That is why your darling Bella left you wasn’t it? Because you always felt sorry for yourself and you never saw that others were living a life quite similar to your own. We could look upon her window, but I believe my time has run out.”
     “But wait, I don’t know what to do. How can I change the past?” As he spoke, he saw the wolf begin to transform. Her fur darkened again and her eyes glowed green.
     “You can never change the past; you can only change the future.” Eben noted that this wolf had the voice of an elder.
     “Who are you? What have you come to show me?”
     “I am Atropos. Come, look through this window now.” Eben walked from the window of the now empty kitchen, to the window of Rob’s bedroom. The new sight was more shocking than the prior.
     Rob sat on his bed, sobbing, holding a revolver in both his hands. Eben watched as the boy clamed himself and placed the revolver in his box and slid it back under his bed.
     “I understand now. We all live hard lives and Jake and I we just made kids’ lives harder. But how do I change this? I’m the leader. They’ll beat me up if I wimp out.”
     “You said you understood and you do. The decisions are up to you now. You’ve been blessed, but the road you choose must be a choice you make yourself. A great man named Edmund Burke said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” You choose your fate.”
     The black wolf faded before his eyes and Eben almost screamed in a panic.

     A beating by Eben and his gang had become habit for Rob. He didn’t bother to run or hide anymore; he just walked out onto the football field and waited. The senior boys came from all sides down on top of the poor sophomore. It only took a few hits before all movement stopped with the cry of “Wait!”