School is out for the next three days for investigation into the damage in the halls. Though, there was more than just dented lockers and broken tiles. After Alex rode home with me, he disappeared into the woods near the house, returning to school to take the camera footage. He entered the school area from a different angle, so he was able to find Officer Giles, unconscious and bleeding from the head. Thankfully, police found him since Alex moved him to an easy-to-see spot near the parking lot after putting in a call. Because an officer had been attacked, the cooling anxiety around wolf attacks turned into a frenzy about violent thieves. The principal figured it would be best to let police handle some things while teachers sent us homework online. Even so, there’s a small light in this situation. Alex is texting me again
“I swear, this lil shit—”“Wait up!” “Can’t. Either you catch up or you go to class or something!” Despite how sudden the running is, I manage to not pull a muscle as I follow after Rita. I don’t exactly know why we’re rushing, but I have an inkling of an idea. As we approach the front doors to the school, I see security perk up, quickly getting themselves together. I recognize them dimly. Maybe from around the pool months back? “Sss-orry! Family Emerrrgency!” They pause long enough for Rita to get through the doors, with me following closely after. We do a quick right turn, running around to the side of the school. I’m almost certain of what she’s looki
I grunt as my body hits the ground, quickly looking over as I hear something crash into the trees. The man from the school night is back, his body twisted into the werewolf’s form. His gnarled teeth gnash as he turns, preparing to jump at me as his eyes glow in the low light of the overcast forest. He lets out something akin to a roar, and I scramble to my feet to run away. But Rita passes me, running toward him. Her body crackles and shifts, shoes left behind, as her smaller body gains a snout, sharp teeth, and claws. With an angry howl-like bark, she slashes toward his face, but he backs away. And just like that night in school, they begin trying to rip out each other’s throat as quickly as possible. I scramble to hide behind a tree and watch. My clothes get messy from the ground, my skirt feeling wet and tacky a
As I start explaining my logic to them, Alex and Rita calm down. Their expressions go from pensive to considering. Then, Alex tells me something shocking. “Actually…after we came back from the movies, that guy… He was there, watching your house.” My mouth gapes in shock. Then, the wolf growling and snarling I heard that night…that was Alex fighting him. And the next day, his eyes were brighter than usual. Even now, his eyes still have bright remnants of gold, and his smell is stronger than normal. Rita’s eyes are also gleaming, the smell of rosehip tea coming from her direction. I’m really not sure how other people don’t notice these things when it seems so obvious to me. “Fuck, okay,” Rita murmurs. “So, that guy was already after her from the jump.” &l
It takes some talking, convincing. I slide past details leading anywhere near werewolves, sticking to more human-based facts. She listens intently as I explain what I can to the best of my ability. At first, she balks immediately when I mention that I’d be leaving to help before school’s over, perhaps even missing graduation. We argument about me finishing classwork and ensuring my safety, not wanting me off in who knows where with a boy and his family. Neither of us budge on our points. Then, after a while, she sighs. “You’re serious about this?” I stare into her eyes, feeling every bit of passion I have in my body channeling through my veins. “The mossst serious I’ve been in my life.” She examines my resolve, looking for any chip or crack in it. Then, she hums, her shoulders sa
His fur is so soft, and, in spite of my fear, I feel such exhilaration!The wind is blowing in my hair and I feel so free, like I’m in a movie where the protagonist is running away with her werewolf boyfriend so they can be together…forever.Except in reality, I’m running away from another werewolf… a dangerous one … and I’m on my werewolf boyfriend’s back … to some werewolf camp I didn’t know existed.Not super romantic after all.Then there’s the reality that some random, dangerous werewolf could spring up at any moment.Not super reassuring.It isn’t long before the speed of Alex’s athleticism overtakes Rita, and he is leading us through the forest like a bullet train in an action movie.Only, the allure has worn off, and now I’m just cold, tired, and frightened.My eyes start to water, and the wind is starting to growl in my ears. If I could pull my hoodie tighter, I would. But I can’t spare the hand.Both Alex and Rita are running with such determination we seem to be flying thro
“He should have healed by now,” Alex says. I can hear the frustration in his voice.His body is so tense, it looks like a coil ready to spring.“There are things at work we don’t understand. But we’re trying to learn … ” his mother states in a soft, assuring tone.“So…we send for other healers. From another pack.” Alex insists.“We will wait for the next round of tests first,” his dad says. “They may tell us something.”“I feel like we’ve waited enough!” Alex snaps, his temper getting the best of him.It’s hard for me to watch Alex and see him in so much pain. He is usually so happy and carefree.His mother glares at him reproachfully, and Alex mumbles an apology.It’s interesting to witness this family dynamic. Twenty-four hours ago, I didn’t even know his parents’ names. I still don’t know his dad’s.All the while, Rita is unfazed.His mother’s face softens. Her voice drips with sympathy. “I understand your passion…your frustration. It is hard as a mother to watch my oldest son lyin
After our walk, it occurs to me I never called my mom. I bet she’s freaking out right now!Alex walks me back to his parents’ house. No one is home, so I have some privacy.If I had any doubt that Mom was worried before, the fact she picked it up before the first ring ended has dispelled it.“Hey, Mom.”“Cynthia! I was so worried! What took you so long to call?”“I’m sssorry, Mom. There. Was a lot. To do.”“But you’re okay—and everyone is safe?”“Yesss, Mom. We’re okay.”I hear a sigh through the phone. I feel bad. Even with everything going on, I can’t believe I forgot her.Her voice becomes stern, her tone deep. “Cynthia, this only works if you keep our deal.”“I-I know. Sorrr-ry.”“Can you tell me where you are?”“I don’t. Know where. Mount’ns.”“Okay. Make sure you leave your phone on all the time, so I can locate you if I have to.”“If,” I say with emphasis, to remind her that it was her last resort.“Yes—only if.”“Love you, Mom.”“I love you, too, baby.”“I’ll call tomorrow.”“