Shadows Lurking

October 15th, 2005 – Saturday, 11:55am

Corey continues grumbling as he kicks more rocks toward the iron gate. He’s been in a mood since this morning. Mattheo says it’s only because he doesn’t want to see his dad. According to all three boys, Collin Woods is a real nasty piece of work. None of them would openly discuss what that means, but I can only guess it doesn’t mean anything good. I won’t assume his situation is anything like mine was though. Making that mistake with Mattheo and Nicholas has taught me to collect more evidence before assuming.

“Can’t we just beg them to let James come with us?” Corey pleads for the fifth time since we’ve been waiting here. “He never gets left out of anything. Why should we start separating now?”

“You know why,” Mattheo sighs out.

Corey casts a side glance at me, clearly not appreciating my presence suddenly. “Yeah, I do.”

Quirking a brow, I ask him, “Me- I’m the reason James isn’t allowed to come with us?”

“No-”

“Yes.”

The two boys stare at one another now, at a clear standstill. Corey is stiff, ready to pounce at any moment, and Mattheo seems to be just as tense. The smaller boy begins releasing a breathy growl, one that sounds like nothing threatening. Mattheo’s lips curl back and his extended canines make an appearance. The two are normally so composed with one another, but now it seems as though their at odds with each other.

“That’s enough, boys.” Nicholas finally stands just outside of the gates. “What are you two fighting about this time?”

This time. So, they fight more than they’ve let on. The whole time I’ve been around them though they’ve never argued or fought once. Seeing their parents must be a trigger for them to react this way with each other.

“Nothing,” Mattheo grumbles. He then glances at his father. “Where’s the town drunk?”

Nicholas gives his son a disapproving look, one that Mattheo shrugs off. “Collin is waiting for us at the end of the road. Now, let’s go and greet him, like proper gentlemen.”

The father and son stare at one another until Corey finally pushes past them both. Now that their staring contest has been interrupted, Nicholas finally takes notice of me. His smile barely registers as he motions for me and Mattheo to walk ahead of him. Mattheo grumbles while nodding his head for me to follow him, and I oblige.

The walk to the end of the dirt path is the same as the very first one with Kerum. Everything seems darkened by the alcove of trees, each one craning overhead as if to shield us from the entirety of the sky. It’s almost like walking through a tunnel.

At the end of the path, Corey stands with a man that looks nothing like him. While Corey has tanned skin, dark hair, and brown eyes, his father has fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. From a distance, as a stranger on the outside, you’d think Corey was adopted by this man.

Collin Woods stands tall, taller than Nicholas even, with a relaxed posture and calm demeanor. If I’ve learned anything from my years with Noah, it’s that a calm man, even when angry, is a dangerous one.

“Ah, Nick!” The man holds his arm out. “Took you a minute.”

Nicholas then grabs the man’s arm with his own and they hold forearms in a strange embrace. “Yes, well these bunch are rather rambunctious, much like us in our youth no doubt.”

Collins eyes drift to the side, and I can now visibly understand what the boys had meant by Corey’s dad being a nasty piece of work. The small boy shudders under his father’s gaze and that ugly heat spreads through my chest. A fire ignites inside me at seeing the trembling frame of my friend, but I don’t dare take a step forward. I know better than anyone that me stepping in would only cause more trouble for Corey back at home.

“The boy wasn’t too much of a problem, was he?” Collins asks.

Nicholas chuckles now before waving off his friend’s question. “No, no. Corey is always the one to never disappoint. This one, however-” Nicholas wraps an arm around Mattheo’s shoulders and ruffles his hair playfully. “-is always giving me grief. Aren’t you, son?”

Mattheo laughing and struggling to get out of his father’s hold causes my skin to itch. “Let go, old man,” Mattheo says in breathy laugh.

The father and son shove at each other as we exit the entrance to the Academy’s path. The town looks just how I remembered it; old, boring, and run-down. A few brick buildings are scattered around and there are some that are connected like giant buildings with individual shops. Every single one is either a ‘mom-n-pop’ shop or a very old family–run establishment.

Not even three days after meeting Thomas, he began begging me to go into the local diner, Gill’s, but I refused. Noah had made it clear to never form attachments back then. The more someone got close to me, the more they could see just what exactly went on back at home. The moment someone suspected anything, or people began asking questions, spreading rumors, we had to move again. I had grown sick of the constant packing and moving. My bags had been sitting on the bedroom floor, unpacked, since the day we moved into Rienridge. Noah finally ripped some clothes from the bags and shoved them into a few different drawers.

“I say we stop by Gloria’s first,” Nicholas suggests.

Mattheo rushes forward now, gripping Corey’s arm and pulling him along faster. “Awesome- We’re getting matching hoodies.”

Despite Mattheo being chipper and touchy with Corey the smaller boy has a slack in his shoulders and a grim look on his fallen face. This isn’t the usual behavior for him. Normally, Mattheo, James, and I are fighting with him because he’s bouncing off the walls or grabbing at us for no reason.

It’s as if he’s an entirely different kid.

The boys rush forward while Nicholas begins scolding them for running ahead, all while chasing them down. The presence next to me is a dark one, but I pay no mind. I’ve learned from Noah that if I show him fear or cower from him, he’ll on feed on it. It’s best to starve monsters like these.

“The infamous Rylan Evans,” the man hums quietly. “Nicholas was exaggerating when he said you resembled Emelia. You look more like your father, in my opinion.”

As much as his words eat at me, I can’t give in. If I can show Corey that this piece of scum is nothing more than a coward himself then maybe the kid will learn to treat him the same.

“Certainly have his lack of respect for others.”

Smirking now, I give him a side glance. “You two must’ve been the best of friends then, huh.”

The man gives a dry chuckle while popping his neck. “You could say we had been close at one time, but that was in the past.”

“Sucks you can’t patch things up since he’s dead and gone,” I say in mock regret.

Collin once again releases an eerie dry chuckle. “Those that have passed are never truly gone. I’m sure this world has not seen the last of your father.”

We walk closer towards the shops and Corey’s dad stops me from progressing forward. He reeks of alcohol and cigarettes, as if they are his only source of fuel to continue living. They just might be.

“I say we get down to business.” Collin smirks now, an evil and twisted expression on his half-drunken face. “I know you have it, the key. Your father told me exactly where it would be, and now I’m here to collect.”

A key. “Like, my old house key?” I question him.

He sputters an unamused laugh. “As much as I would just love to play the dumb game with you, boy, I’ve got things to do. So, hand over the key and we’ll have no further problems.”

“Even if I had whatever is you’re looking for, what makes you think I would just give it to you?”

He stares down at me, clearly losing patience. “Give me the key, or else.”

“Or else, what?” There’s nothing he could do to me out here in the open. Cowards like him wait to beat on their prey until they’re behind locked doors. “You’ll hit me? Do it. I’ve taken on a lot worse than you, a town drunk who can only hit little boys because he knows he’d never win a fight against a real man.”

Collin Woods snarls before gripping my shoulder, my sweatshirt bundled in his grasp. “You insignificant runt. It should’ve been you-”

“Collin.” Nicholas’ eyes are set in an icy gaze pointed directly at his friend now. “Don’t make me ask nicely.”

Collin releases me with a growl. “I was just giving him a lesson in manners, Nicky.”

“Yes,” Nicholas hums, running a hand through his hair. “Well, how about instead of worrying about my children, you focus on your own.”

“If that’s what you want.”

He knocks himself into my shoulder before doing the same to Nicholas as he passes by him. The look on Nicholas’ face is hard to read. He seems torn between going after his friend or staying with me. In the end, he settles his eyes on me and gives a brief smile. As he grows closer, his eyes scan over my entire body before sighing.

“Are you alright?” He asks.

“I can handle myself,” I mutter.

He laughs now. “I have no doubt in my mind that you could’ve handled yourself, but that doesn’t mean you should have to.” His gaze softens. “Don’t let the drunken ramblings of a madman affect your mind. Whatever Collin Woods may say, you can almost bet that it will be his own twisted version of a semi-truth.”

“He said it should’ve been me,” I tell him. “What should’ve been me?”

Nicholas looks distraught now as he rubs his chin. There’s a patch of hair there, and a mustache just above his lip. He strokes both as he looks off to the side.

“Your mother-” He takes a deep breath. “Emelia died saving you, Rylan. She, uh- There was an accident, and she chose to save you rather than save herself.”

That day Mattheo and I had overhead their conversation now replays in my head. Nicholas had told Collins that my mother sacrificed herself. He told Collins that her sacrifice was why he was alive.

“She sacrificed herself,” I mumble.

Nicholas nods. “She did. You being here today is proof of the kind of woman she was. I would never say this to make you feel guilty over her death, but after everything she gave up to keep you alive-” He holds my shoulders as he holds my stare. “Don’t take it for granted. Live, Rylan. Live the life she wanted for you.”

My chest hollows as breath becomes caught in my throat. “And what kind of life was that?”

His smile is warm and just barely reaches his eyes. “A loved one. She wanted you to feel loved, accepted, safe. So, I will do everything in my power to provide those things.”

I say nothing. The thought of him showering me with any type of affection irks me, but it’s also something that my mother wanted. I’m conflicted.

“With that being said-” He looks nervous now. “How would you feel about spending the upcoming break with me and Mattheo at our home in Bakewell?”

The idea of being their house isn’t as bad as I had previously thought, but we should all continue to remain cautious of my outbursts. The last thing we need is for me to rip them apart while on vacation and not under the barrier’s protection.

“I, uh-” The words just won’t come out though. “Maybe- I just-”

Nicholas holds up his hand, quieting my rambling. “I understand, Rylan. It’s far too soon.” He sighs before nudging me towards the shops. “Go and join the boys. I have a friend to pull from the local pub.”

Nicholas leaves me on the sidewalk. His gait is steady and wide, focused. Collin stepping over boundaries must be something common, just as much as Nicholas pulling him out of pubs. The man had reeked of alcohol when he was close, as if he had only just crawled from out of a bottle an hour before.

Walking towards the shop that the boys had entered, I can’t help but think on the words of the two grown men. Collin blames me for my mother’s death, and Nicholas has been attempting to make it clear that I shouldn’t dwell on it and live my life to the fullest.

Not once did he say Collin was wrong though.

That’s true. Nicholas may have been trying to help, but he never said his friend’s words were false, only drunken semi-truths. Nicholas blames me just as much as Collin does, but he hides his true feelings as the responsible adult.

Then there’s the matter of a key that Collin desperately wants. A key that belonged to Noah. Growing up, Noah had only ever given me a spare key to the houses we lived in. There was never anything else that I can remember.

The bell overhead dings as I enter Gloria’s Garments. The shop smells of cinnamon and old furniture. Corey and Mattheo are searching through a stack of clothes while a woman in her early thirties follows behind them, fixing up each section they’ve torn up while shopping. Soft music plays through a speaker somewhere behind the counter. Something about the mixture of the smells and the sounds relaxes me, as if this is a safe space.

Mattheo’s eyes meet mine and he comes rushing forward. Gripping my elbow, he pulls me to the side. “What did Collin want with you?”

His voice is hushed, like he doesn’t want Corey to hear our conversation. “Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’m your friend and I want to know if he was harassing you,” he admits.

I shrug. “He wanted show himself off as a big and scary man, but I could see through it. He’s a coward.” I don’t bother masking my tone or controlling my volume. “You can only harass someone who’s scared of you.”

Mattheo’s eyes widen and rushes to shush me, but Corey is already in front of us. He seems conflicted as he looks between the two of us. His hands rake through his shaggy brown hair before finally releasing a shuddering breath.

“You really weren’t scared of him, huh?” Corey’s voice is small, smaller than I’ve ever heard it.

“No, I wasn’t.” I shake my head and slowly let myself pat his arm. “Kind of hard to be scared of something that smells like the inside of a bar.”

Corey stares at Mattheo now and slowly nods him away. Now, standing alone with Corey, my insides twist. A deep part of me wants him to confide in me about his problems with his father, but another part just wants to be kept out of it. I had to deal with Noah all on my own, so why should I help someone else deal with theirs?

“Your mother always said that the strong were made strong so that they could defend the weak.”

Goodey’s words hurt more than ever now. Mom would’ve done everything she could to help Corey, so that means I should too.

“Listen-” Corey rubs the back of his head, nervous. “-about what I said before we came into town. I didn’t mean it when I said it was your fault James wasn’t coming with us. It’s technically my dad’s fault.”

“What do you mean?”

He looks to the side, staring at Mattheo, before looking back at me. Well, at my chest. He won’t meet my eyes. “When Mr. Sutton found out that my dad would be going, he told James it’d be better to wait. And my dad only came today because he wanted to meet you.”

“The key,” I mutter.

“What key?” Corey asks.

I shake my head. “I’m not sure. Your dad told me that my dad gave me a key that he needs.”

“I didn’t realize that he knew your dad,” Corey admits. “What’s your dad’s name again?”

“Noah.”

Corey shakes his head. “I’m sure he’s mentioned it before, but I can’t remember ever hearing his name. He mainly only ever talks about your mom. Are you sure he said it was something from your dad and not your mom?”

I nod. The boy looks just as confused as I feel. Collin Woods only wanted to be here today so he could lift a key from me, a key that belonged to my father. I don’t have it though. This is dangerous. If Collin finds out that I really don’t have the key, I can only imagine what he would do to me, Corey, or even Nicholas if pushed far enough. Drunks have the worst temper.

“Have you boys finished looking around?”

A feminine voice breaks the silence between me and Corey. It’s the woman who had been cleaning up after the boys every time they moved from section to section. Her smile is light and warm, barely meeting her soft brown eyes. Honey blonde curls are tangled up in a clawed clip. Her appearance mirrors one of an old woman sweeping a witch’s hut, but she seems young.

“Uh, yeah.” Mattheo chuckles nervously. “We got everything- I mean, we didn’t get anything-” He continues stammering until he finally sighs and looks at the ground, clearly embarrassed. “We haven’t looked around at everything yet.”

The woman releases a small giggle as she waves her hand around. “Well, feel free to continue browsing. The shop is open until nine, and don’t hesitate to ask for any kind of assistance. I’ll be in the back for a few minutes, so just shout if you need me before I’m back.”

We nod as she walks away. Mattheo stares after her, nearly drooling. Corey slaps the back of his friend’s head. They stare at one another now, Mattheo confused and Corey angry.

“What was that for?”

“Stop drooling all over every girl you see,” Corey scolds.

Mattheo throws his hands up. “I don’t! Do you ever see me drooling over Porter or Dey?”

“That’s because you don’t see them as girls,” Corey points out.

“Whatever,” Mattheo grumbles. “Anyway-” He faces me. “-what did the town drunk want with you other than a key that you obviously don’t have?”

I tilt my head. “How did you-“

He waves off my unasked question. “I already mastered control of my senses. Now, spill the details.”

“Nothing,” I admit. “He only wanted the key. Unless he was also trying to tick me off, then he at least accomplished something today.”

Mattheo hums while scratching the back of his neck. “I don’t get what’s so important about a key that he would risk getting on Dad’s bad side. What does it open?”

A question that we all three want answered.

The bell dings overhead once more and a small group of boys come in. Each one is louder than the next as they barge through the stacks of clothing. Among the group of five boys, one stands out. Tall, blonde, thick peanut accent- Bently Bergem.

Mattheo huffs under his breath as he pulls Corey and I back away from the group. “Keep your cool,” he warns me. “I don’t think Dad would understand if you nearly bludgeoned a townie.”

“And what if he deserves it?” I taunt. Mattheo gives me a look of exasperation and I shake my head. “Fine. I’ll keep my cool.”

“How kind of you,” he replies sarcastically while dragging Corey towards the door.

Corey protests as quietly as he can, fighting to be released from his best friend’s grasp. He’s not aware of the past encounter that involved Mattheo, Brently, and me. Keeping that under the table is for the best. Something tells me that Mattheo wasn’t supposed to go out past the barrier surrounding the school when he stood up for me that day.

There’s a crash from in front of me. Corey, in his attempt at escape, knocked over a stack of books that were barely balancing on the edge of a nearby chest. Mattheo winces, his shoulders coming up and slowly falling back down as he turns to glare at the shaking boy.

“Oops?” Corey offers.

“Well, well, well-” Brently’s southern accent draws the three little words out. “If it isn’t Rienridge’s own little killer.”

Mattheo doesn’t even blink, let alone divert his gaze from my stone face. If there was ever a time that I would appreciate a grown-up stepping in, it’s right now.

Mattheo barely whispers, “Corey, go get my dad.”

The boy nods fervently before rushing from Mattheo’s grip and out the door. The ringing of the bell is the only sound now apart from the low music still playing out overhead. I can feel Brently’s stare on the back of my head, but I refuse to cave and beat his brains in. If anyone needs to be in control of the situation, it’s me.

“Think of this as a training exercise,” Mattheo whispers as he grows closer. “Professor Kerum would tell you to remain as calm as you can, right?” I nod. “Alright, then remain calm.”

He then places a hand on my shoulder while looking behind me at the teenagers. “Something wrong, boys?”

“Yeah,” Brently says. “I’ve got a bone to pick with that one right there.”

Mattheo’s grip tightens. “Well, you see-” He releases my shoulder and stands directly behind me. I can feel his back touching mine, like a warmed brick wall. “If you’ve got a problem with him then you have a problem with me.”

The group of boys laugh now. One of the others then asks, “Aren’t you that freak that Brently and John rolled out into the woods?”

They remember him. That’s not good. I turn to face them, but I’m met with Mattheo’s back. He’s pulled his hair back in a tight ponytail barely longer than my finger and the backs of his earrings are visible. I didn’t even know he had them pierced.

“I might be,” Mattheo hums. “What’s it to you?”

“Look, Brent-” One of the smaller ones taps Brently on the arm. “He has his nails painted like a little girl.”

They begin laughing once more. Oh, no. I can see where this is going, and I know it won’t end well.

“It makes sense now,” Brently chuckles darkly. “He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he, Killer?”

Mattheo’s shoulders shake slightly as he struggles to not laugh at their low accusation. “Not exactly. I’m his brother.”

My heart pounds in my chest now at hearing Mattheo’s term. Brother. He sees me as something like that already? If only he knew of my nightmares, the number of times I’ve slit his throat, snapped it, slung him, and tortured him.

“So, once again if you have a problem with him, you have a problem with me. With that being said, do we have a problem here?”

“I think you should teach him who’s in charge around here, Brent.” The scrawny one begins egging the bully on.

One of the taller one’s nods while shoving his fist into his hand. “Yeah, show them they can’t just come into town and run their freak mouths.”

The smallest one then mutters, “Nails painted like a bunch of faggots.”

That’s what I was worried would happen.

Mattheo’s shoulders are tense and his back ripples from under his sweater. Without the barrier to keep him from shifting, I’m nervous that this may end in the entire town being aware of Lycan’s.

“I don’t think I heard you right.” Mattheo cracks his neck back and forth before moving closer to the group of boys. “Maybe repeat that for me- A little louder this time.”

Brently steps forward, towering over Mattheo. “He said- You’ve got your nails painted like a bunch of faggo-”

The group moves back as Brently is sent to the floor by Mattheo. The short kids frame is shaking as he straddles the peanut’s ribs, swinging his fists back repeatedly. With each thwack to Brently’s face my stomach begins twisting. Mattheo may kill him.

Is this what I look like when I lose control?

Not having a moment to reflect on my thoughts, I shake them from my mind. Gripping Mattheo’s shoulders, it takes Lycan strength to peel him off the teenager. The boys surrounding us are gasping and whispering around about how much of a freak we are. Mattheo finally stops struggling in my arms as we lay on the hardwood flooring, his back heaving as it lays on top of my also heaving chest.

The clacking of small heels and feminine gasp can only mean that the store owner is back. We are in big trouble this time. The bell dings for the store’s entrance and I glance over my shoulder to find Corey standing behind a confused Nicholas. His confusion slowly turns towards anger, and I know now that we are definitely in big trouble.

“Corey,” Nicholas says quietly. “Have you father meet us at the gates rather than at the roads entrance.”

Corey slowly nods, clearly terrified by the scene they’ve walked in on. Oh, how I wish I could also be told to go wait by the gate instead of being lectured about beating up townies. I just know I’m getting the punishment here. I should’ve stepped in and kept Mattheo from attacking Brently, but I know that he’ll never stop unless he gets a beat down. At least with Mattheo doing it, I knew he wouldn’t kill the kid. Well, I thought he wouldn’t.

“N-Nicholas,” the woman stutters. “W-What are you doing- What are you doing back in town?”

“Gracie.” Nicholas only nods in her general direction. He doesn’t take his eyes off me and Mattheo on the floor. “Boys.”

“Uh- Hey, Dad-” Mattheo attempts to wave. “How’s it going?”

The blue lights slowly begin to fade away from where they had been shining from in front of the shop. Gloria’s Garments had quite a crowd after Sheriff Goodey showed up. Everyone has begun leaving the crime scene while whispering about us freaks.

“...have any idea how serious this is?” Nicholas is still reprimanding Mattheo. The kid’s arms are crossed and he’s looking anywhere but in his dad’s direction. “You could’ve killed that boy, son. Do you not understand that-”

“I understand!” Mattheo snaps at him. “I got it, okay! I could’ve killed him. Well, guess what, Dad? I didn’t! I’m in control of myself.”

“You’re in control?” Nicholas rubs at his face before releasing a sigh mixed with a dry chuckle. “If you were in control, that boy wouldn’t be in the hospital right now. Real control is not doing anything!”

“You don’t know what he said,” Mattheo mutters.

“Nothing that boy said would’ve been enough to warrant that type of response, Mattheo. We do not, under any circumstances, look to violence as a means to reach our goals.”

I move closer to them and place myself next to Mattheo. “He called me and Mattheo faggots.” Nicholas stares at me now, stunned. “If I hadn’t been so worried that I would kill him, I would’ve beaten him too.”

Mattheo stifles a laugh while looking away from me and his father. It’s true though. I feel regret that I hadn’t stepped in myself, but there’s nothing I can do to change the past.

Nicholas stares off for a moment before sighing, his hands on his hips. “Regardless of the crude word, that boy is human. He doesn’t have as much strength as we Lycan’s do. What you did, Mattheo, was wrong.”

“So, we should just let people run over us anytime they want just because they’re human?” I ask him angrily. “Seems like a crap deal.”

“It is indeed a crap deal, but it’s a deal nonetheless.” Nicholas places a hand on my shoulder and Mattheo’s as well, crouching down until he’s eye level with both of us. “I know that his words may have angered you, but your reaction to those words determines whether you’re a better person or not. It may mean nothing to either of you right now but try to remember that the next time you feel the need to use your fists rather than your own words; Actions have consequences, boys, and some of the damages left behind cannot be repaired.” He looks off towards the shop and says, “I’ll grab clothing for you both. Make haste to meet Collin and Corey at the gate. I shall be there soon.”

Nicholas then releases us and walks away. He makes his way towards the shop owner, probably to apologize again for our behavior before grabbing us some clothes. He seems almost too friendly with her. It’s kind of gross to watch.

“Does Nicholas know that woman or something?” I ask Mattheo.

He briefly glances at the two adults chatting away. “That’s Gracie Goulden. He says they used to be friends when he was in school. She lived down here with humans. She’s sensitive.”

“Uh-”

“Sensitive, as in sensitive to things like us. She can sense when someone nearby isn’t exactly human. And she can use runes, which is pretty cool, I guess- For a human,” he explains.

“So, they aren’t dating or anything?”

Mattheo gives me a startled look before it morphs into one of worry. “I- I don’t think they are. H-He wouldn’t-”

“Hey-” I nudge him, gaining his attention once more. “I was only asking. It doesn’t seem like they are or anything. I was just curious. They seemed like they knew each other earlier, you know, before we got dragged outside and lectured.”

He nods. “Right. Well, they’re probably talking about something boring. Let’s go meet up with Corey. I’m sure he’s dying to tell James that I’ve gotten into another fight.”

“They happen that often, huh?”

Mattheo smirks now. “You and I would make an unstoppable force, that’s for sure.”

As we draw closer towards the school’s path entrance, there’s movement just across the street. Underneath a streetlight is a puddle of black liquid smoke. The smoke is almost licking at the pavement there, as if it’s struggling to reach something.

“Uh, hold on.” I motion for Mattheo to wait where he is. “I need to check something out. I’ll only be a minute.”

He doesn’t protest as I make my way across the deserted street. The closer I get the clearer I can finally make out the smoke. The tendrils of shadows I have been dreaming about are right in front of me. Making sure to keep distance from them, I try to glance down at what they’re circling. Blood stains are painted onto the cracked pavement. Some kind of animal must’ve been hit by a car or something.

The shadows begin to slowly become absorbed by the pavement, disappearing without so much as a trace. Where could they have gone? What are they?

“That’s where that guy died,” Mattheo says from behind me.

I jump but refuse to face him. “W-What guy?”

“The one Professor Dawes was talking about to the class, and the one Corey mentioned.” He sighs now while tugging me along with him back towards the path. “They say that someone has been running around murdering people here in town. Sheriff Goodey has been searching for the person responsible, but he’s coming up empty handed. He’ll eventually need to consider that someone like us is doing it.”

His words cause me to bristle. “Someone like us?” I sling his hand off my arm. “I didn’t kill him!”

Mattheo stares at me now, clearly confused. “No one said you did, Rylan. I meant us, as in Lycan’s, not us individually.” He shakes his head. “Come on, we need to get back.”

Letting him walk ahead of me, I stop to stare at the empty bloodstained street once more. This place brings back the nightmare I had. There was no stopping me from murdering my friends all because of those shadows, and now I’m seeing them around town- around the school. Something’s not right about them, and it’s my job to figure out what.