Silver Bullets And Pretty Fangs. (WxW)

01. Who is she?

EDEN.

With lines on her forehead, the young lady seated in front of me remarks, "It is sad what happened to him."

I watch as she brushes her brown hair away from her face. She tries so hard to tame the bouncy mess of curls on her head. 

“I don't get it you know, like that's so not Blackporty,” Eliza, the other brunette seated next to Silva comments. 

My gaze returns to Silva's face. She pulls her eyebrows closer together, pulling her glossy, full lips into a pout. I can not imagine how she is feeling right now.

Silva mutters, her lips quivering, "He was so young, he had a whole fucking life in front of him." Her voice has an edgy pitch, and it sounds like she is about to cry. Nobody would blame her for crying now.

Silva and the deceased student used to date in first year. I am not sure why they broke up. We were not friends at the time, so I could not ask. We are still not friends, but she smiles when she notices me staring at her. 

"Oh, honey. I am so sorry." Eliza reaches out and rubs Silva on the back. Silva responds with a series of low whimpers.

I turn away; this moment feels sacred.
 
"I need a minute," Silva says, exiting.

Eliza sighs and grabs her phone. From here, I see the Instagram app open. My guess is she wants to upload something about the tragic event. The entire school is freaked out. 

Eliza's pursuit of clout would go unnoticed. Even when she posts something like #RipDerek, #Besafeeveryone, or #Monsteranimalsearch.

It is her chance to gain new followers at the expense of another's tragic news.

I groan and turn my gaze to my phone. I visit the BlackPort University Newsletter page on Facebook. Derek Patel: The Tragic Story appears at the top in black bold font. 

I gulp as I stare at Derek Patel's front image. He has a round nose, thick eyebrows, dirty blonde hair, brown hooded eyes, and a well-defined jaw.

I scroll down. I am not sure if I want to know the specifics. But everyone has been discussing it. Someone said it was even on the news.

Early today, authorities discovered the body of a BlackPort State University student. On Windhoek Street, to be exact. Sources found his body a few yards from the main road. He had claws on his arms and chest and a large animal bite on the side of his neck. Regarding the young man's possible fate, the police have not made an official statement. However, they think there may be a dangerous wild animal out there. More updates as soon as we have them. 

#MHRSIP.

Reported by; Leigh Smithson.

"Hey!"

I nearly topple over my chair, but then I notice Benjamin grinning at me. "Hi."

“Whatcha reading?” Plunging down next to me, he asks. 

I shove my phone into his face. “This, and it's weird, I was around that area last night.” 

Benji takes his time, squinting at the phone for a minute. 

"Oh God, Derek?" He says in a hushed tone.