Chapter Ten
Today seemed unusually cold; the late November wind that blew the leaves around was anything but expected. Since this was California you would expect sunshine but anything can happen in this bipolar weather. I sat on my canopy window, staring outside. It was a late Sunday evening; Sophie was downstairs watching re-runs of Vampire Diaries, while I was in my bedroom on my laptop.
Ever since my conversation with Ryder, I was intrigued and wanted to know more about the murders. Everything about it seemed mysterious. My eyes scanned pages of information until I came across something. It was an article written by a Dr Richard Hoffman from a university in California. What caught my attention about this particular article was that it was called "Mysteries of the wolf".
The article included facts about the murders, but that's not what I was searching for. I was searching for something strange, questionable, abnormal. I don't even know why I was so bothered about this. This isn't any of my business and the whole thing about the wolf may not even be true, but I have a feeling deep within me that something is not right.
My vision zeroed in on a certain part of the article, a part I was hoping to find. As I read on I found out that the information in this article had more information and was more detailed than the newspaper. Two days after the body was discovered the police found paw prints near the crime scene, wolf prints. These wolf prints however, were nearly twice the size of the average wolf. It was this snippet of information my mind seemed to be confused on. I know not all wolves are the same and size can vary, but a wolf's paw to be that big, it seemed unrealistic.
I read on further, a desperate feeling of needing to know thawing my insides. The next piece of news came as a bit more of a shock to me. The writer of this article, Dr Richard Hoffman is a specialist in Ethology so he understands the behaviour of animals. It says that wolves don't attack humans unless necessary and that none of the victims were reported going into the woods, so if they didn't go in the woods and meant no harm why would the wolves attack?
I shut my laptop, too overwhelmed by what I just read. Tired and exhausted I lay down on my bed, my head hitting the soft pillow. I closed my eye lids sighing in contempt, hoping a good night's sleep will help me clear my head. I accepted the dark bliss that took over me.
I ran even though I was exhausted I ran. The woods blurred past me as I sprinted away from it. It growled behind; sending waves of fear down my spine. My lungs burned from exhaustion, but that didn't stop me. I don't know why I was running, or what from. My legs ached, my arms throbbed, but I still ran. I felt petrified as the sounds of growls came from behind me. The pounding of feet made my heart accelerate. Sharp teeth pierced into my leg, making me scream with anguish. My body crashed into the ground, making a few bones crack. Pain radiated throughout me. Growls grew louder and it was at this time I got a good look at my killer. It was him! It was the wolf that attacked me, only he wasn't dead. I huddled into foetal position, wishing the pain would go away. The wolf smirked in a menacing way and prowled over towards me. It was mocking me. A sob broke out of my throat which brought the wolf out of its calm state and back into its ruthless one. It charged towards me, jaws wide open. I was in hysterics, waiting for my death. It came closer and snapped its jaws around my neck.
I gasped as I woke up, my alarm clock ringing. Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead, my clothes clung to me. The nightmare seemed so real, it was a scarier and more barbarous version of the attack that occurred in the woods. My heart still pumped with fear, I could hear it go thump! I ran my hands down my face, any evidence of sleep being wiped away. I couldn't go to sleep since it was time for school, and even if I could, I don't think I would be able to, not without seeing the image of the wolf.
I rapidly got ready for school, not caring how I looked. The nightmare still haunted me; my insides were shivering in fear. Sophie didn't make a comment; I guess she understood that I wasn't in the mood and for that I was grateful.
The morning passed by in a flash. I didn't pay attention to most of my classes, mainly because I couldn't. I looked like a mess with my clothes, messy hair and the bags under my eyes, but that didn't really matter to me. What mattered was the fact that I had a migraine the size of Africa. It didn't help that people looked at me as if I were a different species. I mean not everyone has the time or care to dress up for school.
Whenever I closed my eyes, the wolf would be there, smirking at me. Its eyes however, were lifeless. They were black, empty and cold.
"Are you feeling alright, Tess?" Summer asked me with concern. I admired her concern for me, but I just don't feel like talking, or doing anything actually. I gave her a small smile.
"Yeah I'm fine, I didn't get enough sleep so I'm a bit tired" She seemed to go back to her normal cheery self when I reassured her I was fine. Eva didn't look convinced though, and looked at me sceptically. I gave her a weak smile and hurried to my next class. I felt guilty for not telling them, after all they're my friends, but I didn't want to tell anyone my dream because I didn't want to live through it again. Going through it twice is enough for me.
***
It was a Monday. I had completely forgotten that Ryder was going to come over today! I really need to right this somewhere on a calendar. Sophie was staying over at her friend's house, and will go to school with her tomorrow. It felt quite lonely in the house, all you could hear were the floorboards creaking as I walked around.
I got my books ready on the dinner table. I really wasn't going to take Ryder up to my room, especially since we will be the only ones in the house. It wasn't that I didn't trust him, but more of the fact that I wouldn't feel comfortable with a boy in my room.
A knock in the door brought me out of my thoughts. He's here. I felt some butterflies in my stomach; I don't know why I was feeling nervous. This isn't the first time I opened the door for him. I opened the door and felt disappointed to not see him standing there. On the other hand I felt shocked to see Eva standing there, without Summer. Eva was standing on my porch, without Summer. This wasn't the first time she came to my house, but it was the first time she came alone. I looked over at the clock and saw it was six-thirty, Ryder was meant to be here.
"Can I come in?" Eva looked somewhat amused by my lack of speech. I let her in took her to the lounge, but before that I made sure the door was shut. Don't need any pervs coming in.
"By the way Ryder told me to tell you that he can't come today. He tried calling you, but you didn't pick up" I quickly pulled my phone out my pocket and noticed I had two missed calls and one text, that read 'I can't come, don't wait up'. I guess I was so busy day dreaming, I didn't realise someone had called me. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't come today.
"Thanks for the heads up" I scratched the back of my neck, the awkward silence making me feel agitated. Did Eva come just to tell me that? I didn't ask her because I don't want to sound rude.
"If you're wondering if I came here just to tell you that, then no you're wrong. I came here to ask you something else." My head shot up, I was surprised. It was strange how she knew what I was thinking. I gave her a nod so that she can proceed with what she was saying.
"Are you ok?" she asked me genuinely sounding concerned. I was stunned by this question, I didn't know what she was going to ask me, but I definitely did not expect that.
"I'm fine" I winced at how high my voice had went towards the end. I could lie so easily to Summer but for some reason I felt so exposed in front of Eva, maybe it was because of the fact that she knew everything. Eva looked at me in an accusing way, as if she knew I was lying.
"I know you're lying Tessa. I know something is wrong, I won't force you tell me. I just want you to know that I'm here if you want someone to talk to" I felt myself smile widely when Eva said that. It was great to know she was here for me as a friend. I whispered 'thanks' to her, grateful that she considered me her friend.
"Ok I'll tell you, but to start off I need to go back two weeks..."
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A/N: hey guys what's up! I know I haven't updated in ages, but this is a birthday special!! My birthday is on Sunday happy birthday to me!! Hope you guys like this! :) I got a kindle fire and loads of presents from me friends!! Read, comment and vote!
Peace, love and dark angels!
C.I.A