Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!

I run like a maniac. One moment I’m standing next to the swing set, hearing its squeaky chains. The next I’m dashing across the park, heading for the neighborhood. My heart pounds hard against my ribs. It feels like I got a heavy metal drummer in there. I don’t dare slow down enough to look back.

But I know he’s behind me. Getting closer and closer.

I hit the edge of the park and keep running. I sprint cross a quiet side street, hearing my breath huff and puff. I’m not breathing hard because I’m tired. Actually, I’ve never felt so strong in my life. It’s the fear—squeezing my lungs. Choking me.

Finally, I glance back over my shoulder. Killer Paw isn’t right behind me. He isn’t even running. He stalks across the park, fast walking, but not breaking a sweat. For some reason, he looks even scarier that way. It’s like he knows he’ll catch me eventually, so why try so hard?

“Oh Kat!” His voice carries across the park. “Where you going little girl?”

Away from you.

I don’t waste my breath saying it out loud. Instead, I make a hard right turn and dash down a neighborhood street. Part of me wants to scream for help. But I know I can’t. Anybody who came out of their house to save me would just get hurt. Or worse. What chance would a bunch of soccer moms and dads have against a blood-thirsty werewolf?

My arms pump hard. My feet slap the blacktop. I sprint down the middle of the street, peeking over my shoulder again, looking for any sign of Killer Paw.

But he’s gone.

I slow my pace but keep an eye on the street behind me. Any second now Killer Paw is gonna show up. He’ll turn the corner and flash that wicked smile. I just know it.

HONK! HONK!

I whip my head around to see a red Volkswagen Bug coming right at me. My instincts kick in, and I dart to one side. The car’s brakes let out an earsplitting SQEAL. The Volkswagen shudders to a stop, missing me by inches. The driver, a blonde high school girl, gives me a sour, squinty-eyed look. “Stupid kid! Watch where you’re running!”

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I’m not a kid! I’m friggin’ thirteen. I want to yell this at her, maybe even give her the middle finger. But for some reason, I smile and wave at her. It’s so awkward. “Sorry,” I say, my voice all high and cringy sounding.

The girl shakes her head at me drives off. I let out a deep breath. Close call.

That’s when I notice them. Three teenage boys at the end of the street with long, wild hair. They wear ragged jeans and t-shirts. No shoes. They stare at me with blank expressions on their dirty faces. Their eyes are like glass.

A cold shiver ripples its way down my spine. Somehow, I know they’re waiting for me. And somehow, I know they’re werewolves too. I can sense it… smell it.

Slowly, I back away from them, then turn to make a run for it.

Too late! Killer Paw has caught up to me. He rounds the corner and walks in my direction. He doesn’t hurry, just strolls down the street. He’s got all the time in the world.

“Get away!” I scream. Then I dash across someone’s front lawn and scamper over a tall block fence. Now I’m trespassing on private property. Dad will ground me for a week if he finds out. But that’s only if I survive.

I sprint across a big backyard overgrown with weeds and tall grass. I almost reach a gate to the alley, when a horrible growl fills my ears. Spinning around, I catch sight of the biggest pit bull I’ve ever seen. This thing looks like it eats golden retrievers for a mid-morning snack. He tromps up to me, growling and chomping the air, showing off BIG, nasty teeth. I can’t believe this ferocious beast is actually some family’s pet.

The beast dog stops in his tracks. Slobber drips from his lips, but he’s not showing his teeth anymore. He almost looks nervous. He sniffs me, lets out a little whimper, and runs out of sight as fast as a rocket.

I just scared a pit bull. Guess dogs know a werewolf when they smell one.

No time to think about that now. I pull open the gate and stumble into an alley. There’s a narrow gravel road back here lined with big garbage cans for all the families to use. I can see one end of the alley, leading to a neighborhood street. It looks so nice and boring. I start in that direction when someone suddenly grabs my wrist.

“Not that way.” It’s Justin. Standing there in the alley in his hoodie and jeans, it’s hard to believe he isn’t a normal kid. Then I feel his grip on my wrist. It feels like steel.

“I… I know all about you,” My voice sounds dumb even to me. “We found an old picture…”

“No time for that now,” says Justin. “Look!”

I glance down the alley that leads to the nice, boring neighborhood. Four figures step into view—Killer Paw and the wolf boys. Blocking our path.

Justin tugs on my wrist, pulling me in the opposite direction.

“We only have one chance to escape,” says Justin. “We need to go back to the woods.”