Super early the next morning, Dad, Mom, and Emily jam sleeping bags and tents into the back of mom’s Jeep Cherokee. The sun barely peeks over the mountains, and mom’s already packing up for their big Sunflower Scouts camping trip. I watch them from the living room window, keeping my distance. Once in a while Emily throws a glance at me over her shoulder. Then her eyes dart away, real quick. She hasn’t uttered a single word to me all morning. I’m guessing seeing me transform into a horrific wolf beast kinda freaked Emily out.
I don’t blame her. I’m freaked out too.
Don’t remember much about last night. Images of the forest flash through my brain. I recall rushing through the trees under the moonlight, hunting poor fuzzy little woodland creatures. If I caught any and chomped them down, I hope I never remember. At least I didn’t raid the Silver Peak Market and end up on the news this time.
Just the thought of last night gets my nervous heart all revved up. But why did I change? Justin said finishing off Killer Paw, would break the curse. I should be a normal kid again, not some a friggin’ werewolf! Why is this happening to me?
And more importantly, did Emily tell Mom and Dad?
I’m guessing that’s a big fat NO, since they haven’t mentioned a thing. I could be wrong though. Maybe they’re all too scared of me. Maybe someone from the Zoo or the FBI or whoever’s in charge of werewolf crimes will come knocking down our door, hunting for me. Since that hasn’t happened yet, I think I’m safe. Emily probably figured she’d sound like a major weirdo if she told them my wolf secret, so she kept it to herself.
I’m still grounded, so no Sunflower Scouts trip for me. Plus, I heard Mom and Dad talking in the hall outside my room, whispering I might be traumatized by what happened last time I went camping. They’re thinking that’s why I’ve been acting up lately. If they only knew.
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Now, trying to get Emily’s attention, I tap on the living room window. “Come on,” I whisper to myself. “Just give me your old evil vampire eye.”
Emily ignores me, climbs into the jeep and puts on her headphones. A minute later a van pulls up with the rest of the Sunflower Scouts. Dad leans into the jeep and gives Emily a kiss on the forehead. Then he gives mom a goodbye hug. When they break apart, Mom climbs in behind the wheel and waves at me with a smile. It’s not a big, happy smile, but a little, sad one. Seconds later, she and sister drive off towards the mountains, the van full of Sunflower Scouts trailing behind them.
Watching them disappear down the street, I get this creepy feeling twisting in my guts that the Sunflower girls are in danger. Justin promised to keep the rest of the pack away from humans. But what if they don’t listen to him? What if their pack leader isn’t dead?
If I’m still cursed to be a werewolf girl, that could only mean one thing…
Killer Paw is still alive!
***
An hour later my dad calls out to me as he steps through the door. “Hey Kat, I’m heading off. You’ll be okay by yourself, right?”
I give him a little wave as I pretend to watch some Disney show on TV. I’m lounging on the sofa with a comfy blanket slung over my legs, but underneath my sneakers are all laced up and ready. “I’m fine, Dad. I’ll call if I need you.”
“Do you even know how to use the landline?”
“I can figure it out. I’m not stupid, you know. Besides, the Richardsons are home next door.”
“You sure?” Dad looks nervous, holding his sheriff hat in both hands. “Maybe you should hang out at the station?”
“Haven’t I been punished enough? I’m okay, Dad. I promise.”
“Alright then, Kiddo. There’s leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry.”
I keep my eyes glued to the screen as he shuffles out the front door and locks it behind him. I hear the door to his cruiser slam shut. A moment later, the engine rumbles to life, and he drives off. I immediately spring to my feet and race to the window, watching the cruiser roll to the end of the street.
“One… two… three…” I count, forcing myself to wait in case Dad forgot something and decides to circle back to the house. When I reach one hundred, I bolt out the back door and sprint towards the tree line outside my house.
Gotta find Justin. I let out a howl, calling out to him. It echoes through the woods as I sprint, weaving through trees and leaping over fallen branches.
Gotta find Justin.