$Chapter
Chapter 1 – Lies
The morning weather was foggy with a gentle breeze that howled into Lucas’ window. He was already running late for school when he heard his father yell his name.
“Lucas! Lucas!” yelled Detective White.
“Get your ass down here boy, you’re already late for school!”
Detective White is Lucas’ father and one of the top Detectives in the New Orleans Police Department. He lost his wife early last year. According to the post-mortem examination presented to him, this states that Mrs. White was killed by a wild bear. Her car broke down in the middle of a wooded area. She called Detective White to come and pick her up or send help; which he did send help but by the time help could get to Mrs. White to toll her car, she was already lying in the pool of her blood with a bestial bite mark on her neck. Her blood was drained and this bothered Detective White to eventually find out the type of wild bear that did this.
“Sorry dad, I was…”
Detective White couldn’t let Lucas finish what he has to say. He glared at him. “Save it, boy, I’m running late. Get your ass to the car right now!”
Lucas is an easy-going teen that will turn 17 in a week. He is every girl’s type of boy with a pointed nose, thin lips, and pointy chin. When he smiles, he displays his shinny gap teeth, and his dimples are always visible. Most importantly, he always has a good grade which makes girls come around him to help them solve complex mathematics problems. The loss of his mother hasn’t been easy for him. He often visits his mother’s grave with flowers every weekend.
Detective White isn’t home always because of his demanding work as a cop. However, as often as he is around, he never hesitates to take Lucas to school. He pulled over in Orleans High School. As Lucas wanted to open the door to step out, Detective White cast his gaze at him. “Always stay out of trouble.”
Without saying any word to his father, he opened the door and then shuts it. Hastily, Detective White slides down the windscreen. “I mean it, stay out of trouble,” he yelled.
One major problem Lucas faces in school is getting his ass kicked by bullies. He is in his senior class and in less than a year he will be out of High School to proceed to College with his dream course but he always got bullies after his ass.
Lucas makes his way to his locker to get some of the notes needed for today’s class. As he slowly puts the combination of his locker, one of the bullies grabbed him from behind and held him against his locker. “Hey Punk!” said Jack. “I hope you did my goddamned homework or it’s gonna be your ass?”
Jack Styles has been Lucas’ nightmare in Orleans High School. He is always watching his back for Jack and his two friends. Occasionally, Jack has forced Lucas into doing his homework for him. Jack might be a bully but he’s the famous senior in Orleans High School. He has a prominent nose, thick lips, a square jaw, and straight teeth.
Lucas swallowed a lump in his throat and spoke in a quivering voice. “I am tired of doing your homework for you.”
“Wrong answer!”
As Jack raised his hand to punch Lucas, from behind Mr. Walter held him and asked him to unhand Lucas. He narrowed his gaze at Jack. He didn’t like the report he has been hearing about Jack but each time he calls him to question him, Jack will cook up lies to defend himself. Today luck has run out of him. Mr. Walter has caught him in the act. “I believe your words to be true but there are always lies.”
“He stole my book!” Jack cried out.
“That’s a lie, Mr. Walter!” Lucas spoke up in his defense.
“If he says I’m lying, open his backpack!”
“Lucas, would you be kind enough to open your backpack please?” Mr. Walter has been voted for straight three years as the best teacher in Orleans High School. He is the geography teacher. For the past ten years of working in Orleans High School. He is always early before the students and always the last to go home after school.
“He’s lying, I didn’t steal his book,” Lucas spoke up again in his defense.
“Then you can prove that by opening your backpack.” Mr. Walter wants to see to the end of this. He doesn’t know whom to believe but perhaps proof can help solve the differences between the two.
As Lucas was delaying in opening his backpack, Jack took it off his hands and forcefully opens it revealing his Mathematics assignment booklet with his name boldly written on the book cover.
$Chapter
Chapter 2 – Believe Me
Mr. Walter was disappointed in Lucas as he frowns at him for lying. He couldn’t let Lucas say a word to explain how Jack’s book got to his backpack. He brought his face closer to Lucas’, “Detention won’t solve this. You know the punishment for stealing is in the rules and regulations of this noble school?”
“But sir…”
“Quiet Lucas! Quiet!” Mr. Walter yelled at him interrupting Lucas from speaking further. “You are a disgrace to your father’s badge!”
Other students were already staring as they watched Lucas being disgraced. From the look on Jack’s face, he’s enjoying every bit of the embarrassment given to Lucas. “Sir, I demand he should be punished for stealing by book,” said Jack.
Mr. Walter swirled with his gaze on Jack. “Don’t tell me how to do my job.”
“I know but with my mathematics book stolen by him, I didn’t do my homework.”
Mr. Walter walks up to Jack. He fixed his eyes direct to Jack’s eyes. “Is that why you raised your hand to strike him? You know that’s suspension, right?”
“I am sorry sir but…”
Mr. Walter cuts in on Jack, pushing back his words. “I don’t want to hear a word from you. I will handle Lucas after I speak to the Principal.” After he has said this, he turned to the rest of the students staring and ordered them to their classes. “Lucas White,” Mr. Walter calls out as he switched his gaze at Lucas and continued, “You have detention after school, but first I will speak to the principal about your act.”
LUNCHTIME
Lucas was ashamed to sit in the canteen for Lunch because everyone thinks he stole from Jack except for one person, Alicia Myles. He was seated in the class alone with his head on the desk. Alicia approaches him from behind tickling him.
Alicia Myles is Jack’s girlfriend. She is aware of how her boyfriend behaves because she has encountered him bullying fellow students. She still stuck around with him thinking he would change but each day he keeps on getting worst. Alicia’s stunning beauty won’t let Jack allow Alicia to break up with him. He has been threatened with a breakup severally but he continues with his empty promises of turning a new leaf. Alicia has an imp tin body, ruby red hair, a dainty nose, and velvety eyelashes. When she smiles she often displays her halo white teeth. Jack has described her lips to taste like a strawberry. Her joyous personality made her fellow peers always want to be around her, especially the boys. However, Jack has displayed he is jealous of seeing her around boys and he’s ready to give the person a beat down for coming around Alicia. When always she speaks, she spoke in a soothing voice. She just turned 16 a week ago.
“Hey Lucas, cheer up!”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
She slowly sat beside Lucas trying to make him feel happy again. She’s the only one that believes Lucas didn’t steal from Jack. She knew how Jack does behave. She gently picked Lucas’ palm and placed it on her palm. Slowly she caresses it.
“Come on talk to me.”
“Please don’t be upset with me.”
“Come on, don’t be that way. Look at me please.” Alicia gently pulled Lucas by his jaw. “I have an idea,” she added.
“What idea?” Lucas inquired with curiosity.
“Can you trust me on this and let me clear your name?”
“What do you intend to do?”
“Don’t worry; I will be right back, just cheer up.”
Although Alicia is Jack’s girlfriend, she has kept a good friendship with Lucas. She’s one of the peers who often come to Lucas for help when she fails to understand a mathematics problem.
As she was walking out of the classroom, Mr. Walter walked in. “Lucas White, you are needed at the Principal’s office, right now!”
Lucas reluctantly followed Mr. Walter. He have no idea of what Alicia wanted to do nor did he know what would be the outcome when he walks out of the Principal’s office. All he could sense was trouble and there’s no way he wants his father to learn of this situation.
Lucas’ expectations were cut off and his heart skipped when he walked into the Principal’s office and saw his father seated with the Principal. It’s now clear to him that the school authority has placed a call across his father without delay.
Detective White narrowed down his gaze on his son. He’s disappointed that after warning Lucas to stay out of trouble, he still got himself into trouble. He ignored the presence of his son and switched his attention to the Principal. “I am sorry if this turns out to be true but we shouldn’t just conclude on this matter just like that. My son has never stolen before.”
The Principal adjusted on his chair. He leans forwards and opens his mouth to speak. “We can’t be too sure of that. You are a detective and you know I can’t just dismiss a case like this based on assumption.”
“That’s right but we can’t conclude a case like this without proving he’s guilty.”
Mr. Walter clears his throat. He was standing by the door. He takes a few steps forward with his eyes on Detective White. “Forgive me detective but I saw the evidence myself.”
“What evidence are you talking about?” Detective White cast his gaze on Mr. Walter.
“The stolen book was brought out from his backpack.” Mr. Walter speaks of what he saw but not what he knows. He might have seen the stolen book in Lucas’ backpack but that doesn’t mean Lucas is guilty as hell.
“Can we at least allow my son to speak?” Detective White is certain that his son isn’t a troublesome time nor is he a thief. However, as a Detective, he knew that the words of a suspect can’t be taken just like that without any evidence to back it up.
As Lucas adjusts on the office sofa of the Principal, before he could open his mouth to speak, a gentle knock was heard twice. They all switched their attention towards the door after the Principal invited the person in.
To the Principal’s surprise, it was her daughter Alicia. He didn’t expect her to be in his office by now but to be getting ready for her next class. She’s the youngest daughter of Principal Myles. Principal Myles has three daughters and Alicia is the third. “Are you not supposed to be getting ready for the next class?” asked Principal Myles with his eyes fixed on his daughter.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your section with Detective White but I believe Lucas to be innocent of the accusations levied against him.”
Principal Myles rose from his chair and walks up to his daughter. He believes her judgment is clouded by her friendship with Lucas. “Alicia, this is not the time for this. Please get ready for the next class you have,” he said.
“I’m telling you, dad, he is innocent!”
“Do you have proof?” Detective White asked.
“You all have to listen to this!” Alicia pulled out her cell phone and slowly lowered it on the desk playing a voice record.
$Chapter
Chapter 3 – The Cue
Mr. Walter became spellbound that he couldn’t say any word after listening to Jack’s conversation with Alicia. Alicia confronted Jack and in the process, Jack revealed he accused Lucas of stealing his mathematics booklet after Lucas said he didn’t do the assignment he forced him to do.
Mr. Walter’s face turned pale as he slowly lowered his head in shame. He feels bad for every word he has said to Lucas and the embarrassment he made him go through. At this time, Principal Myles asked Lucas and Alicia to go back to their class because the next class will begin in five minutes.
“My son isn’t going anywhere until the school authority apologized to him.” Detective White rose to his feet folding his arms. From the look on his face, one can easily tell he could just punch Mr. Walter on his face. He isn’t happy how his son is accused. He has seen some falsely accused victims end up in jail for years before the truth comes out. If this happens to be a major case, his son would have ended up being one of the victims in jail.
Mr. Walter turned and faces Lucas. “I’m sorry,” he said. His tone wasn’t bright. He was feeling shame and bad for not listening to Lucas and going far to haul insult on him saying: ‘He is a disgrace to his father’s badge.’
“You disgraced him in public, you will tender an apology to him in public lest I will sue all of your asses.” Detective White is a man of justice. He is passionate about getting justice for people. His son won’t be left out, he too needs justice and the school must see to it or he sues them.
Cases of bully can’t be tolerated and if a bully has lied against the son of a cop, he wants to teach that bully a lesson but he can’t just go around punching a teenager even though that’s what he desires to do but as a cop and a good citizen of the United States, it’s against the law to do that. Detective White then cautioned the Principal to do his job in seeing to the end of bullying in his school.
He left the school feeling unhappy after Mr. Walter apologized to Lucas in public. He isn’t happy that his son for the past three years since he was transferred to New Orleans as a Detective and his son enrolled in Orleans High School; has been bullied by Jack who often forces Lucas to do his homework for him. He isn’t happy that Lucas didn’t tell him and has been taking a beat down by the same Jack. The School authority of Orleans High School Promised to handle this and to make sure they suspend Jack.
TWO HOURS LATER
Lucas was standing by the bus stop waiting for a bus to take him home when Jack approaches him with two of his friends. Lucas at first wanted to run but he decided to stay and see what he would do since he heard of Jack’s one-week suspension.
“Hey, you got me suspended!” Jack frowns at Lucas. He was cautioned by Mr. Walter to respect his age since he’s older than Lucas. Jack is 18 and uses his age against the people he bullies.
When Lucas saw him, he looked away acting as if he didn’t see him. He was patiently waiting for the bus since his dad will be working late and can’t pick him up from school. He started whistling and walking down to avoid eye contact with Jack.
This action of Lucas provoked Jack that he pulled him back and hold him against the bus stop sign. “You dare walk out on me whistling, huh?”
“Get your hands off me!” Lucas cried out.
“Or what?”
“Hey buddy, Mr. Walter, is driving out,” said Philip, one of Jack’s buddies.
“Today is your lucky day!” Jack releases Lucas from his grip and lets him slump to the ground. “One more thing, stay away from Alicia,” said Jack as he spat on Lucas.
Before Mr. Walter could drive to Lucas’ spot, they were already gone. He saw Lucas dragging himself to his feet. Some students saw what happened but don’t want to get involved because Jack would come after them once his suspension is lifted in one week. They turned a blind eye to the incident as they avoided having eye contact with Lucas.
Mr. Walter came to a stop near Lucas. He slides down his windscreen. “What happened?” he asked.
“Nothing sir, I’m fine!” Lucas picked up his backpack turning away from Mr. Walter.
“Let me drop you home!” Mr. Walter offers to help. He was trying to make up for the embarrassment he has caused in the morning. Deep down him, he knew no amount of apology could take it away.
Lucas refused but Mr. Walter’s persuasion was much on him that he reluctantly hoop into his car.
“I know you are not comfortable riding with me but that’s the least I could do.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
It was a ten minutes drive as Mr. Walter pulled over in front of Lucas’ apartment. Before Lucas walked out of the car, Mr. Walter apologized to him again and promised him he will make sure Jack never bothers him again when his suspension is lifted.
“I will appreciate it if you do that,” Lucas replied as he walks straight to the front door. As he was about to step on the porch he saw a white envelope lying on the floor. He picked it up wondering why a letter would be delivered to them in such a way without using the mailbox.
He narrowed his eyes trying to figure out who the letter is meant for. There’s no address on the white envelope but his name: Lucas White was boldly written on the white envelope. With curiosity, he couldn’t waste any time; he tore open the white envelope to reveal the content. Out of the white envelope fell out a plain sheet. He flips the sheet open to reveal bold written five words: ‘You are the Next Alpha.’
$Chapter
Chapter 4 – Make Me
Lucas couldn’t make any sense of what he just read. He has heard the word ‘Alpha’ before but that’s definitely from his pastor when he preaches. He could remember when his pastor could describe God as the Alpha which means the ‘Beginning.’ For some moments he pondered to himself if actually what he read means he will be the next God. ‘This might be from God,’ he thought to himself. That wouldn’t make sense as God won’t send a letter to him telling him he is the next Alpha.
He wants this to make sense to him but there’s no address on the letter, not even the sender's address. Without any sender’s address, he can’t make contact with the person that sent the letter to him. He slowly opens the door and walks into his apartment narrowing his eyes over and over again on the five-letter words. “What does this mean?” he asked.
One thing about Lucas is he never misses Sunday service or has he ever been late. If there is anyone God should write to, it should be him. He keeps every dogma of the church and reads his Bible. However, the plain sheet in his hands didn’t make sense to him at all.
“Ding Dong! Ding Dong!” the bells goes interrupting his thoughts.
He quickly rushed to answer the door. Peeping through the door hole to see who it was, made him smile on seeing Alicia. He quickly opens the door. “Hi!” he smiled down on Alicia and invited her in. He offered her a sit and continued. “I’m sorry I didn’t thank you for saving my ass.”
Lucas didn’t get the chance to say proper thank you to Alicia for being the one that revealed the truth about Jack’s lie against him. As he was about to speak further, he noticed Alicia’s countenance isn’t bright. Something was bothering her. She looks moody. Lucas sat beside her, “What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I broke up with him!” She started crying. She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. After she has confronted Jack and presented her proof to her father, Jack was disappointed in her and wanted to know why she could betray him. Alicia however, couldn’t let Jack keep acting like a real jackass and still pose around with her as his girlfriend. He has to call off the relationship though it was hard for her.
Lucas after he has wiped away Alicia’s tears offers her, his shoulder to rest on. “I understand how it is to let go of the one you love because of his behavior, I’m sorry it has to be because of me.”
“Don’t blame yourself. It’s not on you.”
“This shows you are a true friend.”
“What will I do to forget about him?”
“Get yourself occupied.”
“Occupied like this?” Alicia removes her head from Lucas’ shoulder and brought her lips close to Lucas’. She kissed him and threw her arms around him. As the kissing was going deep, Lucas threw away the piece of paper and held Alicia’s waist.
Alicia caught the glimpse of the plain sheet as she quickly pulled away from Lucas. What caught her attention were the written five words. She picked it up and then read aloud the five written words. ‘You are the Next Alpha.’ She cast her gaze on Lucas and with curiosity she asked, “What does this mean?”
“I have no idea. I just got it from the porch.”
“There’s no address on the white envelope?” Alicia bends to pick up the white envelope. She narrowed down her eyes on it and then switched her gaze on Lucas. “Where did this come from?” she asked.
“I have no idea.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“What exactly are you thinking?”
“This might be from Jack the jackass, don’t you think so?”
“Nah! Why would you think so?”
“Perhaps he wants to… Well, never mind. I’m not sure. Let’s just hope it’s not him.”
“I hope so.”
“There’s this complex question I want you to help me. Teach me how…”
Alicia’s words were pushed back to her throat by a loud knock on the front door of Lucas’ apartment. The knock was so loud as if the door was being hit with a hammer. Lucas quickly rushed to the door to know who it was. He forgot to peep through the door hole. Immediately he opened the door, a punch landed on him followed by a kick to the lower abdomen.
$Chapter
Chapter 5 – Into the Woods
“Jack, have you gone nuts?” Alicia cried out.
It’s obvious that Jack followed Lucas home and it’s quite obvious that Lucas didn’t harken to Jack’s warning when he asked him to stay away from Alicia. Something about Jack is, he never listens either. He takes advantage of his father being a congressman to behave like a jackass Alicia called him. He gives not listening ears to the school rules or even respects the law. He wants to let his anger out on Lucas for getting him suspended and for still hanging out with Alicia. He drags Lucas to his feet and landed him another punch.
Alicia wanted to help but he pushed her towards Philip. “Take her to the truck!” said Jack. He makes his way to Lucas and dragged him up once more. “I told you to stay away from her, didn’t I?”
“You will not get away with this,” Lucas mutters. He is used to Jack’s beating but this very punch is times two of what Jack has been giving him.
“You are wrong; I have already gotten away with this!” Jack held Lucas to the wall and punched him severally on his abdomen. “Your father will never save you from what I have in store for you!” said Jack as he dragged Lucas out of his apartment.
Jack made sure no one was watching as he dragged Lucas to the truck. After he pushed him into the truck, he drove out.
“What is wrong with you?” Alicia yelled. She was seated in the back seat of the truck with Lucas and Philip was seated at the front with Jack on the wheels.
“You shouldn’t have called off the relationship because of him. You betrayed me and now you are with him, huh!” Jack snapped back at Alicia. Although he still loves her, he is filled with rage of anger. He wants Lucas to pay for getting him suspended and not listening to stay away from Alicia.
“Don’t do this, whatever you think you want to do,” Lucas spoke up. He is still feeling pain from the punches and kicking he received from Jack a while ago. No one has an idea of where Jack is taking them but someone should better talk him out of this madness before it gets too late.
“Keep your mouth shut!” Jack yelled as he gazes at Lucas from the rear mirror. He was driving as fast as he could.
“Where are you taking us to?” Alicia asked.
“Sit tight baby girl, you don’t want to be part of this,” Jack replied focusing on the wheels.
Driving about two miles to the wooded area, Jack was fast enough to see a police patrol car ahead. The patrol car seems to have pulled over and the officer seems to be giving out a ticket to over speeding driver. He didn’t want Lucas and Alicia to scream for the officer's help so he quickly swerve into the woods with the hope of finding another route but unfortunately for them, he followed the wrong way. He didn’t know he was heading for a greenish swarm of alligators.
Jack’s blue truck smashed into a tree preventing it from falling into the greenish swarm. They hit their head so hard as a result of the rough crash into the tree. There’s no one to get help for them. The patrol officer didn’t see Jack swerving off the road, they are all alone and it was already getting dark.
Lucas realizing what has happened tried to open the door but the door was stuck. “Are you alright?” he glanced at Alicia.
“I will live!”
Lucas tried the left door to see if it would open but the door was stuck as well. “Oh no!” he cried out. “This is your doing Jackass!” he hauled insult on Jack. There was no response unlike Jack that would reply to everything said to him.
“Something is not right,” said Alicia as she quickly removed her seatbelt. She began to shake Jack but he isn’t responding.
Lucas with his elbow broke the windscreen. “We need to find a way out first and get help.”
“I can feel his pulse but he isn’t moving.”
“What about Philip, can you feel his pulse too?”
“Yes, and they are both bleeding from the nostrils.”
“Reach for their phone, we could use it and call for help.”
Lucas isn’t with his phone and neither is Alicia. They were pulled out of the house without anything on them. Lucas slowly climbs out and gestures to Alicia to get their phones and climb out.
“They have no phone on them!”
“No! No! This can’t be true. Check again!”
“I have but there’s no phone.”
“Check the pigeonhole!”
Alicia pulled open the pigeon-hole but there isn’t any phone in there too. It’s already dark and the full moon appeared from behind a blanket of dark gray clouds. They could barely see with just the source of the light from the moon.
Alicia cast a terrified glance at Lucas and whispered in a frightened voice. “We need to get help from the roadside, help me out.”
Lucas didn’t hesitate, he draws closer to help Alicia out but as the moon cast aside its cloudy veil, she caught a glimpse of the glowing half-green eye of a hairy beasty creature staring from behind an oak tree a few paces away from them. Its sharp fangs and claws glistened in the dark. “Lucas, turn around,” she mutters in a frightened voice.
“What’s the matter?” Lucas asked as he flicked around.
“Something is watching.”
“I can’t see anything.” Lucas’ eyes were fixed toward the direction of the oak tree but didn’t see anything or anyone.
“Maybe it’s gone.”
“Is an illusion because you are afraid of the dark, we need to get to the roadside and get help.” Lucas helped Alicia climb out of the car. She firmly held Lucas as they both made a turn toward the roadside.
Heading towards the roadside, they were a loud growling from their behind. This growling pierced through their ears and caused their heart to skip. Slowly they turned only to behold a 12 feet tall hairy beasty creature with half-green eyes before them. The creature has a snout, fangs in place of teeth, and claws in place of fingers.
“Run!” yelled Lucas.
The moon peeped through the oak tree leaves and faintly lit up the dark path ahead. Alicia flicked around and ran as fast as she could, thinking Lucas was right behind her. Before Lucas could flick around to run too, the 12 feet tall hairy beasty creature pounced at Lucas. The creature buried its fangs into his neck and its claws into his lower abdomen. Pulling out its claws and fangs from Lucas, the creature scratched his chest and then fanged him on the chest. The pain was so excruciating that he had lost his voice to even scream out loud.
Lucas’ eyes began to close slowly as he fights through the agonizing moment of his life. His thought flashed back to his late mother whom the police department believed was killed by a wild bear. Perhaps his fate with her mother is the same. It’s quite clear now that he has to die like his mother.
Alicia let out a loud cry. She became paralyzed in fear that she couldn’t move. The loud cry drew the creature’s attention toward her as the creature switched its attention to her. The creature growled sniffing out smoke from its nostrils.
$Chapter
Chapter 6 – Out of the Woods
Just as the hairy beasty creature slowly approaches Alicia, the moon disappeared behind a blanket of dark gray clouds. Realizing the moon has disappeared behind the blanket of dark gray clouds, the creature moved at an accelerated speed. It moved faster than a human speed which made it invisible for Alicia’s naked eye to perceive its movement.
Alicia gave a sigh of relief and quickly rushed to check on Lucas. “Lucas!” she yelled. She quickly went on her knees and lifted Lucas by the shoulder. “Please stay with me!” she said.
Lucas’ breath is fading away and he is bleeding out real fast. She didn’t know where to begin in stopping the bleeding. At this time, Jack and Philip have regained consciousness. They both approached Alicia who at this time is covered in Lucas’ blood.
“Oh my God!” Jack cried out. “What happened?” he added. He didn’t expect anyone to get hurt. He just wants to scare Lucas and nothing more. From what he has seen, Lucas’ bleeding isn’t a result of the accident. There must be a logical explanation for this.
“This is your fault, stay away from us!” Alicia cried out.
Jack might be a jackass but he isn’t a killer. He might be a bully but never wanted to stain his hands with blood. Philip rushed back to the truck and pulled out his cell phone from under the passenger’s seat. He often keeps an emergency phone there in case he got robbed. He quickly dialed 911.
There was a quick response from the service provider. They didn’t waste any time in responding to the emergency call. “This is 911, what’s your emergency?”
“We need an ambulance, my friend is hurt!” Philip cried out in a devastated tone. He’s damn scared of what will be the outcome of their actions. He advised Jack not to scare Lucas by forcing him to the truck. ‘It’s just a teenager plank,’ Jack replied insisting he wants to put fear in Lucas by driving miles away from his home and then dropping him off at the nearest bus stop to his house. Philip however, disputed this but later gave in to Jack’s persuasion. Now the whole plank has gone wrong and there’s no way they will ever escape from this.
Jack draws closer to Alicia. He was still bleeding from his nose due to the rough crash on the tree. He bends down and said in a calm voice. “Help is on the way.”
“Just stay away from me.”
“I am truly sorry and never meant for all this to happen.”
“Can you just listen to yourself? Because of you, Lucas is fighting to stay alive. His breath is fading because you led us here for us to be attacked by a hairy beasty creature!”
Jack was shocked on hearing they got attacked by ‘a hairy beasty creature.’ He didn’t know what to believe but he was certain that Lucas didn’t sustain his injuries because of the rough crash. He narrowed his gaze on Lucas and was able to pick up some deep scratches on his chest down to his abdomen. He glanced at Alicia frightfully and swallowed a lump and then spoke in a quivering voice. “Whatever that attacked him might still be here, we need to go now.”
“I can’t leave if we are not going to save him.”
“There’s nothing we could do, just let him be. We need to get to safety, he’s already…”
“Will you shut your mouth?” Alicia rudely snapped back at Jack interrupting him. “This happened because of you and you have the gut to voice out trash!”
“You don’t understand, we…”
Jack’s words were pushed back to his dry throat by the sound of sirens. Finally, help has arrived. The police department just arrived at the scene with ambulances as they pulled over by the roadside and hastily made their way into the woods.
SOME HOURS LATER: ST LEO’S HOSPITAL
The doctors of St Leo’s Hospital, New Orleans were able to save the life of Lucas but he’s still unconscious. The minor injuries of Jack and Philip have been attended to but Detective White is really on their ass after gathering some reports from Alicia on what happened. He described the actions of Jack and Philip as a kidnapping case and he wants his department to press charges or he’s gonna do it personally as the father of the kidnapped victim.
Detective White was about to lead Jack and Philip out to proceed to his precinct for further questioning. As he was about to open the door of his car, Congressman Styles walks in on him, accompanied by Sergeant Shark and Captain Harris from Detective White’s precinct.
“Detective, I’m taking these two off your hands,” said Captain Harris. He’s the precinct commander of Detective White’s precinct.
Detective White weirdly stares at Congressman Styles. He knew this was his doing to get his son, Jack of the hooks. He then switched his focus to the captain and spoke in a harsh voice. “And why would you do that?”
“Listen, Detective, this is a direct order.”
“Are you trying to drop this case just like that because he’s the son of a congressman, huh?”
“We are not dropping this case neither are we turning a blind eye to it. However, you will not be handling this case yourself to avoid your judgment being clouded because your son is the victim.” Captain Harris switched his gaze on Sergeant Shark and ordered him to take Jack and Philip away.
$Chapter
Chapter 7 – First Changes
Detective White didn’t like Captain Harris' decision. He wants to get to the root of this himself since Alicia has given out her testimony as a witness to a crime committed by Jack Styles and Philip. As Sergeant Shark leads Jack and Philip to the congressman’s car instead of the police patrol car, Detective White was enraged. He approached his captain and confronted him in the presence of Congressman Styles. “What the fuck is this? They should be heading to the precinct for further interrogation and not going home with the congressman!”
“Watch the tone of your voice Detective, I can have your ass suspended!” said the Captain as he glances at Detective White. He frowns at him although he knows the detective was speaking the plain truth. The captain wants to shield Jack and his friend because he’s the son of a congressman.
“Truth will never be hidden even if you suspend me! You have to take them to the…”
“Enough Detective!” Captain Harris slammed at Detective White and continued. “Are you dumb to notice it’s 4 in the morning and these two teenagers need some rest after what they went through and not interrogation? If I hear a word from you, I will suspend your sorry ass. They will be invited to the precinct for further questions when the day breaks.”
“Perhaps I should come in, Captain Harris,” said the Congressman as he switched his attention back on Detective White. He then approaches him, narrowing down his eyes at him. He puts up a fake smile and then opens his mouth to speak. “Your captain might have told you he would suspend you. But if you come after my son or his friend unlawfully, I will have your badge taken away from you. Like your captain has said, you allow them to handle this case, you are off the case.”
“You want to protect your son and yet you want another man to abandon his son. If by one week's time, there are no positive actions taken, I will be pressing charges myself.” After Detective White has said this, he walks out on them heading back to check on his son.
Getting back inside, he saw Alicia seated at the reception with her head buried in between her legs. He slowly approaches her and then quietly sat beside her. “Is he awake?” asked Detective White.
Alicia puts up her head and spoke in a tiny little voice. “No sir,” she replied.
“Your parents will be worried now, let me take you home.”
“I need to stay and make sure he’s well before I leave.”
“Don’t worry, he will be alright. You can come back in the noon to check up on him but at first, you need to be home with your family and get some rest.”
“Do me a favor sir, would you?”
“Name it.”
“Let me know as soon as he’s awake.”
“Of course, I will.” Detective White leads the way to his car. Even though he’s not happy with his captain’s decision, he still has Alicia’s testimony and can be able to use it to make a clean lawsuit. He opens the door of the car as Alicia slowly gets in. He shuts the door and moves towards the driver’s side.
LUCAS’ WARD
Lucas inhales as air enters his lungs. Oxygen from the breathed air moves from his lungs to his blood as he quickly sat up. He stares around in total confusion only to realize he is in the hospital. The ventilator was slowly beeping which caught his attention to the intubation inserted into his nose. He didn’t waste any time in pulling it out as he slides down on the bed. He was pressed and needed to take a lick. He stares around once more as he caught a glimpse of another door he believes to be the toilet. He opens the door and walks into it. He wasn’t mistaken at all. Seems like he is certain as if he knows every corner of his ward.
After he has taken a lick, he moves closer to the mirror affixed to the wall of the toilet. He stares at himself through the mirror. He has never gotten injured to the point of having bandages around his chest down to his abdomen. He vividly remembered the attack but what marveled him is that he isn’t feeling any pain unlike when he was attacked. He pressed his chest down to the lower abdomen but there was no sign of pain at all. There’s no way what happened to him in the woods was a dream, if not he wouldn’t be here at the hospital.
To be sure of what he was feeling if it was real or just another nightmare; he hit himself on the chest down to his abdomen like a gorilla and there was still no pain he felt. He wasn’t feeling the pain from the attack nor was he feeling any pain for hitting himself. His curiosity grew strong that he slowly started removing the bandage to check his wounds. Some part of the bandage was still stained in his blood but he was surprised and curious when he realized they were no wounds on him. He wondered what the doctor would have injected in him to make him heal so fast. Even if he has been unconscious for a week, they would still be the mark of his wounds or a bit of his wound that is still left rather than to heal completely without a trace of it.
He was eager to ask the doctor what type of injection he was injected with. He wasn’t feeling any pain nor was any wound still on his body. As he turned to leave, his eyes glowed blue. “Holy Moses!” he exclaimed. He brought his face closer to the mirror to know if what he saw was real. He stares deep into the mirror and his glowing blue eyes terrified him that he drew away from the mirror.
“What is wrong with me?” he spoke in a soft voice revealing his new fangs in place of teeth. Fangs have replaced his teeth which made him more terrified of himself. He noticed his fingers making a cracking sound only to realize his fingers have grown into claws. He fell to his ass more terrified than ever as he draws to the corner of the toilet shivering.
$Chapter
Chapter 8 – Glowed
Detective White after dropping off Alicia decided to investigate on Route 9, the very place his son was attacked by what he believed was a wild bear that also killed his beloved wife. He pulled over by the roadside and slowly walked out of his car. It was still dark and very soon the day would dawn. His police department still considered the place as an act of crime scene. They rounded the whole area with police tape. Detective White didn’t have any source of light with him. He crossed over the police tape and headed towards the oak tree where Jack’s truck ran into.
As he was observing the scene, he heard a pitched howl which was followed by many more as the moon peeped through the oak tree leaves and faintly lit up the dark path ahead. Detective White hastily draws out his service revolver. His best guess was the howling came from wolves. The howls were replaced by ferocious barking which made him tremble with fear. Being alone in the woods at this odd hour isn’t the best thing to do. As he flicked around to head to his car, he caught a glimpse of glowing blue eyes. He couldn’t see the figure of the creature’s glowing eyes. He didn’t want to fire any shot without getting a clear shot.
With haste, he headed back to his car. Looking back to know if he was followed, he made a sigh of relief when he noticed he wasn’t being followed by what he believed were the wolves. As he turned towards his car, he exclaimed on seeing a young man standing by the trunk of his car. “Oh shit, you scared the crap out of me boy!” he cried out.
He draws back his service revolver and makes his way to the young man. He narrowed his gaze at the young man who hasn’t said a word but only stare at the Detective. The young man looks older than his son Lucas and should be in his twenties. “What are you doing here son? It’s not safe here,” said Detective White. He expresses his concern as a cop. After all, that’s his job to keep people out of danger.
The young man said no word to him but to stare. He was putting on a blown tunic which made Detective White curious. ‘What type of man still dresses in a tunic in this 21 century?’ he pondered in his heart and then opened his mouth to speak again. “Look son, you have to say something. Are you lost or what? What the hell are you doing in this place all by yourself?”
For the very first time, the young man opens his mouth to speak. He cast his gaze on Detective White. “What happened here shouldn’t be investigated. Tell your precinct to take off these police tapes as soon as possible.” After he had said this, his eyes glowed blue as he move at an accelerated speed. He moved faster than Detective White’s naked eye could see.
“What the hell!” exclaimed Detective White. He just received the shock of his life. A young man with glowing eyes and with a speed faster than the theoretical maximum speed of any human. He couldn’t make any sense of what he just witnessed. He started looking around to see if he could still see the young man but disappointedly, he was nowhere to be found. He vowed to get to the root of this incident and make sure he finds out what attacked his son as well.
ST LEO’S HOSPITAL
The just risen sun shone through the window of Lucas’ ward as Detective White opens the door. His heart skipped at first when he realized his son wasn’t lying on the hospital bed. The monitors are still beeping and he thought his son didn’t make it and has been carried to the morgue. He fell to his knees and cried out. He can’t lose his wife and only son. He can’t be left alone in this world. As his thoughts were traveling around down his memory lane, he heard a soft sobbing coming from the toilet. He quickly rose to his feet and rushed to see who it was only to see Lucas sitting at the corner of the wall with his head buried in between his legs.
“Son, are you alright?” he asked.
“I’m a monster, stay away from me dad,” Lucas cried out still hiding his face in between his legs.
“What are you talking about son?” Detective White approaches. He bends facing his son as he slowly grabs him.
“Stay away dad. I’m a monster. You don’t have to see me this way, you don’t deserve it.”
Detective White didn’t understand what Lucas was talking about. “Son, you’re not a monster. I think you should get to your feet, let me help you to the bed. You are not strong enough to be left alone. Please come with me.”
“Now I have seen what attacked mom and the same thing has attacked me changing my look. I can’t even look at the mirror without getting scared of myself.” Lucas after he noticed the changes in him, has been looking at the mirror every ten minutes to stare at his new look and curse himself. His glowing blue eyes, fangs, and claws made him have a rethink. Perhaps this is what he is and not a smart dude everyone wants to be around.
Detective White gently pulls up Lucas’ head. “Son, you need to rest and not blame yourself for anything.”
$Chapter
Chapter 9 – The Visit
Lucas didn’t want to scare his father with his new look. He was really scared that his father would see his new look and scream or even disown him. But his fear didn’t come to life. His father was still seeing his lovely son whom he has always loved and will always love. He kissed Lucas on the forehead and helped him up.
Lucas wasn’t sure if his father was in his right sense. ‘Who will see a monster and will not run away from such a monster?’ His thought can’t make any sense to him as well as he quickly rushed to the mirror only to realize, he was looking normal, with no fangs, no claws, and no glowing eyes. He stares at the mirror for a few seconds and then grinned.
“Any problem son?” asked Detective White.
“Not at all, I’m fine.”
“Good, then you have to return to your bed. You need to have enough rest.”
“Alright dad,” Lucas replied putting up a cute smile. He wasn’t sure of what happened and what he did to make himself look normal again. Perhaps what he saw at first wasn’t real but just an illusion. On second thought, he thought he was seeing things because of the trauma he has passed through. But one thing is certain, his wounds have been healed completely and that still marvels him.
He slowly climbs the bed and lies down as his father covers him. “I will let the doctor know you are awake so he can get your breakfast for you and the necessary medication. I still have work to do.” Detective White still hasn’t forgotten his encounter last night at Route 9. He wants to find the young man dressed in a blown tunic and know what the young man was talking about. At the same time, he didn’t want his son to know of his encounter, he just wanted to keep it low until he comes to concrete findings.
After Detective White left, Lucas climbed down from the bed and walks back to the toilet. He still can’t believe his wounds are healed but how it happened, he can’t figure out. Humans take time to heal especially one that has fatally been wounded. But this wasn’t so with the case of Lucas. He stares himself through the mirror trying to make sure his eyes aren’t deceiving him. “How is this possible?” he mutters below his breath.
Lucas made up his mind not to bother himself about the quick healing. He reluctantly walks back to his ward. As he was about to climb his bed, he heard a strange voice behind him. “Hello, Lucas!”
In fear, he flicked around. He wasn’t expecting anyone not to talk of a stranger. Before him, stood a lady with glossy skin, she was putting on a white flowing gown and her hair was gray. Lucas narrowed his eyes at her. “Who are you?” he asked with his eyes fixed on the lady.
“I’m sorry for the way I walked in on you. Forgive my manners. My name is Bonnie.” She offered her hand for a shake to Lucas.
“I don’t remember you.”
“I know that’s because we have not met in person.”
“Met in person?” Lucas asked with curiosity. If they have not met in person that means they have spoken on the phone or on social media. Either way, Lucas can’t remember speaking with anyone over the phone or on social media with the name, ‘Bonnie.’
“There are a lot of explanations to make; I hope you will give me the chance to do that?”
“That depends.”
“Then I should sit first.” Bonnie makes her way to the wooden chair next to Lucas’ bed and made herself comfortable on the chair. She crossed her leg and gestured at Lucas to sit on his bed.
“Let’s get on with this, shall we?”
“Did you receive my letter?”
“What letter?”
“I wrote to…”
Before Bonnie could finish speaking, Lucas drove back her words. “Wait a minute!” Lucas cried out as he adjusts on the bed. “Are you the one that sent that letter with only five written words?”
“There are not just ordinary five written words. They are beyond it.”
“Are you an angel?” Lucas asked. Her dressing shows she could be only that she has no wings and she is in her twenties which might seem impossible. Lucas narrowed down his gaze on her, “Tell me, are you an angel?” he asked again with curiosity.
“I’m not an angel but a witch of the white clan.”
Lucas quickly rose to his feet with his mind flashing back to the last sermon of his pastor. His pastor has quoted the Holy Scripture that says, ‘Suffer not a witch to live.’ If Bonnie is who she says she is, then Lucas has no option but to ask her to leave. “I can’t sit and discuss with you, so if you do not mind, you have to leave right now.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” Bonnie rose to her feet and continued. “A white clan witch does not impose any threat on anyone. You need to hear what I have to say.”
“There’s nothing you will say I will listen to. So you better start leaving.” When Lucas moved into New Orleans, he has heard of witches engaging in a fierce fight in the quarters. This fight was described by the police department as a ‘supernatural fist.’ However, after weeks of the police department getting involved, the battle came to a halt.
Bonnie didn’t want to live Lucas in the dark with recent happenings around him. She is one of the good witches in New Orleans taking after her mother and grandmother after they were mercilessly killed. “You have no idea what’s coming.”
“I don’t care!” Lucas replied turning away from Bonnie.
“I think you have to listen to what I have to say.”
“The only thing I’m listening to is my pastor’s voice repeating over and over in my head telling me not to suffer a witch to live. If you do not live right now, I will commit an act of murder fulfilling the Holy Scripture.”
$Chapter
Chapter 10 – They’re Coming
Bonnie puts up a soft smile. It’s now clear to her that Lucas is just being religious because she introduced herself as a witch from the white clan. “This is not the time to play religion.”
“If you don’t leave right away, I will call in the…”
“There’s no need for that,” Bonnie cuts in. “I will leave but not until you hear me out. Please sit.”
“Say what you have to say and get the hell out,” Lucas said as he reluctantly sat on the bed.
Bonnie sat on the chair with her legs crossed. She fixed her eyes on Lucas as she opened her mouth to speak. “Weeks ago, I saw a vision about a young man named Lucas White. That’s why I wrote to you that you are the new alpha. With what is happening between the witches’ coven and the werewolves’ clan, I see a savior in you.”
Hearing the word ‘werewolves’ didn’t seem new to Lucas. He has seen a couple of movies about werewolves and has read a couple of books about the creatures but to him, they are just folktales and nothing more. They aren’t real but just fiction. Lucas let out a loud laugh. He didn’t need any bedtime stories if that is what Bonnie has come to do. “Do you know werewolves are just folktale?” he asked scoffing at Bonnie.
“That’s what a lot of people believe not knowing they are living with werewolves in the same city.” Bonnie stood to her feet and started pacing around as she continued. “You never gave a thought to who attacked you and if you have, you would know you were attacked by a werewolf and not just a wild animal in the woods as the police always believed. Werewolves have been attacking and killing their victims which I believe you and I share something in common. My mother and grandmother were killed by the same werewolf that attacked you. War has broken out between the werewolves and the witches’ coven. Both the dark witch and the white clan witch are coming together to end this war between the werewolves and the witches. You happen to be a victim of the same werewolf that killed your mother but we can turn that to be a great success on our side as we…”
Lucas cuts in sharply. “I’m tired of listening to this crap, you need to go now!” He is tired of listening to Bonnie. He didn’t want anyone to mention his late mother to him. He wants to try and forget the tragedy but here is a stranger reminding him of his mother.
“You still do not get it, do you?” Bonnie might not be known by Lucas but through her visions, she has known Lucas and after her vision, she sent a letter with no address on it telling Lucas he’s the new alpha. However, Lucas didn’t understand why a letter would be sent to him without any sender’s or receiver’s address. The same creature that attacked Lucas was the same creature that attacked and killed Lucas’ mother and as well Bennie’s mother and grandmother.
Bonnie sounds like she wants revenge but this is beyond revenge. She just wants to get a werewolf on the witches’ side even though Lucas hasn’t know what he has become. To be able to beat the werewolves, the witches believe they need a werewolf by their side and they have sent Bonnie to make it happen for her vision about Lucas to be fulfilled.
“You are just cooking all this bullshit.” Lucas frowned at Bonnie. He is not a fighting type and has never raised a finger on ladies. What Bonnie is saying and getting his mother involved in this folktale, makes him wanna slap Bonnie to her senses but he couldn’t because he is an easy-going guy and not a violent type.
“If what I’m saying to you isn’t true, how come have you healed so fast?” asked Bonnie.
Werewolves are known to possess the ability to heal faster when wounded. Lucas has witnessed this healing process but didn’t know what it means. He thought the doctors might have injected him with something that made him heal as quickly as possible. If someone is attacked by a werewolf and the werewolf wishes to turn the person rather than kill the person, the werewolf will allow its venom into the victim’s body rather than drain his blood dry. The werewolf’s venom can be transferred through fangs or claws. Afterward, the victim will be able to heal completely. The accelerated healing of a werewolf has just occurred in Lucas but he has no idea how it happened.
“You are lying,” Lucas replied as he draws away from Bonnie. He was acting up and didn’t want Bonnie to know that he has healed even though Bonnie already knew. He became terrified but didn’t want Bonnie to see that in his eyes.
“You and I know you have experienced the werewolf’s accelerated healing. You are a werewolf Lucas White and if you don’t come with me, they will hunt you and make sure they turn you into one of their evil packs.”
“Who will come for me?” Lucas spoke in a low voice filled with fear. He has had enough already and does not what to experience any attack from anyone not even a monstrous creature in the woods. He just wants to be safe and be free from bullies as well.
“The werewolf that turned you will surely come for you. He’s raising an army of werewolves that will join his pack to erase the witches.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“You are now his spawn and he will make everything possible to get you following him.”
“This is insane.”
“Please, come with me and I will make you see the truth by yourself.” Bonnie stretched her hand towards Lucas.
She offered her hand to him but before Lucas could make up his mind, the door of his ward was slammed open. “No one is going anywhere!” said a 10 feet bearded muscular man with glowing yellow eyes.
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