It seemed to her that an eternity had passed when a car pulled into the gas station. At first Sammy jumped in fright, but it wasn't a Honda, it was a silver Ford. As soon as the car braked nearby, Doyle literally jumped out of the passenger seat.Samantha unlocked the door with trembling hands and climbed out, and Travis flew up and grabbed her and held her tightly to him. Once in his arms, Sammy burst into tears again, and he stroked her back.- Well, that's enough, calm down ... Everything is fine, I'm here ...Trying to control herself, Sammy pulled away slightly, and Travis took her face in his hands and looked into her eyes.Everything will be all right, you hear?Sammy nodded, trembling but still clinging to Travis. However, he didn't push her away.Someone whistled nearby, and Sammy peered over Doyle's shoulder to see Steve. He was looking at the car.- Dude, this is just trash ... Look.Travis turned around without removing his hand from Samantha's shoulders. His face darkened
- How are you baby? Teresa asked when Sammy appeared in the kitchen. You look upset, did something happen?Samantha poured a glass of water and drank it in one gulp. She was still slightly shaking from the experience, and the cold voice of Carter Doyle still rang in her ears. After thinking, she decided not to hide the truth from her mother - more precisely, her "official" part:- Yes... Travis had a minor accident.Terri looked up in fear.- You were with him?"No," Sammy shook her head, shivering. - I then came there with Steve, this is his friend.- And how did Travis himself get hurt? her mother asked sympathetically, and Sammy almost burst into tears again.- No, everything is okay. We were all just a little nervous.“Thank God it worked out,” Teresa breathed. “You seem to be very worried about him,” she said softly, looking at her daughter.Samantha nodded, biting her lip.- Yes, but... Travis is strong, he can handle it.“In that case, you should take care of yourself,” Mom smi
- Not at all. And we, perhaps, will drive further along the coast - we will not disturb you, - the man smiled politely. - Best wishes!"You too," Ben said, and Sammy's mother nodded as well. The guy who didn't say a word during the conversation, glanced at Samantha and followed his father.As the unexpected visitors left, Sammy let out a breath, while her parents seemed puzzled.“I never would have thought,” Ben said, “that there could be wolves here. I don't think they'll get here - there are houses everywhere, and there are plenty of people. But something must be done with the poor animals, otherwise they will run out to human settlements, and this threatens them, first of all, with danger.- That's for sure ... - Sammy became restless at heart. She imagined a sort of Brad with a gun at the ready, who sneaks through the forest and guards the wolves ... One of which may be Travis. The thought made her insides tighten, and Samantha coughed. Her mother hurried over to her and patted he
The gloomy rainy morning didn't put Sammy in a positive mood. She was nervous, she didn't know why, and kept checking her watch - Travis was due to arrive soon.On the eve of the abundance of impressions, Sammy did not have time to think it over properly, but in the morning, with a fresh head, anxiety came with a vengeance. Travis was clearly getting worse, which means that soon she would have to go through his transformation again. Samantha felt unwell just thinking about it, and one could guess what Doyle himself felt.She could hardly wait for his arrival, and breathed a sigh of relief when his Chevrolet pulled up to the house - which means he is still in order. Saying goodbye to her mother, who, noticing Travis' car and winking at her, Sammy ran out of the house.Doyle was fine, indeed, but he looked just as bad. However, he smiled as Samantha sat down next to him.Hi, are you rested? he asked as he pulled the car out onto the road.- Yes and you?“It will do,” he nodded, but aver
She went to lunch with Jasper. River and Tina had not yet returned from a field trip to the museum of indigenous culture, which Sammy had already been on last year - just Green took her with him, with his class. Now Samantha had very little idea of his affairs.However, she was glad to see him, as always. The soft smile of a friend revived the past, when no worries about werewolves tormented the soul, and everything was simple and understandable.- Roast beef sandwich? Jas wondered as he sat down beside him. You've always loved turkey.“Travis often takes it,” Sammy said, and his friend chuckled.- Adopt his habits?- Only some.For a while they chatted about all sorts of nonsense like movies and games, but then Jasper asked about what seemed to be bothering him:- Look, it's none of my business, of course... What's going on with Doyle? Does he have any problems? He's as pale as a toadstool and doesn't look like he's sleeping at all."Well, nothing special," Sammy replied with mock
Making their way through the crowd of schoolchildren in the hallway, Sammy and Steve reached the headmaster's office. It seems that the rumors spread very quickly - they kept catching glances, conversations clearly revolved around one topic. Sammy's hands were trembling, and only Allen's presence kept her from panicking.They entered the reception room without problems, but the secretary, an elderly lady, instantly jumped out of her seat and blocked their path directly to the director's office.- You can't go there! – categorically declared the woman, frowning at the guys. - The director is busy. Get back to class!We know what he's up to! Sammy exclaimed. And we want to talk about it.“This is no longer a matter for the school, but for the police,” objected the secretary. - When the officer arrives, he will call everyone he needs, but for now I have to repeat - leave! Or I'll call security!Samantha nearly burst into tears of despair. Steve tried to argue further, but she realized th
- Everything will be fine!- Hope. - Samantha was already unbearable to think about all this, and she decided to change the topic of conversation: - Have you been friends with him for a long time?"We've known each other for a long time," Steve nodded. - And they started to communicate closely recently. Before, Shannon always hung around with him, but I can't stomach him. And Travis himself is now much calmer. Previously, his "star disease" periodically worsened, - he grinned. "Looks like you're a good influence on him." Have you just started dating too?- Yes, only... We're not really dating.- How is that? Steve laughed. - Make-believe?Sammy smiled involuntarily.- No ... We are close, I do not argue, but not ...- Don't sleep together? Allen spoke bluntly, and Sammy, blushing, nodded. Although if we take into account exactly the joint dream, then the answer would be the opposite. - Not surprised. Travis treats you differently, it shows.- How else? Sammy asked, looking up. Had Doy
Samantha did not have time to open the front door - it swung open in front of her. Her father appeared in the doorway, and Sammy shuddered, she had never seen him so furious.Ben grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. His face was reddened with anger, he could hardly control himself.- Where have you been?? roared the father. I already called the police!- What? For what? Sammy exclaimed. Dad, I told you...“I thought you were arrested with him!” Ben shouted. Behind him appeared his mother with a tear-stained face. “Where have you been, I ask again!”"Near the school," Sammy said softly, leaning against the wall. “Dad, it's all resolved… It's not Travis' fault.- Don't you dare rip him off! Are you saying he doesn't use anything? I saw him the other day - everything is written on his face!- Baby, we ... - the mother began, it was, but Sammy seemed to be engulfed in a fire of raging anger:- What?? she shouted. - What do you know about him! You could have asked me first! Travis does n
- Which?"I owe you something," Travis smiled slyly. - Let's go to.Her heart beat faster as Sammy took his hand and followed him. He didn't have to go far, only to his car parked nearby.- Wait a minute, I'm here. Travis ran into the house while Sammy waited.Left alone for a while, she fell ill and took a breath - there were a lot of impressions today. In the morning, he, Travis, and Leah visited Steve in the hospital, and now Doyle was no longer tormented by the upcoming treatment of a friend. They knew that this would not happen, and the joy of the meeting was not overshadowed by worries and fears. Steve was on the mend with confidence, though not at a wolf pace, and looked noticeably better. They chatted happily, making plans for the future, and Sammy smiled involuntarily as she watched Steve and Leah. They seemed to be truly in love with each other, and she was pleased with every word they exchanged.Everything had changed so much in the past few days that Sammy had no time to t
On a Saturday afternoon, Sammy and Travis were driving to his parents' house, and Samantha did her best to calm the excitement that was playing out in earnest. Travis cheered her up in every possible way, but she still had goosebumps.“What if he doesn’t like me, and he will be against our relationship ...” she muttered, clenching her trembling fingers in her lap, and Travis smiled:"Even if the whole world is against it, it won't hurt us," he said. - Listen, I already regret that I complained to you so much about your father - you consider him almost a fiend. My dad, of course, is not a gift, but far from a fool, and will be able to recognize a good smart girl. Actually, I'm sure he's got all the information he can on you, so don't worry.Sammy glared at him and Doyle laughed.- Well, what did you think? He's worried about me, as it turned out, so he wouldn't be surprised.- Come on, both of you ... - Sammy muttered, which amused Travis more than ever.But he, despite the bravado, wa
Remembering this, Sammy blushed involuntarily, and Travis mistook her embarrassment for alarm.- Everything will be fine, Frog! It will only clarify my position, nothing more. Do you believe me?"Yes," Sammy whispered, and the excitement dissipated like mist before it arrived.Matthew was a burly, black-haired man in his forties, about the same age as Becker. He stared at Sammy and Travis as they drew closer, then smiled, and Samantha's heart eased, meaning he didn't see the new werewolf as a threat. When Becker, who seemed slightly flustered, introduced them to each other, they sat down at a table away from the noisy room.First, Matthew told Travis the same legend, and he listened very carefully, although he knew its content. At the moment when they talked about the love of the young man for his brother and how it helped him become a man again, Travis turned to Sammy:"You didn't tell me that," he said slowly. “So that’s where my salvation was?” That's why you had such an influence
When Sammy and Travis arrived at school a week later, they were in a wonderful mood. The week flew by like a flash, and they spent almost all the time together. They decided to postpone dinner at the Doyle house - Travis's father, who really withdrew his candidacy for mayor of the city, came to grips with the affairs of his company, and so far was very busy. But nothing prevented Travis from being with Samantha, and they spent a couple of evenings at her house, in the company of their parents.Ben, if at first he was on his guard, soon relaxed, and he and Travis quickly found a common language, talking about different things. Sammy and her parents were surprised to learn that the Doyle family donated a large amount to the fire relief fund and also provided food aid - Carter Doyle, among other things, owned a large supermarket chain. So the opinion about Doyle Sr., if not changed, then somewhat softened, which Sammy was very glad about - I would not want their parents to be at enmity.
Sammy had been sleeping for almost a whole day and when she woke up she felt like a mindless zombie. However, it was for the best, and the terrible moments that she experienced went further and further into the depths of her consciousness. She thought only of Travis and was madly waiting for a new meeting, not at all doubting that he would come.She washed up and ate again with her parents, then called Leah and Jasper. Both were fine, just worried about her, but she assured her friends that she was fine. Sammy knew she would have to explain something to them about what had happened later, but not now. It was a huge stroke of luck that the friends didn't have to watch Travis' or Defalco's conversions, and the terrible secret remained unsolved.She didn't want to think about Defalco, but Sammy kept thinking about Travis' words. It was hard to believe that Ray would forever remain a wolf and never come back, but she believed Travis - he would never let him go if there was a chance that h
What happened next was like a blur. Medics ran up to them to help, firefighters put out the fire - as it turned out, they almost always went with the police to such calls. A helicopter was circling in the sky, and it seemed to Sammy that she was in some kind of action movie, everything that was happening around was so wild.None of them were seriously injured, and the doctors took care of the wounded Yamamoto, only treated the abrasion on Travis's head. Sammy watched as he was loaded on a stretcher into an ambulance.- What will happen now? she asked quietly. “What if he tells the police everything?”- And who will believe him? Travis put his arm around her as he sat next to her. They both wrapped themselves in one blanket, and the heat in Travis's body slowly subsided. “He’s crazy, I knew that right away. And now he has no proof.- Something left. Sammy looked up at him. Becker saved his notebook before setting off the explosion.- What? Travis suddenly laughed. "So he did it?" Look,
The pain in the body gradually passed, but the soul was torn to pieces. Sammy thrashed about inside the basement as if she were a wolf locked in a cage. She pounded on the door until her hands went numb, then she slid to the floor, barely breathing.It seemed like an eternity to her when, finally, the lock clicked again. Sammy backed away from the door, standing on trembling legs, ready to fight whoever it was.But on the threshold she saw not tormentors at all. In disbelief, Sammy staggered and literally fell into Leah's arms.“Sam, God…” she breathed, and Sammy, barely able to speak, muttered:- Leah... Travis is there... I have to save him!"Hush, hush," Leah whispered, holding her. - We found him, everything is in order! He didn't get hurt! Let's go to…With difficulty rearranging her legs from surging weakness, Sammy went, supported by her friend, up the stairs. Once at the top, Leah called out:- I found it, Jas!- Jas? Sammy asked, barely breathing. - He is here?..- Well, what
I resisted as best I could, but the strength seemed to have disappeared, and all I was able to do was yell and curse at the bastard who squeezed my hands in a steel vise.Defalco just laughed, listening to my impotent threats:- Don't squeal, Doyle, it won't help you... It's your own fault that you'll die and framed your girl... That's what happens when you get in my way. It would be better for you if you understood this earlier.- Stinky coward! I shouted, helplessly trying to resist him. - In the forest you draped from us that your heels sparkled! What, are you afraid that without an injection of this psycho I will wind your guts around your neck ??Defalco twisted my arm so that sparks came out of my eyes from the pain, and then slammed my head against the wall. My mind went haywire, and I would have collapsed to the floor if he hadn't continued to drag me down the corridor.The design on the stupid wallpaper swirled before my eyes, dancing in strange zigzags. It looks like flowers
Sammy didn't know how much time they spent in their arms, kissing, hugging and caressing each other. A minute or an hour - time has disappeared, leaving them only love. When, finally, they managed to open their arms, at least a little, an understanding began to come of what was happening to them now.- Travis... What will happen to us? Sammy said, looking into his eyes, which immediately turned into pain."I don't know, my good…" Travis sighed. But remember that I won't let you get hurt. I will do anything for this.Sammy looked around - the basement was completely empty, only a plastic bucket in the corner and a bottle of water. It wasn't until she saw her that she realized how thirsty she was.- Can I have some water? she asked, and Travis immediately pushed the bottle towards her.- I'm sorry, Frog, I didn't think that ... Hold on quickly.After draining at least half of it at once, Sammy took a breath. Putting the bottle aside, she glanced at Travis and only now realized that he h