Chapter Two: Transformation

                           **TRIGGER WARNING VIOLENCE**

The moon is bright in the dead of night. The stars shine big and bright. A lovely night to stroll the wood. You would stay out all night if you could. The night lulls you into feeling safe, but all is not what it seems. When the moon is full, big, and bright, beware the werewolf's bite.

                                  Chapter Two: Transformation

The sun was shining in Angelica’s face woke her as the car cruised the highway. The radio was playing a rock song softly as Jack stared straight ahead. She looked out the window to new surroundings passing by. The morning sky was bright and cloudless with birds flying above. The summer wind rustled the trees gently along the grassy fields along the highway.

“You’re awake; want to stop for breakfast?” Jack asked as she stretched in her seat.

“Where are we?” She asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“About an hour away from the California border.” He answered as he pulled off the highway to a small diner.

“Were you speeding? We are pretty far from Saint George, Utah.” She asked, shocked.

“Maybe a little; I am starving; wanna grab a bite?”

“I could eat.” She agreed as her stomach made a gurgle.

The diner was a time capsule of the fifties minus the poodle skirts and leather jackets.

“Welcome, Manny’s; you can sit anywhere. I’ll be right with you.” The waitress greeted them as they walked in.

“This place is amazing; I had never been to a diner before because mom was so paranoid.”

“Seriously?” Jack asked as they sat in the nearest booth.

“It’s like we were constantly hiding.” Angelica thought of all the times they moved. “We moved; I think twenty times.”

“That is a lot. Who is she hiding from, the mob?” Jack made a joke was the waitress walked up to take their order.

“My name is Dot; what can I get you to drink?” Dot asked as she pulled out a pen and pad. She was a middle-aged woman with dark hair in a messy bun.

“I’ll have coffee and pancakes with bacon,” Jack said as he smiled a toothy smile.

“We have a special on chocolate chip and blueberry. Want to add them to your pancakes?” Dot asked as she wrote down his order.

“I’ll do blueberry; I am allergic to chocolate,” Jack stated, making a face.

“Really? I am too.” Angelica said, shocked to learn something new about Jack.

“What about you, hun?” I'll take orange juice with eggs and bacon with toast.

“Oh my god, she smells.” Angelica gaged once she was out of earshot.

Dot smelled of cigarettes and pancakes with a touch of syrup. Angelica pinched her nose any time the waitress passed by. Her nose was always sensitive to smells all her life. It didn’t matter how little the smell; she could pick up the lightest of odors.

“Wanna play something on the jukebox?” Jack asked, holding up a quarter.

“Are you kidding? Yes!” She answered as she popped out her side of the booth and was lined it to the jukebox. The music was outdated, but they picked a few songs anyway.

“Wanna dance?” They danced and laughed while waiting for the food. Jack always to her on secret adventures in the dead of night. The rest of the dinner was spent laughing, talking about plans, and eating.

The rest of the day was spent driving to Stanford. They shared stories of their childhood

********

The city lights twinkled below her as she scanned the horizon. Her broom held her high above with the clouds, her mirror shining in her hand. Angelica’s face appeared in the mirror, smiling as she went with jack into the night. “Stupid girl; Shyla should have told her the truth.”

“Show me where they are going.” The mirror glowed brighter as the screen changed. “Well, this is going to be good.”

********

The crescent moon was just a sliver in the sky. The stars shined in and out as the clouds passed by in the sky. Jack held Angelica’s hand as they strolled through the park together. The wind gently rustled the trees, and the smell of summer and love was in the air. Jack pulled her off the path into the wooded area.

“Jack, where are we going?” Angelica asked as he pulled her deeper.

“It’s a surprise.” He said as they made it to a clearing with a makeshift bed made of a thick quilt and pillows. “This is where we are sleeping till we find a place.”

“Oh, Jack, this is perfect.” Angelica gushed as she hugged him. “Not going to lie I was not looking forward to sleeping in the car.”

“I am exhausted.” He said as he plopped himself onto the pillows. “Wanna cuddle?”

“Sure.” She said as they snuggled up and drifted into a deep sleep.

*********

The hard ground pressed into her body as he pinned her down, hands around her throat. She pulled at his wrist, trying to free herself. Angelica’s nightmares always felt real, but this was different. Tears streamed down her face as her breath labored. The darkness concealed her attacker as she fought for her life.

“Jack!” She called for him as she gasped for air. “Jack…Help!!!”

Nothing. Jack wasn’t there; she was alone. She needed to wake up. Suddenly she could see Jack clear as day over her. “Why is he doing this to me?’ She questioned as a fog fell over her as she lost consciousness.

*******

Jack watched as Angelica slept peacefully in the sea of pillows. Her red hair fanned out around her head as if the pillows were on fire. Her pale skin was almost glowing in the darkness. A human would not be able to see her in the darkness. Being a werewolf has some perks, among other things, like living forever. He felt his phone buzz and his body tensed, knowing who it was.

*****

Boss: Is it done?

Jack: Not yet I want to wait till she is sleeping.

Boss: Just do it.

Jack: Does she have to die?

Boss: You will do as you are told.

Jack: Can we just lock her up?

Boss: Do you want to join her?

Jack: Not partially…

Boss: Then get it done.

******

“Damn it. I don’t want to do this.” Jack whispered as he placed himself on top of Angelica. “I am so sorry.” He whispered as he wrapped his hands around her throat and began to squeeze.

Angelica began to thrash as her oxygen was cut off. Her green eyes bulged out as she clawed at his hands and arms. Her once pale skin turned red and shades of blue.

“I’m sorry; I’m sorry; I’m sorry!” He repeatedly chanted as she fought and kicked. A wave of energy erupted from Angelica’s necklace as her hand snapped the chain. Her once red eye began to glow as fangs and claws sprouted from her fingers and mouth. Her body contorted as jack backed away, shocked and confused.

“What are you?” He whispered as she stood up slowly. Her eyes glowing, she stared into his soul.

“I am the one foretold.” The voice came from Angelica, but it wasn’t her; Angelica was dormant deep down.

She dropped to her knees and crawled to his shaking lap. She cupped his face and licked his jawline, nipping his skin with her newly formed fangs.

“You look delicious and tasty; I could just eat you up.” She smiled as her body changed from a girl to a giant flaming-haired wolf. The wolf growled and lung for his shoulder, shredding and pulling it apart.

Jack screamed in pain as the wolf feasted on his flesh, tearing and pulling him apart. The once peaceful meadow was now covered in blood and tissue. The wolf's red fur blended with the blood as she tore into his dead body.

“Angelica!”

                                                 To Be Continued