CHAPTER SIX

     The burn in my stomach dissipated as soon as I ate the chocolate bar which tasted horrible and smelled like the wet mud.

After Mama Owen kicked me out, the store sign switched to closed. I trudged down the lit but quiet, dark street. How fast does time go when using magic? I really need to learn that stupid teleportation spell. Perhaps Zoe could give me a ride home. I drew out my phone and tried dialing her number. My relief was short-lived as signal bars refused to come up.

What happened to the network? Looking down the empty street, I drew my hoodie closer. Since when did cars not come out at the nine in the night? Why am I so bothered about that all of a sudden? Mama Owen’s words about the dangers danced around my mind. I wonder if I could call my Dad or Uncle Al?

Yeah, right. No fucking bars.

I hurried along the street, hands tucked in my pockets and humming to keep disturbing thoughts out of my head. The suburb houses fell behind and trees littered the roads leading to home. For the first time in forever, home felt too far.

Ugh, Phoebe Woods! Get it together. You just faced a plant monster. Absolutely no shit would happen to you because you are fine.

The rustling in the trees made me halt in my steps. It was probably just the wind or a squirrel. I noticed the sound completely stop, leaving me a bit uneasy. Shaking my head, I continued my hurried trek. It began again in a more urgent manner as if… it was following me. Fear flashed through my mind. Should I make a break for it?

Wait, what if someone was just pulling a prank on me?

I stopped and turned in the direction of the noise. “Who is it?”

Nothing happened. Of course, nothing happened because it was probably some poor animal.

Then I saw it. Glowing yellow eyes peered at me from the dark. I felt faint, feverish. What animal had bright yellow eyes? When it shifted back into the dark, it did not look in the least bit small. Was that a fucking bear?

Nine-one-one worked well without signal bars, right? Do I start running or do I just not move? Did dad teach me a spell to ward off animals? What did dad teach me?

The animal began to move forward slowly, its eyes never leaving mine. I swallowed deep and stood my ground, preparing for the worst. As it stepped into the light, nerves fluttered in my belly. It was no fucking bear; before me stood a wolf- a very large wolf. Its gaze burned with such intensity I felt my soul shiver.

It looked to the direction of my home and took a step back into the forest then it turned to give me what seemed like a sad look before disappearing into the night.

Rooted in place, my brain fought to understand what I had just seen. It felt like a déjà vu. I threw one last look at the dark forest and ran all the way home. Breathless, I threw open the front door and staggered into the living room.

Uncle Al greeted me with a tired look from the sofa. “How was your day?”

What does horrible work for you? My witching teacher is a psychopath who might kill me on Monday and I met a freaking wolf. Wolves are not supposed to be out here!

“Great,” I said dryly.

He chuckled then turned to watch his football match. “I cleared up your room.”

Remembering the disaster I created earlier, I said, “Thank you.”

“What would you like for dinner?”

“I don’t know. Anything.” Remembering the phone troubles I had earlier, I asked, “Uncle Al, is something wrong with the service? I could not make a call earlier.”

He gave a long sigh then nodded. “How about you go in and rest? You will be going back to school in a day.”

“Dad mentioned something about an attack in Sunnyvale. Do you know anything about that?”

“Phoebe,” he said after a long silence. “I do know I am tired today so please go up to your room.”

“Is everything okay?” I watched his back tense a bit.

“Of course. I will have dinner sent up in a minute.”

“Okay.” That was beyond weird. My uncle would always readily answer my questions not matter how frustrating they were.

Stepping into school gave this sense of familiarity that I desperately needed. I fought the urge to skip down the hallways as I made for my locker. As soon as I put in the code, it opened and I picked out my History notebook.

“Phoebe Woods!”

I swung my head in the direction of the yell. Coach stormed up to me with a deep frown.

“Morning, Coach.”

“Come with me.”

Everyone around gave me weird looks before looking away, going about their things.

Did something happen while I was away?

“Shut the door,” she said as soon as we stepped into her office.

“Is something the problem?”

“Yes. Where were you last week?”

“There was a family emergency. My father mentioned he told you.”

“He told me nothing. There was no word from you, Phoebe. Some of the girls came to your home but found it empty.”

“Empty?” That was just ridiculous. I was in most of the time.

The door opened and Zoe stepped in with Sam, bright smiles on their faces which died as soon as they saw me.

“Perfect timing,” Coach said. “Phoebe, Zoe is now the captain of Panthers.”

I suppose I should be happy for her.

I should congratulate her but I was too furious to think straight. “You can’t just replace me like that!”

“I can and I will, Phoebe. You still have a good chance of getting that college scholarship you always wanted.”

I dug my palms into my sides and made for the exit. “Excuse me.”

“Fix your attitude while you are it.”

I bit back my tongue and walked past Zoe and Sam. My world came crumbling slowly with each tired step I took. I was always Captain. It did not make sense.

I whipped out my phone to call my Dad but there was no signal. I peeked at the phones of everyone around as I walked past. Other kids around were scrolling through social media.

Dad did something to my phone, didn’t he? How do I remove whatever spell he casted on it? What sort of spell did he cast on it? Phone-go-wacky?

A hand rested on my shoulder. “Phoebe.”

I stiffened when I heard Zoe’s voice then shrugged her hand off. “I need to be alone.”

“I’m sorry.”

The air grew colder with each passing moment. When I entered my first class, I realized the looks that everyone gave me were more of surprise than welcoming.

I wish this term could come to an end faster.