+Phyllis refused to tell me anything. She left, and I went to my meeting, and then she was missing in action. Mrs. Freer and Lana told me she took a leave of absence to finish her book in Vermont, but her words stayed with me.What did she mean when she said I was running out of time? Curiosity overtakes me, although I want to forget about Jude and that place. Once home, I search the internet for Knight's Island information. There's nothing about it being closed to the public. My laptop was now off, and soon, I was trembling from anxiety. Not having Lana to confide in, I've harbored all this regret and sadness. Since the day I returned home, I've been so depressed over losing Jude. Those two nights of bonding convinced me we were so much more. I honestly thought he loved me. He never said it, but actions speak louder than words. I could see and feel his love. Spring is nearing, and Drusilla wants me to vacation with her. This will be a first. We grew up together as sisters. As ch
Valencia called the police, and Drusilla pressed charges. Since we were out of town and this was my first crime, I was given a fine and released.Aunt Irene called, leaving threatening messages, but I blocked her and Drusilla. I should've followed my instincts and not allowed anyone to know my address. This is my punishment for wanting to boast, I guess. Wednesday, I returned to work, but things were different. I'm pretty friendly and talkative, but lately, I'm subdued and quiet. Going to lunch with coworkers never bothered me, but now I want to be alone.A middle-aged coworker I befriended, whom we call Winnie, usually hangs with me for lunch. She comes over to my cubicle, energetic like always. Massaging my shoulders, she leans in, saying, "It's break time," before she shuts my laptop.Quickly, I reopened it. Snippy, I say, "I'm not done!""Whoa. This isn't my Ajay. What's wrong?""Nothing," I grumble."Lies! ...C'mon Ajay. I got us reservations. We need to wine and dine this after
Quaking from fear, I ease up from my couch and walk backward towards my front door. Phone to my ear, the ringing in my bedroom stops, and through my phone, he says, "Hello?"Quietly, I grip my keys as I lift them off my bar counter and then run to my car. Soon, I hear, "Ajay! Wait."I turn and see a frail man. Squinting, I stare his way. Almost feeble, he heads towards me. Still squinting, I ask, "Micah?"Once he smiles, I know it's him. He looks so sickly that I'm not afraid but moved with compassion. Arms opened wide, and I rushed towards him, saying, "Micah! Wow, I heard you were sick.""Yeah. I'm sure you can see that you heard correctly."Momentarily, we stand in awkward silence. We both go to speak when he says, "I'm sorry about how I behaved at Jude's wedding. I was out of order.""It's okay. What was going on with you?"Dropping his head, he answers, "Lots of inner turmoil.""I can relate more than you know. Well, why'd you come here, and how'd you find me?"Through doe-like e
The wildlife fills the roads as if they know no humans are there. Car driving as fast as it can go, I speed to the villa. It's been less than 48 hours since we closed our borders, yet the island feels dead. The outside of the villa has debris on the walkway already. I enter the central area, and it's cold and dark, although it's midday. As I pull it open, the steel door's creaking echoes throughout the villa. Now, standing over the trap door, I exhale and snatch it with all of my strength, but it's unlocked. Hesitant, I scope out my surroundings and then call, "Micah! Are you down there?"He didn't answer, so I started climbing down into the bunker. The lights are on, and Micah is gone. I sniff the air and catch a whiff of decay. Heart pounding, I go around the corner, and Micah's lying in a pool of blood, yet breathing.Instantly, I carry him upstairs and take him to his room. Too weak to bathe or shower, I wipe him down with a warm rag and bandage his entire back. The whole time,
Nodding, I whisper, "Get me out of here." Phyllis asks, "Is what he's saying true?" "Of course not. What's wrong with you people? Didn't Mama and Bruce tell you Micah's deranged? We've sought every physician, priest, pastor, and witch doctor to help him. He's telling this outlandish and insane story, yet everyone believes he's telling the truth, but not me. Unreal." She sighs, "You're right. Follow me." As soon as we reach the nature trail entrance, Bruce shouts, "Where are you going?" I glance at Phyllis, who faces him and answers, "We need to talk. There are a lot of mistruths being spread." Bruce jogs over, asking, "Like what? I'm listening." "Bruce, I know we're all here because we're seeking the supernatural, but Micah is the one deranged. Why are we allowing him to be the voice of reason over Jude?" Eyes glued to me, he answers, "I'm not following anyone's voice. I'm only seeking truth." "Why are you staring at me? Am I your truth?" I scorn. "Why are you so defensive wi
Running outside my door, I dialed emergency. The dispatcher answers, "What's your location?""1112 Pavilion Way. There's an intruder at my home!""Where are you?""Entering my car!"Once I opened the door, Micah slammed it back shut. I guess he was acting feeble. Although he's much thinner than before, he now stands tall and robust. Back pressed against my car, I yell, "What do you want from me?""I'm here to protect you, Ajay. You're in danger. Jude wants to kill you! He tried to kill me, but I was rescued instead."Soon, we hear sirens blaring. Several neighbors are outside watching when an officer asks, "What's going on here?"Pleading with his eyes, Micah then faces the officer, answering, "We had a disagreement.""Miss, is that true?"His eyes still begging over the officer's shoulder, dropping my head, I answer, "Yes.""Glancing back towards Micah, the officer asks, "Is this your home?" I nod, and he continues, "Do you feel safe here, or do you want us to follow you somewhere
Seated at my desk, I start texting all the questions I need answered by Jude into my phone notes. Our passion is so intense that we rarely discuss anything when we're together. Last night's conversation was the most Jude and I ever talked. I'm on cloud nine. No matter what others thought, I know I'm not delusional today. Jude is a werewolf. How intriguing. Hollywood has us fearing some wild, murderous demon, but Jude is the total opposite. When I opened my hotel door, a tall, muscular, angelic beauty of a man stood watching me. How could he ever be what movies portray him to be? Winnie greets me, and I cringe. "Are you edgy again?" She asks. "Not at all. I feel wonderful today." "Wonderful? You must've got you some last night." Winnie teases. "A lady never kisses and tells." I blush. "Mhmm. Okay, "lady." Well, Freer needs you in her office." "Oh? Okay. Thanks, Winnie." Lightly tapping, Mrs. Freer looks up, saying, "Come in and shut the door. Have a seat, Ajay." With direct
I enter my apartment stoic. Jude comes around the corner saying, "I ordered dinner."My answer is a nod. Sitting, I remove my heels, and he sits next to me and pulls my legs across his lap. Massaging my feet, he asks, "How was your day?"Before I get lost in his magnetizing eyes, I ask, "You bit Phyllis, too?"Moving my legs, he walks away. Following him, I ask, "What? Do you get off from biting us? And I thought Phyllis was ignorant of what you are?"Jude goes into my bedroom, and I follow. He starts getting dressed. I ask, "What, you're running away again like always?""Move."He's putting on his shoes when I frown, "What do you want from me?"Hand on the doorknob and head against the door, he answers, "I need someone I can trust, Ajay."With my head against his back, I say, "You can trust me, but I need to know I can trust you too."Now facing me, he says, "I've never told anyone my condition besides you. If Phyllis said I told her, she's a liar.""My coworker says you bit her. She
The same night I googled Dr. Houseman. He has a private practice across town. I schedule an appointment, but he's not available until next month. Uncomfortable going to anyone else, I keep the appointment and buy a home pregnancy test.My sweaty palms wet the box, while my trembling hand held the stick steady. I waited the instructed time, and it came back inconclusive. I run to the drugstore and purchase three more tests. They all yield the same result.Justine told me Delilah was discharged from the ICU and apologized to Zelma. Delilah told Zelma, "I've been consumed with Jude and finding his truth for so long that I haven't even lived. These days I grieve for Mama. She was so deep into this that there was no way she could walk away and live a normal life.I've had Eve only a few weeks, and I love her as my own. Mama loved Jude. She did what she thought was best. If Jude ever comes for Eve, she's his, so I'd have no choice but to return his daughter. But until then, I'll love and ra
I left Floyd perplexed. Soon, I heard Jude questioning me about the short story Eve wrote about Samuel and his brother. Plopping onto my couch, I close my eyes and concentrate, hoping to remember anything significant.Suddenly, I recall Mr. Knight saying, "I hear my mother's singing in my head and whisper, "Dreamers? No, filthy dreamers. My bloodied fingers thumb through my Bible. Weak and dying, I circle the chapter at the top of the page. My shaky hand draws an arrow, and I write, This is his name."Immediately, I rushed and opened the small suitcase I had taken from the island. It has Jude's Bible inside. I remove it, go to the table of contents, and find the Book of Jude. Jude had circled the title in blood.As I stare at the encircled name, I realize that Samuel VII and Mr. Knight are the same. Samuel is the baby's father. The story instructed the Knight's lineage to name his son and the next Alpha, Jude.Soon I'm wondering why Samuel slaughtered his students. Did he hope to be k
Paige offers to go with me to see Mrs. Freer. I decided it was best to go alone. Walking on campus was strange. It seems like eons ago this was where I spent most of my time. Upon entering the administration building, I see familiar faces. Some greet me while others walk by, oblivious to who I am. I exit the elevator on our floor and see Mrs. Freer talking with two coworkers.Seeing me, she does a double-take. Quickly, she ends her conversation and heads toward me. "Ms. Vernon. This is a bewildering surprise.""Hi, Mrs. Freer. My name's Mrs. Knight now, and yes, I'm sure seeing me is surprising.""Mrs. Knight, wow. Well, congratulations. Now, may I know why you're here?""I need to speak with a professor, preferably one knowledgeable in astronomy.""Professor Floyd was a friend of Phyllis's. She asked for the same help right before she passed.""Mrs. Freer, it's terrible what happened to Phyllis. I'll admit, I was pretty heartless in the past, but I'm a new person. If possible, I'd a
I decide to wait in the car and let Justine handle everything. Once Zelma opens the door, she sees me. Instantly, she gripes, "What is she doing here?"Justine says, "She needs our help, Zelma.""From the moment I first helped her, it's been nothing but tragedy for those I love. You promised me you wouldn't go to Knight Island.""If we hadn't gone, Ajay would've been stranded there.""I don't care!" Zelma shouts."We're not like that, Zelma." Justine sighs.As much as it hurts, Zelma is right. Since the moment I stepped on Knight Island, it's been nothing but devastation and death. Once we get to their home, I retrieve my suitcase and leave. I tell Justine, "I promise I'll be in touch."Before I exit, Zelma stops me, saying, "I don't hate you, Ajay. And I understand the hold Jude has on you. I know you're worried and want to find him, but have you ever considered maybe he wants to be lost?Delilah attacked me over some books with mathematical formulas that no human could possibly deci
I'm hiding in what's left of this burned cabin when I hear voices. Realizing they're women, I rush out into the open. I see a woman running, and two chasing her. Then I hear, "Shellie, stop running!"I see Justine and cry out, "Justine! Over here!""Ajay? Is that you?" Justine shouts.Immediately, Shellie stops and runs toward me. Dottie and Justine come to me as well. They all stood staring my way, speechless. Slowly, Justine reaches to touch me and asks, "Are you okay?"The only thing I could do was cry. All three of them huddle around me. These strange sounds in the distance make Dottie say, "I think we need to go.""Are you alone? Where's Jude?" Justine asks."I'm alone, and Dottie's right. We need to leave."They have food and liquor on their boat. All three care for me until I'm no longer trembling from fear. We're miles away from the island when Justine asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"How do I explain this? Honestly, I don't know what happened myself. Coughing to clear my
Zelma doesn't know. I've been looking for Ajay forever. After I learned she practiced witchcraft, I told Zelma. Zelma warned me, "Knight Island was demonic. We just didn't know it. Dad was privy to some information but tragically learned it wasn't just superstition and ghost stories."I'd called Ajay but she never called back. Then, I decided to wait for her in the library's occult section. Afraid other students would see me and think I was a witch, I started asking about her instead.The student aid at the desk knew who she was. He told me, "Ajay is great. I haven't seen her in a minute, but sometimes she'd go to the coffee shop down the street."Cafe Sheol made me look more sketchy than sitting in the library. Only the barista and I are present. I go to the counter, order a tall latte, and ask, "Hi Cecily, I'm Justine. Do you remember a girl named Ajay being a customer?"Before I can describe her, Cecily answers, "Of course. I love Ajay. Why do you ask?"I explained how we lost cont
My life flashes before me as we drop to the ground. I open my eyes and am in the top bunk bed at my foster home. It's a clear night. As I gaze out into the stars, I think, I wish someone loved me.The Michaels have four foster children. All four of us are girls. We're all around the same age. I climb out of bed to use the toilet and overhear my foster parents discussing how one of the girls has been adopted.I hurry back to my room, crying. Now, staring into the night sky again, I whisper, "Please let someone love me." The following morning, Aunt Irene adopted me.It's my senior year of high school. My boyfriend, Benjamin, and I ditch prom and drive to the marina. We sneak in and lie in someone's boat. Lying beside each other, we gaze up into the sky, and he asks, "Do you think anyone's truly out there?"I answer, "Look how beautiful and vast the sky is. How can it not be?"Nodding, Ben says, "I agree. So, is it God or aliens?""Definitely, God. Aliens are techies, according to what t
After weeks of sailing, we find nothing. We return to Brazil, and Jude says, "Let's just go home."The closer we get to Knight Island, the more uneasy I feel. Early morning, we leave Florida. Soon, the island appears, but it's no longer the paradise I knew. It's burning wasteland. Wide-eyed, I look at Jude, but he's expressionless. I stammer, "W-What happened?"Knight Island looks exactly like the island I spent a night alone on. Had I swam all the way here and then returned to another location near Columbia? Our boat hits a rock behind this burned-down villa. Jude anchors our boat and then stretches out his hand. Nervous, I lightly place my palm in his. He helps me to shore. Once he releases me, I stare into his eyes.Exhaling, he pans across the island, saying, "They would've told my secret. I start to panic, but a still voice calmly says, "Agree with him."Through a shaky voice, I say, "You're right, babe."Jude cuts his eyes at me and says, "Come here. I'll carry you."He lifts
Mrs. Dotson taps her ruler on her desk, saying, "Sit down, students. Class is in session. It's October 30. Today we will explore stories of myths and monsters."A crisp autumn breeze gusts through the room from the opened window. The ten children are prim and proper for school, in their uniforms. Each innocent face intently gazes at Mrs. Dotson, anticipating her reading.She looks up and sees me standing in her doorway. Her eyes light up, and she says, "Kind day to you, Mr. Knight. Is there something that you need?""I'm celebrating my birthday. I hoped to leave a tad earlier. Will you see to it that my class leaves on time?""Anything for you, Mr. Knight.""Thanks."I enter my mill and chain myself in the dungeon. Everyone I love dies. It's been 500 years, and I'm still here. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, I begin my change. Though I can control my inner beast, tonight I'm frustrated and want to kill. But killing will attract unwanted attention. Once I'm transformed, I let