Contemplating if I should go with Jude and hear what he has to say, someone taps me. It's Dexter again. He's sizing Jude up, but Jude never acknowledges him. Motionless, Jude stands staring through me. "What's up, Ajay?" asks Dexter. Now extending his hand, he says, "Hi, I'm Aaron's frat brother Dex, and you are?" Transfixed on Dex's hand, Jude looks at me, then shakes Dex's hand, answering, "Knight. ...Ajay, We'll talk later." Jude gets into an SUV and drives off. Frozen like a deer in headlights, I watch where Jude left, unable to think. "Who's the weirdo?" Dexter asks. I chuckle, "A weirdo and a stalker at this point. Are you here for me and Lana?" "Lana's here? Then you know it! ...After you, beautiful." The bar is filled with Aaron's frat brothers and my soror sisters. I'm in my zone, drinking and trying to have fun, but my mind is consumed with Jude. Lana shoves me with her shoulder, asking, "Earth to Ajay! Have you heard a word I said?" I let out a loud, uncomforta
Andrew's spitting and sputtering, trying to conjure up a lie as I rush to my car. He's sprinting toward the driveway's entrance when I floor my ride. His face displays terror as he dives on the side of the road to avoid being run down. I'm doing 150 miles per hour down the highway. There are only two lanes, and I'm driving on the side by the ocean. My first instinct is to go to the Masons' home. Delilah opens the door and grins, "To what do I owe this visit?" "Hi, Delilah. Is your nephew's girlfriend here?" Batting her eyes, she asks, "Why?" "She has something that belongs to me." Gaping, she shouts, "Aaron! Someone's here to see you." Aaron jogs up, and instantly, he's angry. Still watching me, Delilah asks, "Where's your girlfriend? Mr. Knight claims she has his belongings." I sigh, "Aaron, I'm not here to cause trouble, but I need Ajay. She has something that belongs to me." "Guy, is this a joke? We're not on a first-name basis. Aunt Dee, Ajay fucked this bum, so I dumped
First thing in the morning, I call Professor Benoit. Spritely, she answered, "Good morning, Ajay.""Hi, Professor.""Having a bad day?"Yeah. I've been sick.""So sorry to hear that, but have you heard about Zelma's father Dean?""No.""He was killed on his boat during a storm.""Oh, no!""Yes, so tragic. Zelma returned home two months ago. Jude told me he tried to tell you, but you weren't pleased to see him."Feeling like less than nothing, I lament, "Oh wow. I feel so stupid.""Sadly, they just found his remains and are having a memorial this weekend. Would you like to go there with me and return home together?""Home? Your home isn't Knight Island?""No, that's a vacation home. Anyway, say we meet ..."She pauses, and I hear whispering in the background. "Professor?""Sorry, Ajay. I'm reading my schedule for Friday."I groan, "I'm so sorry, Professor Benoit, but I'm really sick. Please text the details, and I'll let you know if I can make it.""Oooh, kay...""Hello?""That'll be g
We pull up to Jude's home. It's much grander than Phyllis'. She still has a way to go to be in his league. This is what I say to myself to make me feel better. Jude escorts me to his living room. It looks so elegant I gotta ask, "Did you design your home yourself?"In his own head, he squints, asking, "What? Please have a seat."I sit, and he continues, "I know Micah and Marisol gave you an earful. May I ask what they told you?""They didn't tell me anything. But I need Marisol. She has a cure for this bite you gave me."Carefully watching him, I softly continue, "It's infected." Dazed, he answers, "They told you it was a bite?""They told me nothing. Why don't you tell me what it is?""It's a hickey gone wrong. I was sucking, then I got carried away and bit you.""It's been four months. Why won't it heal if it's just a bite?""Let me see it."He walks over and starts peeling my gauze back. My eyes are glued to him. Once it's bare, he gives his lips a sensual lick and then looks away
Jude never returned, so I left with Phyllis and Lana. We have a girls' day at the spa, eat at a five-star restaurant, then relax on the beach. Phyllis has to update her syllabus, so she allows Lana and me to use her Porche. Lana wants to grab souvenirs from the shopping area. I say, "Fine. I need to do some shopping myself. Say we meet back up in 30 minutes."Side-eyeing me, Lana asks, "What are you up to, Ajay?""Nothing! I'm just ready to relax. We leave tomorrow, so I'm not trying to be out shopping for hours."Still suspicious, she grunts, "Mhmm." Once Lana looks away, I sneak out of the shop and drive toward Jude's home. Before I exited the parking lot, I saw him with Andrew. Trying to watch and park, I leave the car parked crooked at the end of the lot. They enter Dean's gas station and then exit from the back. Peeking from the side of the gas station, I watch until they get on the peer. Both are staring down like they're searching the water. Andrew calls out, "Jude! Look!"J
Phyllis tells me no before I ask for anything. I sigh, "Things are so out of control. Are you going to turn on me too?""Where are you, Jude?""At my lakehouse."It'll be night soon. Unwilling to hurt Phyllis, I chain myself in the bunker and then call her again, saying, "Never mind, do me a really big favor. Please take Ajay and Lana to the villa.""I'm done with your little whore. They both were very disrespectful. At least Deena knows her place.""This is not the time, Phyllis.""Upset over your call, Ajay ran off, and Lana followed. I have no idea where they are anyway.""Just go home then.""What?""I have to go find them. Bye!"I power off my phone. The sunsets, and my mind returns to Dean's boat. I know he's drifting towards Florida instead of the Bahamas. Before I confront him, I hear a thump underneath us. "What's that?" I ask."What's what?"Immediately, I head towards the bottom deck, and the door opens. It's Micah. "Micah, why are you here?""To save you and Ajay. Why wo
Joined at the hip, Lana and I stumble over each other, trying to run. Breathless, I stop whispering, "We're safer if we just run. We're going to be okay."Sobbing, Lana nods. I take off, leaving Lana in the dust. I have to keep stopping to drag her along. I see a dilapidated building and tell her, "We're close!" Finally, we are out of the woods, but now we're on an open road. Though nostalgic and fun in the daytime, this little desolate city looks eerie and terrifying at night. We hear another gut-wrenching howl, and I think of Jude, then look up at the moon. There's an unflattering crescent moon glowing tonight. If myths about monsters are true, it can't be a werewolf. A sigh of relief releases from me, and I smile at Lana, saying, "It's just a wolf or huge dog. We're ignorant of this island life. We'll be okay."Chest raised, Lana exhales and nods. Catching our breath, we start walking. Suddenly, we hear a growl in front of us. Quaking with fear, Lana squeezes my arm and points
Once dressed, I exited the bathroom to find Lana sitting on the bed. With a panoramic scan of me from head to toe, she says, "You look nice. Have you gotten some enhancements? Maybe a small BBL?""What? You know me better than that.""You're getting thick, girl. These island feasts are sticking in all the right places."Discreet, I examine myself in the wall mirror, and my thighs and calves are bigger and more defined. "Hmm." I grunt, then say, "Maybe you're right."Glancing at her watch, Lana asks, "Why are you looking for him, sweetie? He's not worth all of this."Head hanging, I say, "I know, but I need answers for myself. Okay, he's a cheating, low-life dog, but somehow he hooked me. Too, I need his pathetic family to know I didn't run with my tail between my legs this time. They may be afraid of some old witch, but she's a nobody to be."Lana replies, "I feel ya, but then what? Trust me, I get it. You saw me be a fool for Marcus, but was it worth it? Did I accomplish anything bes
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