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
Today is graduation. All my sorors attend. Even Aaron and Tyler attend. Both have apologized a million times, and Aaron's still working overtime to get me back, but I'm different. We're friends, I guess, but we'll never be a couple again. Professor Benoit transferred to another university. I'm sure she ran back to Knight's Island for Jude. When I first learned she was no longer here, it bothered me, but now I'm okay. Just as Lana said, he's not worth me.Aaron rented a Rolls Royce for me and my sorors to ride to the stadium. My soror Bethany says, "You are a fool to reject Aaron. Hey, I'm going to keep it real. If he ever approaches me, I'm dating him. Will that be okay?"Lana interjects, "Absolutely not! If you want your ass kicked, then by all means date him. If not, respect the sisterhood." We all laugh. After graduation, my boss, Mrs. Kent, greets me, "Congratulations, Ajay. I'm so proud of you. I'll see you in two weeks at 9 a.m. sharp.""Thanks, Mrs. Kent. I'll be there."I'm
Giving her signature grin, Marisol says, "Hey Ajay.""Hi. What are you doing way in Michigan?""I brought Zelma back to school. I needed a vacation, so I tagged along with her.""Hmm. Well, how'd you get at my fitness gym?""Crazy part is, Zelma and I have been working out here all week. We usually come in the evening. She has class today, but I saw you as I was leaving this morning." "Some coincidence.""I'd say." She laughs. Now staring at one another in awkward silence, she adds, "I'm sorry about my behavior at home. Micah and Jude were at odds, and the entire family was divided. Now that things are back to normal, I'm back to myself.""Why are they feuding?""They're fine now. I spoke in past tense.""Well, why were they feuding?"Shrugged, she answers, "Only they know.""Take care, Marisol."She follows me, saying, "Hey, I'm trying to make up. You're like family now. May we please start over?"Before I answer, Ken interrupts. "Baby, are you ready?"Wide-eyed, Marisol stares hi
"He asked if I'm coming to the wedding." Zelma's words keep replaying in my head. After she said that, I kindly said, "Oh, okay. Well, I have to get to work. See you around." Is Jude marrying Deena? I'm so upset that I'm trembling. Once I'm settled at work, I call Lana. Lana asks, "How do you know it's Jude?" "I just know." "Well, why do we care? Ken's amazing. Please, let's move forward. Ken's a good man." "You're right. Let me focus. Love you." "Love you more." We got off the phone, and I called Marisol. She answers, "Hey, Ajay. This is a nice surprise." "Can you meet me after work?" "What time? I'm flying home tonight." "For the wedding?" I ask. Hesitant, she asks, "Who told you about the wedding?" "Can we meet?" "Sure." I tell Ken I need to run to the bank during lunch. He leaves with another coworker, and I head to her hotel. Marisol opened the door, and all I saw were teeth. Of course, she's at one of the best hotels in town. After I'm seated, she says, "We should'
Our boat docks on Knight Island. Oddly, I feel at home. Justine is our ride, but Micah greets us before she can. Micah looks massive, but he still has that warm smile. Now grinning from excitement, he says, "Ajay! Wow, you look beautiful. I'm so glad to see you." He glances at Marisol, and she locks her arm under mine, asking, "Why are you here?" "I didn't know you had a ride. But now that I'm here, Justine, you can go home." "Micah, you're not my father." Justine scoffs. Now stoic, Micah says, "Justine, go home." Almost timid, Marisol interrupts, "Micah, thanks for coming, but I asked Justine because we need her assistance preparing for the wedding." Gazing my way, he answers, "Ajay looks perfect the way she is." A brow lifted, I stared his way, unresponsive. Marisol clutches my arm tighter, saying, "Micah, we need to get ready." Glaring through us, Micah pauses, jumps into his luxury muscle car, and speeds off. Cutting my eyes at Marisol, I say, "Micah's different." Face t
I'm running so fast that my calves are burning. But behind me, I hear horrifying shrieks and moans. Finally, I reach Jude's home, and everyone is already on the front porch. I stop at the walkway, gasping for air.Marisol rushes down to aid me. Soon, others follow her lead. Justine asks, "What happened to you?"Heaving like a child, I can't formulate the words to explain. A few servers, Marisol and Justine, escort me inside and upstairs to a guestroom. Marisol asks everyone, including Justine, to leave us alone.Before we talk, I use the bathroom. My falsies were missing, and mascara was smudged across my face. I went from looking like a princess to a clown. I find a jar of whipped shea in the vanity drawer to remove all the makeup and wash my face. Once I look sane, I reenter the bedroom.Marisol ended her call and then faced me. "Who are you talking to?" I ask.Her answer is interrupted by a knock on the door. Marisol asks, "Who is it?""Mama."Marisol opens the door, and Mama immed
I see headlights coming down the road only a few blocks from Jude's. I go as far as I can without being run over. The car zooms past and then comes to a screeching halt. I rush to the passenger door, and it's Justine. "I'm so glad I found you. You can stay with me tonight." she smiles.Everyone's so wealthy here. Every home looks like something out of a magazine. Justine's home is no exception. "Your home's gorgeous.""Thanks. It feels empty now. You may stay as long as you like, Ajay.""Please, don't tempt me." I tease.With all the madness, I forgot about my boyfriend back home. I have dozens of messages and texts from Ken and Lana. Unready to talk, I send them comforting lies and then power off my phone. Justine is fun but young and clueless about anything regarding the Knights. She says, "My dad never really cared for them. He'd often say they're a bunch of rich weirdos.""Weirdos is the consensus, I see.""Not at all. Just my dad. The rest of the island thinks they're royalty.
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