Chapter two

Everybody was walking along the shore of the lake talking to each other and hanging around. But my mind was still stuck on Alex. When our eyes connected, I felt something surreal. I never felt anything like it. Since then, I've tried to stay away but he was still stuck in my mind. Sometimes I would glance his way, but he wouldn't look at me. 

Now, I was sitting on a rock, watching everybody else have fun. 

"Hey."

Thomas was walking towards me to sit down. 

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just enjoying the breeze."

He glance up at the sky while looking around. 

"Most of the kids would come here to hang out with each other. It became a very popular place."

"It is very active."

There was awkward silence between us. Thomas eventually broke the silence. 

"So what do you think of my friends?"

"I'm not sure yet. But so far, I like them."

"They'll soon grow on you."

"What about Alex? He doesnt strike me as social."

"Yeah. Alex is a bit of a question mark."

"What do you mean?"

"He just moved here recently. Even though I'm his friend, I still don't know anything about him. Kind of like a stranger."

"I see."

Thomas rises from the rock to stretch his body. 

"I'm about to go for a walk. You're welcome to join me."

"That's okay. I'll stay here."

"Okay."

He walked near the lake to join everybody else. Everyone was smiling and having fun while I was sitting on the rocks. I felt out of placed, like I didn't belong. I would stay but I didn't want to. I rise up to walk back home. I could use the time to think.

But my mind goes straight to what Thomas said. Alex is basically a stranger to everybody. Even his friends. His background and life is a complete mystery. 

A part of me wanted to know more about Alex. The more I think about him, the deeper I want to investigate. But the best thing I can do is avoid him. The last thing I need is to get involved with him. 

"Hey."

I suddenly gasped and turned around. Alex was in front of me looking straight into my eyes. I didn't even notice he was there. I guess my plan to avoid him was now ruined. Alex looked at me shyly.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." 

"It's okay."

I could tell my cheeks were bright red, despite trying to hide it. Why is my heart pounding like this? 

"It was Alex, right."

"Yeah. And your name is Emma."

"Right. So what are you doing here?"

"I actually wanted to talk to you..alone."

"Talk to me? Alone? But why?"

"I just want to get to know you..without an audience."

"Really? What makes you interested in me?"

"I guess it's because you're a new face. One that I actually take a liking to."

I turn my head away to hide my blush.

"Well..that changes everything. But I was just on my way home."

"I can go for a walk."

"Alright."

We started to walk through the woods in silence. The wind was blowing softly and the sky was getting ready to turn dark. I wanted to talk but I didn't know what to say. I can't bring up what Thomas said. It would be pushing boundaries. 

"Where are you from?"

"I'm actually from here. I just moved away with my mom to another state."

"How come?"

"It's..It's a long story I don't want to talk about."

"I understand."

"What about you? Thomas told me that you moved down here recently."

"Oh, yeah. I did."

"Why?"

"The life that I had was not for me."

"Oh."

"I came here for some fresh air. To start new."

"Do you live alone?"

"I do."

"Must be tough."

"Nah. I'm already used to it."

"Is it lonely?"

"Sometimes. But it's better than nothing."

"I guess."

Alex glanced up at the sky, watching as it turn dark. He was beautiful in the sunset. It only increased the spark I felt earlier. I hesitated before asking about that feeling, but I felt safe enough to bring it up. 

"Alex."

"Yeah?"

"When we first met, I felt something the moment I looked at you. I just wanted to know if you felt-"

"A sudden spark?"

"You felt it too?"

"I did. I just didn't bring it up because I never felt anything like that before."

"I haven't either."

Alex suddenly smiled at me.

"Maybe it was fate."

I smirked. "Maybe."

We continued to enjoy each other's presence while walking home. I told him more about myself and he did as well. 

Alex was very mysterious, but he was also a good person. He does have a vulnerable side and can be demure. The only reason he's antisocial and an introvert is too keep his distance from people. But I still don't know why. 

I told him about how I always felt out of place in big crowds. I like to be invisible and hide in the shadows. I've became aquatinted with a few people but not enough to make them friends. What made Thomas different was that he accepted me for who I was. Then we drifted apart when I moved. And now it's going to take a while to get us back to the friends we were.

"Thomas told me about how antisocial you was. About how everybody still see you as a stranger."

"I act that way with everybody. I guess I'm more used to pushing them away."

"Yet you didn't act that way towards me. Why?"

"Because for the first time, I saw drawn to someone. Someone I might actually like more than I want to admit."

His words caused my heart to thump inside my chest. It was like a romance movie. We finally reached home. Dad's car was still here, but hopefully Alex would be gone before he come out. I turn around to Alex. 

"Thank you for walking me home."

"Of course. I'm glad I could help." 

"I actually had a good time talking to you. I really needed that."

"Me too. And I hope to see you tomorrow."

"Of course."

The moon slowly begins to rise into the night sky. Alex looks away and backs into the shadows. His mood suddenly took a dark turn. 

"I should go."

I was puzzled.

"Okay."

I watched him disappear into the night. That was weird. The way he avoided the moonlight and turned distant. I wonder why. 

I entered the house, wanting nothing more but to relax. Before heading upstairs, I walked towards dad's office. 

"I can't do this right now."

I hesitated knocking to listen in on the conversation. I just wish I knew who he was talking to. 

"I can't join the party tonight. I have a daughter to look after and the last thing I want is to bring her into this."

Dad sighs while pacing back and forth. 

"I know. The beast is back and if it comes to, I'll kill it. But right now. The most important thing to focus on is my daughter."

He hung up the phone and sat in his chair frustrated. The beast? I wonder what it is. Then I remember how dad wanted me to take the pocket knife and pepper spray. I guess I now know why. I continued to walk upstairs to get ready of the dinner.

The dinner wasn't that bad. The Jones would have a vegetarian dinner every other day to eat healthy and because their daughter, Denise. And the conversations went the way I expected it to go. 

They gave me their condolences for mom. They asked about how life was after I moved. Like school, friends, boys, things like that. The typical conversation. After dinner, I joined Thomas on the back porch as our parents talked in the living room.

"What happened to you at the lake? You suddenly disappeared."

"Oh. I just decided to take a walk home."

"By yourself?"

"I just wanted some alone time."

"Well I'm glad you're okay."

"I actually want to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"I know that there is something..strange going on."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm talking about the beast."

Thomas's expression turned serious.

"Oh. That."

"What is it?"

"Things have changed since you left."

"What kind of things?"

"There are people living here who's not..normal. People who can transform into creatures at night."

My eyes widened.

"Werewolves?"

"Yeah. But the beast is unlike the others. It's vicious and bloodthirsty. It kills people in its blinded rage."

"So that was what dad talked about."

"The Hunter group is going crazy for the beast. It's deadly and unpredictable. Not to mention that there's more than one."

"Meaning the werewolves?"

"Yeah."

"Emma."

I turn around to see dad standing near the door. 

"It's time to go."

"Alright."

After saying goodbye to the Jones, we walked back home to rest for the next day. But my mind was still clouded. About the werewolves and the beast. Knowing that there are people turning into werewolves around us feels strange. 

It also makes me curious of to knowing who. But the real threat is that beast. Something that's unlike any other to its own kind. There's someone out there, who's a true monster. The troubling question that kept ringing in my mind..was who?