Chapter 2

KLAY ROSE

"Is it true? Did you see it?" 

Our classmates kept on asking us about the incident in the woods as soon as we arrived at the school. Apparently, Micah and I are the only ones in our class who passed by those woods. It intrigued them, and so am I.

"What do you think it is?" They started asking Micah since I am not in the position to tell a story.

I am still in shock upon seeing it closer, knowing our eyes even met for like seconds, but it terrified my whole existence.

Micah started telling the story. "It's a human. Her whole body was torn apart and it was the upper body that flew in our direction."

"Oh, no. It's so scary." I heard them say.

"We are not safe anymore. Is it true that there are wild beasts out there? What are we supposed to do? Those wild beasts may eat us alive."

"You should be careful on your way home."

"The world is getting scarier now. Based on what I heard, they were no ordinary wild beasts, but they are wolves...werewolves." Micah told them, creating chaotic noises inside the classroom. 

"Werewolves? We aren't in the fantasy world, you know?" One of our classmates scoffed. "Who would believe such a thing? Maybe, they are just facts or maybe they are human. Serial killer!" 

My classmates started screaming because of that. Just then, our professor came in. 

"Calm down, guys." She told us. "We are in the classroom to study and not to gossip. Open your book now." 

"Aren't we gonna talk about what happened?" One of my classmates raised her hand. "We should plan---" 

"We have the police to do that. Don't concern yourself, Ms." Our professor said again before looking at me and Micah. "Ms. Rhodes and Ms. Green, you are both needed in the counseling room." 

Micah and I looked at each other before finding our way out. 

"Are they going to ask us questions?" Micah said, somehow creeping out. I guess it just occurred to her what happened to us a while ago.

We went inside the counseling room where Dr. Smith was waiting for us with some of the detectives, police, and a student wearing the same uniform as us. I couldn't get a full view of him since a detective was blocking him so I could only see his pants. 

I heard the police ask him. "What are you doing in that place early in the morning?"

"I am visiting a friend." He simply replied. And, I recognized the voice immediately.

It's Rozen. I tried to move so I could see his face clearly. Although, I stopped mid-way when they all looked at us. My feet are not in line, making it obvious that I am trying to look at Rozen so I immediately turned the other way.

“Ms. Green,” Mr. Smith, the counseling guidance, asked me, then turned to Micah. “Ms. Rhodes.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Smith.” We both greeted him and bowed down to the rest of the people inside. I didn’t do anything yet I feel nervous.

“Come and sit with us. Both of you and Rozen will be telling us the details of what happened in the train since you witnessed it before your eyes.” Mr. Smith said. “And, perhaps you can both tell us if there’s something going on with the Old Town, Ms. Green and Ms. Rhodes.”

“You were there?” I couldn’t help but ask Rozen even though we were never close. 

I am not even sure if he was aware of my existence when I tried to know more about him after that night. Unfortunately, he’s not interested in me…or to anyone. We attended some classes together for years, but he’s the silent type of guy so we never really had a conversation. I guess people are also afraid of him being the son of the most influential man in our town. 

“He was riding the train with you, Ms. Green.” Mr. Smith clarified. “He was sitting at your back.”

I raised my brow. “What is he doing in the Old Town so early?” I hadn't noticed his presence. 

“I was visiting a friend.” He clarified, cutting my thoughts. “I already explained to you what I saw, can I go back to my class now?” He stood up without waiting for them to say a thing.

I remained seated thinking why he was in the Old Town, and friend? He’s lying. I know all the people in Old Town because we’re just like a hundred living there and no one mentions being his friend.

“Who is his friend?” Micah whispered to me. 

I shrugged. Why did he lie about it? He seems suspicious to me now. Is he hiding something? His family must know a lot since the town mayor is his father.

“So, there were already a lot of missing people.” Micah sighed while reading something on her phone. They just asked us about any suspicious things in the forest but there was nothing they could get from us. I hid the truth about the shadow behind the tree…and it’s bothering me now. I wasn’t sure why I even lied about it.

“My father told me to look for an apartment next to school so I wouldn’t have to commute. Would you like to go with me?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to leave my sisters and the kids. And, it’s fine as long as we will not go to the woods. Does your father know what they are looking for?”

“They actually are not sure if it’s a serial killer or beast, but for me no human can do it. What do you think?”

“Werewolves aren’t real. They are just legends and maybe the serial killer is just trying to copy those werewolves so they can actually think it is a wild beast.” Micah said. “I just hope that the police will be able to catch the suspect as soon as possible. I don’t want to fear for my life.”

“You can go ahead, Micah. I will just go to the comfort room.” I lied because I went out of the building to find Rozen, however, I lost sight of him until our class ended.

“Don’t worry about me, Micah. I promise to catch the bus as soon as possible. My boss in the cafe will surely kill me if I do not go to work today since I promised him that I will take the shift of my co-worker.”

“It will be late.” Micah was concerned. “Come on, aren’t you scared?”

“I will call you as soon as I ride the train. I will ride the train, what could possibly go wrong inside?” I assured her. “I’ll make sure to catch the last trip.” I waved at her, there was hesitation in her eyes yet I pushed her away.

I looked around the place before going inside the coffee shop. I felt goosebumps because it was right after class when I felt like there were eyes watching me yet no one was even looking at me. Although, I had confirmed my suspicion when I finished my shift and walked to the train station. There’s a lot of people waiting, but I was feeling jittery because my heart was beating so fast. I can smell danger but I don’t know where it was coming from. 

I quickly ran inside the train and felt relieved. 

Klay, you’ll be safe inside. Nothing will happen.

I kept on praying while traveling for almost thirty minutes to the Old Town until the train finally stopped at the station. It was already ten in the evening and almost everyone was sleeping.

I carried my bag in my chest and pulled out my cutter as I walked towards our home. The streetlights in this part of town are not really good, so it will add to the creepy atmosphere. 

Halfway, I could already feel that someone was following me. My heart was beating so fast as I tried to calm my nerves. I wanted to run as fast as I can but then it will just make someone rush into me and might kill me.

I waited until I passed by the corner and hid on the side to stab whoever it was.

“Why are you following me?” I raised my hand but the unknown man was too fast to grab my wrist, dropping the cutter.

“That’s a dangerous thing to carry, Ms. Green.” 

“Rozen?” I blinked, pulling my hands away from him. “Are you following me? What are you doing here?”

“I’m looking for food.”