I went back home with Dad. He didn't ask me a thing about the incident on our way but as soon as we arrived he took me to his room and asked all the house staff to leave early.
He asked me to take a seat and sat before me.
"Claire, what happened," he asked. I had never seen him more serious.
"Dad, during the blackout someone anesthetized me and took me to the swimming pool area," I replied without a pause.
"You're not hurt anywhere, right?"
"No, I'm completely fine Dad." I slightly smiled.
"EVALYN, is there anything else I don't know about? Tell me if there's anything you're hiding from me. I need to know." His gaze intensified.
I was surprised, it was my first time hearing that name in a long time, MY REAL Name. I hesitated for a moment but his tone and how he called me by my birth name made me think I shouldn't hide it from him anymore. It felt like if I don't tell him now, I wouldn't get a chance to tell him ever again.
"I'm sorry, Dad, I didn't want to worry you but a lot of strange things have been happening to me lately.
"Claire, how could you hide it from me. You should have told me. What if something would have happened to you." he raised his voice.
"I'm sorry dad. I thought I could deal with it on my own but I was wrong."
"Of course you're wrong, you are still just a high school kid. Dad will protect you. Don't worry and tell me everything from the very beginning."
I recounted all the incidents to him. From the notes to the man in a black hoodie and from the small incidents that happened to hurt me to that night when I followed Joseph.
"A wolf! You saw a wolf and he even saved you? Are you sure?" his brows furrowed and a tense look spread on his face.
"I know it sounds abnormal but it really happened, Dad."
I could see sweat flowing down his temples. He stood up and walked to his cupboard unsteadily.
"Dad, you alright?" I asked seeing him stumble.
"Yeah."
Dad opened his clipboard and unlocked his locker. He took out a black case and walked back to me.
"I knew this was going to happen but I didn't know it would happen so early. If I knew before I should have..." he paused. "No, no matter when I can't stop it, I'm as useless as before."
"Dad," I said drawing his attention to me when I saw him getting lost in his thoughts. "You knew what? What is it about?"
"Claire, you'll get to know it very soon. For now, hold on to this." he handed me the black case he took out from his locker. "No matter what happens, whether I'm with you or not keep this safe with you."
I opened it up. There was a glistening silver locket on it, designed as a full moon.
"What's this, Dad?" I asked looking at the locket.
"Think of it as a keepsake of a person who loved you a lot." he took out the locket and opened it. "You see the seed in here."
I looked closely and saw a small ruddy seed. It was shimmering.
"Why is there a seed in it?" I asked curiously.
"This isn't a typical seed but an exceptional one. Don't be so curious, I can't tell you much. With time you need to discover its significance and the story behind it yourself. I'll believe in you, my daughter that you'll go through all that is coming your way strongly with your peculiarities." he stroke my hair gently.
"Dad, I didn't understand a word. Can't you just say it simply." I frowned.
"Didn't it sound interesting?" he grinned.
"Dad!" I whined.
"I wish I could Claire, but as you go ahead you'll find it, about it and yourself. But don't forget, you have a huge responsibility and you need to make the right decisions when the time comes. The seed in there will help you but it's your heart that'll guide you."
"What about the incidents that happened to me and that man who's trying to hurt you?"
"I need to look into those things. You should take an off from school for some days and don't go out anymore unless you're with me. I'll let you know when you can go to school again but for now, don't go out of the house."
"But, Dad..."
"I know what I'm doing, so listen to me. I'm doing it for you." he stopped me.
"You're scaring me this way. Will something bad happen to me if I go out?" I complained.
"Don't be afraid, I'm just doing it for my satisfaction and as I said before you're not a weak and ordinary girl. No one can hurt you, you'll be protected by the heavens because of your abilities that are necessary for the paranormals." I had never seen him talk like this before.
"PARANORMALS?" I wasn't expecting to hear such a word. Before I could say anymore, he took the locket and put it around my neck.
"Evalyn, don't forget what I have told you today. You'll understand all my words when the time comes. Until then keep it safe and find your true self. I might not be by your side for long but you should stay strong, my girl. I'm sorry you had to go through all this but you know that Dad loves you, right?" A tear rolled out of his eyes.
"Dad, why are you being like this. I know you love me, and I'll never blame you for anything. You're not going anywhere, you have to live with me for as long as I'm alive. I can't do anything without you." I hugged him. "I love you, Dad."
He kissed my forehead and took me in his embrace.
"Now go straight to your room. I'll keep a check on you. Don't try to sneak out." he instructed me the last time before I left his room.
I went back to my room, my mind still going through all the things Dad told me.
Suddenly my phone rang. It was Emily.
"Claire, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Em," I replied.
"That's good. Ed and I were wondering if we could visit you tomorrow?"
"You don't need to, I mean I'm good now. Also, I told you before how strict my dad is. He isn't allowing me to even take a step outside the house. I don't think he'll allow you to come over." I made an excuse.
"I see, alright then. We'll meet later at school. Take care."
"Sure, bye."
For the next few days, I didn't go to school or anywhere outside. I informed Emily but she was worried about me and kept messaging while Ed was missing me every hour. Then there was Shaun. After what happened that day in the hospital I was still really angry at him. He tried contacting me every day but never once did I receive his call or responded to his messages.
I was lying down on my bed toying with my locket when I got another message.
"Who is it now!?" I frustratingly got up and checked my phone. It was from Shaun.
The message read: Claire, I'm outside your place come down and see me for a moment. I have something to tell you.
Outside my house? I ran to my room window and opened it to check. I saw him standing near the fence that surrounded the lawn. I got another text.
"If you don't come to see me, I'll come to you."
"Ah. What's wrong with him. How will I go down? What will I say to Dad?" After thinking of a plan, I put the pillows on my bed and covered them with the blanket so that it will look like I was on the bed under the blanket. I tiptoed my way out of the room, down the stairs to the back door. I came out to the garden and took a sigh of relief. As I walked out of the gate, Shaun came to me, grabbed my hand, and took me to his car.
"What are you doing?" I yelled.
"Sit in the car." he opened the car door.
"Why?"
"Don't you wanna know about me and why I was being like that with you all this time? I'll give you the answers today." he walked to the other side and got in the car.
"What should I do?" I questioned myself. I wanted to know his reasons but a part of me was scared as well. I took a glance at my house then at Shaun and got in the car.
We kept driving along the road and soon the road got rough and bumpy. The path grew darker and creepy as trees surrounded it.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"A place where I can tell you everything without a single interruption or hesitation."
This answer left me even more curious.
We drove into the woods for a few more minutes then he stopped the car and we got out. I looked around and found myself standing in the dark woods. The densely packed trees around me loomed high above but remained still despite the icy breeze that continued to flow around me.
Shaun came to me, took my hand, and put his car keys in it.
"Take my car when you have to leave," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"You'll know soon." he held my other hand too. "Claire, you know I won't ever hurt you, right? No matter what I can never harm you. So don't be afraid." Fear and despair were visible in his eyes. I was at a loss of words so I simply nodded to reassure him.
He moved away from me and what I saw next left me traumatized.
As he stood in front of me, I saw his skin turning black in the pale moonlight. His greasy, graying skin then split like tree bark. Wiry gray hair sprouted. His once kindly golden eyes melted into a heavier shade. His bones moved under his skin like mechanical snakes; audible cracks sliced through me and I felt my feet unconsciously moving back. Soon it was not Shaun standing in front of me but a monster who tore out of his clothes. I stood there with my eyes wide open, completely dumbstruck. I fell down in devastation. The wolf took a step towards me, paused for a moment then bounded away into the dark woods. I gathered myself and sat there in a stunned state. The only thought that crossed my mind was that I need to go home. I stood up and stumbled my way to Shaun's car. I don't know how I managed to drive and safely reach my place but I clearly remember how fast my heart was beating all the time.
As I reached my house, I couldn't get myself to go out of the car. I bang my head on the steering wheel and rubbed my eyes hard to wake up from this dreadful dream but I couldn't. When this realization, that this was not a dream, hit me, it took me a while to apprehend things.
So he is not an ordinary human being like me but a partially-human supernatural creature. A WEREWOLF!!!