The note proclaims quite a strange imagery, resembling a sort of scripture unlike anything I'd seen before. To me it appears that the person who transcribed the characters haven never written English letters, indicating that it can't be anyone from Earth who left this on the table. The letters are slightly distorted, making it difficult for me to decifer the message.
With silence I know this can't be a trap just yet, so I grab ahold of the thick parchment and stride over to the light above the sink. It takes much longer to scan through, but when I'm finished I can't believe my eyes, hoping that I read it incorrectly. This letter can't be intended for me, can it? I become even more suspicious, clenching it in my hand and reading it once more:
Our little monster,
Your story is beginning to form beneath our fingertips just as it was prophesied. Our men have located the werewolf pack who may hold hostage a man you are supposed to meet. Good news for you little one, we have recently joined forces with this pack in exchange for this man. Once you both are in our hands we will present him as a final guift to you.
If you remember correctly, he may be the man to complete your death ceremony. Please take into consideration that this vampire may or may not be the man you're meant to love. There is only one other candidate we are still searching for. Spend your time wisely, you don't have much longer to live.
The message haunts me in every way possible. Even when I hear someone stirring from upstairs, getting to their feet, and leaving the room, I continue to stand with my eyes gaping at the parchment. My conscience wants to refuse to believe everything the Hunters have written in this letter. There's no way they're almost ready for this ceremony, I'm not prepared! I need more time, I need to flee, I need a plan!
The second thought competing with the first is the mentioning of this man, not because he's the last piece to the ceremony but the fact that he exists in the first place. It gives me shivers that they expect this stranger and I to be in love, or for him to be part of my future. How can they know the future, even if it was foretold? And for him to be a vampire? Of all people, I couldn't love someone who drinks blood! How could I even speak to this creature?
The sound of thick metal hitting against metal makes me jump out of my skin, even though I'm on the other end of the estate. A deadbolt opening means only one thing, somebody has decided to secretly discharge themselves from our group to some sort of independent rescue mission. I only know this because Estelle and Lynn wouldn't go off alone. They'd be together.
With the abnormally coarse paper in hand I impulsively run out of the kitchen not caring that I need to be silent in case a wolf is close enough to identify me. Upon my arrival to catch the Elyrian in the act, it's too dark for me to recognize the figure. I can only see them standing infront of the door, frozen in time.
"Don't leave..." I sputter stopping dead in my tracks, expecting the person to turn around but they don't. They only stay dead in their tracks, whispering, "You found something."
It's Koda, I should've known.
I forget all about catching him in a flee and open my mouth to speak, "How would you know?" I blink down to the paper in my hand.
"I know you too well."
I want to argue that I hadn't said anything, that he didn't even see the paper in my hands; but I don't. The only thought really spinning through my mind is an unforgettable memory of the head Hunter of the building, when he told me:
"Your death with be a ceremony, along side with the man you love."
This must be a joke, "I love nobody."
I hand Koda the paper and even though he can't read it he takes it anyway, stepping into the library and tapping the light on. He doesn't take a glance at the paper yet replying, "All of the doors have been locked..." The man who calls himself my brother finally takes a peek at the page, hardly taking a few seconds to read before he hands it back to me, "Ellie, listen. I know we've all been arguing about some things but out of all people this is my decision to make, we can't waste anymore time on Earth. I have to get you back safe but you have to trust me."
I'm more dumbfounded that he's attempting at convincing me to trust him when previously he left me behind, sacrificed me so he could be free of capture. Not only this but he didn't say a single word about that message, or how I've kept this future ceremony a secret from everyone. All I can say is at least we were right for saying the Hunters are in control of these werewolves.
I try to argue with him but he doesn't say a word, making me wish I knew what he was thinking. Something seems off about him right now, and I can't figure out what. All I know is that I worry he will just leave, and right now he's hiding something from me.
Almost instantly his words seem to cut my thoughts off, "I don't think you know what this means, them taunting you about their intentions are one thing, but telling you they will introduce you to this vampire is an addition to your dangers. If he is attracted to you, he's going to bite you and you'll turn into a vampire."
There's no way he only glanced at that paper and knew exactly what was going on...
He distracts me once again from my initial thoughts, "Come with me Ellie." He grabs my arm and starts pulling me towards where I last left my old shoes.
My stomach falls once I finally realize that maybe he's right, things are worse than I thought. It's a better excuse than anything to leave for my safety. I put my shoes on within seconds, follow him to the door forgetting about the real reason I was here in the first place.
I allow Koda to swing open the front door and watch him step down onto the front steps. I do the same, meeting him at his side but when the door shuts behind us I instantly regret it. My lungs inhale the night air while I'm feeling a terror rush over my body. If it weren't for the howl I just heard from the woods I would have enjoyed the chilly but moist night air. I meet eyes with Koda, the stranger stares back at me and I can't recall his exact looks to know his expression. I shiver turning back around hoping to open the door but my hands are trembling so terribly.
Koda pushes past me, opening the door instead and allowing me to run in first. He follow suit but my relief doesn't as I hear the heavy breathing of a wolf only yards away, "Shut the door!"
The screen door clicks shut as the paws of the creature pound on the ground within seconds. I can't see it physically but with my ears I know we will become within reach of the animal if this door isn't shut as soon as possible. I push against the wood with both hands, letting it swing in front of me just as a massive dark figure starts leaping up the steps outside.
My awareness of the wolf's presence doesn't help my body feel any less anxious, or the alarming choaking feeling in my throat from reducing. Our preditor lunges at the glass screened door, my hands being a moment away from pushing the front door fully shut. But it forces itself back towards me as the werewolf bends the metal of the outside door. It's frame warps, pushing against the thicker door.
With all my might I use my weight against the the eight foot door, hoping I can push the frame behind it back into place. Then almost as I think we will be alright the furry beast pulls the screen door streight off it's hinges. Within a blink on an eye the werewolf on the other side of the door jumps back up against the side of the house where the narrow window is, making me flinch; all the while forgetting about the door it whipped down the steps.
I screech and Koda comes to my side. Between the two of us we at first can't close the door, and the wolf claws at it from the outside. I feel like I'm going to throw up, coming to realization that this door may not be able to shut now.
The stirring of the others upstairs makes me know they're freaking out as well, and Luke tells them to stay put. I'm unable to glance over my shoulder but I know that the young man stands on the other side of my door, peeking down towards the staircase.
"HELP US!" I shout, as Koda besides me almost let's go of the door from leaning back too far to watch Luke practically fall down the stairs.
He comes to our aid, ignoring the fact that I heard him miss a few steps on the way down. With the strength of the three of us we manage to heave the door shut, not allowing us to meet an awful fate with the creature on the other side. After what feels like an eternity, and Koda safely twists the deadbolt to a heavy thunk, I do my best to pull myself together.
I breathe feeling the adrenaline rush through my body hoping to calm my brain at the slightest, but instead the rush being entirely sickening to my body. I slide down to lean against the door in exhaustion but as my behind hits part of the carpet and the now drafty wood floor nearest to the door, I hear the distinct sound of claws banging against wood outside. My eyes click with Koda's, their dark brown shining from the light of the library to my left. We both giving each other stunned looks, knowing full well there's wolves on the deck.
I give Luke a look of despair as his mouth falls open, "What was that?"
Jane above paces the balcony, "There's three on the deck!"
At the sound of the news I can't believe her. This is really happening right now? We were so close to daylight but now it seems further away than it did hours ago. They're gonna take me away, and I'm gonna meet that vampire. I'm not ready for him to manipulate me just yet. I need a plan!
The door behind me aggressively shakes, and the sound of the glass rattling is alarming. I worry that the creature on the other side of this wood could break streight through if it wanted, and with the size of it I wouldn't put the thought past it. A howl behind me pierces my eardrums, making me have to close my eyes from blurred vision. I'm only startled out of my skin when a hand lands on my shoulder.
My eyes open, seeing Luke blink down at me in the darkness, "Come with me, we've gotta get out of here!"
Koda runs up the staircase, meeting Jane at the top. We watch him walk past her towards the other wing of the house. I stand with Luke's help as he quickly questions with a heightened attitude, "Koda where are you going?"
"I have to hide!"
"They're gonna break in, we have to fight them off."
I meet Jane, who is gazing over the balcony with wide eyes, "Oh no we aren't. We're going with them to find our family."
Looks like everyone's on different pages here...
Koda calls for the girls to come out of the bedroom. They do so and Estelle runs towards Koda, "You're not just gonna go hide? Is that safe?"
A huge crash from outside the deck makes me prepare to run, reminding myself that I still want to be selfish and leave everyone. Instead I continue bracing myself, spining around to watch Luke go under the balcony. I hear his footsteps, walking towards the kitchen then stopping at the door.
After some time he starts sprinting into the kitchen making me worry that one of the wolves has seen him. After cubbords open and a metal scraping on metal sound, I know he's got a large pan in his hands.
Luke yells from the kitchen, "There's a wolf at the door."
Just as his voice eccowes throughout the large open space of the estate a boom follows closely behind. It sounds like something has banged against glass, presumably the sliding door by the kitchen table.
Koda tells the girls to hide in the second wing of the home, while Jane argues once more that we should all surrender ourselves and willfully go with the creatures. But Luke cuts the conversation by calling us downstairs to the kitchen and so Koda goes first, flinching like he's torn on a decision. He shakes his head and zips down the steps then gasping when he enters the kitchen. Jane and I aren't even at the bottom of the stairs yet, making her decide to run ahead and scream at the sound of glass shattering and a moud of something falling onto the kitchen floor.
My stomach falls and everyone screams, I don't know what's going on yet so I yell up to Estelle and Lynn, who are gazing over the balcony with their mouths wide open. I yell, "Run! Hide!"
A ferocious growl comes from the kitchen, as the chaos in the estate continues to escalate quickly. At the many sounds going on at this time of morning, my ears are pulsing. Above me I hear Estelle and Lynn hiding, while everyone in the kitchen is struggling to determine just what to do.
Jane attempts to reason with the creature before them, "We aren't going to fight you, I will willingly go with you."
A sudden howl makes me flinch, loosing my balance and grabbing ahold of the bar. I brace myself and hear the others in the kitchen moving, possibly backing up. It's almost eerily silent, making my wait in anticipation. At first I think the wolf will comply but instead the terrifying sound of paws hitting the ground makes me understand they give no mercy.
I take a short breath, if they want me then it's time for them to have me. So I force myself to regain my footing and zip down the corridor, so I have no time to have second thoughts. I stop myself with a quick jolt and the toes of my shoes. The carpet beneath me covering a portion of the wood floor slides forward below me and my body only stops at the white doorframe of the large kitchen, where Luke stands armed with a pan, holding it like a baseball bat.
Suddenly Jane is screaming and even though she's not visable from where I'm standing I hear chairs falling to the ground with a heavy thunk; a struggle. I peek my head around the doorframe and find her being held in the werewolf's mouth.
"I've changed my mind! I don't want to get eaten..." Her arms try to grip ahold of the table or anything but the chair and then the corner of the table drag along with her as the wolf backs up into what once was the sliding door by the deck.
The wolf easily steps outside with her, as the chair on the end falls and the two dissapear into the night. Luke and Koda rush to the windows by the sink but before anything more can be said I'm watching another wolf stand at the broken door. Behind it are four more werewolves, each enough to take everyone back with them.
A huff makes the boys stop what they're doing and lean over the island's countertop to gaze hysterically at the wolf infront of me.
"Get out!" Luke stammers at them, but the massive furry figures don't even blink.
Koda on the other hand goes for another tactic, by slowly walking over to me but I'm not bothered to run away. He clicks a few light switches on while I just stare at the figures, now making the situation more surreal with bright lighting. I'm panicked, even more so when my eyes meet the black balls of the animal. It's almost as tall as me as it stands on all fours. My eyes water and I want to cower backwards, but my breathing is a mile a minute and everything around me begins to spin.
Koda takes ahold of my forearm making me fight his grip, disliking the physical touch. He doesn't oblige and goes for a striking attempt to yank me down the hallway against my will. My mind understands why he's doing this but at the sounds of claws scraping against the beautifully polished wood floor, I have no time to think about how I want this situation to go.
Luke starts yelling something uncomprehensive and with a puzzled thought in my head I'm falling forward, being tackled to the ground with Koda at my side. My chest heaves and I'm entirely winded, feeling woozy in a matter of a second. Sparkling spots seem to dance across everything and my vision becomes starry. I first feel a heat in my head, and then a harsh pounding right after. I roll over realizing I'm on the ground; clutching my stomach until I see a large blurred paw next to my head.
My mouth falls open and its blurr begins to come clear, allowing me to see it's pointed claws covered in what looks like blood. The sight of the crimson colored substance makes me wonder if these werewolves ate one of my family members. I turn my head to look over at Koda in suprise but he's sliding away from the creature, once again leaving me. He gets to his feet, not even glancing at me and starts fleeing up the staircase, with the wooden dowels rattling.
I spin myself around, feeling the long fur of the wolf brush against my clothes. It looks down at me and under the furry animal, I don't dare to even look at its face. Instead I see Luke struggling with another werewolf in the kitchen; swinging at the creature's face with the pan. It dodges the blow easily and then knocks my cousin off his feet, the pan smashing into the floor with an ear ringing clatter. It pounces on him like a cat and he is slammed onto his back with an even louder thud, I could've sworn I heard the cracking of wood below him unless it was his back breaking.
The werewolf above me doesn't even flinch, as if it was watching the scene play out behind us. It stands strong, and lifts its paw to hold me down flat onto the floor. I feel as if it's weight is a brick forcing me down. I see that it's fur on its underbelly is grey and silver with a few splotches of something unrecognizable stuck and matted into the hair.
I want to fight and not go with it. I want to be selfish and allow myself to be free because I know once I'm in the hands- or paws of these creatures I'll be the prisoner of the Hunters. I don't want to hand myself over to the enemy like Jane did, or give myself away to that vampire they may possess, but I do want to find the rest of the family. To save them.
Finally when my eyes blink up in terror as I attempt at a split second to decide my own fate, I find it's more difficult to take action when two black spheres are looking down at me. I become teary-eyed with the lack of blinking, afraid that any movement will make the creature snap at me. He tilts his nose down to my neck, smelling me and making me snap eyes shut and pushing my body further into the throw carpet.
After a second of investigating my scent, the werewolf lifts his clawed paw off on my body but before I can react his jaw is grabbing ahold of my thigh, making me screech in agony. I get dragged like a rag doll, with the carpet bunching up at my feet and being pulled along with my body towards the white doorway to the kitchen.
I grasp my leg with my hand, crying out at the feel of either blood or werewolf saliva. The warmth of the substance dripping down my leg makes me shiver, unless it's the pain I'm in.
Loud paws from behind me echo throughout the open air, making me picture the werewolves running through the home. I don't need to look to see that they've gone up the staircase, shaking the banisters once again.
My stomach gurgles at this time, clenching and churning because I want to defend the innocent humans upstairs but I can't turn my leg or the wolf's teeth will rip through my flesh easily.
In the kitchen now, I'm dragged by Luke who somehow manages to swing his pan at my captor, even though he's got a werewolf hissing at him at his other side. My wolf looses his grip on me and I sttempt to get up, I need to, but I can't in time before he pierces my skin at my knee and lower leg with his front claws. His left paw pushing down on my neck, choking me.
He prevents me from moving, pinning me down and pushing his face close to mine. He gives me a toothy grin showing yellowed teeth that are covered with blood, my blood. His growl makes me shudder while a drop of blood drips off his tooth onto my cheek. His pitch black evil eyes glare down at me, while the stench of his warm breath smells like deal animal.
Without a single warning I hear a huge wring, of Luke smacking the head of his creature. It falls over and at another second I see a huge furry figure sneaking behind Luke.
"Luke!" I scream.
It pounces on him, making him slam to the ground a second time. He has no time to scramble to his feet and instead is dragged away past me.
In another room I hear another body being dropped to the floor, presumably Koda. He's able to recover and I assume the sound of something hitting flesh is him piercing the animal with an object. His pounding shoes against the wood floor make me know he was successful and he opens a door and makes a run for it down another set of stairs. In this moment feel as if we're playing a tormented game of hide and seek where if we are found we get eaten.