I lay wide awake in my bed. I can't sleep. All I can think about is that stupid wolf! I look at the clock again to see that it's already one in the morning. Sighing, I get up. Maybe if I get some fresh air, I can get some sleep before I have to wake up in a few hours.
As I stand on the porch in my hoodie and pajama pants, I stare at the dark forest. The crickets chirp as the night drags on. After a while, I turn to go back inside when someone speaks. "Travis Jackson." The voice is deep, and I stop in my tracks. I turn to a man standing next to the forest.
The shadows hide his face but the light from the porch manages to reach his neck. He's only in jean shorts as he stands there. Scars sit on his leg, and I can't help but recognize them. His chest and arms are covered in tattoos.
One stands out more than the others. A dragon and a wolf on his abs, holding a tiny wolf with dragon-like claws between them. Under the dragon reads "Sarah" while the baby has a simple "T" under it.
Sarah was my birth mom. That's why I named my dog that. I only met Sarah once, but she was extremely loving and the stories about her make her sound even greater. She had the same blue eyes as my one. "Who are you?" I take my hands out of my pockets to be ready.
"You don't need to know that information quite yet," the man takes a step forward and the light reaches his nose now as he grins. His K9s are sharper than anyone I've ever seen, and he has more tattoos on his neck.
His eyes glow the same glow as the wolves did. Only his are both hazel. "For now, let's just say I'm family. I was told you lived out here and thought I would stop by," his grin holds on his face. "Quite a while out of town for a student."
"Why are you here?" I narrow my eyes to try and see the rest of his face.
"I should be asking you that," his grin turns into a smirk. "Why do you live so far away from the school you go to? Is it, possibly, you have something to hide?"
"What are you getting at?" I put my hands on the railing of the porch.
"Nothing," he shrugs and comes the rest of the way into the light. His face is just as muscly as the rest of him as he smiles creepily. His hair, the same shade of brown as mine as it sits only a few inches long, messed up in the way you would see in a cartoon. "I just want you to know, this won't be the last time you see me. You'll know the truth soon enough."
"What's going on out here?" Olivia's voice makes me jump and I turn as she walks over to me. I look back and find no trace of the man I was just talking to.
"Nothing, just getting some air," I lie and rest my elbows on the railing.
"Thought I heard you talking to someone," she shrugs and stands beside me.
"Just... thinking."
"About what?"
"Everything," I shrug.
"Anyone specific?" I can hear the smirk in her voice without having to look at her.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just that I know you. I might even know you better than you know yourself," she bumps her shoulder into mine. "I'm your sister, you think I wouldn't notice you taking more initiative than you normally would with new kids?"
"I've told you already," I look at her. "I'm trying to be a good friend."
"And being a good friend includes taking her and her brother to the arcade?"
"Yes. I take my friends to the arcade all the time."
"Okay," she nods. "What about school? I haven't asked how you've been doing in that department yet."
"It's fine. I'm passing," I shrug.
"And you're not sleeping in class?" she eyes me.
"If I do it'll be your fault this time," I joke.
"I didn't make you come out here," she shoves me and we both laugh. We talk for a while before going back inside. I don't get much sleep before my alarm wakes me up again. Taking a quick shower, brushing my teeth, and throwing on jeans and a black t-shirt, I get ready for school. After making sure my hair isn't a snarly mess I go to the kitchen.
No one else is up yet so I grab some toaster waffles and put them in before sitting down to wait. Once they pop I eat them quickly and decide to leave for school earlier than usual. After leaving a note on the counter I throw my jean jacket on to avoid people asking about the scars on my arm along with my boots. I grab the helmets from by the door and head out.
I totally forgot to give them the blue one when I took Lizzy and Caleb home last night. The ride is peaceful and when I get to town I stop to get gas and three chocolate bars before going to get Lizzy.
"You and Caleb like chocolate?" I hold up two of the bars as Lizzy walks over.
"Yeah, thanks," she smiles and takes the bars before running one inside. When she comes back I hand her the blue helmet and she puts it on as she gets on the bike. The day goes by quickly but once I sit down at lunch I feel eyes staring at me.
"So, you're somehow perfectly fine?" Riley asks me.
"Yeah, it's weird," I shrug and ignore the feeling.
"Not to change the topic but, why is Leo staring at us like that?" Dani nods her head behind me causing us all to turn. He's staring at us with a tiny smirk despite the look of hatred in his eyes. Kayla sits peacefully eating her lunch.
"Think he's planning something?" Jack asks as we all turn back.
"With that look? I wouldn't doubt it," Dani nods.
"Just don't draw attention," I shrug. We change the topic, and the rest of the day goes by slower as the feeling of being watched never leaves me alone. At the end of the day, I take Lizzy back home, and as she's telling me something I notice the man from last night standing by the edge of the parking lot behind her. I rub my eyes and he's gone.
"Travis? What are you looking at?" she glances over her shoulder.
"Nothing, I thought I saw something," I shake my head slightly.
"So you're still seeing the wolf?" she keeps her voice low.
"No, it was just my eyes messing with me," I hate lying about stuff but I don't want anyone worrying about me. Dad's already paranoid that another wolf is gonna attack me on the way to and from school.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Okay, and thanks," she smiles, slightly awkward. "For the helmet."
"No problem, I'll see you tomorrow." We both nod and she goes inside with the blue helmet in hand. As I turn the corner to leave town I glance at the park. The same man stands by the empty swings as the wind goes by. I glance back before deciding to ignore it and keep going. I shouldn't be focusing on some tattooed psycho claiming to be my family. I should focus on school and my real family. I'll do something with everyone soon.
Around halfway home I notice a pair of eyes in the woods. The same eyes as the wolf. And that man. It's unsettling. No. It's just my mind playing tricks on me. Just my imagination looking too much into the words of a man that's most likely mad. I focus on the road and the rest of the way home is uneventful. As I go inside Sarah jumps at my feet as I take off my boots. I smile and play with her.
"How was school?" Bree asks as she and Olivia come into the living room.
"Boring," I shrug.
"No fight with Leo?" Olivia asks.
"Nah, he just stared. It was kind of weird," I continue playing with Sarah as we talk.
"Creepy," Bree says. Olivia and I nod in agreement.
"Dad went with Pops to get some running done or something," Olivia changes the topic. I nod and throw one of Sarah's toys as the three of us sit on the couch. As we watch TV I play around with Sarah. I'm tempted to take her for a walk again but I don't want to take the chance of that wolf coming back. Might I'll take her into town later to let her walk around a little bit.