A whole year has passed since I last visited Westfall.
And yet, despite the year that has slipped away, I still find myself in awe.
Gingerly, I press my palms together, feeling the heat build between them, and exhale, watching my breath turn into a misty cloud. Gently, I tilt my head back, mesmerized by the stars twinkling and the moonlight casting a blanket over the sky.
Although the full moon is absent, the sky paints itself in a stunning combination of deep blues and greys, exuding a unique beauty.
Beside me, I feel Lydia's hip gently brushing against mine.
The old woman wraps a warm hand around my waist, offering a comforting squeeze. It's strange, but I find myself speechless when it comes to speaking with her. The desire to start a conversation with her consumes me, yet I struggle to find the right words, leaving me feeling bewildered.
I feel like I belong here, not like an outsider.
In fact, I feel an overwhelming sense of familiarity, as if I have come back to where I truly belong.
And that's weird, isn't it? How can someone feel at home in a place they've only been for a few days? It's so strange that I remain silent, my lips tightly sealed. I'm certain the two with me would burst into laughter if I confess that minuscule detail.
I turn my head slightly, stealing a quick glance at Kieran, who stands tall next to me, his eyes scanning the perimeter.
The sound remains a mystery as he struggles to find the right words to explain it. When asked for clarification, Lydia provides a vague explanation that leaves more questions than answers. But I can't determine whether the old woman is merely toying with me or not. Kieran's reluctance suggests he has no intention of adding more depth to the definition.
In fact, it seems like he wants to talk about everything else but the muffled sound that erupted from his throat. It's such a shame because I loved the soothing sound.
As night falls, I am greeted by the enchanting sight of the small mountain town illuminated by the moon's radiant glow.
In the morning, Westfall is a picturesque sight with tourists bustling about, but at night, it transforms into an entirely new atmosphere. The twinkling lights, towering trees, and the magnificent fountain at the heart of the square captivate me, leaving my mouth agape.
In Westfall, it's as if magic is woven into every corner, making it feel straight out of a storybook.
Fireflies dance through the air, their tiny bodies glowing with an ethereal light. With each gust of wind, the trees and plants around me come alive, moving in sync to an enchanting rhythm. The sounds of cicadas and crickets fill the town, creating a natural orchestra that echoes through the streets.
The sights that unfold before me are nothing short of extraordinary, leaving me feeling grateful for the chance to witness such grandeur. While others are denied the chance, I alone have the opportunity to explore Westfall at night.
Then again, I remember, not everyone was held captive and confined within a makeshift cage. It was just me. The stillness in the air seems to amplify at the thought.
With that unwelcome reminder creeping into my thoughts, I can't help but let out a sigh.
Coming to terms with reality also heightens my senses, making me fully aware of the sights, sounds, and smells that surround me. In addition to the awe-inspiring beauty of Westfall's natural wonders, there is a constant sense of being under surveillance.
Despite Kieran's best efforts, news of the "human" spreads rapidly throughout the small town.
Outside the sheriff's station where I was cooped up, I can see a small number of people passing by.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I feel the piercing gaze of an unknown presence while walking with Lydia. Just outside the station, I notice a group of about five men, all in their early twenties like Kieran, accompanied by two shy kids who seek refuge behind their legs, stealing curious glances at me.
I feel like a caged zoo animal, an odd sensation for someone like me, who Kieran and Lydia have described as the most ordinary among us.
I'm human.
They... they are not.
It's a fact that I still struggle to come to terms with.
"Keep your eyes on the road, girl."
Next to me, Lydia's voice comes out in a hushed whisper, accompanied by a gentle squeeze of her arm around my waist.
I nod, my bottom lip caught between my teeth as I struggle to concentrate. With the hushed whispers growing louder at every opportunity, it becomes increasingly difficult to accomplish. The men's unabashed stares make it clear that they are not trying to conceal their fascination, and it bothers me a little.
Walking alongside Kieran and Lydia feels degrading, like being treated as a mere beast. There's no need for them to make their stares so obvious.
"Don't worry about them; in our small town, everyone knows everyone. New faces are a rare sight for them."
"I'm sure I look like any regular..." I bite my lip, feeling the sting as my teeth sink into the soft flesh. "Any regular... thing of your kind."
Lydia frowns, her fingers pinching my hip with a tight grip.
The sudden sting catches me off guard, prompting a startled squeak that makes the children tremble and rush for safety behind the male adult, whimpering in fear. Anger rises within me, causing my face to flush as I glare at Lydia and furrow my brows. Lydia pays me no mind, her chin jutting out in determination as her attention remains fixed on the road.
"My darling, I have a small tip for you. Don't label us with such derogatory terms; we're not things. We have names, and they are a part of our identity that we cherish. Uttering those words doesn't require much effort. We are werewolves."
I shrugged nonchalantly, as if it didn't matter to me.
I know it's just a simple word, but it carries so much weight.
Acknowledging that small fact is significantly more challenging.
There's just no way that it's true.
That thought triggers an immediate spike in my anxiety and nervousness, leaving me unable to control it.
Suddenly, the air is filled with that familiar rumbling sound once more.
As it starts again, and I can't comprehend why, but I instinctively know it comes from Kieran.
Silently, I glance behind me to see Kieran walking a few steps behind.
Despite his dominant posture and stance, a simple knowing look from me causes him to hunch his shoulders, nervously scratching the back of his neck, while his ears blush red.
He blushes with embarrassment, and I quietly whisper a grateful thank you for the noise. The sound is unlike anything I have ever heard before, and it instantly makes me feel at ease.
It makes me curious. I wonder why that is.