My name is Jake Hartwell, I just moved to California with my parents, my mom's a scientist while my dad's an engineer, I actually stay home alone most of the time, so being lonely has been part of me, I had to get enrolled to school just to further my education because I left my previous home after graduating, I had to look for the school of my choice because both my mom and dad were busy people, they once left me home for a week without coming home,I had to fend for myself for the whole week, it wasn't surprising if they left me to enroll myself in a school, whatever happens to me is only known to them on Sundays, we get to sit together like a family, talk about what we've all missed, that's when they know what I've been going through, that is even when I wish to let them know, I didn't even know when I got used to this kind of lifestyle, I was just so fed up I had to live my life like I wish to but I still had to control myself because I was still brought up well and I still had something to live for, even if they didn't show any kind of concern, I still had to make them proud, I wasn't the bad guy type nor was I a troublemaker, I just loved being idle and alone and I hated bullies because I never wanted anyone to bully I myself, so I had to stand up to bullies even if I get injured, I still raised my head high.
(Bell rings) Class, good morning, I'll be your homeroom teacher for the whole semester till you graduate, my name is Ms Morrison and please be of your best behaviours because I hate detentions as well so (door opens), oh yes, we have a newbie amongst us, class meet Jake Hartwell, he's from California and just moved to New York, he'll be joining us for the semester, be of great help to the new guy, tell us more about you Jake, um..., my name's Jake Hartwell, I'm from California and I just moved into town, that's all, tha...nk you Jake, um have your seat, oh no, the only seat left is with Clark, take your seat, we begin today's class with Biology. Hi, I'm Clark, I'm... you know, like mingling with new people just to know weird things,
good, that's good to know,
so do you have anything to tell me that's weird,
no thanks,
Mr James, please just give some peace to Mr Hartwell, thanks,
that's me, sorry ma'am, it won't happen again,
it better not Mr James,
can I have your number, you can just save it with my name, Clark, I'll save yours with just Jake, don't worry,
you look weird man,
don't worry everyone says that to m....,
Mr James!!, one more word from you it's detention, sorry again Ms Morrison, so where do you live,
I live across the park,
wow that's good, then I can visit you everyday when I'm going off to school,
that's it Mr James, Mr Hartwell, detention for both of you,
(whispers) she's bluffing, she does that everytime,
that just added two more hours to your detention, now you know I'm not bluffing,
shit, man, you just got me into detention,
sorry,
next time Mr Hartwell, you get used to the class before getting used to detention.
I had just gotten enrolled to school but the first day I got detention thanks to an extrovert, though he was very funny, he still got me two hours detention, I had to wait after school for two more hours, it was very tiring doing nothing in a class with him, it was so boring.
Yo, Jake, wanna do something cool?,
Clark listen, I don't wanna get in trouble again so please spare me,
trust me we're going out soon that is if you help me,
okay, since it's gonna get me out of here, I'll help you out, what do I have to do?,
do you see Ms Morrison, right beside her is a box, do you know what's in it?, donuts, she loves donuts, if you can convince her that you'll bring her a box or two then she'll let you off since it's your first day,
really?, Clark, you okay bro?, donuts, really,
trust me Jake, I'm not playing you, I'm serious, just tell her,
um, Ms Morrison, I'm sorry for this, please let me go home, I promise I'll get you a box of donuts tomorrow morning,
Jake, I'll gladly take the box of donuts but you still have approximately 25 minutes more, till your detention's over, so endure more Mr Hartwell,
okay ma'am, f**k you Clark, you said she liked donuts and she'll let me go,
it's definitely because I saw the box of donuts there so I thought she'll let you go because of them,
wait, so you guessed that she liked donuts, you don't even know what's in that box do you?, this will be the last time you do this alright?,
Jake, Jake, listen bro,
I'm not your bro!!,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you into trouble, I'm sorry,
it's alright, no problem, I'm just getting suffocated in here, I'm not actually used to this, detention or school, both, I leave school immediately it's over and I don't like hanging around too many people,
I see, you're an introvert, an indoor person,
you know, when I was growing up I wasn't used to you know, mixing up with other kids, I just liked being alone because I've always been alone, my parents don't actually give me too much attention and you know, no friends, just movies, video games and just stream through social media,
wow, that's deep,
yeah I know, so being amongst you guys feels awkward,
don't worry Jake, I'll keep you company, my dad's also a busy man, taking business trips and my mom, she's kinda umm, the forest officials, they keep the woods safe, so I just like mingling so everyone can know me, a nerd,
(laughs),
shhhhh,
Mr Hartwell, I hope you will be able to share the joke the next time I hear that,
sorry ma'am,
time's up, we meet tomorrow in class, I wish we don't have to do this again,
yes Ms Morrison,
okay then, good night boys,
good night Ms Morrison.
I got detention first day of school, I made a new friend and I had the best day of my life, I never had so much fun even though it was in detention.
Clark, thanks a lot, I have never had this much fun in my entire life even though it was in detention,
really?, then I think I'll spike things up, we have a biology class on Monday and we need to get some pics and specimens and I know where we can get them, the woods,
Clark, I'm not going to the woods,
don't worry it's safe, we got officers surrounding the whole place,
(bikes revs),
who are those,
oh, those are people you don't wanna mess with, they are one of the hottest and dangerous groups,
one?,
yeah, they are three of em, these ones they are just small but mighty, they might be small in number but they are the strongest when they are together, I heard they once dealt with most wanted criminals in town in just five,
five minutes?,
yeah dude, those criminals were so dangerous, the red skulls,
wow, I heard about those people,
you don't wanna mess with them, you see him, Ethan, he's their leader, he calls the shot,
wow,
there, those are the second group, we call them the wolves, they're always together no matter where they go, like a pack, I heard they killed this dangerous beast that was wandering around the woods some weeks ago, I didn't know what animal it was but I know they all worked together to kill it, there Jason, he calls the shot in that group,
where's the last one?, oh you gonna be shocked, do you believe in mythology?, because they're real, the funniest fact about them is that they are females, all of em, females,
you mean ladies?,
yeah, I heard they were all witches, they cast spell and all sort of things, they might look beautiful but trust me, don't get tempted by a witch, you'll hate the bad side,
so these are the babies of the school?,
dude, not just the school, the whole town knows them, get into town and ask about the wolves, you sure will get lots of advice not to go closer, the girls, you don't need to ask, the moment you step into town, any one you talk to will you tell you about them,
Clark, I don't know what to say,
I know, you're amused, it's unbelievable right?,
yeah, I still need to get home though,
I'll call you then,
how did you get my number?, I stole it,
Clark!,
hey, why don't we check out the woods tonight, I heard the earlier we get those pics and specimens, the higher our grade goes,
hmm, I'll let you know,
okay then, see you,
bye Clark.
Still amazed by whatever Clark just told me, walking home was much more fun because I started to wonder how the people in town could allow people like them, I got home but to my surprise my parents were home, the table was set for dinner and I had to shower and come down for dinner.
So, how was school today?, made any friends?, any sports you take part in?,
Jake, we're trying to spend some family time here, giving some answers would be a great start,
okay, it was fine, yeah I made friends and nope I didn't take part in any sports, why are you even worried about me?, you never did, you never knew how I was or how my day was, you guys just leave for work for days, weeks or even months without even saying a thing,
Jake, no,
you guys don't know what I've been through, what I'm going through, you were never there when I needed you guys the most and now you think asking about school will make up for it, I didn't even expect you guys at home,
Jake, we're here now,
so you think this is the best way to just make up for the old times, just because it's my birthday right?,
Jake no, just listen, I don't wanna listen to anything you have to say to me, (phone rings), yeah that's it, pick it up, at least you got what's more important to do than me, I'm out,
Jake.
Stepping out of the house felt like a sign of relief for me because for once I let out my emotions, I took out my phone and played my tracklist, I am the type of guy who listens to music because to me music is more than just lyrics and sound, it's more about feeling, it's just as if the music was made specifically for me and no one else, this peaceful calming procedure was disturbed by Clark's phone call.
Hey Clark what's up,
Jake why don't we meet up at school right now, I have something to show you,
Clark what do you have to show me and it's almost sunset,
just come here quick,
alright be there, just give me a minute.
Clark, what's wrong?, what do you want to show me?,
(shushing) keep it down,(whispering) I've been keeping an eye at this for months and I got it now,
I'm not keeping up at all,
listen I've always been noticing that whenever it's almost sunset, some group of people gather here back at school to do something, but I don't know who they are, I know some of them are students,
so?,
don't so me, let's go in there and check out what they're doing in there,
us?, really, why don't you go in there alone,
me?, alone?, I don't know what they're doing, what if they're all vampires and they all tear me apart,
those things don't exist,
oh they exist that I'll tell you, I heard there's some strange animal that kills other animals in the woods, do you know how it killed them? it drains them from their blood, when they see the victimized animal, there's no ounce of blood in them, they're dried up, explain that to me,
umm maybe some weird or crazy scientist took the blood for some experiments in the lab,
there's always a fang mark, scientist now have fangs,
then maybe um..it's a wolf,
Jake wolves don't kill for blood, they kill to survive,
uh I don't know,
let's go then.
My legs shook as fear overwhelmed me, I began sweating profusely because I had no idea of what we were going to witness or come across with, my heart was pounding with brute force, I could hear it louder than it should be, I shook off my fear seeing Clark without any sign of fear, I followed him, it was like following him to the devil.
Jake, come here, I can hear them, look at them,
who are they Clark?, I think I recognize some of them, I can see Zoey, Marilyn and Mitchell, they're chanting something, let me have a closer look,
Clark are you crazy?
( Door creaks ) Who's there?,
Jake run!.
I stood in fear before grasping what Clark said, my eyes came in contact with one of them, my legs started running, I couldn't even comprehend what I was doing, my body was reacting to what I was feeling, it took me some time to realize that I had run past the school, I ran tirelessly, when I thought of stopping I found myself in the woods. I knew I was in for it tonight, if I ran from someone back there, there's a whole new top tier fear generator in the woods and with what Clark said, I'm done for.
( Wind howls)
Clark!, where are you?, Clark!!,
(trees snaps)
Clark this isn't funny, come on, Clark!!!,
(snarling)
( shakingly ) Clark?
I turned my back and found these red eyes staring at me from afar, I heard snarling noises, I thought to myself, was this the weird animal Clark's talking about, if it is, I'm dead. I turned around and ran as fast as I could, the more I ran the more it caught up to me, I wasn't thinking of a way to get out of the woods, all I could think of was getting away from whatever was behind me. I ran and stopped at a point, I saw another glowing eyes but different, my legs shook, was this how it was going to end for me?, no,no,no, I have a life to live I told myself, today's my birthday, please not today. I turned around and with immense speed one of the monsters ran past me, I felt this sting in my hand, I looked and found a bite mark, I tried running then another ran past me and this time it went for the left side of my neck, I was mesmerized by the speed, I couldn't even spot out what bit me in the dark, I went on my knees, groaning in pain, then both monsters ran right by my side, I took the opportunity and ran for my life, I ran out of the woods and went home straight.
I got home and ran to my room feeling the excruciating pain, the bite force from both animals was so much, I looked at the wounded part in my body, I felt so scared, what animal could have inflicted such a bite. I took out the med kit, dressed it up and went to bed immediately.
( Phone rings ) Hello!,
(on phone) Jake, you still in bed, I'm right at your front door, c'mon we gotta get to school,
I'll be right there with you, five minutes. I stood before the mirror in the bathroom and still found myself bleeding from both bites, I took my bath and dressed it up once again then I went down to Clark.
Where did you run off to last night, I waited at the park,
Clark I saw something out there last night,
where?,
I ran into woods and my worst nightmare came true,
what happened?, are you alright bro?,
something bit me out there last night,
something bit you?,
not even something, somethings, they were two of em, let me show you,
Jake, are you kidding with me, there's nothing to show, why did you cover it up when you're not wounded?
wait are you serious?
I became so curious as to where the bite marks went, they couldn't have healed, they were too deep to heal in just some minutes, was I dreaming about that?, no, I'm sure that happened, then where the bite marks go?
Clark I'm serious, I had to bite marks, one right here on my hand and the other at the left side of my neck,
but Jake there's nothing there, I actually wanted to ask why the bandages where there, seems you were dreaming,
Clark I wasn't dreaming, I'm serious about what I said,
then show me, let's get to school before we're late, okay.
I walked silently as we got closer to school with each step, drowned in my own thought, recalling the incident in the woods and now not finding anything to actually prove what happened, there's something more attached to this, I need to get to the bottom of it, I wasn't dreaming, the pain, the blood, the fear, I felt everything.
( Bell rings) Jake, save me a seat at the cafeteria,
okay Clark.
Okay, I've thought about it and I know what to do,
what to do about what?,
what we saw yesterday of course, we come back here and see what they're up to,
Clark, no!!, I'm not coming with you anymore, no way, it's your fault I ran into the woods and something bit and now I don't even know if I should trust myself anymore, now I can't even explain what I'm feeling right now, I feel like I'm about to explode,
Jake, are you alright?, you seem hot?, and you just called yourself to notice, Zoey's coming here,
Zoey, who's Zoey?,
Hi, I'm Zoey, hi Jake, Jake Hartwell?,
Yeah
can I borrow you for a sec Jake,
me?, what do you want with me?, nothing,
just come over to our table over there, okay.
Jake meet the girls, girls meet Jake,
okay I'm not interested in any of this, what do you guys want with me?,
Jake, umm.... sit will you, we saw you yesterday and listen we have something to tell you and show you,
I didn't see anything, I just came there,
calm down, come along with us will you,
no thank you, I don't trust you guys, you show up here when it's dark , gather yourself and start chanting things no one knows, so how sure I'm I you're not trying to take me as one of your petty sacrifice,
we dare not, Jake, you need to calm down and understand some things, you need to trust us, just this once, please come with us,
you just met me for the first time and so did I and you're telling me to trust you, no thank you, I'll like to leave, Jake look at me,
no please I want to leave,
Clara,
what happened, what are you trying to do,
Somnus velum superoculos tuos, silentium mentis in somno profundo,
what did you do.... (head slams off the table)
Lift him and let's leave,
everyone's unconscious,
yeah I know Zoey, let's leave now.
My eyes opened gradually as I found myself in a weird looking place, I looked around to find out I was surrounded,I stood up and I was weak, my head was throbbing with pain.
Where am I?, what did you do to me?, ah!!, my head, where am I?,
Jake, calm down, you're safe,
if kidnapping is the new meaning of being safe then I'll consider what you just said, they abducted me and my head, who are you?,
I'm Joseph and I really do apologize for the manner in which they brought you here, my deepest apologies and for that let me take care of that pain in your head, caro sanet, sanguis fluat, vulnus curetur,
the pain, it's gone, how did you do that?,
listen, Jake, we can teach you and many more, when you came here yesterday, we were expecting someone, someone of respect, someone who's meant to save us, protect us, keep all evil away from the world, we were waiting for a chosen one, that's when we saw you, your destiny is meant for greatness, you need to embrace it, it's in you,
what's in me?, I'm not getting any of what you just said, I need to leave this place, immediately,
you can't leave here yet, if you leave, danger is ahead, your death won't be averted,
okay if you're scaring, it's not working because I went through a lot running away from here last night and it wasn't easy for me trust me,
Jake,
don't touch me, you made me pass out, Clara right?, I don't want to see you or any of you, I need to leave this place,
Joseph!, say something,
come Jake, let me show you something, look into the mirror and tell me what you see,
I see myself and you of course,
look closer, calmly,
I, I see myself, amongst three different groups but I can recognize you and...and Zoey, Clara and the rest of them, all standing behind you,
Jake, you need to embrace your destiny, look closer and tell me what you see,
I see myself covered in blood, lying helpless,
if you decline this offer, that's your fate,
are you kidding me?, I just faced the worst night of my life yesterday and you're showing me this, this is bullshit, alright, you're all bullshit, I'm outta here,
Jake!!,
no Zoey, leave him, he'll come back.
His words echoed through my head, visions I saw in the mirror, me lying helpless, this made my head spin, if they could see this, they'll know how to avert it and also I'll get to know how to cast spells and I'll live to see another day.
Okay, what do I need to do?,
I knew you'd come back, here, repeat after me; " Per tenebras et lucem, per sanguinem et spiritium, iuro silentium et devotionem huic conventii. Secreta nstra custodiam usque ad mortem".
Repeating after him wasn't the fascinating part but the shimmer of something unexplainable that awakened in me, I felt overpowered all of sudden as if that was the only thing left to complete me, I felt among them, I felt new and different.
The oath you took is an unbreakable one and the only thing that can break it is actually nothing, even after your death, you're still tied to it,
are you kidding?,
Yeah just kidding, only death, from now on you're part of us and anything in here stays in here, nothing leaves,
okay, what else now, I'm I free from that vision,
yes, that's all, you can go now if you wish to,
yeah I think I'll stick around for a while, okay.
I wandered through the hall as I saw different artifacts, books and so many more I couldn't comprehend, this was far beyond a normal human being's knowledge, I was mesmerized with everything I saw.
Seems you like this place, taking a tour?,
okay, I told you guys to stay away from me, especially you, you told them to knock me unconscious even though it was with magic,
I had to, you were making it hard for us and making us the center of attraction, I'm sorry,
it's fine, Zoey right, it seems we didn't get to introduce each other well, Jake Hartwell,
Zoey Cullins,
oh no, I have to get home, didn't know it was sunset already,
yeah it took you long time before you came back,
I have to go, bye,
bye Jake.
I ran out of the place and surprisingly I came out and couldn't find the door I came out from. I looked into the sky and the moon was shining very bright, I smiled and suddenly this pain started, my head spinned, at first I thought it was them again. I ran with great effort, I got home, straight into my room trying clear my head but the pain was excruciating, I went into the bathroom and soaked myself into the tub, this wasn't doing any remedy to the pain I was feeling, the moon lightened up my room and it began;
A tremor started in my hands, a subtle vibration that ran up my arms and settled in my chest. I stared at my palms, flexing my fingers, trying to ignore the growing unease.
The air in my room seemed to thicken, pressing in on me. My heartbeat quickened, a frantic drumbeat against my ribs. I stumbled back, knocking over a stack of books, the sound echoing too loudly in the confined space.
My bones ached, a deep, internal pressure that felt like they were being stretched and pulled. I gasped, clutching at my desk for support, but my grip was weak, unsteady. The familiar objects in my room – my posters, my clothes, my books – seemed to blur and distort, becoming alien and menacing.
My senses went haywire. The scent of my laundry detergent became overpowering, nauseating. The ticking of my clock was a deafening hammer blow. I squeezed my eyes shut, but the moonlight streaming through my window burned through my eyelids, a searing white light.
My muscles spasmed, bunching and releasing in erratic bursts. My clothes felt too tight, constricting my movements. I ripped at my shirt, tearing the fabric in my growing panic.
I tried to think, to remember who I was, but my thoughts were fragmented, disjointed. Images of my friends, my family, my life flickered through my mind, but they were fading, dissolving into a swirling vortex of animalistic urges.
A growl rumbled in my chest, a sound that didn't belong to me. I stumbled towards the window, driven by an instinct I couldn't control. I threw it open, the cool night air washing over my fevered skin.
The forest beckoned, a dark and inviting abyss. I climbed out the window, my movements clumsy and uncoordinated. I landed on the soft earth below, the scent of pine needles filling my nostrils, pulling me forward.
My jaw throbbed, a sharp, insistent pain. I ran my tongue over my teeth, and a jolt of fear shot through me as I felt the unmistakable sharpness of elongated canines.
My hands clenched involuntarily, nails digging into my palms. I stared in horror as my nails lengthened and thickened, transforming into razor-sharp claws.
A searing pressure built behind my eyes, and the world swam in a haze of unnatural light. I saw my reflection in a puddle – a monstrous image with glowing, ember-yellow eyes.
I was no longer Jake. I was something else, something more. I threw back my head and howled at the moon, a sound that echoed through the trees, a primal scream of pain, fear, and liberation.