Werewolf Compilations novel Chapter 121

Theodore takes me all the way to the front door and I say 'goodnight' and 'thank you' before he leaves. The house is empty, Gail and Theresa being gone by now. I've never liked the feeling of an empty house because it feels eerily full when I'm the only one home. All of the stray bumps and creeks spook me like a child. When I was younger, and when my mother would be gone at night, I would stay strictly in my bedroom with the door shut. Every light would be on in my safe space because for some reason children think lights can save them.

I make my way upstairs and struggle with the zipper of my dress, twisting my arm around and pulling down, frustrated and exhausted. It eventually gives in and I abandon it on the floor, a black puddle for me to accidentally step in later.

I groan and slip on a pair of pajamas before crashing to the bed, too lazy to do anything else. I stretch out like a cat, letting the blankets absorb me fully, pulling the edge to my chin. All is well and I drift off within minutes, expecting to wake up when James gets home. Sounds prod at my sleeping head, but nothing wakes me, not until I hear the bedroom door open.

The scent fogs my mind and I struggle to get up, feeling like my body weighs ten times heavier than normal. "James?" I croak.

Everything is quite a blur until I am yanked up by my arm. Like being splashed with water, I panic into a state of alertness, my heart shooting forward along with my body. The grip is tight and unfamiliar, yet the scent grows familiar so I look up. It looks like James, but some odd version of him. My eyes struggle to focus and everything seems to vibrate. It takes a second or two until I realize it's his father, but by then he's forcing me to my feet.

My legs refuse to work along with my head, but his father doesn't stop.

"What are—What are you doing here? What are you doing?" I grumble, regaining my body back. "James isn't here."

He attempts to take me into the bathroom, but I hold back. "James isn't here," I say again, my conscience returning. "You need to leave, now."

His father is rushed with his movements and he grabs me again, jerking me into the bathroom and letting me fall to the tiled floor. Nearly hitting my head on the bathtub, I frantically attempt to get up, but he pushes me back down then grabs something out of his pocket. I catch I glimpse of the blade and my heart plummets, screams leaving me as soon as I can muster. He blocks my sudden run to the door, wrapping his arms around me. I kick and kick and try to break free, blood rushing to my face.