21. Bad boys Secret

After getting away from Damon's house I want to talk to Kay as soon as possible. Hearing Mr Smith talks with Ryan on the phone opened the wide array of possibilities. Maybe he was involved with the case somehow and that's the push I needed to continue with the investigation. If all the leads I had don't pan out then I can start looking it with a different angle. That is start with finding the relationship between Mr Smith and Ryan.





At the moment I had to work on the number of a neighbour that called for help. I was not trying to be hopeful about getting more interesting information because everything was leading to dead end.





As for the way things abruptly ended with Damon I was not trying to dwell on that. He had no right to be upset when he was the cause of it. How could he not know that it was something that I wanted to talk about? The cold realisation that I might be just some other girl for him made me not want to face him again. But then again I thought that maybe he was only acting civil because he wanted to talk about it after assignment.





With a huff, I shut the laptop and stared at the wall in front of me. The thought of calling the number popped in my mind. My eyes shifted towards the bag and just before I could stand up the door of my bedroom was pushed open.





"Aechia!" I glared at her, noticing the tray she was carrying in one hand.




"There's a thing called knocking"




Aechia raised her eyebrows, "Really? Funny I never heard of it"




A sigh left my lips at her response. I don't even know why I try. She has the habit of doing that. Barging in.




"What is that?" I eyed the tray she was balancing on her left hand. Seriously my clumsy self could only dream about holding it with one hand. She sat on the bed in front of me and placed the tray.




She made a face, crossing her legs "Mother dear thinks that you are busy sexting so she asked me to bring you these pancakes"




My cheeks felt red at that. Lately, I was more focused and checking my phone and updating my Tumblr like crazy than on my family. It made me guilty at some point but I didn't realise that my mum would notice it.





I picked the pancakes and shook my head, "I'm not- whatever"




Aechia hummed, "What's up with you anyway? Is it Kay? Did you guys break up again?"





I released a deep breath, rolling my eyes at my sister "For the last time we are not dating Aechia."




Aechia has this weird notion in her head that the only reason I hang out with my best friend is that we both are lesbians. Sometimes I am scared of the way her mind works. Not to mention that she always teases Kay when she comes to visit.





Aechia scoffed, "Yeah right"




"You know what believe whatever you want"




I huffed and stabbed into the pancake. She didn't even flinch, just picked her favourite unicorn mug and sipped on the hot chocolate. It surprised me that she voluntarily decided to come and hang out in my room. Even though we were sisters she was always the kind of person who did not click with me. Always teasing and bickering with each other was the kind of relationship we shared. We never had deep conversations or late night talks.





"How is Damon by the way?" She suddenly questioned and I choked on the pancake I was chewing. Gulping the hot chocolate I took deep breaths. The way I thought that I would be able to avoid his topic altogether but then this happened.






"Fine, I guess I wouldn't know anyway" I feigned indifference, picking at the pancake on the plate. Lying to her was the only solution for not talking about him.





Her lips pressed together, "Hmm interesting I thought you of all would know considering you went to his place today"




I spluttered, gulping the hot chocolate again and blinking my eyes. Tears formed in my eyes which I blinked away. How in the world did she find out? Of course, she was too quiet when she saw me leave.





"How do you know that?"




"Inside source I guess"




I narrowed my eyes at her to which she sheepishly smiled, "Kay told me when I called her"




"Aechia" I drawled her name, shaking my head.




"What? I was just trying to prepare myself in case some wolf was going to attack you again" She mumbled behind her cup when I warmly smiled at that. It was nice to know that she cared enough about me. After that, we just talked for a while about her upcoming test and my assignment. It was a good evening.
***

The next day I informed my mum that I was going to be late. The best way to find out about the relationship between our teacher and Mr Smith was through the library. As the administration room in our school was under construction all the records were placed in the dingy corner of the library. What better place to start than that? Maybe I can find out more about professor Ryan and how he was connected to all of it.




Kay had cheerleading practice and after that, she had to get back home because her parents returned from the trip. They wanted to take her for dinner and she seemed too happy about it so I did not tell her anything. Besides she was already too deep into everything and it was even not her article so I don't want her to get involve even more.




Damon on the other hand was busy with his football practice so I did not meet him in the school. I was actually glad that happened because there was no way I could act cheery around him after the incident in his house.





After school I waited at the library but it was crowded for some reason. Later I found out that students were given assignment and most of them actually realised the value of library books. It was difficult sneaking in with all those eyes around so I patiently waited. Mrs Pierce was extra strict on the day, narrowing her eyes at each and everyone.





"Ready to go?" Mrs Pierce cleared her throat when I looked up. That's when I realised that it was too late and I had completely lost the sense of time. Closing the book I stood up and stare at the huge clock. There was no way that I was going to find a public transport.





"Are you going back alone?" Mrs Pierce questioned as I packed my bag. Looking around the library I noticed that the students were already gone. I couldn't even ask anyone for a ride back home and troubling my mother to come all the way was silly.





"Think so" I shrugged




She hummed, "I would have offered you ride back but I'm staying at the hostel today. Extra duty"




"No problem Mrs Pierce I'll find a way"




"Just be careful werewolves come out tonight" She said, her voice grim and I froze at that. After few seconds of silence I couldn't hold back anymore and burst out laughing.





"Oh you're funny Mrs Pierce" I said and bid her goodbye. There was no way that people believed werewolves would come out of woods. Or the fact that they even exist. Mrs Pierces a old women so maybe that's the reason she believed in all these things.





As the cold wind blew past me I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. It was indeed dark road ahead and it looked creepy so I decided to take a little detour. An easy way that would lead me back to my house street. The only problem was it went through the woods.





"I can do it!" I breathed deeply staring at the huge trees in front of me. Ever since that camping incident, I avoided going inside the woods. Kind of PTSD I think.





As my feet crunched the leaves on the ground I heard a small whine from the other side. It sounded like a humans cry so I followed the sound. Before I could take a step ahead I noticed this it was Damon. I could easily identify his jersey number and that build. What was he doing in woods in the middle of the night?





Before I could walk forward and ask him he threw his head behind and a loud cry ripped from his throat. My eyes widened at that and I gripped the tree tightly, my nails digging into it as Damon slowly began to shift. It was a howl. A cry of help. My eyes couldn't tear away from the sight in front of me. His face morphed into something scary and his arms and legs into large paws. As the clothes ripped away from him body he stood on his feet, saliva dripping down his chin.




Damon Arcuri was a werewolf.
***