“Hi, Tamyra.”
Sal’s voice warmed her. They’d made plans to have a bonfire on her aunt’s beach with the gang later and she didn’t expect he’d call so early in the day.
“Hey. Did you just try my cell?”
“Only like ten times.”
He sounded strange. An unfamiliar tone in his voice. Sometimes she couldn’t read him at all.
“What’s up? Everything alright?”
“You haven’t heard yet? Sandi and me have been calling all morning. I figured she got a hold of you.”
Icy worms wriggled in her belly and she knew whatever he had to say wasn’t going to be good at all. She sat on the edge of her bed and braced for the worst.
“It’s about Bianca.”
“Great. What has she done now?”
“She’s dead, Tamyra.”
“Haha…”
About to crack off about how they only wished, she sensed something haunted about the way he spoke. She understood the reality of his words.
“How? When? What happened?” she asked.
“The paper says last night. It doesn’t give her name, but mom confirmed through the hospital gossips it was Bianca. The paper said she was mauled to death by an animal.”
“Last night?” was all she could say.
Her mind went at light speed in a million different directions at once. Last night she roamed through the woods in her wolfen form. She also fought with Bianca earlier.
She realized Sal still talked and tuned him back in; “… so weird. I mean we weren’t friends but she was in some of my classes last year and there was that whole crush thing she had. I don’t know anyone our age who died before.”
The line went quiet and she realized he waited for her response. She couldn’t say what rolled around in her head, so she simply made a “hmm” noise in agreement.
Tamyra felt grateful he couldn’t see her right now. Her skin probably looked like ashes doused in sweat. Did I kill her? Kept racing through her mind like a pack of hungry jackals.
“You’re right, Sal. This whole thing is really weird. I think I need some time alone to digest.”
“Yeah, sure. We still on for tonight?”
“For sure.”
“See you later.”
“Bye.”
She pressed the end button on the phone and dropped it onto the bed next to her. Suddenly the normally comforting scent of her room overwhelmed her. Lavender and Vanilla threatened to choke and smother her. Feeling woozy, she stood up and walked out into the hallway.
The air in the hall wasn’t any better. Lavender receded, exchanged for cedar and the wood smell seemed to make the air denser. Her breaths grew shallow. Although conscious of her having a panic attack, she couldn’t fight it. She charged down the stairs and out the front door onto the porch.
Outside, the air felt lighter and her breathing started to slow. She flopped herself down on a wicker chair. Putting her hands on either side of her head, she rested her elbows on her knees. She hoped hanging her head down would help her to gain focus.
Tamyra began counting backwards from ten in her mind and closed her eyes. She gave all her attention to the numbers and tried to banish thoughts of murder.
Eight, seven… mauled by an, three… animal, one. The drastic circumstances kept forcing their way back onto center stage. Six, five… Friday, three… oh, God. Her breathing became regular and the world only tilted instead of spun when she opened her eyes.
What am I going to do? Something made a rustling noise to her left and startled her. As her heart popped, her eyes landed on the morning’s paper. Its pages fluttered in the breeze a few feet away.
As if mesmerized by some kind of spell, she got up and walked over to it. Tamyra didn’t feel in control of her actions as she picked it up and flipped through to Bianca’s article. Her body guided her back to the wicker chair on autopilot. She sat down and began to read.
TERRIFYING TRAGEDY STRIKES SHIVER COVE
Reportedly, yesterday evening the life of a 17-year old
girl ended brutally. The girl’s name is still being
withheld by authorities. However, it has been made
known that she attended Shiver Cove High.
Police have released a statement that sometime Friday
night the girl was attacked and killed by an, as of yet,
undetermined wild animal. At this time there’s
speculation that it may have been a bear or large canine.
All residents should remain watchful and alert the
authorities immediately should they see any suspicious
animals.
Details on the girl’s funeral will follow once her
identity has been released.
Shivers raced up and down her body. Even though the sun shone and the air felt warm, Tamyra couldn’t do anything about the numbing cold inside.
Her nemesis, Bianca, dead, and not so little voices in her head screamed Tamyra killed her.
Chapter 26
The day passed through a veil of tears. Tamyra locked herself in her room so she could commit self-torture in privacy.
All day she tried to recall last night as the wolf. Flashes had come back to her but nothing solid and nothing involving Bianca. She kept trying to convince herself if she had anything to do with Bianca’s death, she’d remember something.
What else could have killed her? A bear or a big dog like the police suspected? How often do bears or dogs kill people?
At some point in her fearful fog Sandi called and Tamyra learned Bianca was killed roughly where she fell to the ground during their fight yesterday afternoon. What were the chances Bianca just happened to be brutalized by some random animal at the edge of her aunt’s property? What the hell was she still doing there come night?
She didn’t mention a word about the fight and felt relief when Sandi bought her line about allergies affecting her speech. Apparently town gossip spread like chicken pox. Everyone talked.
Guilt consumed her and she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t tell her mom or aunt that she thought she possibly murdered Bianca. She couldn’t tell anyone.
As far as she knew no one in her family had ever slaughtered a human. The type of werewolf that ran in her genes wasn’t naturally aggressive and the human inside learned within a year or so how to fully control the wolf.
What was she going to do?
A soft knock at her door forced her to wipe her eyes and hide the tremor in her voice.
She mumbled; “Come in.”
“Hey baby girl. I brought you that… have you been crying?” her aunt inquired as she stepped into the room, toward the bed.
“Um… no. It’s nothing. I think maybe I’m allergic to something. What’s up?” she flashed her brightest fake smile.
Kiki shook her head and Tamyra positively knew she didn’t believe her, but respectfully her aunt didn’t pry.
“I found that diary I was talking about the other day. Thought you might like to borrow it.”
Her aunt held out a small navy leather bound book. Tamyra took it and this time her smile came genuinely. Maybe something in it would give her some answers.
“Thanks. I’ll take good care of it.”
“I know you will because it’s only on loan.”
Her aunt already closed the door behind her, as Tamyra leafed open to the first page.
*-*-*
The sun progressively sank to meet the horizon when the phone rang. Sandi asked when everyone should show up for the bonfire. Val offered to pick everyone up and she wanted to know if they needed to bring anything. Tamyra’s mom had gone out earlier to pick-up snacks and drinks and she couldn’t think of anything else. The girls decided eight seemed a good time and hung up.
Tamyra still didn’t know if she wanted to be around people, yet she wouldn’t allow that to ruin plans her friends were looking forward to.
Eight loomed only an hour away and she wanted to get ready. S
he tucked the book under her pillow for later and dragged herself into the bathroom.
As she went about styling her hair and putting on a little make-up, she couldn’t keep Bianca from barging back into her head. For the last few hours while she read she managed to keep Bianca at bay, but now with nothing to immerse herself in, Bianca demanded her attention once more.
Tamyra took her eyeliner away from her eye as warm water threatened to spill down her cheeks. She didn’t want to cry. She didn’t know for sure she’d done anything. Even aunt Kiki’s diary said that none of their kind hunts humans. She had to believe a bear or something had done it.
She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then blinked rapidly to clear her eyes. For now, her tears had been held back. She wished it could be so easy to hold back the part of her that kept insisting she killed Bianca.
The boys finally had the fire going good. Sal perched on top of a picnic table with Tamyra leaning between his legs on the bench. He leaned forward with his arms wrapped around her. Cam and Sandi sat in a similar fashion next to them.
Yvonne and Val relaxed in a couple of folding camping chairs across the fire from the table. A nearly windless night and the smoke wafted its way straight up.
Sandi’s very liberal dad had been kind enough to make a run to get alcohol for them. Everyone had a beer in hand. Tamyra sipped hers slowly and tried not to let on she really didn’t care for the taste.
The conversation had centered around Bianca for quite a while, which didn’t help Tamyra’s frayed nerves. For the most part she listened and kept up her best neutral face. With her thoughts running like a dog chasing its tail, it surprised her she still had the ability to notice Val hadn’t been saying much either. Maybe he feels guilty for saying we’d all be better off without Bianca.
As the night went on it became obvious to her something agitated Val. Even though he didn’t say much, she got the distinct impression he wrestled with something and wanted to talk about it.
The others talked and laughed. No one else seemed to have picked up on it. Fortunately, the numbing effect of the beer on everyone else meant they hadn’t noticed she wasn’t herself either.
Val stopped after one as he was driving, and she hadn’t been able to make it beyond half of one. Tamyra didn’t think anyone had enough to be drunk yet, but the conversation grew louder, and they reminisced about events and people she mostly didn’t know of.
It made her ecstatic when the topic turned away from Bianca. The chatter comforted her and the knotted ropes of guilt relaxed their grip a little. The fire’s warmth felt as good as did Sal pressed against her. She let her thoughts drift to how lucky to have met Sal and fall in with his friends, then up reared Bianca once more.
Why did she have to say those things about being friends and being with Sal? He wouldn’t have chosen to be with her and Yvonne and Val would’ve never befriended her. Why should she feel bad when things are so good?
Because I killed her.
Oh God, I killed her.
No, a wild animal killed her.
“Hey babe, you alright? You’ve been quiet even for you tonight. I didn’t say something stupid, did I?’ Sal whispered in her ear.
She flipped to happy mode, flattened the furrows from her forehead and craned her neck to look at him.
“You? No you didn’t do anything. I’m just listening. Besides, I don’t really know the people you guys are talking about.”
“Yeah but before that. You’ve been like this all night.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
She leaned up and kissed him to prove he did nothing wrong and prevent another question.
“Enough of that!” Yvonne yelled across the fire.
Her comment wasn’t that funny, but everyone cracked up nonetheless.
“Hey, anyone know any spooky ghost stories?” Sandi asked.
“I know a real live scary story, but I’m not ready to let anyone in on it yet.” Stated Val.
So that’s what’s up with him. He knows! The way he looked at her, he must know. Tamyra couldn’t really tell where Val looked. Orange and yellow flames reflected off his lenses and she couldn’t see his eyes. In her mind though, she felt sure his intense gaze focused on her.
“What’s up with that? Since when do you keep secrets?” Yvonne asked as she play-slapped his arm.
“It’s not a secret if you follow the news around here and I should be ready to fill you all in tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night? Tomorrow’s Sunday.”
“OK, it doesn’t have to be late tomorrow night. I have a few more things to put together, then I can bring you all in on this thing.”
Her breath hissed out between her teeth and she realized the unlikelihood he spoke about her. The hiss had been loud and all heads turned in her direction. She gave a shy little grin and searched for something to say.
All she could muster; “Sounds intriguing.”
The clumsy words had everyone nodding in agreement and the focus volleyed back to Val.
Tamyra watched Val look at each expectant face and get up out of his chair. He stretched and then walked over to the cooler. The group hung in suspense, waiting for whatever he had to say. He said nothing as he snapped up the bag of marshmallows and one of the branches he had whittled to a point.
“Anyone else want roasted mallows?”
Yvonne whined; “That’s it? You’re really make’n us wait ‘til tomorrow?”
“Yup.” And with that he stabbed a marshmallow and held it slightly above the flames.
Chapter 27
If it hadn’t been for uncertain guilt pushing its way constantly into view, Tamyra’s night would have been amazing. Even the mysterious way Val had left things hanging had been fun. It also insured she and her friends would be getting together again tomorrow night.
At about midnight everyone said their goodbyes. Coming up on 2:00am, Tamyra still didn’t feel tired. She lay in bed with her eyes closed and attempted to force herself to go to sleep. So far it hadn’t worked.
As she shifted onto her side for the umpteenth time, her arm slid under her pillow and brushed against something rigid. Recalling placing her aunt’s diary there, she stopped the internal alarm.
She had a clear understanding as soon as she touched it, she wanted to read the book. Bianca glided through her thoughts, so she flipped on the bedside light. If she read ‘til her eyes couldn’t stay open, then she’d finally be sleeping.
Tamyra scanned the pages until she found the last passage she read. As she picked up the first line of the new page, she groaned remembering how dry her aunt’s writing was.
Me and Kevin went on a date tonight. It was nice. He is nice. He looked nice.
I am glad he asked me to go out with him. We went to the movies. The movie was
good. Kevin bought me popcorn. He is nice to me. I hope he will ask me to go out
again sometime.
The passage had nothing to do with anything and bored her. Where’s the werewolf stuff?
She moved her finger down the page searching for anything wolf related. About seven pages later she came across an info dump.
Talked to grandmother today about the family secret. I am worried Kevin may find
out if I keep spending time with him. Grandmother said if I decide to tell him it’s
up to me. She made me promise not to tell about everyone else in the family. I
have a lot to think about. Kevin is nice and I like him. I do not know if he is nice
enough to understand about werewolves.
I told grandmother how I worry that I may hurt a person when I am the wolf. She
laughed at me. She told me that our type of werewolf does not harm people. I asked
how she could be so sure and she says it has always been that way. We are
guardians. Our kind protects life. She also said something about how none of our
family eats meat because life is too precious.
T
amyra re-read the last paragraph over and over and over until the words started to sound funny in her head. A massive weight lifted from her. She had nothing to do with Bianca’s death.
Images of roaming the forest flooded her. Tamyra knew with absolute clarity she never harmed and could never harm a living creature while she was the wolf.
The soft lure of her pillow had become too much to resist. Tamyra laid her head down and closed her eyes, letting the book slip from her fingers onto the bedspread. She fell into a peaceful sleep immediately.
Chapter 28
The mysterious build up had everyone wired. Twilight waned and as all six teens made their way down the weedy, overgrown path, Tamyra could feel the excitement in the air. Everyone wanted to know Val’s big secret, but he wouldn’t tell until they made it inside the old mill.
The rush of the river drowned out their footfalls. Clean, yet damp air filled her lungs. Although it was her first time to the mill with her friends, she sensed the others returned to this place like a second home.
From what she could gather, the group used the old mill sort of like their secret hideout. Bits and pieces of conversation had led her to believe they came here for years and some of them started to feel as if they had outgrown it.
She didn’t want to admit it to anyone, but the idea of a secret meeting place thrilled her. Being invited by the group meant, to her, she was finally accepted as one of them.
She hardly noticed how sweaty Sal’s hand felt in hers as they sneaked along to the far side of the building where they could get in. Tonight brought too much excitement for her to notice the little things.
In the morning she had a long talk with her mom and her aunt. Tamyra dumped any remnants of guilt over having thought she killed Bianca. Both women affirmed their type of werewolf simply couldn’t kill people.
They walked her through the bits of her memory until she had the full picture of her night. The last she saw Bianca, in her human form, truly had been the last she caught glimpse of the girl.
With the tricks learned this morning she felt fairly certain she would be able to remember her wolfen nights in the future.
Putting Bianca to rest would’ve been enough to set her mind at ease. But, tonight trudging along with her boyfriend and new friends and being let into the inner circle had her dancing on the wind.