Page 19 of Blood Moon
Article VII, Lost Letters from Aadan the First
After ice cream, Stevie and I decided to throw a slumber party in our room. Well, more like Stevie suggested, and while I was apprehensive—due to my urge to dive into a deep web search on the pendant Rena had sent—I decided it was best I gave myself a mental break. I’d experienced a lot in the last day, and I wanted some sense of normalcy, if only for a few hours.
While Abi and Em dragged their mattresses down the hall, I passed through the foyer of the dorm to fill my water bottle with ice. Someone had left the television on. It was mounted above the fireplace, and in the center of the screen was a news anchor. Her dark curly hair flowed in the wind as she stood outside what looked like the local park. Yellow caution tape flapped behind her. To her right, at the line of the trees, were townsfolk. They held up homemade signs, all of which were warnings:
They’re real!
The end is near!
Beware of werewolves!
The camera panned back to the news reporter. The bright lights made her brown skin glow.
“This just in. Two UMKC graduate students were ambushed in a gruesome attack, one killed, by what officials believe was a bear over the weekend.
“The encounter occurred on Saturday, in Kansas City, Kansas, when the graduates encountered the animal at close range while on a date east of shelter twelve, close to the White Tail Loop trail at the Timber Plains Park, as you can see, right behind me.
“Only one victim was able to get to safety where they found a Park County police officer on duty.
“An investigation into the attack is still ongoing by authorities, and names of the victims have not been released at this time.”
Photos of the crime scene flashed across the screen, and when the live reporting returned, the news reporter was interviewing one of the people who held a sign.
It was a middle-aged white man wearing a camouflage hat, jacket, and trousers.
“We know this town is known for its legends about werewolves, but reports are saying it was a bear attack. While bears aren’t native to Kansas, it’s certainly not impossible. What do you and your friends have to say about the recent incident?” the anchor asked.
“Well, Ma’am, we know for sure it wasn’t no bear. Each of us has seen the monster with our own eyes, trying to eat our livestock. The Good Book says, ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.’”
“You believe werewolves did this?” the reporter asked.
“We know it was werewolves, Ma’am. They say when there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk on earth, so be aware and get right with your folks. The end is near.”
The reporter turned back to the camera. “And that’s all we have for tonight. Stay tuned for more breaking news.”
The news station moved to the next clip, and a memory surfaced. It had something to do with the news anchor’s face. The piercing look in her deep brown eyes, and the subtle way her hair caught in the wind before the clip ended.
It reminded me of Rena. Six years ago.
She had swollen red cheeks and sweat soaking her midnight curls. A long gash ran down her arm. It was wrapped, but blood seeped through as she rummaged through boxes in her closet.
“Mama?” I murmured, and she flinched, something falling to the ground. The one consistent thing about Rena was she didn’t scare easily. Never had, even after many years of me trying and failing miserably.
She looked at me, blood in the rims of her irises, and my heart stuttered. It was as if she’d beenattacked …
Before I could take a step forward, she was already rushing in my direction, and I stumbled. A flash, and the door almost seemed to shut on its own. I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Confused by what I thought I saw, I sank to the floor and listened to my mother searching for something until I gained the energy to go to my room.
The next day, she was up early making breakfast with a smile on her face. I never asked her about the door, or her scars, but Ishouldhave. It was something I thought of from time to time, something that crept back in and haunted me.
I didn’t know who she was that day. It was a side of her I’d never witnessed before, but now I wondered if what had happened to her that day—the possible fight she’d been in—was one of the reasons she’d left. She must have been running from something.
CHAPTER11
They come at night, but so do we.
Article VI, Lost Letters from Aadan the First
Em was laughing very loudly when I returned to my dorm room. She sat next to Stevie on her bed, and Abi was snuggled up to a stuffed bear on the mattress she’d brought in. They all stared at me when I entered.
