HUNTED: The Midnight Series, Book Two Page 13

  Sitting in her Crime Scene Investigation class her teacher had put up a power point presentation in the front of the classroom. Currently they were looking at different pieces of hair. He also had some on his desk as he held each one up and described who they belonged too.

  “Now who can tell me what species this hair belongs too.” He said as he handed the piece of hair around as everyone glanced at it. Once it got into Briana’s hand, she immediately heard growling in her head. She dropped the piece of hair quick as her teacher picked it up.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drop it. It’s just. It looks like an animal hair.” She said with confusion.

  “Very good, it is an animal hair, but does anyone know which animal?” He asked as all hands shot up and he pointed to a short brunette girl in the back row. “Ashley?” He asked.

  “It’s a lycanthrope from the canine family, or better known as werewolf.” She said proudly as she took a seat.

  Briana began to laugh some as she looked at Ashley, had she just said it was a werewolf hair?

  “There is nothing funny about Lycanthropes, Briana. Must we go back in our textbooks to the New York City Massacre that took five lives and hurt countless others” Her teacher said seriously, and she blinked in confusion. “Ashley, you are correct.” He added.

  “I’m sorry but I swear she just said that it was a werewolf hair. Like a movie kind of werewolf?” Briana asked with confusion as she shook her head. Everyone was looking at her like she was crazy. Suddenly the room felt very small.

  “I really don’t appreciate your passive behavior about this. We have come incredibly far in the last twenty-six years considering we were almost wiped out by what we had thought was a mythical creature.” He said seriously, and she blinked in shock. “Talk with me after class.” He said sternly and then he continued with his lecture.

  Briana’s mind was swirling with information that made no sense. Werewolves? Extinction? What the hell had happened and why the hell couldn’t she remember? The rest of the class was a blur as information got confused in her head. She almost felt as if she was dreaming and if she wasn’t, she felt slightly crazy. She really didn’t even understand how any of this was related to Crime Scene Investigation. She felt like she was missing a big chunk of information. After class she walked up to his desk as the other students left. He seemed annoyed with her as he shook his head. “I’m disappointed in the way you behaved in class today, mocking my presentation regarding a very serious matter. That could be grounds for being dropped from my class.” He said seriously.

  Briana’s eyes got wide. “I didn’t mean to. I just. I don’t understand.” She began as she rambled.

  “Just don’t do it again ok. I’ve given you some leeway considering the traumatic event you have been through but if you want to succeed in this class then you have to be one hundred percent serious, understand?” He said sternly.

  She was still so very confused but instead of further pissing him off she answered him. “Yes Sir, it won’t happen again.” He let her leave class after that, and she spent her next class wondering what the hell was going on in the world. She felt like she was in the Twilight Zone.

  After her second class of the day and the last she finally pulled out her phone and began to search the internet as she sat in the grass up against a tree on campus. She searched for the word Lycanthrope and the results that came up made her heart skip a beat. It was news articles about werewolves. BOSTON POLICE RAID WAREHOUSE AND FIND ILLEGAL WEREWOLVES CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITHOUT PROPER LICENSE. Another article read: SHOULD OUR CHILDREN BE FORCED TO GO TO SCHOOL WITH INBRED WOLF CHILDREN? And yet another article: CLUB RAID IN TEXAS LEAVES TWENTY INJURED WHEN WOLF GOES ROGUE.

  Briana breathed hard as she scrolled through the various articles. How could this be real? Werewolves, like real wolves?

  “You know the sun makes it really hard on your eyes to read your phone.” A tall guy said as he stood in front of her. He had short cropped hair and a sweet smile. He was dressed in a button-down shirt, tie and khakis. He looked to be about her age.” Or not. I’m sorry I didn’t say it to be rude.” He shook his head as she stood up now. “I heard you had gotten home from the hospital and I just wanted to see for myself if you were ok.” He said with a soft smile. He looked somewhat familiar but not much.

  “I’m sorry but do I know you?” She asked as he blinked a bit in shock. “If I do. I apologize, apparently I don’t remember a lot of things and now I am rambling.” She said with embarrassment.

  “Oh, no that’s fine. I’ve heard of things like that happening.” He began as he put his hand out to her. “I’m Chris.”

  “Chris? As in The Chris, the one who rushed into my building and pulled me out?” She said in shock.

  Chris blushed some as he stood there. “Yeah I’m the guy.” He began, and she quickly hugged him. It caught him off guard as he stood there.

  “Oh my gosh, thank you so much. When I heard it really blew me away? I heard my apartment was on fire and you ran into it and pulled me out. I can’t thank you enough.” She said seriously as she pulled back from the hug. “I’m sorry if I just overstepped my bounds. I didn’t mean to.” She said with embarrassment at the look on his face.

  “No, it’s cool. And you’re welcome. I just did what anyone else would have done.” He said with a shake of his head.

  “I seriously doubt that; can I buy you a beer sometime?” She said quickly.

  “Yeah, I mean, sure. I’m always down for some beer.” He said with a soft smile.

  “Ok, a beer it is. Here um, put your number in my phone.” She said as she handed him her phone. He put the number in and then a bell was heard from the school. “I will let you go so you’re not late for class.”

  “Yeah I should go. I teach class actually. Art class, you could stop by some time if you wanted a lesson.” He said nervously.

  “Oh wow, an art teacher! Impressive. I will have to look into that.” She said honestly. She had hoped that the more she talked to him the more she would remember but there was still nothing.

  “Alright, well enjoy the rest of your day Briana. “He said as he turned from her.

  “Thank you again Chris. I really mean it.” She yelled out as he glanced at her and smiled before walking off.

  Briana had more questions than she had answers as she headed to the local bar that she worked at. The bartender Charles was like an uncle to her. He had taught her everything she knew about bartending and playing pool. As soon as she got inside the establishment he had looked up from his newspaper. His eyes beaming as he smiled big. “Well hot damn aren’t you a sight for sore eyes!” He quickly made his way around the bar. He was rounder than she remembered but she wouldn’t forget that face anywhere. Charles had long gray hair that he put in a ponytail and he had a scruffy white beard. He hugged her tight and she hugged him back. “We thought you were a goner there for a little bit but look at you, just as beautiful as ever and a new stripe of white hair to show for it!” He smiled big.

  Briana nervously twirled the white chunk of hair. “It feels like forever since I have been here, the place looks great.” She smiled.

  “It’s a shit hole darling but it’s mine.” He smirked.

  “Charles it’s like my home away from home.” She said honestly. This place felt familiar and good. She had memories of this place, good ones.

  “So, would it be rude of me to ask you this soon from getting out of the hospital.” He began nervously as he rubbed his chubby hands.

  “I would like to go back to work if that is what you’re asking.” Briana smiled.

  “You have literally just made my day, my night, hell my entire month!” He smiled big. “When can you start?”

  “Now?” She said with a grin.

  “Absolutely! Glad to have my girl back, the guys will be thrilled to see you back here. You have been missed Briana!” He said with a smile. She just wanted some normalcy back and working at the bar would bring that to her.

>   Briana called her mom to let her know that she was going to be working again, starting today. Her mother wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but she didn’t fight with Briana over it either. Briana thought that part of her was at least happy that she was out of the house. She seemed to be causing more fights than anything lately between her parents. She was sure the space would do everyone some good.

  While it was quiet and barely packed Briana used the opportunity to search more wolf things on her phone. It was odd that the idea of werewolves didn’t freak her out like she would have expected instead it felt odd. “Hey Charles, can I ask you a question?” She said as he took his eyes off the news and he looked at her.

  “Of course, darling.” He smiled.

  “What do you make of all this werewolf stuff.” She asked, and he shrugged his shoulders.

  “They are just regular people. I actually feel bad for them.” He began, and she was surprised by his answer. He continued. “They didn’t ask for that kind of life. It was just the hand that was dealt to them, most of them are just normal hard-working adults at least the ones I have met.”

  “So, you’ve met them? Where?” She said in shock.

  “Well it’s not like they are banned, they just need to register like everyone else. We have regulars that come in here. You don’t remember Jack? Or Billy?” He asked with surprise.

  “No, I don’t remember a lot of things.” She said honestly but she was still freaked out by how none of this really surprised her that much. Maybe part of her did remember, maybe that’s why she wasn’t running for the hills screaming.

  “It’s not always a bad thing to forget stuff. It’s like you get to start over fresh again. Lord knows I wouldn’t mind that but next time I want to be cuter and taller.” He smirked.

  Briana looked back at her phone as Charles looked back at the television. She stared at the picture of a fully shifted wolf. They were quite beautiful. The sound of another patron coming in made her put her phone away as she started her day.

  By the time it was nearing 8 pm the bar was packed and there was a steady stream of drinks being made. Being there had made Briana forget for once that anything had happened to her. She glanced at Eve as she came into the bar with a smile on her face.

  “I had to see it for myself, you’re working again!” She was excited as she sat on one of the bar stools. “I stopped by your parents place and they let me know, so how is it?’ She asked with big eyes.

  “It’s good, busy. Nice to be out of that house.” Briana said with a smile.

  “I’m sure it is. You know I have that spare room still you ever want to crash at my place.” Eve said with a smile.

  “Cool, I will keep that in mind.” Briana said as she handed Eve a beer and she sipped it quickly.

  “So how has the first day of the rest of your life been? You went to school I heard as well.” Eve smirked. As she sipped her beer.

  “Wow my mom is really just telling everyone.” Briana shook her head some. She was more of a private person or at least now she was. She didn’t like everyone knowing everything about her.

  “It’s your mom, that’s what moms do.” Eve smirked.

  “Yeah I suppose but its fine, school was fine.” Briana began and then she leaned into the bar some as she looked at Eve. “I heard about the wolf thing.” She whispered as Eve smirked some.

  “Why are you whispering?” She laughed.

  “Because I don’t want to be loud about it.” Briana began, and Eve looked around the bar quick and then she hollered for one of the big guys in the back to come over. His name was Thomas.

  Briana began to turn red as Eve made a scene. “Come on you big hunk of love, get your sexy ass over here!”

  “You don’t have to do that.” Briana said with a shake of her head, but it was too late. The large man was walking over with a smile on his face.

  “Now what do I owe the pleasure.” He smirked as he looked at Eve and then Briana. Briana went to talk but Eve did first.

  “Show Bree your arm.” She said as Briana turned bright red and shook her head as he pulled up his sleeve.

  “He doesn’t have to do that.” Briana said quickly but then she was looking at an intricate tattoo on his arm. It had a wolf in it but also other symbols. It looked oddly familiar.

  “Cool huh?” Eve said with a smirk.

  “You know I got other tattoos I could show you in private later.” Thomas grinned at Eve who smirked.

  “Maybe.” She smiled at him as he walked back over to the pool table.

  “Was he a?” Briana’s words got cut off.

  “Yep and trust me he is about as dangerous as a puppy.” Eve said with a grin. “But amazing in bed, oh my god!” She grinned bigger as Briana blushed more.

  “What? You and him? You slept with him?” Briana said in shock as she looked at Eve who just shook her head.

  “Hey, don’t look at me like that you almost got yourself one too but then you chickened out. I forgive you though.” Eve smirked.

  “I what? When?” Briana said in shock.

  “Six months ago, I think. I will let you in on another little secret.” Eve leaned into the bar more as Briana did. “They aren’t the only kind out there. There are vampires and witches.” Eve said as Briana leaned back and shook her head.

  “No, you’re lying. I’m not stupid.” Briana shook her head, but Eve looked completely serious. “You’re not serious? Right? I mean how?” Briana said in shock.

  “It’s just those things you hear about, I mean if there is one doesn’t there have to be others?” Eve drank some of her beer.

  “And they are just out there living normal lives?” Briana said in shock.

  “Basically, most of the mainstream world knows though no one talks about it. It’s a lot of the older generation that has a hard time. You know there was a war between them all a long time ago.” She continued.

  “How the heck do you know all of this?” Briana asked in shock.

  “You hear things and well you spend a lot of time with certain ones.” Eve winked at Thomas and then looked at Briana. “What?”

  “Nothing it’s just odd, that’s all.” Briana said with a shake of her head. “I feel like I should be more freaked out about this.” She finally said as Eve looked at her.

  “Why? You were brought up with it all around you. “Eve said honestly.

  “I know but I don’t remember any of it.” Briana said quickly. “It’s like I don’t remember any of this and yet it’s not freaking me out, that’s odd, right?”

  “I’m not really following you Bree. This is the world we live in; you shouldn’t be freaked out about it at all.” Eve said with a shrug of her shoulders. “We need to hang out one of these days and not here because it’s your work.” She smirked. “If you really want to see the world that they won’t tell you about on tv, then let me show you.” Eve smirked as she downed her beer and then got up. “I love this song!” She yelled out as she began to dance her way over to Thomas. Briana just watched in shock. Eve seemed different, or maybe no one was different. Maybe Briana was just different now? Either way things felt odd and confusing.

  There was a world of wolves, vampires and now witches too. She didn’t know if she would get used to it, how could she?

  Meanwhile across a few towns…

  He was getting tired of the same old routine. It was like a different girl but the same old thing. Blonde hair or brunette, it made no difference they were all just a means to him and not even a satisfying one.

  The current girl he was impaling repeatedly was crying out his name. He could really care less though. He was always searching for that moment, but it never came. “Oh my god John! Yes, yes!” The young blonde cried out as he rolled off her and she went to lay her head on his chest.

  “Not now, go shower or something.” He said as he shooed her away and she quickly got up and went into the bathroom. A knock on his door snapped him from his thoughts and it was probably a good thing because thinkin
g of her only caused him to have a bad mood. “Yeah what do you want.” He called out as the door opened and one of the younger guys stood there, averting his eyes from Johns naked body. “Well spit it out, you’re letting a draft in here.” John snapped angrily.

  “There’s a guy here looking for you. I told him that you were busy, but he wouldn’t listen and.” The young kid began as a commotion was heard coming down the hall. John immediately recognized the voice. “I told you that you have to wait.” The kid began as the large man pushed his way into the room as he grinned at John.

  “Well I will be damned, you’re a sight I didn’t think I would see.” Steele said with a grin.

  “I could say the same thing to you Steele but then again I heard you died like two times already.” John smirked as he sat up and then he looked at the kid still standing at the door. “Get the hell out of here.”

  “Jesus man you look like shit.” Steele smirked.

  “Thanks, same to you.” John got up and grabbed his jeans from the floor. The bathroom door opened, and the shocked blonde stood there looking at Steele and then John.

  “Hi Honey.” Steele smirked at her as John rolled his eyes.

  “We’re busy go away.” John said as he threw on a t-shirt. The blonde quickly got to the door and Steele slowly stepped out of the way as she walked past him. He stared at her ass as she disappeared down the hall.

  “Damn, I forgot what girls on this side of the ocean look like. “Steele said with a grin.

  “Let me guess, Ireland?” John smirked as he stepped across the room and began to pour two drinks.

  “Russia actually.” Steele began as John looked at him.

  “Damn, go have your fill then. Nothing like American ass.” John laughed some as he handed Steele a drink. “You look good.”

  “And you still look like shit.” Steele said as they both downed their whiskey.

  John lived in a southern mansion in Georgia. He had acres of property and fifteen bedrooms which were usually filled with women. Women that did anything and everything he asked of them. He was like a damn king here though the government was constantly trying to get him thrown in jail or worse. He hated those god damn hypocrites.