Chapter 2
1549 Words
Once we put some distance between us and the school, Oliver finally released my hand. I was still trying to catch my breath after all the running we’d just done. Confusion lingered as I asked, “Oliver, why did you grab me and run?”
His expression shifted to shock, as if he couldn’t believe I’d even asked.
“You don’t know who you are, do you?”
I blinked at him. “What are you talking about, Oliver? I’m a seventeen‑year‑old girl living in Tennessee. There’s nothing mysterious about me.”
Oliver shook his head. “Let’s get you home before your mom starts to worry.”
Fortunately, my house wasn’t far from where we’d stopped.
We walked in complete silence the entire way back. As we approached the farm, I saw my mother standing on the porch, anxiously scanning the surroundings. A realization hit me. *Oh man, I’m in trouble. I didn’t even call her to say I’d be late.*
The moment we reached the porch, my mom rushed toward us. “Artemis, where have you been? I heard howling. Are you okay?”
Before I could answer, Oliver stepped in. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry for bringing Artemis home so late. We were studying—she’s my appointed tutor for the semester.”
My mother’s expression mirrored my shock, though for different reasons. I’d never had a boy over before—well, except for Genius. But what surprised me most was that Oliver wasn’t telling her what had actually happened. Why wasn’t he explaining anything?
They talked on the porch for what felt like forever. It was strange, considering Oliver had only just met her.
Eventually, my mom went inside, leaving Oliver and me alone. I seized the moment. “Oliver, can you please tell me what’s going on? Why did my best friend growl at me?”
He looked at me like he couldn’t believe my confusion. After a moment, he offered a small smile. “Artemis, don’t worry about that right now. You should go inside and talk to your mother.”
And with that, he walked away, leaving me standing there with my mouth hanging open.
Inside, I found my mom sitting in the living room, her expression tight with distress. My stomach twisted. I hated seeing her upset. “Mom, what’s wrong? Are you mad at me for being late? I’m sorry—I lost track of time.”
Tears streamed down her face. “Baby girl, I’m so sorry for everything. I’ve kept so much from you trying to protect you. But maybe that wasn’t what was best.”
I stared at her, stunned. “Mom… what are you talking about?”
She cried harder, her words dissolving into sobs. I couldn’t understand anything she was saying. Panic rose in my chest. “Mom, where’s my brother? Where’s Zeus?”
Zeus always knew how to make her smile, no matter what. Even when she was mad at him, he could coax a laugh out of her. But now she just looked at me with a sadness I’d never seen before.
“He isn’t here right now, sweetie. He went out with his friends. He won’t be home until around five or five‑thirty in the morning. Let’s head to bed for now. We can talk more tomorrow when your brother is home.”
She stood and went to her room, leaving me staring at the stairs in disbelief. How could she drop something like that and then just… leave?
I climbed the stairs, tossed my things onto my bed, and went straight to the bathroom for a long, hot shower, hoping it would clear my head.
Afterward, I slipped into my pajamas and lay down. I didn’t even remember falling asleep.
What woke me wasn’t the natural drift of time—it was a blood‑curdling scream.
At first, I thought it came from outside. Then I heard it again, unmistakably from my mom’s room.
I glanced at the clock and prayed it was already 5:30 a.m. If Zeus were home, I wouldn’t have to face whatever this was alone. But it was only 4:00 a.m.
Another scream tore through the house.
I bolted out of bed, sprinting down the hall. When I pushed open my mother’s door, a horrific scene hit me like a physical blow.
Blood was everywhere—spattered, smeared, dripping. Dark crimson pools covered the floor. Streaks painted the walls and ceiling. A bloody handprint dragged across the wall, the fingers long and claw‑like.
My mother sat slumped in the corner, her chest torn open. Her ribs were exposed. Her stomach was slashed, her insides spilling onto the floor. My legs weakened. A cold sweat broke across my skin. I wanted to scream, but the sound stuck in my throat.
When I finally managed to open my mouth, the sound that filled the room wasn’t mine.
It was a low, menacing growl coming from the closet.
A massive black wolf stepped out, its bright white eyes gleaming—the same creature I’d seen outside my window and at school.
I backed away slowly, trying not to provoke it. My back hit the door handle. I slipped out, slammed the door, and ran.
I sprinted to my room, slammed my door shut, and shoved anything heavy against it. Vaulting over my bed, I grabbed my phone and dialed Zeus. No answer.
I hung up and dialed 9‑1‑1.
“9‑1‑1, what’s your emergency?”
“There’s a wolf in my house,” I cried. “It attacked my mother. I’m home alone—I think my mom is dead.”
“What’s your address, ma’am?”
“1641 Wolfsbane Drive, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Please hurry—the wolf is splitting my door!”
The growling grew louder. Wood cracked. My heart hammered.
“Ma’am, police, ambulance, and wildlife services are on the way. Stay on the phone with me.”
“If they don’t hurry, there won’t be anyone alive here to help them,” I whispered.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Relief washed over me.
“Operator, I hear them—they’re pulling into the driveway.”
“Good. Stay with me until the officers reach you.”
The moment the wolf heard the sirens, it stopped attacking the door and vanished into the shadows.
I didn’t move until officers entered the house. When they reached my room, they signaled for me to open the door. I cleared the barricade and stepped out.
Officer Jacob—who used to mentor Zeus—approached immediately. “What happened, Artemis? You said there was a wolf. Where did it go? Where’s your mom? Do you know where your brother is?”
His questions overwhelmed me. I took a shaky breath. “The wolf ran when it heard the sirens. My mom is in her room—there’s a lot of blood. Please help her. Zeus should be home soon.”
As soon as I finished, the weight of everything crashed down on me. I collapsed, sobbing. Officer Jacob knelt beside me and hugged me gently.
“Artemis, it’s going to be okay. You’re safe now.”
He led me outside to the ambulance.
Just then, my brother’s car screeched into the driveway. He didn’t even park before jumping out. “Artemis! What happened? Are you okay? Is Mom okay?”
I couldn’t look at him. Tears streamed down my face. My mom was gone. A wolf had taken her. Wolves didn’t break into homes and slaughter people. This felt like a nightmare.
Officer Jacob pulled Zeus aside to explain. Zeus didn’t believe him—he ran into the house, shouting for our mom. When he came back down, his face was twisted with grief and rage.
He rushed to me and wrapped me in his arms. “I’m sorry, Art. I should’ve been home to protect you and Mom.”
“Big brother, it’s not your fault,” I whispered. “You couldn’t have protected us. You would’ve gotten hurt too.”
He looked at me like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
Officer Jacob returned. “Artemis, are you ready to come to the station to fill out a witness report? Zeus can come with you. Zeus, you’re eighteen now, right?”
Zeus frowned. “Yeah. Why does that matter?”
Jacob sighed. “Child Protective Services will want to talk to you. Since your mom was your only parent, they need to know if you want to take custody of Artemis.”
Zeus exploded. “Of course I’ll take care of my sister! What kind of question is that? We’re all we have now.”
I touched his shoulder gently. “Zeus, it’s okay. Nobody’s taking me away. I only want to be with you.”
He hugged me tightly. “Come on, Art. Let’s get this day over with.”
The ride to the station was silent. I rested my head in Zeus’s lap, crying. He played with my hair the way Mom used to, trying to comfort me, but it only made the grief sharper.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under as the car crawled through traffic toward the police station.
- Writer
