The Hunter And The Prey

Chapter 6

Belle’s Pov,

“What is the cause of death?” I asked. Even though I don't go out much, I can't shake the fear because the forest is close to the school.

"There were animal bites on other parts of the victim's body, but we haven't determined the cause of death,"

I was even more nervous, “They? It means there isn’t just one victim?”I asked, horrified.

"Belle, enough for your question; go back to sleep; it's nearly dawn, and you still have school tomorrow,"

"OK, dad...goodnight," I said as I adjusted my blanket.

When my father turned off the light, I stared at the ceiling, “A bite of an animal? What animal can do that?” I asked myself as I pondered the red eye of the beast that had attacked me flashed through my mind. Fear went back to my mind, so I wrapped myself in a blanket and closed my eyes.

"I should tell my father about that animal since it's so close to the school," I decided before closing my eyes.

The next morning, I awoke to loud music. "What the-?" I exclaimed. "It's only five o'clock," I say to the alarm clock on my bedside table, "but my neighbor appears to be very lively." I started as I put on my eyeglasses before opening my eyes.

I drew back the curtain slightly to peek at my neighbor, "Oh my..." I exclaimed, seeing my hot neighbor working out in only his boxer! I hurried downstairs, leaving the window, blushing.

When I walked into the kitchen, my father was already there, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.

“Dad, you're already awake, or did you sleep?”

"I have to get to the precinct early, especially with so many complaints," he says.

I suddenly remembered what I wanted to say to him.

“About the animal that roams our town— I saw it the night of the welcoming party at the University. I’m not planning to tell you because it's not a big deal, but when you mentioned a dead body in the forest — I got scared."

My father dropped the newspaper he was reading and quickly turned to me.

"What happens? Did you get attacked by the animal? Is this the reason you have a bandage on your legs?” he asked in series, it’s obvious in his eyes that he is worrying about it.

I sighed when I saw my father’s concern. That's why I didn't want to tell him everything that was going on with me because he was already worried and I didn't want to add to his problems.

“Y-Yes, it attacked me, but the animal didn’t bite me because a car came before I was approached,” I denied so that he wouldn’t worry.

"All right then... Don't worry, we'll focus on patrolling the university's borders to ensure its safety."

My father stood up and placed his coffee maker in the sink.

"I'm leaving, and remember, never walk alone." If you're running late, please call me so I can pick you up."

I nodded and smiled as I accepted my daily allowance.

“Careful out there and eat on time!” I appeal to him.

When my father finally left, I returned to my room with my milk.

"Let's see what breed of dog has that big and red eyes," I thought to myself as I switched on my computer.

"Let's see what Google says," I say as I type the keyboard, "Breed of wolf with a red eye and enter."

“Nothing? Why is there no information available about the breed of wolf with red eyes?" I asked as I attempted another search.

I continued my search and came across a website with urban legends about a type of wolf with red eyes.

"A red-eyed wolf is an Alpha; one bite will turn you… into one of them,"

When a picture appeared on the screen, my mouse click came to a halt. "It looks like the one who bit me," I exclaimed.

The shape of the wolf that nearly killed me returned to my mind.

I immediately turned off the computer and stepped away from it due to the return of fear.

"Don't scare yourself, Belle. You've only come across a regular wolf. Your classmates are scarier than the wolf who bit you," I told myself as I went to the bathroom.

As I began to remove my bandage, the fear that had enslaved me was gradually replaced by sadness.

“The only stunning in me is completely taken away,” I exclaimed as I examined my wound.

I decided to get the wolf's fang mark wet because it was still etched but no longer fresh.

“Zeke, get your ash down here!”

I quickly covered my ears because of the loud shout from the house next door. "Wait, what was that?!" I mumbled.

I hurriedly finished my bath and exited the bathroom.

"I think I'm going crazy," I said quietly as I pulled clothes from my drawer, frowning as the room became quiet again.

I called Audrey as soon as I got dressed, but she was unable to attend class this morning due to a family emergency.

"Don't worry, I'll be at university before lunch and don't you pay attention to the school bullies?" Audrey reminds me.

"Don't worry, I'm used to it, so their mockery doesn't bother me," I said, putting the bandage on my legs before standing up.

When Audrey hung up, I let out a deep sigh on the other end of the line.

Because of what happened at the party, I'm sure I'll get double insults, especially from the basketball team, especially since Audrey isn't defending me right now.

"Belle, you're the sheriff's daughter, so this test is nothing but chicken to you," I remind myself as I walk out the door.

When I go to school alone, I wear a headset and listen to my favorite music to avoid the comments of my fellow students.

"Half of their suffering can't bring you down," I tell myself as I look at the university gate.

When I was about to take a step, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Let me accompany you,”

I was taken aback when I heard the deep, raspy voice of the person whose hand was holding me back.

I rejected it, thinking it was another bully, saying, "Leave me alone!" I exclaimed, not looking at the man behind me, and ran away from him.