Sweet Evil Fangs

Where It All Began

“Nathan!”

I didn’t care that I looked like a weirdo gaping at his back. It was him! He was back! I ran up and grabbed him. He halted, freezing instantly. He must have been traumatized, having gone missing with his parents.

“I missed you!”

I spun around to face him, oblivious to the students watching. I looked up at him, and my relief instantly gave way to fear. Something was terribly wrong. He looked... different. Why did I suddenly feel like I was talking to a stranger? The way he gazed at me—it was as if he had no clue who I was. Was I hallucinating after so long?

“Nathan?” I asked. He towered over me. I waited for him to do something—kiss me, embrace me, or say the sweet things he always did. But nothing. He just stared, looking inert and exhausted, like a corpse out of a coffin. I could feel my insides screaming.

“N-Nathan, it’s me. Your girlfriend, Natasha?” I tried saying my name, hoping for a spark of recognition. No reaction. His jaw tightened, and he balled his fists, looking exasperated by my presence. I reached up to touch his face, but he slapped my hand away and walked past me as if I were nothing.

“Damn…”

Students snickered. My cheeks burned. I watched Nathan’s back retreat. I wasn't giving up. I ran to him, trying to hug him one more time, just in case he would remember.

“It’s me, Nathan! Natasha! I’m your girlfriend! You said you love me! Why are you treating me like you don’t know me?”

He stopped and looked back, his eyes blazing with rage. I saw a bloodlust, a raw hunger. In that instant, I backed away. I had never been so terrified until I saw the ravenous look in his eyes. He let out a low snarl, making me falter as I watched him stroll away. When he was gone, tears spilled down my cheeks.

He had changed. Had he disregarded me once he got what he wanted? I couldn't accept it! I trusted him, and this was my reward. I skipped class, going straight to the comfort room to cry my eyes out. I wanted to punch him, to tear him apart, but I knew I couldn't.

I looked at myself in the mirror—my makeup smeared. I looked like a mess. I let out a heavy sigh. Maybe he would recognize me tomorrow. I just needed to let him unwind and adapt, assuming he was enduring trauma. I needed to give him time.

However, the following days were the same. Every time our eyes met, he continuously scowled at me. One day, my eyes narrowed in confusion when I noticed he had fangs. His teeth used to be perfect; he certainly didn't have those. He quickly looked away before I could run up to him, making me sigh in defeat.

The cycle continued. I tried talking to him. I even attempted to orchestrate a plan to run up and "accidentally" trip in front of him so he’d help me, but he ignored me endlessly, as if I didn’t exist.

“Shut up! Leave me alone!”

He yelled furiously when his temper snapped. He thrust my shoulder aside, making me nearly lose my balance. I followed him as he walked toward the cafeteria.

“She’s not going to give up, is she?”

“She looks desperate.”

“She can’t accept the fact Nathan doesn’t really love her.”

Their words cut deep, straight to my damaged heart. But that didn't stop me.

Something was definitely wrong with Nathan; I just couldn't put my finger on it.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of classes. I hastily packed my things and went out to look for him. He wasn’t hard to find.

When I finally spotted him walking, I discreetly followed. I knew I looked like a creep, but I needed answers. His disappearance and sudden reappearance still felt odd.

I raised a brow as I watched him walk outside the campus. He had a car, and he could drive, so why was he walking home? This was a red flag. The first had been his voice: deeper and raspy.

I had to get to the bottom of this mess. My conscience wouldn't let me rest. Even his style was different. He used to wear stylish clothes: white long sleeves with the top button undone, brown slacks, and white shoes—simple, but he screamed runaway model. The Nathan I was seeing now wore a dark jacket, pants, and boots. He looked mysterious and hard to reach.

As he walked on the side street, I made sure he wouldn't see me. Each time he glanced sideways, I covered myself—behind a tree, a car, or even a tall person. Some people might have seen my foolishness, but I couldn’t risk him spotting me. I had to know where he was going.

I didn't notice the sun setting until the sky grew dim. I looked straight ahead, and a sudden strike of déjà vu crawled through my system. I tried to shake off the anxiety, but something told me I had been in this place before. I swallowed the lump blocking my throat. I stopped and frantically looked around. This place was familiar, the feeling I had here before.

There were no people; the area was quiet. Where was Nathan heading? What was this place? I had a bad feeling this wasn't a good idea. The sun finally set. All of a sudden, darkness fell. There were no streetlights, limiting my sight. Luckily, it was a full moon, shining brightly tonight.

“Who are you?!”

I nearly jumped in panic. A man was backing away, looking toward my spot, frantic. I was about to go to him when someone blocked my way, and my eyes widened in terror as I recognized the figure.

“Stay back! I don’t want to hurt you!”

I watched, anxious, as Nathan towered over the man, making him yell in fright. I wanted to scream at Nathan to stop. What was he doing? Why was he trying to attack this poor, innocent man? But before I could do anything, Nathan suddenly looked up and let out a feral howl.

My jaw almost dropped. He grunted in such immense pain as his body began to change into something unrecognizable. He clutched his head and writhed on the ground. The man backed away, terrified, trying to run but freezing in place.

Nathan's human form was now covered in thick, long fur. His nails sharpened and extended into claws. I couldn't grasp what was happening. My internal voice screamed at me to run, but something compelled me to stay and watch. When the transformation was complete, he looked up and let out a low, petrifying howl. He slowly turned his gaze to the man, who was shaking with fear.

“P-please… spare my life.”

The creature didn't listen. It showed its fangs, which shone brightly in my face, and attacked the man on the ground. The world seemed to slip away. I needed to do something, to help, but I was paralyzed as I saw blood splash around the road.

The man cried and pleaded for help. I tried to reach out, and that's when the creature noticed me. The man reached for me, shouting in misery.

“Help! PLEASE!”

My lips trembled. Nathan—now a beast—turned its gaze to me. When it recognized who I was, it let go of the poor man, now covered in blood.

I tried to get up on my knees, though they shook uncontrollably. That was my cue to run.

Before he could tackle me, I ran straight ahead without looking back. I could hear its low snarls and quick paws closing in. Tears streamed down my cheeks. That wasn't Nathan! That wasn't my boyfriend! That was a beast hungry for blood and flesh!

I ran, not knowing where the hell my feet are taking me! While catching my breath, I suddenly remembered my dream: the exact time, place, and situation! A half-man, half-wolf chasing me. But I never knew it was going to be my boyfriend!

Before I could leap over a fallen tree, I felt it tackle me from behind. We rolled in the dirt, stopping when I hit a huge rock. I groaned in pain. Slowly, I opened my eyes and was immediately face-to-face with the beast. My heart started beating so fast I couldn’t breathe properly.

Its fangs were bared, with blood dripping from the earlier incident. But when I looked into its eyes, something caught my attention. I swallowed hard and tried to reach its face.

“It’s me…” I said in a calming tone. I knew he was in there. I didn’t know what happened or why he had suddenly changed into like this, but I knew he was still the same guy I loved.

“The woman you love.” I forced a smile, showing I wasn't scared, even though my insides were horrified.

Its face softened slightly, and it began to calm down. I was about to reach out when it suddenly let out an animalistic growl, showing its colossal teeth, and everything went dark.