Taylor
1194 Words
Monica frantically searched for her car keys, only to realize Isaiah had taken the car to the party. Without wasting time, she called Lucas’s dad, Richard. He was more than happy to help—as long as it meant Monica would smile.
She waited. Only five minutes passed, but it felt like thirty. Her patience wore thin, and just as she opened the door to run there herself, she ran straight into Richard's arms.
Without a moment to enjoy the embrace, Richard saw the worry on her face and asked, “What’s wrong, Monica?”
Monica forced a smile. “Do you know where Isaiah and Lucas went? I need you to drive me there.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “Of course. It’s their friend Aisha’s house. They think I don’t know, but I do.”
Monica sighed with relief. “Thank God. Please take me there.”
“Of course. Anything for you, Monica.”
They drove to Aisha’s house. Richard tried to lighten the mood, cracking jokes and playing upbeat music, but the heaviness lingered in the air. When they arrived, Monica quickly opened the car door. Seeing Richard about to step out, she stopped him.
“You know what? Why don’t you stay in the car? I’ll be right back.”
Richard frowned. “Why? You look really distressed. Wouldn’t it be better if I came with you?”
“They’ll freak out if they see the principal at a party. You know what I mean?”
He let out a long sigh. “Fine. But call me if you need me, okay?”
“I will,” she said, managing a small smile before shutting the door and heading inside.
Monica scanned the room. “Have you seen Isaiah?” she asked one of the students.
“Who’s Isaiah? Oh… the hot new guy?”
Her eyes widened. “Yes! That one!”
“Oh, yeah. He went upstairs with the new girl.”
“Thank you.”
Monica rushed up the stairs, opening every door until a beam of moonlight caught her eye from the end of the hall. She approached the glowing room and found Lucas and Aisha inside.
She ran to Lucas. “Lucas? Where’s Isaiah?”
Lucas silently pointed at a broken window.
Monica kept calm. “Okay, Lucas, I need your help to find him.”
Lucas looked frightened. “What is he?”
Monica hesitated. “I-I’ll explain later. But right now, we need to find him before he hurts someone. And remember—he’s still the same Isaiah. Your friend.”
Lucas blinked, like he was waking from a trance. “You’re right, Mrs. Reed. What do you need? I’ll help.”
Monica let out a sigh of relief. She then noticed a girl curled in the corner.
“You’re Taylor, right? I know this must be scary, bu—”
“I’m not Taylor,” the girl interrupted quickly. “I’m Aisha. Taylor was right here just a second ago…”
Monica didn’t wait. “Never mind that. We have to find Isaiah.”
The three of them hurried into the forest behind Aisha’s house.
Meanwhile, Taylor walked home in shock. Her mind raced as she entered the house.
She looked at her father and asked, “Those stories you used to tell me… about a black wolf with golden eyes—was it true?”
David turned to her, alarmed. “What do you mean, Taylor? Where did you see it?!”
She blinked. “Him? What do you mean him? What are you hiding from me, Dad?”
David froze. “Taylor… there’s more to that story than you think.”
Taylor narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“We come from a long line of hunters.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I know. You always tell me how great Grandpa and Grandma were at hunting animals.”
David looked serious. “It’s not the kind of animals you’re thinking about… we hunt werewolves, Taylor.”
She burst out laughing. “Werewolves? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
But David stayed silent.
The room shifted.
“You’re… not joking,” Taylor said quietly.
David nodded. “Sit down. There’s something I need to tell you about your mother’s death.”
“She died in an accident… didn’t she?”
He swallowed hard. “She did… but there’s more. Yes, there was an accident. But the thing that caused it… was a black wolf with golden eyes—just like the one from the stories.”
Taylor’s world tilted.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
David continued, “Your mom and I had decided that after my next hunt, we’d leave. You were just two. She was tired of seeing me come home hurt. I told my parents I was done making her suffer. They opposed it, of course, but agreed to let me go on one condition: I had to kill an entire pack on my own.”
Taylor flinched. “What does this have to do with the black wolf?”
David looked haunted. “I accepted their condition. I set traps, used every trick I had… and I killed a whole pack.”
Taylor’s face went pale.
He paused but Taylor grabbed his hand. “Talk. I can handle it.”
“I brought their ears to my parents as proof. They let me go. So I went home, grabbed you and your mom, and we hit the road. We were so happy… finally free.”
“But that night, the universe decided to take everything. A wolf appeared in the middle of the road. Bigger than any alpha. A creature from legend. Our people called them crescents.”
“I swerved, hit my head, passed out. When I woke up… I saw it. The black wolf. With golden crescent-shaped eyes. It was creeping up behind your mom, who was trying to wake me while holding you in her arms.”
Taylor’s breath caught.
“I reached for my shotgun, but I was too late. It tore her apart… and just stood there, staring at me as I drove away. As if… it had won.”
He clenched his fists. “Since then, I’ve hunted that beast. But it vanished… like it never existed.”
He grabbed Taylor’s shoulders. “So if you know anything about it—tell me now.”
Taylor, trembling, said, “It ran past me while I was walking home.”
David's eyes lit up. “Finally. I know where you are now, you bastard.”
“No!” Taylor shouted. “Dad… I’m scared. Please don’t leave me.”
David softened. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ll stay in your room until you fall asleep.”
But deep inside, he knew—this was his only shot at revenge.
Taylor lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Did Isaiah really kill my mom?
But that was years ago… he’d be older by now. So… his dad?
Her heart was far from at ease.
What will happen to Taylor now?
What will David do?
Where is Isaiah?
- Writer
