PROPHESIED LUNA

Chapter 4

The students were very happy with the news. They had heard stories of how beautiful the dark forest was and the beautiful creatures that lived there. There was even a rumour that unicorns were abundant there. The principal concluded his announcement telling them they’ll be leaving for the forest in two days’ time and they are all expected to go on the trip. There would be no exception.

Chloe went home in a daze. She had tried to talk to her class teacher so she can be exempted from the trip but she was not granted permission. Her birthday was on the day of the trip, meaning she would shift that day. With all her mates there, it was very likely that she would be discovered.

Her father noticed she was distracted during dinner. “What happened in school?” he asked in concern. “Did you get involved in a fight?”

“Dad! I told you, I’ve changed,” she protested. She then went on to explain her predicament.

“The school has organized a trip for us. We’ll be leaving in two days.” She said as she stared at the glass of juice she cradled in her hands like it was the source of her problems.

“Where are you going?” her father asked as he used a napkin to dab at his mouth.

“The dark forest,” she replied. She took a gulp of juice and looked at her father. She was shocked to find him with a sinister smile on her face. She swallowed in caution. “Dad,” she called out and the smile was replaced with a normal one.

“I feel it’s a good idea. You’ll be able to get familiar with the forest and complete the prophecy faster.” With that, he stood up and carried the plates he had used to eat into the kitchen, whistling a tune. Chloe became scared. Her father only whistled that tune when he was very happy or when one of their neighbours were in trouble. He did not seem worried about her.

When she once asked, he had told her it was just because he was sad. But Chloe has seen the smiles on many occasions. That was a happy whistle, at the expense of someone else. Could she really trust her father and the stories he told her?

******

The day of the retreat soon came. Collins celebrated his daughter’s birthday at home with a cake and lots of wrapped gifts. Chloe tried to dismiss her suspicions about him and focus on what lay ahead. Her abilities were more developed already and she could feel changes in her body. She just hoped she won’t change in front of her class mates.

On getting to school, she met others already loading their luggage into the big school bus that would be conveying them to the house they’ll be staying at in the middle of the Dark Forest. As the bus finally started the journey some 2 hours later, Chloe pu her hand into her hoodie pocket and found a folded note.

Curious, she opened it to see what was written in it. ‘YOU’LL SHIFT IN THE MIDNIGHT. BE CAREFUL. TRUST NO ONE.’ The writer must have slipped it into her pocket during the rush to enter the bus. As if nothing could surprise her any longer at this point, she just tore the paper into pieces and threw them out of the moving bus.

Behind her, more than one set of eyes monitored her every move. The owner of one of them sent ‘Note received.’ To someone on the phone.

The bus ride took roughly 3 hours and they got to the Dark Forest in no time. The students were welcomed by a whole lot of fallen trees and petals. The forest was indeed a sight to behold.

The sky was clear.

The house they were to stay was located in the middle of the forest. A little bit eerie. It was well lit, with all necessary amenities. It even had a pool. All the students might need were already provided and the teachers that accompanied them took charge.

The arrangement was 3 per room and you get to choose your roommates.

Since she had no friends, Lisa and Olivia stuck to her and ended up being roomed together. Each of them unpacked, consumed with thoughts of their completely different agendas.

There was no scheduled activity for that day. The students were just advised to settle into their rooms and rest from all the stress of the day.

“As planned, activities will start tomorrow. Make good use of today to rest up.” Mrs. Jenks, one of the teachers told them.

As it neared midnight, Chloe became more anxious. Immediately the clock struck 11:30 she went out of her room into the forest so she would not alarm anyone. In her haste, she did not notice she was being followed. After a few minutes, her whole body started feeling itchy. She checked the time; it was 12:00 already. She felt painful pricks all over her body.

Suddenly, her bones seemed to be breaking. They were breaking and taking another shape. She was forced to crouch. Her nails elongated, very painfully and her whole body transformed. He cried out in pain. Then she howled. She had fully transformed.

She passed out from all the pain. When she woke up, she noticed she had been covered up with pieces of cloth. She wondered where they came from. Her own clothes had been torn during her shifting. She hurriedly put on her clothes ans surveyed her surriundings.

All her senses were heightened and she felt stronger than before. She was about to test her strength on a nearby tree when her ears caught the sound of someone coming close to where she stood. Lisa came into view.

“What happened?” she asked in concern. “We’ve been looking for you in the room.”

“I just came out for fresh air,” Chloe smiled in reply. “Let’s go back inside.” They both turned to go inside. Behind her, Lisa smiled wickedly and raised a knife towards Chloe’s neck. She was about to stab her when someone suddenly pushed her away.

Startled, Chloe turned back to see Lisa still holding on to the knife and fighting off the person who held her down.

“Leave me alone.” She shouted. “I have to kill her. We’re not meant to be protecting her.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. She wanted to kill her?

The person holding Lisa down finally stood up. Lisa stood as well, glaring at him and rubbing her injured elbow.

“You did not see her transform, Zeke. She’s a golden wolf!” Lisa screamed in his face. The guy tuned to face Chloe. He looked shocked. Golden wolves have gone extinct and there has been a prophecy that a golden wolf would soon arise and be the one to end all wolf packs. All wolves in existence have been taught to kill any golden wolf they see.

Chloe could hear his thoughts. That was a new ability she never knew she had. She frowned. That was not what her father told her. “No. Your prophecy is wrong. I’m to save the Blackwoods pack from their curse.” Lisa and Zeke looked at her in shock. “You can read minds?”

Before she could reply, Chloe was suddenly hit with the most wonderful scent ever. She inhaled as she looked around for the source. Zeke was also suddenly aware of her scent. “No way,” he thought. “How could she possibly be … How am I supposed to kill her now?”

They both looked at each other in horror at the realization of their situation. “Mate.” They whispered.