Sam

Chapter 10

The next day Tristan vowed to remain closer to Sam than he had before. Logan wasn't one to let things go, and with all the teasing she had received from the other students, he knew she was bound to erupt. But when he sat down in English next to her, he noticed she wouldn't meet his gaze. He sensed something was off, but it wasn't until Jake walked in he realized why she was on edge.

Jake walked in quietly, remaining behind the class. The bags under his eyes told him that he hadn't gotten a good nights sleep in a few days. Tristan couldn't bring himself to even pity Jake, he deserved it. A small part of him was glad that he wasn't talking to anyone anymore, the only comments he usually made were derogatory. Tristan hated it.

He had changed though. In the span of three days he was no longer the bright and energetic teenager. He glanced away from any looks, refused to speak when a teacher called his name, and constantly was looking around like he could see something no one else couldn't. His eyes had changed too. Before they were a soft blue, even with the darkness inside of him he could steal the gaze of any girl with just a look. Now, however, they reminded Tristan of an old man, someone who'd seen the worst of life.

His stench reached Tristans nose, making him lean away. He smelled like rotten meat, even the others in the class began to notice day by day he got smellier and smellier. A few people around him made it obvious as they inched slowly away from him. Tristan gasped as he realized the front two teeth of his were missing, his lips swollen like he got hit in the face by something.

Everyone knew Jake was obsessed with his looks. His teeth and hair especially were points of interest to him, if anyone touched it they would get hit in the face. As Jake turned to look at the window, Tristan saw the bald spot that was forming on the back of his head.

What is happening to him? Tristan thought to himself.

"Jake," the teacher called. He jumped up, looking around as his name was called.

"No!" Jake cried. He looked like he'd seen a ghost. Fear struck his face as he searched for the invisible assassin. Jake didn't stare at anyone. It was like he was the only one in the room. Suddenly the whole class stared at him. The teacher walked towards him, gently stretching his hand out.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly. Jakes eyes turned to Sam. He glared at her from across the room, muttering softly to himself. Sam stared back, slightly afraid. Tristan could hear her heart racing, instinctively he stood up, blocking Jakes gaze from Sam.

The teacher was inching closer, considering leaving him be. Jake started scratching himself, so hard that his nails broke the skin. Tristan heard Josh running out the room saying he was getting the nurse, though Tristan knew the real reason.

Tristan thought the blood smelled off. Jakes skin peeled easily, his nails falling to the ground. He kept scratching, mumbling nonsense in Tristans direction. His skin fell like paper, digging deeper as the layers began to fall off. Tristan heard a student in the front barfing, innocent to a horror like this.

"Kill the bitch." He finally said, auditable. "Kill the guy to kill the bitch." Tristan held his hands out nervously, not wanting to cause any trouble, but wanting to keep Sam safe.

"Are you okay Jake?" The teacher asked nervously. He touched his shoulder softly, but Jake retracted.

"Kill the bitch!" He screamed, scurrying into the corner like a caged rat. By now several students were starting to approach him, but Tristan was pushing Sam backwards. He felt her pressing her face into his back, hugging onto his waist.

"I won't let him hurt you." The words escaped Tristans lips before he realized it, but she smiled. "I know what you are." He whispered, she went rigid.

"W-what?" She whispered. The whole class was distracted with Jakes ramblings, he knew this was the best time. Perhaps if he could calm her down, whatever power was affecting Jake would leave.

"I'm not a lycan." He whispered. "I'll explain it to you later." Tristan turned to face her, grabbing ahold of her shoulders. Tears started forming in the corners of her eyes, making his heart lurch. "I just need you to know, it's okay." He sighed, he could see her physically relax.

Stress causes them to lash out, he remembered his father saying. Tristan could tell something was putting her off this morning. The tension in the air disappeared as Jakes rambling stopped. It was like he could suddenly see again. Surprised by the students around him, he bolted from the room.

The teacher ran to the school phone on his desk, quickly dialing. "Jake Rogers has lost his mind, we need to go on lockdown." He said. The whole class was staring at him for direction. "Suzy!" He called to a student near the door. "Lock the door!" Fear was etched in him. Tristan could hear Sams heart start to race again. As the teacher hung up the phone, a voice rang out on the intercom. The familiar voice of Principle Weaver.

"May I have your attention please. We are in lockdown until further notice-situation inside."

The teacher ran to the door, Tristan had never seen such fear by someone like himself. It reminded him of his own fear that night. He pulled down the curtain of the door, and turned off the light. Assuring all the students into the corner where they couldn't be seen.

"Tristan," Sam whispered. "Josh is outside." Tristan's blood ran cold.